Page 138 of Triumph at Pemberley

As a changeling at Pemberley, Georgiana had faced a constricted life, unlikely to marry and with few friends she could trust. Instead, she had chosen to destroy a powerful monster and free an entire world. She had seized her fate in her own hands, and now her future was limitless.

It was the greatest success he could hope for.

Napoleon, in his own twisted way, had wished to free the dragons, and had ravaged all Europe in the attempt. In one stroke, Georgiana had bestowed liberty on all dragons, at the price of leaving him and Pemberley behind. The dragons would praise her name long after Darcy was gone.

He should celebrate her triumph, not dwell on his own loss. Georgiana had made her own happy ending.

He raised a glass to the room. “To the High Queen of Faerie!” he cried.

That night, when Darcy entered their bedroom, he found Elizabeth in her dressing gown, slowly brushing her hair in front of the mirror.

He took the silver-backed brush from her hand. “Pray permit me.” He always loved brushing her long, silky curls, and tonight he needed the comfort of the ritual.

Perhaps they both did.

As he began, she said, “I should warn you about the bruises you will see when my shift comes off. I am only a little sore, but they look rather dramatic.”

“I will kiss every one of them,” he said. “I will never forget the horrible moment when you seemed to be terribly wounded. I owe Rana Akshaya a great debt for giving you that ruby.”

Elizabeth’s lips turned up. “She did not want to. Frederica asked Rana Akshaya about the ruby tonight. You will not believe this, but she called it outdated and practically worthless, since apparently it only works against pointed weapons, not bullets.” She imitated Rana Akshaya’s disapproving voice.

Darcy laughed. “Only Rana Akshaya would call an enormous ruby Artifact worthless! In hindsight, I wonder if you were not the safest person there, between your ruby preventing wounds and Ysmeina’s Cuff keeping fae spells off. I wish I had known that in advance.”

“How horrified I was to discover I could not use the cuff on Napoleon!” she said. “At least we found another way to defeat him. And the Wicked King. Do you know what Sparrow told me earlier? The lesser fae were already aware Georgiana was likely the next High Queen!”

“They knew?”

“Ever since she healed Jasper with her tears. Apparently only High Kings and Queens have that power.”

That would explain why they had all fallen to their knees then. Would he have believed it if they had told him?

There were so many things he would never have believed a few years ago. Darcy stroked the brush through her curls again. Then he said carefully, “Elizabeth, I pulled a great deal of power through you earlier.”

“Yes, I noticed.” Her smile took on a playful quality.

“I have not been able to do that since I was in France, when you were…”

“Carrying Jenny?” Her smile broadened. “I noticed that, too.”

“Is there perhaps a reason for that?”

She turned to caress his cheek. “I have had my suspicions these last few weeks. But once we decided to flee, I did not want to add to your worries until I was certain.”

“It is the happiest of news, though.” He had no intention of admitting how frantic it would have made him at the time.

“Not least to that little dragonet of yours!” she said drolly. “Topaz asks me constantly when I am going to produce his companion-to-be.”

He set down the brush and drew her beloved form into his arms, where she belonged. “I am even happier than Topaz, I assure you.”

Elizabeth hurried down to breakfast by Darcy’s side later than usual. Frederica and Jasper were already there with full plates. Impressive, after how exhausting the previous day had been.

Frederica asked, “Darcy, would you be so kind as to arrange transport for Granny back to Wales? She asked me to take her, but she wants to go right away, and I must remain here a little longer.”

“Of course, though I shall be sorry to see her go.”

Not as sorry as Elizabeth, but it was understandable. Granny would want the comfort of her home after losing Sycamore. “How is she? I stopped by her room this morning, but she was not seeing visitors.” Except Frederica, apparently.

“No idea. She sent me a message via my maid, whom she seems to have kidnapped last night. Apparently Granny wants someone to speak Welsh to. Poor Bethan was worried about abandoning me, but I told her taking care of Granny was more important right now.”