Darcy studied the swans in shock. How could they possibly have turned out so well? It was a powerful tool that Lady Amelia had taught him, as shockingly improper as it might be. The question was how best to use it.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hoofbeats and wheels on gravel. Real ones, not illusory this time. He shaded his eyes with his hand to see a carriage was coming up the drive, the top loaded with trunks and packages, as if the occupant planned on an extended stay. Could Elizabeth have invited someone without telling him? Then the answer struck him.
How could he have forgotten? It had not even been a fortnight since he had called on his sister in London and insisted she visit Pemberley. But then he had come home to the discovery that there were dragons in England, like the murderous ones who had killed his brother Jack in Spain. And one of them was in his own drawing room, bonded to his wife. Everything else, including Georgiana’s arrival, had flown completely out of his head.
Now she was here, and he had not even warned Elizabeth, much less the staff.
The driver of her coach was staring at him in absolute horror. Or, more specifically, at the dragon just a few feet away.
With a quick excuse to Lady Amelia, he set off for the coach at a run. He had to get there before Georgiana spotted Cerridwen.
His sister was already stepping down from the carriage by the time he arrived, her face wreathed in smiles as he came into view. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest, as if she still feared she might never see him again. Just as she did after every separation, no matter how short.
Darcy hugged her. “I hope your journey was easy.” Especially as the situation was about to get complicated. She would not take it well that he had forgotten about her arrival.
“There were no problems,” she said softly. “It is good to see you.”
“I am glad you are here,” he said, a slight prevarication, but well meant. “I have a great deal to tell you about.”
She stepped back, straightening her bonnet. Her gaze drifted past him to the figures by the lake. “I am sorry. I did not mean to take you from your company.” Then her eyes widened, and she gave a little shriek. She must have seen the dragon. Why had he not spoken faster? He caught her arm. “All is well,” he said soothingly. “I know it is a shock, but I can explain.”
She pulled away from him. “I want to go back to London. This instant!” And before he could stop her, she pushed past her companion and hurried back into her carriage.
Damnation. This was worse than he had thought. He clambered in after her. “Georgiana, listen to me. There is nothing to fear. Cerridwen – that dragon – is kind-hearted and gentle. She will not hurt you.”
“But what if she cantell?” his sister whispered.
Not this again! “No one has ever been able to do so before. Why should this be any different?”
She curled herself into a ball on the bench, her knuckles white. “Because they are…” She took a deep breath. “In the old stories, dragons could always discover people’s secrets.”
This was difficult. “I am not an expert on dragons.” To say the very least! But he could hardly reassure her that Cerridwen would not touch her mind, when he knew full well that Georgiana would be bound againstrevealing the presence of the dragons. Lady Amelia’s dragon, who was to arrive the next day, might not prove as trustworthy as Cerridwen. “But I think it perfectly safe.”
“I do not want that dragon to see me,” she begged. “May I not simply return to Town?”
“But you just arrived. Would you not like a little time together first? And I would dearly love for you to meet my wife.” How would he explain it to Elizabeth if Georgiana left without a word to her?
“I would not have come at all if I had known!” she cried. “Of course I want to see you, but not like this. And you haveguests.” She said it as if he had invited horrific monsters.
“Only Elizabeth’s great-grandmother from Wales, and her friend Roderick, who is training me in illusion-casting.” This was not the moment to bring up that Lady Amelia was a Fitzwilliam by birth. “And Cousin Frederica, who is staying at the Dower House, since her Talent does not allow her to be close to me. You need not spend time with any of them if you do not wish it.” It might in fact be easier if Georgiana kept to herself, away from the constant discussions of dragons, Nests, and defenses against Napoleon.
“Can I remain in my room? And would you ask the dragon to keep away from me?” Tears began to run down her cheeks.
He could not bear it when Georgiana cried. Perhaps if he gave her a little time, she might realize the dragons would have no interest in her. “I will ask Cerridwen to keep her distance from you. She is hardly ever here these days, in any case.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I am sorry to be such trouble.”
He took her hand and held it, wishing he could soothe her anxieties. But that seemed like a hopeless task.
Elizabeth watched with amusement as Lady Frederica Fitzwilliam, followed by Roderick, made a beeline for them as soon as Darcy had turned his back. Frederica could never resist an opportunity to deluge Granny with questions about dragons and magic. How long had she been hovering about, hoping Darcy would step away so that she could come closer without suffering the usual mage repulsion?
“What was it you told Darcy to do?” Frederica demanded of Granny.
The elderly lady snorted. “Nothing you could use, young lady! That technique will only work for Darcy.”
“It would still be interesting to know,” she coaxed.
Granny shook her head. “Not this one, child. Some things should remain private.” Then her wrinkled face dissolved into a smile, taking any sting from her words. “Those swans look quite well on the lake, do they not? The last time I came to Pemberley, nearly eighty years ago, it was a muddy stream with dozens of workmen digging. Now you would never know it is not natural. I would think the lake an illusion, too, if I did not know better.”
