‘Mr Darcy, madam, do you wish to speak to my master or shall I conduct you directly to Mr Bingley? The doctor is with him now.’
Darcy answered for both of them. ‘Take us to the sick room, I wish to ensure that everything is being done correctly for my friend.’
A slight sound above them made Lizzy look up. She saw a handsome, brown-haired gentleman bounding down the stairs. This must be their missing host. Mr Collins, a distant relation who would inherit Longbourn on her father’s demise, was a cleric, but he bore as little resemblance to this gentleman as chalk did to cheese.
‘I apologise for not being here to greet you in person, Darcy, Mrs Darcy. I was drenched and obliged to change my raiment.’ His smile was charming and she warmed to him. ‘I take it the rain has eased?’
‘It has.’ Her husband didn’t offer his hand, but merely nodded. Dear Fitzwilliam still found meeting strangers an uncomfortable business, although he was slightly less taciturn than he was before they were wed. Mr King looked somewhat surprised at this omission, but not particularly put out.
‘Come with me, I have had Bingley installed in the downstairs apartment. Mrs Bingley is with him now.’
‘Thank you, sir, we much appreciate your kindness towards our family. Is my youngest sister with them or elsewhere?’ Lizzy smiled hoping her friendliness would compensate for the lack of it in her husband.
Mr King returned her smile in good measure but refrained from making a response. Instead he set off across the hall and led them down a wide passageway to a pair of double doors standing open at the far end. ‘In here, I shall leave you. If you require anything further please don’t hesitate to ask any member of my staff.’ He nodded politely to her but ignored Fitzwilliam.
Her husband half-smiled. ‘I believe I shall like King. He will be an intelligent addition to our circle of acquaintances.’
The sitting room was well-appointed, although somewhat old-fashioned in appearance. Jane must have heard them enter as she burst from the bedchamber looking distinctly dishevelled, but smiling, which was a good sign. Lizzy ran across the chamber and they embraced fondly.
‘Lizzy dearest, thank you so much for coming. Charles has just regained consciousness and the doctor is sanguine that he will make a full recovery. However, he must remain where he is for a few days as he lost a great deal of blood and is very weak.’
Her sister then turned, walked over to Fitzwilliam and curtsied – there was no need for this formality but her husband was a formidable man and not relaxed in company. Lizzy hoped in time her dearest partner would become less stiff in his dealings with others. Indeed, already he smiled more readily and had even laughed out loud once or twice.
‘Darcy, you will be pleased to know that Charles is in no danger and Mr King is taking care of everything satisfactorily.’ She wiped her eyes on her handkerchief before continuing. ‘He has a concussion but it does not seem to be too severe.’
‘Is he ready to receive a visitor? I should like to see him for myself, if you have no objection?’
A feeble voice called from the bedchamber. ‘Come in, Darcy old fellow, and tell everyone to stop fussing as I am perfectly well apart from a few stitches in my head.’
Fitzwilliam smiled and stepped past Jane without allowing her to comment. He vanished and could be heard questioning the unfortunate physician in his usual forceful way.
‘Jane, how did the accident occur? Did the carriage overturn?’ When she heard the story Lizzy shook her head in disbelief. ‘To be so sorely injured by a brick – it hardly seems credible. However, Bingley’s in no danger and we can take Kitty back with us today. Georgiana is so eager to meet her she will fall into a decline if we do not bring her.’
‘I have asked for our luggage to be brought back here, I wasn’t sure if you would quite like to have her foisted on you in this way. I can honestly say that she is greatly improved in temperament and has become a good friend to both Charles and I. However, she is still inclined to be flighty and might prove a bad influence on your sister-in-law.’
‘Georgiana is a delightful young lady, as intelligent as her brother but not so dogmatic in her views, unfortunately she is too quiet. I’m sure they will bring out the best in each other. I’m hoping Kitty will, in fact, lead Georgiana into mischief – I don’t believe she has ever misbehaved in her life.’ She stopped as she recalled the unfortunate episode, two years ago, when Wickham had attempted to elope with Georgiana. By chance Fitzwilliam had been visiting Brighton and was able to prevent disaster.
‘It was I that suggested to Fitzwilliam that Kitty made her home with us – he was reluctant at first as he had not seen her in the best light – but there is a tender-hearted man hidden inside that brusque exterior and he only wants the best for those he loves.’
Jane nodded. ‘He apologised most handsomely for keeping Charles and I apart; although we understood his motivation, I’m forced to admit that we disapproved of his actions. However, that is in the past and we are all good friends now.’
*
Kitty viewed the garment that was laid out for her with horror. There was no doubt in her mind that this gown had been intended for a servant. The material was rough cotton and of an unpleasant beige colour – however, it had never been worn and she must be grateful to have something dry to put on in the circumstances.
She schooled her features into what she hoped would pass for delight in the nasty garment. ‘I should like my own clothes to be dried and pressed and returned to me as soon as possible.’
One of the girls bobbed. ‘It will be done at once, Miss Bennet, there’s a grand fire in the laundry room and they will dry in no time.’
Fortunately her underpinnings were not so wet that they required replacing and in no time at all Kitty was dressed, if one could call it that, in the drab gown which made her look like a parlourmaid. Her hair had been rearranged and she was as ready as she would ever be to appear in her dreadful garments. She was tempted to remain hidden until her own clothes were ready, but she wished to know how Charles did and could not bear to wait another minute to find out.
The young footman gave her a cheeky grin and she was grateful he didn’t sneer at her appalling ensemble. ‘Follow me, miss, it’s like the village fair down there, what with all the coming and going.’
One was not supposed to converse with a servant but it would seem uncivil not to reply. ‘I take it that Mr and Mrs Darcy have arrived. Is the doctor still with Mr Bingley, do you know?’
He scratched his head knocking his half-wig askew. ‘Not rightly sure, miss, but I don’t reckon Mr and Mrs Darcy are aiming to stay long as they ain’t had the carriage unharnessed.’
Kitty was enjoying the informality of the conversation and was about to reply when her companion changed his demeanour. She looked up to see Mr King frowning at her from the spacious landing.
She sailed up to him as if she were an elegant young lady. ‘Thank you so much for finding me this delightful gown, Mr King, such a pretty colour, don’t you think?’ It was quite apparent from her tone that she thought nothing of the sort. ‘I gather my sister and her husband have arrived from Pemberley.’ Botheration! She had intended to ask how Bingley was, but his supercilious stare had irritated her and pushed her into this silliness.
‘Mr Bingley has recovered consciousness and is expected to make a full recovery, just in case you were concerned for his well-being. You, miss, are to return with Mrs Darcy to Pemberley.’ He viewed her with opprobrium. ‘No doubt my housekeeper will find you a cloak of some sort to wear as your own garments will not be dry in time.’
This was the outside of enough. Kitty barely restrained an impulse to stamp her foot. She looked at him disdainfully. ‘I am delighted to hear you say so, sir, as I have no wish to remain here any longer than I have to.’ She straightened her shoulders and marched past him as if he were invisible. The helpful footman had made himself scarce and when she reached the vestibule she had no idea in which direction to go.
; ‘Do not dither, Miss Bennet, or you might well be mistaken for a parlourmaid if you remain there much longer and be given instructions to make up the fire in the drawing room.’
Incensed, she spun, only to see him laughing down at her. Reluctantly her mouth curved and her anger slipped away. ‘You are outrageous, Mr King, I was doing my best to pretend I had on my finest gown and you have brought me sharply down to earth.’
He held out his arm and she placed her hand on it. ‘Is Bingley really going to be well? Jane loves him so much, I do not know how she would manage if anything were to happen to him.’
‘He is concussed and has lost a deal of blood, but nothing life-threatening, Miss Bennet, I do assure you.’
Something prompted her to ask the question that had been bothering her. ‘Forgive me if I am being impertinent, but you do not look like a reverend gentleman and this establishment, I do declare, is far grander than Longbourn.’ No sooner were the words spoken than she regretted them. She expected to receive a sharp set down, but to her astonishment he chuckled.
‘You are being impertinent, my dear, and I do forgive you.’
She waited for him to answer her questions, but instead he patted her hand and, still chuckling, guided her to the rear of the building leaving her to be greeted with enthusiasm by her older sisters.
‘Kitty, my love, welcome to Derbyshire,’ Lizzy exclaimed as she embraced her fondly. ‘I’m hoping I can persuade you to come back with us tonight as I don’t think Georgiana will survive another night without meeting you.’
‘Jane, how is Bingley? I shall not go if you would like me to stay and help you nurse him.’
‘Dear Charles will not be able to leave his bed for a week at least, but he is in no danger and requires no more than myself to take care of him. You must go to Pemberley and we shall join you as soon as he is well enough to travel.’
‘In which case, Lizzy, if you are quite sure you wish to have me come tonight then I shall be delighted to accompany you. I am as eager to meet your new sister as she is to meet me. We are the exact same age and I am certain we will become bosom bows in no time.’
She glanced around and saw Mr King had abandoned them. She had not quite made up her mind about this gentleman, he was prodigiously handsome, but a trifle disagreeable and reminded her strongly of Mr Darcy. The first thing she would do on her arrival at her new home would be to discover more about the rector as she could not fathom how he came to be a gentleman of God. From their brief acquaintance she would have thought him more suited to the army than the saving of souls.
‘I believe that Mr King has gone in search of a suitable cloak for me, no doubt it will be something else from the servants’ hall.’ She held out the skirt of her drab gown and giggled.
‘We are similarly garbed, dearest Kitty, but I believe my gown to have come from the housekeeper’s wardrobe.’
The bedchamber door opened and Mr Darcy emerged. She thought at first that he was nonplussed by their appearance and then Kitty realised he was struggling to hide his amusement. Impulsively she turned and curtsied to him. ‘I bid you good afternoon, sir, is there something I can fetch you from the kitchen?’
His shout of laughter filled the room. She believed this was the very first time she had ever heard him laugh – he smiled at Lizzy all the time, was obviously devoted to her, but he was not given, as far as she was aware, to such outbursts of merriment.
‘Miss Bennet, my sister is going to enjoy your company, as are Lizzy and I. Do you have a cloak? Although the journey to Pemberley is no more than two miles, in this weather the journey can be tediously long.’
‘After travelling from Longbourn, Mr Darcy, I shall never consider anything else of any moment. Unfortunately I do not have a cloak of my own…’
Mr King spoke from behind her. ‘Indeed you do, Miss Bennet, I have found you something. Hardly elegant, but I do assure you it will complement your gown perfectly.’ He was smiling and his eyes, a deep cerulean blue, twinkled down at her. She could not help responding and returned his smile.
He held out a spotlessly clean, but well-worn cloak of an indeterminate colour that could once have been green. Instead of putting it in her hand he swirled it open and placed it around her shoulders. Although he was careful not to brush her skin with his fingers as he did so, she could not help but notice the quizzical look Mr Darcy directed to Lizzy.
With glowing cheeks she hurriedly stepped away from Mr King and rushed across the room to embrace Jane. ‘I am so glad that Bingley is not seriously injured. I blame myself for not removing the brick when I fell upon it earlier.’
‘Nonsense, Kitty, as I told you before, accidents are just that. Whatever happens, I promise that we will be with you in time for the Christmas festivities.’
‘Good God! I should hope so, for they are yet three weeks away. If you and Bingley are not at Pemberley within a sennight I shall come and fetch you myself.’ Darcy was not impressed.
Kitty flinched but neither of her sisters reacted. Indeed, Lizzy smiled at him. ‘Being cross, my love, will not make Bingley recover any quicker. He is in the best of hands here, and you must contain your impatience for a while longer.’
Immediately his expression changed – he was as variable as a weathercock and Kitty understood that she would have to tread warily if she was not to be in constant dread of a bear-garden jaw.
A footman approached Mr King and spoke quietly to him. ‘Ladies and gentleman, your carriage awaits. The wind has abated and the rain has ceased but I fear we are in for some snow tonight.’
In a flurry of farewells they departed and she had no time to speak to her host again before being handed into the carriage by Mr Darcy. The interior was cold, but in her thick, serviceable cloak she was warm enough. The vehicle rocked alarmingly and then the door was slammed and the horses given the office to move.
She found being closeted with such a formidable gentleman unnerving, and had no wish to be involved in any conversation even with her dearest sister there to protect her from a stinging rebuke. She settled into the far corner, pulling the rug and her cloak around her face so they would imagine she was sleeping.
In fact the bumping and jolting made it impossible to relax but then the road unexpectedly improved and the journey became more comfortable. Forgetting her nervousness she sat up. ‘Thank goodness, I was feeling decidedly unwell with all that jouncing and bouncing.’
Lizzy answered from the darkness. ‘All the lanes around Pemberley are in good repair, my love, as it is the responsibility of the local parish to keep them in good order. We will make better time now, and shall be turning into the drive shortly.’
‘Is not Mr King’s parish part of Lambton or Kympton?’
Darcy answered Kitty’s question. ‘No, he comes within the parish of Bakewell and they do not appear to have funds to keep the lanes as they should be.’
Emboldened by his friendly tone she decided to risk asking him a further question. ‘The Rectory is a grand house, one would have thought Mr King might repair the roads himself. He is obviously a gentleman of private means.’
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds and then he answered. ‘Is he indeed? How observant of you, my dear, to have come to that conclusion on so short an acquaintance.’
He had neither confirmed nor denied her statement and left her squirming with embarrassment, grateful he could not see her scarlet cheeks. She did not dare to venture any further remarks and wished she could disappear entirely.
Chapter Three
After a remarkably brief time the carriage rocked gently to a halt and Kitty removed the rug from her face. She was astonished to find the interior of the vehicle brightly lit from flambeaux being held by too many footmen to number. The flames were flickering wildly but still illuminated the magnificent building she could see through the window.
She forgot her embarrassment and leaned forward eagerly to stare at the hundreds of twinkling windows that appeared to stretch for miles in both
directions. ‘Pemberley is even more beautiful than I expected. I fear I shall be sadly out of place here. I’m not used to living in a palace.’
‘Kitty, we do not use the whole of it – indeed – the East Wing is old-fashioned, unsafe, and under holland covers. The staff are accommodating and you will have Georgiana as your guide. We have put you in an apartment next to hers although, if you prefer, you could share.’
There was no time to answer as the carriage door was opened and the steps let down. Instead of allowing the ladies to descend first, Darcy stepped out and then reached in and swung Lizzy to the ground. Kitty shrank back terrified he would attempt to do the same for her.
He glanced in and grinned at her, an expression that sat strangely on his aristocratic features. ‘My sister is already on her way to greet you, Miss Kitty, do you intend to remain hiding in here indefinitely?’
‘I beg your pardon, sir, I am coming directly.’ She scrambled across the squabs and almost fell from the door but his strong hand steadied her.
‘You must not be afraid of me, my dear, I am not as curmudgeonly as you might think. My darling Lizzy is slowly changing me from a proud and disdainful gentleman into a more approachable fellow.’
This speech was as astonishing as his home. She found herself returning his grin and for the first time in their acquaintance saw him as a gentleman she could like very well indeed. ‘I should love to share an apartment with your sister, but I think it would be best if we got to know each other first. Thank you so much for inviting me to make my home with you, I give you my word that I will...’
He chuckled and raised his hand. ‘No, do not promise me anything. I want you to become a sister to Georgiana who has spent far too much time without the companionship of young ladies her own age. You have my consent to do as you wish, as long as you remain within the grounds of Pemberley.’
Before Kitty had thought up a suitable response a beautiful young lady, tall and slender, and the image of her brother, threw herself into her arms. ‘Welcome, I cannot tell you how delighted I am to have you come to live with us—.’ Georgiana stepped back and her mouth dropped open. ‘My stars! That is certainly an unusual ensemble, I sincerely hope you have something more colourful in your wardrobe.’
The Ghosts at Pemberley Page 2
