A Spy at Pemberley (21 page)

There must be some way of preventing conception without abstaining from bedroom sport. He would begin to make discreet enquiries and hopefully come up with a satisfactory answer to this conundrum. Not every married couple had a constant stream of new babies in their nursery. So either the husband satisfied his needs outside of marriage, which he was not prepared to do, or there was another solution and he intended to find it.

He had politely declined to participate in the game of cricket that was taking place outside and had been somewhat mystified by the fact that his cousin had agreed to take part. He made his way outside, along the parterre, until he could see the players.

There were sufficient numbers to make up almost a full team for each side. At least half the young ladies had had the courage to join in such a robust sport. The game was progressing with a deal of merriment and nobody seemed to be taking it very seriously.

At first he couldn't see his cousin – his side must be batting as he certainly wasn't in the fielding team. He scanned the group sitting on chairs but couldn't see him – he must be standing to one side. Yes, Hugo was deep in conversation with Miss Hall and they were both ignoring the efforts of their teammates. Presumably both participants were aware of Mr Hall's precarious situation and neither seemed put off by it.

He shrugged and left them to it. Bingley wasn't among those exerting themselves on the field so he would search out his friend and see how things were in the East Wing. He had no intention of going in, not whilst the three redoubtable ladies were holding court there. With luck he might find him at the stables.

These housed both his and Bingley's horses and no doubt would now have many more filling out the barns. The weather was more clement and the spring grass growing which meant that half the mounts could be turned out during the day.

He'd not reached the yard when he was hailed by the very person he was looking for. 'Darcy, shall we go and visit Jonathan or Adam? If we remain on the premises we will be inveigled into some activity or other. Both Jane and Lizzy seemed determined everyone must participate in something today. Mr Bennet has the right idea hiding away in his apartment.'

'I was going to suggest that very thing. The Old Rectory is nearer so Adam and Kitty will have the pleasure of our company for a while.'

They cantered and galloped across country and arrived at the village far quicker than they should have. He reined back to a walk thus allowing his mount to cool down. 'I believe it's a musical evening tonight and we will have to endure an hour or more of caterwauling and indifferent piano playing.'

Bingley laughed. 'As long as I don't have to do either I'm quite content to listen. You seem rather blue-devilled today, my friend. Are you concerned about Lizzy overdoing it?'

'No, I might as well tell you as you are privy to everything else. Hugo's colleagues arrive under the cover of darkness tonight. That's why it's essential to have everyone in the music room and not prowling about outside.'

'Well, the colonel seems remarkably sanguine about the whole business – if he was worried surely he wouldn't be gallivanting about the place playing cricket and flirting with the daughter of one of the traitors?'

'This business seems doomed to failure. I cannot think why these men agreed to travel to Derbyshire.'

Bingley looked puzzled – but he was not famous for his sharp wit.

'They could have met in perfect secrecy a dozen places much closer to Town. It doesn't make sense to have come so far,' Darcy explained.

'These military coves are a strange lot and it's best not to get involved, in my opinion.' Bingley nodded sagely. 'But seeing as you are, I should leave them to it. We can pretend to enjoy the entertainment this evening and the matter will be resolved without your assistance.'

Darcy laughed. His friend never failed to cheer him up. 'I sincerely hope that your summation of the situation is correct. Come, we shall put the matter aside and enjoy our visit. I can see King at the window waving to us.'

Chapter Twenty-One

The twins were content in their new surroundings and Lizzy was confident they would come to no harm living with Jane and Charles for the next few days. Her mother approached as she tried to slide past the drawing room without being seen.

'There you are, Elizabeth. I must tell you that I've discussed the matter you mentioned with her ladyship and am satisfied dear Richard will make Mary an ideal husband despite his father's peccadilloes.'

'Have you discussed the matter with Papa? After all, it's he who must give his permission if they want to become betrothed.'

Her mother's mouth pursed. 'He will be as happy as I am when I explain the situation. Dear Richard cannot be held responsible for his father's actions as I'm sure that you will agree.'

Lizzy didn't wish to continue the conversation in case she revealed the true state of affairs. Whatever her mother's feelings on the subject were, if Sir Robert was arraigned her father would never agree to a union between Mary and Richard.

'They have only known each other a few days and I'm sure that Mary is far too sensible to commit herself so soon. Please excuse me, I have so much to do and must return home immediately.' She dashed off not allowing her mother to reply.

No sooner had she set foot indoors than she was accosted by Reynolds with a list of queries regarding the arrival of the secret visitors. Obviously it had been necessary to take both the housekeeper and the butler into their confidence, and no doubt half a dozen members of staff would also be aware there were extra guests lurking in a part of the house that was never used.

'I'll leave this in your capable hands, Reynolds. Is there anything else?'

'No, ma'am, I'll not hold you up any more. A cold collation will be laid out in the dining room at one o'clock for those who desire to eat.'

The cricket players would be ravenous after all that exercise so this was a sensible suggestion. 'Make sure that the gong is banged loudly outside so that everyone can hear it.'

The remainder of the day sped past and allowed her no time to dwell on what might, or might not, happen. Fitzwilliam had returned in high spirits and refused to discuss the matter. They strolled through the house to join their guests in the drawing room where they were all gathered before going in to dine. To her surprise the colonel was there and engaging in an animated discussion about the price of corn with Miss Hall.

'Look at that, Fitzwilliam. If your cousin isn't worried then neither should we be. I'm determined to enjoy myself tonight.'

He grinned and lowered his head to speak quietly into her ear. 'I think it might only be possible to enjoy oneself, sweetheart, if one was stone deaf.'

'Do you really think it will be as bad as that? I've no idea of the musical talents of the other guests but Mary, Kitty, Georgiana and I are all competent pianists. Both you and Charles can hold a tune as can Jane. After we have performed there will scarcely be time for anyone else, so don't look so perturbed.'

'I've absolutely no intention of participating as well you know. It would be unpardonable if only the family got the opportunity to shine; you must allow anyone who wishes to take centre stage to do so before you or your sisters.'

She sighed. 'In which case, my dear, it will be a lottery as to whether we enjoy ourselves or not.'

'Do you not have a list of those wishing to perform tonight so that you could draw up a programme?'

'Good heavens! Of course I do – I've become quite feather-brained of late. Come with me and we can arrange things together. I left a list in the study on your desk and fully intended to do exactly what you've just suggested but quite forgot.'

She found the piece of paper where she'd left it and read out the names of those who'd signed and what they intended to do to entertain the audience. Fitzwilliam, who had the neater hand, compiled the programme.

'There – we have three duets plus accompanists, a recitation and a variety of willing pianists. More than enough for an evening, don't you think?'

'Indeed I do. I'm glad that we have left Georgiana and Kitty on the list as they play so beautifully together. I must say that I'm relieved our other guests have stepped up as I'm not sure Mary will actually wish to participate.'

They hurried back to the drawing room to find Peterson hovering anxiously at the doors to the dining room waiting to announce dinner.

In some grand houses the owners insisted that guests entered in order of rank, but here, as in most other establishments, the guests made their own way in. Only two seats were reserved at the head of the table and these were for herself and her husband. Fitzwilliam had decreed she sit with him and not at the far end of the table as would be normal in other houses.

Tonight her appetite had returned and, despite having devoured a substantial meal at one o'clock, she was able to do justice to the appetising array of removes that appeared on the table. At Pemberley they preferred not to keep country hours and rarely sat down to table before six o'clock.

When eventually she stood to lead the ladies out it wasn't to the drawing room, but to the music room where the elegant gilt chairs from the ballroom had been set out in rows. Fitzwilliam had written this evening's order of appearances in his clear, flowing style so that everyone concerned knew what was to take place.

The gentlemen didn't linger over port this evening and soon the room was filling up and the musical entertainment began. Not everyone who participated was as talented as Georgiana but all acquitted themselves well. As the final applause faded away she noticed that Sir Robert and Mr Hall were no longer in the room.

*

Darcy saw Lizzy scanning the rows of chairs and understood at once why she raised a quizzical eyebrow. Not only was his cousin missing, but also the two gentlemen they were hoping to trick into revealing the real traitor.

'God knows how those two already know that there's a meeting going on elsewhere in the house,' he whispered. 'Peterson told me the last of them only arrived just before the entertainment began.'

She clutched his arm. 'You promised me that you wouldn't become personally involved in this matter. Leave it to those that are trained to deal with such things.'

Someone called her name and she was obliged to move across in order to speak to them. She was quite right – he had given his word he wouldn't put himself in danger. He would take the servants' passageways and by doing so would remain out of sight but would still be able to discover what was taking place. Lizzy didn't understand that as the owner of Pemberley it was ingrained in him to be involved with anything that took place under his roof.

Whilst his guests were milling about discussing the musical entertainment they had just listened to he took the opportunity to slip away. It took a matter of moments to drift into the gun room and arm himself with a loaded pistol. He doubted this would be necessary – but in his experience it did no harm to be prepared.

Unfortunately his evening rig didn't have the deep inside pockets that his everyday jacket did. There was no option but to tuck it into the waistband of his trousers and hope that the distinctive shape was disguised by the fall of his coat.

He paused for a moment to visualise the maze of passageways and stairs that dissected this huge establishment. There was no necessity for taking a candlestick as wall sconces were lit everywhere thus allowing his staff to move about freely even when carrying unpleasantly filled receptacles.

The route he must take was now clear in his head. He checked nobody was watching him before pushing open one of the cleverly disguised doors in the wall and stepping through. What the hell he was going to say if he came face-to-face with a member of his staff he'd no idea – but hoped this circumstance would not occur.

The footmen and parlourmaids would be busy serving tea and supper in the drawing room, or restoring the music room and taking chairs back to the ballroom. As he made his way along the narrow corridor he caught the occasional sound of laughter coming through the wall. Then he could hear nothing apart from his own breathing.

He must now be in the West Wing and should be able to pick up clues to his whereabouts from any voices he heard.

Something crashed against the wall and he fell backwards. He froze, fearing the noise he'd made might have revealed his presence. Then he heard voices he recognised.

'God dammit, Sinclair, I don't like creeping about the place. I almost went head first in the darkness. If we're discovered, how are we to explain our presence here?'

'My man said there's something havey-cavey going on in this part of the house. He recognised one of the horses as belonging to Brigadier Stanley – what the devil is that man doing so far from London? It has to be a cabal – you know as well as I do that trouble is afoot in the Prime Minister's camp. Knowledge of this should earn us a pretty penny.'

Sinclair moved away from the wall and Darcy had to strain to hear his words 'You're right. Don't you think it's damn strange they should choose the very place that we happen to be to discuss their conspiracy?'

'Coincidence – a fortunate coincidence. We need to come up with something worth having for our next drop after the rubbish we passed over last time. This could be the very thing we need. It will be the last time – we both agreed about that,' Hall replied.

The two men moved away. Darcy pushed himself upright and took several steadying breaths. They were right to be suspicious as this wasn't going to end well for either of them.

If these two thought it strange a meeting should have been called in Derbyshire rather than one of the Home Counties, surely the real traitors, the members of this inner circle who were revealing state secrets, must also be concerned?

This entire enterprise had been flawed from the start. He should never have agreed to help – it would have saved him a deal of expense, and the aggravation of having a house full of unwanted guests. Too late to repine; he was committed to this venture and must see it through.

He made sure, on resuming his cautious progress, that he was ready for any sudden noises and wouldn't react so violently a second time.

If he remembered rightly there was an exit just ahead so he must be extra vigilant not to place his hand on it and inadvertently alert anyone of his presence. Although he could no longer hear Hall or Sinclair there the was definite sound of men talking coming from a few yards ahead of him. He edged his way past the door that would allow a member of staff access to this chamber and moved closer so he could place his ear on the panelling.

What he heard almost made him exclaim out loud. He was quite sure his cousin would be equally shocked by the conversation taking place.

*

Lizzy moved from group to group playing the perfect hostess. If this house party had been arranged for any other reason than the apprehension of the traitors then she would be able to enjoy it. Entertaining so many guests was most gratifying especially when they were all so complimentary. Her husband had been gone for an unconscionable time so she would send a footman in search of him before his absence was noticed.

More than an hour had gone by before both he and his cousin rejoined the company. Sir Robert and Mr Hall had also wandered back in a short while ago. All four gentlemen appeared to have a great deal to say.

'Fitzwilliam, Cousin Hugo, might I enquire where you two have been for so long? As the ostensible reason for this gathering is to find you a suitable bride, cousin, then it behoves you to be here.'

He nodded but didn't respond and marched smartly away to immediately engage Miss Hall in conversation. She tapped her foot and stared pointedly at her husband.

'We have all been duped – the military gentlemen have not come here to discuss secrets but to entertain their mistresses without their wives being aware of it.'

Her mouth dropped open. 'Are you telling me that Pemberley is being used as a house of ill repute?'

He nodded solemnly, but his eyes were glinting with amusement. 'I fear that is the case. Hugo should have realised when he saw who was coming that there was more to this than he understood. There are notable absences and those missing are the gentlemen with happy, stable marriages.'

'I still don't quite understand how this can have happened. I always believed your cousin to be an intelligent man, but was obviously mistaken.'

'No, you're right in your assumption. In his desire to apprehend the traitor in the inner circle he allowed himself to be bamboozled by these reprehensible rakes.'

She smiled but then something else occurred to her. 'Am I to take it that you have been eavesdropping on the debauchery, my love?'

'I'm afraid so and I can assure you I've been scarred for life by what I heard.' He chuckled and glanced in the direction of the other two gentlemen. 'I should think that Sinclair and Hall must be disappointed they are not to glean some nuggets of information.'

'Why didn't Peterson inform you of the true state of affairs?'

'I believe he thought that I had sanctioned their debauchery and this was why I requested the guests were put in a private part of the house.'