“It was not by choice.” Darcy warmed to his uncle’s praise.
“Still, you have dealt with it well. Except for that one unfortunate time.” Darcy wanted to object. How was any man expected to react when his wife appeared in her nightgown? But he had won over his uncle, and he did not want to ruin things by arguing.
Lord Matlock rose to his feet. “Make sure to attend the Council meeting this afternoon. I will bring up the question of military leave for you, though I have a feeling I will be opening a Pandora’s box. Then I will leave it up to you. Good luck!"
Darcy could scarcely believe his ears. It was going to happen! He was going to fulfil his dream! All he needed was resolve and a strong argument to present to the Council.
Elizabeth was going to be so surprised! She would be over the moon when she heard. He had to go and tell her at once.
The two of them would be going to Pemberley after all.
When Elizabeth came out of her lesson with a group of younger apprentices, she was surprised to see Darcy waiting for her. She was used to seeing him in the doldrums, but he was obviously in high spirits. The transformation was so remarkable, it took her breath away. He was so heartachingly handsome. His dark eyes were sparkling, and a radiant smile was spread across his face.She wanted to run and kiss him, but her students were filing past them.
She waited until the hallway was empty, then walked up to him and slid her hands around his neck. She ran her fingers through his thick curls and brought her lips to his.
He kissed her. It was a quick, hard kiss that told her more about his state of mind. He had something to say, and he needed to tell her at once.
“I have news for you,” he said, stepping away from her. “I have spoken to my uncle, and he has given me permission to address the Council this afternoon. I will ask them for permission to go to Pemberley."
She had not expected that. She did not know what to think.
"So Lord Matlock has given you his support?"
"He has." He beamed at her.
She turned away, trying to collect her scattered thoughts. She had not expected Darcy to do anything until they had spoken. She did not blame him, but she wished he had not done it without talking to her first. At the same time, it made her happy to see him so animated, so excited about his future. Her heart went out to him.
"Elizabeth, do you realize what this means? We will have a chance to be together, finally!"
His enthusiasm was infectious, and she opened the door to the possibility. She imagined what it would be like to be away from Founders' Hall, to live in a home where her life was not ruled by clocks and bells, where she would not be at the beck and call of Councils and princes.
If the Council approved the request, then perhaps it was meant to be?
He took up her hand and kissed her palm. "The meeting is this afternoon at three o'clock. I will come to you afterwards to let you know the verdict. Where will you be?"
"I will wait for you in the training room at four o’clock."
After he left, she paced the room, picking up objects and putting them down again. Darcy was so set on the idea that she could not bring herself to object. But when it came to it, would she agree?
She wondered yet again why it had to be all or nothing with him. He had been adamant since she met him about not taking risks, and he had stood by it. But there was more than their marriage at stake.
It was unfortunate that she was the only Mirror mage in the Kingdom, but there was no escaping that. It could well be that the fate of the whole Kingdom depended on her. How could she possibly set that aside and agree to leave unless Darcy had already built the relay towers?
At the same time, how could she refuse Darcy – the man she loved with all her heart – something that would make him so happy?
By and large, Elizabeth did not consider herself indecisive, but Darcy had given her an impossible choice, and she did not know what to do with it.
Darcy entered the Council chamber filled with a mix of anticipation and dread. His whole future depended on how well he presented his case.
While the rest of the Council members mulled around, waiting for the arrival of Lord Matlock, Darcy was doing his best to stay calm and collected, but his chest felt tight, and he was finding it difficult to breathe. Mentally, he reviewed all the arguments he intended to present and prepared for any objections the Council members might raise. Satisfied that he had covered all thepossibilities, he looked towards the clock on the mantelpiece. It was fifteen minutes past the hour. The meeting was supposed to start at three o'clock. How unfortunate that his uncle had chosen today, of all days, to be unaccountably delayed! Darcy hoped he would not have to keep Elizabeth waiting to hear about the verdict.
The clock chimed the quarter-hour. The Council members were growing restless. Trying not to fidget, Darcy considered starting the meeting without Matlock, but he did not want to disadvantage his case. His uncle's support was important. At the very least, it would show that the Head Mage did not have objections. It may even sway one or two people.
When Matlock entered the room, Darcy expected him to turn towards him. Instead, Matlock’s lips were pulled in a tight line, and he looked around the room.
“My apologies for my tardiness, but I have just received word from the Home Office. We have received news through the relay towers that Napoleon is organizing a major invasion. We can expect a large fleet to set out within a few days.”
“That is hardly a cause for alarm,” said Devereux. “The Navy will defeat him soundly – again – and that will be the end of it. Another Trafalgar. He will be decimated.”
