Chapter 8
Ginger, cocoa and powdered sugar scented the air. I grabbed a hanging basket, lined it with red and green napkins, then filled it to the brim with cookies.
“I suppose it's a little late to see if you can put a truth serum or something in these?” Henry asked.
“That’s always a last resort. People are smart.
They can tell if something doesn’t feel right, and truth serums can be nasty.
I had an aunt who bought one to give me as a child.
I was too young to know how to remain silent, and all sorts of personal confessions spilled from my mouth.
It was embarrassing, and I never trusted her again,” I said.
“Sounds like she crossed a boundary she shouldn’t have.” He held out his hand to carry the basket for me. “I’m hoping the notes I sent you didn’t do that. I didn’t mean for them to.”
“No. It was clear there were no demands or expectations. But you left me curious for months. In fact, you’re probably the last person I’d expect to have been sending them.”
His eyes widened. “Why’s that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing bad. It’s just you always seemed so confident and never flirted with me. So, I figured if you liked me, you would have made that perfectly clear. Everyone else did.” I guided him out of the kitchen and back to another hidden passage. “And I didn’t think being fae was an obstacle.”
Henry stopped and looked at me.
"Everyone else did try, and I suspected it was exhausting for you. Georgiana, you’re royalty.
That’s a big deal. It’s not unheard of for royalty to be restricted in who they can have relationships with.
And I don’t want a fling. That would be more painful than never being with you at all.
” I frowned, ready to object. But he interjected, "I’m not trying to make you commit to anything.
I need to know whether I stand a chance.
Until today, the idea was impossible, and every moment we spend together is sublime but painful. ”
He was such a poet, and I wanted to tell him he had nothing at all to worry about.
But in truth, some people could make a big deal out of high-fae relationships.
We could technically be with whomever we pleased.
But I knew my Aunt Catherine De Bourgh would be mortified if I didn’t marry another high fae.
She always talked about things like preserving your immaculate bloodline.
But really the pressure was greater for Darcy.
As the older sibling, it would likely be his children who would carry the family line. Would he object to me and Henry?
“If I had a sure answer for you, I would give it. This is just so new. But I understand what you're saying, and it makes me sad,” I answered.
“Sad?” Henry didn’t seem to understand.
“Well, if I hadn’t seen you on the security feed, you might not have ever told me. It’s just sad,” I answered. "What I might've missed."
"You always reminded me of Rapunzel, a princess with long golden hair, out of reach to the rest of the world." He stopped walking and looked up and down the passage, then he brushed his fingertips across my cheek, moving back a long lock of hair which fell over my shoulder. “Never telling you might’ve been the biggest mistake of my life. But now that you know, I’m more afraid than ever.”
"Henry, I..." My heart-rate climbed, and I looked away. Things were getting too serious. So I nodded at the basket of cookies he carried. “If we deliver these to guest rooms, Darcy is going to wonder why I’m not bringing Dan along. But I’m worried that bringing him might put people on guard.”
“Your brother is the last person I want to annoy,” Henry muttered. “Especially now that we’re a possibility.”
He was right. Darcy held a lot of power, and his opinion would always affect my life, whether or not I wanted it to.
“Well, hopefully Darcy is too distracted by Lizzy to worry about what we're doing.
You know, as a child, this was one of my favorite Christmas activities, running around the house with a basket of treats to share with the staff. "
“I remember when your family hosted the Nutcracker performance. You danced in that, didn’t you? Christmas at Pemberley is magical,” Henry said. “I’m sure this place is filled with beautiful memories for you.”
I found a panel leading back into the main hall and slid it aside so we could slip back into the open. "Yes, I was one of the sugar-plum fairies. I can't believe you remember that."
Henry held the panel open for me as I crossed. "I've loved you ever since…"
My jaw fell open. Darcy and Lizzy rounded a corner and nearly ran into us. As we rounded a corner, we nearly ran into Darcy and Lizzy.
“Oh, sorry!” Lizzy exclaimed. “Where did you come from?”
I froze, then shrugged. "We're just delivering cookies."
“How cheery.” Lizzy stammered.
“You’ve been baking, huh?” Darcy asked, snatching two cookies from the basket, and offering one to Lizzy.
I was relieved he didn’t ask whether I’d been sleuthing or kissing boys, for that matter. Of course, if he asked I’d be honest, but I didn’t want to share anything yet. “Yes, Henry helped. We made gingersnaps and chocolate crinkle. Are they good?”
“Wow,” said Lizzy. “We could sell these at my family’s bakery. Amazing.”
“Your family has a bakery?” I clapped. “Oh, Darcy, we have to go visit their bakery sometime! I would love to see what goes on behind the scenes. I bet it’s heavenly.”
“Well.” Lizzy flushed. “I don't know if I'd call it heavenly, but it’s something. We have a family of five girls, so I guess I’d describe it as loud.”
I glimpsed the world from Henry’s point of view.
He was right about fae lineage being a big deal.
I realized I hoped Lizzy was fae. Because if not, Darcy might not think of her as a potential wife, and she was starting to grow on me.
“You have four sisters? I’m so jealous. No offense, Darcy, you’re great and all.
But four sisters. You must have so much fun together. ”
“Yes.” Lizzy nodded with humor behind her eyes. “There’s never a dull moment.”
“I’ve actually seen the bakery. It’s very magical,” Darcy commented. “The croissants are amazing.”
“Wait. I’m putting this together now. Is Jane Bennet your sister? She’s so pretty. I met her at a gala in New York with Charles. You have the same eyes,” I gushed. Now I really wanted Darcy and Lizzy to end up together. I’d always wanted sisters.
“Well, it seems you know all about the Bennet family now,” Darcy muttered with his eyes on Henry. Tension laced his voice. “Henry, I trust my little sister is keeping you entertained?”
He knew. Somehow he could tell Henry and I liked each other.
“Yes,” Henry stuttered. “We’re going to take these cookies around to everyone.”
“That sounds like Georgiana. I couldn't ask for a better sister.” Darcy gazed at me. It was sweet, but part of me wanted to remind him I was no longer twelve years old and I didn’t need to be protected all the time.
“Well, we’re off.” I said, spinning in the opposite direction.
“Georgiana, wait,” Darcy said.
I slowly turned and looked at him. “Yes?”
“Please be careful. We still don’t know what happened.” He had his worried big brother expression that made me fight not to roll my eyes.
“Of course,” I said and hurried away with Henry.
“I think your brother is suspicious of me,” Henry said as we entered the guest wing.
“Yes, but that’s nothing new. He’s suspicious of anyone I spend time with.
Since our parents died, I think he’s felt responsible for keeping me alive.
For a while, a friend of his and I connected, but it turned out the friend was just using me, and Darcy became even more protective.
” As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them because they made Darcy sound worse than he was, and Henry didn’t need to know or worry about my issues with Wickham.
“But you think I might have a chance with you somehow?” Henry frowned and his jaw tightened. He walked near the windows, half of his face bathed in light from the setting sun and the other half in shadow.
“It was a different situation. I promise. Oh, here’s Daphne De Fleur’s room. She’s the art dealer from New York.” I stopped in front of a tall oak door and knocked gently. From what I knew, Daphne wasn’t fae, which didn’t matter except for the fact that she would be more capable of deception.
A middle-aged woman with thin black hair to her shoulders opened the door. She was slender to the point that I worried she might be unwell. Her bony fingers clutched the doorframe.
“Hi Daphne, I’m Georgiana Valemont. I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” I reached to shake her hand, releasing an imperceptible amount of soothing magic, and found myself being careful not to squeeze it too hard.
“Ms. Valemont. Oh, dear. Thank you for welcoming us weary travelers into your beautiful home.” She pursed her narrow lips together and batted her eyes at me. Then she looked at Henry with interest.
“Oh, and this is my friend Henry,” I responded.
“Cookie?” He smiled and held the basket out toward her.
For a split second, Daphne’s upper lip rose in disgust. “Oh no, thank you. I’ve got several food allergies.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “Would you mind if we chatted with you for just a moment? I have some questions.”
“Questions?” The word rolled slowly over her tongue, like she was deciding whether it tasted all right.
“Yes, we’ve had an eventful afternoon, to say the least,” I answered, stepping past her and pretty much inviting myself into the room.
Henry tipped his head, smiled at Daphne, and followed me inside.
“Oh, do come in,” Daphne said flatly when we were already inside her room. I sat on the leather loveseat next to a Christmas tree, and Henry followed.
Despite the oversized armchair, Daphne didn’t sit. “Tell me what kind of questions you have, Ms. Valemont?”