The ladies were gathered together like a group of colourful butterflies, chatting and laughing as if they were not living next to a group of dangerous ghosts with murder on their minds. Darcy closed the door behind them and immediately turned. ‘I had never thought of myself as a play actor, but I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed stalking around my house muttering gloom and doom. Word that something is seriously amiss will already be circulating below stairs.’
‘Will your steward not ask why you have not called in a surveyor to confirm your findings?’ Adam asked.
‘Good God, he values his employment more highly than that. He will take my instructions without question.’
This was the autocratic gentleman he had been told to expect, but these past few days Darcy had shown himself not to be a proud, toplofty gentleman at all, but a man he was coming to like very well. Adam smiled at Kitty, who had glanced through her eyelashes at him and then turned a becoming shade of pink.
He thought himself a straightforward sort of man, not given to artifice of any sort, but exchanging secret smiles and whispered conversations with this delightful girl over the next few weeks was something he was actually looking forward to. Darcy was not the only one who had changed.
When the ladies learned of what they had been doing the past two hours they were impressed. Lizzy became quite agitated. ‘Thank goodness I did not send for Ingram or Reynolds as I had intended to, Fitzwilliam. Now they will be expecting a summons from both of us and that will make matters so much easier. I do so hate to become involved in falsehoods, but in this case the truth cannot be shared with anyone else.’
Adam draped himself against the fireplace so he was facing Kitty. ‘I’m not sure if I explained that my house is only partially furnished. My uncle, although he lived there for many years, never used the major part of the building. Perhaps tomorrow, Darcy, you could all come over and see for yourselves what you think you will need for your stay. You will also have to bring a dozen or more indoor servants if we are to open up the whole of the building. Better not to bring your butler and housekeeper, but I have accommodation for as many as you wish to bring.’
The remainder of the evening was spent pleasantly discussing how the move might be managed with the least difficulty. Both Bingley and Darcy were quite adamant that, as their wives were in a delicate condition, they should not do any more than was absolutely necessary. Therefore Georgiana and Kitty were to accompany Darcy the next day to make the necessary lists.
After a delicious supper, the time had come for Adam to depart but he was strangely reluctant to leave this happy family group. He had had no opportunity to further his objectives with Kitty, but the more he saw of her the more certain he was that there was no other young lady in Christendom he could love so well.
As he was driven home he had time to consider the implications of Henry Darcy’s threat. It was all very well the family and staff abandoning Pemberley, but nobody had taken into account the fact that the workmen who would be demolishing the East Wing would be in grave danger.
He was sure Darcy would realise he could not ask anyone to go into the place after Christmas Eve unless there was somehow a way to fulfil the ghost’s demand for vengeance. The situation was impossible. He could see no way out of it.
The pleasure of the evening was replaced by a feeling of despondency, which even prayer did nothing to alleviate. The situation was insoluble. Pemberley was doomed. Unless there was a miracle, the family could never return, the house would be left to decay.
They would be unable to come back and collect family treasures, so he must speak to Darcy when he came tomorrow morning. Things could be stored in the two huge barns that were only partially filled with animal fodder. Darcy already had a list of empty properties in the vicinity drawn up for Bingley and his wife – he would have to move into one of these himself, or leave the area entirely.
He spoke briefly to both his butler and housekeeper before retiring in order that they could get the covers removed from what furniture there was in the unused rooms. He had also asked them to make a list of what they thought was needed both upstairs and downstairs, and also to decide how many extra staff they would require when the house was fully occupied.
When he climbed into bed, after communing with the Almighty, he was feeling slightly more positive about future events. However bleak things might be for Pemberley, it was only a building, the Darcy family would continue to thrive wherever they lived.
*
The next morning Georgiana scrambled out of bed and ran to the window. ‘I knew it, I can always tell when it has snowed in the night. Come and look, Kitty, everywhere looks so beautiful under its white blanket.’
If there was one thing Kitty did not like, it was snow. The horrid, cold, white stuff not only froze one’s fingers it crept into one’s boots as well. She pushed herself up onto the pillows but did not vacate the warm nest the bed had become.
‘I am not happy to hear the weather has deteriorated. Removing the contents of Pemberley, plus staff and ourselves, to Bakewell is going to be decidedly unpleasant in the snow.’
Her friend scampered back to bed just as two chambermaids arrived with their morning chocolate and sweet rolls. After the trays had been placed across their laps, the maids dithered a few feet from the bed as if they wished to say something.
Georgiana took pity on them. ‘What is wrong, girls? Have you something you wish to ask us?’
They both bobbed in a curtsy and then the more daring of the two spoke up. ‘It’s like this, Miss Darcy, we’ve been hearing ever so many things downstairs. Is the house falling down about our ears?’
‘It is not quite as bad as that, Ellie, but Mr Darcy has discovered the very fabric of Pemberley is at risk from an infestation of some sort. No doubt Reynolds will explain it all to you later today. You must not worry, everybody’s employment is secure even if they do not accompany us to the Rectory whilst the remedial work is organised in the New Year.’
The maids looked relieved and, without further conversation, took themselves away, no doubt to tell everybody in the servants’ hall what they had discovered.
‘Is the snow deep, Georgiana? Indeed, is it still coming down?’
‘There is about an inch on the windowsill, no more than that, and the sun is out and the sky is without a single cloud. I believe it more likely to freeze than snow again today.’
After they were dressed in their promenade gowns and were waiting until the time came to descend for breakfast, they discussed the forthcoming social event. ‘You will like the Gordon family, Kitty, they have a raft of young children – indeed their nursery is already overflowing. I cannot understand why anyone would wish to have so many children. When I get married I intend to have only three – what about you?’
Kitty flushed scarlet. Obviously her friend did not know what took place in the marriage bed, which she supposed was only right and proper for girls of their age. However, Lydia had not been reticent in passing on the details when she had come to stay at Longbourn for the last time. Kitty had been so shocked by this revelation, and if she were honest, quite revolted, that she had not found the courage to ask Jane to confirm what she had been told.
Should she tell Georgiana how babies were conceived or leave it to Lizzy to pass this information on in due course? ‘I believe babies are the result of sharing the marriage bed, unless a husband and wife sleep apart a baby every year is the inevitable result.’ There, she had said as much as she was prepared to.
Georgiana laughed gaily. ‘In which case, I shall remain in my own chamber unless I wish to have a baby. Now, do you have pencil and paper? We must make lists for Lizzy and Jane when we are at the Rectory. I think I might have a notebook in my escritoire and shall fetch it immediately.’
When they arrived in the breakfast room Lizzy and Jane were absent, but Darcy and Bingley were there. ‘I do hope we are not late—.’
Darcy raised a hand but neither gentleman stood up from their laden plates.
‘Not at all, Kitty, we have only just arrived. As Lizzy and Jane are not accompanying us they will not join us this morning. I expect you noticed that it snowed overnight.’
She was finding his friendly chit-chat quite refreshing. She had always thought him taciturn, proud and distant, and adjusting to his new persona, along with everything else that had changed in her life so suddenly, was proving a challenge.
Georgiana answered whilst piling her plate with a miscellany of tasty items. ‘Kitty does not take to snow, Fitzwilliam, I could not entice her to the window to admire it.’ She sighed theatrically. ‘I suppose that means you will not wish to go outside and build a snowman with me either.’
‘If the snow has not gone tomorrow morning I promise I will come out with you however much I dislike it. Fresh air is good for one, and I have not been out for more than two walks since I arrived.’
Whilst she was munching through her breakfast the gentlemen continued their conversation. Bingley waved his fork in the air. ‘When will the letters for your house guests be ready? They must be sent as soon as possible to be sure they do not get held up in the inclement weather.’
‘My secretary has the matter in hand. I am more concerned with the logistics of being obliged to transfer the contents of Pemberley to the Rectory in a blizzard. Ingram is rounding up as many outside men as he can to help. Lizzy is concerned that the removal will take several days and we shall not have sufficient time to prepare for our guests.’
Kitty swallowed her mouthful, and could not keep back her comment however much she tried. ‘The Rectory is Adam’s house, surely the preparations will be done by him? We shall be his guests, will we not?’
They stared at her and she wished the words unsaid. Then they both nodded. ‘You are quite right, Kitty my dear, but King said that he is handing over the house to us, that he will consider himself our guest and not the other way round.’
Darcy’s response was perplexing. The Rectory belonged to the incumbent; would not the parishioners be outraged if their rector was displaced in his own home? Seeing her puzzlement he laughed.
‘I do not expect King to be obliged to foot the bills for so many of us. This way he will not be out of pocket and Lizzy, Georgiana and you can be as extravagant as you like in the preparations for the Christmas festivities.’
‘I was so looking forward to spending my first Christmas here, but as long as I am with you all I shall be content wherever I am.’
Darcy finished his meal and stood up. ‘The carriage will be outside in half an hour, girls, make sure you are ready as I do not wish to keep the horses standing in this weather.’
On the journey over Kitty was entranced by the views of snow-covered fields and naked trees which were now clothed in a sparkling white blanket. The lane from Pemberley to Bakewell was quite smooth and even with a few inches of snow on the ground the carriage made good progress and they arrived unscathed.
Both she and Georgiana were wearing their warmest clothes and stout boots as Adam had warned them that the only heated the rooms he used and the remainder of the building would be perishing. He opened the front door himself and welcomed them in as if they were old friends.
‘Where do you wish to start, ladies? I am to show Darcy the barns in which he can store his surplus furniture.’
‘I see you have drawn the same conclusions as I,’ Darcy replied, his face grim.
There was no opportunity to ask to what they were referring as they were ushered inside and handed over to the housekeeper. Although this house was not a fraction of the size of Pemberley, it was far bigger than Longbourn. ‘Georgiana, the Rectory reminds me of Netherfield, where Jane and Bingley live at the moment. Although the rooms are somewhat shabby, once your furniture is installed and they have been given a good clean, it will look quite smart.’
Her friend was enjoying writing her lists and making note of everything that would be needed to make them comfortable. However, Kitty was becoming bored with examining chambers and exclaiming over cobwebs, and decided to return to the reception rooms in the hope she might meet Adam. He would tell her what he and Darcy had been talking about earlier.
‘I shall leave you to continue your tour, Georgiana, I am going downstairs to look at the ball room.’
She received no more than a vague hand wave so knew she would not be missed. It was a pleasure to wander around this elegant house, and she was looking forward to living somewhere she would not be in constant fear.
She had been in the drawing room, and must suppose that the main reception area would be accessed from that. She walked in to find the room already occupied. Adam greeted her warmly. ‘I was about to come and look for you, Kitty, I want to talk to you.’
‘Where have Darcy and Bingley vanished to?’
‘They are outside talking to my steward about storage and so on. Whatever is placed in the barns must be carefully covered or it will become home to vermin, and be of no use when he wishes to recover it. Darcy will have to get wooden cases and boxes made for the valuable items.’
‘Why did Darcy look so fierce? Is there something going on that I’m not aware of?’
When he explained she was deeply shocked. There was no need for him to say any more. She understood immediately the Darcy family would have to find themselves another home. Pemberley would be uninhabitable after Christmas Eve. Her heart skipped a beat as she realised she did not include herself in these future plans – she was beginning to consider becoming Adam’s wife a real possibility and that the Rectory would be her home sometime in the future.
‘Why would the ghost banish his own family from Pemberley? I cannot see why he would wish to drive them out as this will not further his wish for revenge.’
‘I cannot answer that question, it is one that has been puzzling me too.’
They sat together on a comfortable sofa, he at one end she at the other with a respectable distance between them. ‘There is something else that remains a mystery to me, Adam. Although there has been some sort of activity from these beings whenever a Darcy baby was on the way, why is it only now that they are able to manifest themselves and are taking such an evil interest in the family?’
He sat forward, his expression earnest. ‘I believe I might have an answer to that, Kitty. I think that you are the catalyst; for some strange reason your arrival has given them a conduit into our world.’
Shocked rigid, she jumped to her feet. ‘How can that be? Surely I would have been approached by other spirits before now if that were the case? I can honestly say I have never, until I arrived here, seen a ghost or indeed, even believed that they truly existed.’
Chapter Sixteen
Kitty sank back onto the sofa in despair. This catastrophe was all her fault. As long as she was living at Pemberley she was putting her dearest Lizzy, Georgiana and Darcy at risk.
‘Then I shall not return there. If I am gone then the horrible things will remain where they were. I shall go back to Longbourn where I belong and hope that one day they can forgive me for destroying their lives.’
Adam slid along until he was next to her. Gently he raised her chin with a finger. ‘Sweetheart, this is not your fault. It is no more your fault than being born with blue eyes or black hair. For some reason you have been given this ability to communicate with beings from another world and you must consider it God given, not a curse.’
Her eyes filled and she blinked but was unable to stop unwanted tears from trickling down her cheeks. Then he picked her up and she was sitting on his lap being cradled in his arms. ‘Hush, darling, you mustn’t cry. I truly believe that somehow this will resolve itself. I shall not let you return to Longbourn. You belong here, with me.’
They were breaking all the rules, even young ladies that were betrothed were not allowed to sit on the laps of their future husbands, but a strange lethargy held her where she was. She relaxed into his arms, her misery and fear were replaced by a strange warmth that raced around her body. Was she going down with a fever?
She placed a hand on his chest. His heart was pounding. Was she doing this to him? She tilted her head and stared into his face. His eyes had darkened, there was a strange flush across his cheekbones. Then she was unceremoniously tipped back onto the sofa and he was standing with his back to her looking out of the window.
Her wanton behaviour had grievously offended him, for why else would he reject her like this? She gulped back a sob, scrambled to her feet and ran from the room, her heart breaking. She was no better than Lydia after all, no fit friend for someone as innocent and gentle as Georgiana.
She raced to the front door, which was standing ajar, tore down the steps and continued her mad dash down the drive. It was barely three miles to Pemberley, she could walk that in an hour with no difficulty. When she returned she would find assistance and demand that she be allowed to return home immediately. One disaster after another followed her and she would be better living quietly with Mary and her parents. There she would do no one any harm, or cause any other gentleman to think of her so badly.
*
Adam remained with his back firmly to Kitty, appalled that he had taken such advantage of an innocent girl. His love for her had caused him to behave as no gentleman should. What must she think of him? He was a man of God, his behaviour should be beyond reproach at all times. He came to a decision. He would apologise to her and declare his feelings, ask her to become his wife at the earliest possible opportunity.
He turned to find the sofa empty. He was about to rush after her, but then thought better of it. He had shocked her by his actions, it would be better to let her return to Georgiana and recover her composure. He would go and find Darcy and explain what had taken place. As he marched towards the barns be considered the very real possibility that when Darcy heard of his reprehensible behaviour he would knock him to the floor. This would be no more than he deserved and he would not retaliate in any way.
The Ghosts at Pemberley Page 14