“I could give you better advice if I knew which Sidhe this is,” said Eversleigh. “Miss Bennet spent ten minutes telling me every detail she could remember about him, but I can think of three or four Sidhe who would match that description.”
“Perhaps he will give his name when we meet.” Darcy was looking forward to this meeting even less after hearing Eversleigh’s views on the convoluted relationships of the Sidhe.
“It would be a poor idea to ask his name if he does not offer it. I will make some suggestions to Miss Bennet about identifying signs to look for.”
Was Eversleigh manufacturing opportunities to speak to Elizabeth? “Perhaps I can help you with that.”
Eversleigh set down his glass of port. “Darcy, I assure you I have no designs on Miss Bennet. In fact, I feel rather protective of her. Are you concerned that I will be giving her expectations?”
“Possibly,” said Richard.
Darcy said, “No. She does not think in those terms.”
“I am glad to hear it, but I will make a point of indicating to her that I am not on the marriage market. Will that satisfy you?”
It would have to, but Darcy intended to keep a close watch onhim in any case.
“YOU HAVE MADE QUITEa conquest,” Lady Frederica told Elizabeth.
How had she guessed about Darcy’s interest in her? “I do not know what you mean.”
“The elusive Viscount Eversleigh. He is always careful to avoid the appearance of interest in any single young lady, yet he spoke to you for nearly half an hour,” said Lady Frederica coolly.
Eversleigh? Elizabeth gave a disbelieving laugh. “Only to ask me questions, I assure you! His manner was not in the least bit flirtatious. I doubt he even noticed what I looked like.”
Lady Frederica’s fingertip traced the gilded carving in the arm of her chair. “You do not know how unusual that behavior is for him.”
“Doubtless you are well acquainted with his habits in theton, but this is different. Most likely he simply enjoyed being able to speak about Faerie with a mortal woman.”
“Yes, he would like that.” Frederica’s voice was flat.
This was ridiculous. Clearly Lady Frederica had an interest in Eversleigh herself. Elizabeth said, “Even if he had an interest in me, which I doubt, I am well aware that a viscount could never offer me an honorable connection. If he were to flirt with me, I would assume his intentions were dishonorable and pay no attention.”
“Wise of you.” But Frederica did not sound mollified.
THE NEXT DAY WAS BELTANE. Elizabeth awoke with a frisson of excitement. Tonight she would see the Sidhe lord again.
Lady Frederica had already finished breakfast when Elizabetharrived. “Oh, good, you are awake. I thought we might go into the village this morning to see the maypole dancing.”
Elizabeth’s pleasure in the day faded. She had always loved May Day celebrations. “I had best remain here, but I hope you will go and tell me all about it later.”
Lady Frederica’s brow furrowed. “Do you wish to rest in preparation for your meeting?”
“No.” A little distraction would be welcome, but not this. “I am known in the village, and I have treated a few of them when they were ill. Now I have been named a witch, and their clergyman has thrown me out of his house. I do not wish to put the villagers in an uncomfortable position with my presence.” She had to learn not to let this hurt; it was a price she would be paying for the rest of her life.
“That is horrid!” declared Lady Frederica. “How could they accept your help and then reject you for the very help you gave?”
Elizabeth helped herself to a roll and jam on the sideboard. It gave her a moment to get her expression under control. “It is always that way. Many of the common people suspect that wisewomen use a little magic, but they are happier being able to pretend it is not true. Some wisewomen employ smoke, rabbit’s feet, and the like to give their patients the comfort of thinking they were healed by charms, not by magic.”
“Do you do that?”
Elizabeth managed to smile. “Until quite recently, I was the quiet apprentice in the background and did nothing. Sometimes I have one of the family rub lavender oil on the patient’s temples to draw out the evil humors. Lavender oil does nothing of the sort, but it exerts a calming influence and distracts attention from what I am truly doing.”
“How interesting. I wish I could watch you someday.”
“There is little to see since I cannot use spells, only wild magic. May I ask how you managed to learn so many spells? Do your father and brothers ignore the rules against teaching women magic?”
“Oh, no, they will not violate Collegium rules, even if they find them ridiculous. My youngest brother will sometimes leave spell books open where I would be likely to come across them. He always says it is an accident, but Jasper enjoys mischief like that. I have a circle of lady friends who have managed to learn a spell or two from observing their husbands and fathers. We pool our knowledge and teach each other. All very discreetly, of course.”
