A Spy at Pemberley (23 page)

This was a curious greeting – had he somehow learned what was going to happen? 'We need to talk to you and to Hall. Send your valet to fetch him here.'

The man nodded and disappeared into his bedchamber to pass on this instruction. Whilst he was busy Darcy spoke quietly to his cousin. 'Something is wrong. Why should he be expecting us?'

There was no opportunity for a response as Sir Robert returned. He was unnaturally subdued – his usual bombastic character no longer in evidence.

'Would you care to sit down, gentlemen? Forgive me if I do so, I'm not feeling at all well.' He collapsed onto the nearest chair, leaned his head against the back and closed his eyes.

There was little point in starting this discussion until both gentlemen were present. Less than ten minutes later the door was pushed open violently and Mr Hall burst in.

'What the devil do you mean by it, Sinclair? I ain't one for being dragged from my bed by anyone.'

Darcy hid a smile when he saw Hall wasn't wearing a shirt under his jacket, but his nightgown.

'Take a seat, Hall, and hold your tongue. It was I that sent for you.'

For a moment it seemed that the man might bluster, continue to protest at his rude summons, but then he exchanged a glance with his friend and subsided onto a chair.

It didn't take long for Hugo's proposition to be set before them. The pair of them were like deflated balloons by the time he'd finished explaining in great detail what awaited them if they didn't agree.

Sir Robert eventually cleared his throat and answered. 'If you want to know the truth, sirs, I'm damned glad we can stop. We have no notion who is passing on secrets as we picked them up at a variety of hiding places. However, as our very lives depend on it, we will discover who's behind it and lead him into your trap.'

Hall looked ten years older than he had when he'd come in. 'If I have this straight, once the traitor has been captured we are to exile ourselves abroad?'

'I can arrange for you to be attached to the East India Company and you can then legitimately go away on business for several years. If you are astute you might well return wealthy men. However, you will remain overseas until you are given permission to come home. You must hand over the running of your estates to your sons before you leave.'

The deal was done and he and his cousin left the two of them to discuss their fate. In Darcy's opinion they had got off lightly and should be thanking God they had been spared the noose.

'I suppose we must now get on with the other business, although I would much prefer to retire.' He rubbed his eyes and yawned loudly.

His cousin clapped him on the back with such vigour he was sent staggering forwards. Darcy turned, about to snarl at Hugo but was forestalled.

'Leave the matter to me, my friend, I'm made of sterner stuff than you. I can go several days without sleep and still fight a battle. I give you my word the old reprobates and their strumpets will be gone before you rise tomorrow.'

'In which case I shall forgive you for the unnecessary violence to my person.' He grinned and raised his hand in salute. 'We will convene at eight o'clock before we break our fast. My study?'

'I suppose I must speak to Mr Hall and ask his permission to address Jennifer, but I am loathe to do so. I think in the circumstances I shall speak to young Richard instead.

'I think the sooner this matter is brought to a conclusion the better. I intend to give false information to each of the men I suspect and then we will know his identity when either Sinclair or Hall are given the papers.'

'That should work, my friend. It's a great pity you didn't think to do this before you dragged me into your machinations.'

Hugo shrugged and they parted company in good spirits. Darcy strode through the house eager to reach his own apartment and discover if Lizzy had indeed averted a family crisis, or if that was yet to come.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lizzy flew into the house and arrived a trifle breathless at the door to her father's sitting room. Thank the good Lord! She could hear someone moving about inside so she wasn't too late to avert a disaster. She tapped politely and whoever was inside hurried across to open the door.

'Good evening, Mrs Darcy. Mr Bennet isn't here. I believe that he's gone to see Mrs Bennet.'

She thanked her father's valet and dashed off to the suite of rooms which her mother occupied. These were a distance from this apartment and she prayed she would be in time to prevent Papa from poking the hornet's nest.

There was no need to knock as the door was open – it was strangely quiet. She stepped in to find the room deserted. 'Mama, are you there? I require to talk to you immediately.'

Her mother's elderly abigail shuffled out from the bedchamber and curtsied. 'Madam is with Miss Bennet – the master was just here asking after her.'

Fortunately Mary's room was only two doors down. As she raised her hand to knock her mother screamed. Lizzy was too late. She burst into the chamber just as her mother opened her mouth to howl a second time.

Her father was clutching the back of a chair but looked fiercely determined. Mary was ineffectually patting mama's hands but looked equally shocked.

Lizzy closed the door and reached her mother in two strides. 'Enough. Do you intend to wake the entire house with your caterwauling?'

Her appalling rudeness was sufficient to prevent the next outburst. Her mother straightened as if stuck by a hatpin. 'How dare you speak to me like that? Mr Bennet, are you going to let your daughter treat me so shabbily?'

Her sister instead of joining in the condemnation collapsed into an abject heap and tears streamed down her cheeks. Lizzy drew a steadying breath and faced her family.

'I'm not sure what Papa has just told you but I can assure you he has spoken out of turn and has quite misunderstood the matter.'

Now she had mortally offended her father as well. He glowered at her but made no comment. It was Mary who recovered from her misery and scrambled to her feet.

'Oh dearest Lizzy, please tell me my life is not in ruins. That Sir Robert is not to be taken away in shackles as a traitor.'

'Sit down all of you. What I'm going to tell you is in the strictest confidence and must not be spoken of anywhere. Do you understand me? I could be sent to the tower for revealing this information.' Her mother was an inveterate gossip but when the happiness of her daughter was at stake Lizzy believed she would hold her tongue.

This was a master stroke and all three focussed their full attention on her. 'Both the gentlemen in question are double agents and this must not be revealed. It's imperative they complete their mission.'

Her mother mopped her eyes but still looked bewildered. 'I don't understand. Are they traitors or are they not?'

Mary quickly explained what being a double agent meant and her mama eventually grasped the salient points. 'I knew it all along, Sir Robert and Lady Sinclair are now my dearest friends so could not possibly be involved in anything nefarious. Mr Bennet, you must speak to Richard tomorrow and give your permission. I think I shall ask Mr Collins to conduct the service. I'm sure he will be honoured to do so. I don't expect he will have officiated at such a prestigious service before…'

Her father called a halt to this babbling. 'Mrs Bennet, have you lost your senses? Are you suggesting that our daughter marry the son of a spy? When word gets out – and you can be very sure it will – the family will be ostracised. Nobody will wish to be associated with a man involved in such dubious dealings, however noble his motives.'

This wasn't going well. It seemed that her father was not going to give his permission after all. Then before her mother could resume her screeching Mary stepped in.

'Papa, I don't care what Sir Robert has done. As long as he isn't going to be arrested then I see no reason why Richard and I cannot be together. You can hardly blame my future husband for the behaviour of his father.'

'I wasn't aware that he had made you an offer. He should have spoken to me before doing so.'

Mary's cheeks coloured. 'I told him not to do so until I'd broached the matter to you first. We have only been acquainted for a day or two but we both know the moment we met that we were destined to be together.'

For a moment it hung in the balance and then her father nodded. 'Lydia, married a villain and was bitterly unhappy. Lizzy, Jane and Kitty have all married exemplary young men and I don't have the heart to deny you despite my reservations. Reluctantly I'll give you my blessing, Mary.'

Lizzy began to relax but then he continued. 'But you will be married by special licence, in private, and there will be no announcement made in The Times. I hope you will have the decency to keep your distance from Longbourn and not taint your family by association. The Bennet name must not be dragged into any unsavoury scandal.' He frowned. 'Whatever your assurances, Lizzy, I'm certain Hall and Sinclair are not to be trusted.'

Her sister smiled. 'Thank you, Papa, as long as my family is present I need no one else. Richard has told me he has an excellent estate in Kent and I'll be perfectly content to remain in seclusion with him there.'

'Then I shall speak to your young man tomorrow and have him set things in motion. Perhaps Darcy will allow you to marry in the chapel here.' He nodded at his wife, smiled at Lizzy and walked out, presumably satisfied events had turned out as he wished.

'Mary, I'm so happy for you. Richard is an excellent young man and I look forward to welcoming him into the family. You might not be welcome at Longbourn, but you may visit here as often as you wish.'

Her mother was the only one less satisfied with the outcome and she continued to protest that there was to be no wedding breakfast, long list of guests or public celebrations. Lizzy embraced her sister and left her to escort their parent back to her own apartment.

Fitzwilliam appeared in the passageway outside their bedchamber just as she arrived. 'Everything has been smoothed over, my love, and it would appear there's to be another Bennet wedding in our chapel.'

*

He took her hand and led her into their rooms. 'My cousin intends to offer for the Hall girl – so no doubt he will expect to be married here as well.'

'I take it you've left the eviction to him – a wise move. I sincerely hope that this year will prove to be the last one so packed with drama and intrigue. I long for quiet days filled with our children and family.'

'About these weddings, Lizzy, I think they should take place as soon as can be arranged. It will be impossible to keep the Sinclair and Hall names out of the hands of the gossips when they eventually unmask the traitor.'

'My father is determined to have Mary marry Richard by special licence – it might be wise for your cousin and Miss Hall to do the same.'

'If they send to Doctors' Commons by express they should have the licences before the ball. Why not have the weddings in the morning and the ball as a celebration in the evening? I know Mr Bennet wishes to keep the event intimate, but he can hardly object to it being announced that evening.'

'My mother, no doubt, will take to her bed in high dudgeon and bemoan the fact that there are to be no visits to warehouses or purchases of bride clothes. That cannot be helped – we shall see the last two unmarried members of our families tie the knot and then we are done with it.'

'Until all the children are grown and need to be married.'

'I refuse to contemplate such a thing. I intend to enjoy a peaceful decade or two before that happens.'

As both their personal servants had been dismissed he would have to assist her disrobe – this was something he enjoyed.

He had barely drifted into a contented sleep when there was a furious hammering on the door. He jerked upright and was out of bed and pulling on his boots and breeches before he answered.

'Who is it, Fitzwilliam? Why is someone banging on the door in the middle of the night?'

'I'm not a clairvoyant, my love, but I'd wager it something to do with the unwanted visitors downstairs.'

'Do you require me to get dressed and come with you?'

'Absolutely not. Remain where you are and allow me to deal with it.' By this time he was more or less decently clothed and strode to the door. Rather than speak to whoever it was from inside the bedchamber he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

Peterson stood there, his hair on end and his expression far from sanguine. He was correctly dressed so obviously had not yet been to his bed.

'You must come at once, sir, someone has been shot. I've sent for the doctor.'

Darcy took the secondary stairs at a run. When he was still a considerable distance from the West Wing he could hear the rumpus. There were women shrieking, men shouting and it was only a matter of time before all the guests were awake and wondering what was taking place below them.

'Where is Colonel Fitzwilliam? Dammit, man, who has been shot?'

The butler was barely keeping up with him. 'One of the gentlemen, I think, but there is such a furore going on it's hard to tell. The…err...ladies are fighting amongst themselves. It's like a bear garden, forgive me for saying so, sir.'

'Are carriages ready to depart? Is the baggage loaded?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Fetch all the footmen, make sure they are armed with cudgels. This ends now.'

They had arrived at the double doors that led into this section of Pemberley. It was hard to distinguish one voice from another and he wasn't even sure if his cousin was actually in there. Darcy stiffened his spine and flung the doors open.

He'd snatched up his loaded and primed pistol as he'd raced from his apartment. He pointed it at the ceiling and pulled the trigger. The deafening noise had the desired effect. The gaudily clad women ceased their screeching and their companions turned as one to stare at him.

Only then did he see the person who had been shot was his cousin. He was slumped against the wall, a spreading red stain on his left shoulder. He raised a hand to indicate he was not gravely wounded.

'You will all leave my house this instant. I don't care who shot the colonel.' Whilst he was speaking he drew the second of his duelling pistols, thanking God that he'd had the sense to bring both with him. 'I'm quite prepared to shoot anyone who doesn't follow my instructions to the letter.'

There was a scuffle behind him and he was surrounded by two dozen men eager to show their loyalty by forcibly evicting anyone who didn't move of their own volition.

There was another door halfway down this large room which led to a corridor, which in turn opened onto the path that led to the stables. He gestured with his gun and stepped forward – this was enough to set things in motion and within a short while the final carriage was clattering down the drive.

He returned to see Hugo, looking a bit pale, was on his feet. Peterson had handed him a folded square of clean linen to press against the wound.

*

Lizzy ignored Fitzwilliam's order to remain where she was and tumbled out of bed. She grovelled for her discarded garments on the floor where she'd thrown them earlier. This was no good – she would have to light a candle or she would never be able to dress herself successfully.

Once there was illumination she recovered her undergarments and petticoats and stepped into them. Then it was simple to drop her gown over her head and push her bare feet into her slippers. There was no time to put up her hair so she quickly braided it and left this plait dangling down her back.

Her mother would be scandalised to see her in such disarray. As Lizzy didn't anticipate meeting her parent before noon tomorrow she believed herself safe to venture forth. Peterson, a normally phlegmatic person, must have been deeply disturbed to arrive at the door in such a state of agitation.

Whatever her husband had said to her on the subject, she knew what her duty was. If someone had been shot then as the lady of the house she must take care of the injured person.

It had taken her far too long to get ready and she increased her pace determined to arrive at the West Wing as soon as possible. She had expected to hear raised voices and shrieks but all was quiet. The double doors ahead of her stood open and it was obvious the unwanted guests had already been evicted.

On stepping inside she saw Fitzwilliam approaching with his arm around his cousin's waist. Hugo didn't look at all the thing and she saw it had been him who had been wounded.

'Bring him to your study, my dear, we can attend to him there. Has Doctor Bevan been sent for?'

'He should be here within the hour – unless he's already attending a confinement or someone on his deathbed. You should not have come down, Lizzy, this is no place for a lady.'

She ignored his comments and issued clear instructions to Peterson about her requirements. It took longer than it should have done to reach the study and she was concerned that the patient was now barely upright.