She opened her eyes to find herself on a bed, surrounded by Healers. Lady Hazelmere was sitting next to her, her gray eyes full of concern.
Elizabeth struggled to get up, ignoring her spinning head.
Gentle hands tried to restrain her. "You are not well enough, Mrs. Darcy."
"It doesn’t matter how I feel. We need to save the Prince Regent. I came to fetch my sister Mary. She is the only one who can see the Imperial balloons from invading London.”
From the way they reacted, it was clear that the Admiralty had sent word already.
“At least eat something,” said Lady Hazelmere. “It will help you recover your magic. Then someone can take you to see yoursister. Meanwhile, you have to explain what happened when you went to Kent, and what you need us to do.”
Mary was in the library, pouring over a thick tome. She pushed back her glasses in a gesture reminiscent of Mr. Bennet, and Elizabeth felt a burning pain in the pit of her stomach as she thought of her father and his bandaged eyes.
"I thought you were in Kent." Mary sent her sister an enquiring look.
"Iwasat the coast, but I came to ask for your help." Mary looked puzzled, but this was not the time to explain she had used the mirror. "I used the mirror to get here."
Mary sat up straight. "How clever of you, and how thrilling! Tell me about it.”
“This is not the time. London is being attacked.” Elizabeth quickly explained the situation. Mary's eyes were shining as Elizabeth finished her explanation.
“I would be happy to help again." Her voice was eager. “We had better set out at once." She rose to her feet, then frowned. "That is, providing you are correct, and I can see the balloons."
It had not occurred to Elizabeth that she might not be able to do it.
"Where do we need to go?"
"Carlton House. Darcy and Redmond were going there when I last saw them. We must protect the Prince Regent first and foremost."
“Can you take us through the mirror?”
“I don’t think I can take two people. And my magic is already depleted.” She sat down on a chair with a thump, deflated. “Weneed Lydia, with her flying carriage. If only we had not sent her away.”
“Oh, but Lydia is here. She came here two days ago. Something about needing to talk to Papa.” Mary leaned forward and spoke in a whisper. “But I think she wanted to see Lord Redmond. She was disappointed to discover he wasn’t at Founder’s Hall.”
“Mary, I’m sorry, but I cannot stop and gossip. We have to leave.”
“I never gossip,” said Mary, with a sniff. “I was merely informing you of a fact. Should I look for Lydia?”
“Better not,” she said. “We don’t know how bad things are in London yet.”
“I will request a regular carriage, then.” She looked Elizabeth up and down. “And I think you had better change before you go. You look like you have been dragged through the mud. And you do not want to catch your death of a cold.”
It seemed to Elizabeth that catching her death of a cold would be a merciful way to go. It would mean they had survived Napoleon’s attack long enough for her to become ill.
Elizabeth went quickly to her bedchamber to change her clothes. It was strange to think she had only been away a few days. It felt like weeks.
The familiar swishing sound of the mirror drew her attention. Startled, she looked into her regular mirror. It had turned milky. Her heart beating, she began to panic as her mind filled with thoughts of a French invasion of mages with the help of Riquer.
Working swiftly, she immediately set up Wards around the mirror to trap anyone who tried to get through.
“Mrs. Darcy, it is me. Please let me through.” It was Riquer, and as far as she could tell, he was alone.
“Are you with anyone?”
It was a foolish question. If he was with other French mages, he would hardly tell her.
“I am alone,” he said. “My brother is waiting outside. I have come to help. I have a balloon and an Elemental mage at my disposal to take you where you need to go.”
