Reaching out her hands, she gathered energy from the air, mentally plaiting it into a smooth braid. She focused all her Talent on it; she could not afford to let herself be distracted. Finally, her hands and her body were full of magic. She imagined her plait of energy beginning to turn, to spin, to race in circles - and she cast it out onto the green.
The whirlwind appeared, only a few feet tall at first, but it grew as she cast more spinning energy into it until it was nearly as tall as the trees. As it danced over the grass, the wind on the terrace began to pick up.
“Interesting,” Lady Catherine said. “What can you do with it?”
“It can knock over a man or tear up a small tree. I think I can make it larger with more practice.” But she was starting to feel giddiness rise inside her, so she cut off her connection to the spinning wind while she still could. “Do you think it could be useful?”
Where were the damned dragons?
Lady Catherine tapped her forefingers together. “With that, you could go anywhere and kill a man, leaving no sign behind.”
Frederica stifled a gasp. Yes, Lady Catherine was not hiding anything now. She must be very certain of her binding.
To her great relief, two familiar peregrine falcons flew out from the trees, arrowing through the air towards the terrace.
And then Lady Catherine screamed.
Chapter 24
FredericakneltbesideLadyCatherine's unconscious form as an army of liveried footmen poured through the doors to the terrace. Time for the second act of her personal drama.
“What happened?” the tall man in the lead asked. “We heard a scream.”
She turned deliberately widened eyes on him. “Get a doctor! Something is wrong with Lady Catherine!” She wafted her hand in front of Lady Catherine's face, as if this were an ordinary swoon. “And fetch a vinaigrette!”
The footman gestured to one of the others. “Do it. Inform His Royal Highness that her ladyship is unwell.” He paused. “Should we bring her inside?”
“I would not move her yet. But perhaps a pillow for her head, and a blanket for her comfort.” Why were they asking her? Perhaps they simply wanted someone to give orders. Frederica turned her fixed attention back to Lady Catherine, hoping to distract the servants from the falcon perched on the balustrade. How long would it take Quickthorn to finish the bindings? She dared not interrupt her to ask.
The vinaigrette arrived, and Frederica waved it under Lady Catherine's nose with no results. Exactly as she had expected, but it was important to go through the motions.
“What is that?” One of the footmen pointed at Quickthorn.
“A peregrine falcon, I believe,” Frederica said helpfully. “How odd to see one in London, but it is supposed to be good luck.” She had no idea if that was true, but it might keep them from trying to shoo Quickthorn away.
Then Prinny himself burst out, clad in a shockingly scarlet silk dressing gown embroidered with oriental dragons. How oddly apropos! “What is wrong with her? Call a doctor, this instant! Lady Frederica, is that you?” His eyes were darting from side to side, as if he were frantic.
“Yes, I happened to be calling on Lady Catherine when this occurred. It is likely just a swoon, but we cannot be too careful.”
“You must take every care of her! I cannot lose her again.” His jowly face sagged even more than usual. “Pray make her well again!”
Did he think mages were miracle workers? No matter; her only task was to play her part. “Perhaps we should send for her sister. Lady Anne's healing abilities surpass my own.”
“Is she in London? Yes, fetch her instantly!” He waved his hands in the air, as if that would hurry things along. “Is she warm enough?”
Frederica told the footman nearest to her, “Lady Anne is at Darcy House on Upper Brook Street.”
He nodded and scurried off.
Finally Quickthorn took flight, winging away over the trees. Frederica's shoulders went limp with relief. At the same moment, Lady Catherine gave a quiet moan. What would she be like when she awoke? Quickthorn had not been able to predict that.
“Perhaps we should bring her inside now.” Frederica could not even come up with a justification for why she had suddenly changed her mind.
“Yes, yes,” muttered Prinny, his hand to his forehead, no doubt trying to relieve the headache that followed excessive drinking. Prinny was nothing if not excessive.
Darcy was bursting with impatience when they finally reached the anonymous inn room he shared with Roderick. They had not dared discuss anything where the driver might have heard it, so they had kept silent on the journey back from Carlton House. Then he had paused to tip the innkeeper well to keep his mouth closed about his guests suddenly transforming into a fine lady and her liveried servants.
Frederica announced, “Your dragon is even more stubborn than you are.”
