It was reassuring to hear that. If she was a fool, at least she was not the only one.
Hearing her father’s opinion emboldened her to ask the question that had haunted her since Riquer left.
"Do you think they might —" She swallowed, the mere thought of it turning her stomach, “—torture him?"
She had asked Darcy the same question, but she wanted Papa’s opinion.
"All I can say is that Riquer is a wily one.” Mr. Bennet made a wry face. “He is capable of talking himself out of awkward situations. He will find a way to convince them he is trustworthy."
It was true. Riquer was good at persuading others to see things from his perspective. She smiled as she thought of how easily he had convinced her that he was not a threat when she was trapped in the cellar with him.
"I suppose you're right."
There was a short silence, which Mr. Bennet broke a few minutes later.
“I wanted to talk to you about something concerning Jane.”
She jumped up in alarm. “Is she— Has something happened?”
“No,” he said. “But I have been thinking about your mother. Do you not think we should write to her and let her know Jane is gravely ill? It will take her a couple of days to arrive, but your mother is entitled to say goodbye to her daughter.”
Elizabeth had not even considered the idea, and it filled her with horror to think of it this way. “Papa! It is not as dire as allthat. We have the worst of it under control, and once the proper Healers arrive, they will know what to do.”
But Mrs. Bennet was entitled to know that Jane was sick, and it seemed selfish not to give her the choice of coming to be with her daughter.
“Maybe we should wait until tomorrow morning?” she said. “We would not want Mama to come all the way for nothing.”
“I was hoping you would say that,” said Mr. Bennet, turning to go inside. “I would rather not write an unpleasant letter unless it was essential. I am glad we agree.”
Elizabeth did not hear from Riquer, but the clatter of carriages woke her up from the light slumber she had fallen into. She came to full alert as she realized there were at least eight magic signatures in the carriages.
Before she could consider whether she was in danger, the door of Rosings was thrown open, and a number of manservants and footmen poured out to receive the carriages. Lord Matlock appeared in the doorway.
“Welcome to Rosings,” he said, as the mages descended. They were dressed in blue robes with stars embroidered on them in gold.
He turned to Elizabeth. “Allow me to introduce to you: The Rochester Academy Healers!” he said, with a wide smile. “The Rochester Healers are the best in England,” said Lord Matlock. “I sent for them as soon as I heard from Darcy.”
Tears welled up in Elizabeth’s eyes as she curtseyed to each of the Healers, the golden stars embroidered on their blue robes blurring.
They were the most welcome sight in the world.
Chapter 18
Next morning, Elizabeth was not quite certain what to do with herself. She had waited for a message from Riquer at the appointed time, but nothing had happened. She went to the sick room, but the Rochester Mages were there. They shooed her away when she offered to help them, saying they were quite capable of doing the Healing themselves, thank you very much.
There was no sign of Darcy anywhere. When she questioned the butler, he informed her that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley had gone riding.
So Elizabeth made her way to the breakfast room, in the hope of encountering someone there she could talk to. The only one present was Anne. Although the two of them had come to some agreement, Elizabeth approached Darcy’s cousin warily.
“Good morning, Anne. I would like to thank you for participating in the Healing Circle yesterday. It was kind of you to agree to do it. I hope it was not too tiring for you.”
Anne waved her hand dismissively. “I slept like a log, which is more than I usually say. And I was happy to use my magic for something useful.”
She gestured to a footman to bring her some pickled herring. “Mama has decided to allow us our regular breakfast today,” she said in a conspiratorial tone. “She is doing it for Uncle Matlock, of course.” She took a piece of herring and chewed it. “I hope the maids were attentive this morning, Elizabeth.”
“They were indeed. How did you know?”
“Because I ordered them to, and I expect my orders to be followed.”
