“I have never seen them before,” said the first fencer.
Aelfric swiveled and narrowed his eyes at Darcy. “Is he your friend?” he asked ominously.
Eversleigh cuffed him lightly on the side of the head. “Obviously I have been away too long, since your manners are slipping. You might even like him given half a chance. At times he can be almost as proud and aloof as you are. Aelfric, this is my friend Diarcey. Diarcey, my half-brother Aelfric, also known as the bane of my existence.”
Darcy bowed. “Prince Aelfric.” Eversleigh might as well have thrown cold water in his face. It might be good-natured teasing, but it was far too close to Elizabeth’s accusations.
“Now, about those ladies –” Eversleigh began.
“What are their mortal names?” Prince Aelfric interrupted.
Eversleigh raised an eyebrow, apparently surprised by this question. “Lady Frederica Fitzwilliam and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Libbet is called Bennet in that world. Your friend Diarcey – what is she to him?”
Elizabeth was safe! But could this odd prince possibly be enamored of her after only a day? If Darcy had not already taken a dislike to him, this would be enough to do it. “She is a friend, and she has done me a service. Lady Frederica is my cousin.”
“Is Libbet’s father your friend as well?” the prince demanded.
Since he had to respond with the truth, it was just as well it was to someone who would never encounter Mr. Bennet. “I have met Mr. Bennet, but he is not a friend.”
“Why not?”
Did everyone receive this sort of interrogation? Carefully Darcy said, “I am under the impression he cares more for his own comfort than for what is best for his daughters and his wife.”
The prince smiled, so apparently this had been an acceptable answer. “Indeed.”
Eversleigh asked, “Would it be possible to speak to the ladies?”
“They are with the queen’s retinue. I took Libbet back to Titania’s bower earlier, so they are most likely still there.”
Something was definitely odd. Darcy asked, “Might I inquire as to your interest in Miss... in Libbet, Prince?”
“She is my sister. Evlan, I will accompany you to Titania’s bower, if you do not object.”
Eversleigh’s jaw dropped. “Your sister? How can that be?”
“We share a mother.”
“Well, well.” Eversleigh shook his head and laughed. “That does explain a few things.”
“It does? You can tell me on the way to the bower.”
Stunned, Darcy trailed after them. Could it be true? No, of course not. The mere idea was ridiculous. He needed to focus on important things. Elizabeth was safe, and that was all that mattered. If everyone in Faerie was as moon mad as this young Sidhe, that was not his affair.
ELIZABETH WOULD HAVEliked some time alone after her visit to her father, but being alone was impossible in Titania’s bower. Instead she sat beside the queen again as the sprites played with her hair. It was going to take hours to get all the tiny braids and tangles out when she got home.
“Lady, Prince Evlan humbly requests the honor of a few minutes of your time,” a dryad said to Titania. “With a great deal of praise for yourtimeless beauty and infinite generosity, naturally.”
“Certainly!” exclaimed Titania. “He has the nicest manners. That brother of his could benefit from studying his ways. You need not worry about this prince, Libbet. He is quite charming.”
Elizabeth could make out a shape approaching them along the path. An odd prince of Faerie, since he appeared to be dressed in the latest London style, but as long as his behavior was better than Prince Aelfric’s, she did not care what he wore.
He stepped out of the shadows, fell to both knees gracefully in the pool of sunshine before Titania and then sat back on his heels. “Gracious queen, a thousand blessings upon you for your generosity in admitting your most humble slave to your glorious presence.”
Prince Evlan? The man before Titania was unmistakably Viscount Eversleigh.
Titania languidly held out her hand to him. “Prince, it has been too long since you graced the halls of Faerie.”
