A Scandal at Pemberley Read online

  ‘I take it that one of you also spoke to the housekeeper about preparing a chamber for her?’

  ‘I did that, Georgiana, and the matter is already in hand.’ Jonathan said.

  ‘I believe there will be a dozen or more visitors this afternoon, I do hope you gentlemen will remain to support us?’ Kitty asked, sending a stern look to her husband.

  They agreed that they would be there, and the remainder of the mealtime passed with companionable chit-chat and there was barely time to run upstairs to tidy up before the first of the callers were due to arrive.

  The minute hand was barely passed the hour before the first arrivals appeared. Georgiana was sitting with Mary, and Kitty sat on her own with Adam standing guard behind her. However, once the guests began to pour in they were obliged to stand.

  Two parlourmaids were in constant demand at the tea urn which had been placed at the far end of the room and two footmen circulated with almond biscuits and a variety of other beverages. Georgiana believed this must be the busiest house in Grosvenor Square this afternoon.

  She was able to snatch a moment’s conversation with Jonathan. ‘The amount of carriages calling here must be causing congestion outside. As no one stays above a quarter of an hour, the coachmen will be waiting and not move on to make room for the next arrival.’

  ‘I had no idea morning calls were so frantic – I had imagined half a dozen elegant ladies sipping tea, not this crush.’

  ‘Perhaps this is a common thing during the Season. No doubt our visitors move on to the next house. I suppose that we must return the compliment, but as I have little notion who most of these people are and no clue as to where they reside, I think that an impossible task.’

  They were interrupted by a flurry of farewells as a Lady Something or Other departed with her three noisy daughters in tow. As expected several hopeful young gentlemen had been dragged along by their mamas, but none of them participated in the chatter, they hovered on the fringe looking uncomfortable. She rather thought that having Jonathan and Adam marching about the room might be the reason these visitors were so subdued.

  Morning calls always finished at five o’clock, so the influx at a quarter to the hour should be the last. There were still a dozen or more visitors drinking tea and eating biscuits when she looked round to see Lady Rawlings, accompanied by her two daughters and her son, bustle into the drawing room.

  Kitty greeted the family and led them to the tea urn. Jonathan and Adam had abandoned them half an hour since and there were no other gentlemen present.

  ‘Miss Darcy, I bid you good afternoon. I have been traipsing from house to house since two o’clock this afternoon. I cannot tell you how tedious morning calls are for a gentleman.’ Mr Rawlings bowed and accompanied his complaint with a charming smile. She could not take offence at his words for she agreed with him.

  ‘In which case there is no necessity to offer you refreshments – no doubt you are overflowing with tea and biscuits already.’

  ‘I am indeed, but there has been a dearth of interesting conversation and that you can certainly supply.’

  Somehow they had drifted apart from the crowd and were now standing alone. ‘I fear I am quite out of any sort of conversation, let alone something interesting. Tell me, Mr Rawlings, were the other places as busy as here?’

  ‘No, this has been the most popular.’ He gestured towards the window. ‘It is possible that the queue of carriages outside attracted those who had not intended to call themselves. My mother informed me that she could not recall the Darcy house being open to morning calls before. Naturally, everybody wishes to see inside the grandest house in the square.’

  ‘Good gracious! I had not thought of that. We are not at home tomorrow or the next day, but I suppose I must resign myself to a similar experience the next time we open the doors to visitors.’

  ‘I imagine that your ball will be the success of the Season, Miss Darcy. It is already the talk of the town; you must beware of gatecrashers for there are those that did not receive invitations who are determined to attend.’

  The clock struck the quarter of an hour, cups and saucers were hastily put down, the last mouthful of biscuits swallowed, and there was a general exodus. Georgiana had no time to consider the implications of Mr Rawlings’ comment but, as she was preparing for the evening, his words came back to her.

  A shiver travelled down her spine. Had his remark been merely a pleasantry or was it a warning?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mrs Anthea Bishop, Jonathan’s cousin, arrived when Georgiana and the others were gathered in the drawing room after breakfast. He greeted her with affection and then introduced her to everybody. Mrs Bishop was of middle years, but her russet curls were still not tinged with grey and her figure trim and elegant.

  ‘Thank you so much for inviting me to be your chaperone, Miss Darcy, I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be in London at this time. Mr Bishop is away until the autumn, my children have flown the nest, and I rattle around in my house on my own.’

  ‘We are so pleased that you could come at such short notice, Mrs Bishop, you will be a very welcome addition to our party,’ Georgiana said as she dipped in a curtsy.

  Mary and Kitty greeted her with equal enthusiasm and soon she became Cousin Anthea to them all. She declared herself delighted with her accommodations and ready to escort Mary, Kitty and herself anywhere they wished to go. The gentlemen had already taken their leave saying they had business to attend to in the city.

  ‘I should like to go to Gunter’s to sample the ice cream,’ Kitty announced. ‘We could promenade along the street in our best bonnets and see what the world is doing this morning.’

  ‘I have been there once or twice,’ Georgiana replied, ‘but would very much like to go again. If we feel the weather is too chilly to eat ice cream then we can have chocolate and cake instead.’

  Mary agreed this was an excellent choice of excursion and they all retired to their chambers to put on their outdoor garments and boots.

  Ellie held out a pelisse that matched Georgiana’s gown. ‘Are you going to wear this, miss, or your thick cloak?’

  ‘That please, and the bonnet too. I know I would be warmer in my cloak, but I would not be so fashionable.’ She smiled at her nonsense – when had she become so interested in her appearance?

  She stepped away from the glass in order to view her image and was satisfied she looked her best. She tilted her head and her lips curved. ‘This is a ridiculous hat, Ellie. Whatever possessed me to order it? The brim is far too deep and I shall not be able to see the person walking next to me.’

  ‘You look ever so smart, Miss Darcy, everyone will be staring at you.’

  Georgiana giggled. ‘That is what I’m afraid of, but it is too late to do anything about it for I cannot keep my friends waiting a moment longer. We are making calls this afternoon so will you have something suitable ready for me when I return?’

  In fact she was the first to arrive in the entrance hall and was adjusting her bonnet ribbons when there was a knock on the front door. A footman moved from his position in the shadows and walked briskly to open the door.

  ‘Jonathan, I thought you were gone for the day.’ She was so delighted to see her beloved she quite forgot they were in full view of anyone descending the staircase.

  ‘Sweetheart, I could not stay away a moment longer. I cannot think why I chose to go out with Adam when I have so little time to spend with you before I must return to Colchester.’ He opened his arms and she flew into them.

  His arms closed around her and she put her hands around his neck. His skin was cold for he had gone hatless into the cool April morning. Then she forgot everything else as his mouth closed over hers in a hard, demanding kiss. She was lost to all sense of propriety, her senses swam and her blood fizzed around her body.

  ‘Major Brownstone, that is quite enough. You might be engaged to Miss Darcy, but such behaviour is unacceptable even between a betrothed couple.’

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p; Georgiana shot backwards almost losing her balance and would have moved away if he had not kept hold of her hand. She turned, her face scarlet, to see Cousin Anthea staring at them with disapproval.

  Instead of being embarrassed by his cousin’s reprimand, Jonathan laughed. ‘You do not frighten me, my dear, but you are right to remind us to behave in public.’

  ‘You are incorrigible, sir, and I think it would be a good idea if you returned to Colchester and remained there until the wedding.’ Cousin Anthea’s words were harsh, but her tone was light and her eyes twinkled.

  ‘I beg your pardon, but I was so pleased to see Jonathan…’

  ‘That was patently obvious, but I suggest that in future you both behave with more decorum if you are not to get yourselves a bad reputation.’

  The sound of Kitty and Mary approaching ended the conversation not a moment too soon for Georgiana. Jonathan drew her to one side. ‘I am coming with you, my love, I intend to be at your side every remaining minute that I am in Town.’

  There was little point in suggesting that it would be a sad squash with five of them in the carriage, she knew him well enough to understand that he would not be dissuaded once had made up his mind.

  She sat with Mary and Kitty on one side and he sat with his cousin on the other and every time she caught his eye he winked at her and she bubbled inside with happiness. Kitty squeezed her hand.

  ‘I cannot believe how happy you look, dearest Georgiana. Now all we have to do is find Mary an eligible gentleman to fall in love with and then all the Bennet sisters will be settled.’

  There was the spectre of Lydia between them, but neither of them mentioned it.

  The time they spent at Gunter’s was as enjoyable as it had been on her other visits and, apart from the fact that trying to spoon the delicious confection in her mouth whilst wearing a silly bonnet was almost impossible, Georgiana thought the excursion a resounding success.

  Cousin Anthea fixed Jonathan with a basilisk stare. ‘Well, at least you behaved yourself whilst we were out. I hope that you are not intending to accompany us on our morning calls as well?’

  He was leaning in the corner with his long booted legs stretched sideways in the well of the carriage. He raised an eyebrow and shook his head sadly. ‘I fear you are mistaken, my dear, I would not dream of allowing you to escort these diamonds of the first water to the houses of strangers without being there to offer my protection.’

  Cousin Anthea snorted inelegantly. ‘You’re doing it too brown, sir, making morning calls is hardly a dangerous occupation.’

  Georgiana was squashed into the corner, the one furthest away from him, and whilst still half-listening to the cousins bickering amiably she turned her attention to the streets outside. Her stomach lurched and she thought her ice cream about to return.

  ‘Jonathan, I swear that I saw Lydia Wickham just now.’ Her heart was thudding and her hands were clammy with dread.

  ‘You must be mistaken, my love, they are safely at Longbourn and do not have the funds to travel, nor the means to convey themselves here.’ Jonathan was now sitting straight, his expression serious.

  Kitty tried to reassure her. ‘The major is correct, dearest, Lydia has a common look about her, there must be a dozen or more young ladies that could be mistaken for her quite easily. Do you recall what she was wearing?’

  Georgiana closed her eyes trying to recapture the fleeting glimpse she had got of the girl she was convinced was her nemesis. ‘She had on a cloak of dark blue and a bonnet with a pink lining.’

  Kitty’s smile vanished. ‘I saw the very items you describe in Lydia’s closet when she was at Pemberley. Oh dear! What shall we do now?’

  ‘What is all this, Jonathan? There is something going on that I need to know about.’

  He quickly gave his cousin the bare outlines of the matter and she pursed her lips and looked quite terrifying. As Georgiana stared at them she could see the family resemblance in both character and visage.

  ‘I can see no reason to be worried, my dear Georgiana. Remember, you have both my cousin and Mr King to protect you, as well as myself. I can assure you that whatever mischief the Wickhams might be planning, they will not get near enough to you to cause you any upset.’

  Somewhat reassured by this vehement comment Georgiana unclenched her fists and managed a weak smile. ‘What about Mr Rawlings? He will be at all the prestigious events, and for all his protestations I cannot bring myself to trust him.’

  Jonathan stood up making the coach rock alarmingly and stepped over the muddle of booted feet until he was repositioned opposite her. He reached across and took her trembling fingers within his own.

  ‘I shall send word to Darcy and to Longbourn – we will discover how it is that Mr and Mrs Wickham come to be in London when they are without funds.’

  ‘Oh, you must not worry Lizzy, not in her delicate condition. Cousin Anthea is quite correct, I have both you and Adam here, and that will be sufficient to keep me safe.’

  Kitty leaned forward so Georgiana could see her face; she was not reassured by what she saw. ‘We are going to a musicale tonight, I think that should be perfectly safe, for at an informal event everyone will know each other and there is no chance that uninvited guests could find their way in.’

  The words that Mr Rawlings had spoken to Georgiana the other night returned to her. She could not prevent a small shriek escaping. The other occupants swivelled to look at her in shock. ‘I had forgotten to tell you all what Mr Rawlings said to me. He warned me to beware of gatecrashers.’

  Jonathan’s eyes narrowed and his lips thinned. ‘Did he indeed? I believe you might be right not to trust him, sweetheart, in fact I think it might be wise if you forego the pleasures of Town and return to Pemberley at once.’

  ‘Nonsense, you are overreacting,’ Cousin Anthea said firmly. ‘No one is going to miss the jollity of their first Season. I know you cannot be here for more than a few days, Jonathan, but Mr King is more than up to the task of taking care of the young ladies in my charge.’

  His fingers tensed around hers and Georgiana braced herself. No gentleman enjoyed being spoken to like that.

  ‘Georgiana is my future wife and I shall decide what is best for her.’ His tone was icy and the atmosphere in the carriage chilled. Mary and Kitty shrank back against the squabs and she withdrew her hands from his not wishing to be part of this family squabble.

  ‘I think that Georgiana is quite capable of making her own decisions. Do you wish to go home, my dear? Or do you trust those whose charge you are in to take care of you in the absence of your betrothed?’

  ‘I have no wish to disagree with either of you, but I must own I do not enjoy being in London or attending balls and parties. I shall remain whilst Jonathan is here, but after that I shall go back.’

  This announcement caused dismay. Both Kitty and Mary were horrified at her decision. ‘Then Adam and I shall return as well,’ Kitty said firmly.

  ‘I agree with Georgiana, being squashed and ogled at is not something I enjoy. I too will return with you.’

  This was not what she had intended at all. ‘No, I insist that you remain here. We can hardly cancel the invitations we have sent out to the ball in two weeks’ time. Perhaps, on consideration, I shall reconsider my previous comment. I might stay until the Darcy ball has taken place.’

  Jonathan remained tight-lipped. ‘I think this is best discussed in private, my love.’

  The remainder of the journey was completed in an uncomfortable silence. Cousin Anthea had taken offence and Georgiana and her friends had no wish to make matters worse, so held their peace.

  *

  Lizzy snatched up the little brass bell that was placed on a side table within reach of her hand and rang it vigourously. Not for the first time she wished she was still nimble on her feet and able to run to find her husband and father. However, by the time she had regained her feet and waddled through the house a servant could have fetched them both here.

  A
footman arrived in answer to her summons at the same time as Papa burst in through the doors that led to the library. She waved away the servant and held out the letter. ‘I take it you have received a similar missive from Longbourn?’

  ‘Indeed I have, my dear, it was so besmirched with tears that I could scarcely read it. This disaster is entirely my fault, I should never have let Mrs Bennet go home alone.’ He collapsed onto an adjacent chair and dropped his head into his hands.

  ‘Papa, have you sent word to Fitzwilliam? He must come at once to decide what action should be taken.’

  His reply was indistinct as he did not look up, but she was sure he had said that he had not sent for her husband. She rang the bell again and this time the footman appeared immediately. ‘Mr Darcy must be fetched; it is a matter of extreme urgency that he be found. If he is not within these walls then have men go around the estate until he is located.’

  Her father continued to mutter and blame himself for his lack of forethought. She had no time for this, he must pull himself together so they could discuss this sensibly. ‘Papa, sit up, we must talk. This is no more your fault than it is mine. How could either of us have known that Lydia would stoop so low as to steal from you? We have always known that Wickham is a flawed character, he left unpaid debts throughout the country when he ran away with my sister – Fitzwilliam was obliged to settle those as well as give him a substantial sum of money to marry her.’

  ‘The day that man came into our lives was a disaster for the family. I’m sure that Lydia would not have behaved so reprehensibly without his encouragement. She has always been a silly girl, flighty and selfish, but never dishonest.’ He delved into his jacket pocket and removed a handkerchief in order to wipe tears from his cheeks. ‘She is lost to us now, Lizzy, she will never be welcome at Longbourn or anywhere else.’