Page 75 of His Dark Heart
He wiped the blade on the carcass to clean away the blood as best he could, while far away, in a great northern house, a witch laughed too. Her mirth was derived from the knowledge that the sacrifice had not been great enough, and another stupid animal would soon be put upon the altar in her war with the Fates.
Chapter Thirteen
Elizabeth and William had been dining with the Bingleys when Henry Drake, William’s steward, appeared at the doorway. Concern weighing heavy upon his lined face. What could be bothering him so? Her husband immediately quit the room, only to return moments later, his countenance as grave as Henry’s had been.
“My lady, may I speak with you?” he asked of Elizabeth before he led her to her study, which was closer than his own.
“Some of my agents have heard rumours of a rebellion over the last several weeks, and it has come to fruition.” He informed her once they were settled in her private business chamber. “They plan to strike, oddly enough, from the south. If I can reach them before they put their plan into effect, you shall be safer.”
“Me?”
“They plan to abduct you.” A dangerous edge to his voice made her shudder.
Her legs became weak and Elizabeth sagged against her desk, all the fight drained from her. After all the work she had done, after all the baskets of food, after the physicians she had brought to sick children, she was still a target. She was still an outsider. What would it take to get those involved in the rebellion to trust that she only had the best of intentions? How had it come to pass that she had become a pawn, a political liability to her husband simply because of where she was raised?
In an instant, William gathered her into his firm embrace, scattering kisses over the top of her hair. Elizabeth’s stomach turned as the reality of the situation unfolded for her. She pulled away from him.
“What do you mean, if you can reach them? You have soldiers enough, men who would willingly die for you!”
“I have a wife I would move continents for, a wife I love beyond measure, but my men need me as well. I have to justify their faith in me. I must be as willing to die as they are.”
“Do not even jest!”
“I am not. This is deadly serious. I have no desire to leave you, but I will not send my men out on a dangerous mission in my stead.”
“You are being unreasonable.”
“No, my lady, you are being unreasonable.” He heaved a sigh when she turned away from him and stalked to the window. He followed and grasped her shoulders, placing a kiss on her neck. “My sweet Elizabeth, I know not which is worse: quarrelling with you or being parted from you. You cannot believe I actually want to go. Dearest, of course I do not, but I must. If I do not protect you and my position, then I shall not be fit to hold it.”
Not being a complete goose, she did understand, perhaps more than she would have liked. She had enjoyed the perks of her position, a point she simply could not deny, but now came the price. The revelation came to her all at once: her husband did not belong to her alone. He was the regent of this land she had come to love, the ruler beloved by most of their people, and she merely shared him with them. Despite this, she was still unhappy.
“I know, but—” She loathed the pleading whimper that escaped.
“We have no choice.”
She huffed, still determined to be angry, though it was more at the world than at her husband. “Some claim you always have a choice.”
“Those people are fools.” Darcy's voice was tired. “Can we not bicker about this? Can we not enjoy each other's company instead?”
“We have to finish dinner, however unpleasant.”
“Actually, I cannot. I must assemble my men and ride out as soon as may be. I was hoping you would be at my side until then.”
“Can you not wait until morning?” She was light-headed, as though she might faint, the world was moving so fast. “I do not think I can let you go so easily!”
“You can. You must, my sweet. I shall be back within days. Pray trust me.” He held her fast. “When you know what I have to come home to, you will see I shall not die without a fight. I will battle hard and halt these men in their tracks.”
“I hate this,” she whimpered. She lifted her face and stared at him. “These men do not understand that I want what is best for the people of this realm. I shall not be sorry if you kill them all for putting us through this anguish.”
He brushed a kiss over her forehead. “Come. I must speak with Charles to see to your protection while I am gone.”
“Charles Bingley? Why should he be the one to care for me? I want the Bingleys gone before you leave. I have Jane and Finn.”
“I must take Finn with me. I need you to rule in my stead. I believe you can do so with Henry’s help. However, I want Charles to be here. He is my old friend, and I trust him to protect you like I would.”
“And, yet his sister longs for my head upon a platter. Do you think me safe with that viper in our midst?”
William let go of her and scrubbed his face with his hands. “I do not have much of a choice.”
