He was beginning to think he was not cut out to be the vicar of any parish, let alone one as parochial as this. He owned the Rectory and the lands around it, perhaps it would be best to renounce his ministry and let somebody more suited to the profession take over.
He must have been out of his mind to consider he could be a man of God. All his adult life he had been a soldier, his decision to leave the army had been prompted not by a genuine calling, but by his revulsion at the wanton destruction of property and life that he had become part of. The strength of his commitment to Christianity did not waver, he would always be a believer in the power of God, but his nature was too volatile and violent to make a good priest.
Speaking to Darcy could wait, his letter to the bishop could not. He turned back to the house and crunched through the snow; with every step he became more certain that his decision was the right one. He owned a respectable house in the village, with several acres of land around it, that would do splendidly for the new incumbent. He would appoint his curate, he was an able young man and more than ready to take over the responsibilities of his own parish.
He did not regret for one minute his decision to sell his commission, neither did he regret coming to Derbyshire. If he had not done either thing he would not have met Kitty and been able to help fight the spirits that had invaded Pemberley. Once secure in the privacy of his study he wrote two letters – one to the bishop renouncing his orders – the other to his older brother with the same news, but in this one he added that he was about to get married. Richard would be relieved that he had come to his senses as he had never thought him cut out for a religious life.
His missives were sanded, folded, dressed and sealed with a blob of wax before he left the sanctuary of his study. Immediately he came face-to-face with Georgiana and her brother.
‘Is Kitty with you, King? My sister has not seen her for an hour or more and your housekeeper has no knowledge of her whereabouts either.’
For a moment he was unable to respond. His behaviour had driven her out into the snow, she had run away. ‘This is an unmitigated disaster, and it is entirely my doing. Kitty came to see me and we… we …. I believe I frightened her, Darcy, and she could not bear to remain under the same roof as me.’
The girl shrank back from him in horror and Darcy’s expression darkened and his fist clenched. Adam braced himself for a blow he well-deserved, but it never arrived.
‘Do you love my sister, King? Are your intentions honourable?’
Fury engulfed Adam at the suggestion he might be toying with Kitty’s affections. ‘Devil take it, Darcy, how dare you suggest I would do anything to harm her? I am going to marry her as soon as I can.’ He waved the two letters under his nose. ‘The only reason I did not come and speak to you immediately is because I was writing these. From today I am no longer the rector of Bakewell, but Adam King, a gentleman of means.’
He had expected the dramatic announcement that he had renounced his calling to be received with horror, but Darcy surprised him. ‘Good decision, King, you are the least likely vicar I have ever met. I’m sure the good Lord has other plans for you. Now, how long is it since you saw Kitty?’
‘No more than half an hour, she cannot have got very far. I shall ride after her, perhaps you could follow in your carriage?’
He didn’t wait to put on his riding coat, but raced around to the stables and in less than five minutes he was astride his stallion and galloping down the drive.
*
Kitty, after marching briskly for thirty minutes along the road, had not revised her opinion of the nasty white snow. The hem of her thick cloak and gown were caked with the wretched stuff and already it was creeping into her boots and making her feet very uncomfortable and cold. For some time she had been walking along the boundary of Pemberley, but now she could see a farm gate leading into the estate. If she cut across the park she would save herself a considerable distance.
She scrambled over the gate, through the coppice, and was then able to see her destination clearly across the acres of white coated grass. The lake was opaque, the surface frozen, but the vista was quite beautiful. Fortunately the rest of her journey would be downhill and going this way would mean she would be out of reach of anyone who might seek to pursue her in a carriage.
She was barely halfway across when she sincerely regretted her impulsive decision. Away from the shelter of the high hedges that run along the lane the bitter wind whistled across the open space, and she could no longer feel her extremities. She had the hood of her cloak pulled down over her ears, her muffler tied around her face, and gloves upon her fingers, but she was still chilled to the bone.
Then as if from nowhere a horse appeared at her side and, without a by your leave, the rider reached down and plucked her from the ground by the scruff of her neck. Next she was draped face down across the pommel and a far from gentle slap upon her derriere settled her in place.
‘What were you thinking of, you little idiot? You could have frozen to death out here.’
They were already cantering and she was being bounced around too much to answer Adam. She would never forgive him for this indignity, she was not a pig being taken to market and should be treated with more respect.
Thankfully they were at their destination in a few minutes and she was tipped unceremoniously to the ground where she fell painfully onto her knees. Her stomach was roiling and her head spinning after the unpleasant ride.
‘Up you come, we need to go inside.’ He grabbed her under her arms and lifted her to her feet. ‘Can you walk or do you wish me to carry you?’
She had finally recovered her breath. ‘I have no wish for you to do anything further for me, sir, you have done quite enough for one day. There is no need for you to come in, I bid you good day.’ She tossed her head and stalked off hoping he would take the hint and go back to the Rectory and leave her in peace. Instead he strode beside her looking none too pleased at her dismissal. ‘I told you, Mr King, that I wish you to leave. We have nothing further to say to each other.’
In answer he snatched her hand and put it through his arm then clamped his own across it so she could not wriggle free. ‘You are mistaken, Miss Bennet, our conversation has yet to begin. However, I have no intention of bandying words with you out here.’
She was whisked through a door opened by an ever vigilant footman, and bundled down the central passageway and into the library. He slammed the door behind them and then she was taken willy-nilly to a position by the roaring fire.
‘Remove your cloak, you will be warmer without it.’
This was the outside of enough. She was not going to be ordered about like one of his soldiers, not in her own home. ‘How dare you drag me in here like this? You have no rights over my person and I refuse to be dictated to by someone of your ilk. Neither do I intend to stand here dripping when I could go to my room and change into something warm and dry.’ Her intention had been to stalk away with her nose in the air but before she could do so he stepped in front of her, blocking her passage.
‘Please, I have handled this appallingly. It is too long since I’ve dealt with a gently bred young lady and my manners are distinctly lacking. Kitty, Miss Bennet, will you please sit down for a moment as there is something I wish to say to you most urgently.’
Unless she wished to make an unpleasant scene she had no choice but to do as he said. He was behaving quite stangely, not at all like the dreadful Mr Collins, or any other vicar that she had ever encountered. With bad grace she perched on the edge of an upright wooden chair, ignoring the more comfortable seats that were available.
The room was dominated by floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with leatherbound books on every subject under the sun. This was where Georgiana had found the diary that had started this catastrophic series of events. She shivered. Had her friend not said she had returned the book to one of the shelves? She glanced around nervously not wishing to be in the same room as anything that might incur the wrath of the ghosts.
‘What is it? Are you unwell, my love? I am a brute to order you about like this, but I upset you dreadfully and caused you to run away and I wish to put matters right.’
Now he had her full attention and she forgot about what might be lurking on the shelves. ‘Very well, sir, I am listening.’
He snatched up a similar chair and swung it round so that he could straddle it and rested his hands across the back. ‘I should not have embraced you; such things are not permitted even when a couple is engaged. I know that I distressed you so much by my disgraceful behaviour you ran away.’
Her eyes widened. Had he run mad? ‘I was not upset about that, I could have protested at any time, but I chose not to. I thought that you turned your back on me because my wanton behaviour had given you a disgust of me.’
He shook his head and tentatively reached out to cover her hands. ‘This is a catalogue of misunderstandings and I blame myself. I turned my back to give you time to recover your composure and then intended to apologise.’
His smile made her toes curl in her boots; he slowly pushed himself upright and spun the chair away with one hand. Then he dropped to one knee. ‘Darling Kitty, I have fallen irrevocably in love with you. Will you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife at the earliest possible opportunity?’
She didn’t hesitate. ‘I will marry you, but I’m not sure about your suggestion that we do it at the earliest possible opportunity. We have only known each other a very short while and, although we are certain of our feelings, I think it would be sensible to get to know each other a little better before we tie the knot.’
With a shout of triumph he kicked the chair aside and pounced on her. She was crushed against his chest and she instinctively tipped her head so she could receive her very first kiss. This was over far too soon and left her lips tingling delightfully. He gently returned her to her feet and pointed to the sofa closest to the fire.
‘There are other things I must tell you, I hope you are not disappointed by my news.’ When he had completed his announcement she was, on reflection, more relieved than disappointed.
‘Actually, I do not think I would make a suitable wife for a vicar. I shall be far more comfortable being married to an ordinary gentleman.’
He chuckled and ruffled her hair. ‘Ordinary? And here I was thinking I was a splendid fellow.’
‘Adam, I really must change my clothes for I am wet through to my undergarments.’ She giggled, but did not apologise for her unseemly comment. ‘However, before I do so there are several things we need to discuss.’ When she had told him her fears for Pemberley he agreed with her that the future did indeed look bleak for the Darcy family.
‘They must store everything of value in my barns, then, when they find themselves a new home they can have their familiar belongings around them once more. As long as they are all well I don’t think it matters where they live. And, in response to your earlier comment about when we shall have our nuptials, we will have ample opportunity to get to know each other whilst you are living at the Rectory.’ He grinned, making him look almost boyish, as the hard planes of his face softened for a moment. ‘In fact, as my home is no longer the Rectory, we must come up with a suitable name for it together.’
‘Good heavens, Adam, your jacket is steaming. You are as damp as I am. When Darcy returns you must borrow another from him.’
‘I have yet to return the first garments, I can hardly raid his wardrobe again so soon. I shall stand in front of the fire until you return, sweetheart. No doubt I shall have ample opportunity to dry out before you reappear.’
‘I wager that I am back within a quarter of an hour.’
‘And what shall be my prize when you fail?’
She tilted her head to one side and placed a finger on her lips in a parody of her sister Lydia. ‘I shall reward you with a kiss, sir. But what will you give me when I win?’
His eyes burned into hers. ‘Your prize will be the same as mine. Now, go and change before you catch a head cold.’
Kitty hurried up to the apartment and was glad Annie was there to help her as she was feeling strangely tired. The long walk, and the excitement of becoming betrothed to the most wonderful man in the whole of England, must be proving too much for her delicate constitution. She eyed the comfortable bed with longing, but was determined not to lose her wager and be back in the library within the agreed time.
She scarcely noticed what her abigail put on her, clothes were no longer important to her as she knew her beloved did not care what gown she wore, Adam would love her if she appeared dressed in a sack. Once she was warm and dry her fatigue lessened and she ran back through the house eager to join him in the library.
Chapter Seventeen
The sound of voices approaching the library jerked Adam from his doze in front of the fire. He had hung his jacket over the back of the chair and placed it next to the flames but there was no time to put it on before Darcy and Bingley arrived.
He had not let the ladies know he was there, or the circumstances that led up to his arrival, but both the butler and housekeeper were aware Kitty was safe. At least his jacket was dry enough to put on so he could make himself respectable before he joined the others in the drawing room and he had it in one hand when Darcy walked in.
‘I have brought your riding coat, King, so you will be able to return in more comfort. Is Kitty well? Have you resolved matters between you?’ He stepped across and took the jacket from him. ‘Here, allow me to assist you.’
He had just managed to restore his appearance when his beloved burst in triumphantly, at first she did not see her brother-in-law as he was hidden by the open door. ‘There, Adam, I am on time and I have come to claim my forfeit.’
She did not allow him time to warn her they were not alone but ran straight into his arms and he could not resist enfolding her, but he had the sense not to do more than kiss her on top of her head. Darcy cleared his throat noisily and she all but but jumped from his arms.
‘I can see that congratulations and good wishes are called for, Kitty. I shall write at once to your father and tell him I have given my permission for you to become engaged to King. I take it you do not wish to marry until next spring?’
‘We are intending to be wed as soon as my parents and Mary can be with us.’ Kitty’s happy smile almost unmanned him.
Darcy looked from one to the other of them and then nodded. ‘Although it took Lizzy and I a considerable time to discover our true feelings, I sincerely believe you have arrived at the same point already. Hopefully Lizzy and I will have decided where we wish to live, and Bingley and Jane have purchased a suitable property, by then.’
‘I am going to tell my sisters my good news.’ She looked at him askance and grinned. ‘I think that neckcloth is beyond redemption, Adam, but I’m sure Darcy can supply another if you ask politely.’ She squeezed his hand, smiled at Darcy, and hurried from the room. He hoped she never lost her joie de vivre; he adored the way she ran from place to place with such enthusiasm.
‘Are you sure you do not mind giving me another item of your clothing, Darcy? I doubt that anyone here will complain if my cravat is a trifle rumpled.’
‘I take it you have not looked into the glass? When Kitty said it was beyond redemption she was speaking no more than the truth. Do you know, King, in all the time I have been friends with Bingley I have never had recourse to give him anything from my wardrobe, and yet here I am, within the space of two days, heading that way once more.’ He chuckled and his smile was friendly. ‘I do not have a close circle of friends, I have always found it difficult to interact with those I do not know well, yet once again you have confounded me.’
‘Are you saying that you are considering, considering me as a friend?’ Adam laughed out loud, the noise echoing down the wide, flagstone passageway. ‘I suppose you have no choice if I’m to marry one of your sisters.’
They were now in Darcy’s dressing room and his valet, with a commendably straight face, hand
ed him a freshly starched and folded strip of linen.
Adam faced the mirror and deftly tied it in a simple knot. He did not use any fancy diamond pins to hold it in place, he had never seen the point of such affectation. ‘There, I will pass muster. I’m hoping Kitty will also have told the ladies the news as I do not wish to go through that explanation a third time.’
‘It has taken an unconscionably long time to return you to sartorial elegance, my friend, so I am sure all the news will be safely transferred to the ladies.’
Adam was about to slap Darcy on the back but restrained himself in time. They might be friends now, but Darcy would never be a man who encouraged physical intimacies. Then Adam realised he was quite wrong in that assessment. He had seen Darcy embrace his sister and put his arm around Kitty.
The moment had passed when such a gesture would be acceptable, but next time it occurred he would not hesitate. Adam was a demonstrative man and during his years as a soldier had frequently embraced fallen comrades, hugged those men who had lost a close friend, and was all the better for the physical contact.
In the excitement of his engagement, and the announcement that he was leaving the church, there was little time to dwell on the darker side of things. He could hardly invite himself to dine a second night as he was coming to the party the next day and he was to spend the night, so reluctantly he took his leave at dusk.
Kitty wanted to escort him to the front door but he refused, he didn’t want her wandering about on her own even if the house was supposed to be safe. Why should they trust a ghost? They were not bound by things that kept this human world in place.
They stood outside the drawing room to say their farewells. ‘I have no betrothal ring for you, sweetheart, but I shall send for a family heirloom. My mother left a box of jewellery to be handed to my future wife, no doubt there will be something suitable in there.’
The Ghosts at Pemberley Page 15