Page 65 of The Dragoneers of Longbourn and Pemberley
“Pemberley is a repulsive gentleman; his opinion isn’t worth guano. Of course Longbourn should be saved,” Kesley said.
“It wasn’t Pemberley. Merna has infected me with her ruthless practicality.”
“Ah, Merna.”
“Yes, Merna,” Valeraine said. “And now I shall never race again, and not chase after an egg, and accept the decline of everything I hold dear.”
He snorted. “How can you resist the logical persuasion of Merna, after all?”
“But if I was stronger and smarter, maybe that’s what I would do. She said an egg will only burden the tenants, and I can’t see how she’s wrong.”
“The tenants are proud to be part of Longbourn. I know them; I work with them. Even if it’s inconvenient, I’m certain they would celebrate you for an egg, for Longbourn rising again.”
“I suppose you’re right…” Valeraine said.
“Of course I am. Think of it this way: whether you fail or succeed, someone will be happy. With a new egg, all of Longbourn house can rejoice for generations. If you fail at getting the egg, then Merna and her practicality can rejoice. There’s no reason not to try. The house that loses a derby, no-one remembers. The house that wins a derby gains prestige. I wish I could fight for Sidton house like you can for yours, so don’t squander it.”
Valeraine nodded. There wasn’t any harm in trying. Her secret was safe with Pemberley, and Papa had given his grudging approval. “How was the holiday at Sidton house?” Valeraine asked, apprehensive about the answer.
“It was the same as it always is. I fought with my older brothers, and even when I got in a fistfight with Odisolm my father didn’t notice me. He noticed the black eye I gave Odisolm, though.”
“That’s terrible!” Valeraine searched Kesley’s face for bruises, but didn’t see any.
“No, I wasn’t hurt badly,” Kesley said, seeing her inspection. “I’m better at dodging. This old lizard,” he nodded at Lelantos, “gives me plenty of practice.” He sighed. “I tried to help with our dragons, you know? I have more experience with difficult drakes than any of them, and they still turned me away.”
“They don’t know what they’re missing.”
“Precicely. I wish I could feel half as connected to Sidton nest — the one that should be my birthright, if I didn’t have so many brothers — as I do to Longbourn.”
“You have a home here, Kesley, even if the one you were born into doesn’t have room for you.” Valeraine was glad he felt so connected to Longbourn, at least.
She considered bringing up their courtship, but Kesley seemed in a foul mood at the moment. She would ask tomorrow. Or, she remembered her advice to Alyce: if the love was true, he would come to her. She should let him hunt her affections, not the other way around. He was just distracted right now.
“Thank you, Valeraine.” Kesley grabbed her hand and squeezed it, affectionately. “Longbourn really is the best thing that ever happened to me. Here, I have a purpose, a place as adragoneer. I get to spend all my time with you, a beautiful lady, and a distinguished dragon.”
“And we’re lucky to have you.”
Kesley clapped his hands together. “So, what is your next challenge? How will the daring Val save her house next?”
Valeraine allowed the conversation to move away from Kesley. He would court her when he was settled into Longbourn again, she was sure. “There’s the Royal derby in March, but the next derby I’ve registered for is at Pemberley Estate in February.”
“And how did your talk with Mr. Pemberley go? Are you safe to race in his derby?”
“It’s safe.” Valeraine knew that with certainty. But when she pictured herself going to his house, flying on his lands…. What would he think of her? Flaunting her power over him. She would have to see him again. “But I’m not sure I should.”
“Val, you are a dragoness. Pemberley will tremble before you.”
A few days ago, Valeraine would have been pleased with Mr. Pemberley being afraid of her. Now, she just wanted peace between them. A peace she could never claim now. There was too much of a tangle, too many insults and misunderstandings and blackmail to sort out. Pemberley might not exactly be her enemy, but he would never think well of her.
What would she even say to him? She would not apologize for her rudeness, which had been entirely provoked by his rudeness. She might pledge to keep his secret. But she did not want to reopen any dialogue between them; it was closed, it was done, and she was done with Mr. Bennington Pemberley.
Valeraine almost told Kesley of Pemberley’s proposal, craving his reaction. Would he be jealous? Would it inspire him to give his own proposal?
But there was too much of Pemberley’s proposal that she didn’t want to explain to Kesley. How could she tell Kesley she didn’t hate Pemberley any longer because she had beenmistaken? How could she explain the proposal had been one of the most aggravating moments of her life, and yet now she wished she could hear it again, to see if it was truly so horrid, now that she understood him differently?
She would keep things simple with Kesley. Pemberley was taken care of, nothing to worry about, and certainly not a romantic rival to Kesley. Kesley would just have to find his own motivation to court Valeraine, and she would wait for him.
“You will ride in the Pemberley derby, and win!” Kesley said expansively. He took her hand, and kissed it. “You will revitalize Longbourn, with eggs aplenty, and Lelantos will live long by your side.”
