Was he serious? Forcing herself to speak evenly and slowly, she said, “Because it meant his newlywed wife had been unfaithful to him.”
A line formed between his brows. “How was she unfaithful to him?” Then his expression cleared and he laughed. “Oh, yes, I had forgotten the foolish mortal custom that men and women should have only one lover.”
That was beyond enough. “You may call it foolish, but thatcustom is what prevents young people from unexpectedly meeting unknown brothers and sisters and discovering they knew nothing of their parents!”
“Yet that same custom apparently causes men to abandon helpless infants like so much rubbish.”
Trembling now with rage, she said, “And what should he have done? Raised you as if you were a mortal when everyone would be able to see you were not? He at least tried to return you to your own people.”
“He could have told your mother the truth and had her bring me here safely!”
“Yes, he was unjust to you in that. But is it just for you to declare war on all mortals because of what one man did to you?”
“That is not the reason. Mortals are not...” He stopped, no doubt deciding he ought not insult mortals to his mortal sister.
“Well, this mortal is finished with this conversation. I do not care what sort of right you think our shared blood gives you. No mortal gentleman would ever behave so rudely to a lady!” She hurried past him into the glade.
Where was Frederica? The light of the moon was bright, but it cast many shadows, and the differing shapes of the various fay races made it impossible to pick out one mortal in the mass of swirling dancers.
It was Frederica who found her. “What happened, Lizzy? Did he say something? I saw you practically running from him.”
Elizabeth said blankly, “I want to go home.” It was all she could do not to burst into tears.
“Home to the Dower House or to your parents’ house?” asked Frederica, ever practical.
“I do not know.” Half a sob escaped her. “I want to apologize to Mr. Darcy.” Where had that come from?
“Darcy? What has he to do with this?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Elizabeth swallowed a sob.
“I think we had best find Lady Aislinn.” She took Elizabeth’s arm and steered her past the dancers.
But Lady Aislinn, when they found her, shook her head. “Had I known you were Prince Aelfric’s sister, I would never have brought you here, nor would Cathael have agreed to it. The prince is not our friend. That, with the matter of Titania’s prior claim on you, makes this matter too deep for me.” She sounded displeased.
“But I did not know he was my brother,” Elizabeth said despairingly. “I do not want him to be my brother. I hope I never see him again. I beg you, can you not simply send me home?”
Lady Aislinn’s expression softened. “I am sorry, child. I do not envy your position. We are both pawns in this game. I can do nothing but help you to tell Titania about your brother, and then it is best for you to think no further of me.”
Was Lady Aislinn truly abandoning her in Faerie?
Frederica frowned. “Will the queen send us back if we ask her to?”
“Of course. We do not hold mortals here against their will. Come, the dance is ending.”
She led them to Titania. “My queen, Prince Aelfric claims your Libbet is his sister.”
Titania showed no sign of surprise. “Did you not know, Libbet? Did your mother not tell you of him?”
“My mother...” Tears stung the corners of Elizabeth’s eyes. “My mother is bespelled.” She could hold back no longer. Surrounded by scores of celebrating fay, she burst into tears.
“My poor dear child!” cried Titania, holding Elizabeth close. “We will return to my bower. No one can hurt you there. You must tell me everything.”
Elizabeth might not remember Titania well in her head, but her body recalled the sensation of being held by the faerie queen. And so shetold her everything, from removing the elfshot from Lady Catherine’s arm to Mr. Gardiner’s revelations to her encounter with Prince Aelfric, leaving out only the parts about Lord Cathael.
Titania made soothing sounds and instructed a dryad to play sweet harp music. “Now you must go to sleep, my dear child. I have a special place for you here with the softest moss, and you will have only sweet dreams.”
“But I must return to Rosings.” It was the one thing she still knew for certain.
