Or had it made him more himself? Both those skills were particularly suited to Jasper's love of swordplay, but it was not ordinary magery.
He would still need help. William and Frederica were far away in London, as was Lady Anne. All the mages with the usual training, who might be able to advise Jasper better, who knew more about the process of bonding with a traditional animal familiar. Thank goodness Granny was still here! She had dealt with budding mages before.
Finally Jasper rose to his feet, though his gaze was still distant. The fox turned and trotted off across the park.
“Jasper?” she asked.
He turned his head, his eyes wild. He looked lost, as if he might break apart at any moment. “Yes?” The word seemed to take a great deal of concentration.
“Come,” she said briskly. “We are going to ask Granny about what is happening to you.”
He trailed after her, like a horse following its stablemate, as she made her way into the house. Then he started glancing around, as if seeing ghosts.
“What is it?” She was not sure she wanted to know the answer.
“The fae. I canseethem.”
Definitely not ordinary mage behavior. “Well, that will be useful if you ever have to battle one again.” If that did not get a response from him, nothing would.
He remained silent.
Fortunately, Granny was still in the drawing room where Elizabeth had left her before the lesson. Elizabeth quickly recounted what had occurred, since Jasper seemed incapable of it.
“Interesting,” said Granny. “Well, you had best sit down, young Mr. Fitzwilliam. Lizzy, you can go now.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could get out a word, Granny's voice spoke in her head.
That boy is terrified and miserable, but he is a young man. He cannot show any of that in front of a pretty woman. Leave him with me, so he can weep in peace.
Elizabeth nodded slowly, and then left the room.
Chapter 29
Itstartedwithanodd sending from Quickthorn to Frederica.I think you should call on Lady Anne Darcy. Now.
Frederica raised her eyebrows. This was not like her dragon, nor had she realized Quickthorn had any interest in Darcy's mother.Why?
I am not certain. Something is wrong with her. Her familiar thinks it is important and that you can help. Quickthorn's sending was laced with puzzlement.
She could not think of anything in her ability that would be helpful to Lady Anne, and even if there was, her ladyship would refuse to admit she needed the assistance.What can I do? And why is Shadow asking you?
We have been communicating since he returned to her at Pemberley. It seemed a good idea to have some knowledge of what the King's Mage might do. But he is not good with words; he is only a cat. And he does not know that you are the right person, but he can think of no one better.
Much like how Frederica had been chosen as Lady Anne's apprentice, the best of a bad lot!Very well, I will go.
By the time Frederica arrived at Windsor Castle and had gone through the usual rigamarole of being admitted, her curiosity was overflowing. Unlikeher purse; she had not brought sufficient funds on this journey to pay for hiring all these carriages. She would have to ask Darcy for a loan, as her father would more likely try to imprison her in the house again and marry her off to that horrid Mortimer Percy.
But she held her head high as she waited in the anteroom while the footman announced her to Lady Anne, and even when he returned and said, “Lady Frederica, I regret that her ladyship is not at home to callers today.”
A long, wailing cat yowl penetrated the closed door. The footman did not glance back over his shoulder, though he clearly wanted to.
Frederica smiled at him sweetly, and a second howl came through. “Apparently Shadow does want to see me, though.” And she slipped past him and into the room without an invitation. What was the worst he could do, after all? Sometimes it paid to have a courtesy title.
A fluffy black cat stood before her. As soon as she shut the door behind her, he lofted his tail in the air and led her past the private sitting room like a well-trained servant wearing faintly ridiculous furry breeches.
Lady Anne was curled up on the settee, her face buried in a handkerchief, her shoulders shaking. She must have heard Frederica's footsteps, for instantly she straightened, lowering her legs into a ladylike sitting position. “Forgive me; I would prefer not to have company at the moment,” she said stiffly.
It might have been a more convincing act were her voice not shaking and her cheeks tear-stained. Frederica wavered, but a baleful glare from Shadow made her hesitate. Comforting people might not be her forte, but surely she could make an effort.
