“Yes. I tried to ask about the construction of a Great Spell, but they could not remember. Then I explained that we were fighting sorcery in the mortal world and asked for their blessing.”
“Apparently they gave it.” Eversleigh pointed behind Lord Matlock, where small white flowers had blossomed in his footprints.
Lord Matlock’s eyes widened. “How...”
Eversleigh clapped a hand on his arm. “You cannot expect magic to follow its usual rules this close to a Great Spell. Accept their blessing and be glad of it. We need all the help we can get.”
“THIS IS IT.” ELIZABETHgestured to her uncle’s house.
Frederica’s gaze moved up and down the façade of the townhouse. “It looks very pleasant.”
“How kind of you,” said Elizabeth wryly, wondering if Frederica had ever been inside a tradesman’s house.
“You look worried,” said Frederica.
“A little.” She did not know how her mother would react to her, but suspected it would not be pleasant. Still, Elizabeth could not leave London with this undone, and she could not bear remaining at Matlock House any longer than necessary.
The manservant admitted them, and Elizabeth introduced Frederica to Mr. Gardiner in the front hall of the house on Gracechurch Street.
“It is an honor, Lady Frederica. Lizzy, you are welcome, although my conscience is not completely clear in this matter,” her uncle said quietly. “I feel as if I am working behind your father’s back.”
“But only in the best interest of your own sister,” said Elizabeth.
“That is true.” Mr. Gardiner sighed. “I have been talking with her about the time before her marriage, trying to help her recall how different she was then. She seems to enjoy the recollections, but as usual, she cannot stay on any topic long.”
“Did you tell her I was coming?”
“Only that you had written to say you might be in London for a few days and would call if you could.”
“Good. Is she in the drawing room?”
“Yes. Come, let us begin.” He preceded her along the corridor to the drawing room. “Look who is here! Our Lizzy has come to call, and she has brought a friend.”
“Oh, my poor nerves,” cried Mrs. Bennet shrilly. “I do not know how you dare show your face here after shaming us in front of the neighborhood with your horrid magic. Why, I had to come here because I could no longer stand it in Meryton. Oh, you do not know how I suffer!”
Not a promising beginning. “I am sorry it has been difficult for you. Lady Frederica, may I present Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, and my sisters, Miss Bennet and Miss Mary Bennet? Mama, aunt, permit me to introduce Lady Frederica Fitzwilliam. Lady Frederica’s father is the Earl of Matlock.”
Mrs. Bennet’s mouth opened but no words came out. Her awe at being in the presence of an earl’s daughter was apparently more powerful than her nerves.
Frederica paid all the proper courtesies to Mrs. Gardiner andElizabeth’s sisters. Turning her attention to Elizabeth’s mother, she said, “I hope you will not let this nonsense about Elizabeth’s magic upset you. The ban on women using magic is nothing but old superstition. Why, my father, the earl, has said that Elizabeth did excellent work in healing Lady Catherine, and he was Master of the Collegium of Mages for many years. If he did not object, why should anyone?”
Since Mrs. Bennet remained dumbfounded, Mrs. Gardiner replied, “I am happy to hear Lord Matlock holds such enlightened ideas. It is unfortunate that most people still think it a sin for a woman to have magic.”
Frederica shook her head sadly. “How foolish is that, when there are as many women with magic as men? Are we to ostracize every mage’s daughter in England? Why, since Mrs. Bennet has fay blood and Mr. Bennet is a mage, I imagine all their children have some degree of magic, as does Mrs. Bennet herself.”
Mary, her face a mottled red, said stoutly, “I fear you may be misinformed, Lady Frederica. We have no fay blood.”
Frederica put on a creditable mask of confusion. “But I thought... Mr. Gardiner, did you not tell Elizabeth this?”
“Yes,” said Mr. Gardiner dryly, apparently not fooled by Frederica’s act. “We do have fay blood, but Mr. Bennet prefers it not to be spoken of.”
In the silence that followed, Mary said flatly, “Papa says Faerie is not a real place.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “He would like it not to be real, but he does know better. Do you remember Faerie at all, Mama, sitting on the soft moss by Titania’s side with the sprites combing out your hair and decorating it with flowers, and the faerie wine that tastes of apple blossoms and elderflowers in the moonlight?”
Mrs. Bennet wore a look of bewilderment. “I had a dream like that once, but Mr. Bennet said it was not real.”
Lady Frederica said calmly, “I assure you Faerie is quite real. I traveled there with Elizabeth, and I heard Titania speak of you.”
