A Scandal at Pemberley Page 7

  ‘Do you wish us to introduce her to suitable young men in the hope that she breaks the engagement?’

  ‘Absolutely not!’ Jonathan spoke without thinking. Then he reconsidered. ‘I love her, I would be devastated if she chose someone else, but I must allow her to meet younger, richer gentlemen, and pray she stays in love with me.’ His voice was gruff. ‘I intend to escort her myself when I can, but you will be in loco parentis and must do as you see fit.’

  The coach swayed to a halt and no more was said on the subject. Jonathan retired in a sombre mood. He almost wished he would be recalled to his regiment thus making his wedding impossible. Any wife would make his life more complicated, and having one as young as Georgiana would be fraught with even more problems. When commanding his men he needed to be focused, not worrying about his personal life, wondering if the woman he loved to distraction was safe somewhere behind the lines.

  *

  Lizzy climbed into bed just after midnight and Fitzwilliam joined her minutes later. ‘What is the news of the two patients downstairs, my love? I had not the energy to accompany you, although I know I should have done.’

  ‘Good news on both counts, my dear. The driver of the phaeton has regained consciousness and his companion is able to move his legs. Doctor Bevan is sanguine they will both make a full recovery. Peterson said there had been word from their families that they will be collected as soon as they are well enough to be moved.’

  ‘What about the poor men who died? Are their cadavers to be transported elsewhere or will they be buried in the local churchyard? I cannot believe there has been so much disaster visited upon us these past months. And from what Reynolds tells me, Pemberley has always been a happy and peaceful place to live until now.’ He reached across and pulled her into his arms where she settled down with a sigh of contentment against his shoulder.

  ‘Reynolds might believe that to be the case, darling, but I can assure you I have always felt slightly uncomfortable here. That is to say, I used to feel that way, but I now feel completely content.’ He ran his hand lovingly across the bulge of her stomach. ‘You have been overtaxing yourself, Lizzy, and from now on I shall insist that you spend the majority of your time with your feet up and let Georgiana and Mary do the running around for you.’

  ‘It is a relief to have Doctor Bevan confirm our suspicions – I know there are more risks involved when carrying twins, but I am as healthy as a horse and certain nothing untoward will take place even if our babies are delivered early.’

  ‘The Trelawneys and Garfields are leaving first thing tomorrow which should at least give us a few hours to recoup before the wedding the following day.’

  Lizzy yawned loudly. ‘I fear that Georgiana and Mary do not like each other. Your sister will miss Kitty dreadfully, they have become very close these past few months. By the by, my love, although you have agreed Georgiana can marry the major at the end of the summer, I’m hoping she will reconsider. I could not bear to lose her as well as Kitty.’

  He kissed the top of her head. ‘I give you my word my sister will not be leaving here this year. I shall think of a variety of incontrovertible reasons why the marriage cannot take place. Brownstone told me he is in full agreement with my schemes as he believes Georgiana should have longer to consider before launching herself into the life of a soldier’s wife. I should be quite happy for them to marry next year, as one wedding in the family and three babies are more than enough for this year.’

  As Lizzy was drifting off to sleep she recalled something Lydia had said. Her youngest sister had inferred that Wickham was in the vicinity visiting with friends of his family. As the wretched man had grown up in and around Pemberley this was probably the case, but she hoped Fitzwilliam did not hear of it and do something rash.

  Chapter Eight

  Georgiana could not lie in bed a moment longer, she was far too excited. The wedding ceremony was to be in their own chapel at eleven o’clock, followed by the celebratory wedding breakfast to which more than one hundred guests had been invited.

  She slipped out of bed making sure she did not awaken the bride to be. Kitty had slept surprisingly soundly for a young lady about to become a wife. If it was her she was certain she would have been awake, imagining the delights or disappointments to be expected in the marriage bed.

  There was little point in getting dressed as she would have to change again for the wedding. She glanced at the overmantel clock which she could just see in the residual flickering from the fire and saw that there was no need to rouse her friend for another hour at least.

  After quietly pulling on her dressing robe she crept into the sitting room and ignited several candles using a spill pushed into the embers. The chambermaid had left sufficient coal and logs to revive the fire and within five minutes the room was pleasantly warm.

  It would be light soon and no doubt there was already a hive of activity downstairs in preparation for the big event. The two injured young men were still languishing in the downstairs apartment, but they were now attended to by their own physician and family. There was more than ample room to accommodate the three extra visitors.

  The cadavers of the unfortunate servants who had perished in the accident had also been removed and Pemberley was a happy place once more. Adam’s family, she had met them the previous night, were perfectly pleasant but did not have his easy manner and she had found conversation with them somewhat stilted. Perhaps they had been overwhelmed by the magnificence of Pemberley. She smiled at this ridiculous notion – his family was as rich as Croesus and no doubt lived in a more convenient, and equally luxurious, establishment of their own.

  Her opinion of Lydia had not improved with further contact but she was hopeful Mary’s initial antipathy was softening somewhat. Mr Bennet had a dry wit and she was looking forward to getting to know him better after the wedding. She wasn’t so sure that having Mrs Bennet with them for several weeks would be so enjoyable. Thank goodness she would be departing for Town at the beginning of April with Adam and Kitty.

  It was to be hoped that Lydia would depart tomorrow morning as her presence was not conducive to a happy atmosphere. Kitty had said that Wickham was a friend of young Mr Rawlings, which was somewhat worrying as his family was attending the wedding breakfast today. From what the Garfield girls had said Peter Rawlings was a gentleman to be avoided and she had every intention of doing so in future. A rush of happiness engulfed her at the thought that she and Jonathan would be able to announce their betrothal next week. Once this was common knowledge she would be safe from the attentions of such ne’er-do-wells as Mr Rawlings.

  ‘Georgiana, you have deserted me. Come back at once and keep me company.’

  She rushed back into the bedchamber to find her bosom bow sitting up smiling at her, apparently not at all worried by her impending nuptials. ‘I am yours to command, Miss Bennet – although by rights I should call you Miss Kitty as Mary is in residence at the moment.’ She curtsied and then ran to the bell pull to summon their breakfast.

  ‘I am so excited I could burst, I had thought I would be terrified, but I cannot tell you how eager I am to become Adam’s wife.’

  ‘You look radiant, dearest, and will be the most beautiful bride of the year. The sun is shining and there are no clouds in the sky which, I am sure, is a good omen for any wedding.’

  Kitty giggled and patted the bed. ‘I pity the brides who marry in the rain, for their unions are no doubt doomed. We shall have breakfast in bed today as neither of us are dressed. I don’t have to wash my hair again as I did it yesterday – but I am eagerly anticipating using the bathing room again.’

  ‘I pity the poor chambermaids today, for they will be staggering up and down the stairs with jugs of hot water all morning as all three bathing rooms will be used.’

  They settled companionably together in their bed for what would be the very last time. ‘I’m going to miss you sorely, Kitty, I have so enjoyed sharing my apartment with you these past months and fear I shall ne
ver have the same closeness with Mary as I have had with you.’

  ‘At least she is speaking to you now which is a good start. I wish she had agreed to allow Fitzwilliam to sponsor her and was accompanying us to London. Although we have all been officially out this age, not one of the Bennet girls has had a Season in London.’

  ‘I cannot understand why your sister dresses like a poor relation and wears her hair in such an unflattering style. Despite the fact that she requires spectacles to read and play the pianoforte, I am sure there is a pretty girl beneath the unattractive exterior.’

  Kitty laughed. ‘If there is, I have certainly never seen it. You still have four weeks to convince her to come – at least she has agreed to have some new gowns which will be an improvement on those that she wears presently. At almost twenty years of age she considers herself an old maid with no expectation of finding herself a husband. This is ridiculous for with the generous dowry Fitzwilliam has supplied, even dressed as a dowd, I’m sure she will attract several eligible suitors.’

  The breakfast trays arrived and conversation was temporarily halted. Once they were alone again Georgiana resumed their discussion. ‘I shall look out for someone suitable this morning as there will be a dozen or more young gentlemen attending.’

  By the time they had munched their way through the contents of the trays Annie was hovering anxiously, waiting to start preparing the bride for the ceremony. Georgiana had taken her bath the previous day so there was no urgency for her. When Kitty vanished to the bathing room she decided to check that their ensembles were perfect.

  She was to wear buttercup yellow silk with a golden sarcenet overskirt. The gown had long sleeves and a high neck so there was no need for her to wear a spencer in order to keep warm in the chilly corridors. There was a swirl of silk roses around the neckline and these were echoed on the silk underskirt.

  The gown Kitty had selected for her nuptials was far less ornate – it was made from a heavy, cream silk and had a demi-train. The neck was square cut so the topaz jewellery, given to her by Adam, would be shown to advantage. It was a spectacular dress and Kitty was going to make a most beautiful bride.

  Ellie, her personal maid, was eager to begin preparing her mistress for the grand event. ‘Miss Darcy, it will take me ever so long to put up your hair and thread the ribbons through it. Shall I start now so you are done when Miss Bennet returns?’

  ‘Very well, it would do no harm to get my hair arranged, but I have no wish to get dressed just yet as I cannot sit in my gown as it will crease fearfully.’ Obediently she settled on the stool in front of the dressing table and resigned herself to sitting still for at least an hour.

  *

  Lizzy viewed the gown she was holding out in front of the long glass with dismay. ‘Fitzwilliam, I had no idea my bump had grown so much in the past two weeks. This gown will not do, I have quite outgrown it.’

  Her husband, who was lounging in an armchair in the sitting room, looked unperturbed by her disastrous discovery. ‘My darling, you have a closet full of delightful ensembles, surely there is something amongst them that will do instead?’

  ‘Fitzwilliam, I had not thought you a man of little intellect.’ His feet swung to the floor. She had his full attention now. ‘If this gown is too small, why should the others be any larger?’

  ‘Devil take it! Is there nothing with a fuller skirt amongst the dozens you have?’

  ‘It is the bodice that is too small, my love, and they are all of a similar size. I really should have thought of this before as it is too late to have anything altered now.’ She was not given to displays of hysteria, but was sorely tempted to dissolve into tears and wring her hands.

  On seeing her distress he was beside her in a second, and the comfort of his arms around her restored her composure. ‘Come, sweetheart, we shall look together. I care not what you wear as long as you are at my side.’

  She rested her cheek on his shoulder, she loved him dearly, but he failed to see the enormity of the situation. Like most gentlemen he viewed clothes as something one wore, not as a statement of prestige. For Mrs Darcy of Pemberley to appear in anything but the finest was unthinkable.

  With a sigh she pushed herself away. ‘There is no need for you to trouble yourself, Fitzwilliam, my abigail is the best person to search out something suitable. Why don’t you join the gentlemen in the billiard room? I shall be there as soon as I am ready.’

  ‘If you are sure you do not need my assistance, I shall do as you suggest. It would do no harm to stroll around the place and make sure that everything is as it should be.’ He seemed remarkably reluctant to leave their apartment – there was something else keeping him here.

  ‘What is it you are not telling me, my love? You have been decidedly edgy since my family arrived.’ No sooner had she spoken the words than she understood his dithering. ‘My mother and Lydia will not be downstairs, they will remain in their rooms until they can make a suitable entrance. Kitty made it quite clear she did not require mama’s assistance in her own preparations, so at least I am sanguine she is safe from interference this morning.’

  He looked a trifle shamefaced that his avoidance of her parent had been discovered. ‘I have no objection to Mrs Bennet, she is a good-hearted lady, but I find Mrs Wickham not to my taste. I fear I made an error of judgement allowing her to attend the wedding.’

  ‘I believe that Kitty also wishes she had not asked you to rescind your previous decision and allow her to come here. Mama is the only one who fails to see the flaws in Lydia’s character and still holds my youngest sister as her favourite.’ She paused, not sure she should pass on the information she had received from Kitty.

  ‘Is there something troubling you, Lizzy? You must tell me, I will not have you worrying in your condition.’

  ‘Wickham is staying with the Rawlings family, I have a dreadful feeling he might have the temerity to accompany them to the wedding today.’

  ‘That rogue will set foot on Pemberley over my dead body.’ Without a further word he strode from the room and her heart sank to her toes. He was implacable in his hatred of George Wickham and she had a lowering feeling that her beloved husband might do something catastrophic and ruin Kitty’s wedding.

  Her worries about her appearance were nothing compared to this. Sarah, her maid, peered nervously around the door. She would never enter when Fitzwilliam was there.

  ‘Madam, I have been going through your wardrobe and believe I have found two gowns that will still fit. Both are smart enough for today and you have gloves and slippers to match both.’

  Lizzy was no longer interested in her garments, and she wished to get downstairs as soon as possible and attempt to divert disaster. If Wickham arrived she would not put it past her husband to have him thrown bodily from the premises in front of the assembled guests.

  *

  Jonathan had been ready to depart for Pemberley an hour before his friend. He had never seen Adam so jumpy; matrimony appeared to scare him more than facing a brigade of enemy soldiers. He wandered around the premises doing the pretty with Adam’s ancient aunts and his sister-in-law.

  Eventually the party was assembled and the three carriages ready to depart. He was to travel in the first with Adam, and the others would come in the remaining vehicles.

  ‘Do you have the rings, Jonathan?’

  ‘I do, and you have asked me that question three times already. You must steady your nerves, old fellow, or you will make a cake of yourself at the ceremony.’

  ‘I know it is ridiculous, but I keep imagining myself standing alone at the altar, that Kitty has jilted me. I shall not be relaxed until I see her coming down the aisle on Mr Bennet’s arm.’

  ‘She will be there, and be as nervous as you. You are taking a step that will change both your lives and it is only to be expected that you are somewhat unsettled at the prospect.’

  ‘I wish we hadn’t invited so many to the breakfast. Serving wine and champagne so early in the day is a recipe for disas
ter. Remember what happened at the party before Christmas? Those same young gentlemen, and several more, will be attending.’

  ‘I give you my word, Adam, that I’ll keep an eye on them myself, there will be no repeat of their misbehaviour.’ He patted his best dress uniform and rattled his sword. ‘I defy any of them to misbehave when faced with such a formidable character as myself.’ His light-hearted comment failed to reassure his friend.

  ‘There is something you do not know about the family. I’m not sure I should tell you as you are somewhat involved with one of the parties involved. However, in the circumstances I think it best you know.’

  He listened with incredulity at how Wickham had behaved towards his future wife, and the disrespectful way he’d treated Lydia Bennet, and understood his friend’s concern.

  ‘I only heard this myself an hour ago, or I would have sent a note warning Sir John not to include Wickham in his party today. There will be trouble if he does, and it is not the young sprigs you should be concerned about, but Darcy.

  ‘It is unfortunate that Kitty insisted Lydia should attend her wedding, she regrets it now, but too late to repine. You must give me your word you will keep Darcy from doing anything he might later regret. The last thing Kitty and I require is fisticuffs at our wedding.’

  ‘I take it Wickham is well aware he is persona non grata at Pemberley? Surely he would not be so imbecilic as to intrude where he is not wanted?’

  ‘From what I’ve heard about him he has no scruples and will do whatever will best serve his own interests.’

  ‘If Darcy has his men waylay the Rawlings family coach before it arrives an unpleasant situation could be averted.’

  ‘You must find Darcy as soon as we arrive and make sure he is aware Wickham could be arriving unannounced and uninvited.’

  The carriage lapsed into contemplative silence and Jonathan could think of nothing to add to the conversation that would make the situation more tolerable. The remaining miles gave him ample opportunity to consider what he had just learnt about his future wife. This was something he could not mention to Georgiana, he must wait for her to tell him herself.