Page 35 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
I managed not much more than an “eep” before I was lifted and flying through the air. I came to earth yards away from the water, held by Mr. Darcy.
His hands were clamped on my torso below my arms, so we were face-to-face and closer than was customary, even when dancing.
In the daylight, his dark brown eyes had tiny green flecks. They were almost hazel.
Mary made a variety of excited sounds, whether due to the splashing or my position, I could not say.
“Are those fish?” I asked. I had never accompanied my father when he went fishing. Perhaps it was more exciting than I imagined.
“No,” Mr. Darcy said. He appeared extremely concerned. “I have no concept of what that was.”
The splashing had ended as quickly as it started.
I wiggled, which achieved nothing. My toes were barely touching the ground. Were all men this strong? That would be… disquieting.
“I shall not fall in from here, Mr. Darcy.” He removed his hands, and my heels settled on the grass. “Thank you for steadying me.”
“I will not see you again,” he said. “I have been called urgently to London on business.”
How abrupt.
He seemed to expect a response, so I tried, “What a pity.”
“Draca have been deployed in war.”
“What?”
“It was a disaster.” His tone was bitter. “Draca and masters were injured and killed. No wyves were present, so the draca are distressed and violent. I go to meet resources I have dispatched from Pemberley.”
“Your gamekeeper?”
He looked at me, surprised. “For one.”
“Why is the absence of wyves significant?”
“A master’s binding to draca is through his wyfe, so the wyfe’s bond is stronger, always. This is why no man can hold draca after his wyfe’s death.” His lips thinned. “They were fools to think men could command draca in battle.” He was speaking to himself as much as answering me.
“I have been told that draca cannot be commanded at all.” I said that to test his reaction. He was already revealing knowledge I had never heard.
His eyes met mine, as intense as I had ever seen them. “Theyshouldnot be commanded.”
“Shouldnot. It is possible, then.”
“In extraordinary cases, their bound wyfe has some influence. But not their master. Even more reason why this military experiment was thoughtless and doomed.”
Mary inserted herself. “The male bias of the establishment—” I discreetly raised a finger, requesting that she wait. To mysurprise, she did.
How much could I ask without revealing myself? “Then, draca can never be influenced by… other parties?”
“That night, with the Hursts’ lindworm. What did youdo?” His eyes were wondering, but his tone was urgent and angry.
His intensity, and how he had discerned my true interest, frightened me. I fell back on social habit. “Please do not let us keep you from your urgent business.” That was a meaningless deflection, how I would end an unwanted conversation at a ball. Immediately, I regretted it.
His expression became impenetrable. He bowed. “Miss Bennet. Miss Mary. If you will excuse me.”
“Of course.” I continued by formula. “We shall miss you at Netherfield.”
He was already turning, but he stopped in his tracks. It was like I had slapped him.
