There was one person at Pemberley who did know about land Talent, though, and shared her interest in pouring magic into yarn and fabric. A woman who had once saved her life, and whose help she would need later in her pregnancy. Darcy’s base-born half-sister, the midwife – who had made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with the Darcy family.
Elizabeth was determined to change her mind. She needed Mrs. Sanford as a midwife, and she desperately wanted her as a friend.
The midwife lived in a cottage near the top of the hill. Elizabeth was glad of the effort it took to climb the steep path, since it distracted her from wondering how she would be received. She wanted this to work.
The door opened to her knock, and Mrs. Sanford stood behind it, frowning at her. “Mrs. Darcy,” she said flatly. Her slight resemblance to Darcy, mostly around the eyes, gave Elizabeth a pang.
This was not promising. Elizabeth gave her an engaging smile. “I hope you will forgive me for calling without an invitation. Or, for that matter, a proper introduction. I owe you a great deal for saving my life.”
Mrs. Sanford studied her, and then opened the door to let her in, with seeming reluctance. “Your husband’s lynx left me little choice in the matter.”
Elizabeth stepped inside the tidy room. “He brought you to the house, that is true, but you chose to help heal me.”
There was no softening in that stern face, nor did she respond.
Then it struck Elizabeth what it must have been like, to have Darcy’s lynx force her to go. The midwife would have made the natural assumption that Darcy had sent him. “I must apologize for that, though. The lynx was acting on a suggestion from my familiar. My husband knew nothing about it.”
One corner of her mouth turned up. “I am certain you mean well, Mrs. Darcy, but the lynx is Mr. Darcy’s familiar and acts on his behalf. Even when it comes to showing his teeth and forcing someone out of their home – and into a place where they are forbidden to go.”
Oh, dear! That did sound bad. “My husband did not even know of your existence. If he had, he would have sent a servant, not his lynx.”
Now her lips bowed downwards. “I could have refused a servant’s request. But that is neither here nor there; it has always been the case that the Darcys make the rules at Pemberley, and the rest of us have little choice but to follow them.”
This was a poor beginning indeed! “I would not be pleased either, to be hauled off by a wild creature under someone else’s command. Would you be willing to take my familiar’s word for it that it was solely her idea?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Your dragon, you mean?”
She nodded. “I did not know whether you were aware of her identity.”
“It was rather obvious, after she shared her power during your healing.”
Elizabeth wavered, wanting to know how the midwife guessed Cerridwen’s true nature, but that could wait. “I believe she meant you no harm, but we could ask her directly.”
Mrs. Sanford sniffed. “It does not matter. You must be here for a reason. I assume you want me to leave.” Her tone was bitter.
Elizabeth stared. “Leave? But this is your house!”
Her face crinkled as if she had smelled something noxious. “Leave Pemberley, of course.”
Recoiling, Elizabeth exclaimed, “Good Lord, no! Why would I want that!”
“To strengthen your husband’s precious Talent, of course. Because there can only be one Talent bonded to the land. Because only a true-born Darcy can be permitted to touch the power of the earth.” Scorn dripped from her voice.
“That is just silly. I am bonded to the land, as is my dragon, and neither of us were born a Darcy.”
“You do not think my Talent lessens your husband’s bond?” Her tone was skeptical.
Elizabeth laughed. “Have you seen his Talent in action? Does it look diminished? Where I grew up, I taught all the tenants to give blood to the earth, and it never harmed my own bond. Besides, why would I object when you use your Talent to help the other tenants? Not to mention saving my life with it.”
“But they say only one person can hold the Talent within the estate.”
“You and I are living proof that is not the case. Personally, I think they claim that to protect the inheritance laws, to keep younger sons from trying to take part of an estate.”
Mrs. Sanford studied her in silence, her dark eyes so like Darcy’s that it made Elizabeth’s heart ache. “You are not what I expected. I will grant you that,” she allowed. “If you are not going to evict me, then why are you here?” It was grudging, but no longer hostile.
Should she even say it? “I came for the same reason any other woman calls on a midwife. I believe I am increasing.”
Her eyes widened, her jaw falling slightly. “And you want me to attend you?”
