“Have you spoken to him?”
“Yes, but he asked me not to interfere.”
“Then you must do as he asked.”
“I will not try to dissuade him. But I need to talk to someone so I can at least know what to expect. And there has to be a way to convince him to abandon this foolish course of action.”
She left soon after. Jane would have left with her, but Elizabeth said she had some business to take care of.
After considerable thought, she decided to ask Lord Sudbury. She had heard Darcy speak of Lord Sudbury as the voice of reason. She had never spoken to him, but she sought him out now. She rang for Emily and asked her to come with her, to preserve the proprieties.
When she knocked at his door, he made a point of coming out to meet her in the corridor. He did not allow her to enter.
No doubt he was afraid she would corrupt him.
“Lord Sudbury.” She came to the point straight away. “What are the rules for dueling with magic?”
“The same as any other duel. With a pistol there is only one shot, and with a sword, it is to death.”
She dared not ask the next question. “So does that mean—” She trailed off. She could not say the words aloud.
“I am afraid that is the way of it, Mrs. Darcy.”
“But this is madness. Is there no way to put an end to it? No other way to resolve this dispute? I am prepared to leave, if that will prevent it.”
“Are you willing to do so much for your husband? I was under the impression this was not a love match.”
“I love Darcy, Lord Sudbury, and I will do anything to save his life.”
“I will try to talk to him. But I am afraid, when it comes to a gentleman’s honor, there is no backing down. Leave it in my hands. I will do all I can to stop it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I will send you a message to inform you of the outcome.”
***
SHE RETURNED TO HERbedchamber. Jane was there. She looked at Elizabeth, a question in her eyes.
“I am waiting for news. Lord Sudbury has promised to look into it.”
“Lord Sudbury? Do you think he could do something? Oh, this is all my fault. If I had not tried to Heal Mr. Bingley—”
“Jane, if you were there, you would have known it had nothing to do with you.”
Elizabeth had been there, and she had been unable to do anything to prevent it. Now all she could do was wait. She hated that she had to exercise patience when every part of her wanted to be with Darcy.
What if this was to be their last night? How could he throw away everything like this?
She sat at the edge of the bed, listening for footsteps, hoping someone would come to relieve her of her anxiety. Jane tried to talk to her, but even though she heard Jane’s voice, she did not understand the words.
Later, much later, she heard footsteps. Finally. A footman arrived, bearing a message.
Mrs. Darcy,
I regret to say I have no news. Darcy will not back down. The duel is a conventional one, except that it uses magic. But do not despair. Darcy is a powerful mage. I am sure he will defend himself well.
If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to ask me.
