“Is that where you cast yourself into Faerie, too?”
The corners of her mouth turned downwards. “For my sins, yes. I never should have done that. I think I lost my mind a little when I discovered Georgiana was a changeling. It was so terribly unfair of me, most especially to you.”
“To me?”
She met his eyes directly then. “I lost my own mother when I was about the age you were then. I know what it is like. I am aware I was not much of a mother, but I would never have put you through that, if I were in my right mind.”
Frederica had been right – his mother was different now. Very different.
He swallowed hard, not ready to discuss that painful time. “I thank you for saying that.”
She must have sensed he needed some distance, though, for she changed the subject. “I have been trying to discover more about the King’s Bond, without much luck. I have people combing the library.”
He accepted the new direction gratefully. “Have they found anything?” The Library of the King's Mage was the largest collection of books on magic in Britain.
“Very little. Something is supposed to activate the bond. Edward III and his son the Black Prince both used it at the same time, as the succession wasclear then, but Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary did not have their power awakened until something happened at their predecessor's deathbed. Unfortunately, we have no hint as to what that was. In case there may have been an Artifact involved, I have allowed Jack to handle all the crown jewels, even the orb and sceptre, but without success.” She hesitated. “If only we knew more!”
He was not going to bring up Roderick and his mysterious knowledge. The Welshman had a propensity to disappear whenever Lady Anne was present, and he was actively avoiding Jack now. Frederica was their only hope in getting an answer from him.
And time was getting short.
“I am heading back to Pemberley soon,” he said abruptly. “There are preparations I must make, and no more I can do for Jack here. But I will inquire at the Nest if they have any information about it.” He had tried to convince his brother to come with him, but if there was any chance the King's Bond could be used against Napoleon, Jack felt a duty to try.
For what little difference it was likely to make. For any of them.
“I am glad we spoke today,” his mother said softly. “And I will give your offer every consideration, Fitzwilliam.”
Chapter 31
“Richard!”Darcyembracedhiscousin and thumped his back. “Good to see you!”
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam grinned. “Likewise, especially the part about you being alive, well, and in England.”
“I had not known you were in Town - not that it mattered, since I am here in disguise and could not have called on you anyway. But this is a happy surprise.”
“Ah, yes.” Richard coughed. “About that disguise. That is why I am here, actually, with a warning. The War Office has discovered your presence and is planning to arrest you as soon as you set foot off the castle grounds.”
“Not that again!” Darcy exclaimed in annoyance. “The King assured me he had instructed them to leave me alone.”
Richard chuckled. “He did. Unfortunately, the War Office still thinks of him as a lunatic. They decided this was part of his madness. Likely we could straighten this out given some time, but I fear they would stick you on the first boat to France.”
Darcy groaned. “I had hoped we were past this nonsense. No matter; it is time for me to return to Pemberley in any case, and I will simply make certain to avoid them until then.” Between Coquelicot and his ability to remain invisible, it should not be too difficult. “How did they learn I was here?”
“His Majesty again. He must have told them he had just spoken to you. Your mother told me where you were, but I warned her to say nothing about you to anyone from the War Office. Why are you here, anyway? I thought you had to stay at Pemberley?”
Darcy grimaced. “I was needed for the small matter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
“Oh, that was you? All I heard was that she had fallen ill and was going into seclusion again. Well done!”
“Your sister deserves more credit than I do, along with the dragons. And--” His throat suddenly closed on Jack's name.
Good God, was that binding against telling anyone Jack was alive still intact? Surely Richard must know already - no, he could not, for they had decided against announcing it before they had dealt with Lady Catherine, and since then everything had been in an uproar. “Did my mother mention anything...er...unusual to you?”
Richard shook his head. “Nothing in particular.”
Devil take this binding! He caught at Richard's elbow and led him into the corridor. “Come with me.”
“What is this?” Richard protested.
