I jumped to my feet, bristling. “That is not thepoint. Who would wield the black dagger? Will you abduct an unmarried wyfe and poison her with venom? Employ a slave master to torture her?”
“I will ask a powerful wyfe to wield it of her own free will. Gentlemen volunteer their lives for England. There are ladies equally brave.” His smile was thin. “I should think you would approve of my attitude.”
I shook my head. “You are mistaken. Lizzy cannot do this. The black dragon drives her mad.”
“I am aware,” he said. “I intend to ask Miss Darcy. She is a great wyfe, and she has assisted the army before. Or will you volunteer?” I blinked at him, too stunned to speak. He resumed, gravelly and tired, “I must leave to finish planning Pemberley’s security. Darcy is enlisting the Britons in Pemberley’s hills. Miss Bennet, thank you for the information.” He bowed and left.
“He is mistaken,” I said after the door closed. “Georgiana would neverfight. She has only ever aided injured draca and wyves.”
“I am certain you are right,” Lizzy said. She did not sound certain.
I was desperate to run to Georgiana, but I could not. We had not finished my list from Miss Bathurst.
“There is a last item,” I said. “The identity of their current captive wyfe, who has likely begun using the dagger. It is a… a detail. Unimportant… but she…” My words tangled as the fears I had knotted away came loose. “Miss Rees was strong, so they hunted her friend, Miss Rebecca Spoon. She is a friend of Georgiana and mine. A member of our salon.”
Lizzy stood and put her arm around my waist. “Oh. I am sorry, Mary.”
I shook my head, striving for control. “Dr. Davenport says adoctor must put aside failure and focus on the next patient. But I cannot stop thinking of Rebecca, trapped with those beasts.”
“Then think about this,” Lizzy said. “Where is the dagger?”
The specificity of her question caught my attention. “They would not take it to France. They need strong wyves, and French families have no binding history. That is why Napoleon wanted Lydia.” I saw why she had asked. “It would be extraordinarily risky to move the dagger to the occupied south. They would have to cross the line of battle. They could be interrogated. Searched as spies.”
“Exactly. Did you notice that the demonstrations supporting Mr. Tinsdale are in London? Mr. Tinsdale is a self-important, arrogant man. I cannot imagine him orchestrating such events where he could not steal a glimpse to gloat.”
“He is in London!” I exclaimed. “Why did you not tell Lord Wellington?”
“Lord Wellington has had agents searching London since we left. But that is hopeless. London could conceal a thousand traitor kings. But your news gives me a half-hatched idea. The problem is Lord Wellington will never agree. The risk to the royal family is… the risk—”
Lizzy shuddered and collapsed in my arms.
33
PROMISE ME
LIZZY
I draggedmy eyelids apart and saw Mary’s frightened gaze framed by her hanging brown hair. Her arms were straining to hold me upright.
I set my feet and found my balance. “What happened?”
“You fainted,” Mary said worriedly. “Briefly.”
I rubbed my aching eyes. “I am tired. The maid did not set the fire right in that last inn. I woke soaked with perspiration and freezing as well. I sat on the floor and shivered half the night.”
“Lizzy. Let me see your eyes.” Mary spoke so intently that I obediently moved my shielding fingers, then squinted when painful light glared off her golden rims. Mary tilted her head left and right. “Your pupils are giant. Have you taken some tincture? Laudanum?”
“What? Of course not. I do not trust it since Mr. Jones tried to give it to Jane.” Mary appeared so concerned that I blurted out, “Could it be the child?”
Her eyebrows shot upward. “Child?”
“I am with child. Or… well, I thought so—” I was cut off as Mary swept me into an embrace. That was unexpected, but I let out a breath and closed my eyes, enjoying the respite of darkness. “I did not mean to announce it so clumsily…”
My words tailed off. Mary’s hands were methodically pressing my body—an examination, not an embrace. Briefly, she cupped my breasts, then pushed meto arms’ length. Her brow was furrowed. “You are skin and bones. I have never felt you so thin.”
I swallowed. “Why do I feel that you are not about to congratulate me?”
“Why do you think you are with child? Have your menses stopped?”
