“I told you I would fix it,” said Lord Matlock smugly.
“Let us not forget it is more Christian,” said Lady Matlock frostily. “I will make arrangements for a clergyman to come here this afternoon.”
“Thank you,” said Darcy. “Mr. Cox, the vicar of Chiddingstone, might be a good choice. He helped to counsel the servants here after Lady Catherine’s sorcery was revealed, so he will not be as shocked by the situation as some might. Mr. Collins of Hunsford would not be appropriate. He is not permitted to come to Rosings Park.”
Lady Matlock nodded. “Very well.” She swept from the room.
The butler announced, “Mr. Debenham.”
A slender, dark man in his mid-thirties entered the room and bowed. “It is a pleasure to see you again, your lordship, Darcy, Miss de Bourgh.”
Lord Matlock rose to his feet. “This is a pleasant surprise, Debenham. I have been wishing for your presence. When did you return from Ireland?”
Debenham said coolly, “I reached London two days ago and began hearing rather alarming reports from here. I thought I might offer my assistance.”
“Kind of you! Miss Bennet, may I introduce you to Mr. Debenham of the Council of Mages? Miss Bennet is Darcy’s intended.”
Debenham bowed over Elizabeth’s hand. “A pleasure. Darcy, I must have missed the notice of your engagement. My congratulations.”
“Thank you. The engagement has not yet been announced,” saidDarcy.
Debenham eyed Elizabeth. “You are a fortunate man.”
“He is indeed!” said Lord Matlock. “Come to the library, and I will tell you what has happened. Your assistance will be most timely.”
“I am eager to hear about the recent events,” said Debenham. “Perhaps Darcy could join us, as I understand he witnessed much of it. Is Eversleigh here as well?”
“He is somewhere about the grounds, walking with my daughter. He can join us when he returns. Aelfric, you have a unique point of view on recent events as well. Permit me to introduce you to Mr. Debenham.”
Debenham’s eyebrows rose. “A Sidhe? The details of your entertainment are true, then. I have not known how much to credit the wild stories I have heard.”
Aelfric gave a cold nod of acknowledgment but said nothing.
With a regretful look back at Elizabeth, Darcy followed his uncle and the others to the library.
“DEBENHAM IS HERE?”exclaimed Eversleigh when he and Frederica returned from their walk. “Excellent. Now we can make some decisions.”
“He is in the library with Lord Matlock, Darcy, and Aelfric,” offered Elizabeth. “You might want to rescue Aelfric. I do not think he liked Mr. Debenham.”
“I suppose I should join them.” He turned to leave, but his way was blocked by a grim-faced Colonel Fitzwilliam standing in the doorway, his arm pressed across his stomach.
“Sorcery,” the colonel rasped. “Bad. In the library, I think.” He could barely choke the words out.
“What?” cried Frederica.
His face ashen, Eversleigh made a hushing gesture. “Voices down.Are you certain?”
The colonel nodded slowly. “That stench. Unmistakable.”
Eversleigh seemed deep in thought. After a moment he shuddered. “They are using iron on Aelfric. Elizabeth, can you sense what is happening to Darcy?”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and reached out with that special sense. She gasped. “He is unconscious. There is something covering his face, something rough.” She jumped to her feet. She had to go to him.
“Stop,” said Eversleigh. “You must all leave. This very minute. Go out the kitchen door and seek Titania’s protection.”
Frederica’s eyes were wild. “I will not run away. They need our help!”
“Do you think I do not know it?” Eversleigh’s voice, while quiet, was harsh. “You cannot fight a sorcerer face to face. He will bespell you and use your power as his own. Miss de Bourgh will testify to that. By escaping, you weaken him, and you remain free to help rescue the others later. Go!”
