It only delayed the inevitable for a short time. The next day, a carriage arrived from Carlton House to take Riquer away with sealed orders from the Prince Regent brought personally by Lord Walworth. He asked to see Lord Matlock, Elizabeth and Darcy. They met in seclusion in Lord Matlock's bedchamber.
“You are commanded to put Ramon de Riquer in my custody,” said Walworth. “I cannot divulge any further information, but I will be taking him somewhere where we can set our plan in motion.”
Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged glances. When they stayed at Carlton House a few months ago, nothing was as it seemed. Arcane magic had been used to control the Prince Regent, and the King was put in danger. Neither of them was willing to take such a risk again.
"I do not want to sound insulting, Lord Walworth, but given the unfortunate events at Carlton House not so long ago, I feel uneasy handing him over to you,” asserted Darcy. “How do I know the Prince Regent ordered it? And how do I know you are not someone else, using some Arcane Illusion spell?"
Matlock looked shocked, but Elizabeth nodded vigorously. "It would be remiss of us to simply hand him over to you, under the circumstances."
"Surely you cannot doubt the word of a gentleman such as Lord Walworth," said Matlock.
Lord Walworth wrinkled his nose. "They do and they should. They have learnt caution, and I for one am glad of it. If either of you would like to go to Carlton House to confirm that these are indeed His Highness's orders, then I would happily wait here." He turned to Lord Matlock. "I heard that the chef here is better than the King's."
"I do believe our cook possesses an unknown magical Talent,” said Matlock. “He produces the best food I have tasted in my life."
"Well, then, count me in." He turned to Darcy and Elizabeth. "Which one of you is going to see the prince?"
"I am,” said Darcy. “I can ride over at once."
It would be faster on horseback. Elizabeth would need a carriage, which was much slower. Someday soon, he promised himself, he would arrange for her to take riding lessons.
“Very well, then,” said Lord Walworth. “I will wait for your return.”
While Darcy went to Carlton House to confirm the Prince’s instructions, Elizabeth went to tell Riquer what was happening.
“Are they here to take me away?”
She nodded. There was really nothing more to say.
“Well, just in time. They have finally delivered the portrait,” he said. “I was worried it would not be completed before I left, and they would have to deliver it to me while I was running from pursuit.”
Elizabeth laughed.
He pulled the locket out from under his shirt and showed her the portrait. Elizabeth had already seen the locket itself, with the hidden compartment that housed the mirror. Making the mirror surface smooth enough not to distort the magic had been difficult, but the Prince had put the best workmen at Riquer’s disposal. Now, the whole disguise was complete, with a lock of hair and a portrait of a lady with large brown eyes and black hair, dressed in muslin.
“Do you know who she is?”
“I have no idea. But I shall call her Isabel Bonet,” he said. “That should be easy enough to remember. Isabel is Elizabeth in Spanish.”
Even now, he was joking. How did he do it?
“Hmm,” she said, “I am not so sure. What if you are under duress, and say Elizabeth by mistake? You should think of something safer.”
“A pity, but I suppose you are right. Let us hope I will have enough time to think of a suitable name as I make my way to France,” he replied.
Then he turned serious. “Now remember what we agreed upon. I will try to contact you between nine and ten o'clock at night, or six and seven in the morning. The time is different in France, but I will work it out. I know it will be difficult, but you must somehow contrive to be outdoors during that time.”
“I will do my best.”
“And remember, do not worry if I do not contact you. I might be under observation, or not at liberty to go outdoors to talk to you. If I am in a barracks with a group of mages, it might be impossible to do anything without arousing suspicion."
They had spoken about this before, but she was glad he was repeating it. Now that he was leaving, she felt her nerves stretched to a breaking point. There were so many unknowns.
“That is all,” he said. “Nothing too complicated. Meanwhile, I have a gift for you. It is a book in French – about Mirror Magic. It has advanced spells in it. I know you do not speak French but some of the spells may be useful, and you could find someone to translate for you. Darcy, probably. I would like you to keep it – in case of emergency.”
Her stomach clenched.
She shook her head vigorously. “I will not take anything from you. You must leave it here until you return.”
