Netherfield: Rogue Dragon (Jane Austen's Dragons, #3)

by Maria Grace

Plain, white walls made the space bright and emphasized the lack of decorations—and dragons—in the room. Unlike Darcy House whose staff was largely, if not exclusively Dragon Friends, it seemed the Netherfield servants were not.

She should be finding out more about Netherfield Park and who owns it, what happened to them, etc.. She could check details in Debrett's Peerage records.

The wedding is Monday, March 23 at 9 o’clock. Pray come.

My dad's birthday. Just 130ish years before he made an entrance in the world.

“Indeed she is right,” Mama cut in. “Missing Jane’s wedding was indeed a sadness, but you do not need to make up for it by slighting Mary as well.”

Huh?

Kitty hurried to take her place near the front of the church with Uncle Gardiner who was serving as groomsman.

I think that says something about the type of man Collins is, he has no friends to stand with him at the altar of his marriage.

The woods’ shadows welcomed them along the cool path between the trees. Branches arched up overhead to form a skeletal canopy—it would be full and green soon, but now it was only a promise of what was to come. The forest floor likewise remained dry and crunchy, waiting for the full advent of spring to soften it with rains and new growth.

23rd of March, it should be green already, unless it happens much slower up there due to a much lower temperature average.

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.

Gee wizz! Even biology of wild fictional beasts are misogynistic and topsy-turvy to real life in the regency era. In real life, it's the males whom vie for the females attention and to be chosen as the desirable mate.

“It smells like a hen house.” Cait pulled her head away and nearly knocked it out of Elizabeth’s hand. “It is an extract of egg shells—a medicine that will make it easier for you to push the egg out.” Elizabeth held the cup up.

That eggshell tincture would be high in calcium, when my breeding cats were birthing I'd give them liquid calcium to help the labour along.

Lydia shrieked. “That horrible creature killed my Wickham! He will kill both of us, too!”

LoL that actually made me whoop for joy and laugh too.

“It is complicated. Come.” Elizabeth grabbed Lydia’s elbow and dragged her to Shin-dee-a’s side. They walked beside her in the odd glow of her … what did one call that? A bobble?

Almost like, the tiny glowing bacteria called Photobacterium, that take up residence in the anglerfish's esca (the “lure”), a highly variable structure at the end of its “fishing rod.” In exchange, the bacteria gains protection and nutrients as the fish swims along.

Lord Dunbrook rubbed his palms briskly. “As for you three, somehow you made a coup out of what should have been a diplomatic disaster. Envoy Shin-dee-a was very impressed with how you handled what she called ‘an extreme test of the Order’s character.’ You managed to turn what might have been a violent confrontation into a peaceful settlement, powerfully demonstrating the Order’s commitment to its principles. Consequently, talks have begun to establish a formal relationship with the Eastern Dragon Federation. Well done, very well done.”

They should be awarded titles for their service to the Crown. Earl for Colonel Fitzwilliam and Duke for Darcy, which would of course lead to Elizabeth becoming Duchess. If I'm aiming too high, then maybe just plain ole knighthood for all three of them.

During her last visit, Aunt Gardiner had brought over the blue silk gown, now altered to fit Elizabeth as though it were made for her.

Poor Netherfield won't be able to see her in a blue gown. Didn't the men think to impart this discovered knowledge to her? Lazy arses, they happily take her knowledge like dry thirsty sponges.

“At the request of Netherford, we name

I kept the name off the note intentionally. But the choice made me cry a few tears of happiness.

Elizabeth stared slack-jawed.

I won't highlight the spoilers, but suffice to say, I am blubbering right now. My hopes and wishes are coming true. In fact I described and wrote about it in the notes of a previous book, or early on in this one.