“These things are much less complicated in the mortal world, where all creatures look like their parents. When I was here as a child, I never thought to question such things.”
“Oberon should never have sent you away. The poor queen missed her Libbet so, and she could not visit you as I did.” Bluebird stepped back and admired her work. “There. Now you look lovely.”
Elizabeth sighed. This was one time when she would have been happy to have her preparations take longer. “I suppose I should not keep Prince Aelfric waiting. Where is he?”
Bluebird guided her to the prince, who wore a doublet and hose that would have fit in perfectly at Queen Elizabeth’s court. “Good morning, my lord,” she said.
The prince did not even bother to nod. “I need you to take me to your father.”
“Oh, you do? Permit me to tell you how this conversation should go if you wish my cooperation. You would say ‘Good morning, sister; I hope you slept well.’ When I replied that I had, you might say, ‘I feel the need to speak to your father, but I do not know how to find him. It would be a considerable kindness if you would consider accompanying me.’”
He stared at her blankly. “That is a waste of time. How do mortals manage to accomplish anything when they have to use all those ridiculous words?”
“I shall not waste your time, then. I am certain Mr. Wickham is perfectly capable of guiding you to my father. Good day, my lord.”
“Wait!” He grimaced and spoke slowly through gritted teeth, as if each word pained him. “Would you be so kind as to take me to your father?”
His request still left a good deal to be desired in terms of proper address, but it had been a great concession on his part, and she felt an urge to oblige him. Of course she did – she remembered vaguely that fay kinship held magical bonds of obligation. Her throat tightened. Prince Aelfric was the last person in the world she wanted to feel compelled to obey.
Or perhaps she was doing it on her own behalf this time. After last night, she had a few things to say to her father as well. She had thought to have more time before she had to face him, but perhaps it wasbest to get it over with. “I will, but I would prefer not to be seen by the rest of my family.”
“Then be invisible.”
She sighed. “I am not fay. My skills are insufficient for me to maintain invisibility while I am moving.”
The prince wrinkled his nose. “I will make you invisible.”
“I than –” she caught herself just in time. “I would appreciate that. Bluebird, will you tell Lady – Marigold Meadowsweet where I have gone and that I shall return soon?” She certainly had no desire for a long conversation with her father.
“I will, but the queen spoke with her through much of the night, so she might not awaken for some time.”
What had Titania found to talk to Frederica about for hours? Whatever it was, Lord Matlock would be even more envious now.
“Why do you smile?” the prince asked suspiciously.
“Marigold’s father will be annoyed that she had that opportunity. Annoying him amuses me.” She waited for his reaction but he made none. Of course, the fay were always amused by playing tricks on mortals.
“We can use this circle,” he said.
“This one goes to Longbourn?”
“It goes wherever I tell it to go.” He sounded insulted she would think otherwise.
“So for lesser fay, a circle only goes to one place, but Sidhe can go anywhere?”
“Your education is sadly lacking if you did not already know that.” He stepped into the ring and waited for her.
“Yours is equally lacking about mortals if you believe they know they should not cut down faerie groves. You could save yourself a war by explaining it.” The familiar disorienting sensation was followed by the even more familiar earthy scent of the woods near Longbourn.
“They know. They are trying to harm us.”
She felt the tingling of magic being applied to her. He must have made her invisible. “You are wrong. You know more about the fay than I do, but I know more about mortals than you do.”
He frowned ferociously, reminding her once more of Mr. Darcy, but said only, “Which way must we go?”
“This way.” She gestured down the path from the ring and set forth. When the path widened as they emerged into a pasture, permitting them to walk side-by-side, Elizabeth said, “You told me you wanted to see my father. What of my mother?”
He shook his head. “Not if she is under a spell. I will wait until she is herself again. You will have the spell removed.”
