The Phantom of Pemberley

by Regina Jeffers

  Darcy steepled his fingers, deep in contemplation. “I see.” He paused before he added, “Anne, I am concerned, and I intend to learn more about the lieutenant. I want you to understand that I do so out of affection for you and not out of some mean spiritedness.”

  Anne glanced at Mrs. Jenkinson, who sat obediently in the corner, pretending not to hear. “Mrs. Jenkinson will speak to my conduct, Fitzwilliam. I would wish that you feel free to ask her anything, and I release her to be completely truthful regarding what she knows of me and of the lieutenant.”

  Again, Darcy weighed his words carefully. “I do not believe that necessary at this time, but I may consider it as the situation develops.”

  “Thank you, Cousin, for listening to me.” She prepared to stand, but he motioned for her to remain.

  “Might you tell me what you know of Miss Donnel’s accident?” He sat forward, interested in her account.

  “I am unsure of what you speak, Fitzwilliam.”

  “Simply tell me the chronological order of the events. Did you see anyone else about? Did Miss Donnel seem aware of what awaited her?” Darcy could not shake the feeling that as Miss Donnel made her living as an actress, the accident held more questions than answers.

  “Mrs. Wickham and Miss Donnel were in the hallway when I left our quarters and joined them. When Mrs. Williams opened her door, Mrs. Darcy’s sister and I turned to greet her, but Miss Donnel continued. She came from the opposite direction toward the main staircase.

  Impulsively, Darcy’s attention now fell upon his cousin’s companion, a woman to whom he had rarely spoken over the years unless during a game of casino or quadrille. He knew something of the woman’s respectability. Mildred Jenkinson had come to Rosings after losing both her husband and her child in a typhoid epidemic that hit her village in Oxfordshire some fifteen years earlier. A traveling carnival and a group of gypsies had reportedly spread typhoid to three communities in the midlands that summer before the disease was contained. Having traveled extensively with her husband, who served in a diplomatic position, the lady had the disposition and the qualifications to serve as his cousin’s companion. Anne turned to the woman for affection, and the woman protected Anne from Lady Catherine’s frequent censure as best she could. “Mrs. Jenkinson, you were in the hall when I helped His Lordship. Did you observe anything unusual?”

  Brought to the center of attention, at first Mildred stammered. “I-I was a few sec-seconds behind Miss de Bourgh, sir, as I returned to her quarters for a shawl. Lady Catherine is most mindful of cold drafts.” It was the woman’s way of saying that Her Ladyship could be demanding, and she simply tried to anticipate her employer’s idiosyncrasies. “There was a man in Pemberley attire blocking the way, and when I could not reach her, I feared for Anne’s safety.” Mrs. Jenkinson paused before telling Mr. Darcy the rest. She was still a servant, even though she shared Anne’s confidences, and she preferred not to report poor service. Mildred did not wish to see the man lose his position.“I hesitate, Mr. Darcy, to criticize this man’s conduct.”

  “Was a member of my staff unpleasant, madam? If so, I wish to be informed,” he insisted.

  Mildred rose and came closer to the desk, where she might speak without being overheard from the hall. “The man blocked the way, and when I tried to move around him, he refused to budge. I was most anxious to assure myself of Miss de Bourgh’s safety, and I spoke harshly to him, demanding that he move. At that point he told me to beware and called me an old woman.”

  “Why did you not tell me, Mildred?” Anne reached out to take her companion’s hand.

  “It was really nothing.” She looked away in embarrassment. “The thing was, Mr. Darcy—it was not so much his words, but the pure animosity found in his countenance.”

  “Would you recognize him again?”

  “Of course, sir.”

  “Then I will ask Mr. Baldwin to gather the male staff. If you will indulge me and identify the man, I would wish to speak to him about his rudeness to a guest.” Darcy thought the man’s actions suspicious.

  “As you wish, Mr. Darcy.”

  An hour later, Darcy summoned Mildred Jenkinson to the downstairs ballroom. Several rows of men and boys stood awaiting her appearance. “Is this everyone, Mr. Baldwin?”

  “It is, Mr. Darcy.” He bowed respectfully.“I checked off everyone against my household records.All the men are accounted for, sir, except young Lawson, who rode out with Mr. Steventon to check on the sheep.The boy wishes to apprentice with the steward.”

  “How long have they been away?” Darcy wanted the lady to examine the entire staff.

  “I believe, sir, that they left at first light. I let the boy go because Mr. Steventon seems to like Lawson’s company.”

  Darcy bit down his frustration. “I understand.” He would need to see the lad separately when the footman had returned from his outside duties. “Mr. Baldwin, have each man walk toward us and then return to his duties.”

  “Yes, Mr. Darcy.”The man moved off to deliver his instructions.

  Placing the woman’s hand on his arm for support, Darcy stood beside Mrs. Jenkinson. “As each man passes, observe him carefully. Once you have noted your unknown opponent, you may tell me then. I will make no comment until we have seen them all. In fact, I will wait until you have returned home before I address the man, so as to remove the blame from you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”

  Then the procession started. One by one, the men walked past them, and Mildred purposely made eye contact, but after looking at all thirty, she found no one who resembled the man she had seen in the private hallway. “I apologize, Mr. Darcy, but it was none of these men.”

  “Yet the man you saw wore the Darcy livery?” They were the only ones left in the expansive room.

  “It was the same, sir, as what your men wore today. The man I encountered was near your age and several inches shorter. He had a muscular build and what would have been a pleasant-looking face if he had not been so angry. He had dark, wavy hair, and a square jaw. He spoke fiercely and then moved away to the private family rooms.”

  “He entered my family’s quarters?” Incredulity played through his voice.

  “I did not see him enter the rooms, but he walked in that direction, and the hall ends with those rooms.”

  The situation dumbfounded Darcy. “I want to find this unknown man, Mrs. Jenkinson. At the moment, you are the only person who has seen him.Will you help me identify him?”

  She recognized Mr. Darcy’s protective nature: She had observed it on more than one occasion when he dealt with Miss Darcy and even with her beloved Anne.“Of course, Mr. Darcy-—anything, sir.”

  From behind the gold-trimmed door leading to the linen closet, James Withey watched. Each of the men employed by Fitzwilliam Darcy as part of the household staff paraded by the opening, which was only an inch or two—but large enough for him to see all he needed to see: the old woman from earlier in the day exited the room on Darcy’s arm. He did not know her—had not expected to confront her as he had made a timely exit. He had taken a chance with the string—wanted to see if it could possibly help him eliminate his target. However, he would need to be more careful in the future. He could not afford for anyone else to see him.

  Yet he thought it quite amusing, really, how Fitzwilliam Darcy had always portrayed himself as the kindly master, the man who treated his staff as family. Today, James had walked among that family, and no one recognized him. Even more detrimental for the Darcys, no one had questioned his right to be in the house—to move through the private quarters. James had held conversations with many of them in the execution of his duties. He had even flirted with a chambermaid named Lucinda—Lucy, as she preferred to be called. He might even enjoy himself by partaking of her charms, but not tonight.Tonight he would simply watch and learn. He fancied that he knew the Darcys, but he had not anticipated the others being guests at Pemberley. The storm had driven in the riff-raff; however, they would not keep him fr
om his task.

  Adam Lawrence had not joined the rest of Darcy’s houseguests the previous evening. Fleetingly, Darcy had thought to discuss the unknown intruder with the viscount, thinking to solicit Lawrence’s help in apprehending the culprit who had set up yesterday’s accident. Then Lord Stafford ignored Darcy’s request that he and Miss Donnel not let the rest of Pemberley’s guests know of their relationship by staying in the lady’s room all night. Darcy had been forced to instruct Mr. Baldwin to quash any gossip by the household staff and had agreed aloud with Mrs.Williams and Mr.Worth when they praised the viscount’s concern for his cousin. Inside, Darcy seethed with anger at His Lordship’s impetuous actions.

  So when the viscount entered the morning room, Darcy fought his natural instinct to chastise the man for his poor choices.

  “How is Miss Donnel’s injury?” Elizabeth asked when Lawrence joined the others at the breakfast table.

  “My cousin is healing nicely; thank you for your concern, Mrs. Darcy. Please convey my respect to your staff for their tender care of Cathleen’s injuries. I suspect that by this time tomorrow, she will be able to join us for some of the day.” Lawrence speared one of the kippers that he had piled on his plate.

  “That is pleasant to hear.” Darcy motioned for a footman to refill Elizabeth’s cup of chocolate. Of late, it seemed to be her morning favorite, and he readily indulged her.

  Elizabeth’s eyebrow shot up when the footman approached. “Fitzwilliam,” she said affectionately from across the table, “Lydia and I thought that we might take advantage of the weather. Do you suppose that Mr. Steventon might bring the sleds out of storage? We could use the hill leading to the orchard.”

  Darcy had no desire to participate in winter sledding; he had estate business with which to deal, in addition to a “phantom” employee to locate, but he could not deny Elizabeth, and he knew his duty as a host. “That is an excellent idea, my Dear. I will make arrangements after we break our fast. I hope that everyone will join us.” He directed his last comments to the entire table.

  “Oh, that sounds entertaining, Mr. Darcy, but I am unsure that a woman of my age—” Mrs. Jenkinson began.

  “Mildred, you must,” Anne interrupted.

  Mr. Worth took up the cause. On the first evening, he had sat beside Mrs. Jenkinson during the musical entertainment. They had enjoyed a pleasant conversation, which he would not mind resuming. “You will not let these young folks,” he gestured to Lydia and Georgiana, “have all the fun, will you? You may traverse the hill with me.”

  His attention caused Mildred Jenkinson to blush. “Thank you, Mr.Worth.” She dropped her eyes in embarrassment.

  “You will come, too, will you not,Your Lordship?” Lydia coyly flirted with the viscount.

  “I should remain with my cousin,” he insisted.

  Elizabeth took the lead. “Please indulge us, Your Lordship. We are greatly lacking in males.” She indicated the abundance of women at the table.“There are only the three of you, and we could use your expertise on the hill. I will ask Betanne to sit with Miss Donnel if you can see your way clear to join us.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Darcy, I will call on Cathleen first and then make my decision.”

  While the others prepared for the outdoor activities, Elizabeth followed Darcy to his study. “I apologize, Fitzwilliam, for taking you from your work.” She stood in the doorway, waiting for him to acknowledge her. “I should have asked you prior to announcing my plans for the day.”

  Darcy came forward to catch her hand and bring her into the room. “Did you think me angry with you?” He brought her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

  “You, my Husband, were angry with someone at that table.” She winked. “I have not slept in your arms every night for more than a year without taking note of the nuances of your personality.” Elizabeth and Darcy knew each other well, often communicating without words.

  Darcy smiled mockingly down at her. “Since when are you so perceptive, my Love?”

  Elizabeth’s hands fisted on her hips.“Do not change the subject, Fitzwilliam.”

  He kissed her upturned nose. “Yes, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “Yes, what, Fitzwilliam?”

  “Yes, I was angry.” A sigh of exasperation escaped his lips.

  “And?”

  Darcy pulled her into his embrace.“Would you rather not spend time in my arms than talking?” He nuzzled behind her ear.

  She moved even closer to him. “This is not fair, Fitzwilliam,” she protested while sliding her arms around his neck. “You know how you affect me.”

  “I know how you affect me, Mrs. Darcy,” he murmured into her hair as his hands began to search her body. “I wish to never be without you in my life.”

  With a shaky exhalation, she whispered, “I love you, my Husband, even when you refuse to answer my questions.”

  Darcy took her mouth fully, just to satisfy his constant need for her. When he finally raised his head, he rasped, “I suppose I will have to tell you, or you will kiss it out of me.”

  “If that is what it takes, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth leaned into him. “I would willingly sacrifice my lips for the truth.”

  Her taunt made him chuckle. “It would be no sacrifice on my part, my Love.” Darcy kissed her again, only more tenderly this time.

  Elizabeth’s breathing became shallow. “We have our best conversations in each other’s arms, but I insist on knowing what is going on. Has it something to do with Miss Donnel’s accident?”

  Darcy’s thoughts went to the missing items, and to the Pemberley staffer who had spoken so disrespectfully to Mrs. Jenkinson and likely set up the trap on the stairs. Addressing those issues with Elizabeth created a conflict for him. He felt a need to keep unpleasantness away from her. Finally, he said,“I found it inappropriate for Lord Stafford to spend the evening in Miss Donnel’s room.”

  Elizabeth ran her fingertips through Darcy’s hair.“Well, the lady is his cousin.”

  Darcy reluctantly released her and led Elizabeth to a nearby settee. “Miss Donnel is not His Lordship’s cousin; she is his mistress. I insisted when Lord Stafford accepted our hospitality that he and Miss Donnel keep their relationship secret. I tried to shield you and Georgiana and the others.”

  This revelation surprised her. “I see. I am all astonishment, my Husband, that you would tolerate such a situation.”

  “It was not to my liking, but His Lordship is an acquaintance of Edward’s older brother, and I could not send the viscount out on the road with the ice and snow. I would have no man’s death on my conscience—or the death of his mistress.” Darcy paused, debating whether to share his concerns. “I understand His Lordship’s concern for his mistress, while disapproving of his actions. He discovered a piece of hemp strung across the top step—high enough to catch the foot of the person who descended the stairway first. Miss Donnel’s fall was likely no accident.”

  “Oh, Fitzwilliam, please say it is not so.” She took his hand in hers. “Do we have any idea who may be at fault?”

  “I wanted to speak to Lord Stafford yesterday evening, but he remained with Miss Donnel.” Again he paused, and he filtered out what he did not wish to share with his wife. “Mrs. Jenkinson accosted a man dressed in Darcy livery in the hallway to the private quarters. I asked her to view each of our male staff members, but she could not or would not identify the man.”

  Elizabeth leaned forward to assure more privacy. “Why would the lady not wish to label the man?”

  “I do not suspect coercion,” Darcy confided. “Mrs. Jenkinson has served Anne faithfully for years, and has been my cousin’s closest confidante. I simply believe that Mrs. Jenkinson is, first and foremost, a servant. I fear the lady might not wish to be responsible for another servant meeting my wrath or possibly losing his position.”

  “So you think that she might purposely not identify the culprit.”

  Darcy frowned, never liking anything out of the ordinary in his life. “At this point, I am uns
ure what to believe. If I take Miss Donnel’s accident and combine it with all the other unexplained incidents of late, I am at my wit’s end.”

  “Should we not share our concerns with the others?”

  “Share what exactly?” Darcy stood to pace the room. “All we have are suspicions—a phantom footman or worker and some missing items. I would not wish to tarnish Pemberley’s reputation by spreading rumors of a disgruntled employee.”

  Elizabeth watched him closely; she knew Darcy thought best when he was on the move. “Then we simply become more observant.”

  “At the moment, I think that best.”

  An hour later, the Pemberley party gathered on the south lawn. Darcy assigned two footmen to help. Each of the three male guests took on the duties of escorting the ladies down the hill. Elizabeth rode with Darcy, and so did his cousin Anne. Mr. Worth squired Mrs.Williams and Mrs. Jenkinson. The fact that Lord Stafford took Georgiana by the arm caused Darcy to bristle, but Elizabeth pulled him to one side, assuring him that the man’s innocent attention would bolster Georgiana’s confidence. The viscount knew Darcy’s’s expectations, Elizabeth explained. And as a gentleman, she continued, His Lordship would not offend Georgiana’s sensibilities. Darcy also felt some qualms about his sister sharing the sled with Lydia Wickham. He did not wish to remind Georgiana of George Wickham’s betrayal, but again Elizabeth saw the advantage of the situation. “Georgiana must face her mistakes and grow from them,” she told him. Reluctantly, he saw the logic in what his wife said, but that did not make it any easier to accept.

  Repeatedly, the gentlemen climbed the slopes, tugging the sleds behind them. The footmen helped the ladies settle onto the wooden runners. For Adam Lawrence, the innocence of Georgiana Darcy fascinated him. Some man would eventually earn her love and her devotion and be a very lucky man. He could have done without the clinging Mrs. Wickham. The woman wrapped herself around him when they sped down the hill. He enjoyed physically peeling her fingers from his arm and waist.