*
Darcy threaded his way through the press of people expecting to find his cousin at his shoulder, but when he reached the double doors that led to a less populated area of the house discovered Hugo had not followed him.
Where the devil was he? Darcy stared over the heads of the milling crowd and immediately spotted the errant gentleman. It was hard to miss the scarlet regimentals. Hugo was deep in conversation with Miss Hall – this rang warning bells. Hadn’t Lizzy suggested the two of them would make an ideal match?
He had told his wife a relationship with the daughter of a traitor wouldn't be considered by any member of the ton. Was it possible she had been correct in her assumption that the two of them would instantly form an emotional attachment?
The Darcy name must not be dragged down by such an association – he must do his best to discourage the girl. There was little point in speaking to his cousin on the matter as once his mind was made up Hugo would not change it. They were similar in more than appearance.
This was a damnable business and he wished he had not allowed himself to be involved. He had never thought to fall in love with any woman until he met Lizzy. Although it had taken them a year or more to overcome her prejudice and his pride, he had known from the moment he had set eyes on her that she was the one for him. He was a better man for marrying her.
How could he deny his cousin the same experience? His lips curved. Good God! The two had only just been introduced and here he was already thinking that they had fallen in love. Such fanciful imaginings were better left to young ladies who were of a romantical nature rather than a serious gentleman like himself.
What he needed was a stiff drink and a conversation about sensible things like the price of corn or the cost of keeping horses in London.
He returned to the ballroom in a better frame of mind and was relieved to see his wife dancing with his cousin – there was no sign of Mrs Hall or her daughter. After an interminable time of skipping and bowing Lizzy was eventually returned to him. He was unperturbed that she hadn't kept her first dance for him.
'At last, sweetheart, I have come to claim my dance.'
'Would you mind very much if we sat this one out, Fitzwilliam? I find myself quite breathless after all that exercise.'
'I shall dance with two other young ladies from your list, Lizzy, then I shall escape to my club.' Cousin Hugo gave her a warm smile. 'I was much taken with Miss Hall and would have danced with her a second time if she had not been called away to some emergency or other.'
His cousin strolled off. 'I am concerned about what might have happened to take the Halls away when both of them were so obviously enjoying this experience. Mrs Hall told me so herself. I must see if I can be of any assistance in whatever disaster has overtaken the family. I don't suppose you heard anything whilst you were in the card room?'
'I didn't. Neither Hall nor Sir Robert was present and neither were their sons. I shall come with you in case I might be needed.'
They wandered through the building peering into rooms but found no sign of the missing couple. She made enquiries in the ladies' retiring room but to no avail. Whatever it was that had taken her new friends away was not to be revealed that night.
'I think it must be something to do with Sir Robert and Lady Sinclair as they haven't come this evening and I'm sure they would have been eager to do so.'
'In which case, Lizzy, shall I call for our carriage or do you wish to remain and dance with me?'
'I'm quite content to return to the tranquillity of our own establishment. Tomorrow I shall call at the abode of Mrs Hall…'
He interrupted her. 'No, you must not interfere. I'm sure we will hear the reason for their disappearance soon enough.'
In the time it took for a footman to run round to Grosvenor Square and summon their carriage they could have walked home twice over. Darcy was glad to leave the overcrowded rooms to those who enjoyed such occasions.
Once safely inside the carriage and rattling over the cobbles he was able to relax.
'When is this supposed letter from home to arrive? I do so long to go back to Pemberley and the children.' She spoke from the darkness.
'It should arrive tomorrow morning so we will be able to set out for Derbyshire the next day. With luck one or other of us will be able to discover what drama took our quarries from the ball tonight.'
'I have no intention of coming to London again for a very long time. I dislike the unpleasant aromas and long for the fresh air of the countryside. I cannot think why some prefer to live here all year round.'
He found her hand and took it into his own. 'I too have had more than enough of the city in recent months. This shall be my last assignment. In future I shall devote myself to my family and estates and be glad to do so.'
*
Fitzwilliam remained at her side all night and they were both in bed when there was a thunderous knocking on the door that led into the passageway.
They both sat up and she was about to tumble from the bed in order to answer but he restrained her. 'Remain where you are, Lizzy. Let Dawson or your girl see who it is.'
'But it's scarcely dawn – they won't be up. It can't be the letter we're expecting as your cousin wouldn't send it at this ungodly time. You must see what's wrong.' She gave him a none too gentle push and he threw back the covers. 'Fitzwilliam, put on your nightshirt, you cannot parade around as you are.'
His laugh was loud in the darkness. 'I'll do so, if I can find it.'
She heard him rummaging about on the carpet and then the rustle of material as it slid over his head. As he strode to the door, apparently unbothered by the fact that he couldn't see where he was going, the person outside knocked loudly for a second time.
Her heart was pounding – her mouth dry. It must be a dire emergency for a member of their staff to bang so frantically.
The door opened and she tensed, straining to hear what was said. The chamber was so large whatever was said was indistinguishable from her position in bed. Her husband was suddenly illuminated by the light of a candle. His face was grim and her stomach roiled.
'What is wrong? Tell me at once. Has something happened at home?'
'The message is from Hugo. He's downstairs awaiting me. Thomas Hall has been abducted. I must get dressed and see how I can assist in this matter.'
She knew better than to offer her help. He was quite capable of dressing himself when required. In a remarkably short time he was back. 'I shall get up as well, I'm wide awake now. Would you mind very much if I joined you downstairs as soon as I am ready? I could go to Mrs Hall and her daughter and offer her comfort at this difficult time.'
'Remain where you are, Lizzy. Mr Hall can take care of his family without our interference. My cousin and I will do what is necessary to find the young man. God willing he hasn't been murdered.'
'This has to be in connection with the other business, doesn't it? You will be careful, won't you? You are not a soldier like Colonel Fitzwilliam.'
'I can take care of myself if needs be. Don't fret, my love, I shall come to no harm.'
Then he was gone leaving her to worry about his safety. She was at a loss to understand why Mr Hall's son had been kidnapped. She shuddered. It couldn't be for ransom as the family were not especially wealthy. The poor fellow must have been taken in order to pressure his father into further treachery. His mother and sister must be beside themselves with worry.
Good heavens! The redoubtable Miss Hall would not sit back and let others investigate – she would already be involved and could be in deadly peril. Lizzy was certain neither Mrs Hall nor her daughter were aware that Mr Hall was involved in anything untoward. The girl could not possibly know that her brother had been abducted not for money, but for a more sinister purpose.
She flung back the comforter and ran to her dressing room. Finding the necessary underpinnings was simple enough, as was putting on her stockings. All she had to do now was discover a warm, practical gown that did not require the assistanc
e of her abigail to put on.
Her many ensembles were carefully folded on the shelves in the closet but she couldn't recall which of them would slip over her head, or had buttons at the front rather than the back. The moss green cashmere caught her eye and she pulled it out for inspection.
It had all the requisite features she required. The house would be cold as the servants would not be up to light the fires so early in the day. She must find a shawl and put on her boots rather than her indoor slippers.
There was no time to do an elaborate arrangement for her hair, she quickly braided it and pinned it in a coronet around her head. Satisfied she'd done the best she could, she collected the candlestick and hurried through the silent house praying that her husband and his cousin had not already departed on their errand of mercy.
As she reached the head of the stairs the two of them appeared in the hall. They were both wearing riding capes so must be heading for the stables. 'Fitzwilliam, please wait a minute. There's something I must tell you before you leave.'
He tore up the stairs two at a time. 'I asked you to remain in your chamber. I don't want you involved in this.' Quickly she explained her theory about Miss Hall. 'I can't believe she would take matters into her own hands. However, we shall go to their house first and make sure the girl has done nothing foolish.'
With that she had to be content as he didn't stay to reassure her further. The longcase clock in the drawing room struck four. She might as well return to her apartment until the house was awake.
'Madam, would you care to go into the yellow drawing room. There will be chocolate and pastries brought to you shortly. The fire is already alight.'
Lizzy spun round in shock to find the butler, more or less correctly dressed, standing behind her. She had quite forgotten someone must have been roused from their bed in order to answer the front door.
'I shall do that. There's no need to wake the household so early. If the room is warm I shall be quite happy to wait until Cook and her staff are on duty as usual.'
The chamber was pleasantly warm – far more comfortable than her apartment – so she decided to remain there. This room faced the garden at the rear of the house and was peaceful, no noise from the street reached here.
She hadn't been there for very long when Gregson rushed in clutching a letter. He had been so disturbed by this second unusual event that he had failed to place it on the silver salver before bringing to her.
This was the letter purportedly from Pemberley telling them that some domestic crisis needed their immediate return. She took the folded square and broke the seal knowing that this letter was no longer a welcome excuse to leave Town, but a further complication.
Chapter Fourteen
A sleepy groom had his horse waiting when Darcy arrived at the stableyard. He nodded his thanks and mounted the rangy bay gelding. 'If we cut through the park it will be quicker.'
'I'll take your word for it – not the way I would choose – but as we can gallop the extra distance should be no obstacle.' His cousin was already astride his own mount and ready to depart.
Fortunately the moon was full and gave sufficient light for them to canter over the cobbles. No doubt the sound of the hooves would alarm many of the residents in this smart residential area. This was of no matter; they needed to get to the Hall household as soon as possible.
As soon as they were in the park he pushed his horse into a gallop and they thundered across the greensward sending roosting pigeons into fluttering panic. He knew the general direction, but not the exact location. He would have to rely on his cousin for directions when they emerged at the other side of the park.
He drew rein as he saw the exit gates approaching. 'Where to next?'
'Turn left, and it's the third turning on the other side of the street.' Hugo pushed his horse alongside. 'I'm damned if I know why Hall should have sent for me. I've never met the man and am barely acquainted with any member of his family.'
'Are you suggesting he knows that you're leading the investigation into his activities?'
'It's possible, but unlikely. But I can't think of any other explanation.'
They had reached the street they wanted and crossed the thoroughfare. There was no need to ask which house it was. A substantial dwelling halfway down the crescent was the only one with light streaming from the windows – all the rest were in darkness, the residents in peaceful slumber.
'I think I might know. Miss Hall was much taken with you and you are no doubt the only soldier of her acquaintance. You were the most obvious choice to ride to the rescue.'
Darcy ducked his head as he guided his horse under the archway that led to the rear of the building. They were expected and a stableboy and groom were waiting to receive their mounts.
They took the path from the yard which led towards the house. The side door was flung open before they reached it. As he had suspected it was Miss Hall who rushed out to greet them and not either of her parents.
'Thank you so much for coming, Colonel Fitzwilliam.' She seemed somewhat surprised to find Darcy standing outside the door. She recovered quickly. 'Also, thank you, Mr Darcy, for accompanying the colonel. Please come in – you will find the house in disarray. My mother is beside herself and my father has yet to come home.'
She led them to the drawing room which he was surprised to find unoccupied. 'Mama is too distressed to speak to you. She is in her bedchamber being attended to by her maid.'
The fact that this young lady was entertaining two gentlemen before daybreak without a chaperone was not lost on him, but his cousin seemed unbothered by this monumental breach of etiquette.
'My dear, you must tell us exactly what transpired. How do you know that your brother has been abducted and is not in some den of iniquity with his cronies?'
The girl pushed a piece of paper into his hand. Darcy had not noticed she'd been carrying this. Hugo quickly scanned the contents and handed it to him.
The note was unequivocal:
We have your son. If you want to see him alive again then you will deliver the package as instructed.
You have until eight o'clock.
'Where is your father?' Hugo asked.
'He is out of town, sir, and not expected home until tomorrow. He had business to attend to with Sir Robert.' The girl appeared more angry than upset. 'This note was delivered more than an hour ago. The person who brought it was not a pleasant man which is why I opened the letter myself even though it was addressed to my papa.'
Hugo nodded. 'You did the right thing. Have you any idea as to the whereabouts of the package that is referred to?'
She almost stamped her foot. 'Of course I don't. If I did I would have sent it round immediately and not have involved you in this family matter.'
Darcy felt obliged to point out something they both appeared to have overlooked. 'There is no direction on the note so, even if we had the item they refer to, we would have no notion where to send it.'
This was obviously related to both men's involvement with the French. They could hardly discuss this in front of the girl. 'Miss Hall, take us to the study. We shall begin a thorough search. You must look in your father's apartment – we can hardly do that ourselves.'
She pursed her lips and he thought she was going to object to his issuing her with orders. Then she nodded. 'We have only four hours to discover what they require. God willing, when we do find it the parcel will already have the address written on it.'
The study was at the rear of the house and had convenient access to the outside. It would be the ideal place for a clandestine visit. A person could come and go without being seen by anyone else in the house.
The butler handed them candles from which they ignited several others once they were safely inside the study. 'This has to be to do with what you are investigating, Hugo. For some reason Sir Robert and Hall failed to pass on whatever their paymasters were expecting to that damned count. Do you think they have made a bolt for it?'
'I'm beginning to su
spect as much. Another thing, I believe that Miss Hall might well know more about this matter than we suppose. She didn't question the demand for a mysterious parcel and was happy to search for it without asking what it might contain.'
'That's something we must ask her, but first we must endeavour to find what is required and send it…'
His cousin stared at him as if he was speaking in tongues. 'Send it? Have you taken leave of your senses? If it's treasonous material, as we suspect, then it cannot be put into the hands of those that ask for it, even if it means the death of the boy.'
If Hugo had punched him in the face he could not have been more shocked by this reply. 'God's teeth! I'll not be party to a murder.'
'The matter is out of your hands. You are a civilian – this is a military matter and one of national security.'
'Then tell me why we are looking for this item so urgently if you don't intend to use it to ransom the boy?'
This was a hit direct. 'You're correct – I appear to be saying one thing and doing the contrary. Shall we search this room or stand about talking and wasting valuable time?'
They worked methodically looking in and under every piece of furniture to no avail. They pulled out all the books and the bookshelves and found nothing untoward behind them. Even the chairs and desks were upended and the underside carefully examined.
'This has been a fruitless exercise, Darcy. I'm beginning to suspect they took what we're looking for with them when they left London.'
The room was cold but Darcy had his riding coat on and the vigorous search had been sufficient to keep him warm. It wasn't looking hopeful for young Hall. If they didn't find the documents then it was academic as they wouldn't have anything to exchange for him.
Then he heard the girl approaching at a run and she burst into the room holding a brown paper parcel tied with string and liberally covered with red sealing wax. She waved it triumphantly above her head. 'I have it – Mama recalled him putting this in one of her hat boxes last week. Eventually she realised that I might be looking for this.'
A Spy at Pemberley Page 12