Page 13 of The Magic of Pemberley (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Mage #2)

Chapter 13

A week. Only a week. Just seven days alone at Pemberley since Darcy had left, but it felt like forever to Elizabeth. Fear for him was her constant companion, since she had few others.

She had hardly seen Cerridwen, who was always at the Nest these days, getting to know her new nestmates. Elizabeth missed their closeness, but she could not beg Cerridwen to come back simply because she was lonely and sad. Not after all the years Cerridwen had spent alone, without any other dragons for company, for her sake. It was Elizabeth’s turn to bear that burden.

Mrs. Sanford had called on her once, with more herbal teas and a tonic to help the baby’s growth, and Elizabeth saw Georgiana every day at the breakfast table and dinner. Her sister-in-law was still shy of her, and had plenty to occupy herself between her music, the lesser fae, and her companion, Belinda Lowrie, who had returned from her visit to her family now that Georgiana planned to remain at Pemberley instead of returning to London. The two always had their heads together, chattering and laughing in a way Georgiana never did with Elizabeth.

There were always her books, but every morning had an empty space which had been taken up by her lessons in magery with Frederica. Even though she had rarely succeeded in learning much, she had enjoyed that stimulating time. Now Frederica was in London, and likely to remain there.

She spent the time instead taking long walks through the recently planted fields of Pemberley, sending her Talent down into the earth to encourage the crops to grow. She was still learning the land’s needs here, but she could sense how it welcomed her attention. Her spirits were lifted when the tenants were happy to see her, knowing she would improve their harvest. But she gave the oak grove and cottage at the heart of Pemberley a wide berth, with all their memories of Darcy.

When she finally trudged back to the house, there was a carriage in front of the portico, a plain one of the sort that could be rented at any coaching inn. It had come to the main entrance, though, so it had to be a visitor for her or Georgiana.

Could it be news from London? She hurried her pace and practically ran up the steps and into the hall, where a familiar golden-haired figure was handing her bonnet to the butler.

Frederica had returned!

Tears rose to Elizabeth’s eyes as she embraced her friend. “I am so glad to see you!” What a relief it would be to have her friend there again!

Frederica untied her bonnet and handed it to a servant. “I apologize for failing to warn you I was coming. I left in rather of a hurry,” she said with a laugh.

“Not at all! I am delighted you are back. I hope you will stay here in the main house, since Darcy is away.” The reminder of his absence left her hollow inside.

“Gone already? I had not realized that. I am so sorry.”

“Just a few days ago. You may have passed each other on the road,” she said, trying to make light of it. “Come in and have some tea. I am eager to hear all about Granny in London.”

Frederica flounced into the drawing room and flung herself onto the sofa. “I can tell you less than I would like. Granny thought it could damage my reputation to be seen as her ally, so she told everyone it was all Darcy’s doing that she was there and pretended to barely know me. I had to call her Lady Amelia!” This last seemed to have added insult to injury.

“But you made the introductions?”

“Yes, to Lady Anne, at least. At first she was tremendously pleased with me for discovering Granny – until Granny announced that she was a dragon companion. I expected doubt or perhaps shock, but she was outright terrified. White as a sheet, she backed as far away from Granny as she could. I have never seen anything ruffle a hair on her head before!” She shook her head in disbelief.

It surprised Elizabeth, too. “I suppose some people find dragons frightening,” she said slowly.

“They certainly do! Granny had Sycamore materialize in Grosvenor Square – oh, the screaming as people fled! And Sycamore just sat there on his haunches and looked amused. After that, Lady Anne dragged me off for an interrogation – and I do not use that term lightly – about everything I had seen here and learned of Granny. But then she did not want me around, either, not when she had your sisters to play with.”

An unexpected wave of longing for her family swamped her. “Did you see Mary and Kitty?” Any news of them would be a relief.

“Only for a moment, when I first arrived. The repulsion, you know. Lady Anne is pleased with Mary, but said Kitty lacked cleverness. Of course, she seems to think the same of you, which is odd.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Not really. I went to some effort to convince her I was a stupid country girl. I did not care to be interrogated, either.”

Frederica’s eyes brightened. “Well done! Anyway, then I had to go home to my father’s house, where I have not lived for years. He is in the government, so he told me a little of what happened next. There was supposed to be a polite demonstration of Sycamore’s ability in Hyde Park. At least it was polite until a frightened soldier took a potshot at Sycamore and the bullet bounced right off his scales. Granny froze the entire regiment in their tracks and their guns grew so hot that they dropped them. She called the officer in charge a fool who deserved to lose the war, and he could either take her seriously or she would burn Westminster to the ground. ”

Elizabeth gasped. “Oh, my! At least she showed a little restraint.”

Frederica chuckled. “Not for long. Something else must have gone wrong, for there was a fire at Westminster the next day – not a big one, no one killed, but it must have been Sycamore. It was a fortunate thing for me, since my father went storming out of the house without giving orders that I must be kept inside. So I announced I was going shopping, bought a ticket on a stagecoach, and came here.”

Elizabeth held up her hand, unable to keep up with the torrent of words. “Wait! Why would your father make you stay in the house?”

Frederica made a tutting sound. “Oh, that. He announced it was time I married, and he had sent for that nuisance Mortimer Percy, who has been waiting for me for years despite my frequent refusals. No need for any courting, of course, since we would never be in the same room except to conceive a child. What I would not do for one of those dragon silver rings to stop repulsion! Not that I would marry Mortimer Percy, anyway, ugh. I was just writing a note to Granny to ask her to rescue me when the news about Westminster came, and I seized my opportunity.” She looked tremendously pleased with herself.

Elizabeth could not help laughing at her effervescent friend, despite her concern over the turmoil in London. “You have had quite an adventure! Well, I am glad you are here, though I imagine you are sorry to miss all the excitement Granny is creating in Town.”

Frederica leaned forward. “Not really. I wish I knew what she was doing, but I would rather be here with the dragons. The ones I can talk to, that is. Where is Roderick? He must have reached here days ago.”

Oh, dear. “I received a note from him in London, saying he was returning directly to Wales, and thanking me for my hospitality.” It had been a disappointment to her, since she enjoyed his company, but she suspected it would be more of a blow to Frederica.

Frederica’s face froze, and for a moment she did not say a word. Finally, stiffly, she said, “How very like him. He did not even bother to say goodbye. ”

In fact it was not at all like Roderick, who was unfailingly calm and polite. What had happened on that long carriage ride with just the three of them, Frederica, Roderick and Granny? “I am sorry for that.”

“It is unlikely I will ever see him again,” she said icily. “How is Cerridwen?” The abrupt change of subject only revealed the depth of her distress.

Poor Frederica! Not that she and Roderick ever had a real chance, the fashionable aristocratic lady and the disinherited Welshman, not to mention the inevitability of repulsion between them once Roderick returned the dragon silver ring he had worn at Pemberley. But still, it was clear her heart had been touched. Not to mention her pride.

“Cerridwen seems well, though I hardly ever see her. She seems to want to make up for all those years when she was deprived of the company of other dragons.”

“Pity. I have been hoping to speak to her about something.” Frederica frowned.

Perhaps this was an opportunity for distraction for both of them. “We could call on her. I do not know if they would let you into the Nest, but I think you would find the Companions’ House very interesting.” And the dragons would be eager to hear Frederica’s report on the events in London.

Her eyebrow arched gracefully. “The Companions’ House?”

“Oh, yes! A great deal has happened since you left, and I must tell you all about it, once you have recovered from your travels.”

“I doubt my curiosity can wait that long, but I would like nothing better than to see this Companions’ House,” she said stoutly. “Oh, but there is one thing I must tell you. Rana Akshaya is coming here. She called on me to announce her intentions. I am not certain she understands that she is supposed to wait for an invitation, or even to warn you of her arrival.”

So the Indian mage was going to visit Pemberley. No doubt Cerridwen was the main attraction, but it would give Elizabeth a chance to learn more about her than Chandrika was willing to reveal. “I had best send her an invitation, then, just to make things proper.”

“A good idea.” Frederica took a sip of tea. “Now, tell me everything that has happened here.”

Frederica hurried to the Great Hall of the Companions’ House. How exciting this was, staying at the very place which had once been home to the companions of the old stories! Even if they would not let her into the Nest, it was still thrilling. And she had let a full-grown dragon read her memories and be present in her mind. What an experience!

And now she was going to put her cards on the table. Most likely it would fail, but that would be no worse than never trying.

Juniper, the one who had read her earlier, was waiting for her on one of the raised platforms, towering over her. And she had thought Sycamore was a giant compared to Cerridwen!

“You wish to speak to me again, Lady Frederica?” asked the dragon.

She took a deep breath. There was nothing to lose, after all. “Yes. I have a proposition for you.”

“I am happy to hear it.”

“I am told your Nest has several young unbonded dragons, yet only one companion. I would like to propose myself as a possible companion. I know this is not how it is usually done, but I can offer certain advantages that could be very useful to the Nest in this troubled time.”

His chest rippled with amusement. “No, this is not how it is done, but it is generous of you to offer.” He was refusing, even if gently.

She would not give up so easily, not when she had longed for this her entire life. “It is not generosity, as my reasons are quite selfish, but will you at least listen to why I think it is a good idea? You can still refuse afterwards.”

More chest rippling. “I do like your spirit. Very well, I will hear you out, although this is not as simple a matter as you may think.” He settled back on his haunches and crossed his forelegs.

She took a deep breath before launching into her prepared speech “I was the apprentice to the King’s Mage for three years. I worked with the royal family, since I was responsible for protecting them. They know me and trust me. I can request an audience with the Prince Regent, who is my brother’s dear friend, and it will be granted. The Prime Minister is an ally of my father’s, and has known me since I was a child.”

“That shows impressive connections, Lady Frederica, but not why you should be a dragon companion.”

“Because these are the people who need to understand what dragons are! Who will be making the decisions on whether you are viewed as an ally or an enemy, and you have no other way to reach them. They are frightened by the very idea of your power, but I am in a position to persuade them to meet my dragon companion and to talk to them. I can help them see you as individuals and as potential friends. My connections can help you forge an alliance.”

His aura flickered with concern. “Am I to understand that you would not use those connections on our behalf unless you are made a dragon companion?”

“Of course I will still use them! If I am ever released from the bindings, I will write letters to those who will read them, telling them about my experiences here. But a letter or even a visit from someone who likes dragons is not the same as knowing someone you trust has bonded themselves for life to a dragon – and who can introduce you to that same dragon.”

“Companion Amelia is already speaking to some of those people.”

“Not to the royal family, and not as their friend. And, frankly, she is not doing well as an ambassador. Her concern is with the War Office, who talk to her because they have no choice. They are afraid of her – and of Sycamore. This does not bode well for your future relationship with the government. I could approach them in peace, not as a threat. That is the road to an alliance.”

Juniper studied her. “You make a persuasive argument. But a dragon cannot simply bond to any human. There must be a certain compatibility of mind and personality, or the bond will not take. And your plans would require a dragon with maturity and temperament to conduct sensitive negotiations. ”

She raised an eyebrow. “Unlike Sycamore?”

The scales on his chest glinted in his amusement. “Sycamore would not have been our first choice.”

She hurried on. “In fact, it might be best if my companion were a very young dragon, even a nestling. A full-size dragon is intimidating, whereas humans are drawn to small childlike creatures. A nestling could not speak for the Nest, so any serious discussions would have to occur over a distance. Sometimes delays of that sort reduce the likelihood of impetuous decisions.”

He cocked his head. “You have given this a great deal of thought.”

She smiled. “I have thought of little else since I learned Cerridwen was a dragon.”

He rose, uncurling his tail. “I will consider what you have said, though even if the Eldest were to approve, it is unlikely we could find a suitable match. Do not get your hopes up.”

“I knew you were likely to refuse before I asked, and I shall not resent it if you do. But if I never posed the question, I would always have wondered what might have happened if I had.”

“Why have you not taken the first step to becoming a companion, then?”

Now she was getting somewhere! “Out of ignorance, I imagine, since I have no idea what that step would be.”

“Ah, has so much been forgotten? Those who wish to become companions signal their intent by giving their blood at one of our anchors. The ones you call the Dragon Stones at Pemberley would do. Any dragon who feels an affinity to your blood will respond.”

“That is all? I shall do so immediately.”

The amused ripples returned. “Not too much blood, in your enthusiasm. Just a taste.”

She laughed. “Yes, I am rather too enthusiastic about this!”

He inclined his head, as if preparing to leave, and then he said, “You told me your reasons were selfish. May I ask what they are?”

She relaxed. This was simple. “Because I want to be a dragon companion. As a child I fell in love with the stories of dragons, and I can think of nothing more exciting or fulfilling than to spend my life with a dragon.”

His eyes glinted. “There are certainly worse reasons, Friend Frederica.”