Page 140 of Triumph at Pemberley

Elizabeth picked up the heavy sack and poured out one of the familiar engraved silver spheres into her hand. As soon as it touched her skin, a glowing image of the Eldest rose from it. Or rather, the former Eldest, since the Nest had deposed her for a dragon who favored isolation.

The shape spoke aloud. “I am the Eldest, the voice of the Nest. Yesterday’s happy events have caused the Nest to reconsider our earlier decision. We are proud of your accomplishments. You and Cerridwen are once again welcome among us. At your convenience, I would be pleased to hear about your experience in opening Gates. I am the Eldest, the voice of the Nest.” The particular phrasing, at both the beginning and end of the message, indicated this was a formal decision from the Nest.

And that their Eldest had been restored to power.

Frederica crowed, “Eating humble pie, are they?”

Cerridwen preened. “I prefer plum cake.” Sometimes Cerridwen, despite all her years among humans, still misunderstood figures of speech.

Elizabeth said, “And plum cake you shall have, dear Cerridwen! What a triumph for you! How did this happen so quickly?”

“Dragons can decide things hastily when circumstance require,” Cerridwen said archly.

Frederica raised her cup of tea as in a toast. “Like when they discover they have expelled the sister-in-law of the High Queen of Faerie, who coincidentally made it possible to kill their most dangerous enemy?”

“I suspect they do not want to miss out on their share of the glory,” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “How embarrassing to have helped us so much in the beginning, only to throw us out just before our great success! Well, Cerridwen, I will leave it to you whether you wish to accept their olive branch.”

“Rana Akshaya wants us to be the Nest of diplomats, so I suppose I must,” the bird said grudgingly. “But first I want my plum cake. With elderberry jam, if you please.”

Elizabeth stayed at the table long enough to give Cerridwen her plum cake – with jam. Then she said, “Cerridwen, would you come with me to the nursery? I would feel better if you checked Lady Anne’s baby for any surprises from the Wicked King. He had custody of her all these years, and I would not put it past him to set a trap.”

“Very wise,” her dragon agreed. “I should have thought to do it yesterday.”

“You were very distracted, as were we all!” Elizabeth said. “I must decide on some other problems there, too. Lady Anne has not left little Charlotte’s side since her return, and apparently she only agreed to sleep after Agate promised to watch all night over the baby.”

Frederica said judiciously, “I can see why she would worry. Her babe was already stolen once by the fae.”

“True,” Elizabeth said. “Still, we must decide how to split our nursery staff until we can find another wetnurse and Lady Anne can prepare her own nursery.” And how to keep Nelly from leaving if Lady Anne insisted on staying there night and day. Nelly had never forgiven Darcy’s mother for essentially abandoning him to her care.

Darcy said, “And I must consider what to do about Bingley. To think I believed all our problems would be solved once Napoleon was gone!”

Elizabeth put her hand on his shoulder. “There will always be little stumbling blocks in life, even though we no longer need to fear for our lives or losing Pemberley.”

His fingers covered hers in a warm grasp. “As long as we face them together, my love, I am happy.”

Chapter 51

Afortnight later, Darcy stood beside Elizabeth on the portico as the carriage rolled up. It was a modest one, no doubt rented from a livery. The driver jumped down to open the door.

A dark-haired man swung out even before the steps were down, jumping to the ground. Good God, could that possibly be Jack? Had he dyed his hair? But his cleft chin and engaging smile was all Jack. “I thought I would surprise you again! What gave it away?”

“Your dragon told Coquelicot a few hours ago. Dragons are terrible busybodies.” Darcy moved forward to embrace him. Brother or cousin, blond or dark-haired, he was still Jack. And it seemed his energy was back, no longer drained as it had been in London. “Welcome home.”

Jack’s teeth flashed in a grin. “Thank you. I am not alone. I brought an old friend of yours.” He turned back to the carriage and offered his hand to a figure inside.

A woman stepped down gracefully, her face hidden under a dark bonnet until she straightened. The sight of her abruptly dragged Darcy back to those terrifying days on the run in France, but then he took a deep breath. Everything was different now. He was at Pemberley with Elizabeth, and Napoleon was dead.

“Mme. Hartung!” Darcy pressed her offered hand between both of his own. “This is a great pleasure.”

Elizabeth came forward then, smiling warmly. “I am glad you have come, and to have the opportunity to return some of your great kindness to my husband.”

Jack said, “There is news we must tell you, but perhaps some privacy would be in order.”

Mme. Hartung glanced at Jack, then said, “I thank you. May I ask whether my children are here?”

“Yes, and well and happy, apart from missing you. I will send for them right away. I have enjoyed getting to know them better.” Darcy gestured to a servant, who hurried off. “Pray come inside. We have a great deal to tell you, too.” Jack could not have heard yet about Georgiana or the new baby in the Dower House nursery. To say Lady Anne doted over little Charlotte would be a massive understatement.

The Hartung children were already tumbling down the stairs as the adults entered.