Frederica nodded.
Elizabeth asked, “Did he seem like himself?”
Frederica gave a quavering laugh. “Unmistakably. Who else could possibly be so smug?”
“Smug?” Elizabeth asked in surprise.
“Unbearably so. He says Oberon gave him no warning that he planned a Great Spell, and yet he still managed to compose a spell on the spot which sufficed. In English, no less, even though he had only everwritten spells in Latin. He said he also made the boundary between our world and Faerie somewhat more permeable. He was smug about that, too.”
“I wonder what that means,” said Eversleigh.
“I do not know. He became distracted after that.” Her expression became more somber. “I have the impression we will be finding more dead sorcerers.”
“I fear so,” Eversleigh said.
Across the lawn, Titania eyed them assessingly.
Elizabeth said, “Titania is very eager to speak to you, Frederica.”
“To me?”
“Yes. See, she is looking at you.”
“Well, then, I suppose I must go to her.”
Eversleigh stood and helped Frederica to her feet. He watched after her as she walked away before sitting again. “Definitely the best ofshurinns,” he said.
She laughed. “If my children and your children are bothtiarinnto Titania, will that make themshurinnto each other?”
He groaned. “I have not even figured out how the new blood tie between Oberon and Lord Matlock affects all the kinship, much less that.”
“Performing a Great Spell together creates a blood tie?”
“A very strong one, apparently, as if they were now one person. I am more conscious of Colonel Fitzwilliam than I would expect.” With a self-deprecating smile, he added, “I am always conscious of Lady Frederica.”
Titania clapped her hands for silence. “My Marigold Meadowsweet has something to say,” she announced.
Eversleigh’s eyes widened. “Already?”
Frederica’s voice rang out clearly. “As Matlock and Oberon have been joined in blood, let Matlock’s daughter and Oberon’s son be bound.Prince Evlan, I claim blood right.” She held out her hand towards him.
Eversleigh did not move, seeming frozen in place. Elizabeth pushed his shoulder. “Go to her,shurinn.”
Finally he seemed to rediscover the ability to move, although it was without his usual fluid grace. He took Frederica’s hand without hesitation, though.
Cathael said solemnly, “You do great honor to your fathers.”
“Hold out your hands,” said Titania. Once again she slashed her palm and let her blood drip onto their hands. “Palms together and turn twice widdershins.”
As Frederica and Eversleigh began to move, Darcy’s hand closed around Elizabeth’s.
DARCY SHOOK THE HANDof the alert young man in the clerical collar. “A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Cox. Thank you for coming to Rosings today. I realize it is somewhat inconvenient for you, but you will understand why I did not wish to ask Mr. Collins to preside at my wedding.”
“Of course not.” Mr. Cox’s lips tightened. “His behavior has become something of an embarrassment to the local clergy. In any case, I am glad to come here. I have been hearing some odd rumors from Rosings Park.”
“They are likely all true,” said Darcy resignedly. “At least if they concern the fay and sorcery.”
“I was surprised to notice the fay as I arrived. I have not been able to see them since I was a child.”
