Free A Spy at Pemberley by Fenella J Miller

about to step around him when he laid his hand on her arm.
    'If you do not do as I ask then you will lose your sister. She will not go against her husband's wishes.'
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Lizzy shook off Mr Forsyth's hand. 'I think, sir, that you and Miss Bingley must leave Pemberley at once. When I speak to Mr Darcy I can assure you he will not be pleased. Making an enemy of him will be something you will both regret.'
    She didn't linger to hear his response. Fitzwilliam must hear of this latest threat. Her heart was pounding and she was relieved to return to the sanctuary of her own abode. Once inside she leaned against the wall for a few moments to recover her equilibrium.
    How had it come to this? Was it possible that the elopement had just been a ploy to get Charles to invite the couple to Pemberley? Why would the wretched woman have given Mrs Hurst the route she intended to take unless she wished to be found by her brother?
    Fitzwilliam would be able to make sense of this. The fact that they had parted on bad terms an hour or so ago made no difference. She must speak to him immediately. His study was empty. She sent for Peterson and the butler told her that her husband had gone out.
    She would wait for him here – he would be informed of her whereabouts when he returned and they could be guaranteed privacy in this room. Pacing the carpet only made her more distressed. She slumped onto a chair and sat watching the flames flickering hoping these would calm her. Her eyes slowly closed and she drifted off into a light doze.
    *
    Darcy returned from his ride determined to put matters right between him and Lizzy immediately. He tossed the reins of his hunter to a waiting stableboy and strode into the house.
    He was accosted by the butler. 'Mr Darcy, Mrs Darcy is in the study waiting to speak to you.'
    Thank the good Lord! She too had decided this rift could not be allowed to continue a moment longer. His study door was ajar and he stepped in. She was curled up in a chair fast asleep. He walked softly to her side and dropped to his knees. 'Lizzy, my love, we must talk.'
    Her eyes opened and she sat up immediately. 'I've been waiting this age, Fitzwilliam. There's something I must tell you.'
    She pointed to a chair opposite and he did as she suggested. This was not to be the rapprochement he had hoped for – but any communication was better than none.
    'What is it that has caused you so much agitation?'
    He listened with incredulity to her story. 'I should have realised that a young lady taking part in a genuine elopement would never reveal their destination, let alone the exact route she intended to take.' There was something else that had been said that was pertinent. He frowned in concentration and then remembered what it was. 'Forsyth told me he reaches his majority next month. All he had to do was remain incommunicado until then. There was no need for the two of them to make a dash for Scotland and involve both Bingley and I in this charade.'
    'The whole escapade was a ruse to get Miss Bingley to Pemberley. She knew that Charles and you would immediately ride to her rescue and would invite her here.' She stood up and shook out her gown.
    'Good God, Lizzy, look at your skirts! You should have changed and then come down here.'
    Her expression changed from friendly to aloof. 'I beg your pardon, sir, for offending your sensibilities. I shall go at once and change into something that meets with your approval.'
    'I didn't mean…'
    'There's no need to apologise. I have said what I came here to say and will now leave you to take whatever action you think appropriate.' She stalked to the door but he called her back.
    'There's little I can do as Bingley has as much right to entertain his family next door as we do. I cannot dictate to him on this matter. However, you can be very sure they will not set foot here. Neither will they marry in the chapel.'
    'Even if matters between Jane and I are restored I