“You cannot imagine what it means to me to have my sight back, to be myself again, no longer in pain. Such service cannot go unrewarded.” It was more of an order than a suggestion.
What could he suggest? Gold and jewels would mean nothing to the dragon. “Coquelicot is never so happy as when she can offer her healing to people who are suffering. She gives her skill freely, without thought of recompense.”
“There must be something she wants. Everyone wants something.” The royal voice was tinged with bitterness.
“At present, she is only able to help the people on my estate.” And since he could not permit strangers at Pemberley, that was a limitation. “If YourMajesty saw fit to sponsor a hospital for her, she would be able to heal more people.”
The king nodded, clearly pleased with this suggestion. “You will send me a proposal as to what would be the most suitable.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” And hopefully this would be the end of this uncomfortable audience.
“In the meantime, I want her to come to London so that she will be available in case I need her.”
“Sir, I know she would wish to help you, but we must remain here.”
King George’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Owing to a peculiarity of dragons, she cannot travel unless I accompany her, and I am unable to leave Pemberley.”
Now the royal frown made an appearance. “Not even if I command it?”
Damn. He had not wanted to discuss this. “Sir, I find myself in a precarious legal situation. The War Office wishes to trade me to Napoleon in exchange for what they hope would be leniency on his part. I, naturally, am reluctant to do so. If I leave here, I will be arrested.” He could only pray that the king’s gratitude for his healing was sufficient to prevent him from demanding that Darcy surrender himself.
The king studied him. “You will sit down and explain yourself.”
Darcy sank down in the armchair with a groan. “Thank God that is over.”
“Oh, no! Is there trouble?” Elizabeth, with Jenny asleep against her shoulder, came to perch on the arm of his chair.
“No, I am only unhappily aware that I have less stamina than a man in his seventies who has been ill for years,” he said. “He wanted to know everything that has happened since his latest episode began, the threat of invasion and the developments in the war. Including all the details of my mission, once that came up. At least he seemed to believe me. To his credit, he is angry at the War Office.”
“As well he should be!” she declared. “But can he do anything about it? The Prince Regent still holds all the power.”
“I imagine the king will fight to get it back, especially if the government learns that a dragon is responsible for his improvement. Then again, they are not happy with Prinny, so they may be glad of an excuse to rid themselves of him. But that is in the future, as he is disinclined to go far from Coquelicot yet. He fears a recurrence, understandably enough.” Darcy leaned his head back. He would be much happier to have Pemberley free of royalty.
Elizabeth bit her lip. “Do you suppose he would be willing to talk to the other dragons? A dragon who cares about things other than healing, that is. It might be helpful for him to learn more about them while he is here.”
“He has already expressed an interest in that.”
Jenny made a little burbling noise in her sleep, and he could not help smiling. “Do you think I could hold her, or would that wake her?”
Elizabeth smiled down at the small head on her shoulder. “I doubt it. Coquelicot worked with her again today, and that always makes her sleep soundly. Not to mention eating enough for three babies! Ah, well, Rana Akshaya did warn us at her first healing that it would make her very hungry.”
“But look at how well she is growing,” he said. In addition to Elizabeth nursing their baby, they had engaged first one wet-nurse and then a second when it became clear just how much effect the magical healing would have on Jenny’s appetite.
Elizabeth gently transferred her swaddled form to his shoulder, and Jenny nuzzled in, still asleep. Darcy thought his heart might just burst from love.
Chapter 17
Darcyhadfallenintothe habit of stopping by the ballroom to greet Coquelicot each morning, a habit he refused to change even if there was royalty at Pemberley. Not that their presence made any difference in his everyday life, since they never left the Dower House or made any demands. And he liked his time with Coquelicot.
But today when he arrived, the ballroom was empty except for Mrs. Sanford and an elderly woman with her arm in a rough sling. His half-sister looked up at his entrance. “May we be of assistance, Mr. Darcy, sir?” As always, her voice had an edge of frosty disrespect, no matter how proper her words might be.
He counseled himself to patience. “I was looking for Coquelicot.”
“Then I fear I cannot help you. I expected her to be here as well, but no one seems to know where she is.”
He was more disappointed than he would have expected. “Perhaps she was called to the Nest.” He did not like to consider the other option, that she might have simply left without a word.
