Christmas at Pemberley (51 page)

Kitty had no idea why the colonel had entered Mr. Manneville's room, but his actions said something was amiss. In the U-shaped wing, she could see into the American's room from her dressing room. But today the view held a determined-looking colonel. Curiously, she watched Mr. Darcy's cousin do a thorough search of Manneville's dresser and traveling chest. “I wonder what he seeks,” she said aloud, but there was no one in the room but her. “What could be so important that the colonel would risk being discovered in an awkward situation?” Standing behind the draped narrow portal, she watched in fascination as the colonel continued to seek a mysterious treasure. He ran his hand under pillows and behind paintings. Evidently, he must have felt her intense gaze because he looked up suddenly.

Kitty tried to jump back, but he'd seen her. The colonel strode to the window and stared directly at her. For a moment, she thought he'd madly storm to her room and demand her secrecy. Instead, he put a finger to his lips as if to shush her and then brought his palms together to plead for her cooperation.

Instantly, Kitty nodded her agreement. The colonel smiled brilliantly and blew her a kiss. She blushed, but gave a small curtsy. He returned to the room, and Kitty caught up her pelisse and headed for her room's door. She thought,
He has a wonderful smile—the kind of smile that could light up a woman's heart. No wonder Georgiana has fallen for him.

“If you, Gentlemen, will excuse me, I wish to return to the house and freshen my waistcoat,” Manneville announced as he stood and stretched. “I hope you've a better understanding of the type of situations you might encounter. At home, I hold such meetings once monthly when I'm in residence at my country house.”

“It's been enlightening,” Southland agreed.

Darcy took out his pocket watch to check the time. He'd hoped that Edward would've made an appearance. They'd planned for his cousin to search the American's belongings while Darcy distracted the man, but Edward was to come to them when he'd discovered what the Regent sought. However, the colonel hadn't appeared, and Darcy feared the worst. “You've no reason to change,” Darcy assured. “I try to present the image of a country gentleman for these events.”

“That's kind of you, Darcy, but I'll still make my way to the main house. I promised Miss Bingley my escort tonight.”

Unable to say anything else to dissuade Manneville, Darcy offered a simple bow and prayed that Edward had completed his task. “I've one more petition to hear before I can leave. Please tell Mrs. Darcy I'll return as soon as possible.”

“Of course, Mr. Darcy.”

With some trepidation, Darcy watched the man depart. Reluctantly, he motioned to the footman to allow in the next petitioner. “This will be a simple request,” he explained to Southland. “Mr. Forrest wishes a loan to expand his business.”

“What might the good man do with the money?” the lieutenant inquired.

“That is what we'll hear.”

He'd have to concoct some sort of explanation for Mrs. Darcy's sister of his search of Manneville's room. At least, his presence in the American's room hadn't sent the chit into hysterics. She'd actually
encouraged him with her nonchalance. “Where to look now?” he grumbled. He didn't have time to search the suite's every corner. “I need to think like a conniving blackguard,” he mumbled. Checking the door briefly for security, he said, “I knew the man was too good to be true.”

His eyes searched the shadows. It was too dangerous to light a brace of candles. “Where, oh, where,” he recited as he walked quickly about the room. Then he spotted it: a small box on the wardrobe's top. Only the box's edge appeared above the ornate trim that topped the press.

Scooping his find from its hiding place, Edward sat the small, thin box on the bed and lifted the lid. He'd found them: Princess Charlotte's letters to Captain Hesse. Reaching into the box, Edward removed the incriminating evidence and stuffed the tight bundle under his coat and beneath his arm. “Great,” he sneered as he also secured a locket, a twist of hair, and a miniature of Her Royal Highness. As he searched for other items, a crash outside the door drew his attention. “Damn!” Hurriedly, he replaced the lid and tried to secure the box in its proper place. Then he looked frantically around for an escape.

Thinking it would be pleasurable to tease the colonel about his escapades, Kitty left her chambers, with her pelisse in hand. She still wondered why Mr. Darcy's cousin had chosen to invade Manneville's chambers. Evidently, just like her father, Colonel Fitzwilliam thought the American had something to hide.

Deep in thought, she turned the corner, and her heart sank. Manneville topped the stairs. “Mr. Manneville,” she gasped. “I…I didn't expect…to encounter you, Sir. I thought…I thought you to be with Mr. Darcy.”

The man took a leisurely assessment of her. “I came to freshen my things, Miss Catherine.” He took a step toward her, and Kitty automatically countered with a backward retreat.

From behind him, she noted that the American's chamber door opened slightly and then quickly closed. “As…as did I.” She would like to avoid the man, but Kitty wouldn't allow the colonel to be discovered. “Did Mr. Darcy finish his business?” she asked as part of her ruse.

“I believe he speaks to the last petitioner.” Manneville closed the distance between them. “I was wondering, Miss Catherine, if you've promised all your dances to the clergyman?” He moved closer still.

Kitty swallowed hard. She desperately wished Georgiana had placed the colonel's traveling companions in a different wing. She glanced around, hoping that someone else would appear, but she was on her own. “Mr. Winkler would prefer that I save the majority for him.”

“Does Mr. Winkler control you, Miss Catherine?” He had backed her into a corner with his advance. “Why do you not allow me to show you what a man of the world knows?” He leaned closer as if to kiss her.

Kitty turned her head sharply to avoid him. “I'm perfectly content with Mr. Winkler's knowledge,” she defiantly declared.

Manneville stroked her cheek with his fingertip. “How do you know you do not like molasses if all you've ever had is honey?” He caught her chin and turned her face to his. In a heartbeat, his mouth took hers in a demanding kiss of challenge.

Kitty thought this the most disgusting moment of her short life. Even more disgusting than the stale ale on Mr. Denny's breath when he kissed her under the mistletoe at Aunt Philips's Christmas dinner. Without considering the consequences, Kitty jerked her knee up and made contact.

With a profane curse, Manneville staggered backward. In doing so, a vase crashed to the floor. “How dare you?” he roared as he caught her wrist and jerked Kitty toward him.

Kitty whimpered from the shock of his rage, but she fought to free herself. “Let me go,” she cried.

“Remove your hand, Manneville,” Edward's lethal voice came from their left. They both turned to find the colonel's unsheathed sword aimed at Manneville's chest.

The American pointedly released Kitty's arm, and she scrambled behind the colonel.

“I'll give my cousin your regrets for the evening.” The colonel barely controlled his ire.

“Why should I withdraw?” Manneville straightened, but pain remained written on his countenance.

The colonel nudged Manneville with the sword. “Because I desire it. If I choose to tell Darcy of your perfidy, you'll not be accorded even that much compassion,” he warned. “We'll leave for London at daybreak.”

Manneville snarled, “Is that how it's to be?”

“That's exactly how it is.”The colonel gestured with the sword toward the American's room. “I'll have a tray sent up.”

Manneville paused when he reached the spot where Kitty still hid behind Colonel Fitzwilliam's back. “You're a fascinating possibility, Miss Catherine.”With an abbreviated bow, he turned toward his room.

 

As soon as the American's door closed, Kitty caught at the colonel's arm. “Thank God,” she moaned and leaned into him.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered as he caught her to him. “Let me take you away from here.”

Kitty's limp legs actually moved—a fact, which surprised her. “Thank you, Colonel.”

“It's I who should thank you,” he whispered close to her ear when he turned her toward the stairs. As they slowly descended, he cajoled, “You kept my confidence while fighting off a blighter of the worst kind. I'm in your debt.”

Despite being shaken by the experience, Kitty looked pleadingly at him. “Would you tell me why you searched Mr. Manneville's quarters?”

The colonel gave his head a slight shake. “I cannot. It's part of my duty to Country. That's the most I may share.” They paused on the landing. “Unfortunately, I must ask your forbearance. If we inform the others, scandal could rock Mr. Darcy's household. I require your silence. You cannot tell
anyone
of Mr. Manneville's assault or of my mission.”

“Is it that important, Colonel?”

“Maybe not to you or to me, but very much so to those most high in our government.”

Kitty realized immediately that not only had this man protected her today, but also he paid her a great compliment: He thought her a woman he could trust. She had found
family
among her sister's new connections. She smiled in relief. “On these two conditions,” she teased, “shall I give you my oath of silence.”

“Two conditions?” He, too, smiled in an emotional release. “You're a greedy one.”

Kitty ignored his taunt. “First, you partner me during this festivity's dances. I do love to dance, and I imagine you are very adept.”

“Will Mr. Winkler allow another gentleman the pleasure of your hand tonight?”