“Ah.” Frederica’s gaze grew distant. “I thank you for the warning. I had best speak to my mother about the wedding date.”
“If you can convince your mother to consult your father on this, I suspect he would support you. I imagine he has a better understanding of wild magic now.”
Frederica giggled. “Oh, yes. Poor Oberon. Father must be badgering him mercilessly with questions.”
“Thank you for not taking offense at my suggestion. I am not looking forward to speaking to Georgiana about this, nor trying to explain to my new husband why his little sister should be under armed guard around Sidhe men. They seem to be leaving her alone for now, but it cannot last.”
“Poor Georgiana! Will you warn Anne, too?”
Elizabeth’s lips twitched. “I will leave that to Aelfric to explain. Your poor mother might not be able to bear yet another hurried wedding.”
“At least our children will be of an age and will be able to play together,” said Frederica.
“How very practical of you,” teased Elizabeth.
Eversleigh joined them. “About that wedding at St. George’s, Hanover Square –”
“You need not worry,shurinn. I have already warned her,” said Elizabeth.
Relief flickered over his face. “As I have said before, you are the very best ofshurinns.”
“I cannot believe the two of you can even speak together aboutthese matters!” exclaimed Frederica, blushing.
Elizabeth smirked. “After you have spent as much time in Faerie as we have, you will find yourself just as unembarrassed. But there are limits to what I will say to other men,shurinn,so I am counting on you to explain matters to the Fitzwilliam brothers and Mr. FitzClarence.”
Eversleigh bowed. “I have already warned them to direct their attention only to Sidhe ladies for the time being, and I do not believe either will have any difficulties with that. Fitzwilliam is already discovering his new popularity.” He gestured across the lawn where Colonel Fitzwilliam stood between Aislinn and another Sidhe lady, each of them stroking his arm. He did not seem in the least distressed by his predicament. “Jasper disappeared a few minutes ago with a Sidhe lady.”
“They must think they have died and gone to heaven,” said Frederica.
Eversleigh wore his mischievous look. “They will soon discover heaven can be an exhausting place. Sidhe ladies have great difficulty conceiving children, and an unusually fertile mortal man will find himself very popular indeed.”
Frederica clapped her hands over her burning cheeks. “I have not spent nearly enough time in Faerie to listen to this!”
“You may be relieved, then, to hear that Aelfric has used his very best glower to warn every Sidhe man here away from Georgiana.” Eversleigh sounded amused.
“Thank God!” said Elizabeth.
SINCE ELIZABETH APPEAREDto be sharing secrets with Frederica, Darcy took the opportunity to approach the curate. “Mr. Cox, you are a courageous man. I must apologize. I had no idea you would be thrust into the middle of the fay like this. I know how shocking my own firstexperience with them was.”
The young curate ran his finger under his clerical collar. “It was certainly unexpected, but I am glad of the opportunity to meet with our invisible neighbors. Viscount Eversleigh was kind enough to assist me while the fay were asking me questions about Christianity. I had not expected such curiosity from them. Of course, I have never before had the privilege of leading a service in front of a living miracle.” He nodded towards the oak tree.
A miracle, indeed. “Have you always lived in Kent?” Darcy asked.
“No, my family is in Norfolk. I came here two years ago in response to an advertisement for a curate.”
“One of my family livings in Derbyshire is currently vacant. It is not the most valuable of livings, but it is a respectable and secure one. If you might have an interest in it, perhaps we could discuss it further.”
The curate’s eyes widened. “I...Why, yes, I would be most interested in discussing it, whenever it is most convenient for you.”
“Good. I expect to remain at Rosings for at least a few days.”
“Lady Matlock has already asked me to return tomorrow to discuss another service.”
Darcy wondered if his aunt was planning a memorial service or another wedding. She had not been pleased to discover Frederica had claimed blood right. “Tomorrow, then.”
AS SUNSET APPROACHED, the fay began to trickle away until there were only a pair of elves left standing guard by the Great Spell.
“What are they guarding?” Elizabeth asked Eversleigh.
