Page 118 of Triumph at Pemberley

“I want to do my part,” Jane said fiercely. “Until now there was nothing I could do. But if you need someone to walk up to Napoleon and stand there - why, even I could manage that. And I daresay I would be in less danger from the emperor than most people, since I am no threat to him.”

“Are you certain?”

Jane straightened her shoulders. “Yes. Tommy will grow up knowing he is a traitor’s son. Let him also know his mother risked everything for her country."

Elizabeth caught her breath. How much Jane had changed since her marriage! Or had this inner strength always been there, subdued by her lack of faith in herself? Elizabeth could only pay her the respect of honoring her choices, even if it meant risking her. “I salute your bravery.”

“When would this happen?”

“As soon as Rana Akshaya makes arrangements. Unfortunately, there is no time to lose. The French may march north any day.”

Jane nodded, though without her usual smooth movement. “Will you take care of Tommy? If I…if I do not return?”

Tears sprang to Elizabeth’s eyes. “Of course I would, but you will come back. If nothing else, I will drag you back from wherever they take you.” It was a comforting thought, knowing she had that ability, as long as Jane was alive.

It might even make her forgive herself for doing this to her sister.

Frederica said, “Rana Akshaya just removed a binding from me so I could tell you about something, and she plans to slap it right back on me as soon as I am done, so pray pay attention as you will not be able to ask me questions afterward.”

“Oh, dear,” Elizabeth said, amused. “I cannot imagine you like that.”

“No, but she has reason. I was supposed to keep it quiet, but I confessed it to Roderick. As soon as she found that out, the binding went on!” Frederica clapped her hand over her mouth dramatically. “I expect she may put one on you, too, but of course she would never tell me that.”

“Perhaps you had better explain this dreadful secret, then.” Whatever it was, it did not seem to have affected Frederica’s usual good cheer.

Frederica held out her hand with a patterned dragon scale on it. “I can understand why she does not want mortals to know she has this ability. It lets me send messages to her and receive them in return, no matter how far away I am. And unlike the scales you and Darcy used when he was in France, this one can work at any time, and for a conversation.”

Elizabeth leaned forward to inspect it. It appeared to be an ordinary dragon scale, though it made the skin of her face prickle when she drew too near it. “That explains a few things! I have wondered how Rana Akshaya seemed to already know news of the invasion before we told her. How convenient for her.”

“While it lasted, at least! Anyway, she intends to use this to tell you when to open the Gate to trap Napoleon.”

“So this is her secret! She kept telling me not to worry about it because she would handle that part.” Then the consequences struck her. “But this means you must go to face Napoleon so you can tell her.” Not another beloved person she must risk!

Frederica shook her head. “No. Rana Akshaya is going herself. I will be beside you.”

“Rana Akshaya is going to meet with Napoleon?”

“She says it is easier for you to open a Gate to a Nest because they have an anchor, and she carries an anchor inside herself. Apparently she is hedging her bets.”

“Her bets?” Elizabeth was baffled.

“According to her, three things have worked for you in opening a Gate. An anchor at both ends, having someone you love that you can pull through, and holding an image of the location. She wants to use all of those.”

Elizabeth’s mouth went dry. “Charming. When does she plan for this to happen?”

“She wants to leave tomorrow. No time to waste, she says.”

She caught her breath, trying to force down panic. “So soon?” It would take Rana Akshaya and Jane only a few days to reach Napoleon. It was one thing to know she would open the Gate to bring Napoleon, and quite another to think of doing so later this week! And she might never see her dearest sister again. “What if my attempt fails, leaving them to face Napoleon’s wrath?”

“I am putting my money on Rana Akshaya knowing what she is doing, even if she rarely bothers to explain herself. Would she be risking herself if she had doubts?”

“I have only managed to open a Gate once so far!”

Frederica cocked her head. “How many have you tried since I brought you the Artifact?”

Elizabeth’s cheeks grew warm. “One.”

“There you are, then. Now, about having an image of the Gate’s destination. She wants me to experiment with sending pictures to you. I have never tried showing something in a sending to anyone but Quickthorn, so I will need the practice.”