Longbourn: Dragon Entail: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Jane Austen's Dragons Book 2)

by Maria Grace

  Cait screamed, sending chills down Darcy’s spine. Somehow Elizabeth matched the sound.

  He shuddered.

  Beside him, Gardiner lunged forward. “No.”

  Darcy stayed him. Coming between two females vying for dominance would only escalate the conflict. For all her pomp and show, Cait could be deadly. They would all be fortunate if no blood was spilt.

  Cait pecked at the ground near Elizabeth’s feet. Any rational creature would have jumped aside. Elizabeth stomped near Cait’s tail feathers.

  Walker circled overhead. “Elizabeth, no!”

  Cait squawked and took to her wings. She cawed at Walker and dove at Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth dodged, catching one of Cait’s tail feathers as she did.

  Cait seemed to halt midair, screaming.

  No one, human or dragon, touched Cait’s tail feathers.

  Elizabeth pulled her down with just enough force to ground her, but not pull the feathers out.

  Cait pulled up to her full height and rotated slowly, displaying her full glory in a sunbeam.

  Elizabeth raised the edges of her cloak and spun, her hair and cloak whirling behind her in a display equally glorious.

  A bead of sweat tricked down Darcy’s temple. He ran a finger under his collar. Such a woman! She would probably be embarrassed to know he had been watching. But then again, maybe not. Where dragons were concerned, she had shown little self-consciousness.

  Cait launched and folded her tail back. She was about to dive.

  Elizabeth ran three steps toward her and leapt at Cait, screaming and cloak-wings flapping. How had she perfectly mastered a cockatrix shriek?

  Cait faltered and back-winged, retreating. Elizabeth held her eyes a moment longer, then dropped the edges of her cloak and stepped back. Cait landed at Elizabeth’s feet, wings wrapped around her body, and touched the ground with her beak. Elizabeth brushed the top of her head ruff with her cloak, a gracious and gentle acknowledgement of her victory. By all rights, she could have decimated her rival’s feathers, marking her as the inferior female for all to see.

  Rosings would approve, and Pemberley would only adore her more for her kindness.

  Elizabeth’s face glowed with the flush of dominance and a sheen of sweat. She turned to him, hair and eyes still wild. “Pray sir, would you introduce us properly?”

  Darcy jumped. “Of course. Miss Bennet, may I present Cait, Dragon Friend of Lady Catherine de Bourgh?”

  Cait bobbed her head. Would she hate him now for witnessing her defeat?

  “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. May I present April,” Elizabeth looked toward the coach and beckoned her forth, “my Dragon Friend?”

  Thankfully, the little flutterbob had kept out of the dominance display. She landed near Elizabeth’s feet, well away from Cait, and bobbed her head.

  Cait nodded an acknowledgement, honoring Elizabeth by recognizing something so inconsequential as a fairy dragon.

  “I will make Rosings aware of your arrival.” Cait flew off in a flutter of feathers.

  Several ruff feathers floated to the ground.

  Mr. Gardiner rushed to Elizabeth’s side. “That was an incredibly foolhardy, dangerous thing to do.”

  Walker landed on the front corner of the coach squawking and scolding. “Have you any idea of what she could have done to you?”

  She scooped up the loose feathers. “Yes, I do. But I am not willing to live in the shadow of a dominant cockatrix, even briefly. I am surprised you tolerate it.”

  Walker snorted something that sounded very much like a laugh. He would never have tolerated such a remark from anyone else.

  “Is this the kind of greeting we are to expect when we reach the house?” Gardiner handed her a small reticule and she retrieved a set of hair pins which she held in her teeth. She began smoothing and twisting her hair.

  Darcy gulped. Somehow this seemed far too intimate a moment for so public a setting.

  Walker looked at him and smirked. “The Lady is far more conventional in her displays. But she does prefer to be the superior female in the room.”

  “That is good to know. At least I do not need to fear having my eyes scratched out when I meet her. That is something.” She tucked the final hairpin into place.

  “Elizabeth!” Gardiner gasped. “Please remember we are entering refined company. Moreover, I am bringing her the goods she ordered. I have no doubt she will welcome—”

  “A merchant? You will be lucky not to be ushered to the servants’ entrance and housed with them.” Walker snorted again. “Only those, like Collins, who believe she has something to offer them consider her refined.”

  Darcy clutched his temples. Yes, dragons were direct, but this was a step too far.

  “Do not be embarrassed for Walker, sir. I quite understand how dragons talk about people. I know what they have said about my family. In that we are equal.” She curtsied and returned to the coach.

  His face flushed. Their families equal? Of course they were not. But perhaps to the dragons they might be.

  Gardiner followed and in short order, they set off toward the manor.

  Darcy mounted and followed the luggage wagon where Walker perched. “She blames you for taking Pemberley away.”

  “I had gathered as much.” He rubbed his eyes with finger and thumb.

  “That does not bother you?”

  Of course it did—that she should be in the world, thinking ill of him.

  “There is little I can do about it.”

  “You could tell her the truth.” Ah, Walker’s school-master voice.

  “I will not; it is not best for her.”

  “And you know what is best for her?” He flapped sharply, his serpentine tail lashing.

  “In this case, it is obvious.”

  “You are so full of yourself, Darcy.” Walker flew off.

  Probably in search of Cait. How ironic, she would probably be much better company for the set down Elizabeth had delivered.

  When her uncle handed her down from the carriage at the front of the manor, Elizabeth looked as tidy and put together as she had when they had left the Gardiner house that morning. How was that possible with no lady’s maid or even a mirror? No other woman he knew could manage such a feat.

  The butler showed them in to the small parlor Lady Catherine favored during the spring. Stuffed and over-decorated like the rest of the house, he was told it demonstrated good taste and refinement. He and Fitzwilliam secretly believed it demonstrated the ability to hire a good staff to keep the dust at bay. At least Elizabeth would probably enjoy the dragon images on nearly every surface.

  “So you have returned, have you Darcy?” Lady Catherine rose from her seat nearest the fireplace. The taffeta of her gown rustled. She was dressed to preserve the distinction of rank, from the cut and blue hue of her gown, to the grand dragon signet she wore, all who saw her should know exactly where they stood.

  “I have, madam, and I have brought back—”

  “The source of your problem in the first place.” She slowly approached Elizabeth, eyes narrow, examining her.

  Elizabeth lifted her chin and held Lady Catherine’s gaze.

  “If you consider me the source of the problem, then, madam, I shall take my leave. It is not my habit to stay where I am unwelcome.” Elizabeth curtsied and turned away.

  “Not so fast there, young woman.” Lady Catherine stomped and stormed after her, cutting her off at the doorway.

  Gardiner opened his mouth, but Darcy stayed him with an open hand.

  “I pray you importune me no longer. There is just enough time for us to make it back to London before dark if we leave immediately.” Elizabeth sidestepped.

  “I have not dismissed you yet.” She lifted and arm to block Elizabeth’s way.

  “I require neither your acknowledgement nor your dismissal. I come on Rosings’ invitation. Cait has gone to announce my arrival.”

  “Cait? I hardly imagine—”

  Eliz
abeth reached into her reticule, pulled out several of Cait’s feathers, and allowed them to float down to Lady Catherine’s feet. “I fear her dignity may be a bit bruised at the moment. She will probably not bear it well. You might consider offering her a special treat tonight. I know cockatrix are particularly fond of muntjac, if you have any on the estate. Giving her leave to hunt one, perhaps with Walker’s company, might go a long way in soothing her temper.”

  “Impudent girl, presuming to tell me how to manage my cockatrix.”

  “One does not manage a cockatrix, madam. One negotiates with a cockatrix and finds peaceful ways to live with one. But manage, never.”

  Lady Catherine’s jaw dropped and she broke eye contact. Was it possible? Lady Catherine conceded?

  “It says a great deal of you, Lady Catherine, that you have been able to coexist so amiably with one for so long. A cockatrix is a particular companion and as choosy in their Dragon Friends as they are their broodmates.” Elizabeth stooped to retrieve the feathers and handed them to Lady Catherine.

  A small, slow smile bloomed over Lady Catherine’s features.

  Heaven’s above, she was impressed—annoyed to be sure as well, but she was impressed.

  “May I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet? You know her uncle, Mr. Gardiner.” Darcy cut in.

  “So, then, Miss Bennet. Assuming you choose to grace us with your presence, you will see to Pemberley’s needs?”

  “As much as I am able, madam. I am anxious to see her.”

  “I suppose that is a signal that I should see your things sent to your rooms and arrange for someone to show you the way to Rosings’ lair.”

  “If you please, madam.”

  Something on Elizabeth’s face hinted that she was about to suggest that Lady Catherine perform the service herself. Probably best that she had found the self-control not to say that. It might have been too much.

  “I will take you myself as soon as you are ready.” Darcy bowed from his shoulders.

  “I see no reason to wait.” Elizabeth peeked at April still tucked in her hood.

  She nodded silently. Apparently, she was not prepared to face Lady Catherine on her own.

  “Please, come this way.” Darcy gestured toward the door. “I hope you do not mind if we leave through the kitchen. It is a much more direct route.”

  He led her to the back of the house through pretentious and over decorated corridors. Mama would have found it spectacular and overwhelming. Elizabeth found it difficult to breathe.

  What relief to enter into a spacious kitchen, bustling with activity. A dainty little zaltys—with bright green scales, shiny black eyes, and long, lush eyelashes—curled in a basket on the generous hearth. The basket blanket had been embroidered with a dainty “B.” Monogrammed blankets for the house dragons?

  The zaltys lifted her head and stared at Elizabeth.

  “I shall introduce you when we return. We are to see Pemberley now.” Darcy spoke softly and bowed from his shoulders.

  A kitchen maid glanced over her shoulder and smiled. Did the staff think him dear or daft? It was difficult to tell. Still, his attention to the little dragon was pleasing.

  The zaltys flicked her tail amiably and lay back down.

  Interesting. The little dragon liked Darcy.

  So did April, and Rustle, and Rumblkins.

  If he was such an irresponsible Keeper to Pemberley, why did they tolerate him?

  From the back door, they took a western-leading path.

  “Is there anything more you can tell me about Pemberley’s condition?” She fought to keep her voice pleasant. That was the ladylike thing to do.

  He kicked a small rock out of the path. It skittered into the undergrowth. “Her tail blisters have not healed. Georgiana made up the salve from your notes and has been applying it several times a day. But since Pemberley continues to lash her tail about, they have only got worse.”

  “How long has this been going on?”

  “Better than a fortnight, I think. It began when Georgiana’s letters were not answered ...”

  Had he intended that as a slap in the face? His expression did not suggest so.

  “I wish I had known sooner.” She chewed her knuckle as they hurried down the narrow, deeply shaded path. If only she had not run off, she might have received those letters when they arrived.

  Surely Papa would not have prohibited her from responding. She could have advised them on Pemberley’s care and even offered the little dragon words of encouragement in her own hand. The entire situation might have been averted had she not been foolish and impulsive.

  They paused at the mouth of a large cavern, perhaps half again as large as the entrance to Longbourn’s cave. Shuffling and rasping sounds filtered from within.

  She edged a little closer and peered into the darkness, barely making out a nest to one side. The tip of a lashing tail poked just above the edge of the nest, along with the crest of Pemberley’s head. But there was no acknowledgement, no reaction to their approach at all.

  How utterly unlike the little drakling she knew. Her stomach twisted into a tight knot. What had she done!

  “Cowntess Rosings,” Darcy called.

  Scrapings and heavy footsteps approached, and a flapping of feathers that surely must be Cait.

  Cait landed on a rock jutting from the cavern entrance. A mature, red firedrake poked her head out of the cavern. Stately and ancient, she was a presence not to be taken lightly.

  “Cowntess Rosings, may I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Darcy gestured toward her.

  Elizabeth folded her cloak around her body and curtseyed deep, knee to floor, head bowed.

  Rosings stepped closer and sniffed Elizabeth thoroughly. “You smell like wyvern.”

  And the firedrake smelled vaguely like sulfur.

  Elizabeth slowly rose. “Our estate dragon is a wyvern, Cowntess. I expect everything at Longbourn smells like him.”

  The corner of Rosings’ mouth lifted. Probably as close to a smile as the old dragon ever got. But at least it was a good sign.

  “You are ‘her?’”

  “Her?”

  Rosings pointed toward the nest with her chin. “The one the baby calls ‘her.’”

  “I am afraid I do not actually know what she calls me. May I and my Friend April enter?” April peeked out from her hood.

  “A fairy dragon?” Rosings sneered.

  “Indeed, Cowntess. Walker calls her Lairda April.”

  Rosings blinked and peered closely at April.

  April hopped to Elizabeth’s shoulder, covered herself with her wings and bowed.

  “That is saying a great deal coming from Walker. You may both enter. Announce her, Cait.”

  Elizabeth stopped mid-step. That was a different protocol, but well within Rosings’ right to regulate her territory as she saw fit. Not every dragon ignored protocol the way Longbourn did.

  Cait glided to the edge of the nest, perched and peered inside. “Get up and look. ‘Her’ is here.”

  The tail tip and head ridge disappeared into the nest with a plaintive cry. Rosings pointed at the nest. Elizabeth ran toward it.

  Pemberley huddled in a tight ball, whimpering an shaking.

  “Dearling, it is well now. I am here, and everything will be all right.” Elizabeth climbed into the nest and tried to embrace her.

  Pemberley pulled away. “No! You no like me now.”

  “Of course I do.”

  “You no write me. You no want talk me. You not like me.”

  April perched on the edge of the nest and trilled softly. Pemberley unfurled a little.

  “That is better.” She scratched under Pemberley’s chin. “Something happened, and your letters were hidden from me. I only received them yesterday.”

  “How that be?” Pemberley lifted her head a little. Darcy had been right, her color was very bad, and her eyes dull. “Who did that?”

  “It does not matter. I have read them all now and came myself to answer them. T
hat is what matters.”

  “I want know who took my letters. Grouchy Longbourn?”

  “I do not honestly know. I was in London when they arrived.”

  “What London?”

  “A big place with a library of many books of dragons. I ... I went to there to learn more about baby dragons.”

  “Like me?” She pressed her head into Elizabeth’s side. “You not forget me?”

  “Never. I could never do that.”

  “You still like me?”

  She took Pemberley’s face in her hands. “My darling, I love you very dearly and always will. I cannot tell you how I have missed you and longed for your company. I am so happy to be here with you now.”

  Pemberley squeaked an odd little sobby-sound and wrapped her neck around Elizabeth’s waist. Elizabeth returned the embrace.

  Cait and Rosings exchanged glances, simultaneously skeptical and somewhat pleased. Clearly neither of them had a great deal of patience for the cranky baby.

  “There now, that is much better. Much, much better.” She held Pemberley and rocked for several minutes. “I have heard you are teething.”

  “Keeper gave me and Dog bone. I like bone. I like chew.” Pemberley sent an adoring look toward Darcy.

  He colored and looked aside. Funny, he often wore the same uneasy expression in company in Meryton.

  “May I touch your new teeth?”

  Pemberley started. “You no cut me? Lady want lance—cut—me.”

  “Heaven forfend! I would never do such a thing. Do you not trust me anymore?”

  Pemberley whimpered and opened her mouth.

  It smelt of lavender, peppermint and clove. Thank heavens! Darcy had been following her instructions.

  She massaged Pemberley’s gums with the heel of her hand. Hard knobs poked from just below the surface.

  “That feel good!” Pemberley muttered, Elizabeth’s hand still in her mouth.

  “Will you allow Keeper and I to do this for you until your teeth come in?”

  Pemberley purred.

  Draklings purred? She had never read or heard that before. One more thing to add to her commonplace book tonight.

  Elizabeth beckoned Darcy nearer. “Now if we are to do this for you, you must promise never to bite, even if there is an accidental pinch. Sometimes there is one when a tooth pokes through. Remember, your baby fangs can do great damage if you bite.”