A Spy at Pemberley (22 page)

'Good heavens! This gets worse and worse. You can be very sure word will filter around the house before the end of the house party and we'll never be considered respectable again.'

'Smile, my love, your scowl is attracting unwanted attention from your sisters. They will be over here in a moment to do battle on your behalf.'

She took his hand and led him purposefully from the drawing room where they could talk without risk of being overheard or observed. 'You must evict the unwanted tenants immediately. The military gentlemen may remain, but their light skirts will not spend another night under this roof. They will be gone before anyone gets up tomorrow.'

He knew her well enough to accept that he had no choice. 'Hugo and I will speak to them as soon as everyone else has retired. To try and do so now might well provoke exactly the sort of scenes we're hoping to avoid. I'll alert the stables that the carriages will be needed at dawn.'

'Presumably your cousin doesn't intend to apprehend Sir Robert or Mr Hall whilst they are under our roof? I would much prefer it if he didn't.'

'I gather that your sister Mary is interested in Richard Sinclair – are the feelings reciprocated?'

Just talking about this made Lizzy feel unwell. 'I fear she is determined on the match. Mama is equally enthusiastic as you might imagine. Even your wealth and prestige is as nothing beside the thought of having a daughter marry into the aristocracy.'

Her husband didn't seem particularly bothered by this news. 'As Hugo also appears to be enamoured with Miss Hall, both sides of the family have become entangled with unsuitable partners. Therefore it's a distinct possibility we will be disgraced one way or the other.'

His mouth twitched and she couldn't prevent herself from smiling. It was indeed quite ridiculous that the Darcy family had not one, but three disastrous events about to break over their heads.

'We survived the ghosts and the scandal, but I fear having a spy at Pemberley might prove our undoing.' A gurgle of laughter escaped. 'That is always supposing our house being used as a bordello does not become a topic of drawing room conversation.'

He slid his arm around her waist and drew her close. 'Well, sweetheart, we cannot complain that our life in the country is dull. Let's not forget the unexpected arrival of Miss Bingley and her betrothed a few weeks ago.'

All desire to laugh vanished. 'I wish you hadn't reminded me. That pernicious woman has caused nothing but trouble in this family and I sincerely hope she never returns.'

'Of whom are you speaking so vehemently, Lizzy?' Charles had drifted up unnoticed beside them. 'I assume it was my sister. I give you my word she will not be seen at Pemberley ever again. I've had my lawyers contact her as I could not bring myself to write.'

Jane was beckoning to her most urgently. 'Please excuse me, I must see what is agitating my sister.'

As she hurried away she heard Charles laughing and guessed that her husband had told his friend the true state of affairs. She hoped she would never have to discuss the matter with any other members of her family.

As she made her way across the room it occurred to her that the traitors might not actually be amongst those that had come with their mistresses so the whole enterprise had been doomed to failure from the outset.

Chapter Twenty-Two

'On reflection, Bingley, I'm wondering if Sinclair and Hall will leak the information to my guests.'

'I doubt it, Darcy, they would have to explain what they were doing creeping about the place. More to the point – have you spoken to the colonel about his intentions towards the girl?'

'Not as yet but I intend to as soon as he leaves her side for a moment. It's beyond the bounds of credulity to assume he's going to offer for her in the circumstances. His career would be over if he married the daughter of a traitor.'

'All this excitement has made me a trifle peckish so I'm going to find myself something to eat. Are you joining me?'

Darcy shook his head. 'I believe I might insinuate myself between the happy couple as Mrs Hall has called her daughter away for some reason.'

He walked swiftly to his cousin and gripped his elbow firmly before the man could escape. 'Hugo, we need to talk. My study – now – if you please.'

His cousin tensed beneath his hand but then sighed with what could only be construed as resignation. 'Very well, my friend, I shall come with you although I know of what you wish to speak.'

They strode side by side to the designated chamber and Darcy didn't speak again until they were safely closeted inside. 'Lizzy is furious with you for bringing those bits of muslin to Pemberley. They are to be evicted at dawn tomorrow.'

Hugo shifted from foot to foot like a schoolboy caught out in a prank. 'I'll be the laughing stock at Horse Guards after this debacle. If I'd examined the list of those that had accepted the invitation more closely I would have realised something wasn't right. All these gentlemen are renowned for their cavalier attitude to their marriage vows. God knows if there is a traitor amongst them but being here is not going to reveal it, that's for sure.' He shrugged. 'I can't apologise sufficiently for this debacle. If I'd known for one instant that they intended to bring their doxies with them I'd have put a stop to it.'

'I don't understand how they believed there would be sufficient accommodation when these women were not invited.'

'That too is my fault. I explained to them that they would be accommodated in a separate wing as I intended to keep their presence secret from your other guests. This gave them
carte blanche.
The whole world knows one could get lost in the hundreds of rooms at Pemberley.'

'The situation is beyond ridiculous and we'll say no more about this issue. Which brings me to my second point, what do you intend to do about Sinclair and Hall? Are they not to be arrested? After all it was they who passed on the secrets to the French whoever might have given the information to them in the first place.'

Hugo shrugged and wandered disconsolately to the sideboard and poured himself a full glass of brandy before answering. 'That's an even bigger mess as you might imagine. I know this house party was no more than a charade but I find myself enamoured of Miss Hall. My intentions are honourable and I'm sure she reciprocates my feelings but…'

'But you can hardly remain in the military and marry the daughter of a traitor.'

'You have the right of it, Darcy. I don't know what the hell to do – do I offer for her before or after I arrest her father? And at what point do I resign my commission?'

'I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but my sister-in-law, Mary, has set her sights on Richard Sinclair. You can imagine what the reaction of Mrs Bennet and her husband might be when Sir Robert is taken into custody.'

'I can see no happy outcome for any of us. Miss Hall will blame me for her family's disgrace and that might well be the end of my hopes. Not only will I be without a career, but I shall also be without the woman that I wish to marry.' He dropped his head into his hands – a picture of despair.

Darcy thought for a moment. 'Shall we deal with each matter in turn? Send the gentlemen and their mistresses away first and wait for the dust to settle. There will be time enough to tackle the other two problems.'

'The majority of those cavorting in your West Wing are my superiors. It will give me a great deal of pleasure to be in position to give them their marching orders. One of those we originally suspected is amongst the rest of them but I can think of no way to reveal his involvement.'

'Surely there must be some you can rule out categorically? Come – we have a while before everyone retires – let us make a list of who is here and who absent and see if we can make some sense of it.'

After the first hour went by Darcy believed they had narrowed it down to three possible candidates, none of them were known to him, and only one of whom was with the other reprehensible gentlemen in the West Wing. 'This brigadier fellow seems the least likely of the three – is there any way we can rule him out too?'

'If word of his misdeeds here reached his wife there would be hell to pay. I'm sure with a little gentle persuasion I can convince him to answer a few questions.'

'Are you suggesting blackmail? That doesn't sit well with me.' Darcy pushed back his chair and went to fetch himself a third glass of brandy. 'It's damnably quiet out there – I think my guests have already retired.'

Hugo held out his glass. 'Another for me, if you please. I've no intention of doing anything as unpleasant as blackmail. It should be relatively simple to get him to give me sufficient information to either convict or clear him. He's terrified of his wife.'

Darcy replenished his friend's drink and downed his own. 'I'm going out to the stables but will then go and speak to your cronies. Are you coming with me or do you intend to skulk in here?' His smile took the bite from his words.

'I'd much prefer to remain here but shall not do so. I'd like to solve this case before I resign.'

When they emerged from the study the wall sconces were still flickering, but there was no evidence of either staff or guests. Peterson would be lurking somewhere waiting to douse the remaining lights as soon as he was certain his master was abed.

*

Lizzy was satisfied the evening had been a success and none of her guests were as yet aware of the unwanted occupants of the West Wing. How her staff had kept the matter secret from the other servants she had no idea, but she was pleased with their loyalty and discretion.

Everyone had either departed or retired apart from herself and her father. She was disturbed by his expression. He had something to say and she doubted she was going to like what it was. With a sigh of resignation she beckoned him to follow her upstairs to her private sitting room. Once safely inside she gestured towards an armchair and waited until he had flicked aside his coat-tails and settled himself.

'Papa, tell me at once what is troubling you.'

'Your sister is determined to have young Richard Sinclair and Mrs Bennet will not hear a word against the match. However, I don't like Sir Robert, there's something untoward about him.'

She kept her face averted hoping her disquiet would not be revealed. Although her father was somewhat lackadaisical in his duties as a parent he was not a stupid man and would immediately recognise her expression for what it was.

'Lizzy, look at me, my dear. There's something you need to tell me before things progress any further.'

Reluctantly she looked up. 'I have been sworn to secrecy, it's a matter of national security and however much I want to tell you the whole, I cannot do so.' No sooner had she spoken than she realised her catastrophic error. She should never have mentioned the words "national security".

His eyes widened and then his lips thinned. 'There's no need to say anything else, my dear. He, and that unpleasant friend of his, Hall, must be up to their necks in treasonable activities.' He raised a hand as she was about to protest. 'I'll not have any daughter of mine associated with such a family. She needs my permission and she will not get it. The Bennet family might not be wealthy or important but they are honourable and loyal to King and Country.'

There was nothing she could say that could remedy the situation. She could hardly lie to her own father. 'What are you going to do? Mama will have a conniption fit when you tell her Mary cannot marry Richard Sinclair. I should never have said anything to you. You must give me your word you will not reveal the reasons behind your refusal.'

He nodded and pushed himself upright. 'Believe me, Lizzy, it gives me no joy to deny Mary her heart's desire. I never thought she would fall in love and I doubt she will do so again. She will remain a spinster and take care of your mother and me in our dotage.'

He left the room without bidding her good night and she was too miserable to go after him. Her maid was waiting to help her disrobe and was full of chatter about the other servants. She didn't appear to notice how quiet Lizzy was.

When she was down to her petticoats she stopped the flow of words. 'Thank you, I can do the rest myself. Good night. I shall ring when I require you tomorrow morning.'

Somewhat surprised by this abrupt command, but too well-trained to comment, the girl curtsied and slipped away. As soon as she was sure she was alone Lizzy rummaged through the shelves in the dressing room and found herself a warm, long-sleeved, cambric morning gown which dropped over her head and did not require any lacing at the back.

She pushed her stockinged feet into indoor slippers, found a suitable wrap, and was ready to find Fitzwilliam and warn him that Pemberley was about to erupt in the most hideous fuss. Dealing with the spectres that had been resident for centuries paled into insignificance in comparison to her mother in one of her spectacular rages.

Where would her husband be? He and his cousin had retreated to the study an age ago – would he still be there? She prayed that he might be because she was certain her father would not wait until the morning to issue his ultimatum.

With her skirts held clear of her feet she dashed down the wooden staircase that would lead more directly to the study. As she skidded around the corner she saw Fitzwilliam and Cousin Hugo emerge and turn to stride off in the opposite direction. Forgetting she was supposed to be a mature and sensible matron, she raised her voice and yelled at him.

'Wait. I must speak to you. Something appalling is about to happen.'

He stopped so abruptly that his cousin cannoned into his back and they both staggered about as if in their cups before Fitzwilliam managed to regain his balance. He did not look particularly pleased to see her.

'Good God, Lizzy, what were you thinking? You cannot go about the place yelling like a fishwife.'

She arrived at his side and clutched his arm. She could not help but be aware that Hugo was leaning nonchalantly against the wall, his eyes brimming with amusement. He might find the situation funny but he would change his tune when she told him what had transpired upstairs.

*

His wife seemed unperturbed by his reprimand. 'I must speak to both of you immediately. I've no intention of doing so out here.' She pointed to the study and he exchanged a resigned glance with Hugo before following her inside. When she had revealed the extent of the disaster he was dumbfounded.

Hugo rallied first. 'Mrs Bennet will let the entire establishment into our secret. Sinclair and Hall will take off and I shall be lucky not to be court-martialled.'

Darcy had been thinking the same but an alternative occurred to him. 'Could you not get to them first? If they agreed to become double agents in return for their immunity…'

'Devil take it! That might work. Lizzy, can you try and forestall Mr Bennet? Explain that both men are working with the government, not against it, and to reveal their identity could place all that has been worked for in grave danger. I need to speak to both gentlemen before the house erupts.'

'Will agreeing to your proposition mean that the families will not be disgraced? That Sir Robert and Mr Hall will no longer be in danger of losing their estates and reputations?'

'I will not be able to get them off entirely. However, if they agreed to live quietly abroad then I believe I can keep the matter quiet and both Lady Sinclair and Mrs Hall will be able to continue to live their lives untrammelled by unsavoury rumours.'

'I think that will be a solution which appeals to everyone, apart from the gentlemen themselves. Mary will be able to marry Richard Sinclair and you can offer for Miss Hall.'

She didn't wait for confirmation of her statement – they all knew what she said was true. 'I shall expect you in our apartment in due course, Fitzwilliam. I sincerely hope my disastrous indiscretion can be rectified to everyone's advantage.'

Hugo looked happier than he had for years. 'We shall go and speak to them together – I've no idea where their chambers are situated in this vast place.'

'I hope this doesn't take too long as we've yet to tackle the matter of the West Wing.'

He led the way through the silent house at any moment expecting the air to be met by wails and screams from his mother-in-law but so far all was well. He stopped in front of the room Sir Robert occupied.

He knocked and his summons was answered immediately. The door swung open a few inches – then it was pulled right back. 'Come in, come in, I've been expecting you.'