Page 86 of Triumph at Pemberley

Frederica shivered. She did not like how close that had come to happening. If she had not been there, he would have gone straight off into the French dragon’s snare. What a prize it would be for the French when they discovered he was not only the heir, but also the companion to a dragon in the very Nest they were besieging. A prize beyond measure, and one that would endanger England as well, if Napoleon’s men managed to conquer this Nest.

What if she went in his stead? Not all the way to the shore, but near enough to create a whirlwind. Could she swamp the ship? Then she shook her head. Pushing over flimsy barges was one thing; a full-fledged warship was another, and the dragon could easily fly away.

She said slowly, “I think we must be careful with any messenger now. Any of them could be influenced.”

“Are you willing to be called in, should one arrive?”

Frederica blinked. Was Roderick’s step-mother actually asking for her help? “I would be glad of it.”

Roderick joined them half an hour later. “It seems Huw came here straight from his encounter with the French dragon. The entire story, including my father’s illness, was planted in his mind. While there was one skirmish that was worse than the others, he still won, thanks to the Bond.”

“So nothing has changed, then, apart from what was done to Huw,” his stepmother said.

“Nothing, except now we know Napoleon has dragons serving as his spies, too. I have already sent another messenger to my father, telling him what happened. He needs to know, but...” Roderick’s voice trailed off.

Frederica asked, “But what?”

“He will not take this well, an enemy dragon altering the mind of one of his closest friends, and very nearly dragging me into his hands. He has been trying to disguise the extent of his powers, hoping the French will underestimate him until it is too late.” He rubbed his hand over his brow.

His stepmother said fiercely. “Now the gloves will come off.”

Roderick nodded. “I suspect as much. Their dragon will manage to escape, of course, but it would be best if no other survivors live to tell the tale.”

A chill ran down Frederica’s arms. Her gentle Roderick, wishing to kill hundreds of men. Could his father truly destroy the invaders so easily? Perhaps after seeing what Jack could do, she should not be surprised. Rhodri ap Llewellyn had received a lifetime’s training in using the King’s Bond rather than just a few weeks.

It was going to be a massacre.

Three days later, the clip-clopping of a running horse in the courtyard brought Frederica to the window. A man swung down quickly, tossing the reins aside. A bad sign, in this land where horses were prized.

She raced downstairs. What had happened?

The messenger was already with Roderick’s stepmother when Frederica arrived, gabbling out something in rapid Welsh.

Angharad held up her hand. “I was about to send for you, Frederica. He claims to have news.” Another sentence in Welsh to the man, and then she added in English, “He does not speak English. If I translate for you, will you still be able to test him?”

“I think so,” Frederica said. “Can you give me a simple question in Welsh to ask him? That will make the truth-casting work better.”

“Beth ddigwyddodd. That means ‘What happened?’”

Frederica tried the words in her mouth. Good heavens, she was going to sound like she was lisping! Then she said it aloud, almost stumbling over the last syllable.

The man seemed to understand her, at least, for he responded with a torrent of Welsh. He held up one hand and then toppled it over, with the other hand scooping over it.

“The prince pulled back the water in the bay to make the ships run aground, and then sent it rushing back in a giant wave to swamp them,” Roderick’s stepmother translated. “There were no survivors, except two men he ordered plucked from the sea so he could question them.”

Frederica sagged with relief. “Does Roderick know yet?” she asked.

His stepmother shook her head. “Not yet. I will send a messenger.”

“I can tell my dragon to inform his,” Frederica offered. “He will hear faster that way.”

She nodded fiercely. “Do that, then.”

Good heavens. They really were working on the same side now.

Chapter 34

“Bingley!” Darcy pumped his friend’s hand enthusiastically as soon as he dismounted. “This is an unexpected pleasure!”