The Ghosts at Pemberley

by Fenella J Miller

  She stretched up on tiptoes, sliding her arms around his neck, and all but asked him to kiss her. How could he resist, even though he knew his future in-laws were listening on the other side of the door? He kissed her gently, loving the feel of her soft lips beneath his, and blessed the day when she had tumbled into his life.

  ‘I must go, Kitty darling, I shall see you tomorrow evening. Shall we announce our betrothal at the party or do you wish to wait until your parents can be here to share in the celebrations?’

  ‘Tell everybody, the more people that know the better. Then you cannot renege on your promise and leave me in the lurch when you realise what a bad bargain you have struck.’

  ‘You are a baggage, my love, and I wish I could spend longer taking you to task. Go back inside, it is perishing in the corridors despite the sconces burning on the walls.’

  *

  Lizzy watched her sister leave to bid Adam goodbye and sighed. Immediately Fitzwilliam turned to her anxiously. ‘Are you feeling unwell, darling? Has all the excitement been too much for you in your delicate condition?’

  ‘I am perfectly well, thank you. My sigh was of pleasure, happiness that Kitty has found the perfect match. Despite all the unpleasantness, all is not gloom and despondency. Jane and I are increasing, Georgiana has found a dear friend in Kitty, and I believe that you and Bingley have found a good friend in Adam.’

  He nodded. ‘You are quite right in your surmise, my dear, we have a lot to be thankful for. Tomorrow we must make a list of what we are taking into the Rectory – or whatever it is to be called now – and another of what is to be stored in King’s barns until we find a new home.’

  He sounded so sad at the thought of abandoning his ancestral home that her eyes filled in sympathy. ‘We will come back here one day, my love, I am sure of it. The good Lord will provide a solution, has not he been keeping us safe until now?’

  He managed a weak smile. ‘You are right, I must be strong for all of us. We have our first party to look forward to as well.’

  He did not need to say this was likely to be the last party at Pemberley for a very long time. He continued in a stronger tone, sounding much more like himself. ‘The day after the party workmen are coming in to pack everything. My steward has arranged for every diligence and bullock cart to be here. It is going to take a prodigious amount of vehicles to transport our belongings to Bakewell. Have you instructed your maids to start packing your clothes and personal items?’

  ‘They are already filling trunks, I think the majority of the staff are living in fear that the building will collapse around their ears at any moment. Have you not noticed them glancing surreptitiously at the ceiling at every opportunity?’

  ‘I have indeed and do not like to deceive them, but better this explanation than the truth. I think it might be wise to remove ourselves from the chaos the workmen will produce. I thought that we could go in search of somewhere else to live and Bingley and Jane could come with us.’

  ‘That is an excellent idea, Fitzwilliam. But we cannot take the girls with us in the carriage it will be too much of a crush, but I do not like to leave them alone here at the moment.’

  ‘Georgiana and Kitty can supervise the arrangement of the furniture at the Rectory. They will be safe there.’ He glanced at the mantel clock. ‘Are we to change for dinner tonight?’

  ‘No, we are comfortable as we are. I shall go and tell the others not to bother.’ In her opinion the least time spent by anyone upstairs the better. She had no faith in the promise of a dead man and was certain the ghosts would not keep their promise.

  *

  When the time came to retire Kitty had no wish to use the main staircase, even though Jane and Bingley were happy to do so, and Georgiana was happy to follow her suggestion.

  ‘I thought this ghost had made a vow to remain away from us until after Christmas Eve. Do you not trust him?’

  They were now halfway up the oak staircase and the closer they got to the upper floor the more nervous Kitty became. ‘Trust a spectre who is bent on murder and mayhem? I should think not. I know we decided that no one is any danger at the moment, but I have a premonition something dreadful is going to take place before we leave here.’

  Her friend moved closer and slipped her hand into hers. ‘Are you feeling there is someone wicked on this side of the house?’

  ‘It is not the same as before, nothing definite, but a vague notion something is not quite right up here.’ She swallowed the lump in her throat. There was no need to involve Georgiana in her insubstantial fears. ‘Anyway, tomorrow night there will be a party and Adam is staying overnight. When he is here I shall feel much safer.’

  Without conscious thought they both increased their pace and were almost running by the time they reached their sitting room door. She rushed in first and was delighted to see a substantial fire burning merrily in the grate and a supper tray already waiting for them. They had dined early and Kitty had been unable to do justice to the meal.

  ‘Shall we get into our night things before we eat, Georgiana, and then we can dismiss the girls? They have been working hard to get our garments packed for the move on Friday and deserve to have an evening free.’

  ‘Hardly an evening, dearest, but at least they will finish at eight o’clock instead of eleven.’

  Once warmly dressed in nightgowns and robes they settled in front of the fire with mugs of chocolate and slices of cake. Although this drink was more commonly served first thing, Cook was aware how much both she and Georgiana loved the expensive brew.

  She sipped appreciatively and bit into the cake. ‘I have only been here a short time and already it feels like home. I cannot imagine what you must be feeling at the thought of abandoning this wonderful place which has been your residence since birth.’

  ‘I do love Pemberley, but surprisingly enough have spent more time elsewhere than here. Fitzwilliam spends a lot of time abroad, you know, I have no notion what he does there, especially when things are so dangerous in France at the moment.’

  ‘I had no idea he was so well travelled. I suppose Lizzy would have accompanied him in future, but now she is with child she will be obliged to remain at home – wherever that will be. If you were not here, where did you go?’

  ‘We have family and friends all over the country and, until last year, I had a governess, and she accompanied me everywhere. We have a magnificent house in Grosvenor Square and I stay there sometimes and attend concerts and plays and informal family gatherings.’ She paused and shifted in her seat. ‘I expect you are aware of what transpired between George Wickham and myself.’

  Kitty slopped her chocolate into her lap. ‘No, I know nothing about it. Do not feel obliged to enlighten me unless you wish to.’

  ‘You have met him and know that he is a very attractive man. When I was fifteen years of age, still in the schoolroom, I was staying in Brighton with my governess and Wickham arrived unannounced and pretended he was in love with me. God knows what would have happened if Fitzwilliam had not arrived unexpectedly and sent him packing.

  ‘My governess was dismissed as she had been in league with Wickham. They hoped to entice me away and thus lose my reputation. They would then have forced Fitzwilliam to pay a vast sum of money in order to keep their silence.’

  ‘How absolutely dreadful for you. I think even Lizzy was flattered by his attention when he first appeared at Meryton. However, your story does explain why your brother so dislikes him. Poor Lydia, to have married such a scoundrel.’

  ‘You are not shocked by my sorry story? The experience made me wary of being in company just in case my disgrace became common knowledge.’

  ‘Fiddlesticks to that! You did nothing wrong, my love, he was the villain of the piece and you the innocent. Anyway, as you did not actually run away with him, you have nothing to be ashamed of.’ The brown stain in her lap had been ignored during this tale. ‘I had better take this off and put it in some water or it will be quite ruined.’

  ‘D
o not go right away, Kitty, I do so enjoy sharing supper with you. When you marry Adam I shall be lonely again and I am not looking forward to it.’

  ‘Good heavens, I shall not be getting married before next spring so we have several months to spend together. You have your season to look forward to as well, although I will probably be Mrs King by then, I intend to come to London with you as I promised.’

  Georgiana was delighted with this information and did not suggest that quite possibly Kitty would be increasing and unable to attend any parties in Town, although this thought did occur to Kitty. Both her sisters were expecting and they had only got married last August. She would make a point of talking to Lizzy about this subject – now she was engaged to be married she wanted to know if there was a way to avoid a yearly pregnancy. Normally one’s mama would explain the intimate details which Lydia had already imparted, but fortunately Mama was safely in Longbourn, so she would speak to her sisters instead.

  It took another hour or two for Georgiana to describe in detail the guests who were coming to the party tomorrow evening. No doubt the news of her betrothal and Adam’s decision would be the talk of the evening. As long as the conversation did not turn too often to the imminent abandonment of Pemberley she would be content. She had no wish to become embroiled in a complicated falsehood and was certain she would inadvertently reveal the real reason for their removal.

  There had been three bathing rooms installed, one in the master suite, one adjacent to Georgiana’s apartment and the third in the guest wing. When she had been shown this wonder of the modern age, she had been suitably impressed. Although the hot water must still be carried from the basement, the dirty disappeared as if by a miracle through a small aperture in the base of the bath tub. Her friend had been uncertain where the water went, but Kitty was fairly sure it must gurgle down the drainpipe and be channelled outside into the garden.

  Tomorrow was to be her first use of this chamber. In all her life whenever she had bathed she had been obliged to sit, with her knees under her chin, in a hip bath in front of her bedchamber fire. Her modesty maintained, and the draughts excluded, by a lacquered screen. Being able to stretch full-length whilst immersed in lemon-scented water was a treat she was looking forward to.

  As she settled down beside Georgiana the curtains at the far side of the room appeared to move, the flames in the fire flickered and she was almost certain she heard a hideous shuffling on the other side of the door.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The next morning Kitty was woken by Georgiana who was already dressed. ‘Come along, lazybones, we have so much to do today. Neither Fitzwilliam nor Bingley will wish your sisters to do everything for the party tonight.’

  She yawned and stretched. ‘I thought that was why one kept a retinue of servants, Georgiana, so that they could do everything whilst one sat with one’s embroidery drinking a dish of tea.’ She waved a languid hand and her friend snatched a pillow and threw it at her.

  By the time she was dressed and on her way downstairs she had forgotten her night fears and quite happily used the main staircase. Although the hour was early the house was abuzz with industrious footmen and parlourmaids.

  The Great Hall was being transformed into the ballroom, gilt chairs and small hexagonal tables were being arranged along the window side of the magnificent room. The pianoforte and harp were in the far corner on the left of the fireplace – this was obviously where the musicians would stand.

  ‘Are we to use the music room tonight? As the guests come in through the vestibule in which the Great Staircase stands they are already walking on dangerous ground.’ She had spoken without thought and regretted her insensitive words immediately she saw her friend’s reaction.

  ‘I wish you had not reminded me, Kitty, I was trying to forget and enjoy today.’ She glanced around anxiously as if expecting to see a ghostly shape drifting through the open doorway.

  ‘Forgive me, I should not have said that. There is no need for concern unless we are still in residence on the twenty-fourth.’

  ‘I shall forget you mentioned it. And in answer to your question, the music room is being set up for cards and conversation. We shall have dinner, of course, in the grand dining room. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this event. Apart from a few house guests occasionally, we rarely entertain.’

  ‘Pemberley is made for parties and balls. Is there not an annual summer fete held in the grounds for the villagers?’

  They were joined by Lizzy and Darcy as they crossed the wide central corridor. ‘No, Kitty, there has never been such an event held in my lifetime. However, once we are safely back again, I shall ask Lizzy and you to instigate it.’ Darcy looked remarkably relaxed for a man about to lose his ancestral home.

  If he could dissemble, (for he must be as worried as she) then so must she. Until they moved she would not mention the reason for the removal again. For some unfathomable reason she appeared to be more sensitive to these unnatural goings-on, but that was her problem, and she was not going to burden her family with her apprehensions.

  ‘As long as it does not snow again today our guests should be able to come. Have we invited anybody else to overnight with us?’ Georgiana asked eagerly.

  ‘Adam you know about, but I expect one or two others might decide to stay. I have asked Reynolds to prepare several chambers for that eventuality. You will be delighted to know, girls, I spent my time yesterday writing lists of what needs to be done – both for tonight and for our move next week.’

  Kitty and Georgiana exchanged smiles. Her sister was famous for her lists and they usually involved a lot of work for anyone unfortunate to be given a copy.

  ‘We are both ready to do whatever is required, Lizzy, neither you nor Jane need to rush about the place. Georgiana and I can take care of everything.’

  Over a substantial breakfast lists were exchanged. She and Kitty were first tasked to discover sufficient playing cards, counters, pencils and paper for those that had no wish to dance after dinner. They were also to find boxes of dominoes, chess sets, boards and spillikins. Lizzy wanted there to be a selection of entertainment for her guests.

  ‘King will be here this afternoon. I need to show him what is to go into store and what we shall need in the house. I believe you girls are going to label things to make it easier for King and the labourers.’

  ‘We have a list of everything for inside, then the articles that are not labelled will be taken to the barns. We thought to tie wool to them, what do you think, Fitzwilliam?’

  ‘I think it an excellent idea, Georgiana. I doubt that you will get everything done today, but as long as the carpenters can start the day after tomorrow, there will be ample time for you to finish the job.’ Then Lizzy caught his eye and he frowned. ‘Devil take it! I had forgot, we are to go out to look at properties then and you and Kitty are to return to the Rectory with King and oversee the arrival of the furniture.’

  ‘If Adam remains with us for an extra night, Darcy, we shall be perfectly safe. After all, we will be surrounded by your staff and nothing untoward could possibly happen.’

  ‘Very well, but remember we shall not be back until dark as we have several places to go, and two of them are a considerable distance from here.’

  ‘I was thinking, Fitzwilliam,’ Lizzy said. ‘If the girls use different coloured wools they could indicate into which room each item is to go.’ She beckoned to Kitty and Georgiana. ‘We must go through your list and allocate a colour to each object. By doing this it will remove the necessity for you to be at the Rectory at all. King’s housekeeper and butler are efficient and can supervise the dispersal.’

  Kitty feigned enthusiasm as everybody else appeared to consider the idea an excellent one. She had a growing sense of foreboding, believed that the unwanted intruders had no intention of keeping to their vow and were in fact planning something catastrophic. If she voiced her concerns the party would probably be cancelled and she had no wish to ruin what might be the last happ
y day the Darcy family spent at Pemberley.

  Soon she and her friend set off with a basket of multicoloured wools and Lizzy’s extremely long list. It had been decided her sisters would take on the task of finding the cards and other games for themselves. ‘Shall we start in the music room, Georgiana? There is far less furniture in there and we can watch the preparations for tonight.’

  ‘I agree, we should start there and then move into the vestibule and from there to the Great Hall. We should be able to do those rooms this morning and then we can take a break and continue with the drawing room and library.’

  ‘What about all the other smaller rooms, they don’t appear on Lizzy’s list?’

  ‘One must suppose that your sister is prepared to let whatever is in those chambers remain here. Do you think we should enquire before we start?’

  ‘No, we have wasted enough time already. We can ask when we stop for refreshments at midday. I wonder what time Adam will arrive, if we can persuade him to help us we will finish this task in no time.’

  Georgiana giggled and gave her a knowing look. ‘No doubt you will wish me to work elsewhere so that you can spend time alone together.’

  ‘Absolutely not. We stay together at all times.’ Her sharp retort drove the happy smile from Georgiana’s face. ‘I am sorry, I did not mean to snap. After my horrible experiences I can’t help but be nervous and would much prefer to have both of you at my side when we are working.’ Her friend was mollified by this fabrication and her sunny nature was restored. She would not let her out of her sight, this house was no longer a place one should walk alone.

  The music room was bustling with chambermaids polishing and dusting and footmen running back and forth with items of furniture. ‘Oh dear! We have not thought this through, Kitty, we can hardly tie bits of wool to anything in the chambers that will be in use tonight. We shall have to start upstairs instead and leave these until tomorrow.’

  ‘It is hard to credit we were so silly. In fact, we can only do the rooms that we use, we cannot venture into the guest wing either.’ Georgiana sighed heavily. ‘This means that everything will be in chaos unless we can get everything done before the guests depart in the morning. The workmen will not know what to take from down here. They can hardly move furniture from the bedrooms until after we depart.’