Darcy was not certain if Mrs. Belfry was asking a genuine question, or if she was challenging Pickering.
But Pickering, having had his say, had already lost interest. He had gone back to his book, and was thumbing his way through the pages, searching for something.
“Does anyone know?” It looked like Mrs. Belfry really did want an answer.
Darcy had been curious about this issue for a while. Perhaps he would finally discover what it was.
“It was a long time ago,” said Grayson. “Boyish mischief, nothing more. It has no bearing on the situation now.”
Darcy had a feeling there was more to the story, but it seemed that no one was going to expand on it.
“There is only one way out of this dilemma,” said Lord Sudbury. “We will have to test Miss Bennet and find out what sort of Talent she possesses. Only then will we be able to determine whether she is worthy of being a Royal Mage.”
Well, it was bound to come to this, sooner or later. Darcy did not have the slightest idea what the outcome would be.
***
JANE DECIDED TO STARTworking to discover the nature of Bingley’s illness as soon as she could. The main obstacle that faced her, of course, was that she would have to work closely with him, but as a single young lady, she could not do so alone.
Normally, she would have asked the Healers for their help, but she already knew they would refuse. Darcy had already told her that the Healers did not want her to join them. Of all the mages, the Healers were the most protective of their territory. The fact that she was not Academy trained and that they were suspicious of Lizzy were more than enough reason to turn her away. She did not blame them for it.
Asking them if she could examine one of their patients could only make the situation worse. It would seem as if she was casting doubt on their assessment of Bingley’s condition. It was out of the question to ask the Healers for their assistance.
Which meant the only way she could examine him was if Lizzy was with her, and she would have to do so in Mr. Darcy’s room instead of the sick room. She would need Mr. Darcy’s approval. Once she had obtained that, Jane would wait for Mr. Bingley to show up, which he invariably did at some time after noon.
“Do you think Mr. Darcy would object if I examined Mr. Bingley in his room, Lizzy?”
“I do not see why he would, but you do not necessarily need his permission. I am his wife, after all. I am sure his valet Evans can let us in, and then either Emily or I can stay with you to observe the proprieties.”
Jane did not like the idea of using Mr. Darcy’s room without asking first. True, Lizzy was his wife, but it was still his room.
“I would prefer to ask Mr. Darcy first, just to be certain.”
Lizzy looked amused. “Have it your way. I can see that not evenyoutake my role as his wife seriously. Let us go and speak to Mr. Darcy, then.”
Darcy was in the middle of teaching a spell when they found him. Lizzy only had to wave from the doorway, and he broke off in the middle of his sentence and came over.
Whatever doubts Lizzy may have about Darcy, it was obvious she had him in her thrall.
He came over at once, concern written all over his face. “Is there something wrong, Elizabeth?” His eyes were dark and intense as he sought reassurance.
“Does there have to be something wrong for me to seek you out?”
He chuckled. His voice always changed when he talked to Lizzy. It became deeper and huskier. “Not at all, but I suspect you have a purpose.”
“You have caught me out.” Lizzy chuckled back. “Jane had a question.”
Jane explained quickly what she planned to do, keeping her voice lowered so none of the apprentices could hear her. She had scarcely completed her explanation when Mr. Bingley showed up.
“If you can find a way to cure my friend, then I will be forever indebted to you, Miss Bennet.”
“I cannot promise anything at all.” She hoped she was not raising false expectations. “At the moment I am simply seeking a diagnosis.”
Behind Darcy, the young apprentices were starting to grow restless.
“Of course you have my full permission, Miss Bennet. Just tell Evans I said so.”
Darcy took his leave, his gaze lingering briefly on Lizzy, and returned to his pupils.
