A Spy at Pemberley by Fenella J Miller

Author:Fenella J Miller [Miller, Fenella J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-06-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Colonel Fitzwilliam was to travel with them in the carriage to the ball. Lizzy had insisted because, unless he was firmly at her side, she thought he might renege. She was determined, whatever her husband said to the contrary, to promote a match between Miss Hall and Cousin Hugo.

She wouldn't ostracise a family because one of their members was a traitor, so neither should anyone else. It would be punishment enough for the relatives to lose their loved one in this way without being obliged to moulder in the country for the rest of their lives.

In her opinion there were too many rules governing Society. Another thing that she thought wrong was that if the head of the household committed suicide this was enough to ruin the reputation of the rest of the family. Indeed, it would seem that if a person did anything beyond the pale then all their relatives were obliged to suffer as well.

When her sister Lydia had run away with Wickham and lived with him without the benefit of clergy her mother had fallen into a decline. Only when her sister's marriage had been arranged by Fitzwilliam was mama's health restored. Papa had been reluctant to receive his daughter even though she was now respectably married and he had never really forgiven her. Wickham was now dead and Lydia a merry widow in far off India.

Lizzy had made a special effort this evening and was wearing a new ball gown in yellow silk with a gold chiffon overskirt. Her hair was dressed formally and she was wearing the Darcy parure. She had only had the opportunity to wear this once before and was looking forward to seeing her husband's reaction when she appeared dressed like a queen.

'Sweetheart, you look staggeringly beautiful. I don't recall seeing that ensemble before.'

She curtsied. 'Now you know why I requested that you wore your gold waistcoat. With this tiara and my heeled slippers I am almost as tall as you tonight.'

He had his white gloves in one hand and with the other he cupped her face and kissed her. 'You will outshine them all, my love. Hugo is waiting downstairs and he's wearing his dress regimentals. I was almost blinded by the plethora of gold frogging on display.'

Sally held out the matching evening cloak and Fitzwilliam took it. He swirled it around Lizzy's shoulders and they were ready to leave.

With her gloved hand resting on his arm he escorted her down. The carriage was already outside and it did not do to keep the horses waiting. The colonel was resplendent in red jacket, skintight white breeches and black boots.

'You look wonderful, Cousin Hugo, you will be surrounded by eager young ladies – for there's nothing they like better than a man in uniform – especially one as handsome as you.'

He snapped his heels together and bowed, his shako clutched to his chest. 'Thank you, ma'am, I aim to please.' He grinned, making him look even more attractive. 'Might I be permitted to say, Cousin Lizzy, that splendid as I am, I am outshone by yourself.

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