Page 55 of The Dragoneers of Longbourn and Pemberley
“If I —” Valeraine began.
“Ho! Miss Longbourn,” a feminine voice called.
Valeraine whirled to look. It was Nedine Nethenabbi, and following her was Mr. Nethenabbi.
Following him was Mr. Pemberley.
The men held rifles, and a few hounds trailed at their heels.
“We were exploring for hunting prospects,” Nedine called. “Because these hills are part of our land, you see.”
“We’ve shot several beauties,” Nethenabbi put in enthusiastically, showing a wolpertin that he had strung over his shoulder.
“It’s also a wonderful spot for picnicking,” Kesley added jovially. “Didn’t realize that this wasn’t Longbourn land.”
Pemberley was staring at her. He coughed, and looked out at the horizon.
“When did you return to Netherfield?” Valeraine asked.
“Just yesterday,” Nedine said. “I’ve returned to await the hatching of our eggs, which should be any day now.”
“Welcome back to the neighborhood,” Valeraine said, trying to make it sound suitably friendly. Then, because she really wanted to know, she asked, “What is your technique for hatch-mothering?”
“I have found great success with a combination approach. I provide my hatchlings with equal nurturing and discipline.”
“I read some are in favor of only gentleness?”
Mr. Nethenabbi scowled. “That will be from Scaleheart? I’ve only grown in distaste for the authoress after she slandered my family. I wouldn’t trust anything she writes, if I were you. Though her reputation for correct reporting is marvelous, her commentary is suspect.”
Mr. Pemberley shuffled his feet, shifting his weight.
“Indeed,” Valeraine said. “I don’t put much stock in her writings, myself. I was merely curious about Miss Nedine’s techniques.”
Nedine nodded. “It is ludicrous to expect a dragon to behave without any reprimand or punishment.”
“Miss Longbourn,” Mr. Nethenabbi said, almost shyly, “is your family well?”
“Yes, we are all well.”
“Are your sisters still at Longbourn house? All your sisters?”
“Indeed, Alyce and I returned from Kinellan City last month.”
Nethenabbi seemed to take this news with a riot of emotions, happiness and despair chasing each other on his face in a spiral of expression. “I see. Would it be... unwelcome,” he seemed to struggle greatly, “if I called on Miss Alyce?”
He still wanted to court Alyce? Valeraine was furious on behalf of her sister. She should ask him what he was playing at. To so cruelly ignore her, to so fully forsake her, only to now begin again. Valeraine wanted to ask him how long he planned to pursue this, until he broke Alyce’s heart again. How long would he pretend to be the gentle caller, before deciding Longbourn house with its Masked Rider was too scandalous for his consideration?
Alyce wanted this man. Valeraine would not frighten him away.
“It would certainly be welcome,” Valeraine said. “Alyce is ever eager to hear from you. Indeed, she has waited for your response to her letters.”
“Her letter?” Nethenabbi asked. “What a tragedy; it must have gotten lost.”
Valeraine could only raise her eyebrows, and let it pass. He must be lying. Or, perhaps, someone at Netherfield had intercepted the letters, and then again in Kinellan City.
Her eyes darted to Pemberley. She had assumed he was meddling by telling Nethenabbi of the Masked Rider, and letting Nethenabbi’s own disgust propel him away from Alyce. Could it be that he used not the truth to manipulate his friend, but deception? Had he been intercepting Alyce’s letters — and probably reading them, laughing, and burning them? Then Nedine had gladly taken up the task when they were in Kinellan.
Valeraine hadn’t thought it was possible to hate Pemberley more, but the fire inside of her burned ever brighter. She would put a stop to it, when she delivered her threat to him. Now that he was in the neighborhood, it would be an easy enough thing to arrange.
