Page 43 of The Dragoneers of Longbourn and Pemberley
Valeraine imagined closing the gap, meeting him, feeling his passion.
Pemberley leaned forward a fraction, then back. He took a step backwards. He continued his motion until he was out of her reach.
She let him retreat. It was for the best they did not touch. She might have ripped him apart.
He might have broken her in two.
She had said her peace. Now he knew she would not cower beneath his leverage.
“Goodnight, Miss Longbourn,” he said, then departed.
Valeraine opened her mouth to call him back, to demand he finish what he started. Then she closed it. Becoming even more entangled with Pemberley would only doom her.
Then, she wanted to call him back to finish what she had started. She had an urge to tell him of her glorious flying, connected to her dragon. It wouldn’t change his mind — he was of absolute opinions. But, at least, he would know her enough to never again accuse her of not caring for Lelantos. It seemed he cared deeply for his nest; perhaps he would truly understand what Longbourn nest meant to her, if she shared it with him.
Valeraine realized then she hadn’t even really tasted the food at supper, and had no idea if it had been as good as it looked. It was one more thing that Pemberley had stolen from her — a pleasant meal.
Chapter thirty-two
The Only Proper Way to Hatch-Mother
by our trusted correspondent, Scaleheart
You must have heard by now, savvy reader, that house F— had a hatchling run away. I now bring you the latest development.
The servants of house F— report that the search for the hatchling has been quietly called off. Mr. F— has declared it feral.
This is, without a doubt, an utterly un-neighborly like thing to do. Though the danger at present is small, the dragon will grow. In a few years, it will be a true threat to the countryside, and a hunt will be called to bring the beast down. In the meantime, it will menace the local livestock and people. Honryshire won’t soon forget their own feral hatchling from twelve years ago, which at final count killed seventeen sheep, two horses, four cattle, and two people (as well as countless wild animals) before being taken care of. That is what the countryside around nest F— now looks forward to.
This would all have been solved with proper hatch-mothering. The strict hatch-mothering style leads to hatchlings running away. No — only one philosophy of hatch-mothering produces successful dragons: gentleness.
This is how I mother at my nest. I am firm when needed, but always loving. These little ones need mercy and kindness far more than they need discipline (that must come later, when their fire is igniting). But even that discipline is made so much easier if the hatchlings trust and love their hatch-mother. You must feed them often (small animals, fish, and vegetables do well for the little ones), more frequently than they even ask for food. You must cuddle and coddle them, and make them feel like they have a safe home.
This not only produces gentle hatchlings, but well attached adult dragons who are secure in their nest site. There are many dragons who are tetchy even at home, and it is because they were not hatch-mothered gently. You must give the little dragons a home which they love, and then they will never stray from it. When they are grown, they will be calm and assured at their nest.
If only all the hatch-mothers would realize this! A harsh hatch-mother is only creating more work for her sons.
Chapter thirty-three
Valeraine dressed with purpose for her tour of Rosings nest. She chose a plain mauve dress of divided skirts that was sturdy enough to work in, and yet had just enough style to not shame her in front of rich women. She was here to conduct business, to be taken seriously, and to complete her mission. This was not a party to attend, or a gentleman to woo.
She went down to breakfast, and it was only Miss Elfrieda at the table. No Pemberley, no Mr. Rosings.
“Has Mr. Pemberley already breakfasted?” Valeraine asked.
Miss Elfrieda did not look up from the newspaper.
The serving woman in the corner answered, “Yes, he has. He left early this morning to return home.”
The newspaper made a crinkle as Miss Elfrieda put it down on the table. “Do not answer for me. Miss Valeraine was clearly not talking to you.” To Valeraine, she said, “Bennington needed to return home on some sudden errand. He flew off before I even awoke.”
“Thank you. And good morning, Miss Rosings.”
“And to you, Miss Longbourn.”
The serving woman left and returned with a full breakfast plate for Valeraine.
Elfrieda said, “I believe you have a meeting with my brother this morning?”
