Page 59 of Triumph at Pemberley

Chapter 24

Jenny was happily burbling in Elizabeth’s arms when Mrs. Reynolds appeared at the nursery door. Odd, since the housekeeper rarely came this far upstairs, but perhaps she needed to talk to the nurse.

Instead, Mrs. Reynolds came to Elizabeth’s side. “I am sorry to disturb you, madam. Do you remember Cassie, the scullery maid with Second Sight? She is asking to speak to you. I thought you might prefer not to leave the nursery today, so I brought her up here.”

A problem with the lesser fae, then. “Of course. Pray bring her in.”

The housekeeper ushered in the thin girl, her hands wringing the spotless white apron she must have donned especially for this trip upstairs. “Mrs. Darcy, madam, forgive me for disturbing you, but one of t’fae has sommat to say to you. They never talk to me, t’fae, so it must be important for them to ask me.” Her words tumbled out quickly. “Something’s been wrong with them. Sitting in corners sobbing, beating their breasts, hiding their heads. Barely even touching their food, which is right strange for fae folk.”

She would have to deal with it, then. Reluctantly she started to hand Jenny to the waiting nursemaid, but the baby immediately grabbed at her bodice with both hands. Screwing up her little face, she opened her mouth and started to cry.

Elizabeth could not agree more with the sentiment. She could hardly bear to be separated, after all the time away. She put Jenny to her shoulder and started to pat her back, swaying from side to side.

Would it do Jenny any harm to see her interact with the fae? The baby had been badly frightened by one in the past, so perhaps it was just as well to introduce her to more. And if it made Jenny’s Talent run out of control, her hatchling dragon Agate was there to stop it.

Over the child’s wails, she said, “They can come in once I have calmed the baby. Pray ask them to be visible.” Almost on cue, Jenny stopped crying.

“Thank you, madam.” Cassie backed up to the door and beckoned to someone beyond.

Mistletoe was in the lead, an unfortunate choice since he was the one who had scared Jenny into using her Talent on him. His hands were shaking. A dozen or so others crowded behind him, barely leaving room for Mrs. Reynolds and the nursery maid. Several had tears streaming down their faces, while others wrapped trembling arms around themselves. Georgiana’s absence must be upsetting them.

What a pity she had no answers to offer them. At least Jenny did not seem troubled by their presence, only curious. “You wished to speak to me?”

Mistletoe bounced from one foot to the other. “Your wards, kind lady. They keep us safe, yes, keep us safe. Will they stay up now our great lady is away?”

Several of the fae burst into loud sobs at his final words.

Since the wards were still protecting them from the French and the Wicked King, that was easy. “We have no intention of removing the wards. I do not know where Georgiana is, but we still hope for her return.”

“You are gracious and good!” Mistletoe clapped his hands in front of his chest. “The great lady is in Faerie, yes, in Faerie!”

Elizabeth studied him. “How do you know that?” It was what she had assumed, but Mistletoe sounded certain.

The little fae looked puzzled. “Her blood servant knows where she is, yes, and always.”

“You are her blood servant?”

“Forever, yes, and always will I serve the great lady!”

“Do you know anything more?” It had never occurred to her to ask the fae.

Mistletoe pursed his thin lips. “She is not in deep distress, or I would know, yes. Even if she did not call for me, I would feel it here.” He pressed his hand over his heart.

It was little enough information, but still a relief, and Darcy would be grateful to hear it. “Should you discover anything more, I would be glad to know it.”

The fae bowed clumsily. “You may depend on me, yes, indeed. Our great lady wishes us to protect you and your family.”

Elizabeth hoped she still felt that way after her decision to hunt for Ysmeina’s Cuff had delivered Georgiana into the hands of the Wicked King. “Is there anything more?”

“No, kind lady.”

Should she say something to him about Sparrow? It might seem like interference, though. “You may go.”

As the lesser fae streamed out, Elizabeth turned to the scullery maid. “Cassie, you have my thanks for your service.”

Mrs. Reynolds nodded at her. She would make certain Cassie received a few coins for it, too.

The scullery maid bobbed a curtsey, her cheeks flushed.