"A few days of bliss with Darcy might have been worth it." Perversely, she was playing devil’s advocate.
"What if you were with child?" Jane blushed and looked around in embarrassment.
Jane had quietly put her finger on the source of the problem. All of their problems were centered around this one thing.
"I know. If only there was a certain way to prevent it—.” That was the stark reality. Darcy had informed her of it before they were married. It was not as if it was something new. She sighed heavily. “It is infinitely frustrating being in love with someone and not being able to act on it."
"I know exactly what you mean." Jane said absently, casting a sideways look at Bingley. Elizabeth hid a smile. The two of themhad been throwing glances at each other when they thought the other was not looking.
Elizabeth sighed. Why were relationships so complicated? It was obvious that Jane and Bingley were in love, but their situation was not something easily resolved. Unfortunately, their characters were too similar. Elizabeth did not blame Mr. Bingley for his reticence. He had already proposed marriage to Jane and had been rejected. He was modest by nature, and he did not want to risk being snubbed again. Meanwhile, Jane was an expert at hiding her feelings, which was hardly likely to convince him to approach her. His diffidence would never allow it.
If no one intervened, they would pine for each other for years and do nothing.
"Perhaps you will have a chance to see Mr. Bingley more often when we are on the road."
"Do you think so?" Jane replied, dreamily. Then, realizing she was giving too much away, she straightened up. "I meant it would be good to get out of the Hall for a while."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrow. "Then you will enjoy the company of Miss King and Miss Bingley, as well as Redmond, who will be accompanying you in the carriage."
"I really do not see why Lord Redmond has to ride with us. Miss Bingley is chaperone enough. She was Mistress of Maidens' Hall at Netherfield. "
Elizabeth agreed with Jane, but the reasoning of the Council was clear. They did not want any of the single gentlemen traveling with the single young ladies. However, there was general agreement that a male was necessary to take charge in case anything happened on the road.
"I think both Miss King and Miss Bingley would be more useful if something unexpected happened. However, neither younor they are Warders. If you are followed and attacked, he will be invaluable.”
Jane sighed. “I suppose so. At least you get to travel with Darcy and Papa. Why can I not travel with the three of you?"
It was unusual for Jane to complain. She and Darcy were not the only ones tired of this war that dragged on and on, forcing them from place to place and putting them at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
"It will just be for a few days. Just think of our destination. We are going to the coast. You and I will see the sea for the first time. It is an adventure. We have always wanted to go to the seaside."
"Please do not think I am ungrateful, Lizzy. I am just being peevish this morning. I hardly slept last night."
"You are no more peevish than anyone else," said Elizabeth with a laugh. “Look around you. We are a group of curmudgeons.”
Elizabeth pointed out several of the mages around them who were brooding. By making faces and imitating their expressions, she was able to bring both Jane and herself out of their ill humor, and before long, the two of them were laughing again.
The night before they were supposed to leave, Elizabeth was on her way to her bedchamber when Mary stepped out from the shadows.
Elizabeth jumped. "Mary, you frightened me!"
“I have thought about it, and I know you are not going to Longbourn. Why would you suddenly decide to go all the way for no particular reason? Only Mama and Kitty are still there. And why would you not take me with you? It makes no sense.”
Elizabeth looked around her uneasily. It was supposed to be a secret. "Hush, Mary. The walls have ears."
Mary nodded her head in acknowledgement. "If you are on a mission,” she said in a half whisper, “you should take me with you. You might need me, just as you did last time."
Mary had played a heroic role in defending the King against Rogue mages after discovering that she had a special Talent.
"Mary, you should have raised this with Lord Matlock several days ago. It is too late to change the arrangements. You cannot believe how much discussion has gone into setting up who travels in which carriage."
"Surely you can convince him I am needed. You are dismissing my Talent yet again, just because I do not have the same magic as you do."
Elizabeth sighed. "Mary, of all the mages here, I am the one who understands best what it means to be different. I would never diminish your importance. You have already proven that your magic is not only useful but vital. No one can deny you had a crucial role in saving the King."
There was no way she could explain where they were going without giving away too much. She hesitated, then decided she could count on Mary’s discretion. Mary had never been a person who indulged in gossip. Still, before speaking, she reached out a few tendrils of magic to see if she could detect anyone else who could overhear them. There was nobody.
"You must not breathe a word of what I tell you to anyone. Promise?”
