Richard raised his eyebrows. “Afraid, cousin?”
Darcy met his eyes. “Yes. I would have been a fool to feel otherwise. I was stranded in a strange world where the horizon curves up instead of down and trees magically appear out of nowhere, and then I entered an impossibly huge hall built of silver filigree to be faced with an angry immortal with cat’s eyes the color of emeralds, half a foot taller than me and a hundred times more powerful.”
Elizabeth’s brows drew together. “Hmm. You are correct about the horizon. It did not strike me at the time, perhaps because I had seen it before.”
Mr. Gardiner asked, “Lizzy, were you afraid of the Sidhe?”
“A little, I suppose,” she said slowly. “He was angry, and I did not know why, but I did not think he would harm me. He did not seem particularly odd to me.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded. “He may want Lizzy’s presence because heperceives her to be more accepting of him.”
Richard ran his finger along the arm of his chair. “Darcy,” he said slowly. “You may not like this, and I am certain Miss Bennet will not, but you ought to speak to my father. If there is any chance you will have to seek the cooperation either of Parliament or the Collegium, you will need his help.”
Darcy turned quickly to Elizabeth. “I could go alone. I see no reason for you to go to London to speak to him unless you wish to.”
The ghost of a smile crossed her face. “You will not be surprised to learn I would prefer to stay here.”
ELIZABETH PICKED UPa shift from the basket of torn clothes. She and Charlotte had made a dent in the pile of clothes to be mended and given to the poor, but it seemed a never-ending task. But it was far better than going to London to talk to Lord Matlock. She wondered how Darcy’s meeting was going.
Charlotte looked up at the sound of the front door. “Mr. Collins must be returning from Rosings already.” It was the first day he had been permitted to visit Lady Catherine, so they had expected him to be gone for hours.
She expected him to stop at the sitting room eventually to report on every detail of his visit, as was his habit. This time he appeared immediately, his face red with choler.
Charlotte jumped up immediately. “Why, husband, is something the matter?”
“Something the matter!” he spat out, pointing a shaking finger at Elizabeth. “That...that viper is the matter!”
Elizabeth’s stomach sank. “I am sorry if I have done anything to offend you.” But she knew what she had done, and there would be noavoiding paying the price this time.
“Witch!” he hissed. “I allowed you to stay against my better judgment after you disappeared for days, and this is how you repay me. Lady Catherine has told me of your sins and how you defiled her own person. You have deceived and dishonored me, and you will leave this house this very minute!”
Charlotte’s mouth hung open.
Elizabeth had worried so much about being exposed by Mr. Darcy. How ironic that it should come at the hands of her foolish cousin instead! “Very well. I will pack my trunks.”
“This very minute! Lady Catherine has decreed it so. Your clothes will be burned. Out!”
Elizabeth stared at him in shock.
Charlotte said soothingly, “Husband, if what you say is true and Lizzy must leave, should we not set an example of doing so with Christian charity? She can leave the house now, and I will pack her trunks and take them to the posting inn.”
“She is fortunate I am allowing her to leave with her life!” Mr. Collins shouted. “She must leave this minute with nothing but the clothes she is wearing, or Lady Catherine will never see us again!” Fear showed in his eyes.
So that was the reason for this uncharacteristic behavior. She could well believe Lady Catherine would not be above such cruelty. “Charlotte, my money is in a reticule in the vanity drawer. Would you bring it to me?”
“Certainly.” Charlotte took a step towards the door.
“Stop!” Mr. Collins ordered. “Her money will be sent to her father.”
“But how is she to buy a place on the stage?” asked Charlotte anxiously.
“She ought to have thought about that before accepting the devilinto her heart. Not another word from you, wife!”
Charlotte turned up her hands to indicate helplessness, but she cast a significant look towards the window.
Enough was enough. Elizabeth said icily, “Lady Catherine has magic and she knows it. So does Miss de Bourgh.”
“You lie! Lady Catherine would never allow the taint of magic to touch her.”
