A Spy at Pemberley Read Online Free PDF

be married in the chapel. The marriage would be viewed as more acceptable when people hear about it if it has taken place with friends and family present.'
    'I think it might work. It's unlikely anyone would think to look for them in Derbyshire.'
    'They will have to reside at Pemberley long enough to claim it as their residence otherwise the banns will have to be called in Forsyth's local church.'
    'If Caroline's intended husband is underage then they will have to lie, and that would make the marriage invalid.'
    A knock on the door prevented further conversation and two maids staggered in carrying the requisite water. In less than half an hour Darcy was satisfied with his appearance and ready to go down and eat.
    *
    Georgiana was delighted to see Lizzy as her husband, Jonathan, was away on business until the next day. 'I would much prefer to return to Pemberley when he's away – but I cannot be forever running back home just because I'm lonely.'
    'My love, I'm sure that he wouldn't object in the slightest if you were to stay with either Kitty or myself in his absence. Come back with me now. Fitzwilliam and Charles are also away until tomorrow.'
    Lizzy quickly explained the drama that had been enacted earlier that day and her sister-in-law was as surprised as Kitty had been at Caroline Bingley's extraordinary behaviour.
    'I shall come with you – I wouldn't miss the excitement for all the world. Although I prefer a quiet life, I must own I find domesticity a trifle flat at times.'
    'It's a shame that Kitty is unable to travel at the moment or she could come too.'
    Georgiana hurried off to ask her maid, Ellie, to pack an overnight bag for them both and to change from her morning gown into something more elaborate.
    Soon Lizzy was in the carriage with Georgiana and her maid and returning to Pemberley. 'I'm sure that the gentlemen won't be back before morning. I wonder if they will bring Caroline with them.'
    'There must be more to this than we understand, Lizzy, for I cannot believe any family would refuse permission for their son to marry a modest heiress even with the supposed disparity of age.'
    'Well, my love, we will have to contain our curiosity until tomorrow when all will be revealed. Jane will be delighted to see you, as will the twins and little Charlotte.'
    The remainder of the journey passed in such pleasant conversation that when the vehicle arrived they were both surprised.
    'Georgiana, why don't you go directly to see Jane? Ellie can see to your belongings whilst I speak to Reynolds and have two guest chambers made ready in case Fitzwilliam brings the runaways back with him.'
    After speaking briefly to the housekeeper Lizzy ran upstairs to check on the well-being of her children. They were, of course, content to be with Nanny and she left them playing with their bricks. She paused at the window at the end of the nursery corridor and stared out at the grounds.
    Although Jane hadn't mentioned it, she was almost sure her older sister was increasing too. This meant that she was the only one of the four not be expecting a happy event later in the year. She blinked away tears. There were already two children in the Darcy family – so she must view these new arrivals as her sisters catching up with her.
    Why wasn't she having another baby? Had her difficult pregnancy and delivery damaged her internal workings so that she was now unable to conceive? This would be preferable to the conclusion she was coming to, that the lack of another baby was due to the fact that she and Fitzwilliam were no longer as close as they had been.
    When they had first been married they had spent every minute together, he had been vigorous in his attentions in the marriage bed. However, since the arrival of the twins things had changed. He no longer spent every night beside her. Sometimes he didn't come to her but remained next door in what had once been her domain.
    This wouldn't do. She loved him as much as she had always done and he