“Mrs. Darcy, I have not yet had the opportunity to apologize to you for all the insults I made at that Council meeting. Even though they were part of what we agreed on, I am filled with shame whenever I recall them. I had to sound convincing, but I still shudder at some of the things I said. I hope you can find it in you to forgive me.”
She sighed. It would be hard to forget the insults, but she could not very well blame him for doing so. That scene at the Council meeting had paved the way for unmasking both Lady Alice and her accomplice.
“Of course. I will not hold it against you, Mr. Devereux, and I will do my best to forget that unpleasant day.”
“That is very generous of you.”
They had reached the wooden steps of the dais, where a row of chairs awaited them. He put out his hand politely to help her up the stairs and led her to her seat, where she was soon joined by none other than de Riquer himself.
“Mrs. Darcy! What a pleasure to see you.”
Conscious of all the eyes upon her, she greeted him formally.
“Good evening, Mr. de Riquer.”
Fortunately, they had no further opportunity to interact. The gong sounded.
It was strange to be sitting on the dais behind the podium inside of seeing it from a distance. Darcy was at the other end of the dais, next to Bingley and the Waltons. They smiled when they saw her looking in their direction, and Elizabeth smiled back in intense pleasure at seeing them fully recovered.
Matlock stood up and cast a Projection spell to enable his words to carry all the way across the hall. Silence fell, along with sounds of restless rustling and shifting. A parakeet screeched, and everyone laughed.
Lord Matlock looked around with a broad smile.
“It is hard to believe that a little more than five weeks ago, we were all struggling to set ourselves up here in Netherfield. Look at us now! Let us take the time to show our appreciation for one another. I think we all deserve a round of applause for what we have achieved.”
The sound of cheers and stamping filled the Hall like a great roar. Lord Matlock waited for the applause to die down, then continued.
“As you all know, we are gathered here today to celebrate our triumph over adversity. We know this is just a lull, and that it will not last, but while it does, we need to make the best of it, which is why I have ordered this feast.”
He looked around the room slowly.
“I know you are eager to get started, but I have a few announcements to make. Firstly, and most importantly, we have a number of new recruits who have recently joined us. I hope you will all make them feel welcome, and assist them in settling in. We are proud to have such a Talented group of young mages. When we look at you, we are looking at our future.”
Lord Matlock paused and turned to indicate the man sitting next to Elizabeth in the robes of the Royal Mages.
“Next, I would like to introduce a new Tutor. He is a powerful mage, and he has come to us all the way from the Peninsula. We are very fortunate to have him, since he will be teaching us all some magical techniques we have never encountered before. I would like to introduce the Spaniard, Mr. Ramon de Riquer. If you would please like to stand so the apprentices can see you.”
“Catalan, not Spanish,” de Riquer muttered under his breath as he rose and bowed elegantly.
“I am very much looking forward to imparting some of my knowledge,” he said.
Matlock waited until de Riquer took his seat, then continued.
“Since Lord Sudbury has been called away unexpectedly, we now have another opening for a Tutor. After some discussion, the Council has voted unanimously to have Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy fill his position. Mrs. Darcy, will you please stand.”
Elizabeth was too stunned to register much of what happened next. She supposed she must have said something appropriate, and smiled, but it was all a blur.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Darcy,” whispered Mr. de Riquer. “It seems our Talents are more appreciated now.”
“And last, but not least, we have three of our Warders here. As you all know, they were unlucky enough to be injured during the last attack on Founder’s Hall. We have since discovered that their injuries were the result of an Entrancement spell. Mr. de Riquer here kindly assisted us in our efforts to remove that spell, and, as you can see, all three have fully recovered.
“Miss Walton, Mr. Walton, Mr. Bingley, if you would like to stand up?”
“As you have all been through a great deal, the Council has decided to grant you a boon, if you are so inclined, to celebrate your recovery. You may think about what you would wish for, and let us know. Within reason, of course. Do not ask for gold or silver or for boxes of treasure. That request will not be granted.”
The younger apprentices laughed in appreciation.
Mr. Bingley raised his hand.
