Chapter 8 A Suspicion of Doom #3
How many more moments like this should I have to share with her? But rather than dwell upon the subject, I should appreciate each moment I had left. “I thought you might ride her later today when we have our picnic.”
She raised my hand and placed a soft kiss upon my palm. “You are too good to me.”
“That would be impossible.” I caressed the side of her slender neck, and for a time, my troubles drifted far afield.
Elizabeth
On our way back to the house, I descried two carriages travelling up the avenue.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I glanced at Fitzwilliam, who shrugged.
When the coach drew closer, I stopped, gaping at the unmistakable coat of arms painted on the first vehicle.
“That is Richard’s carriage, yet Georgiana wrote to say they could not come.
” I shifted to my husband, who displayed a winsome smile.
“It seems their plans have changed.”
Goodness, it would be a blessing to have them here!
The slight weariness from our walk that had plagued me moments ago vanished.
Their presence and support would be appreciated should Lady Catherine and her friend cause any unpleasantness.
“I shall be pleased to see Richard and Georgiana. It seems an age since we have been together though it cannot have been more than two months ago.” With a growing sense of restlessness for their arrival, standing still became a trial for me.
I shifted my weight from side to side as the two coaches progressed towards us.
When the occupants alighted, I froze. What was this? Jane has come, Charles as well—and my father! I spun round towards Fitzwilliam.
He beamed at me, presenting an impossibly handsome picture.
“Did you plan this to surprise me?” He inclined his head, and I grabbed him in a hug. Despite our family’s presence, I rained kisses upon his face before taking his hand and tugging him towards them. I greeted each of them with embraces. Fitzwilliam, in turn, provided a more dignified welcome.
Papa beheld my husband with a wry twist to his mouth. “I hope you will pardon me for inviting myself along on this visit.”
“I have said this before, but it bears repeating. You are always welcome at either of our homes—your wife and daughters as well.”
My father nodded. “I appreciate your gallant and immoderate invitation. My gift to Lizzy is my presence on her birthday.” He winked at me, then turned back to Fitzwilliam. “And as a courtesy to you, I left my wife at home.”
Fitzwilliam did not venture a response—Papa’s statement left few options for a politic one. I had missed my dear father’s dry and, at times, biting humour.
I walked to the house arm-in-arm with my two sisters and tipped my head towards Jane. “I suppose Master Charles remained at home.”
“Yes, Charlie has a trifling cold, so I decided he ought to stay.”
“Ah, that is a shame, but I understand.”
“Lizzy, do you expect any other guests?” Georgiana’s enquiry drew my gaze.
“Well, we have a few here already. One is Mr. Graham, a friend of Fitzwilliam’s from university. And your aunt Lady Catherine made a surprise appearance on Friday. She brought along a friend of hers, Lady Rebecca Seymour.”
Lines formed between Georgiana’s brows as she glanced back to where Fitzwilliam stood talking with the others.
“I have never heard my brother mention a Mr. Graham before, and I am unfamiliar with Lady Rebecca, but I am sorry your birthday celebration will be dampened by my aunt’s presence.
Even in her best mood, she is burdensome company. ”
I nudged Georgiana with my shoulder. “With you and Jane here, nothing Lady Catherine does or says will bother me.”
“You are a marvel.” Georgiana released a humourless laugh. “I still find her to be intimidating.”
Jane rested her hand upon my wrist. “What can you tell us of Mr. Graham?”
“Well, he is blond-haired, handsome, and charming. He has most of our servants and half the town of Lambton in love with him.” I glanced at Georgiana. “You both will like him. Still, he is a singular man. I can state with confidence that neither of you have ever met a gentleman like him before.”
“You have piqued my curiosity.”
Georgiana nodded. “Yes, mine as well.”
Darcy
I took advantage of a momentary cessation in our conversation to inform Richard, Bingley, and Mr. Bennet of the other guests at Pemberley.
A snort-like noise accompanied Richard’s exhalation. “It is a shame that Elizabeth is compelled to host our overbearing aunt on her birthday—of all times for Lady Catherine to choose to reconcile with you!”
“Richard!” I used a harsh undertone. What happened to his sense of discretion? Ever since he sold his commission, he had become free and loose with his tongue. Mr. Bennet’s eyebrows rose as he stared at me. My hand brushed across my mouth. Now my father-in-law has new fodder for his witticisms.
“Come now.” Richard clapped me on the back. “You know the old bat is bound to offend the lot of us on one basis or another. At least now your guests are forewarned.”
My father-in-law’s eyes expanded, revealing a familiar twinkle. “I, for one, am eager to meet the lady who saw fit to award a living to my cousin Mr. Collins. Based upon his descriptions of her, I anticipate she may be the more eccentric one of the two. I hope she will not disappoint me.”
A frown overtook my face. “No doubt she will not.”
Bingley scratched the side of his head. “I say, Darcy, I do not recall you ever mentioning a Mr. Graham before. Where does he reside?”
I took a quick glance at Bingley. “He has resided in Calabria for the past several years.”
“Ah, I see.”
Lady Catherine
The scene in the courtyard below absorbed me.
My niece, nephew, and three other unknown persons had arrived.
The strangers must be Elizabeth’s relations, and the timing of their arrival could not have been more fortuitous in consideration of the new plan I had devised this morning.
With members of her family here to witness Lady Rebecca’s apparent seduction of Darcy, the humiliation to Elizabeth would be even greater.
I stepped away from the window and left my guest chamber to seek a private word with Lady Rebecca.
When I entered her room, Lady Rebecca rose from the dressing table and dismissed her abigail.
Unlike the last time we met, she appeared hale and wore a flattering gown of fine muslin.
I approached her. “Based upon my observation of Darcy over the past two days, I do not believe he will betray his wife with you. So, I have decided to settle for the next best option—we shall set up an apparent seduction this evening. Additional guests have arrived, and the more witnesses to the event, the better.”
Lady Rebecca’s shoulders folded inwards. “Are you determined to go through with this scheme?”
“Yes, of course. One way or another, I shall have my revenge.”
Her head dipped lower. “What do you wish me to do?”
“I shall have a note given to Darcy late this evening indicating that I have urgent business and need to see him alone in my room. I shall admonish Darcy not to tell anyone of this meeting but to come at once. When he arrives, I shall not be here, but you will. My footman will be waiting to let him in. You will offer yourself to my nephew.”
“But he—”
I raised my hand to forestall her. “If he refuses you, then you will kiss him. You must act in haste to take him off guard and be certain to get your lip salve on his skin. When he pulls away, you will scream and tear your nightgown. I shall open the door and raise a rumpus, disturbing everyone in the family wing. When the others arrive, I shall declare to have found the two of you in an embrace and my footman will say the same. You will state that Darcy attacked you.”
“Very well. I shall do as you ask.” Lady Rebecca wrapped her arms around herself and raised her sight to me. “Then you will pay me the money you owe me, I shall leave here, and we shall never meet again.”
“As you wish. Mind you, your performance must be convincing.” I strode from her room. Soon my daughter would be avenged, and I anticipated the look upon Elizabeth’s face when—
“Cathy, what are you doing? This is wrong. You know it is wrong.”
With a harsh gulp, I spun round. Who had spoken? No one had entered the passage. Could I have imagined the voice? That must be the explanation. I secured my grip on my walking stick, willing my racing heart to calm. When I continued on, I kept to a careful, unhurried gait.
Elizabeth
Upon my announcement of the picnic planned for later that day, almost all my relations expressed enthusiasm for the idea. Papa displayed no partiality for the scheme. Still, he agreed to participate.
I sat between Jane and my father at the breakfast table with an incessant grin.
My sight flitted around the table, taking in each face as though to reassure myself of their continued presence.
Fitzwilliam had gathered the people most precious to me, and with my heart so full, it could almost burst from my chest. What had I ever done to deserve such a wonderful man?
Fitzwilliam maintained a conversation with Bingley and Richard, but our eyes met across the table, and I sent him an ardent gaze meant to convey my love. I did not impart anything new, yet the sentiment bore repeating.
My sister Jane paused her narrative long enough to munch on a muffin.
“And so, I wrote to Papa and mentioned Fitzwilliam’s plan for your birthday in case he might wish to come.
To my delight, he arrived at our home three days ago.
” Two years earlier, Jane and Charles had moved to an estate in Staffordshire less than forty miles from Pemberley.
I shifted towards my father. “I am grateful you came despite your disinclination to travel.”
“Multiple inducements influenced my decision. Not only do I love a surprise, but I have missed you, Jane, and my grandsons very much. Besides, Pemberley’s library provided an additional enticement.”