“You sent for me, Mr. Darcy?”The butler bowed courteously.
Darcy turned to address his man. “Yes, Mr. Baldwin. I need a man sent to Sir Phillip Spurlock’s.Tell Sir Phillip that we need him at Pemberley posthaste in his capacity as the local magistrate. We must deal with the three deaths, and I wish Sir Phillip to speak to my guests before they depart the estate.”
“Must we, Mr. Darcy?” The rumors that would follow such news in the community obviously worried Baldwin.
Darcy understood; he, too, dreaded the possibility of others knowing of the events of the past week at Pemberley. “This is not simply a Pemberley matter, Mr. Baldwin. Too many know of what has happened here. Only Sir Phillip can erase the shadow of doubt clouding our horizon.”
“Certainly, Mr. Darcy.”The butler bowed respectfully.“I will see to it immediately. By the way, sir, I have allowed Jatson to return to limited duties.Although I assured him that you would not expect him to rejoin the staff so soon, Mr. St. Denis feared losing his position. I have met him halfway by giving him abbreviated responsibilities.”
“I trust your judgment in the matter, Mr. Baldwin.” Darcy returned to the window.“Let me know immediately of Lucas’s return.”
“As you wish, Mr. Darcy.” The butler bowed out of the room.
Within a minute of Baldwin’s exit, a light tap on the door brought Darcy away from his vigil. “Mr. Darcy, might we speak for a moment?” Harwood filled the door frame.
“Certainly, Lieutenant. Please come join me.” Darcy gestured to his favorite chairs. “How can I serve you this morning? I pray that you have not had second thoughts on your accommodations.”
“Absolutely not, Mr. Darcy. My chamber is more than adequate, especially for a man used to cramped military quarters.” He settled himself before continuing. “I am afraid, sir, that the accommodations had nothing to do with my sleepless state. My regard for Miss de Bourgh causes my conscience to turn in upon itself.”
A dark smile graced Darcy’s lips. “You have had no interaction with my cousin since we met yesterday?”
Harwood did his best to keep his expression unreadable. “I attempted to approach Miss de Bourgh yesterday evening, but your cousin was too unsettled for a conversation about the future. I thought it best to follow your suggestion that we speak later this morning.”
“If that be the case, Harwood, I do not understand the nature of this discussion.” A cold fist struck his heart. Darcy knew this was the moment the real Lieutenant Robert Harwood would reveal himself, and he prayed that his own instincts had not betrayed him.
Harwood eyed Darcy sternly. “For many hours, I have mulled over what is best for Miss de Bourgh.” The interloper guarded his words carefully. “I sought out your cousin because I wished to do the honorable thing—to give Miss de Bourgh the protection only a husband can offer a woman.Yet, it appears that the lady does not welcome my plight.” Harwood paused, but when Darcy made no comment, he continued. “I care for Miss de Bourgh, and I do not wish to witness her ruination.”
“That is most admirable, Harwood.”
The officer offered a weary sigh. “I have considered Miss de Bourgh’s hasty retreat, and I have tried to anticipate who might know of your cousin’s Liverpool stay. If Miss de Bourgh refuses my proposal, I would still like to offer myself up as the lady’s
friend.
It would seem there are certain people whose silence must be purchased to keep Miss de Bourgh’s reputation pure. I would be willing to act as an agent in securing the discretion of those involved.”
Coolly composed, Darcy regarded the man. “That is most benevolent of you, Lieutenant.”
“Of course, I hope it does not come to that. I prefer to claim the lady’s hand as my own, but if I fail, please consider me as your cousin’s champion—to conduct this business tastefully.”
“And have you considered what such prudence might cost my aunt?”
Harwood fought the urge to celebrate his victory. Facing Darcy with a stony glare, he replied, “I would imagine several thousand pounds—the inn’s proprietor, maids, stable hands, hackney drivers, and many more will need to be brought under the umbrella to shield your cousin properly.”
Darcy’s fists formed at his sides. “And you wish me to approach my aunt in your name?”
“I thought it best to bring my concerns to your attention.You were the voice of reason in the room yesterday. Having offered your cousin the protection of her family, I assumed you would understand the urgency of making arrangements—before the rumors can no longer be squelched.”
Darcy rose to his feet to end the conversation.“I appreciate your candor, Lieutenant. I will keep your advice in mind as I negotiate with my aunt—until we meet a bit later.” He offered the lieutenant an abbreviated bow. “Breakfast is available in the morning room.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I shall partake of your kindness and then return to my room until we confer with your family. I thought it might be prudent to make a list of whom we may need to approach to secure their silence.”
Darcy knew Harwood preferred the payment to the marriage, but for good measure, he added,“We can only pray that my cousin will accept a marriage of convenience rather than the infinite possibilities of her ruination.”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy. We both hope as such.”
Sir Phillip Spurlock arrived before the family sat to their morning meal. Darcy met him in the main foyer and ushered him into his
study before anyone else could speak with the man. He sent one of the maids to find Elizabeth and Georgiana. He wanted them both aware of Sir Phillip’s investigation.
“Your man was most insistent, Darcy.” Sir Phillip warmed his hands near the fire. “What is all this about?”
Darcy steadied himself. “There are three bodies in the attic drying room.” He watched the horror spread across the baronet’s face. Sir Phillip and Darcy’s father had attended Eton together—he was a man whom Darcy admired and respected.“All have died of mysterious causes. I have several unexpected houseguests because of the storm, and I assumed you would wish to question them before they departed.”
“Three?” Sir Phillip took a nearby chair.
“My cousin’s traveling companion and two of my staff.Another, Jatson St. Denis, suffered minor injuries in a confrontation with an unknown assailant.”
“I am afraid I do not understand, Darcy. Has someone entered the house illegally or is our culprit someone we know?”
Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. “I wish to God I knew. The phantom of Pemberley has haunted this house for nigh on ten days and nights.”
“The phantom of Pemberley?” Sir Phillip stared at him.
“What my staff has dubbed my intruder! At first, they believed him to be one of the shadow people.” He pulled the cord to order breakfast. “I have sent for Mrs. Darcy and my sister. I thought we might make our insights known to you prior to your questioning the guests. I have made extensive notes of each day’s events since we took notice of a stranger on the grounds and then of the cryptic clues accompanying each of the incidents. I suppose you told your household that you might not return until tomorrow?”
“Will it take that long?”
Darcy moved to answer the door. “As we have eight guests and several staff members to address, I am sure you will be about your duties through most of the day.” He opened the door to find Elizabeth and Georgiana awaiting him. “Ah, my Dears.” He caught
Elizabeth’s hand and led her to where the baronet stood. “Sir Phillip has come in an official capacity; we need to tell him everything we know of our phantom.”
“Of course, my Husband.” She curtsied to the official and then summoned a waiting footman to bring in the ordered food and drink.
Georgiana shivered. “I pray, Sir Phillip, that you can bring closure to this distressing matter.”
“I will do my best, my Dear.” He squeezed her hand. “I would have Pemberley as clear as the day your great-great-grandfather built it.”
“I do have one piece of news that will bring you joy, Sir Phillip.” Darcy passed a cup of tea to the man as Elizabeth continued to pour for the rest of them.
A hesitant smile touched the baronet’s lips. “Please share, my Boy. Under the circumstances, I am in need of felicitations.”
“My household is to know a new member this summer.”
The gentleman beamed at Elizabeth, his eyes glistening with genuine happiness. “Mrs. Darcy, you have brought life back to this estate. I do wish Lady Anne and the former Mr. Darcy were here to know of this day. My old friend would be strutting around like the proudest peacock. I cannot wait to tell Lady Spurlock. She will be beside herself with joy. When the roads clear, you will know how much the Darcys are respected by this neighborhood.”
“Thank you, Sir Phillip. Mr. Darcy and I are blessed to know such joy.”
“A whole houseful!” Sir Phillip declared.“A houseful of Darcys would please me.”
Elizabeth blushed. “We will take our blessings one at a time, Sir Phillip.”
“Let us begin.” Darcy redirected the conversation. The knowledge that the community would welcome the news of his heir pleased him. Pemberley would survive—even the chaos of the past week would not destroy it. Sir Phillip’s words rang in his ears.
Mrs.
Darcy, you have brought life back to this estate.
For the first time in several days, he knew contentment. “Elizabeth, why do you not start with the day you saw the stranger when we were out riding?”
The hearty breakfast satisfied one of Harwood’s hungers. Plus, he found Miss Donnel alone in the morning room, and he spent nearly half an hour spouting his best “seductive” speeches.The lady appeared to welcome him. Perhaps he would ease another
hunger
tonight.
Of course, the lady’s cousin seemed less inclined to “welcome” him to the family.When he found them conversing privately in the breakfast room, Lord Stafford appeared quite angry. The viscount first offered Harwood a direct cut before sending his cousin scurrying to her room. He had thought he knew something of the future earl’s nature after spending several hours the previous evening chatting over cards, but His Lordship’s subsequent private warning spoke volumes.
You cannot trust the aristocracy,
Harwood reminded himself.
The viscount will gladly take your hard-earned macaroni, but deny you the pleasure of his cousin’s company.
Without thinking, he swung the door to his room wide. Seeing a man in Regular regimentals shaving at the vanity table stunned him. He strode forward. “What the bloody hell are you doing here?”
He made the decision to look for a change of clothes and to seek some other comforts. Since James’s altercation in the east wing and Peter’s frenzied moment in the family quarters, Gregor MacIves had found it quite impossible to leave the passageways.The Darcys had effectively cut off his supplies. Today, he hoped to find some extra clothes or toiletries stored on the second level.“I be a bit rank.” He hit the lever for one of the empty rooms.This was the only part of the house not currently in use or not presently being renovated.
As the raised dais sporting a small writing desk rotated inward, he stepped into the airy room. He could get used to such luxury, but the likelihood of ever knowing the warmth of a place of his own faded a bit more with each passing day. Only one thing held
him back—kept him from realizing his true potential. He had come to Pemberley to right a wrong. Looking out the nearest window, he took stock of the changing weather conditions. “It be tonight,” he said as he let the drape fall back into place.
He found a bowl and a ewer of water. He stripped off his jacket and searched the wardrobe for clothes stored in the cabinet. “Well, look here.” He pulled the shirt from the wooden hanger. “Thank ye, Darcy.” He removed the rough linen he had worn for the past week and threw it in the empty bag resting on the bedside end table. He poured water in the bowl, lathered up a cloth, and proceeded to wash his body as best he could. He would prefer a bath, but, at least, he could rid himself of the dust and the cobwebs clinging to his face and arms.
As silently as possible, he raised the smallest window, and then carefully carried the dirty water to it and dumped the water onto the frosty lawn. Then he refilled the bowl and applied the soap to his face. He returned to the dressing room and found a straight razor on the table. “Thank ye a’gin, Darcy.”
Taking the blade with him, he looked for a mirror. He found one and began to remove the bristly whiskers decorating his face. “I won’er when be the last time Darcy shaved his own face?” He made smooth, sweeping strokes along his cheeks and then wiped the blade dry on a towel.
He had just run the razor up the right side of his neck to his chin line when the room’s door swung open. In the mirror, he saw a man wearing what appeared to be an officer’s uniform. The man strode forward. “What the bloody hell are you doing here?” he demanded.
For a split second, Gregor froze, thinking that being discovered meant he would not have to return to the cold passageways after all, and then survival instincts took hold. He spun, razor in hand, and caught the officer with a forearm across the neck.With his free hand, he slashed the blade along the exposed flesh, leaving a jagged cut from the man’s left ear to his Adam’s apple.
The lieutenant fought Gregor until his opponent made a second cut, and the blood poured forth over their hands, which were knotted together in a struggle. Then his opponent went limp, the front of his well-pressed uniform turning red with his own blood. Gregor stepped back and let the lieutenant slide to the floor.Without thinking twice, he rinsed his hands in the water. He grabbed a second towel, the bag from the end table, and the clean garments and sidestepped around the writhing body. After locking the room door, he headed toward the secret panel. Reaching the hidden lever, he glanced back once to see the military officer pull up to his knees before suddenly going very still. He knew it was a matter of time.Within a few minutes, the lieutenant would know his Maker. A loud click signaled that Gregor’s escape waited.