Elizabeth hurried to his side and said to the stunned man, “The fay dislike being thanked.”
“I...” The man looked up from his astonished inspection of the apple. “What do I say, then?”
“They do not mind being told what we think of their actions.” She could hardly believe she was being so forward with a perfect stranger, one who was no doubt far above her in rank, but she could not allow him to upset Aelfric when her brother was on his best behavior.
“I am amazed. I have never seen such a thing.” The man held the apple gingerly.
“Why did the fay seek me out?” said Lord Matlock in a carrying voice to another guest. “They did not. It was sheer coincidence. My sonand daughter happened to become acquainted with that dark-haired young lady over there, Miss Bennet. She is Prince Aelfric’s sister and one of the very few mortals with the ability to visit Faerie. She took my daughter to meet Queen Titania, who kindly invited her to join her retinue. My Frederica is the one at the Queen’s feet.”
Lady Matlock appeared beside the ruddy man. “Your Grace, you look as astonished as I felt when I first met one of the Sidhe. They are remarkable, are they not?”
“Remarkable, yes, indeed.” He still looked dazed as Lady Matlock ushered an older couple and a young lady up to Aelfric.
“Prince Aelfric, may I present Mr. Watts, one of our mages, and his wife and daughter, Mrs. Watts and Miss Watts?” said Lady Matlock.
Mr. Watts eyed Aelfric skeptically. “You claim to be a Sidhe?”
“Father, please,” murmured Miss Watts, her color rising.
With perfect composure, Aelfric replied, “No, I do not claim to be a Sidhe. I am a Sidhe.”
Elizabeth whispered to Aelfric, “Flowers for the ladies.”
Aelfric obediently produced two white roses. He handed one to Mrs. Watts, and then stroked the petals of the second against her daughter’s cheek before giving it to her. “Beauty for the beauty,” he said.
Miss Watts appeared enthralled.
Next came the Earl and Countess of Wisley, who received an apple and a rose, followed by an elegant older lady. Elizabeth held her breath. Older mortals were still a novelty to Aelfric, making him unpredictable.
Lady Matlock said, “Permit me to present Mrs. Clapp, a dear friend of Lady Jersey.”
Aelfric studied her for a moment and said, “The showiness of the rose is not for you. You have the resilience and strength of our smaller, but no less valued, delights.” He produced a nosegay of buttercups and cornflowers. “They will not wilt.”
“You have a silver tongue,” Mrs. Clapp said with just a hint of tartness. “But you have chosen my favorites. The young ladies will need to keep a clear head around you!”
Aelfric’s patience astonished Elizabeth as he met guest after guest. She had never seen him like this. Was he following instructions from Eversleigh? She hoped he could maintain it, especially since most of the guests were still eyeing them suspiciously from a distance.
She had known it could not be this simple to introduce the fay into mortal society. She prayed it would not turn into a disaster.
“Oh, dear,” murmured Lady Matlock during a brief pause. “Perhaps you should return to the queen. Sir Walter Holmes’s daughter is sitting beside her and taking down her hair. Sir Walter will not be pleased.”
Titania’s entourage had indeed increased by two young ladies. A handsome man in evening dress was painting the scene. Had Lady Matlock arranged for a painter? Elizabeth had never heard of such a thing at a society entertainment. She smiled when she realized the painter’s easel was made of silver filigree.
Titania held her hand out to Elizabeth as she approached. “Here is my Libbet. She must be in the painting, too.”
Frederica looked up at her from her position by Titania’s knees. “Mr. McKee told the queen he wished he had his paints so he could record this historic scene.”
“It will be my masterwork,” said the unmistakably dazzled painter.
Titania nodded regally. “I have not yet renamed him. I wish to see his painting first.” She turned back to meet another guest brought to her by Lady Jersey.
It was a relief to sit down on the ground by Frederica. Elizabeth was exhausted, and the most challenging part of the night for her was yet to come.
A starry-eyed girl with a crown of daisies said, “I cannot believe this. In Cornwall, where I grew up, I saw the fay all the time, but that the queen herself should invite me to join you! Do you think she will permit me to return to Faerie with her?”
Frederica nudged her elbow. “Titania has invited Rowan and Honeysuckle to join us.” She added in a whisper, “Miss Butler and Miss Holmes.”
“She would be delighted, I am sure,” said Elizabeth. “You are Rowan?”
