Netherfield Rogue Dragon Preview, part 1

Apparently a hurricane can’t stop a dragon, just slow them down a bit. At long last, Netherfield: Rogue Dragon, the conclusion of the Pride and Prejudice arc of Jane Austen’s Dragons, is ready to preview! I’ll be posting chapters here until the book is released (as soon as I can manage it!)

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March 6, 1812

Nippy March air scoured Elizabeth’s face as she pulled her green cloak tighter around her shoulders. The first rays of rosy sun barely peeked over the horizon, not yet having their warming influence on the day. She dashed across the mews’ uneven paving stones into Darcy’s carriage, April safely nestled in the folds of her hood. Saying her goodbyes to Georgiana and Pemberley in the cellar dragon lair had been the right decision.  Forcing everyone to stand out in the chill whilst fighting tears and melancholy would have not made their parting any easier.

Poor little things. It was difficult to tell who was more distraught Georgiana, for the loss of the sister she just claimed, or Pemberley now bereft of both her keepers. Of course both would be in good hands with Barwines Chudleigh, Lady Astrid, and the rest of the Blue Order officers taking them under their—sometimes—literal wings.  Still it was difficult to walk away from the new sense of family they were only just becoming acquainted with, even for the critical work the Order demanded of them.

The driver handed her up into the carriage and shut the door. Warm bricks smoothed the edge off the chill, and an already warm lap rug felt the very height of luxury. Not that it was a far stretch to get there in such a well-appointed coach. Thick squabs, a table of sorts that pulled down from the sidewall, gleaming hardware—not so long ago she would never have imagined traveling in such luxury.

Such would be her lot as Mrs. Darcy, now. Was it wrong that it would not be difficult to get accustomed to excellent equipage and a refined home filled with Dragon Friends and another Dragon Keeper determined to do right by his Dragon Mates? Truly, what more could she ask for in life?

Yet, one more thing haunted her. Would he be as determined and devoted toward his wife as to the dragons? It should be some consolation that Pemberley and Walker would insist upon it. If that were not enough, April was already certain that Elizabeth had his devotion and ardent affection and only needed to learn how to feel it in return.

Would the dragons’ insistence be enough to make that happen?

“You are fretting again,” April whispered in her ear, snuggling a little closer into the side of her neck, fluffy blue feather scales tickled Elizabeth’s ear.

“Are you cold? You can come under the lap rug if you like.”

“You are warm enough for me. There are times—occasionally—that it must be nice to be a warm blood.” April tucked the tip of her beaky nose under her tail.

Elizabeth laughed and stroked April’s head. “I suppose you are right.”

“But you should not fret. All is as it should be now.”

“You have a most peculiar notion of how things should be. You do realize that we are in search of a rogue dragon right now. My sister has eloped with a man who appears to be trying to make himself a Deaf Speaker. And my other sister is currently betrothed to a rather horrid man the Order has tentatively approved to make an official Deaf Speaker—a creature generally loathed by man and dragon alike. None of that seems exactly desirable to me.”

April nipped her ear softly. “And what about the fact you are betrothed to an excellent Keeper, away from that horrid, jealous Longbourn, and Keeper to an infant vikontes who will someday be a tremendous influence in the Dragon Conclave. It seems you have overlooked a few important facts. These make it all right. Just as it should be.”

“You have very decided opinions my little friend.”

“And you ignore too many opinions that you should be attentive to.” April snorted, tickling the side of Elizabeth’s jaw.

She made it all sound so simple, but then that was a draconic tendency, to ignore what was inconvenient to their own particular agenda. No matter how much April insisted, though, nothing was simple at all right now. Elizabeth wrapped one arm tightly around her waist.

The carriage turned down the alleyway leading to the mews behind the Gardiners’ house. The wheels’ crunching seemed loud in the confines of the coach. They stopped near the Gardiners’ back door where a cart laden with luggage waited. Uncle Gardiner’s horse was tied to the side of the cart. Was it insurance that he would have transport in case Papa became angry with him again?

She sighed. Uncle should not have to think that way about Papa, but, after all that had transpired, it would not be surprising if he did.

The back door swung open with a soft squeal. Rustle and Cait swooped out, landing on the carriage roof a moment later. The driver greeted them in muffled tones. Darcy had told her, the driver heard dragons, but had no companion of his own. It seemed odd that one who heard dragons might not want one living with them, but apparently it was not an uncommon phenomenon. Not everyone found draconic company appealing.

Uncle Gardiner escorted Mr. Collins to the coach whilst Aunt Gardiner walked with Mary, softly offering what must have been words of advice and encouragement. What else would Aunt be saying at such a time?

Before Elizabeth could leave the relative warmth of the coach, Uncle helped Mary and Heather up, and they slid in beside her. Heather climbed inside Mary’s generous furry muff, tucked her tail over her nose and immediately began a soft fairy dragon snore—rather adorable like most things fairy dragons did.

“Do you think Longbourn will have already told Papa the news?” Mary whispered.

Elizabeth shrugged. “Since the majority of it is not in his favor, I somehow doubt it. I expect the duty will fall to you and Uncle Gardiner.”

“I wish you would talk to him.” Mary plucked at a tuft of brown fur at the edge of the muff.

Elizabeth grimaced and struggled to bring sharp words under control. Really, that is what she was worried about at a time like this? “I hardly think that will be possible, considering I am to be a stranger to Longbourn estate for the rest of my life.”

“Oh, Elizabeth, I am sorry! I cannot believe I forgot—”

“Well I suppose it is a good thing that I have not, lest Longbourn become enraged over the trespass.”

Mary frowned, an angry, offended sort of expression that reflected little repentance for her thoughtlessness. “It was not meant. You need not sound so angry with me.”

“Considering you seem to have gained what you most wanted whilst I have lost a very great deal, it does not seem so much to ask that you would remember my situation. If for no other reason, as Longbourn’s Keeper, it behooves you to keep in mind those things that profoundly affect your dragon.” Yes, her tone was sharper than necessary, but really some allowance should be made for her situation.

“You need not sound so bitter. It is not as though you are without home and dragon. I seem to recall you are betrothed to a man of consequence both in the Blue Order and in London society.” Mary turned her face aside.

Was it possible that she was still jealous? She got everything she wanted, and still she resented Elizabeth?

“You wanted Mr. Collins as I recall. I had never considered Mr. Darcy until we stood in the Dragon Conclave, and I had little choice. That may not mean very much to you, but it is material to me.” Elizabeth knotted her fist under her cloak, relishing the cut of her fingernails into her palm.

Heather stirred and opened one eye. “You are not being very kind to your sister.”

Gracious, Heather had never criticized Mary before!

“The little one is right. You really ought to consider your words.” April poked her head out of Elizabeth’s hood. “You have not been very tolerant of others. One would think you could do better.”

“I think that is all we need to hear on the matter.” Elizabeth covered April with her palm.

Mr. Collins clambered in, Uncle Gardiner close behind. They settled in across from Mary and Elizabeth.

Uncle pulled the door shut and rapped on the roof. The carriage lurched slightly as the horses set into motion. “With such an early start, we may well be at Longbourn before the family makes it down to breakfast.”

“Remember, Papa is apt to be cranky in the morning before he has had his willow bark tea and his coffee.”

“Indeed, indeed. I shall not offer any news of importance until he is well dosed with his morning libations.” Uncle winked. Though he smiled and seemed cheerful, something about the way he carried his shoulders suggested more tension that he wanted to reveal.

“How did you find your audience with Lady Astrid?” Elizabeth turned to Collins.

He still wore a wide-eyed look that might well be permanent now that he knew of the existence of dragons. But the pallor had finally left his countenance, which was probably good thing. Watching himfaint dead away yet again would not make their journey any more comfortable.

The edge of his mouth pulled back in something that faintly resembled a sneer. So much for any hope of a pleasing or interesting conversation. “I must say there is a great deal to accustom oneself to. So much intrigue and so many secrets within this Order of yours. It seems hardly anything is quite the way I understood it to be. A great deal of subterfuge being practiced at all levels of society.”

Elizabeth’s belly knotted. Already casting judgements and aspersion about the Blue Order? Surely the man was intent upon getting himself eaten by judicial decree. “I suppose that is one way to look at things. But, is it not equally true that it is in the best interest of both humankind and dragons that it continues? Consider what happened before the Pendragon Treaty Accords? Both species tottered at the brink of disaster. It seems as though most of those who cannot hear are just not able to accept the presence of dragons, much less live peaceably with them.”

Collins braced his feet on the floor boards and pressed back into the squabs. “I suppose that is the case. Certainly the need for secrecy has been impressed upon me—and the dire consequences of violating that secrecy.”

Uncle shot him a dark look.

“Do not misunderstand me, as I said, I do understand the need for it all.” He harrumphed softly and tucked his chin to his chest. “But it does seem as though the standards are not equally imposed.”

The hairs on the back of Elizabeth’s neck prickled as she bit her tongue.

April crept out of Elizabeth’s hood and perched on her forearm, prickly toes piercing the thin stuff of her sleeves. “I do not like the implications the dumb one is making.”

Mary glowered at April.

“He is deaf, dear, not dumb.” Elizabeth whispered.

“No, he is dumb.” April sent an ear-nipping look towards Collins.

“What is it saying?” Collins nudged Mary with his foot.

“She, not it, and I would counsel you to remember such courtesies whilst dealing with dragons. You might not be able to properly hear their voices, but they can perfectly understand you. Etiquette is at least as important to them as it is to our own peers, if not more so. They can take offence easily and are often not apt to forgive.” Elizabeth restrained the urge to step on Collins’s foot.

“Of course, forgive me, what is she saying?” Oh, if he were not careful, April would peck that condescending smile right off his greasy face!

“She does not like what you are implying, sir. Nor do I.”

“I am not surprised,” he muttered to his chest.

April’s toes tightened on Elizabeth’s arm, any tighter and they might draw blood.

“What am I to understand by that?”

“Simply that I am confused on how the Blue Order applies its regulations.”

So self-satisfied and self-important … horrid man! “Perhaps it would behoove you to come out and speak plainly, sir.”

April growled softly. Then again, perhaps the best thing he could do was to stop speaking altogether.

“If secrecy is so valued, why have you not been reprimanded for allowing those outside the order to hear those stories you were telling the Gardiner children? That does seem to be a breach of all the secrecy directives, does it not?” He carefully kept his face turned away from Uncle Gardiner.

Elizabeth’s jaw dropped, and April began chittering so fast not even she could understand. Heather peeked out from Mary’s muff and joined in, much more softly though.

“Mr. Collins!” Uncle stomped. “You are hardly in any place to offer criticism to anyone of the Order when your own understanding is so imperfect.”

“How can I perfect my understanding without asking questions of what does not make sense to me?”

“There is a difference, sir, between a question and an accusation.” Uncle hissed like an angry cockatrice.

“You do not think it is possible that Elizabeth might have been at fault—in anything?” Mary asked, more than a touch of bitterness in her tone. “She has always been such a favorite, it does seem—”

Uncle stomped. “You will cease this line of conversation immediately and stop commenting on what you clearly do not understand. The unmitigated gall—you have been tolerated by the Order for less than forty-eight hours and already you see fit to criticize what you do not comprehend? And you Mary—you may have been junior Keeper to Longbourn, but you did not fulfill any of those responsibilities until you were absolutely forced to. You were just as happy as your father to drop everything upon your sister’s shoulders and leave her to bear the brunt of Longbourn’s care and his tempers on her own. You claimed it was Longbourn’s preferences, but it was just as much your own laziness as anything else.”

Elizabeth winced.

Mary’s face colored, and she shifted uneasily in her seat. “I fulfilled everything Papa asked of me.”

“When has so little effort ever made for an excellent, even an adequate performance? Did you not even notice that your father spent so very much time in study and research himself? Though he might have shifted the Dragon Keeping to Elizabeth because of his physical limitations, he provided you an excellent role model of devotion to the Order and Dragonkind. Examples of the kind of effort you should have put forth abounded.”

“But he never tried to teach me—”

“Were you a willing pupil? Did you attempt to truly apply yourself? What, beyond the bare minimums, have you chosen to study?”

Elizabeth edged back into the side of the carriage. No wonder the Gardiner boys were careful not to anger their father.

“I know enough—”

“—to do what? What could you possibly accomplish on your own? Could you meet a cockatrix on her own terms and come out the dominant female? Or introduce two cockatrice and keep them from killing one another? Can you soothe an amphithere’s grief without her even saying a word as to what troubled her or gain the loyalty much less cooperation of a tatzelwurm? Did you risk your very life to try to save a wild hatched firedrake on the slim chance that it might be possible to save it?  Would you have known to call for a tatzelwurm to tend the wounds you received in the process?  You may be a full-fledged Keeper now, Mary, but you are not Elizabeth’s equal in ways you cannot begin to understand. It will not be long before you are turning to her for help—it would behoove you to remember that before you decide to criticize anymore.”

“So, that is all that matters—dragons and nothing else? What of the people who keep them and those who must live unknowingly around them? Do they count for nothing?” Mary’s voice turned sharp and thin as it did when she was near tears.

“What are you saying?” Elizabeth asked.

“It seems the Blue Order gives little thought to people, particularly those who are, through no fault of their own, caught up by the dragon world. Has anyone ever considered how Mama’s life has been manipulated by dragons and how little choice she has in the matter?”

Elizabeth pinched her temples. “She would not be mistress of an estate apart from Longbourn. The Bennets are only landed because of the favor of the current Longbourn’s brood mother. She was the one who chose them as Keepers to the estate.”

“Not all estates have dragons. Consider Netherfield Park…” Mary clapped her hands to her face. “Heavens, what is going to happen to Jane and Bingley? If there is indeed a rogue dragon there but neither can hear it …” She lost all color.

“I will not permit anything to happen to them. That is why I am going to Netherfield.”

“What will you do?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “The same thing I usually do—try to think like a dragon and act accordingly.”

“What exactly does that look like?”

“I never know until I am in the middle of it. It depends on so many things starting with species, age, the dragon’s relationship with Keepers or Friends, other dragons or even animals in the territory, hunger, dominance, is there hoarding involved, has the dragon’s territory been violated in any way…” Elizabeth raised open hands.

Mary’s jaw dropped.

“And that is exactly what I was trying to tell you.” Uncle crossed his arms over his chest and sat back, a little too satisfied with himself.

It was hard to know how to feel about what he had just done. One the one hand, it was very satisfying to have his vocal support, especially when Papa had never offered such and often made her feel like she knew very little about dragon matters. On the other, there was always a danger that one’s supporters would make one’s life more difficult rather than less.

How much would Mary—and Mr. Collins—resent the set down Uncle had just offered? She had shown a surprising amount of resentment just now. But was it really resentment, or just an outgrowth of the tremendous pressure she had been feeling the last few days. After all, worrying that the man one wanted to marry might be eaten by a dragon in a judicial action would be rather anxiety provoking.

Elizabeth giggled.

“What is so funny?” Mary asked.

Elizabeth shook her head. “A rather draconic joke, I am afraid. Not one most warm-bloods would find amusing.”

Was it telling that her own sense of humor was becoming rather draconic right now? And if so, what did it mean?

Mary rolled her eyes and turned aside to the side glass where the outskirts of Meryton appeared on the horizon.

It seemed only a few moments later that the carriage stopped at the border of Longbourn estate.

“Elizabeth cannot cross into Longbourn’s territory.” Uncle opened the door and jumped out. “You and Collins can walk to the house from here, or ride the luggage cart if you wish. I will accompany Elizabeth to Netherfield and take my horse back to Longbourn.”

Collins looked less than pleased, but wisely chose not to remark as he ducked out of the coach.

Mary paused, staring at the carriage floor. “I … I …”

Elizabeth touched her arm. “It is a difficult time for us all and none of us is currently at our best.”

“No, I suppose we are not. I hope …”

“So do I.”

Uncle handed Mary out of the carriage and made room for her on the luggage cart. Perhaps all this had taken more out of her than Elizabeth had understood. Uncle tied his horse to the back of the carriage and climbed inside, signaling the driver to continue. “I hope you have not allowed their pettiness to upset you too much.”

“While she has never said anything like that before, I have long suspected those feelings were present. So, I am not utterly surprised. I hardly count anything Mr. Collins says as important. Even before he was aware of dragons, he hardly said anything sensible. So why would I expect that to be any different now?”

Uncle snickered. “Mary does seem able to manage him well enough. Perhaps, between her and your father, they will be able to shape him into something benign enough that the Order will accept him.”

“He seems anxious to please—including his patron, Keeper Lady Catherine—so I think it very likely. He is not clever enough to form designs upon the dragons, he only is concerned with the condition and convenience of his own skin.”

“Ironically that is much to our benefit. It offers us something that will clearly motivate him which may become necessary.” Uncle dragged his fist across his mouth. “In all seriousness, though, have you a plan for when you get to Netherfield?”

“I was serious when I answered Mary. No, I have nothing specifically in mind, but a great many options.  It all depends on the dragon and his—or her—temperament. They are as different as people—you know that well. I have to image this one is clever, being able to steer clear enough of Longbourn to avoid a territory war. Similarly, it cannot be a dominant dragon or it would have tried to fight Longbourn for his territory. So, I do not expect it to be aggressive toward me—even if Longbourn is put out with me now, it is unlikely it would chance upsetting Longbourn by harming me. On the whole, lindwurms are not very active dragons.”

“And you are certain this is a lindwurm?”

“Few species have the dexterity to write and fewer are able to paint. Lindwurms are often capable of both. Lady Astrid loaned me several tomes on the species to study, so I shall spend some of my time doing that whilst I explore the nooks and crannies of Netherfield—and the cellars.”

“Do you not fear there may be more poison?”

April popped her head up. “One of the wyverns at Barwines Chudleigh’s salon taught me how to smell for it. I will watch over her and make sure she does not come into more of it.”

“You see, I will be well protected, I assure you.”

Uncle failed to contain an unconvinced eye roll. “I will send Rustle to you daily. I want to know everything that is going on.”

“I will do my best to keep you informed.”

“And if there is information you need from your father—”

“I shall not hesitate to seek in help in obtaining it. I promise. However, I do not see that as a likely problem. As put out as he may be with me, his devotion to the Order and dragons in general goes much deeper. He will not permit his resentment to threaten either of those interests.”

“I hope you are right, my dear.”

The carriage stopped in front of Netherfield. She steeled herself and allowed Uncle to hand her out of the carriage.

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How did Elizabeth and April become friends? Find the story HERE