But it was harmful tohim. He could not go around triggering spells without even noticing. This was one more reason that pointed to his exhaustion. He could not continue to work relentlessly and face danger without taking some time away from it all.
It was a perfect example to present to his uncle. Darcy never lost control, and he intended to bring that up when he introduced the idea to his uncle. If necessary, he could even go so far as to argue that he was a danger to himself and others if he was not in full control of his magic.
He reached Lord Matlock's office and rapped neatly on the door.
“How may I help you, Nephew?”
Now that push came to shove, Darcy felt his throat grow dry. It was one thing to plan something in the middle of the night, another to make it a reality.
“I have come to talk to you about going to Pemberley.”
His uncle’s brows lifted so high they almost touched his hairline. “Have you, by Jove?”
Darcy scooted forward in his chair and leaned his elbows on his uncle’s desk. “As you know, Elizabeth and I were married more than a year ago. But we were never given the opportunity—” he hesitated as he tried to think of a tactful way to phrase it, “—to go on a honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon?” his uncle repeated. He made it sound trivial.
His dismissive attitude angered Darcy. “Very well then, if you prefer a more official term, I would like to request military leave for rest and recuperation. All soldiers take leave during war. I do believe we have earned the right to take some time off, especially after the service we performed for his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and for the King.”
“I see,” said his uncle, neutrally. “And how long do you expect this – leave— to last?”
A year, he would have said, but his uncle would never agree to that.
He answered carefully. “A few weeks, possibly. I am hoping that Elizabeth will come with me to Pemberley. She would of course stay there longer, in case – well, in case of an heir.”
“An heir.”
His uncle’s apparent need to repeat Darcy’s words was vexing, but Darcy curbed his irritation. He was prepared to argue his case all day if necessary. At this point, he could not tell from his uncle’s expression whether he approved or was completely against it.
“I cannot keep going into battle, each time wondering whether I will be back. Pemberley needs an heir. It is common sense.”
Then, as his uncle curled his eyebrow, he added. “What is the point of cultivating the Bloodlines if we allow them to die out? We are Janus mages. Do you want our magic to disappear?”
It was an argument better made to Lady Alice and some of her cronies on the Council, but it was a solid one. If his uncle didnot care about his and Elizabeth’s well-being, then he had to care about losing the chance to breed more Janus mages.
He was growing more resolute by the minute. He would not back down on this. Being with Elizabeth, having a proper marriage, was more important than anything else. He felt it in his bones.
Matlock looked out of the window. “If we are defeated by Napoleon, all the Bloodlines will be destroyed. Or used for Napoleon’s nefarious purposes. Will Pemberley stand alone?”
“The war may drag on for years, Uncle, and you know it. We will need new mages to continue the fight."
“How very noble of you to offer to produce them!” His uncle’s voice was packed with irony. "And in the meantime, what about the Prince Regent's plans for Mirror magic?"
That was a question Darcy was fully prepared to answer. He had consulted his maps and identified possible locations for telegraph towers. He had brought the maps with him, and was prepared to go over them in detail.
Satisfied that he had a good answer, he explained his idea of setting up relay towers from London to Derbyshire.
Lord Matlock listened without interruption. “I suppose it is doable, though perhaps not in the time frame we need. Still, we have no idea how quickly we will need them. If necessary, I suppose you could be recalled.”
“Exactly.” He tried to contain his excitement. His uncle was considering the idea seriously.
“I see you are determined to make this work. And you could certainly make the case that you and Elizabeth have achieved so much in a short time, you deserve shore leave, so to speak. And you do have your duty to Pemberley to consider.” His uncle fell silent. “I know you will hound me if I refuse, so I will not stand in your way. However, it is up to you to convince the Council. It is not up to me to decide. You will need their permission."
Darcy wanted to cheer, but he refrained. If Lord Matlock had not refused him, it was very likely the Council would also approve his request.
"Thank you, Uncle."
“I am behind you, Darcy. I know very well how patient you have been. I do commend you on that.”
