Elizabeth was not going to argue with a plan to rescue Darcy. “What will we need to do?”
“I am making a plan to free him,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. “I am still working out the details, but I am inclined to believe it is possible for us to do it.” He gestured to indicate their small group.
“How can six people possibly do anything against a sorcerer?” Frederica asked dispiritedly.
“We are not six ordinary people,” said the colonel. “Anne has extraordinarily strong magic. As a source, I can supply even more.Eversleigh is one of our best spell-masters. And three of you are women. Debenham will assume none of you have any magic to speak of, so he will underrate you. Even more important, any military strategist will tell you that communication is the key to winning battles, and Eversleigh and Miss Elizabeth can convey things to each other without being in the same place.”
Eversleigh nodded. “Normally we can only sense strong sentiments, but we can plan that certain sentiments mean one thing or another.”
“With that ability, we can divide into groups,” said the colonel. “One group can set up a diversion while the other rescues Darcy. We will need certain things we cannot get in Faerie, though, so I will go to London to obtain them. I doubt Debenham has had a chance to set up people to watch for us, but I will stay away from Matlock House in any case.”
Eversleigh said, “I will also go. I need to do some research about sorcerous binding spells in the Collegium library. We will not return until tomorrow morning lest we over-use the rings. We cannot afford to be without that ability.”
“What about the rest of us?” asked Elizabeth, her voice steady.
Eversleigh eyed Frederica. “My preference would be for the ladies to remain here. You cannot help us buy guns, you would not be allowed into the Collegium library, and it would be easier for us if we do not have to worry about your safety. FitzClarence, we could use your assistance if you are willing. You would be able to go to our houses for items that might be useful to us.”
“I am happy to do whatever I can,” said FitzClarence.
“I have a task for the ladies to perform here,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. “My rescue plans are likely to include passing you off in the dark as elves. We will need appropriate clothing and a few bows and arrows. I would like to make the rescue attempt tomorrow night.”
“Libbet, I need your help as well.” Eversleigh frowned. “In order for the rescue to work, we need Darcy to remain alive until tomorrow night.
Colonel Fitzwilliam scowled. “We have little control over that when he is in their hands.”
Eversleigh rubbed his forehead. “I believe he is in more danger from himself than from Debenham, and that worries me.”
Elizabeth shivered. “What do you mean?”
“If I know Darcy, he will be plotting a way to kill Debenham using the elements. Flood, fire, or earthquake – any of those could kill Debenham, but Darcy would die with him.”
“He would not do that!” Frederica cried. “It would kill my parents and his sister, too.”
Eversleigh exchanged a look with Colonel Fitzwilliam. “If I saw a chance to kill the sorcerers at the price of my own life and those of Lord and Lady Matlock, I would do it without hesitation,” he said gently. “Your father would do the same, as would your brother or FitzClarence. We have all studied the history of sorcery and the evil it creates. Our lives would be a tiny price to pay to prevent another reign of sorcery.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “Our father would do it if it meant killing all of us and everyone he has ever known.”
Frederica lifted her chin. “Are you saying Darcy should kill them all?” Her voice shook.
Eversleigh slowly shook his head. “If I could be certain the sorcerers would die, yes, I would want him to. But we do not know if Debenham and the others have defenses against fire, water, or falling stones. What if Darcy reduces Rosings Park to rubble, but the sorcerers are left standing there unharmed? If it were me, I would try it anyway, but Darcy is more valuable than I am. If we lose the one man who can withstand sorcery, our chances to defeat Debenham will be lower.”
“Far lower,” grated Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Almost nonexistent.”
“Unfortunately, I am unable to tell him to wait,” said Eversleigh. “Libbet, do you think you could tell him not to fight back through your bond?”
“I can try,” said Elizabeth shakily. “I have never attempted a specific message. I wish I had more experience with this.”
Darcy. She pictured him in her mind, and suddenly he was there. Warmth, love, and gratitude dissolving into fear. Trapped and helpless. She thought as loudly as she could.Wait for us. Do not fight. Wait for us.
Her sense of him began to slip away. She pounded her fist on her thigh in frustration.
“Well?” asked Eversleigh.
“He feels trapped. I cannot tell if that means he is locked up or something else. He seemed glad to be connected to me, but he is grim, perhaps dreading something. I tried to tell him to wait, but I do not know if he could hear me.” She opened her right hand and gazed at her palm. Blood right. “I will keep trying.”
“It is reassuring he is still alive and well,” said Eversleigh. “Perhaps he is not planning something at all, or he may know something that tells him it is useless. I feel rather grim myself, so I am not surprised he does.”
But Elizabeth felt it was more than just that, and fear ate at her stomach.
