"You do not think it is worrying, when we have the Prince Regent in attendance? Good heavens! Is everyone under Riquer’s spell?”
“No one is under Riquer's spell. Have you forgotten that Ramon de Riquer is still officially a French agent? He is pretending he has been captured and feeding Napoleon’s mages false information.”
“How do we know that is what he is doing? What if he is a double agent?”
“And you have reached this conclusion based on what, exactly?” His voice was sharp – the voice of an officerquestioning one of his men. Sometimes Richard could be just like his father.
The problem was, Darcy did not have anything specific to point to. Riquer had been skulking, true, but it could have been a show for those he reported to in France. Why had he not contacted them from his own chamber? Why creep into the shadows to do so?
Then he remembered Elizabeth telling him that it was impossible to communicate over a long distance from the inside – the wall would block the magic. It was an explanation of sorts.
“Well?”
“It is just a feeling,” said Darcy.
Richard snorted. “Since when do you base such serious accusations on afeeling?” Richard peered at him closely, then let out a laugh. “Or perhaps that feeling has to do with a certain Elizabeth? Do you think perhaps someone is just a tiny bit jealous?”
Darcy felt his ears burning. “That is absurd. Why would I be jealous?”
Richard chuckled. “Because you are a man in love who cannot — or will not — indulge in the joys of marriage.”
Darcy looked around him, embarrassed, even though no one could hear them because of the Ward. “Must we always come back to this conversation? I have made my sentiments very clear.”
His cousin had pointed out many times that there were ways to enjoy Elizabeth that would not make her conceive.
"I still do not understand. Why do you torture yourself? Is it because you doubt that Elizabeth reciprocates your feelings?”
He knew Elizabeth wanted him just as much as he wanted her. He saw it in her eyes every time they met.
“That is not the issue, and you know it very well.”
“Are you testing your iron control, then?”
It was quite the opposite. Giving in to his longing would strain his control to the limits. He was much more worried about losing control. Not the first time, perhaps, not the second time, but there would come a day when he could not stop himself, and if Elizabeth conceived on that night — the consequences would be dire.
“You have not answered my question, Darcy. Are you holding back out of some misguided sense of nobility or is it pure self-flagellation?”
Darcy shook his head angrily. “I am holding back because it is the right thing to do. Have you read the stories of the dire consequences of having a magical child controlled by enemy mages?”
“I have not.”
“Well, I have. I have poured over every text ever written about the subject. I can assure you, the consequences are terrible.”
“But it need not come to that. Youdohave a great deal of self-control, Cousin. Why do you think you will lack it on the marriage bed?”
“Because, when it comes to Elizabeth, it is either all or nothing.”
The words surprised Darcy as much as they surprised his cousin.
“Well, you have always been a stubborn old thing, Darcy. There is nothing more to be said about it, if that is how you feel. But you might want to reconsider such a strong stance and save both you and Elizabeth some suffering.” He clipped Darcy’s shoulder. “I’ll leave you with that thought. And as for Riquer, if it will give you some peace of mind, I will keep a closer eye on him."
At least he had handed over responsibility for dealing with Riquer to his cousin. That was one problem he did not need to deal with.
As Richard moved away, Darcy was left with a stronger sense of turmoil than before. Confound it! His cousin's words had made him question himself. Darcy was sorely tempted to give in to his longing to be with Elizabeth. His reasons for resisting were growing weaker by the minute. But he knew he was right to resist.
Back in the Great Hall, he searched the room for Elizabeth's magic signature. It was so bright he could have found her blindfolded. He was drawn in her direction like a drowning sailor to the shore. He slipped into the seat next to her and reached for her hand, reveling in her closeness. This is where he belonged, by her side.
The knots in his stomach began to untangle as her touch sent warm waves of happiness through his body.
