A Spy at Pemberley (5 page)

He had no time to dwell on this thought as Forsyth spoke up from the other end of the table. 'I expect you're wondering how I met Caroline.'

He had absolutely no interest in the subject but could hardly tell the earnest young man this fact. He forced a look of curiosity on his face. 'I am indeed, sir, but there's no need to tell me if you would prefer to keep this matter private.'

Forsyth beamed. 'It's no secret, Darcy. I met her at a musical evening I was attending with my family. The performances were appalling – no professional singer or player had been retained – and halfway through I slipped away. Caroline had done the same and for both of us it was a
coup de foudre
. Love at first sight and from that moment we were both determined we would be together somehow.'

'I'd not thought of her as having a romantic nature – but love can do strange things to a person. You must remain here for several weeks until your residency can be established.'

'I shall have reached my majority by then. I cannot imagine that my father will think to look here for us. I've no idea where we shall be living once the knot's tied. I have a very small estate in Essex but I hardly think Caroline will desire to live there.'

'I'm sure that you can remain at Bingley's place in Town. He rarely goes to London nowadays.' Surely Forsyth was aware that once he was married to Caroline her fortune would be his own?

'You will be able to buy something more substantial anywhere in the country. Does Caroline intend to live near Mrs Hurst?'

'Absolutely not. She has little time for her older sister or her husband. Derbyshire seems a pleasant place to live and I'm sure she would love to be close to her brother and his wife.'

Caroline might be Bingley's sister, but she could be considered almost as a member of his family, so why did his spirits fall at this news? 'I'm sure that my steward could find you something suitable when he returns if that's what you require. Please excuse me; I have estate business to attend to.' He nodded and strode off, belatedly realising his unfortunate guest would have no notion where to find his future wife or indeed anywhere else in the vast establishment that was Pemberley.

The study was his retreat. He was rarely disturbed when working there although Lizzy had often come to sit with him when they were first married. He missed the closeness they'd once had. He'd only become involved with his cousin's intelligence work because Lizzy had less time for him since the twins were born. He now understood that his being away so much had just compounded the problem.

They would be alone in London, she wouldn't have the distraction of the children, and he was determined to court his beloved Lizzy and persuade her to fall in love with him again.

Chapter Five

Caroline had never been a particular friend of Lizzy's – if she was honest she had never taken to her from the first moment they'd become acquainted at a ball at Meryton so many years ago. Neither of Charles's sisters had been invited to the recent weddings as they were not included in the close family circle.

Therefore Lizzy wasn't sure she wanted Caroline to accompany her to the nursery. No doubt she would sneer and make supercilious comments as was her want. Miss Bingley had expected to be mistress at Pemberley and had made her displeasure clear when she and Fitzwilliam had married.

'How old are the twins? I misremember exactly when they were born last year.'

'They are not quite nine months old. You will see how advanced they are which is unusual for twins. They are both crawling and have been sitting up unaided since November.'

They had reached the nursery floor and Fabian and Amanda could be clearly heard banging about and laughing as they did so. Lizzy rushed in and immediately the babies stopped what they were doing and crawled towards her.

She dropped to her knees so she could embrace them forgetting she was accompanied this morning by an unwanted visitor.

'May I hold one of your babies, please? They are quite delightful – Amanda looks just like you and Fabian like Darcy.'

Lizzy was cradling her babies on her lap. 'I'm not sure if either of them will go to you without protest, but we can see.'

Caroline stretched out her arms towards the nearest child which happened to be Amanda. 'Come to your Aunt Caroline, little one. How pretty you are – just like your mama.'

The baby didn't hesitate. She launched herself across the gap and was soon babbling and gurgling happily as if she'd known her new Aunt Caroline for ever.

They stayed for an hour or more and by the end of it Lizzy was a fair way to having changed her mind about their guest. Gone was the unpleasant manipulative young lady and in her place was a charming, happy person who could now be recognised as being a member of the family.

Lizzy had been expecting her husband to join them as he'd promised and was disappointed that he'd changed his mind. Perhaps he thought he would be intruding – but she was beginning to wonder if he found his son and daughter tiresome and that was the reason he didn't visit.

As they were making their way to the ground floor Caroline touched her arm. 'You must be wondering how someone as…as proud as myself has behaved with such a lack of decorum.'

'We were certainly surprised to hear that you had eloped – but love will make the most sensible of people behave out of character.'

'How right you are, my dear Lizzy. I thought I was immune to this emotion but the moment I set eyes on dearest Robert everything changed. I hope you can forgive me for my previous behaviour.'

'It is forgotten. From now on things shall be different between us. Charles will be happy that you're to be back in his life again. Shall we find the gentlemen, or are you going to go next door and become reacquainted with your sister-in-law?'

'I must speak to Robert first, but then I should dearly love to see Jane and my niece. I barely had time to talk to Charles either yesterday. I've so much to tell him.'

There was no need for Caroline to go elsewhere as Charles, Jane and Charlotte were in the drawing room with Mr Forsyth. There was no sign of Fitzwilliam.

It was a merry party indeed and Lizzy immediately sent up for the twins to join them. Rugs had been spread on the priceless carpet so the children could play with their toys. She had arranged for a cold collation to be served on tables halfway down the room as midday approached.

The nursemaids, who had been chatting together on the periphery of the family group, were beckoned forward and took their charges to the nursery where they could eat their own lunch.

'Forgive me, everyone, but I must go and find Fitzwilliam. I cannot think what has been keeping him busy all morning.' Lizzy nodded and headed for the study. He had better have an excellent excuse for his bad manners.

Was he regretting his decision to invite Caroline and Robert to live with them until they were married? She could think of no other explanation that made sense. Then she understood. The couple should be staying with Charles and Jane, not with them. There was ample room in the East Wing for a dozen guests and this didn't prevent the marriage eventually taking place in the chapel.

This she could arrange before searching out her husband. She walked briskly back to the drawing room and beckoned to Jane. Immediately her sister left the group and came to join her. 'What is it, Lizzy? You look most perturbed.'

'Could you take Caroline and Mr Forsyth back with you? They should be staying in your home – after all they are your family not ours.' She regretted the bluntness of her words when she saw the shock on Jane's face.

'Of course, I cannot think why Charles allowed them to move in here. I know how much Darcy dislikes having strangers around him. I shall send word next door and have rooms prepared immediately. Is that why your husband has been absent all morning?'

'I think it might be – but there is no excuse for his incivility and I intend to have stern words with him. Please don't wait for us to join you but enjoy your luncheon.'

'We shall be gone as soon as we've eaten and leave you to yourselves. Between us we have made a sad mull of things.'

Lizzy took her sister's hands. 'I believe that Charles was protecting you. Caroline treated you disgracefully…'

'Good heavens! That was so long ago I'd quite forgotten. Go and find your errant husband, my love, and tell him the good news.'

*

Darcy looked at his pocket watch and swore under his breath. Lizzy must think him deliberately avoiding their guests. First he'd become caught up in an estate matter which had required him to write to his lawyers and then a missive from his cousin had arrived by express. The information contained therein also required an immediate response. Then the curate had arrived and it had taken an interminable time to arrange things for the wedding.

The colonel wanted them in London immediately but this was now impossible. By the time he'd written this second letter explaining the reasons he couldn't come, two hours had passed. He'd given his wife his word he would spend time with her and the children and he'd broken it.

He hoped he could smooth things over by being at his most charming when he joined them. He was about to head for the drawing room when the door flew open.

'Fitzwilliam, have you been hiding from us?' Lizzy looked less than delighted to see him.

'I beg your pardon, sweetheart, I had letters to write that couldn't wait. I'm coming now.'

'I know why you remained here so long – you don't enjoy having Caroline and Forsyth staying with us. I cannot think why you invited them to come here in the first place. I've arranged for them to move next door. They are not really our family – but my sister's.'

He was about to protest but decided against it. 'You're right, my love, Bingley should have spoken up. This place is big enough to avoid a person one doesn't feel inclined to speak to so they could have remained here. However, they will do better next door.'

'A buffet has been set out in the drawing room. I am sharp-set as it seems an age since breakfast. I have sent a note to your sister to invite them to dine on Tuesday. Jonathan should be back from his business trip by then.'

'It's a great pity that Kitty is unable to travel at the moment – how much longer will she be so discommoded?'

She shrugged. 'One would hope that she will recover when she reaches her fourth month – but unfortunately not every pregnancy follows the expected pattern.'

He could hear voices from the drawing room and was relieved everyone was still there. 'I apologise for not being able to spend time with our children as I promised, my dear.'

'You refine on it too much, Fitzwilliam. I do not expect you to be as involved with the twins as I am. I'm sure you will find them more interesting when they are able to communicate.'

This wasn't what he'd meant at all but they had arrived at the door and he had no opportunity to tell her she was quite wrong on that account.

After a pleasant hour Bingley and his family rose to leave. 'We shall see you at matins on Sunday, Darcy. I believe we are all coming here to dine on Tuesday night with your sister and her husband. We shall not importune you further.'

He and Lizzy walked to the door and then a footman conducted their guests through the Grand Hall. For some reason Peterson had decided the group must exit through the front door which was rarely used nowadays.

'We need to talk, my love, are you free to do so or do you have a more pressing engagement?'

'What could I possibly have to do that is of more importance than conversing with my lord and master?' Her smile told him he was forgiven.

Once they were comfortably settled in front of the fire he explained to her why he had been so delayed. 'Did your cousin not explain to you why we should go to London so urgently?'

'He didn't. I've told him we cannot go until the end of the month as planned but I couldn't tell him why – that's not my secret to reveal.'

'Forsyth could send for a special licence and then they could be married immediately.'

'He could if he was not under age. We cannot tell him the true reason we are going to Town and without that knowledge he would see no reason for us to require to depart so urgently. I cannot think it matters if we arrive a few weeks later than planned.'

'I have already written to the butler and housekeeper at Grosvenor Square. I have been thinking, my dear, that nobody will know we are in residence until we arrive. How then can we go to the requisite number of events in order to meet the Sinclair family?'

'My cousin will mention it and word will soon spread. I can assure you there will be dozens of suitable invitations waiting for us when we eventually arrive.'

'In which case, I cannot think of anything else that needs to be done to make this a successful venture. I still find it incredible that such a confirmed bachelor has finally decided to seek out a wife.'

'As do I, but we shall do our best to help him in this endeavour. Did I tell you that Forsyth intends to settle in Derbyshire so they can be close to Bingley and Jane?'

'That will be quite delightful for them.' She pursed her lips and he laughed.

'There will be no necessity for us to see them any more than you wish to, Lizzy. Caroline might appear to have improved her character but…'

'But leopards do not change their spots.'

'Indeed they do not, my love. Now, if there isn't anything else you need to say on the subject I must visit one of my tenants this afternoon. Do you intend to come with me?'

She gestured towards the rain-filled clouds. 'Thank you, but I've no desire to be drenched.' She stretched up and kissed him but skipped away before he could reciprocate.

He watched her sadly. He hated having to lie to her and dreaded to think what she would say if she ever discovered his deception.

*

Caroline came round every morning – sometimes on her own and sometimes with Jane, Forsyth and Charles. On the day of the dinner party Lizzy was playing with the babies in the nursery and Fitzwilliam was dealing with a letter that had come from London by express.

The door opened and Caroline drifted in. 'Good morning. On your own again I see?'

Lizzy didn't see why she should explain her husband's actions so ignored the comment. Her unwanted visitor pulled over a footstool and joined her on the floor. 'I think it sad that Darcy has not taken to fatherhood. One cannot help but notice that Charles spends so much more time with his baby.'

'He is an excellent father but has more to do than Charles.'

'I'm sure he does, my dear Elizabeth, and like most gentlemen he prefers to leave the rearing of children to his wife.'

There was something about Caroline this morning that made Lizzy wary. Was she getting up to her old tricks and doing what she could to cause dissent?

'Pray don't let me keep you, Caroline. I'm sure you have better things to do with your time than be up here with my children.'

'It must be a comfort being able to spend time with Amanda and Fabian. It will be hard for you to leave them behind when you go to London – but I shall come every day in your stead so they will not go without loving attention.'

This would not do at all. Lizzy couldn't get up as she had her son on her lap but she straightened and answered icily. 'That will not be necessary, but I thank you for your offer, only immediate family will be welcome in Pemberley in my absence.'

Caroline stood up gracefully; her lips smiled but her eyes were hard. 'Dearest Darcy considers me a sister, we have been closely acquainted for many years – far longer than you and he have known each other. I can see that you are drifting apart. I'm certain he regrets his choice and…'

Lizzy deposited her son on the carpet much to his annoyance. Ignoring his howls of protest she moved until she was an arm's length from her tormentor. 'How dare you come into my home as if you had a right to be here? Remove yourself immediately and do not come again. Your invitation to dine tonight is cancelled as is the offer for you to be married in our chapel.'