“Say hello to Mary for me,” said Mr. Bennet.
Mary!! No one had thought of specifically asking for Mary, though it was the most obvious thing in the world. Her mindstarted racing as an idea struck her. Mary was the most essential person in the plan. She would be able to point out the balloons!
A soldier came to tell her that her carriage was ready, and she hurried out to speak to the others.
“Someone needs to go for Mary,” she said. “She will be able to help us see the balloons.”
“I will go,” said Miss King.
Elizabeth shook her head. “You will be urgently needed. I will arrange for it.” She suddenly knew what she had to do. She swallowed hard.
“Well, then,” she said to the riders. “We will see each other in London.”
Her eyes went to Darcy. She tried not to think of the danger. They had survived so far. They would continue to do so.
“I’ll see you at Carlton House,” she said, with a wry quirk of the lips. “Like old times.”
“Like old times,” replied Darcy.
As soon as they began to move, she took out her mirror. Her heart beating wildly, she stared into its depth, wondering if what she was doing was madness. Before she could hesitate, she spoke the words to begin the spell.
She would go to Founder’s Hall through the mirror to find Mary.
As he and Redmond rode away, Darcy thought about Elizabeth riding alone in her carriage, and the dangers she might encounter. A carriage was more easily visible than a rider on horseback. She could use a Concealment spell, but that might draw attention.
He wished now he had said goodbye properly to her, given her a kiss at least, held her to him and inhaled the scent of her.
“What are you doing?” said Redmond.
Without noticing, he had slowed his horse to a trot. He struggled against the impulse to go back and see her again, but it persisted. There was something gnawing at him, something she had said.
Frowning, he considered her words. A moment later, he identified the source of his unease. What did she mean when she said she would arrange something to do with Mary? What was she going to arrange?
The answer, when it came, almost threw him off his horse.
“We have to go back at once,” said Darcy.
Redmond looked bewildered.
“But why? What could be more urgent than saving the Prince Regent?”
“Elizabeth is about to do something very foolhardy, and it will probably kill her. I have to stop her. You must ride on. I will catch up with you.”
“How will you find me?” said Redmond. “I will be useless to the Prince Regent if we cannot Bond. I will come with you.”
Darcy was too preoccupied with Elizabeth to argue. “Suit yourself,” said Darcy.
They galloped as fast as they could. Darcy’s heart gave a jump as he spotted Elizabeth, still standing in front of Dymchurch Redoubt.
Not for long. A moment later, she disappeared into the mirror.
“Noooo!” he cried.
He had arrived too late.
Chapter 27
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s message had been passed to Carlton House long before Darcy and Redmond arrived. The palace was surrounded by rows of soldiers, and cannons were being lined up. Several mages were setting up Wards, and others were working on possible defenses.
