'Do you think that the Hall family will come? Thomas Hall removed his family immediately he was returned from his kidnapping and I've no idea of their address in the country.'
'Hugo will be aware of the circumstances and no doubt will have arranged matters to his satisfaction.' She pursed her lips and he laughed. 'I know, Lizzy, that's of absolutely no use to you. I should assume that they are all coming and not allocate their rooms to anyone else.'
'That's as I thought. Although I have some concerns about both the Sinclairs and the Halls attending. Is it possible word might have got around about the reason for his abduction?'
'Nobody should know. I'm sure the family won't have talked of it and those that received the parcel of useless information would not need to speak of it either. I expect they are hoping they will receive something more useful next time.' She seemed satisfied by his answer as she changed the subject.
'It is fortunate indeed that the musicians are willing to stay at the local inn – at our expense of course – as I don't know where we would have squeezed them in otherwise. I have been obliged to employ extra staff and there will be several outside men masquerading as footmen for the duration of the house party.'
'I can't remember Pemberley ever being at capacity before even when my mother was alive and we used to entertain. No doubt the ghostly occupants of the East Wing had much to do with that.'
He helped himself to another slice of the succulent, pink ham. 'I gather from Bingley that Kitty is now able to travel without casting up her accounts. Does that mean she and Adam, and Georgiana and Jonathan will be here tonight to welcome your parents?'
'Yes they will. That will make fourteen sitting down to dine. I've told Cook to serve only one course but plenty of removes, plus desserts. I'm sure nobody will require anything elaborate. Three of the ladies are in an interesting condition and the others will just have been travelling for several days.'
This was the first time Lizzy had mentioned that her sisters were increasing without looking sad. Had she come to terms with the fact that she wasn't in that happy condition herself?
'Fitzwilliam, you mustn’t look so worried. I'm quite content with the family we have and if the good Lord decides at any time that we shall have more children then that will be soon enough.'
He took her hand and raised it to his lips. 'As long as we can continue as assiduously in our efforts then I am content also.'
Her cheeks coloured. He was glad he could still make her blush.
'Behave yourself, sir, you are incorrigible and insatiable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to spend time in the nursery. I know we agreed to move the children next door, but I shall miss them dreadfully.'
'I must speak to my factor. I'll join you there when I'm done.'
They left the small dining room together and were just traversing the central passageway when a parlourmaid appeared. The girl curtsied.
'Sir, madam, Mr Peterson asked me to tell you that there are three carriages approaching. They will be here within a quarter of an hour.'
'You had better make your meeting brief, my dear, and I've just enough time to repair my appearance before our guests arrive. I wonder why there's a third carriage. Do you think it is your cousin?'
'I doubt it as he prefers to ride however great the distance. We shall discover the occupants of the mysterious vehicle shortly. I do think it strange they should be arriving simultaneously.'
Chapter Seventeen
Lizzy hurried to the nursery to make sure the twins would be ready to be admired by their grandparents. Satisfied everything was as it should be, she flew to her apartment in order to check that her hair was tidy and her gown uncreased.
Not a moment too soon she arrived in the grand entrance hall just as the first carriage pulled up outside. Fitzwilliam strolled up to join her. 'The mystery visitors are about to be revealed.' He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. 'Have you any suggestions as to who they might be?'
'My best guess is that it's Georgiana or Kitty – but why should they come here twice in one day? Surely coming to dinner this evening is sufficient?'
The butler and the housekeeper had gone out to greet their guests so there was no need for either Fitzwilliam or herself to do so. They would wait inside and greet the arrivals as they always did in the Grand Hall. Several footmen would already be unloading any small items of baggage that had travelled in the carriage.
She exchanged a smile with her husband. 'I can hear Mama so the first carriage held my family.'
'I'd forgotten just how piercing Mrs Bennet's voice is. You will forgive me, my love, if I find something urgent to do with Mr Bennet.'
The front door was open and her mother surged through. 'Mr Darcy, Lizzy, how glad I am to be here. I cannot tell you how unpleasant the journey was. We have been travelling for hours and I have the most frightful megrim.'
Fitzwilliam nodded and Lizzy did the same. 'Welcome, Mama, I'm sorry you're feeling unwell. I'll have a soothing tisane sent up to you immediately. I have put you in the same chambers you stayed in at Christmas so I'm sure you can find your way. Would you like to see Fabian and Amanda?'
'I'm far too unwell. Possibly tomorrow morning when I'm feeling more the thing.'
Her father wandered in with Mary close behind. Her sister hadn't been included in the last invitation after her disgraceful behaviour in London so this was the first time she'd seen her for over a year.
'Papa, I'm so glad you have come.' He raised a hand in a vague salute but again they did not exchange embraces. This omission was hurtful as Lizzy had always considered herself close to her father.
'Mr Bennet, I have acquired several interesting volumes since you were here last. I've put them out in the library for your perusal,' Fitzwilliam said.
'Excellent, excellent. Good to see you, Darcy, Lizzy. I'll go and look at them now.' He vanished leaving Mary standing forlornly on her own.
This time Lizzy ran forward and put her arms around her sister. 'I'm so pleased to see you, Mary. Kitty and Jane will be here this evening and are eager to hear all your news.'
Mary had remained rigid in her arms and stepped away as soon as she was released. 'Thank you for inviting me, Mr Darcy, Lizzy. If you will excuse me I shall follow Mama and take care of her. I don't intend to come down for dinner, so please don't lay a place for me.' With a whisk of her skirts she too was gone.
'That didn't go well. I might have forgiven her, but she obviously hasn't forgiven me.'
'After her behaviour in London last year she is fortunate indeed that either of us is prepared to receive her of Pemberley.'
'I suppose that is correct. I had hoped she would be more forthcoming now the rift is repaired.'
'Although her manner has not improved, sweetheart, I could not help but notice she looked very smart. If she would only smile she would be a remarkably pretty young lady.'
'That will be two less at the table as presumably my mother will not come down either.'
There was no time to discuss this as the occupants of the second carriage were ushered through. As expected it was Lady Sinclair and her son and daughter.
'Mrs Darcy, Mr Darcy, thank you so much for inviting us stay at your wonderful home. I declare it has taken us more than half an hour to travel from your gate to your front door.' She drew breath to speak but Lizzy stepped in quickly to forestall the next gush of words.
'I hope you had a reasonable journey, my lady. My housekeeper will conduct you to your rooms. Miss Sinclair, Mr Sinclair, welcome to Pemberley.'
A few more pleasantries were exchanged and then these three also disappeared up the grand staircase. 'Where are the other travellers, Fitzwilliam? Surely they should be coming in by now.'
He walked to the window and looked out unperturbed that he might be seen. 'I've no inkling as to who these people might be. They are strangers to me. I sincerely hope they are invited guests. There are two young ladies and an elderly woman plus a young gentleman with shirt points so high he can
scarcely turn his head. Does that ring a bell?'
'Oh dear! It must be the Dowager Countess of Finsbury and her grandchildren. I've never met them but they were on the list that your secretary supplied. I'm sure their invitation had the same date as everybody else's so why have they arrived a week early?'
He stepped away with a rueful smile. 'We are about to find out. They are on their way in. She looks a formidable old lady.'
The dowager sailed in, the egret feathers on her turban bobbing wildly. The three young people walked a few paces behind her and looked extremely uncomfortable.
'Mrs Darcy, you must be astonished at my arriving a week ahead of time. We have been visiting relatives in Scotland and the journey back took far less time than I anticipated.'
No apology was offered and Lizzy wasn't sure if she was affronted or amused. 'Fortunately, my lady, your rooms are ready.' She smiled and beckoned the nervous trio over. 'We dine at six o'clock. This will give you ample time to recover from your travels.'
The two girls curtsied and she realised they were identical twins. The young man bowed. Lizzy was amused at his purple and gold striped waistcoat.
Her husband had beaten a strategic retreat abandoning her to deal with these unexpected guests. Peterson came at her gesture. 'Please have her ladyship and her grandchildren taken to their chambers.'
The butler snapped his fingers and two footmen appeared. Lizzy waited until this quartet was on the way up the stairs before turning away. She supposed she should really go to her mother and see how she was but she would be unwelcome there.
Jane would be agog for news of the visitors so she would go next door and spend an hour with her sister before her children were brought down to the drawing room.
*
Darcy persuaded Mr Bennet to play a game of billiards and they were joined by Richard Sinclair.
'Please say if I'm intruding, sir, but your butler directed me here. This is Lord Finsbury. I met him lurking about in the passageway.'
'Come in, both of you. Here we are safe from interruption.' Darcy flicked open his pocket watch. 'We have an hour before we need to change for dinner. Mr Bennet, your wife and Mary will not be joining us but I hope that you will.'
The older man nodded, not bothering to enquire why his travelling companions were not coming down. 'I wouldn't miss it for the world, Darcy, you set an excellent table. I doubt that Mary will come, but Mrs Bennet will recover from whatever ails her and be down in good time.' He chalked the end of his cue. 'I'm sure it has not gone unnoticed that my wife enjoys her food.'
Sinclair looked shocked at such plain-speaking but Darcy knew his father-in-law merely tolerated his wife – there was no affection left between them.
'Whatever Mrs Bennet decides, I'm sure Lizzy will have matters in hand.' After one game he nodded to both gentlemen. 'If you will excuse me, I must go to the drawing room as my children will be coming down. Do you wish to accompany me, Mr Bennet? You will be astonished at the changes in your grandchildren since you saw them last.'
'I shall see them tomorrow. I'm not one for infants, sir, they hold no appeal for me however endearing they might be to the ladies.'
Darcy left them to their game. He found his in-laws sadly lacking as parents and grandparents – he vowed he would never be so dismissive of his children however many he was blessed with.
Miss Sinclair, Lady Sinclair, Jane and Bingley were with Lizzy, as well as the three babies tumbling about on the priceless carpet. There was no sign of the dowager or her granddaughters.
'I hope you're comfortably settled, my lady. I'm sure that my wife has told you that anything you require needs only to be requested.'
Instead of joining Lizzy on the sofa he dropped to the floor and welcomed all three toddlers into his open arms. Who was more surprised by his behaviour it would have been hard to tell. Bingley laughed and dropped to his knees as well.
After a delightful period the nursemaids collected their charges and he was able to scramble to his feet. 'I fear this jacket might never recover from the experience. However, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.'
Her smile was radiant. 'It's time to change for dinner, my love, so you may remove your besmirched garments. Fabian, Amanda and Charlotte have had a wonderful time playing with their papas.'
Once in the privacy of their rooms he asked if she'd had word from Mrs Bennet. 'No, I've heard nothing but knowing my mother as I do, I wonder if I should tell Peterson to lay a place for her.'
'What do you think of the Sinclair family? I must say I quite like them – even the garrulous Lady Sinclair.'
'As do I. The daughter is as quiet as the mother is noisy but neither of them are in any way unpleasant. I'm looking forward to having all my sisters here this evening, but I do wish Mary was more forthcoming. It's as if she has decided to spend the remainder of her life at Longbourn and is making no effort to find herself a suitable husband. After your generous gift she has a sizeable portion and I'm sure would have no difficulty finding a partner if she applied herself to it.'
'Do you think that all young ladies should aspire to a good match? Is there no place for spinsters?'
'I know; it's hardly fair that a woman is expected to marry well or is considered a failure. Whereas a gentleman can remain a confirmed bachelor and nobody casts aspersions at him.
'I just require her to be as happy as I am. I cannot believe she's content living at home with my parents.' She pulled a face at him. 'It seems a pity to waste this opportunity to matchmake. If I cannot push your cousin into matrimony then maybe I can find my sister someone of whom we can all approve.'
He raised his hands indicating his surrender. 'I would not dream of interfering. Exactly how many eligible young men are we expecting?'
'Almost as many as there are young ladies – it's a perfect opportunity for a young gentleman to get to know a possible bride. During the Season there might not be the chance to do more than dance a few times, speak for a few moments at a morning call, or possibly ride or drive out together. A house party is quite different.'
'In which case, sweetheart, do we count this event a failure if there are not at least two betrothals announced before it's over?'
*
As expected Mama came down to dinner but Mary didn't appear. Lizzy introduced her parents to the other guests. Her father nodded vaguely to all as was his want, but her mother was obviously delighted to meet not one, but two titled ladies.
'Let's hope that Mrs Bennet still wishes to keep up the acquaintance with Lady Sinclair when she knows the full story,' Fitzwilliam said quietly.
'That matters not; as long as they are civil to each other whilst they are here I shall be content. I think I can hear Kitty and Adam arriving. This is the first time she has been here in an age – I'm going to greet her as I doubt that she'll have time to speak to me once she's in the drawing room with everyone else.'
Lizzy slipped out confident she would not be missed. Richard Sinclair and Lord Finsbury were talking to Charles, and Jane was attempting to engage the three young ladies in conversation. The Dowager, Lady Sinclair and Mama were deep in conversation and oblivious to everyone else.
'I'm so happy to have arrived here without casting up my accounts, Lizzy dearest.' Kitty rushed forward and embraced her whilst Adam spoke to Fitzwilliam.
'You look much better than you did last time I saw you. Georgiana and Jonathan have yet to arrive and Mary is sulking in her room. I think you will like the Sinclairs.'
As they were talking Georgiana and Jonathan arrived and there was a further pleasant interlude of introductions before dinner was announced.
The evening was most enjoyable and even Miss Sinclair managed to utter a few sentences when the tea trolley was brought in later. Everyone retired early with the promise that they would gather again in the morning for an excursion to Bakewell village. Georgiana and Kitty were to meet them there and then they would all go back to The Old Rectory for midday refreshments.
'Do you really
intend to accompany us, Fitzwilliam? I would have thought you would prefer to do something with the other gentlemen.'
He looked relieved. 'If you are quite sure, my love, then I will happily forego the pleasure. I doubt that Mr Bennet will emerge from the library to do anything, but the young gentlemen can accompany me if they have the inclination to do so when I ride over to see how my new tenant has settled in at Whitecross Farm.'
'We do not expect any further arrivals until Saturday so we will have ample time to get to know those that are here already. I do hope that Mary decides to join us tomorrow and doesn't intend to remain in her room for the entire visit.'
'Hugo will be here tomorrow unless something occurs to delay him. No doubt he will be much scrutinised by the dowager. I can't wait to see how he deals with that redoubtable old lady.' Fitzwilliam smiled.
'That reminds me, Lady Sinclair has assured me her daughter is no longer considering putting herself forward as a suitable wife for your cousin. The poor lady is expecting news to arrive here about her husband's perfidious actions. Imagine her horror when she discovers the true nature of his misdemeanours.'
'My cousin's cronies are due to arrive later next week.'
'I don't expect we can keep their presence secret for the duration of the house party. What am I to tell our other guests if anyone asks who is residing in the bachelor quarters?'
'Shall we face that problem when it arises, Lizzy? I've spoken to Peterson and he has the matter in hand. If all goes to plan no one, apart from ourselves, will realise they are here.'
'Apart from the staff, of course, as they will be the ones to wait on them. It will be very difficult to keep this quiet as servants always gossip and word will eventually spread upstairs.'
'Until Hugo arrives tomorrow and explains his plans I've no more idea what's going to happen than you do, my love. God knows how he intends to expose the traitor – but I can assure you I've no intention of becoming personally involved.'
'I should hope not, Fitzwilliam. I've no wish for you to become embroiled in violence of any sort.' A horrible thought occurred to her. 'Do you think fisticuffs or firearms might be involved?'
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