A Spy at Pemberley (11 page)

The man must have lost a small fortune already if the pile of vowels accumulating in front of the other players was anything to go by. He was thankful when supper was brought to them on a tray. He noticed that only two other tables were being served in this way – everyone else had left their cards and gone to find their food in the dining room.

In order for the food to be placed in front of them the game had to stop. The gentleman, although this was a misnomer as he was an uncouth individual, who held the vowels scooped them up and rammed them in his pocket.

'I expect your debts to be paid by the end of the week, Sinclair. You know where to find me.' The man pushed back his chair and shoved his way out of the room leaving an uncomfortable silence behind him.

The third player pushed the chits across to Sir Robert. 'Playing for the fun of it, old chap, tear these up.' He too got to his feet and strolled off leaving Darcy alone with his quarry.

He poured two glasses of claret and pushed one across. 'Drink this, you look as if you need it.'

'I do, Darcy, dipped too deep as usual. Don't have the wherewithal to settle – will have to take a repairing lease until I'm in funds again.'

Sir Robert helped himself from the selection of cold cuts and pasties. His losses hadn't affected his appetite. The food was surprisingly palatable considering the quality of the wine they had been served earlier.

After both plates were empty Darcy snapped his fingers and the table was cleared immediately. 'I've no wish to play anymore. I must find my wife. She will be eager to leave as she doesn't enjoy these evenings. I suggest that you do the same.'

The man scowled at him. 'It's all very well for someone like you, someone with deep pockets, it wouldn't matter how much you lost you would always have enough to cover your debts. I need to recoup and I ain’t leaving until I've done so.'

'You are already in over your head, don't make it worse. You could lose your estate if you carry on this way.'

'It's none of your business. I'll do as I damn well please. We’re strangers – why should you care if I'm ruined?'

Darcy stood up. 'I don't have an opinion either way, Sir Robert. I was merely offering you sound advice.' He turned as if to go and then turned back. 'Think of your wife and children, sir, do they deserve to be destitute because of your gambling?'

He made his way into the next chamber which was now far less crowded than before. Presumably the guests had drifted away to find their supper. He looked at his watch and was shocked to see how much time had passed. Lizzy had been left to her own devices for far too long.

He checked throughout the reception rooms and was unable to find her. Eventually he sent a footman to enquire if his carriage had already been called for. It had – his wife had gone home almost two hours ago leaving him to walk.

This was the outside of enough. She was well aware he didn't have his cane, or a male servant to accompany him. Although the journey home was less than a mile, and did not require him to walk anywhere unsafe, it was unwise for any gentleman to be abroad on the streets late at night.

To add to his annoyance it started to rain heavily halfway home. By the time he reached his destination he was drenched to the skin and chilled to the marrow. He took the stairs two at a time. What he had to say to her could not wait until the morning.

Chapter Eleven

The clock in the sitting room of their apartment struck midnight as Fitzwilliam thundered down the passageway. She'd been regretting her decision not to ask the carriage to return for him since the rain had started half an hour ago. Making her husband walk home was one thing, obliging him to get soaked was quite another.

He was going to be very cross indeed and she hoped she could defuse his anger by telling him the good news about Lady Sinclair. The fire was burning merrily and the room was pleasantly warm. His valet had been dismissed by him earlier, so he would have to disrobe without help.

She was already in her night attire but had remained awake so she could talk to him. There was a decanter of brandy waiting, a pot of coffee keeping warm in the grate and a plate of assorted pastries on the side table. Hopefully this would be enough to soothe the savage beast before she was given a severe set-down.

From the noise in his bedchamber he was removing his wet garments and getting into his nightshirt and bedrobe. The door was ajar – but she had no candles lit so perhaps he didn't realise she was in here. Did he believe that she had retired to her own bed?

Then he burst in, his hair on end and his expression alarmed. 'Thank God! When I looked next door and your bed was empty I almost had an apoplexy. I thought you had not returned.' In two strides he was beside her and she tumbled into his arms.

'I am so sorry, my love, I should have sent the carriage back…'

'We'll discuss that later, sweetheart, now I have better things to do.'

This was the first time they had made love on the floor but despite the obvious disadvantages she very much enjoyed the experience. A delightful and satisfactory time later she sat up.

'I have refreshments waiting.' She attempted to wriggle free of his embrace but he tightened his hold pulling her back against his chest. They were now both propped up against the
chaise longue
, their limbs entangled and the only covering their discarded nightwear.

'That is exactly what we need. However, I have yet to talk about my lack of carriage and the fact that I had to walk back unescorted in the pouring rain.' He sounded fierce but she knew he was teasing.

'I believe that you have been amply recompensed for your unpleasant experience, sir, so I will hear no more about it.' She glanced up at him and he was smiling down at her his eyes alight with love.

'In which case, madam, your penance shall be to fetch me sustenance. And no, you cannot reclaim your nightgown in order to do so.'

After scampering about the room with no clothes on at all she was relieved to slip back under the warmth of the nightgowns and bedrobes.

'Here is your brandy and pastries – you are quite capable of pouring your own coffee. It should still be warm enough to drink even though it's been standing there for hours.'

Whilst she had been skipping about the room he had made their nest more comfortable by gathering up the cushions from the chairs and collecting the blanket that had been folded neatly at the end of the
chaise longue.

Now they were sitting on some of the cushions covered with their night garments and leaning on the others. He tossed the rug across their legs before handing her a cup of coffee. She sipped and settled back with a sigh of contentment. 'You have put the brandy in the coffee. It hardly matters that the drink is not as hot as it should be.'

'How did your conversation with Lady Sinclair progress?'

She told him what had transpired and he regaled her with his own exploits at the card table. 'From what you have said, Fitzwilliam, it would appear that only Sir Robert is involved in traitorous activities. It will go hard with his family when he is exposed.'

'That is hardly your concern, Lizzy. I can assure you that although they will be ruined socially I shall make it my business that they do not lose their estate. I believe that Sinclair will be relieved to give up his racketing about Town.'

'I have invited Lady Sinclair to call this afternoon and shall give her an invitation card when she comes. Tomorrow I shall visit her in the hope that I'll be introduced to Mrs Hall. I misremember exactly where we are to be this evening. As I have already achieved my goal, could I not remain at home?'

He yawned and ruffled her hair which was now floating around her shoulders. 'If you are suggesting that I parade around Town on my own then you are in for a sad disappointment, my love. We shall suffer together. Is that not what a devoted couple should do?'

The clock on the mantelshelf whirred, clicked and then struck three times. 'We must go to bed at once. I'd no idea it had got so late.' She was on her feet before he could protest and dashed into the master bedroom wishing she had her nightgown to cover her nakedness.

There was sufficient light from next door for her to scramble into bed. The sheets were icy. She should have run the warming pan through before getting in.

'Here, darling, put this on. I can hear your teeth chattering from here.'

She emerged from under the covers and regained her feet. He dropped the garment over her head. She noticed he was similarly attired in his nightshirt, and had the missing bedrobes slung across his arm. These he placed carefully across the end of the bed before walking round to his side and climbing in.

The candle was extinguished and he gathered her into his arms so they could share their body heat and sleep in comfort.

*

Darcy slept fitfully and put this down to an excess of alcohol. He got up before Lizzy was awake and removed himself to the study to read the newspaper and consider his next move. It was of paramount importance that he made the acquaintance of Mr Hall as he had a feeling that this man was up to his neck in the treachery even if Sir Robert was not a willing participant.

His cousin was pleased with their progress and agreed with his findings. 'We don't know a lot about Hall. He has a modest estate in Hertfordshire and several business interests in the city. His only connection to Sir Robert is that they are both investors in a shipping line.'

'Is he a hardened gambler as well?'

'Not as far as we can discover. He has expensive tastes and a desire to be accepted in the best houses, but I hardly see that as a reason for him to betray his country.'

'Do you know which clubs he attends? It might be easier to make his acquaintance there rather than rely on bumping into him at one of these wretched evening events.' Darcy was as eager as Lizzy to avoid attending any further routs and parties if possible.

'He is a member at Boodle's. I am too, so perhaps we should go there this afternoon and see if we can contrive a meeting.'

'I shall leave word for Lizzy that we're going to St James's Street. She will be occupied with calls all afternoon.'

The weather was clement, all sign of yesterday's rain departed. It would be a pleasant stroll to Piccadilly and into St James's Square. He enjoyed his cousin's company and counted him amongst his closest friends. Bingley, of course, was also a good friend, but he lacked the perspicacity and sharpness of wit that his cousin had.

He wasn't familiar with Boodle's and couldn't recall ever having visited this club before. They signed the visitors' book and made their way into the noisy interior. Despite the earliness of the hour the place was busy and most of the members were involved in some sort of card game. This club was renowned for the amount of money that changed hands in wagers; sometimes a huge stake would be bet on the most trivial of outcomes. There had been an occasion when one hundred guineas had been placed on which spider would finish its web first.

Hugo introduced him to several members but the gentleman they sought was not present. However, a crony of his cousin said he was certain Hall was attending a prize fight that was taking place somewhere in the East End.

'I've no desire to follow him there, cousin, but would do so if you think I should.'

'I've no liking for this sport either. There's no immediate urgency as you have already established a connection with the Sinclair family. It's possible that your wife has had more success at one of her morning calls.'

They parted company and agreed to meet up at the end of the week when Darcy hoped he would have more favourable news to impart.

As he made his way back to Grosvenor Square he thought he saw his family carriage bowl past but he was mistaken. This brought back to mind the disagreement between himself and Lizzy which hadn't been discussed last night. The incident had been ignored by both of them as if nothing untoward had taken place.

This just added to his slight unease about their relationship. It might be his imagination but he believed he detected a distance growing between them. He didn't know if it was of his making or hers. He had no intention of dwelling on such issues. Emotional matters were best left to the ladies. No doubt Lizzy would speak to him if she thought there was something pertinent to say.

His lips curved as he recalled the delightful interlude last night in front of the fire. What did it matter if a man and his wife were no longer sharing every thought as long as they still loved each other? However much Lizzy might annoy him he found her irresistible and whatever her misdemeanours he would always forgive her.

There was a row of carriages outside the house. Devil take it! He had quite forgotten there were to be callers – he had no intention of being dragged into them. He would enter by the side door that led from the stables. With luck he could slip past any beady-eyed matron and find refuge in his study until the house was their own again.

Unfortunately just as he emerged into the entrance hall the front door opened and the Sinclair family came in. He was surprised to see Sir Robert had accompanied his wife. He could hardly vanish now without appearing appallingly uncivil.

He nodded to both and she curtsied and her husband half-bowed. Richard Sinclair smiled warmly but his sister kept her eyes lowered and would not look at him.

'Good afternoon, my lady, Sir Robert, what a pleasant surprise to see you here. I shall take you through to join the other guests in the drawing room.' He shook his head at the footman waiting to announce each new arrival.

Lizzy was circulating amongst the dozen visitors, and he recognised none of them. Two parlourmaids were handing out tea and almond biscuits. His appearance caused a noticeable reaction to ripple around the assembled company. An uncomfortable silence fell and all present turned towards him.

*

'Good afternoon, my dear, what an unexpected pleasure to have you come in to meet my guests.' Lizzy recovered from the shock of seeing her husband and walked over to greet him.

'I'm afraid I cannot remain above a few minutes. But as Sir Robert and his family have just arrived I wished to bring them in myself.' He pulled a comical face, nodded politely to the circle of interested spectators and retreated before he was obliged to speak to anyone else.

'Lady Sinclair, welcome indeed. Allow me to introduce you and your husband to those you do not yet know.'

In some drawing rooms a bell was rung every quarter of an hour to remind the guests that the allowed time for their visit was over. Lizzy did not like this practice and relied on her visitors to remove themselves without prompting.

She was awash with tea after sharing so many cups with her guests and was relieved when she was finally alone. Tomorrow she would have to return these calls and dreaded spending her entire afternoon traipsing from house-to-house.

Although she had not had much opportunity for private conversation with the Sinclairs she had been able to hand her ladyship the invitation card to the house party just before she left. Sir Robert had obviously come under protest and had remained at the far end of the room and not spoken to anyone. His son, however, had circulated and drawn his quieter sister into several conversations. Lady Sinclair had been more subdued than the previous evening which had possibly endeared her to the other guests.

Fitzwilliam wandered in. 'I see your afternoon was a resounding success, sweetheart. Mine was less so as my cousin and I failed to locate Hall.'

When he explained where the colonel expected to find Mr Hall she was not surprised her husband had refused to accompany him. He abhorred such pastimes as prize and cockfighting.

'I have sent a note around to Lady Arnold tendering our apologies for being unable to attend her rout this evening. If I manage to meet Mrs Hall and her daughter tomorrow I shall endeavour to discover at what events they are likely to appear so we can further our acquaintance. With luck we shall have achieved our objective in the next few days and be able to return home.'

'We must arrange for a letter to arrive by express – my cousin can see to that. If we just depart our staff will talk. Gossip travels faster below stairs than it does above.'

'How true. I shall spend a quiet evening alone as I assume you will go to one of your clubs.' He looked somewhat shocked at her suggestion but she couldn't imagine why. He was not accustomed to spending time with her in Grosvenor Square as she never came to London with him.