A Spy at Pemberley (12 page)

'I had not intended to go out again today.'

She was about to congratulate him on his good sense, and say how much she was looking forward to having him all to herself, when he continued.

'However, I shall do as you suggest and dine elsewhere. Do not wait up for me. I shall sleep next door tonight.'

He raised a hand in farewell and left her alone wishing she had held her tongue. They were constantly at daggers drawn nowadays and stumbled from one misunderstanding to another. What had happened to the closeness they had shared until last year?

Tears spilled down her cheeks and she brushed them away. She had become a veritable watering pot these past few days and it was not like her to give in to her emotions. Then she recalled the last time she had cried at the slightest thing. It had been when she was increasing.

Her monthly courses were always somewhat erratic so she had given up trying to keep track of them. She always had sufficient warning to prepare herself and had so far not had any embarrassing incidents. When had her last one been?

With all the excitement of the last few weeks she had quite forgotten about such things – she was almost sure it was more than six weeks. She leapt to her feet and ran after Fitzwilliam. She was determined to stop him before he went out in order to give him the good news. A physician could not confirm her diagnosis for another month or more but there were sufficient signs for her to be almost sure.

Then she stopped halfway up the staircase. From the outset of her previous pregnancy she had been unwell, unable to keep down all but the smallest, plainest meals. If she was indeed with child she would be suffering from the same unpleasant symptoms.

Her happiness and excitement fizzled out. She was mistaken – a longing for another child had made her misinterpret the physical signs. No doubt there were a myriad of other reasons why her monthly flow was delayed. There was not enough evidence to raise Fitzwilliam's hopes.

Her tears could also be attributed to a wife's natural concern that her relationship with her beloved husband was not as it should be. The answer would be clear one way or the other in a few weeks so she would bide her time and keep this to herself.

She wandered disconsolately from one room to the other unable to settle or think of anything to occupy her time. Perhaps she could go through the list of possible guests for the house party and write out invitation cards.

Coming to London, she had hoped, would repair the rift in her marriage but the opposite was true. Had he always been so quick to take offence or had she become shrewish over the past few months? Had her disappointment in not conceiving another child soured her?

Tears marred the card she was writing and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Chapter Twelve

Darcy silently endured the ministrations of his valet until he could stand it no longer. 'Enough, Dawson. It will do. I can tie my stock myself. You are dismissed – I shall not need you again this evening.'

'Very well, sir.'

He stared with disfavour at his image in the glass. When had he become so bad-tempered? What the devil was wrong with him? He tossed the crumpled strip of material aside and jumped to his feet. He could not be content if he was at loggerheads with his darling Lizzy.

Still in his shirtsleeves he dashed from the room and went in search of her. Eventually he located her in the study sitting at her escritoire which faced out over the garden. Her back was to him, she didn't hear his entrance.

He walked soft-footed until he was standing directly behind her and then he realised she was crying. He was a brute to have brought her so low.

'Sweetheart, please don't upset yourself. Here, take my handkerchief and dry your eyes.' He pushed the cloth into her unresisting fingers and then picked up the chair with her in it and turned it round so he could see her.

He dropped to his knees and gently placed a hand under her chin and raised her face. She looked as wretched as he felt. This would end now – they would remain here and talk until the root of the problem was discovered and things were put right between them.

Obediently she blew her nose and wiped her face but she did not seem inclined to explain what had overset her. 'Lizzy, what's wrong? Come, we shall sit by the fire and talk things through.'

He regained his feet and reached out to take her hand but she shook her head. Were things so bad between them that she couldn't bear his touch? Then she smiled and he breathed again.

'Where is your stock? And more importantly your topcoat? I can't remember seeing you in such disarray before.'

He offered his hand a second time and she took it. He pulled her to her feet and led her across to the large sofa before responding to her question. 'I was in the process of getting ready but decided I must speak to you instead.' When she was settled he took her hands again. 'I'm yet to receive an answer to my question.'

When she had revealed her worries he was horrified. 'How can you think I had become bored with you and the children? You are my world – all three of you. I admit I have been undertaking tasks for the Prime Minister that I would not normally have accepted. This was to allow you to spend as much time with our babies as you wished without feeling obliged to attend to my needs.' He smiled and her eyes lit up in response. 'Fabian and Amanda must come first with you whilst they are so small and vulnerable.'

'How ridiculous I have been. I should be grateful not to be increasing so soon and not fretting about this and imagining that you had lost interest in our marriage.'

'Bingley isn't overjoyed that Jane is increasing so soon. Although she had a healthy pregnancy and easy delivery little Charlotte has been a constant worry to them both.'

'I am tardy with my monthly courses, Fitzwilliam, but on reflection I do not think I am expecting another baby. Either way, I shall no longer think about it but rejoice in what we already have.'

'I cannot remain down here dressed as I am. Shall we spend the evening upstairs and have our supper sent up?'

'I should like that. There is something that I've been meaning to mention about the reason we are supposed to be in London. If we are meant to be searching for a suitable bride for your cousin then surely he should be accompanying us? I cannot believe that any gentleman would leave such an important decision to someone else.'

'Exactly so. I've been trying to tell him this but he avoids the question. I believe we have an invitation to the first important ball of the Season to be held in two days' time. He must accompany us and be introduced to those you have already chosen.'

'I just hope he doesn't break the heart of any of the girls we invite to the house party. He is a handsome man and there will be no shortage of young ladies willing to become his wife.'

They strolled hand in hand through the house and to their private sitting room. He repaired to his dressing room to find a coat whilst she sent word to the kitchen. It hardly seemed worthwhile getting smartened up as they would be remaining up here. He shrugged on his dressing robe instead.

Lizzy was curled up on the daybed and he joined her there. 'I know Lord Rochester, it's his daughter the ball is for. I shall see him and make sure he sends invitations to the Sinclairs and Halls. If Hugo pays particular attention to the Hall girl then it will not seem strange to include them in the house party.'

'I agree. Have you any idea what Miss Hall is like? You had an excellent description of the Sinclair family.'

He frowned trying to recall what he'd been told. 'She is an outdoor type, not in the common way, but my cousin said she's an intelligent girl but somewhat outspoken.'

'She sounds ideal for the purpose. As long as she's not an antidote I believe our scheme will work.'

'In which case, Lizzy, I shall make sure the letter supposedly sent from home arrives on Saturday morning. We should be back at Pemberley by the middle of next week. This will allow you no more than a week or two before your family arrives. Will that be sufficient?'

'Fitzwilliam, it's kind of you to think of me in this way but as the invitations have already been sent to friends and family there is no option but to be ready in time.'

He laughed and joined her on the
chaise longue
. 'To tell you the truth, sweetheart, I cannot think how having the two families under my roof is going to make it easier for my cousin to discover if they are indeed traitors.'

'I had thought the same, but didn't like to say so. We must assume he has some scheme in hand to which we are not privy. Regardless of the circumstances I am actually quite looking forward to entertaining a large number of guests.'

'I shall endure it for your sake and for my cousin – but I can assure you I shall be glad when this nonsense is over. I don't intend to do anything else for Mr Perceval but I am afraid I have no option but to do as he wishes as long as he is Prime Minister.'

*

Lizzy took her maid with her when she set out on her round of morning calls. This was not strictly necessary but she hoped Sally would be able to glean some extra information below stairs about the families she intended to include in the house party. As far as staff and everyone else was concerned this was a genuine search for a wife for the colonel.

'Sally, remember to be discreet in your enquiries. You will learn more from listening to the gossip than adding to it. I require to know anything that might help with this venture.'

'Yes, ma' am, I know what to do.'

Lizzy had arranged things so that she called in at the establishment that was the greatest distance away and then would make three further calls on her return journey. The first that the carriage pulled up outside was a smart house in a quiet cul-de-sac just off Hanover Square. She had spoken briefly to Lady Roberts the previous evening and had been delighted to learn she numbered both Lady Sinclair and Mrs Hall amongst her acquaintances.

There were two other carriages waiting outside so she would not be the only one present. She hoped that one of the carriages had brought Mrs Hall and her daughter. The door opened as she arrived at the top of the steps and she was bowed in by a butler who enquired politely as to their names.

The sound of voices echoed from the open doors across the black and white chequered vestibule. Sally slipped away to the servants' hall and Lizzy stepped into the drawing room as her name was called out loudly.

Lady Roberts was overjoyed to see her. 'Mrs Darcy, come in, come in. Let me introduce you to my other guests.'

The first matron and her stout daughters were of no interest to Lizzy but the second was the family she wished to meet.

Mrs Hall was unremarkable in every respect, modestly dressed and softly spoken. Her daughter on the other hand was quite startling. She was a head taller than her parent, had hair the colour of a raven's wing will. Her sharp features were redeemed by green eyes that sparkled with intelligence. Lizzy liked her immediately.

'Mrs Hall, Miss Hall, I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. Are you remaining in Town for the whole Season or just visiting?'

Mrs Hall almost smiled. 'We are not here for more than a week or so, Mrs Darcy. My husband has business interests in the city and we stay just long enough for him to attend to those. We are not here to participate in the entertainment.'

'I hope to see you both at one or two parties before you leave. Miss Hall, is this your first season?'

The girl laughed. 'I don't believe in any of that nonsense, madam, I'm here under sufferance. I much prefer to be in the country looking after my horses. We have a successful stud, you know. My brother and I run it together.'

'I share your dislike of large social occasions, Miss Hall, but I am on a mission. Colonel Fitzwilliam, my cousin, is hoping to set up his nursery and has asked me to find him a selection of young ladies from which to choose. Would you care to be included on the list?' She said this with a straight face and someone less intelligent might have taken her seriously.

To Lizzy's astonishment Miss Hall nodded. 'I would indeed, Mrs Darcy. If I have to be married one day I would much prefer it to be to a soldier. I believe I could enjoy following the drum.' She drew Lizzy to one side. 'What sort of man is he? Do you think we would suit?'

This was an extraordinary conversation to be having with a young lady she had only just met but Lizzy answered without hesitation. 'If Cousin Hugo is genuine in his desire to find a wife then I think you would be ideal. He is in his thirties, above average height and although not as handsome as Mr Darcy in my opinion, they are often mistaken for brothers.'

'I am not considered a beauty, but neither am I bracket-faced. Is he looking for an heiress? If he is then he will be disappointed as I have no more than a modest dowry. My maternal grandfather is a baron – but my mama is considered to have married beneath her.' The girl smiled and when she did so her face changed from plain to beautiful. 'There, you have the whole truth. Do you still wish to add me to your list?'

'I certainly do. We are having a house party in three weeks' time which I would like to invite you and your family to. However, I think it would be best if you met the colonel before you decide if you want to come.'

'We have no invitations to any events at which he might be present. We are not part of the same social strata as yourself, Mrs Darcy.'

'I shall make it my business to have an invitation to the Rochester ball sent to you. I know that my cousin will be there to see if he approves of my choices. Would it be in order to send it to Lady Sinclair then you can be sure that you will be attending the event with a family that you are already familiar with?'

'That would be absolutely splendid. Annabel Sinclair is a friend of mine and her brother Richard is a crony of my brother Thomas. By the by, my given name is Jennifer in case you wished to include this on the invitation.'

The fifteen minutes allowed for a morning call had passed too quickly. Lizzy would have liked to get to know this lively girl a little better. She hated to deceive her, but at least the family would have the opportunity to mix with the
ton
and who knew where that might lead.

Sally had little of interest to report which gave Lizzy time to reconsider her plans. She banged on the roof of the carriage and it rattled to a halt. A face appeared at the window.

'I have changed my mind and need to return to Grosvenor Square immediately.'

The under-coachman touched his forehead and disappeared. There was no need now for her to visit anywhere else and make meaningless conversation with complete strangers. She had accomplished her task. All that remained was for her to explain to Cousin Hugo that he must ensure he danced at least once with Miss Hall at the ball.

*

Darcy listened with growing incredulity to his cousin. 'Let me get this straight – not only am I to hold a house party in order to allow you to investigate these two families but also to host a private meeting for those in favour of the war effort at the same time?'

'You have understood perfectly. Sir Robert and Hall will think the event a cover for this meeting and not suspect the real reason.'

'Do these men know they are being invited as a ruse to trap the traitors?'

'No, they do not. Only you, the Prime Minister and I are aware that Sir Robert and Hall are suspects. I require these guests to be kept separate from the rest – is that possible? Those that I am inviting would expect to be private and not part of a social gathering.'

'I see. This whole thing is becoming deucedly complicated. I'm fairly sure that anyone who knows you is aware that the last thing you need is a wife in tow. The Prime Minister told me he is concerned that he's losing support to the naysayers.'

'Our thinking is that the two suspects won't be able to resist spying on us. I do actually intend to discuss the problems facing our soldiers on the Peninsular. The committee needs to have a united front in Parliament; coming up with a strategy should be a deal simpler away from the distractions in Town.' His cousin seemed uncomfortable as he explained his reasons. No doubt this was because he had added a dozen extra uninvited guests to the house party.