It was a revolutionary notion. His father had told him his only purpose in life was to care for Pemberley and the Darcy family name. His mother’s one concern was that he should beget more mages. Apart from the War Office, no one had ever asked him if he wanted to do something else.
Nor had anyone told him what it would be like to become a father, to suddenly have a responsibility for the world his child would be born into.
“And intriguing thought, but first I must face Napoleon. I have some questions for the dragons first, about how my Talent has been changed.”
“That may have to wait. The Nest has gone back into Conclave, to discuss what they have learned from us and decide on their next steps. Cerridwen says it will last for days, perhaps weeks.”
He wanted to protest that he did not have time to figure this out on his own, but it would do no good. “I suppose we should return home, then. They will be wondering at Pemberley what has happened to us.”
Chapter 10
Mrs. Reynolds came tothe drawing room that afternoon with a question. “Mrs. Darcy, I know you prefer not to be troubled with household matters, but a situation has arisen which you may wish to be aware of.”
Oh, dear. A pregnant housemaid, most likely, or some other difficult situation, but at least it would take her mind off her worries. Pemberley was so quiet with Granny, Roderick, and Frederica gone, and Darcy was already off in the clearing learning to control the changes the dragon binding had made in his ability to cast illusions. And her thoughts were not good company, not when a letter from the War Office could arrive at any moment. “What is it?”
The housekeeper looked back over her shoulder. “Cassie, you may come in now.”
A lean young woman crept into the room, her eyes darting about. If she was with child, there was no sign of it in her thin form. She bobbed a curtsy.
“Mrs. Darcy, Cassie is one of our kitchen maids, a good girl and hard worker. Today she came to me – quite appropriately – with an unusual story. Go ahead, tell Mrs. Darcy. You are not in trouble.”
The girl wrung her bony hands. “I’ve a touch of the Sight, madam, not much, but I can see the wee ones, the fae. My mum is the same way.”
“It is a gift,” Elizabeth said gravely, to avoid frightening her more. It was true, too; she had always wished she could see them.
“There have always been wee ones who stop by here, a hobgoblin or two for the most part, but in the last few days, there have been more, over a dozen of them, and they seem to be planning to stay.” She cast a glance at the housekeeper. “I thought Mrs. Reynolds should know.”
“Quite right,” Elizabeth said. The girl had no reason to lie, but it did not make sense. They had just warded Pemberley against the fae, after all. Or at least she had thought the spell was successful. She must be missing something. “Are they doing any harm?”
“No madam, leastways not that I’ve seen. One old hob is always grumbling and complaining, but he’s not hurting anything.”
“Have you any idea why they are here?” It was baffling.
The girl shook her head. “No, madam. They do not talk to me.”
Well, this was clear as mud. Silently Elizabeth sent to Cerridwen.Dearest, apparently Pemberley is suddenly overrun with fae. Could the wards have failed?She shared the memory of Cassie’s words.
A ripple of laughter echoed in her head, remarkably like Cerridwen’s old kestrel kee-kee-kee.Lesser fae, all of them. They are therebecausethe wards are keeping out the High Fae.
I do not understand.
Cerridwen sent the mental equivalent of an impatient sigh.There are those among the lesser fae with reason to fear the High Fae. You have provided them with a safe haven.
Trading one problem for another, apparently.Are they a danger to Georgiana? Or to the rest of us?
No danger, especially if you treat them well.A series of images flowed through Elizabeth’s head before Cerridwen withdrew from the sending. Apparently she had said all she wished to.
Elizabeth drummed her fingers on her thigh. “Cassie, some people feel that if they see a fae, it is wise to offer them food.”
The girl ducked her head. “I never gave them anything but my own food, I swear it! But I had to. Otherwise, they can be tricksy. I never took anything that wasn’t mine!”
Even if it meant going hungry, apparently. “Mrs. Reynolds, pray arrange to provide whatever food Cassie recommends for our new guests. It is not to come from her own portion. Cassie, you have done us a service by bringing this to our attention. I hope you will keep us informed if you notice any other changes.”
Her face brightened with an astonished smile. “I will, madam, I promise.”
“If we are to have fae among us, your Sight will be most valuable to us.”
The housekeeper nodded, clearly pleased with this decision, or perhaps simply that she did not have to make a choice about how to deal with invisible creatures. “I will make certain of it, Mrs. Darcy.”
