Two days later, when she left the training room to bring herself dinner, she was surprised to find Redmond waiting for her in the hallway.
“Mrs. Darcy? May I ask you a favor?”
Elizabeth nodded at the young Janus mage. He had changed since he had first arrived, as she had.
“May I ask you a question first?”
“Of course.”
“Are you happy in the Royal Academy?”
“It is a privilege to be part of it,” he said, stiffly. “Many people would love to be in my shoes.”
He had not answered her question.
“But does it make you happy to be here?”
He looked at her closely. “I am happy enough, considering that we are at war. I know my duty.”
“Do you have some good friends?”
He smiled at that. “I do have good friends.”
She nodded. “Yes. That is very important.”
When he continued to look at her expectantly, she remembered he had a reason for seeking her out. “You said you wanted to ask me a favor?”
“Yes.” He took a deep breath and shuffled nervously. “I would like you to teach me Mirror magic. I think I might have the Talent to do it. I have been trying it out, and I have felt the stirrings of something.”
“Really? If that is the case, then that is excellent news.” They had searched high and low for people with Talent for mirror magic, with no success. She was gripped with excitement.
She was on the verge of telling him she would be more than happy to train him, when it struck her that she could not give him an answer.
“We will of course have to test you first. I will discuss it with Riquer.” What else could she say? Riquer was leaving in a few days and might never return. If she left with Darcy, she would no longer be a Tutor.
He looked disappointed at her vague answer, but he bowed and took his leave.
If she left for Pemberley, Redmond would never develop his Talent. Would she be able to live with her conscience, knowing she was walking away from her role? But if she did not leave, how could she sacrifice Darcy's happiness as well as her own?
She felt as if all her certainties were crumbling.
Chapter 9
Over the next few days, Elizabeth battled complete exhaustion to learn the necessary skills. She was now beginning to have nightmares that Riquer would try to contact her, but she would not be able to hear him because her magic was not strong enough. Her sleep was further interrupted as she lay in bed, trying to make up her mind about going to Pemberley.
On the third day, as Elizabeth prepared to go outside for her training, Darcy approached her.
“Have you thought about my suggestion yet?” he asked.
“I have thought about it. Obsessively,” said Elizabeth. “Especially at night. My sleep is being affected. But I cannot give you an answer just yet.”
Darcy made an impatient sound. “I do not want to press you for an answer, but I am tired of deferring my happiness. If I could, I would leave tomorrow.”
“It would be impossible for me to leave tomorrow in any case, even if I had reached a decision.” Her voice had a sting in it. “I know you are eager to leave. It is just that there is so much toget ready before Riquer’s departure. So far, I have been unable to communicate through the mirror with him from here to London, let alone all the way to France. I have been given an impossible task.”
“When is Riquer leaving?”
“On Monday.”
