Page 144 of Triumph at Pemberley

Frederica said, “Umm, about that. You have been training Lady Anne’s ward, Miss Brown, have you not?”

Jasper brightened, no doubt at the prospect of talking about knife fighting instead. “Yes. She lacks Georgiana’s natural talent, but she is bold. Too impulsive to make a good fighter, but she only wants to be able to defend herself. And she likes wearing knives.” That was apparently a compliment.

“Did you ever wonder why Lady Anne suddenly acquired a ward none of us have heard of?”

Jasper shrugged. “Not really. Lady Anne asked me to train her, so I do.”

“Or why she hides her away at the Dower House and never even lets her come to Pemberley House?”

Jasper frowned. “Perhaps she is shy?”

Frederica grinned triumphantly. “Or that King George might want to hide his only grandchild behind the Pemberley wards, surrounded by the strongest mages in England?”

Darcy stared at her. Surely she must be joking. His mother could not have been hiding Princess Charlotte in the Dower House all this time!

Except this was his mother, the former King’s Mage, who had devoted her life to keeping the royal family safe. Who was better at keeping secrets than any of them. And Frederica, as her former apprentice, had met the royal family many times. She would not fail to recognize the princess.

Jasper shook his head. “Can’t be me. I cannot talk about anything but fighting. It is a crazy idea anyway. The king will come to his senses and change his mind.”

“I would be careful when it comes to suggesting the king is out of his senses,” said Richard in a tone only an older brother could manage. “And I doubt he will change his mind. I dislike the idea – rather intensely – but I would be demanding the same thing if I were in his shoes. Having the King’s Bond outside the family is spectacularly dangerous. Jack can be trusted, but what if he has a son who is ambitious?”

Jasper slumped down in the nearest chair and buried his face in his hands.

Jack set a hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry. I would not want this, either.”

Then Jasper sat up abruptly. “Wait. Would this mean Father could not force me to take a job?”

Darcy suppressed a smile. “I believe the princess’s husband would not be expected to hold employment, no.”

To think he had once wondered if Georgiana and Jasper might make a match! Now they would both be royalty.

Darcy looked up from tying his robe as the adjoining door to Elizabeth’s room opened.

“William?” Elizabeth’s voice was oddly high-pitched. “Could you come here?”

Darcy’s heart started to pound before he reminded himself they were safe. Napoleon was gone, the French troops were all imprisoned or sent home, the Wicked King was dead, and Georgiana ruled in Faerie. There were no dangers at Pemberley anymore, apart from whatever mischief Jenny and the little dragons might be getting up to. He stepped towards her. “What is the matter, my love?”

She gave a gurgle of laughter. “Nothing is wrong, precisely. Look in the bed.”

Darcy’s lynx was sprawled across the bed. It was not the first time he had snuck in there, though usually it was when he felt Elizabeth needed protection or comfort. Today he was alert, his head up and watching the bed curtains.

The curtains where a lynx kitten clung by its claws, its tiny ear tufts standing alert. Another tried to scramble up behind him. A third was curled up asleep on Elizabeth’s pillow.

Despite what were indubitably razor-sharp teeth and claws, they were utterly adorable. If completely inappropriate for Elizabeth’s bedroom.

He had to fight back laughter of his own. Silently he asked the lynx, doing his best to sound stern, What are kits doing in our bed?

Need to know your scent.

Darcy’s eyebrows shot up. Why?

So they know you are a friend.

Perhaps a less literal question might help. Why are there lynx kittens at Pemberley?

The High Queen’s command, to live in your woods and defend you. Royal lynxes will serve you.

Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “A gift from Georgiana, apparently. Our very own family of Pemberley royal lynxes.”