“No. I agree. We cannot entrust a young lady with our safety. We could do a Tongue Twister spell. I know they are only meant for extreme situations, but I do believe it would be justified in this case.”
“There is a reason they are only used in extreme situations. Too many things can go wrong if you bind people’s tongue on certain topics, and they somehow always find other ways for them to communicate if they really want to. Besides people invariably resent them, which makes them all the more determined to find a way around them. I dislike Tongue Twisters. I have only done the spell once, and I hope never to do it again. Do you know the young lady well?”
“Unfortunately, I do not know her at all. I have exchanged no more than a dozen words with her. I have only been to Longbourn once.”
Memories of that day flitted through his mind. What joy he had felt when he discovered she returned his feelings! It was a golden moment that would remain with him until his dying day.
As if conjured up by his thoughts, Elizabeth appeared in the doorway of the breakfast room.
“Jane is ready now. You may question her upstairs where she is more comfortable. Meanwhile, if you will have the carriage brought around, we will send her on her way as soon as you are finished.”
“I am sorry, Elizabeth, but I cannot allow that.” Matlock sounded stiff and inflexible. “There is too much at stake.”
An obstinate look settled on Elizabeth’s face. She meant to fight for her sister. Darcy did not blame her, but she would not win this battle.
“You cannot keep her here, Lord Matlock. Her reputation will be in tatters if she stays overnight in a household reputed to be full of officers.”
She threw Darcy an entreating glance. Darcy steeled himself against the pleading in her eyes. He had promised to support Elizabeth no matter what, but he knew Matlock was right. There was more at stake than a young lady’s reputation.
Elizabeth must have realized he could not help her, because she turned to his uncle instead.
“You can trust Jane, Lord Matlock. You must remember her from the lunch we shared. She is a quiet, discreet young lady. She will never reveal our secret.”
“I have no doubt she is, but it is not that simple.”
She shook her head angrily and glared at them both.
“I am sorry, Elizabeth. Unfortunately, I agree with my uncle.”
“So what is your solution?”
Her fine eyes were rebellious. As always, Darcy admired her fighting spirit, but compromise was simply not possible under the circumstances.
“I will give you a choice between two evils. I will respect your choice, whatever it is.”
“Are there no other possibilities?”
“If you can give me a useful suggestion, I will be happy to consider it.”
Darcy suddenly thought of something.
“We cannot trust a young lady, but we can trust a fellow mage. We can write to inform Mr. Bennet of the situation and ask him to come up with a reasonable explanation for his daughter’s absence.”
“If anyone else knew she was coming here to offer her assistance, it will be all over Meryton before the day is over. While Miss Bennet may be too well mannered to gossip, Mrs. Bennet does not strike me as someone who can keep a secret. I hope I do not offend you, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth’s lips twitched.
“You need not apologize, sir. I am heartily in agreement.”
“Well then, if we are to follow my nephew’s plan, Miss Bennet will have a short reprieve. To make matters easier, I will send for Mr. Bennet so we can discuss the matter here.”
He sent Elizabeth a probing look. “If she was able to walk through because she is your sister, I suppose Mr. Bennet can walk through our Wards as well?”
“I have no idea.” The corner of Elizabeth’s mouth twitched.
“I sincerely hope not,” said Matlock, gruffly, “but we will find out very soon. And you need not look so amused, young lady. It is a grave matter. Meanwhile, since we seem to have a problem with keeping people out, I will suggest to the Council that we should set up a watch as well.”
Darcy shook his head emphatically. “I do not see how you can do so without alerting the whole neighborhood that we have something to hide. We are surrounded by open fields. Setting up sentries will make it clear that we are not what we claim we are. We cannot afford to do that.”
