A Scandal at Pemberley Page 3

  She spoke to the footman who was hovering on the periphery of her vision. ‘Kindly fetch refreshments for the major. Bring them to this chamber.’

  Fortunately there was a merry fire burning in the grate and the room was delightfully warm after the chill of the vast vestibule. Her heart was thumping uncomfortably and an unpleasant trickle of perspiration slid between her shoulder blades. There could only be one reason why he had arrived in such a hurry, but didn’t wish to speak to Fitzwilliam. He was about to break her heart.

  She selected an upright chair and sat down glad her legs had not given way beneath her. He had the good sense to leave the door open but seemed reluctant to be seated himself. He paced the floor, his expression grim, and his incivility began to annoy her.

  ‘Please, sir, stop prowling around the room, you are giving me a headache. I am at a loss to understand what you are doing here and I insist that you explain yourself immediately.’

  The sharpness of her tone had the desired effect and he halted abruptly and stared at her through narrowed eyes. Then he snatched off his hat and flung it into the fire. Instinctively she recoiled from the explosion of flames and, before she could prevent it, she was tumbling backwards in a tangle of skirts and chair legs.

  If she had thought his language inappropriate before, now it made her ears burn. He was beside her in an instant, snatched her from the floor and kicked the broken chair aside. ‘I am behaving like a veritable duffer, you must think me fit for Bedlam.’ He gently placed her in a small armchair next to the fire.

  ‘Major Brownstone, I cannot imagine what has caused you to behave so… so intemperately. Up until this point I had considered you a sensible man...’ A large puff of evil-smelling smoke chose that moment to engulf them both and she was unable to complete her sentence.

  By the time they had finished coughing several footmen had arrived, no doubt attracted by the pungent smell of the burning military hat. Her eyes were streaming and he was in no better state. He tossed her his handkerchief and snatched up a damask napkin from the tray of a startled parlourmaid.

  ‘There is no need to be concerned, a slight mishap with the major’s hat. Please leave the tray on the marquetry side table.’

  ‘A slight mishap, my dear, is hardly how I would describe what has happened to my shako.’ His eyes were brimming with laughter and he was having difficulty containing himself.

  She had intended to remain stern, but his amusement was infectious and a bubble of mirth escaped; soon they were laughing and his extraordinary behaviour was temporarily forgotten. His toe-curling smile reminded her that he was an attractive man and they were more or less alone together. After all the excitement she was quite certain Peterson, the butler, would now be hovering anxiously outside the door to step in if he considered anything improper was about to take place.

  ‘Major, can I offer you some coffee or a slice of cake?’ She nodded towards the open door and he winked. This almost sent her into a second fit of giggles.

  ‘Thank you, Miss Darcy, coffee and cake would be quite delightful.’

  ‘There is an unpleasant draught coming through the door, would you be so kind as to close it a little?’

  He carefully moved the door so that anyone lurking outside would be hard pressed to overhear a conversation inside. When he had safely returned to his seat he picked up his coffee and drank it in one swallow.

  ‘I had better try and explain why I incinerated my hat.’ He reached across and poured himself a second cup of the aromatic brew but this time set it down beside him on an octagonal table. ‘I wrote you a letter but then realised the contents were misjudged and came at a gallop to intercept the messenger. I take it you have not received a missive from me?’

  This was becoming more mysterious by the minute. ‘No, I have not. Surely you would have passed the groom if he left before you?’

  ‘One would have thought so, but I came across country and he would have stayed on the lane.’ He shook his head and punched his fist into his open palm. ‘I am a military man renowned for my cool head and decisive actions and yet today I have behaved like the veriest greenhorn.’ He stared morosely into the fire.

  The silence stretched between them and she began to feel uncomfortable. ‘A slice of cake, perhaps?’

  He shot back in his chair as if she had slapped him. ‘Why are we talking about cake? This is beyond ridiculous. Miss Darcy, I had better be frank with you or we shall be sitting here talking banalities until the wretched letter arrives.

  ‘Adam is under the misapprehension that you are expecting an offer from me. He is also of the opinion that Darcy approves of the match which is why he has allowed us to spend time together. Initially I thought he might be correct and had written with a preposterous suggestion which, on further consideration, I considered was inappropriate.’

  ‘I should like to know what is in this letter, sir, before it reaches me.’

  ‘Before I tell you the contents, I ask you something. You told me several times how much you are looking forward to having a Season and being presented formally to society and had no wish to form a lasting relationship with anyone – especially me. Forgive me if I misunderstood your feelings on the subject of matrimony to a serving soldier, Miss Darcy, but I thought we were in agreement that we would remain friends and nothing more.’

  The bodice of her gown seemed to be slowly squeezing the air from her chest. She had indeed said exactly that, but hearing it spoken out loud made her realise how foolish she had been. ‘You are quite correct, that is exactly my opinion. However, I am at a loss to know what you could have written that prompted you to arrive so precipitously.’ She was relieved her voice did not reflect her unhappiness.

  ‘When Adam said that everybody was expecting me to make you an offer, that our closeness would damage your reputation if I did not do so, I was prompted to write the letter.’

  Her misery increased. He had made her an offer and then regretted it. She had no wish to marry a gentleman who offered from duty rather than love. Despite her reservations about marriage, about following the drum, she understood in that moment that she would have accepted.

  She slowly replaced the delicate porcelain cup on the tray and stood up. ‘I understand perfectly, Major Brownstone. There is no need for you to mention the subject again. I thank you for your consideration, but I can assure you that you are correct in your initial assumption. The fact that our dearest friends are marrying does not mean that we are obliged to do the same.

  ‘I too have enjoyed our companionship, but it is possible we have given my family and your friends an erroneous impression. Therefore we must consider our friendship at an end. Thank you for visiting. If you will excuse me, I must dress for dinner.’

  She swept from the room and up the stairs without revealing her heartbreak. Fitzwilliam would be relieved she was not about to become embroiled in another scandal. Adam was quite wrong, her brother would never have allowed her to marry a penniless soldier.

  *

  Jonathan barely restrained his impulse to pick up the tray and hurl it across the room. He had mismanaged the situation badly and caused her unnecessary embarrassment and distress. She was quite right to dismiss him, he deserved all her opprobrium. The sooner he was back with his regiment where he could do no further harm the happier he would be.

  He wasn’t sure what had happened to his unfortunate horse when he had vaulted from the saddle and charged in. Presumably one of the many stableboys had taken it and he would find his mount safely housed in a loose box.

  He drained the last of the coffee and snatched up a slice of cake. Galloping about the countryside was

  hungry work and he intended to return via the same route he had arrived. When he reached the stable yard he was greeted by pandemonium – grooms running from place to place and a deal of shouting going on. He waylaid a lad.

  ‘What is amiss? Can I be of assistance?’

  The boy paused. ‘There’s bin a right nasty accident just down the
lane, two of the carriages has overturned, and there’s nags loose all over the countryside.’

  Darcy should hear about this, if Pemberley was the nearest house the injured would be brought here and his housekeeper and butler must be prepared. Instead of retracing his steps, he pounded down the path that led directly to a side entrance. He hammered on the door and got an immediate response.

  Ignoring the footman he rushed past intending to raise the alarm. He skidded to a halt on the polished floor. He had no idea in which direction to go. He turned and saw the footman close behind him.

  ‘Take me to Mr Darcy immediately. Inform your housekeeper and butler that there has been a serious carriage accident and there will be casualties arriving. The physician must be sent for as well.’

  The bewigged young man did not question his authority. ‘The billiard room is at the end of this corridor, sir, the gentlemen are in there. I shall convey your message to Mr Peterson and Mrs Reynolds directly.’

  Satisfied he had done everything necessary apart from inform Darcy, Jonathan strode down the length of the passageway and walked straight into the billiard room. The chamber was empty. He frowned; it was unusual for a servant not to know where his master was. Then he heard voices coming faintly from somewhere at the far end of the room and headed in that direction.

  ‘Darcy, it is I, Major Brownstone, I wish to speak to you urgently.’ His voice, at parade ground level, easily carried the length of the room.

  There was the sound of chairs crashing over and then Darcy, with Bingley close behind, appeared. ‘What the devil do you want, Brownstone? I do not take kindly to uninvited visitors yelling in my billiard room.’

  ‘There has been a serious carriage accident and the casualties are on their way here. Three vehicles were involved. I have informed your staff, and I am now informing you.’ Jonathan stopped halfway down the room and waited for the others to join him. He could see why Adam had told him that Darcy would make a formidable enemy. The man was approaching rapidly, his expression murderous.

  Darcy halted at arm’s length from him and if he had not been a battle-hardened soldier he might have flinched. Instead he held up a hand in a gesture of peace. ‘I beg your pardon, Darcy, if I have offended you by my military manners. It is in my nature to take charge and I believe I might have overstepped my authority.’

  For a moment the matter hung in the balance and then Darcy half-smiled. ‘And I beg your pardon, sir, for overreacting. I shall come with you, Brownstone. Bingley, would you be kind enough to tell the ladies before joining us?’

  As if from nowhere a topcoat, gloves and hat appeared and Darcy pulled them on as they thundered through the house and back to the stables. Jonathan’s mount was saddled and ready, he vaulted aboard and set off after the diligence and cart he could see in the middle distance. He was certain Darcy would not be far behind.

  *

  Georgiana was, for the second time, on her way to her apartment when Bingley hurried across the entrance hall and vanished in the direction of the small drawing room. She was tempted to follow and see what had caused him to abandon his normal languid way of movement but was still too upset about her encounter with the major.

  Her friend, with whom she shared an apartment, was safely ensconced with her sisters so she would have the chambers to herself. She needed to spend time alone and try and make sense of what had happened. The major was quite right to say that she had expressed on more than one occasion a desire to remain unmarried until she had at least one Season in Town. It was also true that when they had discussed his life as a serving soldier she had said such privations and danger were not to her taste.

  However, these opinions had been stated before she had developed feelings for him. A young lady was obligated to appear disinterested in any eligible bachelor she met if she did not wish to be seen as hanging out for a husband. They had spent three days together before he had returned to his regiment and then she had not had any contact with him until he returned two weeks ago.

  They had not corresponded whilst he had been away, but if she was honest he had been constantly in her thoughts during the intervening weeks. Indeed, even the excitement and pleasure of the Christmas festivities, the planning for Kitty’s wedding and their imminent return to Pemberley, had failed to push him from her mind.

  Although Fitzwilliam and Lizzy had made no mention of there being an understanding between the major and herself, they had been allowed to spend an inordinate amount of time together, some of it unchaperoned apart from the ever-present servants. Now she came to think of it, Ellie, her personal maid, had been forever coming to ask for instructions, or clarifications to instructions, when she had been sitting alone with him in the library.

  There was only one thing she could do, and that was speak privately to Lizzy. No doubt there would be an opportunity sometime this evening. For now she would remain quietly in her apartment and read a book.

  Chapter Four

  ‘Oh dear, I fear our pleasant afternoon is about to be interrupted, girls.’ No sooner had Lizzy spoken than the door flew open and Charles burst in.

  ‘I have come to warn you that we are about to have unexpected visitors. Brownstone was here to tell us there has been an accident nearby and they will be bringing the injured parties to Pemberley.’

  Lizzy scrambled from the daybed in such a hurry that she was obliged to remain still for a moment as her head spun unpleasantly. Whilst she was recovering, Jane and Kitty were on their feet.

  ‘You do not look at all the thing, Lizzy dearest,’ Jane said, ‘you must remain here and allow Kitty and I to take care of things. Do you think the apartment that you used last year will be suitable to receive those unfortunate enough to have been hurt in the accident?’

  ‘Thank you, Jane, but I was just a little faint, I am quite well now. We shall all go and see how we can be of assistance. I am sure that Reynolds will already have matters in hand and will be preparing the downstairs rooms.’ She glanced across at Lydia and was unsurprised to see her youngest sister pick up a periodical and begin to read. ‘Charles, has Fitzwilliam gone to the scene?’

  ‘Yes, he went with the major. Can’t think what the fellow was doing in this direction, but he is exactly the man for a crisis. Pity Adam isn’t here as well – two soldiers are better than one.’ He planted a kiss on Jane’s cheek. ‘Good, my valet has arrived with my coat at last. I must see if I can be of any help.’ He shrugged into his riding coat and dashed off down the passageway.

  The three of them trooped out into the corridor and were met by the housekeeper. ‘Madam, Doctor Bevan has been sent for and I am getting the apartment downstairs prepared. We have no clear notion of what has happened, or how many poor travellers are involved, but word from the stable yard is that two carriages collided and one has overturned.’

  A trickle of fear ran down Lizzy’s back. All the lanes and roads around Pemberley were narrow, and a coachman was obliged to sit on the box and blow his horn loudly every time they approached a bend in the road. Presumably one of the drivers had failed to do this and the vehicles had collided. Fitzwilliam had told her about a similar accident that had taken place no more than a year ago in which a horse and two passengers had been fatally injured.

  ‘Make sure that Cook has been alerted as well, Reynolds, for I am certain refreshments will be needed. Have you had blankets fetched down from the linen cupboards?’ The woman nodded. ‘Do we have sufficient clean cloths to tear up for bandages?’

  ‘Yes, madam, we do. There will also be plenty of hot water ready by the time the victims arrive. Do you wish me to prepare guest rooms for those that are able to take the stairs?’

  ‘I think that an excellent idea. I believe everything is in hand, Mrs Bingley and I shall wait in the entrance hall until someone arrives.’

  Kitty shook her head. ‘I think that you and Jane should return to the drawing room. You are both increasing and I am sure that neither of your husbands would approve of you being here. Georgiana a
nd I are quite capable of greeting any arrivals and seeing that they are well taken care of.’

  ‘Lizzy, I think Kitty is correct. Come along, you are already shivering, and the last thing you want to do is get a head cold.’ Jane slipped her arm around her sister’s waist and practically bundled her away.

  *

  Georgiana was immersed in her novel when Kitty rushed in. ‘You must come downstairs at once, there has been a dreadful accident and we are to act as hostesses to the halt and the lame when they arrive. The gentlemen have gone, and the housekeeper and a bevy of servants are busy getting everything ready.’

  ‘I shall come at once. It is decidedly chilly in the entrance hall despite having two huge fires burning day and night. A shawl is out of the question, so I think we must put on a pelisse.’

  ‘Do you think it might not appear strange for us to greet people with our coats on?’

  ‘I should think they will have more important things to worry about than how we are dressed. I’m going to change into my half-boots as well – slippers would not be suitable if we are obliged to go outside and offer assistance.’

  Georgiana tossed her book aside and jumped to her feet. Within a short space of time they were both suitably accoutred and on their way across the gallery and down the marble staircase.

  ‘Have you any idea exactly where this accident took place, Kitty?’

  ‘I have not, but I imagine it cannot be far away. Look, I can just see a slow procession turning into the drive.’ Georgiana paused on the staircase and pointed through the long mullioned windows that overlooked the front of the house. ‘There are two gigs, a cart and a diligence, plus several horsemen.’

  She swallowed a lump in her throat. Even from this distance she could make out the distinctive, dark blue uniform of Major Brownstone. Of course, he would have been at the scene of the accident, she would expect nothing else from him, but it was going to be difficult seeing him again so soon after their distressing conversation.