Why did she agree with whatever Eversleigh suggested? She had only met him a few days ago, and already she submitted to him. Something was not right, and Darcy did not like it at all. And she had been avoiding looking in his direction all day. He did not like that, either.
Lord Matlock said sharply, “Titania, as in the queen of Faerie?”
Elizabeth hesitated and glanced at Eversleigh before responding. “Yes. My last trip to Faerie led to some interesting discoveries, but when we found out about Sir Lewis’s sorcery, that pushed everything else aside.”
Richard appeared in the doorway. “Ah, here you are. Our mission was successful. Three Bakewell Black mares are now in the stables in Faerie, Aelfric is happy, and the breeder is so pleased to have your custom, Eversleigh, that he has promised me a colt from his next breeding. I could grow to enjoy spending your money. Oh, hello, Mother. I did not see you there. I hope your journey was easy.” He went straight to the sideboard and poured a glass of port.
“It was, thank you, Richard,” said Lady Matlock. “Unfortunately, nothing else has gone according to plan. Your father nearly died from a heart paroxysm, but Miss Bennet was able to heal him. And your aunt has been practicing sorcery.”
“Lady Catherine?” he exclaimed in disbelief. “Lady Catherine, who would rather die than admit she has even a drop of magic in her veins?”
“Yes, that Lady Catherine,” said Anne, who had been silent since Lady Matlock’s arrival. “I would like to raise a question that has not been resolved.”
“What is it?” Lord Matlock asked with a frown.
“The punishment for sorcery is immediate execution. There are no exceptions. Yet you hesitate to do so. Is it because of me? Are you afraid of what I might do, given my history?” Now she looked straight at Lord Matlock.
His eyes widened. “No. That thought had not crossed my mind. Should it have?”
Anne eyed him consideringly. “No.”
“What do you think should be done with her?” asked Lord Matlock with unusual gentleness.
Anne balled her fists at her side. “The punishment for sorcery is death. It is what she deserves.”
“That is harsh!” exclaimed Lord Matlock. “She raised you.”
“No, that is not harsh. Harsh is putting a binding spell on a helpless child and leaving her that way for half a lifetime.” Anne raised her chin. “Lady Catherine committed a crime. She knew the punishment.”
Lord Matlock merely looked at her, his expression puzzled.
Why did he not respond? Could he be having another heart paroxysm? Quickly Darcy said, “It can be difficult to contemplate killing a woman we have known all our lives. That is why the decision must be made by mages who have no connection to Lady Catherine.”
Anne pursed her lips. “That is acceptable, I suppose,” she said grudgingly.
“Gentlemen, I must speak to you privately.” Lord Matlock’s expression was grim. “In the library, if you will be so kind.”
“Certainly.” Darcy bowed to the ladies before following his uncle.
Eversleigh sat down in a leather armchair by the library desk. “What is the matter?” he asked Lord Matlock.
“There is a new problem,” said Lord Matlock, his expression foreboding. “It appears your Miss Bennet did more than patch my heart. I am suddenly unable to account for my decision to bind Anne, something I have never doubted before. I allowed Miss Bennet to use her magic on me, and now I find myself in agreement with her position.”
Darcy was so shocked he could barely speak. “Are you suggesting that Miss Bennet is a sorceress?” He would never believe it. Not Elizabeth, who fought so hard against binding spells.
“Yes. I suppose I am,” Lord Matlock said slowly.
“No,” said Eversleigh. “I was with her all the way while she was healing you. She did nothing to your mind.”
“How can you be certain? Why else would I be feeling this?Nothing else has changed.”
“I do not –” Eversleigh broke off suddenly, a look of horror twisting his face. “One other thing has changed,” he said harshly. “We stopped Lady Catherine’s sorcery from leaving her room. It may be blocking the spells she has already cast.”
“What?” roared Lord Matlock. “You think she cast a spell on me? Ridiculous!” He stopped short and sat down heavily behind the desk, all his anger suddenly draining away. “Good God. She wanted Anne bound, and I refused. That she would dare to put a spell on me!”
For once, Darcy knew the answer. “Lady Catherine has never lacked the audacity to tell any of us what to do. If anyone would dare to put a spell on you, she would be the one.”
“But how could I have failed to notice it? I, of all people, should have known I was bespelled.” Lord Matlock put his elbows on the desk and covered his face with his hands. “Leave me, all of you.”
