Pemberley- Mr Darcy's Dragon

by Maria Grace

  Bennet and Gardiner arrived just as Pemberley’s hunger cries began anew. They immediately made themselves useful, hacking up more horse meat, insisting Longbourn go to procure a muntjac for Pemberley’s next meal, stoking the fire and boiling water for herbal concoctions for Pemberley’s hide.

  Bennet might be insufferable in many respects, but the man knew dragons and was quick to share his knowledge. He deserved his appointment as Historian of the Order. How little Father had prepared him for the task of keeping an infant dragon. Did he know even half of what Bennet was pressing him to learn now?

  ***

  Bennet set Darcy to reading and copying from books of dragon lore he had brought from his library. Pages and pages of instructions, lists, extracts from dragon law and etiquette—who knew a dragonet had to be presented to the Conclave by a sponsoring dragon. At least Rosings had already offered to mentor Pemberley—perhaps that was what she had meant by it.

  Though he would not trade his place as Dragon Keeper to Pemberley, it would have been pleasing to have some understanding of the depth of what he was getting himself into. A dragonet was not like keeping livestock, it was more like having a child. A very large, very hungry, very carnivorous child.

  Between feeding and tending Pemberley’s needs, Bennet grilled both Darcy and Elizabeth on the details of the hatching. Over and over, he demanded every detail from their perspectives, Walker’s, Rustle’s, even Longbourn’s. Apparently only Miss Elizabeth and none of the dragons, had any faith that Pemberley could still imprint properly after hatching in isolation. It was a testament to their faith in her that they obeyed her commands and did not kill the hatchling outright.

  Such a thing had never been recorded before. It was impulsive and dangerous, a very foolish thing to do—a point he did not fail to impress upon his daughter. Perhaps a little too firmly. Bennet was clearly an adherent to the old ways of men and dragons.

  Longbourn avoided answering questions about why Pemberley was left alone to hatch. The capricious creature denied any accountability for the near disaster. Oddly, Miss Elizabeth did not attempt to cajole any details out of him. If anything, she was aloof and only engaged him at the dragon’s insistence. Did she suspect some wrong-doing on the wyvern’s part? Was she punishing him by withdrawing her attentions?

  If so, it seemed an effective means of controlling the dragon. He was clearly unhappy about it and the attentions she lavished on Pemberley.

  The drakling reveled in her kindnesses, never happier than when she was permitted to sleep in Miss Elizabeth’s arms. Pemberley even willingly shared her nest with Rumblkins, Rustle, and the fairy dragons who visited often, all for the privilege of Miss Elizabeth’s company.

  Even though Miss Elizabeth insisted Darcy manage all the feedings, Pemberley still returned to cuddle with her after each one, utterly besotted with her. Bennet insisted that it was because Miss Elizabeth was the first to offer Pemberley human contact and comfort. Darcy dare not argue with the Order’s Historian, but he was hard pressed to accept such an easy dismissal of Miss Elizabeth’s uncanny understanding of the hatchling's moods and needs.

  She made dragon-keeping look easy. Though he loathed admitting it, without her help even more than that of her father, the last few days would have done him in.

  No wonder women sought the companionship and advice of other women when a baby was due. Infants were far more complicated creatures than their size would suggest.

  Miss Elizabeth had also been right about the tatzelwurm’s healing properties. Though Rumblkins’ ministrations were clearly painful at best, her wounds were much healed in just a few days.

  After five days, Pemberley’s hunger ebbed. Her feedings shifted from hourly gorges to a daily muntjac across four feedings. Bennet assured him her hunger would continue to taper off as she grew and learned to hunt on her own—a skill another dragon would have to teach her. He also deemed her imprinting successful and promised to write a letter to the Order attesting to the fact, assuring Pemberley’s welcome among dragonkind.

  ***

  At the end of the se’nnight Bennet deemed it safe to leave Pemberley in Longbourn’s care whilst they returned to their respective houses for some much needed rest. Darcy would still have to attend her at least three times a day, but fresh clothes and a chance for a few hours in a proper bed would be very welcome at this point.

  But how to explain his sudden removal from the ball and subsequent absence?

  It should not have been surprising that Bennet had managed that as well.

  Before leaving Longbourn, Bennet and Gardiner had left a letter in the care of a fully complicit Mrs. Gardiner, explaining an emergency business trip calling Bennet, Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth away. With the help of all three fairy dragons, Rumblkins and Rustle, the household had been kept in tolerable order.

  Netherfield was a greater challenge. Walker and Rustle, with the occasional assistance from Longbourn lurking in the cellars, persuaded the Netherfield residents that they had all caught cold and were far too ill to leave their rooms. When Darcy returned, their ‘recoveries’ would begin and they would be encouraged to forget that Darcy had ever left the ball.

  Once again, he was in Bennet’s debt.

  It helped that Bennet was an officer of the Order and charged to execute the duty. So it was a slightly less personal debt. Slightly. But to Miss Elizabeth he owed more than he could ever expect to repay. Pemberley lived only because of her courageous intervention. What could possibly repay that?

  His return to Netherfield barely raised an eyebrow among the staff. Life slowly settled into a routine that revolved around thrice daily visits to Pemberley. More often than not, Miss Elizabeth was there as well, oiling and brushing both dragons, scratching their itches, and helping Longbourn to teach Pemberley the first tenets of the Pendragon Treaty. He had thought to leave Hertfordshire as soon as possible, but perhaps staying to learn from the Bennets made sense.

  “I wrote down the receipt for the scale oil and the wash that will help with the scale mites. Your housekeeper should be able to make it up readily enough. The supplies are not difficult to come by. Given the quantities you will need as Pemberley grows, you may want to instruct her to plant beds of the herbs though. Your local apothecary might not be able to keep up with her demands for them.” Miss Elizabeth handed him several sheets of paper.

  He folded them and tucked them in his pocket. “Thank you, that is very kind.”

  “It is nothing. They can be quite cranky when their hides are itchy.” She scratched Pemberley under the chin.

  “You should go back to the house now. You are tired. You should rest before you attend the recital with Collins tonight.” Longbourn nudged his head under her other hand. She attended the spot behind his ear.

  “Why are you so concerned about whether I attend the concert tonight? I never knew you to be a great lover of music.” She smiled tightly, shoulders stiffening.

  “It is good for you to spend time with Collins. He is heir to this estate.”

  “I have not forgotten that.” She withdrew her hand and stepped back.

  Longbourn pressed closer to her. “You must—”

  “Pray excuse me, Mr. Darcy. I am needed at home.” She curtsied, gathered her skirts and hurried away.

  Longbourn harrumphed and dropped himself on the ground, thumping hard.

  “Why she go?” Pemberley whined, staring after her. “She not happy. She angry when you say Collins. What is a Collins?”

  Longbourn snorted. “She is my Keeper.”

  “I like her. She is soft and she knows ... everything.” Pemberley crept toward Darcy and leaned against his leg. “I sad when she goes.”

  Longbourn pushed up on his forepaws. “I must speak to your Keeper.”

  “You no leave, too.” Pemberley shoved her head inside Darcy’s coat.

  Darcy dropped to one knee and took her face in his hands. “I will just step outside and be back very soon. I am not leaving you.”

&nb
sp; He led her back to her nest and scratched her back and between her wings until her eyelids drooped. Longbourn beckoned him outside.

  A sunbeam penetrated the tree canopy and warmed a large circle just outside the cavern. Crisp breezes rattled the branches above and sent leaves scattering. Winter was not long off. How much shelter from the cold did a young dragon need? He would have to ask Bennet.

  Longbourn paced along the cavern mouth, grumbling under his breath.

  The wyvern’s temper was bubbling—not something he wanted Pemberley to see—or learn from.

  “Is there something wrong, Laird Longbourn?”

  “Elizabeth is not happy.”

  “I noticed she seems troubled.” Darcy bit his tongue. This was not the time to imply that Longbourn might have anything to do with it.

  “She is tired. It is the baby—too much work for her. It is time for you to take her home.” Longbourn’s head swung around, and he looked Darcy straight in the eye.

  “Take her home? She cannot travel now, she is far too young. Surely you can see that. Derbyshire is quite a distance for her.”

  “You were going to Rosings for the hatching. Send word that the Cowntess Rosings might make ready to receive you. Take Pemberley there. It is not too far. Rosings will teach her what she needs to know.”

  “I have not yet learned all I might from Bennet. I had thought to stay—”

  “No. I did what I said I would do and more. I found your egg. I have kept the drakling for you. Now it is time for you to leave.”

  The insufferable brute was throwing him and his dragon out? Darcy’s presence had always been sought after! No one ever insisted on his departure. How dare he!

  “It will take some time to make preparations. I have no idea how to transport Pemberley safely.”

  “Walker can fly to Rosings in less than a day. Their preparations can begin immediately. You can put the drakling on a wagon or in a cart if you will and be gone in a se’nnight. You should take Gardiner with you as well.”

  “I should welcome his assistance, to be sure, but I can hardly press the point.”

  “He upsets my Keeper with foolish ideas. She needs to be away from him. Take him with you.” Longbourn punctuated the demand with a tail thump.

  “His wife and children are here. He will return.” Darcy dodged his lashing tail.

  “All will be settled by the time he returns. I will see to it. She will marry Collins and stay here with me. It will be settled.”

  “Have you considered—”

  Longbourn leaned very close into Darcy’s face. A drop of venom hung off his fang. “It is Dragon Law, she will marry as I say and be my Keeper. You will not interfere.”

  “I only suggest that Miss Elizabeth is a strong woman. She will not respond well to being ordered about. It might be better—”

  “I do not want your advice. Send Walker today. You have a se’nnight to be out of my Keep.” Longbourn huffed acrid, venomous breath in his face.

  “As you say, Laird. Pray tell Pemberley when she awakes that I will return soon.”

  Longbourn snorted and skulked back into the cavern.

  No wonder Miss Elizabeth was at odds with Longbourn. He was a fool for trying to force her to do anything. Did he not realize the rare treasure he had in his Keeper? No doubt it was not going to go well for either of them.

  Darcy scrubbed his face with his hands. How did one transport a drakling along fifty miles of good road?

  ***

  A se'nnight later Elizabeth stood at the mouth of Longbourn’s cavern, a thick journal under her arm. Pemberley whined beside her, trying to huddle under her generous green cloak. A chill breeze whipped around them, bearing a kiss of winter.

  “No want to go. Stay with you. Please.” Pemberley pressed her head against Elizabeth’s chest.

  Elizabeth wrapped her free arm around the baby’s sinewy neck. “You must, my dear. It is time for you to learn from a proper firedrake. There are so many things she will teach you.”

  “I want you teach me.” Pemberley licked Elizabeth’s face. “You not like me?”

  “Do not ever think that. I love you very dearly. I also want what is best for you, and wintering here with a cranky wyvern who is jealous over his own space is not the best thing. Rosings is waiting to welcome you.”

  “Then you come. She welcome you, too.” Pemberley spread a wing around Elizabeth, pulling her close.

  In the cavern’s shadows, Longbourn grumbled.

  She glared at him over her shoulder. “Perhaps one day I shall visit. But I am Longbourn’s Keeper. I must stay with him.”

  Uncle Gardiner approached. He wore a dark grey great coat with three capelets at the shoulder, well prepared for the coming weather. “We have the dog cart made into a dragon cart now. Nice and comfortable for you. Pray will you come and see if it is to your liking?”

  “Go with him, you will enjoy traveling.” Elizabeth ducked away from Pemberley’s wing.

  “You not come? Please come.”

  Elizabeth swallowed hard. “Perhaps, someday, I may visit you. I should like that very much.”

  “You must. You must.”

  Uncle laid a gentle hand on Pemberley’s neck and guided her toward the refitted dog cart, complete with hound inside.

  The four wheeled dog-cart had been rebuilt, raising the dog box up a good two feet. Inside, Pemberley would have enough space to sit comfortably as they drove. Darcy and Uncle would sit atop the box whilst Walker and Rustle had spots on the railing behind them. A smart, new black and red coat of paint made it a very attractive little vehicle.

  Mr. Darcy approached, somber as always. “Your father suggested adding a dog inside would assist with any necessary persuasions should someone peek within. The dog is deaf and nearly blind, far too old to be bothered by Pemberley. We introduced the hound to her a few days ago, and she took to him readily enough. The company should make the journey easier for her.”

  “How long do you think it will take?”

  He clasped his hands behind his back. “I’ve arranged for fresh horses at all the posting stations. So we should be no more than eight hours on the road I think, six if all goes very well.”

  “Pemberley has just had a good feed. That should keep her until then. But she will be hungry when she arrives.” She turned aside, throat tightening.

  “Walker says that they will be waiting with a meal ready for her when we arrive. Rosings seems quite keen on meeting Pemberley.”

  “I am pleased she will be properly welcomed. She is such a dear creature.” Elizabeth blinked hard and dragged her sleeve across her eyes.

  This was so beastly unfair. Why did he insist on taking Pemberley away now? Was he somehow afraid that she might contaminate his dragon with her low company?

  She pushed the journal at him. “Here. I have copied as much of Papa’s firedrake lore as I could for you. I have also included all the details of her hatching that I could recall, the signs of her moods, what to look for in case of severe scale mites, tail blisters, split talons and teething.”

  “Teething?”

  “In about a month, her first molars will begin to come in. Expect her to be temperamental. I included several remedies that might sooth her.”

  Darcy leafed through the pages. “How long have you been at writing this?”

  “It is no matter, so long as you will find it useful in caring for her.” Her voice broke.

  There was so much more he needed to know, so much she wanted to tell him. But her words failed.

  “This is more than I could have ever asked for. Thank you. I am in your debt.”

  “Take good care of her and your debt will be amply discharged.” She stared as Uncle coaxed Pemberley into the dog cart.

  The hound sniffed at her and woofed softly. Pemberley licked the hound’s face and curled up around it. The dog turned three times and settled into the hollow made by Pemberley’s tail.

  Darcy cleared his throat. “May I ask one further favor of
you?”

  “Certainly.”

  What more could he possibly want from her? Was it not enough that he was tearing the baby from her side?

  “My sister, she is but fifteen. She was so young when the old Pemberley died. I fear she knows little of firedrakes. She will no doubt have many questions about Pemberley and what she should do for her. May she write to you for advice?”

  She would not have to lose contact with Pemberley entirely!

  Elizabeth pressed the back of her hand to her mouth and sniffled. He might be an arrogant, insufferable man, but there was a real vein of kindness in him. “I will look forward to her letters. Tell her she may write to me as often as she likes.”

  “I will do that then.”

  Uncle approached them, brushing his hands together. “She is settled in and as comfortable as we can make her. Do you wish to say goodbye, Lizzy?”

  “With your permission, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Of course.”

  Elizabeth blotted her eyes with the edge of her cloak and trudged to the cart. They had done an excellent job of fitting it for the drakling, including placing the lock on the inside. Walker perched on top of the cart.

  He bowed as she approached. “Lady Elizabeth.”

  “You should not call me that, Walker.”

  “I will call you that, always. I do not know how to begin thanking you.”

  “Just promise me that if you or Pemberley ever need anything, you will not hesitate to find me. You know where to find me. Promise me that.”

  “You have my word.” He ducked his head under her hand in a draconic expression of submission.

  She scratched his neck and behind his ears.

  He rumbled a happy sound. “May I visit you and Lairda April?”

  “Of course you can, assuming Mr. Darcy—”

  “I do not require his permission.”

  “Then I shall look forward to your company.” She crouched beside the cart. “And you, my dear, be a good girl for your Keeper and Cowntess Rosings. Darcy’s sister will write to me of you. You may ask her to write on your behalf as well, and I shall write to you. Mayhap you might even learn to read. Some dragons do you know.”