Netherfield: Rogue Dragon – Part 7

Elizabeth experiences something she’s never experienced before.

Elizabeth sat on the bottom step of the dark cellar stairs, her face in her hands. The air smelt of cold damp rock, similar to a dragon lair—perhaps that was why the lindwurm came here. Perhaps not, but it was as good a reason as any. Would that he had never come here at all.

She peeked up, but the wispy script in the dusty floor did not change: Because you are arrogant, selfish and insensitive to others. Dragons were known to be direct, and apparently this one was no different.

Talia scurried out of a small whole in the far wall. She circled the marks and stared at the words. “What is that? It makes you unhappy.”

“Netherfield does not like me.”

Talia’s wing nubs twitched, a dragon shrug and she approached the stairs. “My Friend’s daughters did not like me. It happens.” She edged a little closer for a scratch between her wing nubs.

Elizabeth obliged. Talia leaned into her, contented little guttural sounds rumbling in her throat.

At least the little dragon approved of her.

Elizabeth turned aside and blinked rapidly. Perhaps Talia was right, it did happen. But not to Elizabeth, at least not where dragons were concerned. Certainly some had been less personable than others; that was only to be expected. But outright dislike? That was truly something she had never experienced before.

Moreover, it made no sense. Why would he have taken a dislike to her when she had no interaction with him, ever? She wrapped her arms around her waist, rocking slightly. Talia pressed against her let, wrapping her tail around Elizabeth’s ankle.

How was she to respond to such an accusation? It was difficult when she did not even know what it was based upon. She stood and scratched out the offending words with her foot, leaving the ground smooth and clean. Best not scribble out something in haste. He could wait for a well thought out response and if it caused him a little discomfort—and to perhaps rethink his own reply–then so much the better.

Talia scampered off and Elizabeth dragged herself up the stairs. As she closed the cellar behind her, the longcase clock in the parlor chimed eleven.

It was time to meet with Papa. Finally. He had refused to see her at Netherfield—he did not dare offend Longbourn by crossing him so directly. She shaded her face with her hand and rolled her eyes.  At least he had agreed they might happen upon each other at the crossroad between Netherfield and Longbourn estates that was outside Longbourn’s territory, but not in the boundaries of Netherfield Park. Stubborn, vexing, contrary man!

At least he had agreed to meet with her; that was the material thing and what she needed to remember.

She went to her rooms for bonnet and shawl. Her cloak hung in the closet—it was odd not to reach for it. But April had been away three days now. What need was there to wear it? April did not need a place to conceal herself and Elizabeth was not going to meet any major dragons today—at least not a literal one.

She tied the bonnet under her chin, tight enough that it would stay in place should April suddenly land on it. But that was not likely to happen. April was probably with a fairy dragon harem right now, showing the male who could fly the highest and had the sweetest song, two contests she had to win if she was to gain enough of the local cock’s attention to be able to mate.

She talked to the press and yanked a handkerchief from the drawer, muttering as she dabbed her eyes. Yes, April was just a little fairy dragon—a incredibly annoying and snippy one at that. But—Elizabeth swallowed hard—it was difficult to be without her. April had been her constant companion for eleven years now. What would she do without her faithful friend?

She tucked the handkerchief up her sleeve as she made her way down the grand stairs, her drab skirts whispering across the marble. Best not think about that now. Meeting with Papa would likely be difficult enough, and melancholy thoughts would not make it better.

The late morning sun peeked through low clouds, hinting that just perhaps, it might not rain  on the empty fields this afternoon. The first signs of spring green shoots should be appearing soon. The light breeze carried just a touch of warmth upon it, enough that it might not make Papa’s joints ache quite so much. Spring was always a most welcome season.

Not far off, Papa leaned heavily against the fingerpost that leaned askew at the cross road. Rustle perched at the top of the post, leaning a little drunkenly with it. It would be laughable, except that cockatrice did not appreciate being laughed at. Even lesser members of the species, like Rustle, had their pride.

No doubt the walk from Longbourn had left Papa in serious pain. That would not help his mood. But this was his suggestion. Had she her druthers, they would have met in a place comfortable for him, at the very least one near a bench where he could sit.

“Good day, Papa.” She curtsied just a little.

He grunted something noncommittal.

“Was the walk very difficult for you?”

“Gardiner drove me here in the coach. Rustle will call him back when he is required.” He did not meet her eyes.

That was some comfort. Some, but not a very great much.

“Where is April?” He peered at her shoulder, eyes narrow.

“She had joined a harem, I think. Please let Longbourn know that, perhaps even suggest he try to be tolerant of them this mating season.”

“Why do you not tell him yourself, it seems you have no compunction about approaching him.” He shifted his weight to one foot and crossed his arms over his chest.

So that was what was bothering him.

“I did not approach him. He came to me, outside of his territory, as I returned from Mary’s wedding. If anyone was out of line it was him and not me.” She squared her shoulders and stood a little straighter. When had she become nearly as tall as Papa?

“He is the estate dragon—”

“Who left his estate. He does not rule beyond his boundaries.”

His gnarled hands flew open. “If you would simply stop being so stubborn—”

As if she were the stubborn one! “You are aware, little would change. The Order has named Mary Keeper, and she is married to Collins now. That is not going to change.”

He stomped, just a little. It must have hurt. “And you will be married to Darcy without so much as my awareness, much less consent.”

“Had you been at the conclave you could have given it.”

“So now you would criticize how I manage Order affairs? Not to mention you assume my approval—”

She clenched her fists and stepped back. “I came to talk about Cait.”

“You have worked out what to do about her egg binding?”

“More or less.”

“Tell me and I shall see that it is done.” He reached toward his pocket—was he planning to try and write notes—or have her write them?

“It is not precisely something I can tell you.”

“What do you mean?” A particular low note entered his voice, one that usually presaged a bout of temper.

“I am still sorting out all the information and working out how what the poulterer told me might be accomplished for her.” She turned aside and braced herself.

“Poulterer? She is a dragon not a chicken!”

“I am entirely aware of that.”

“You cannot apply what one would do with a chicken—”

She sucked in a deep breath and counted to nine. “It is useful information, especially when considered in conjunction with the information in the rather ancient, and I might add, incomplete tome you sent me.”

He stomped to face her directly. “She will be so comforted and pleased to know you think her no different than a chicken.”

“Those are your words and attitudes, not mine. I would thank you to keep them to yourself!”

“Because you will hear no contradiction.”

She leaned in close to his face, voice barely above a whisper. “Because this is not the first time I have done such a thing! How do you think I came to a solution for Bedlow’s teething or worked out how to manage scale mites in the nest? No dragon lore contained that information. I worked it out by looking to other sources.”

“Had I know that earlier I would have put a stop to it.” His face turned florid.

Where did he think her information had come from? From some tome she had access to but he did not?

“And cheated how many dragons out of the comfort they have found? Have you forgotten how much relief Bedford found when I worked with the blacksmith to devise a tooth key to remove his rotten tooth? Had he continued suffering he might well have done himself or someone around him a serious injury!”

“Might, might might! It is all speculation.” He threw his hands into the air. “You have no idea what would have happened. The tooth might very well have righted itself or fallen out on its own. You do not know. For all we know, you might have interfered with the natural way of things like you did with April’s clutch.”

Her fists knotted of their own accord, her arms quivering. “Are you suggesting we would be better off had she not hatched at all.”

“I am merely saying you have a propensity to insert yourself into dragon matters without thinking it through thoroughly. What appears to be help might actually be harmful. If every clutch of fairy dragons were rescued, England would be up to their noses in the worthless little flitter-bobs.”

“So you consider my friend worthless?” She leaned into his face.

“Her species is—”

“Is small and helpless and cute—not at all what one might consider a dragon to be. Thus, she is worthless. I am glad to know your feelings on the matter.”  Disagreeable, short-sighted man! So assured her was right and was the only one who could be. If she looked at his face any longer—she turned her back.

“Tell me how to take care of Cait. I cannot stand here much longer.”

“No.”

“What do you mean no?” That got his attention. He stalked around to look her in the eye.

“If I tell you, you are likely to dismiss a great deal of what I say, and try to manage this on your own. Half knowledge could easily kill her as well as ruin her eggs. I will not provide you with anything that might encourage that.”

“So you refuse to help her? That will delight the Order.”

“That is not what I said and you know it. What is more, Rustle has the entire conversation.” She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted. “See that Uncle Gardiner knows what has been said and understands that Papa has no knowledge as to how to help Cait.”

Rustle nodded and launched from the fingerpost.

“Elizabeth! How dare you!”

“You leave me little choice, Papa. I will not risk her on your prejudices and ill-informed efforts.”

“And you have suddenly become an expert in laying dragons?”

“I have certainly studied far more than you on the matter.”

“Impudent girl! I am ashamed of you!! Your time at the Order is making you arrogant. You cannot compare your knowledge to mine.”

She stepped around him and walked several steps away skirt catching in the tall dry grasses on the roadside, her cheeks burning and throat tightening. “Indeed and I would not try. But what you know is different to what I know and not what is essential to Cait right now. Histories will not help her.  Rustle will come for me the moment Cait thinks she might begin laying.”

“You know Longbourn will not allow you in the house.” He called from behind her.

“It is your responsibility to see that he does—somehow. Whatever it takes, you must do it, or the life of the translator the Blue Order assigned to your house is on your hands. I would not want to explain to the Order—or to Lady Catherine—that something has gone wrong because I was denied access to her.”

“That is going too far. You will not—”

“No, Papa, you have no right to make such demands on me. Have you forgotten, I am—in a large part by your choice—no longer part of your household. Longbourn banished me and you have made no effort to intervene. I no longer answer to anyone from Longbourn, including you.”

“Disrespectful, arrogant—” He stormed toward her.

She turned to face him and stepped backwards, matching him step for step. “You chose this, not I. Now you must live with it. I will go now, but first I should warn you, there is indeed another major dragon nearby. Longbourn needs to be warned and my sisters and mother watched closely. The entire dragon state is in an uproar and the slightest incident could spell disaster.”

His entire countenance and carriage changed, pallor creeping across his face. “Do not interfere in matters you do not understand.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Do not interfere.”

“Do you know something about the rogue dragon?” It really was not a question. The answer was evident in his every look.

“Do not interfere, Lizzy.”

“If you do, then you must tell me. I am operating under direct instruction from the Order.  You must tell me what you know.”

“Rogue dragons are dangers, too dangerous for a woman to deal with. You must not interfere.” He turned his back.

“And that is all you would say?”

He shuffled toward the road to Longbourn. No doubt Uncle Gardiner would meet him with the coach soon.

What point was there in following? He was such a stubborn man no amount of pleading would persuade him. So, so stubborn.

She wrapped her arms around her waist and shambled toward Netherfield. Her hands felt numb, her belly roiling. Her shoulders ached and her face burned.  Not only had he effectively thrown her away when Longbourn decided to throw his tantrum, he thought her efforts to help dragons no more than foolish experimenting, not worthy of respect, despite the results she had achieved.

She was no more than a foolish little girl in his eyes and would never be more than that. She tripped over a fallen branch and landed hard on her knees.  Twittering fairy dragons zipped overhead—it must be a local harem. Was that April there in the lead, flying higher than any of them? The color was right and the way she dipped and wove looked just like April diving through the halls of the Blue Order. It must be her—but she did not stop.

Tears overwhelmed and she sobbed into her hands. Perhaps Papa was right. She had no business here trying to do such work. Maybe it was too much for just a woman to handle and she should leave it to the trained officers and scholars to manage. What was the Order thinking, sending her on such an errand? What would they do if she failed?

Find additional parts HERE

How did Elizabeth and April become friends? Find chapters HERE 

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