Sudbury was not finished yet. Now that he had a chance to talk, it all came pouring out. “I was the one who allowed her into Netherfield. I fixed the Wards so that she could come and go. I was willing to support her. We—she and I—that is—”
He fell into silence as he realized how much he had given away.
“So am I to infer from this that you and Lady Alice are lovers?” said Matlock, icily.
Sudbury flushed bright red. “Now look here—!”
No wonder they had found Lady Alice’s green riding habit in Sudbury’s bedchamber.
Matlock strode over to where Sudbury was standing and towered over him.
“You would do well to confess to it, rather than being accused of being a traitor and conspiring with the enemy to wipe us out.”
The color fled from Sudbury’s face. His skin turned a clammy shade of green.
“As a gentleman, I cannot confess such a thing.” He pursed his lips, finding dignity in sticking to at least this principle. “I hope there is still enough spirit of chivalry left in the Kingdom that I will not be compelled to do so. But I swear by my very soul that I would never, ever, sell my soul to Napoleon to defeat my fellow mages.”
His eyes darted from one Council member to the other in entreaty.
“I am loyal to the Kingdom, to King and Country. Yes, I should have asked more questions before I agreed to help her, but I would never willingly harm you, Darcy.”
His eyes sought Darcy’s and lingered. Darcy turned his face away, disgusted. He had to resist the urge to strangle the man. So all this mess had started because this man was in love with Lady Alice? He wanted to go over and shake the coward until his teeth rattled.
“You almostkilledme, Sudbury. I might have died. Your definition ofharmseems to be rather flawed.” Darcy was becoming more incensed the more he thought about it. “How could you say in one breath that you conspired with Lady Alice, and in the next breath, claim that you meant me no harm? How could you have meant no harm when Lady Alice prevented two Janus Mages from Bonding? Have you even considered what that meant? I was without a Janus Twin for several weeks. If the French had attacked during that time, I would have been unable to defend the Hall.”
“Lady Alice told me that you had not Bonded with Elizabeth Bennet because her blood was polluted.”
“Do you really think they would have married me to her if it that was the case?”
With the other Councilors listening to the conversation, Darcy wanted to press on. In trying to excuse himself, Sudbury seemed eager enough to point the finger at his lover. Now that he was talking, Darcy hoped to glean more evidence for a case against Lady Alice. Though whether Sudbury would be willing to do so in an official enquiry would remain to be seen.
As usual, Lord Matlock forestalled his next move. “Patience, nephew. The matter of the ring is outrageous, but that is not the subject at hand. Let us not assume that one is connected to the other, and treat them as separate incidents until we have a way of proving they are connected.”
Darcy took it as a warning that he should not follow this line of inquiry. Matlock usually had good reasons, but Darcy wished he had not been cut off. Could his uncle not see that, even if the incidents were unrelated, the damage that had been done was irreparable?
“Come, Darcy, you look like you are going to crumple to the ground any moment. You, too, Devereux. I suggest we take Lord Sudbury inside, then you should both go with the Healers and get some food and rest.”
He had forgotten his fatigue in the turmoil of questioning Sudbury. He had achieved what he wanted. Lady Alice had been uncloaked, and she had been the instrument of her own downfall. The Council could not turn a blind eye to her activities any longer. Anything else could wait.
The fatigue returned and he was not even certain he would make it to the house. But before he rested, he had to find Elizabeth, and explain to her what happened.
***
THE KEY TURNED IN THElock, followed by the screech of a bolt. Elizabeth fixed her gaze wearily on the door, wondering what surprise was awaiting her now.
“Elizabeth?”
“Darcy?”
Darcy hastily locked the door behind him and pocketed the key. As he turned to face Elizabeth, she threw her arms around him. He pulled her to him and kissed her until she could barely breathe. She laughed giddily at the feel of him, running her fingers through his curls and luxuriating in the rapid beating of his heart. She could hardly believe he was there, right in front of her. He was alive!
“I am sorry, Elizabeth, truly sorry I put you through this. I wanted to tell you, but Matlock advised me against it.”
They were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing his throat. Darcy let go of Elizabeth abruptly and turned to the French mage, pushing Elizabeth behind him protectively.
Elizabeth could not help laughing.
De Riquer had a smirk on his face. “Mrs. Darcy and I were having a charming conversation before you came.”
