Darcy stared down at the ring in his hand. Such a small thing to make such an enormous difference. He might be able to sleep now without all those basins of water. If only he had known this years ago! But even this could not protect him from the machinations of his fellow mages. “Thank you,” he said abruptly. “I never thought of that. When Elizabeth told me her cat was fay, I thought it might have done magic on me, but it never occurred to me it could be the cat itself.”
“I am glad it can help. I am sorry to have brought bad news along with it. I will do my best to protect you, and I only wish it could be more.”
“I know.”
Eversleigh snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot. There is one other thing I wished to ask you. I have somewhat reluctantly agreed to take Lord Matlock to Faerie tomorrow. Would you be willing to join us? I would feel better with two of us to curb his over-enthusiasm, and he does tend to listen to you better than to me.”
“Certainly. It should be interesting.”
After Eversleigh departed, Darcy spun the ring in his hand. He needed to think. If the mages decided against him, one thing was certain. He would not accept the punishment for something he had not done, even if that meant giving up the life he led and going into hiding.
Perhaps there was another option now. Leaving England had never been a possibility before. The sea was too dangerous for him, and the risk he might accidentally swamp a boat full of innocent people had kept him onterra firma. But if he could use something like the ring to keep his powers in check, perhaps it would be possible. The Collegium had no power outside of England. He could leave until he was able to clear his name. He did not know how he would do that, but do it he would.
But if he left England, he would leave alone. He could not ask Elizabeth to share his disgrace. The Board of Inquiry threatened more than his good name and safety. It was the end of his hopes for a future with Elizabeth.
Since walking her back to Matlock House, he had been in an elated dream of a future together. Now it was gone. He had to stay away from her, just as he had thought to start wooing her in earnest. It was too late.
ELIZABETH HAD TAKENparticular care with her appearance, evenborrowing Frederica’s maid to do her hair. Tonight Darcy would be dining with them, and she wanted to look her best. She might not have much opportunity to speak to him, but she could look at him and know he was in the same room.
The butler brought Lady Matlock an envelope.
She took it, opened the seal and frowned as she read it. “It is from Darcy. He will not be joining us for dinner tonight after all. He has received word the Collegium investigation into him has been reopened, and the Board of Inquiry is very hostile to him. He thinks it would be wiser to keep some distance from Lord Matlock during this time.”
All of Elizabeth’s pleasure turned to ashes. A lump in her throat kept her from speaking, even as Frederica denounced the stupidity and evil of the Board of Inquiry.
She did not want either Lady Matlock or Frederica to know that her future had just been destroyed. Darcy was keeping his distance from her, not from Lord Matlock. It no longer mattered if she became respectable, not when any shade in her past could bring Darcy down. Even if he were acquitted again, the suspicion would linger even longer this time. He could not afford to marry a witch with fay connections. The dream had ended.
She could not bear it. “My head has started to ache. I think I will lie down for a few minutes.”
Lady Matlock said, “A good idea. There is still time to rest before dinner.”
There was plenty of time. Elizabeth had nothing but long, empty months and years ahead. Plenty of time.
She made it halfway up the stairs before the first sob tore through her.
DARCY GAZED DOWN THEcorridor to Oberon’s chambers. They had left Lord Matlock there half an hour ago. Did conversations with the Sidhe not tend to be much briefer than that? “I hope it is going well.”
“There is no reason why it would not,” said Eversleigh. “Lord Matlock has always been half in love with the mere idea of Faerie. Oberon will be able to tell his motives are good.”
“Yet you seem concerned.”
Eversleigh straightened his cuffs. “Not about that. Something is odd, though. When I brought you to meet Oberon, he spoke little to me and dismissed us quickly, although it had been months since my last visit. Today he sent us away so he could speak to Lord Matlock alone. I would have expected him to keep me there. Perhaps he has his reasons, though.”
“Or it could be mere coincidence.”
“I suppose so.” But Eversleigh’s expression remained troubled. “Ah, Lord Matlock is finally coming. He looks pleased with himself.”
“Smug,” Darcy muttered. “He looks smug.”
Eversleigh laughed. “That, too.”
When Lord Matlock reached them, he announced, “That went very well. Very well, indeed.”
Under his breath, Darcy said, “Modest, too.”
By the quiver of Eversleigh’s lips, he knew it had been heard.
Eversleigh bowed. “What happened, if I may ask?”
