Read Online A Spy at Pemberley by Fenella J Miller - Free Book Online
Authors: Fenella J Miller
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was in tears and he little better. 'I apologise for keeping you both waiting. Thank you for coming round so speedily.' Darcy indicated that they should go into the drawing room.
Lizzy rushed to embrace her sister but Jane seemed reluctant to be embraced. This was an ominous sign.
'Before you speak let me tell you what took place here – I doubt that you got an accurate picture from Miss Bingley.' He gave them a brief explanation but his words appeared to make little difference to their distress.
'Jane, we both know what Miss Bingley is capable of. Please don't let her machinations come between us.' Lizzy was having difficulty holding back her tears and seeing her so distressed made him more resolute.
'Well, Bingley, can you now say that we were not justified in ejecting your sister from these premises?' His friend wouldn't look directly at him and his mumbled reply wasn't clear. 'Would you please repeat what you said as I didn't hear you?'
'Caroline is beside herself with grief. She knows she should not have attempted to offer advice but it was well meant…'
Lizzy was about to disagree but Darcy shook his head and she remained quiet.
'She has changed, Darcy, she is no longer the person who behaved so poorly at Netherfield. You have both misjudged her and caused us all a deal of pain.'
Jane was still sniffing into her handkerchief but appeared to be in agreement.
This time he couldn't prevent his wife from speaking out. 'Jane, I cannot believe that you would side with that woman. That you are prepared to sever relations with your real family…'
Finally Jane spoke. 'You are my sister, but Charles is my family now. I beg you, dearest Lizzy, don't make me have to choose as my loyalty must be with him.' She stood up, her cheeks pale and her expression sad. 'Do we have two find ourselves another home if we are no longer welcome at Pemberley?'
'Don't talk fustian. Bingley explain to your wife that although you are my tenants you have as much right to live there as Lizzy and I do to live in this part of Pemberley.'
His erstwhile friend stood up and pulled his wife up beside him. 'I intend to return the lease to you, Darcy. We shall not remain if my dearest Jane wishes to leave.' He nodded to Lizzy and bowed to him. 'We have been friends for many years and I am saddened that things have ended in this way. I bid you goodbye and wish you good luck in your London venture.'
Lizzy made a move towards her sister but he restrained her. 'Not now, leave things until they have had time to reflect.'
She turned her face into his shoulder in despair. Caroline Bingley had caused this misery and he was determined she would get her comeuppance – but it would have to wait until he'd completed his mission for the government.
'Don't cry, my love, I promise Jane will be restored to you. This will be but a temporary separation.'
She raised a tear-stained face. 'This is different. She is right to say she must put Charles ahead of her feelings for me. We love each other dearly but I believe that I would do the same if I was in her situation. Caroline has poisoned them against us and I can't see how this can be resolved amicably.'
'I shall leave it a day or two and then speak to Bingley. Anyway, it will take them several weeks to find another estate to buy and by the time we return from Town…'
Her expression changed. 'Surely you do not intend to go to London as things are? Your cousin's marital needs are nothing in comparison to restoring my relationship with my sister.'
Although what she said was true she didn't know the real reason they were going. He had given his word to the colonel. He would have to insist they leave as planned and this might irreparably damage his marriage.
He had to give her an answer and when he did things would change between them. His chest constricted and he swallowed a lump in his throat. 'I appreciate your sentiments, my love, but we shall go at the end of the month. In the circumstances I think it
Lizzy rushed to embrace her sister but Jane seemed reluctant to be embraced. This was an ominous sign.
'Before you speak let me tell you what took place here – I doubt that you got an accurate picture from Miss Bingley.' He gave them a brief explanation but his words appeared to make little difference to their distress.
'Jane, we both know what Miss Bingley is capable of. Please don't let her machinations come between us.' Lizzy was having difficulty holding back her tears and seeing her so distressed made him more resolute.
'Well, Bingley, can you now say that we were not justified in ejecting your sister from these premises?' His friend wouldn't look directly at him and his mumbled reply wasn't clear. 'Would you please repeat what you said as I didn't hear you?'
'Caroline is beside herself with grief. She knows she should not have attempted to offer advice but it was well meant…'
Lizzy was about to disagree but Darcy shook his head and she remained quiet.
'She has changed, Darcy, she is no longer the person who behaved so poorly at Netherfield. You have both misjudged her and caused us all a deal of pain.'
Jane was still sniffing into her handkerchief but appeared to be in agreement.
This time he couldn't prevent his wife from speaking out. 'Jane, I cannot believe that you would side with that woman. That you are prepared to sever relations with your real family…'
Finally Jane spoke. 'You are my sister, but Charles is my family now. I beg you, dearest Lizzy, don't make me have to choose as my loyalty must be with him.' She stood up, her cheeks pale and her expression sad. 'Do we have two find ourselves another home if we are no longer welcome at Pemberley?'
'Don't talk fustian. Bingley explain to your wife that although you are my tenants you have as much right to live there as Lizzy and I do to live in this part of Pemberley.'
His erstwhile friend stood up and pulled his wife up beside him. 'I intend to return the lease to you, Darcy. We shall not remain if my dearest Jane wishes to leave.' He nodded to Lizzy and bowed to him. 'We have been friends for many years and I am saddened that things have ended in this way. I bid you goodbye and wish you good luck in your London venture.'
Lizzy made a move towards her sister but he restrained her. 'Not now, leave things until they have had time to reflect.'
She turned her face into his shoulder in despair. Caroline Bingley had caused this misery and he was determined she would get her comeuppance – but it would have to wait until he'd completed his mission for the government.
'Don't cry, my love, I promise Jane will be restored to you. This will be but a temporary separation.'
She raised a tear-stained face. 'This is different. She is right to say she must put Charles ahead of her feelings for me. We love each other dearly but I believe that I would do the same if I was in her situation. Caroline has poisoned them against us and I can't see how this can be resolved amicably.'
'I shall leave it a day or two and then speak to Bingley. Anyway, it will take them several weeks to find another estate to buy and by the time we return from Town…'
Her expression changed. 'Surely you do not intend to go to London as things are? Your cousin's marital needs are nothing in comparison to restoring my relationship with my sister.'
Although what she said was true she didn't know the real reason they were going. He had given his word to the colonel. He would have to insist they leave as planned and this might irreparably damage his marriage.
He had to give her an answer and when he did things would change between them. His chest constricted and he swallowed a lump in his throat. 'I appreciate your sentiments, my love, but we shall go at the end of the month. In the circumstances I think it
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