‘Are there to be guests joining us tonight, do you know?’
‘No, just family. Will you play for us after dinner, Kitty?’
‘I only have one other piece off by heart, and I am not sure that is suitable for a family gathering. Tomorrow we must spend time at the pianoforte and you can begin your instruction. I would love to be able to play some Christmas tunes with you.’
Dinner was uneventful and Kitty could not help but notice that Lizzy and Bingley both looked tired. She and Georgiana were playing a game of spillikins in front of the fire. ‘Shall we retire? We will have to be up early for church tomorrow.’
Her companion followed her glance and understood immediately. ‘Lizzy, Kitty and I are going to retire. We will not wait for the tea tray.’
‘Goodnight, girls, I think it no one has any objection that I will retire also.’ Immediately Darcy was on his feet and offering his arm.
Her objective successfully achieved, Kitty embraced both her sisters and curtsied to the gentlemen. Then arm in arm with her bosom bow she left the drawing room and walked briskly through the hall and into the chamber which held the Great Staircase.
Each time she approached the marble stairs she experienced a flutter of fear. ‘I do not like going this way, can we use another route?’
‘Yes, of course we can. How thoughtless of me to take you past the place where you had such a horrible experience. Come, in future we shall use the oak staircase on the other side of the dining room. Indeed, I cannot understand why I did not think of this before.’
The route to this secondary staircase involved crossing the central flagstone passageway, cutting through the dining room and then they were there. These stairs were as commodious as the main staircase at Longbourn, Kitty had wondered if these were for staff use only, but was reassured when she saw them.
Finding their way to their apartment was a little more complicated, but as long as it did not require her to pass through the gallery she was quite prepared to walk an extra half a mile. Eventually they emerged on the west side of the house that was used exclusively by guests as the family occupied the central portion, and the least said about the East Wing the better.
Once they were safely ensconced in their bedchamber, their maids dismissed, Kitty broached the subject she had been mulling over for some time. ‘I think the gallery is possessed, I would like to ask Mr King to pray there in the hope that his words will have the power of God behind them. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that his intervention brought me back from the brink of oblivion.’ No sooner had she spoken, than she wished the words unsaid as she had no wish to alarm Georgiana, but her friend merely nodded in agreement.
‘I think you might be right, and Mr King’s prayers had a miraculous effect on you. We cannot creep about the house without attracting notice, it is all very well to use the back stairs occasionally but either my brother or Lizzy are bound to comment if we refuse to use the main staircase.’ She frowned. ‘Perhaps it would be better to explain to Fitzwilliam before we enlist Mr King’s assistance.’
Kitty shuddered at the thought. For all his smiles and compliments she lived in dread of being on the receiving end of one of his famous set downs. A leopard cannot change its spots was a saying that must have a grain of truth in it.
‘I would much prefer to try and sort this out without involving either Lizzy or your brother, if you don’t mind? Only if Mr King refuses to help us, or his ministrations are ineffective, should we embroil anyone else in this mystery.’
‘If we are fortunate we should be able to speak to Mr King after the service tomorrow. I believe that Fitzwilliam has taken a liking to him and should not object if he visits on Monday.’
‘I am not sure if it would be advisable to ask him directly, especially not after the service and in a place we might be overheard. I had thought I would write him a note, it should be far easier to slip this into his hand without being observed.’
Georgiana looked unconvinced. ‘Think about it, Kitty dearest, if you were to be seen handing him a letter would not people believe you were making a clandestine arrangement to meet?’
‘Good grief! Do you think so? He is the very last gentleman I should wish to have my name associated with – far too austere and he must be almost the same age as your brother.’
‘I am sure he is not past five and twenty, and Fitzwilliam will be thirty years old on his next name day.’
‘That is by the by, all I wish him to do is agree to exorcise the Pemberley ghosts so we can all sleep easily in our beds.’
The next morning was bright and frosty and Kitty was looking forward to attending church. Bingley had declared himself fit enough to ride with Darcy in order that the ladies could fit more comfortably into the carriage for the three mile drive to Bakewell. He had now removed the bandage and his sutures were hidden by his hair.
If Mr King was surprised to see them he hid it well. He greeted them affably, but with no more deference than he gave his other parishioners. Kitty and Georgiana walked demurely behind the others into the darkened interior of the church.
‘I am glad we have on our warmest cloaks, it is perishing in here. I believe it could be warmer outside,’ Kitty whispered.
‘No doubt it will be better once everyone is inside. Look, there is an empty pew on the right. Fitzwilliam will find it strange not sitting in pride of place today.’
The well-to-do in the congregation took the seats and the space behind them was filled to capacity by those less fortunate. Presumably the missing Bakewell congregation had returned now his uncle was dead. Everyone joined in the hymns lustily and Kitty was relieved Mr King kept his sermon to a reasonable length. Her toes were frozen solid in her boots and she could no longer feel the tips of her fingers. She had taken Georgiana’s advice and not written a note to give to Mr King, she was going to attempt to speak to him privately after the service.
After they had been blessed the congregation was free to go. Those at the rear of the church remained politely standing until those at the front had made their way down the aisle and out into the December sunshine. Darcy and Lizzy stopped to speak to Mr King for a moment, as did Jane and Bingley, but it was obvious there was going to be no opportunity for Kitty to do the same. He nodded and she curtsied as she passed, but that was all.
As they made their way back to the carriage Lizzy waited for them. ‘I have invited Mr King to join us for dinner tonight and his curate is going to take evensong for him, Darcy suggested he might like to play billiards so he is coming some time this afternoon.’
Kitty exchanged a triumphant glance with Georgiana but was unable to do more. If he was to be with them for several hours, there must be an opportunity to waylay him with her suggestion.
Chapter Ten
After breakfast Kitty and Georgiana returned to their apartment in order to decide how to spend the remainder of the morning.
‘I thought I might start your instruction this morning, Kitty, unless you would prefer to go for a walk whilst the sun is shining.’
‘I should dearly like to examine the parterre, I know there is nothing apart from the box hedges to look at, but the patterns are fascinating. Also, I should like to see the view of the lake from the terrace.’
‘Then that is what we shall do. In the summer months we put cushions on the stone benches enclosed within the wall and take tea there, or read a book.’
‘I can hardly credit I shall be here to experience that myself. To think that a year ago the height of my ambition was to marry a handsome officer and now I have become part of your family. I am a very lucky young lady and appreciate my good fortune.’
A short while later they were on their way once more. ‘Are we to take the back stairs again?’ Georgiana asked.
‘No, I want to walk around on the gallery to see if my conjectures are correct. Perhaps I am being overly fanciful after my nasty experience; I should not wish to involve Mr King on a fool’s errand.’
Their chatter faded as th
ey approached the end of the passageway. Georgiana moved closer to her and put her arm through hers. Kitty decided she must be brave, ignore the feeling of dread that was creeping towards her along the boards as if it were a physical thing and not a figment of her imagination.
They stepped onto the gallery and Kitty was held fast by force she did not understand. It was as if the breath was being sucked from her lungs, as if she was somehow being emptied of life. Georgiana screamed, the sound echoing around the empty space and the terror in her voice jerked Kitty from her trance.
‘Run, run with me back to our apartment. Don’t stop until we are inside.’ Her friend grabbed her hand and half-dragged her away from whatever it was that lurked in the space. They were hurtling along with skirts flying when Darcy erupted from the master apartment, his face like thunder.
‘What the devil is going on? Lizzy is resting—.’ He broke off from his tirade when he saw that his sister was incoherent with tears. Immediately his expression changed to concern. ‘What is it, sweetheart? Come in, both of you, tell me at once what has upset you.’
Georgiana flung herself into his arms and he embraced her, stroking her back and her hair and murmuring words of encouragement as if she were a small child again. With the door closed Kitty was able to recover her composure, the feeling of dread vanishing as if it had never been.
The bedchamber door opened and Lizzy appeared. She took one look at the two of them and her colour faded. Kitty rushed forward and was just able to prevent her from collapsing to the carpet. Darcy abandoned his sister and swept his wife up into his arms and strode back into the bedroom.
Kitty was too shaken to remonstrate with her friend for involving Darcy and Lizzy, she was also concerned that her sister had swooned. Lizzy was the healthiest of them all and had never been ill in her life. She gathered Georgiana into her arms and offered what comfort she could, but her friend continued to weep, and shake like a blanc-mange.
They were left on their own for five minutes and then Darcy reappeared, his face serious. ‘We want to talk to you, Lizzy must remain in bed so join us in here if you will.’
Georgiana was gulping and sniffing occasionally and her handkerchief was sodden, but apart from that they had both more or less recovered from the terror of what now appeared to be inhabiting the gallery. Kitty took her arm and led her friend into the inner sanctum. Lizzy was resting in the enormous bed, looking like a child in the centre of a silk comforter and heap of lace pillows.
However, she had recovered her colour and was looking remarkably well for a lady who had so recently fainted. ‘Come in and sit on the bed with me, Fitzwilliam will join us after he has pulled the hangings shut. This is a conversation I do not wish to be overheard.’
Now was not the time to question this extraordinary suggestion. The very idea of sharing a bed with someone so toplofty as Darcy caused Kitty to stumble, and she ended on her knees as if in prayer.
Before she could regain her feet he tossed her on the bed and then Georgiana was similarly disposed of. Whilst she regained her equilibrium and smoothed out her rumpled skirts he strode around dragging the curtains together and enclosing them in an intimate gloom.
The situation was ridiculous and exactly what she needed to dispel the last of her fear. She caught Georgiana’s eye and before they could prevent it they were both helpless with giggles. Then Lizzy joined in and when Darcy climbed in he looked from one to other in exasperation, then he too began to laugh.
Then as suddenly as the laughter had started it ended. They sat in silence for a few moments and then he spoke. ‘What happened to you the other day, Kitty? Tell me exactly, leave nothing out.’
When she had finished the silence hung heavily between them. Lizzy reached out and took her hand. ‘I felt it too, Kitty, there is something evil lurking out there.’
‘I feared as much when you were found in a coma, Kitty.’ (He was leaning against the pillows on the left of Lizzy and she and Georgiana were similarly disposed on the right.) ‘I should have told you the dark secret that Pemberley holds before I brought you here, my love.’
Kitty trembled and slipped her hand into Georgiana’s finding it was as cold and clammy as hers. She waited in the oppressive quiet for Darcy to continue his revelation.
‘I found a diary a few weeks ago, Fitzwilliam, it was written more than one hundred years ago and it mentioned that the East Wing had been abandoned because of ghosts,’ Georgiana blurted out.
‘Why on earth did you not come to me? Too late to repine – the damage is done. One hundred and fifty years ago, before this part of the house was built, there was only the East Wing. My ancestor had several sons, unfortunately two of them were… were. I do not know how to put this delicately and apologise in advance for my robust language. They were evil bastards and used the privilege of rank and wealth to destroy the lives of those they came in contact with.
‘The story goes that one infamous weekend, when the rest of their family was elsewhere, they invited other like-minded devils here and, not only brought with them a bevy of light skirts, but they also abducted three local girls. They were so engrossed with their debauchery they failed to notice that the villagers had banded together and come to rescue their daughters and seek revenge.
‘The details of what happened next are too gruesome to repeat. Let it suffice for you to know that the girls were rescued and the brothers and their cronies perished in the most horrible way imaginable. The family never returned; they preferred to live on another estate. After several decades the Darcys built a new house around the old – but the East Wing was untenable.’
‘What happened to the men who perpetrated this murder?’ Kitty asked.
‘They left nobody alive to stand as witness – apart from the girls themselves, of course. The magistrates could do nothing as the villagers returned to their homes as if nothing untoward had happened. We only know this story because one of the girls abducted told the local vicar on her deathbed. By then the culprits were all dead and there was nothing that could be done.’
Something about this story bothered Kitty. ‘We are talking of the rakes as the evil ones, but in this case they were the victims not the perpetrators. They might have been debauched, but they were not murderers as the villagers were.’
They were staring at her as if she had spoken in tongues. ‘Are you suggesting, Kitty, we should be sympathetic rather than condemn them?’ Darcy asked eventually.
‘I rather think I am, I do not condone the way these young men behaved, it was totally reprehensible, but they did not deserve to be murdered and the murderers allowed to get away with their heinous crime.’
‘That’s as may be, Kitty, but it is not the villagers we are concerned with now but the spirits of the men who are haunting this place,’ Darcy said firmly.
Georgiana now had a question. ‘Fitzwilliam, surely they did not kill the ladies from London as well?’
He shook his head. ‘No, sweetheart, they fled the scene and were not there to be interviewed when the constables arrived.’
‘Has it stood empty since then?’ Kitty asked.
‘It has, my dear, although I believe that several attempts have been made over the years to reoccupy the wing, but the family were driven out by unnatural occurrences. Eventually it was deemed best to leave it. I was told the story by my father and believed it to be superstitious nonsense. What has happened these past few days has made me think again.’
‘I was hoping to involve Mr King in this, Mr Darcy. The strength of his prayers released me from my captivity and I truly believe he could exorcise these ghosts for you.’
‘I think that Kitty is correct, my love, we do need his assistance. Do you know if anything similar has ever been attempted in the past?’
‘Lizzy, my father only mentioned it the once, and that was when I asked why we didn’t renovate the wing. He was so abrupt that I never mentioned the subject again. There have been no manifestations of any sort in my lifetime and I cannot imagine what
has brought these evil creatures into our part of the house.’
Georgiana roused herself and joined in the lively debate. ‘Could Kitty be the reason? They enticed her to the door by snatching away her cap, did they not?’
‘I think it started when we were in the schoolroom and were talking about going into the East Wing to investigate,’ Kitty said, not wishing to think she might be the cause of the unpleasantness.
Darcy repudiated this. ‘I think the diary is the key, Georgiana, finding that has stirred up the past. Did you read the whole?’
She shook her head. ‘No, I flicked through it until I saw the mention of ghosts and then put it aside.’ Georgiana paused as if thinking hard. ‘I can probably find it again if you wish to read it yourself. It is with the other journals. I didn’t really want to investigate the East Wing, Kitty, but thought it might be something you would be interested in and I did so want you to be happy here and not be bored by our country life.’
This revelation was greeted by silence then Kitty pulled herself together. ‘I could never be bored in your company, already you are as close to me as my sisters.’ She appealed to her brother-in-law. ‘I beg you, sir, explain to your sister that whatever is happening it has nothing to do with either of us. Georgiana, how did you come across the diary?’
‘I was looking for a book of local interest for you and noticed the shelf of diaries and plucked that one out at random.’
Lizzy sat bolt upright and her gasp made them all turn to look at her. ‘How long ago did this happen, Georgiana?’
‘Six weeks ago, no earlier, because I recall we had just heard from Jane that she and Bingley were coming to stay whilst they searched for a suitable property in this neighbourhood.’
‘In that case, it would have been exactly the time that I discovered I might be increasing. I think this is the reason the evil spirits are restless.’
The Ghosts at Pemberley Page 9