Elizabeth squirmed from the hold of his fingers.
“You do not understand at all. I am trying to tell you somethingentirely different. I am trying to tell you that my actions may not have caused Bingley’s injuries, that we have been making the wrong assumption. It is possible that he and the other mages areunder a spell.”
Darcy shook his head and turned to face the window, his back turned to her, looking like a statue. That is how he had been when she first met him. She was reminded forcefully of what it had felt like, that first day.
She had thought that love could conquer the chasm between them, but she was wrong.
An idea struck her suddenly with the force of a cannon ball.
“We have someone in this very building who might tell us what happened. He was there that day.”
“Who are you referring to?”
“I am talking about our French captive. Perhaps we can provide an incentive for him to help us. We couldsaveBingley and the others. Come with me. We could question him together. Or you could go alone. Or send somebody else, someone who will help us rather than hinder us.”
Darcy scowled and shook his head vigorously.
“You must not suggest anything like this again, Elizabeth. You have barely managed to escape accusations of treason. And now you are suggesting providing a French mage with the opportunity to attack the two of us?” His dark eyes speared her. “I know you are desperate to prove that you are right, but promise me you will not pursue this.”
“I cannot promise anything, not when we might be able to obtain some answers.”
“Do you honestly believe that our French prisoner will receive you with open arms and instantly volunteer all the information you need?”
“Perhaps not,” she countered. “But at least it is better than doing nothing at all.”
“I have never encountered anyone so stubborn and obstinate,” said Darcy, letting out a groan of sheer frustration. “Surely you must see that even suggesting such a thing will place you straight into the hands of the faction that supports Lady Alice.”
“It is not as if I am letting him loose. Only questioning him. Is it not the usual practice to question prisoners of war, to try to obtain as much information from them as possible?”
“He has bloodlines spanning centuries. One does not question a member of the nobility. Ramon de Riquer will be exchanged for one of ours when the time is appropriate. Meanwhile, he is to be left alone. It is a gentlemen’s agreement, and we will adhere to it. Why would he voluntarily surrender any information to us?”
“Is there no way to compel him to give us information? If you were caught by Napoleon, would he be so considerate in his treatment of you? He would Compel you to speak.”
Darcy waved his hand.
“Unlike Napoleon, we still respect the old bloodlines. We have already discussed the possibility at several Council meetings and dismissed it.”
“You could have told me earlier.”
“It is sensitive information.”
It was clear to Elizabeth now that in Darcy’s mind, she was not privy to any information discussed by the Council. It was difficult to believe that a bare few weeks ago he had not even wanted to join the Council. Now he was suddenly a part of them.
She sighed. There were so many barriers between them, even Bonding had not overcome them.
But there was more at stake right now than their relationship, and because of that, Elizabeth refused to give up. If the French had the ability to cast such spells, the Royal Mages needed some way to counter them. And besides, if there was a way to cure the members of her team, she had no intention of giving up so easily.
“I will speak to your uncle,” she said. “Surely he would not accuse me of treason, when he knows very well that I was not at fault when it came to the ring.”
Darcy’s face shuttered.
“My uncle will not think you a traitor if you approach the subject, but it will be quite useless to do so. He, like me, will wonder whether you are guided by self-interest. It is not simply about being a traitor. It is also about your magic. There are many who are clamoring to have you expelled for practicing Rogue Magic.”
“Do you think I am a Rogue Mage?”
“Of course not. But, apart from my uncle, I may be the only person at Netherfield who does not think so.”
It hurt to hear it. But if Darcy thought it would discourage her from her course of action, he was mistaken. More than ever, she needed to clear her name. Jane had provided the opportunity. Why could Darcy not see that?
