Colonel Fitzwilliam's Dilemma (8 page)

“Did I mention I received a letter from our Aunt Gardiner?” Lizzy asked in a hasty change of subject.

“No. Do tell.” Jane sat forward. “How are Lydia and Mr. Wickham managing in town? I dare say my uncle already regrets his generosity. You and I both know how difficult Mr. Wickham can be and what high expectations he has.”

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had come to the rescue following Wickham’s infamous attempt to manipulate Lizzy a few weeks previously. Having quit the army altogether, Wickham found himself without occupation, unable to support his wife. They had offered Wickham a position as manager of one of Mr. Gardiner’s warehouses, which had a small apartment attached to it. Wickham had been scathing of the offer, but Lydia had surprised Lizzy by showing great maturity and insisting upon her husband grasping the opportunity. Neither Lydia nor Jane knew the full particulars of Wickham’s spectacular fall from grace and Lizzy had no intention of enlightening either of them. Even so, Lizzy had an uncomfortable feeling they had not heard the last of Wickham and she believed he would somehow find a way to interfere in her life again.

“Wickham is as idle as always, but Lydia has apparently taken to the life with great enthusiasm.”

“Ah, but will it last?” Jane shook her head, looking concerned. “You know Lydia. She has fads.”

“Surprisingly, I think she understands this is their last chance and will ensure Wickham does as he is told. It will be harder for him to stray now that he is constantly in her company. Besides, Lydia enjoys all the fabrics that pass through the warehouse and is already becoming quite an expert upon the best establishments to sell them on to.”

“Well I suppose fashion is the one subject guaranteed to hold our sister’s interest.”

“It also helps that they are in London,” Lizzy added, smiling.

“Yes, I dare say.”

Will and Mr. Bingley approached them.

“Are you here to scold me for gossiping with my sister and neglecting our guests?” Lizzy asked Will with a smile.

“Actually, my suspicions were aroused by your both sitting down, as you ought to be.”

“And why should that make you suspicious?”

“Since when did you ever do anything that was expected of you?”

“That is grossly unfair!” Lizzy cried in mock anger.

“Be that as it may, dinner is about to be served. I must attend to Lady Briars, and Bingley has kindly offered to take Lady Catherine in. We shall seek them out now so that Lady Catherine has no time to organise people the way she wishes to.”

“And you accuse me of meddling,” Lizzy said, smiling.

Will sent her an enticingly intimate smile. “Indeed, my love,” he said softly. “I would not dare.”

Lizzy was still laughing when she entered the dining room on Lord Briar’s arm.

Chapter Seven

“I recall you being rather partial to roast pigeon, Anne. Allow me to serve you a small portion.”

“Thank you, Colonel.”

Joshua did so and then passed the platter further down the table. He could not recall the last time he had enjoyed a dinner more, or one at which time had passed so quickly. The food was excellent, the wine a perfect vintage, but he would expect nothing less at Pemberley, and those considerations had little to do with his animation. Indeed, he scarcely noticed what he ate or drank, or what the general subjects of lively conversation happened to centre upon.

He had dutifully escorted his cousin Anne to the table, ensured her needs were met and kept her entertained with polite discourse. His efforts were occasionally rewarded with a smile but it was obvious her attention was all for Mr. Asquith, seated on her opposite side. She was hopeless at dissimulating, but Joshua could hardly object because his own attention was all for Mrs. Sheffield, seated directly across from him between Halstead and Turner. It was a pleasure to feast his eyes on her lovely features each time he glanced across the table, which was frequently, but he remained frustrated since he was unable to speak with her. Conversing across the table would be the height of bad manners and Joshua wouldn’t dream of being so crass.

Perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing they were unable to speak, he decided as the meal progressed and the glances they shared became more probing and prolonged. Mrs. Sheffield had more than a passing interest in Joshua, it seemed. Was she attracted to him, or did she have ulterior motives? Joshua gave himself a mental shake. What ulterior motives could she possibly have?

Being unable to converse with her now gave him a legitimate excuse to seek her out in the drawing room after dinner. He knew something of Jamaica himself, having spent a few months there at his late father’s behest before returning to England and purchasing a commission in the army. It gave them an interest in common that would be both natural and polite to discuss, given they had barely exchanged more than a handshake and a few words thus far. He listened to her lilting voice as she responded to questions put to her, keen to hear what subjects engaged her attention so he would know what else to talk to her about when their time came.

Anne’s company was relatively undemanding and Joshua was free to watch his fellow diners. The mood was elegantly relaxed, for which Joshua gave Eliza credit. She had a natural way about her—far less stiff and formal than Darcy’s. It was playful almost, and put people at their ease. There was a marked difference in Darcy too since Joshua’s last visit just a few short weeks ago and he appeared less reticent than usual. He gave Eliza the credit for that change too.

His fellow officers were taken up with Georgiana and Eliza’s sister, but did not neglect Mrs. Sheffield. As their commanding officer, Joshua would have seen them cashiered had they forgotten their manners to such an extent. The only person who appeared less than delighted with the evening’s progress was his aunt, presumably because Joshua had not yet given her an answer. It would be unreasonable for her to expect one so soon after she had made her proposition, but then his aunt was not known for being reasonable when it came to getting her own way.

The other possibility was that she disliked her daughter’s growing interest in Asquith. Well what the devil had she expected when she brought a male tutor—and such a charming and worldly one at that—into her sheltered daughter’s life? Lady Catherine seldom did anything without a reason, but Joshua suspected on this occasion matters had not gone the way she had hoped. She sat sour-faced on Darcy’s left, not dominating the conversation because Darcy would not allow her to. He cut her off politely but firmly whenever she got into her stride and gave her opinion a little too forcibly. That would not sit well with Lady Catherine, who expected to be at the heart of any gathering.

Each time Joshua glanced up, he caught Mrs. Sheffield studying him. He was encouraged by her interest in him until it occurred to him that the lady was not fascinated by him, but appeared to be avoiding looking in Asquith’s direction. Now that was interesting. When Mrs. Sheffield first entered the room Asquith had stiffened and muttered something unintelligible beneath his breath. He had denied knowing her but Joshua would bet what blunt he possessed the man had not told the truth. Mrs. Sheffield and Asquith were not strangers, but neither wanted the company to know they were acquainted. A hot shaft of jealousy pierced Joshua when the possibility of their being secret lovers occurred to him. He as quickly dismissed the idea. If they were, Asquith would have had no reason to seek employment with Lady Catherine, keeping him separated from the object of his affections. He had no way of knowing he would come to Pemberley at the same time as Mrs. Sheffield was in the district. Satisfied on that score, Joshua pondered upon what other reasons there might be for the pair to deny they were acquainted.

When the meal came to an end he had reached no definitive conclusions.

“Have you decided what performance you and your players will entertain us with, Mr. Asquith?” Mrs. Darcy asked.

“I have settled upon a light comedy, ma’am, but must beg you not to ask me for more particulars, mainly because I have not yet decided upon them.”

“A comedy, Asquith,” Joshua said. “That ought to be just the thing.”

“I hope you are not thinking of anything too modern,” Lady Catherine said, frowning. “I do not hold with all these new-fangled ideas people find so amusing. I find them vulgar in the extreme.”

“Indeed not, Lady Catherine. I have a particular piece in mind but unfortunately I am one lady short.”

“You are planning theatricals?” Lady Briars asked.

“Yes, ma’am. The weather is supposed to deteriorate and we thought it an amusing way to fill the time.”

“Could not one lady play more than one part?” Mrs. Darcy asked.

“Unfortunately that would not work since the players are required to appear together at all times.”

“Perhaps my sister would oblige,” Lady Briars said. “Did you not do that sort of thing in Jamaica, Celia?”

“No,” Mrs. Sheffield replied.

“I could not ask Mrs. Sheffield to inconvenience herself,” Asquith replied at the same time.

“Nonsense.” Lady Briars appeared determined. “It is just what you need to bolster your spirits, my dear. I absolutely insist.”

Mrs. Sheffield’s smile was brittle and did not trouble her lovely eyes. “And I am equally determined not to spoil the production by having anything to do with it.”

An awkward silence ensued, broken by Mrs. Darcy when she glanced down the table to ensure everyone had finished, placed her napkin aside, and pushed back her chair. “Come, ladies, let us leave the gentlemen to their port.”

Every male in the room was instantly on his feet helping the ladies with their chairs. Joshua flattened himself against the wall as the ladies filed past his position. He hoped for a look, a sign of interest of some sort from Mrs. Sheffield. When she did not glance his way he felt severely disappointed. It was as though she was punishing him for letting her down by not defending her when she seemed so desperate not to be one of the players. His first instinct had been to do so but he held back for fear it would arouse too much interest in…well, in his interest in her, and create unnecessary difficulties for him. He sent her an apologetic look but she was on the other side of the table and didn’t see it. His only reward was a waft of her light floral perfume as she left the room.

The gentlemen did not linger over their port. When they returned to the drawing room and Joshua looked for Mrs. Sheffield, she was nowhere to be seen. Nor was Asquith. He had preceded Joshua from the dining room, Joshua himself having been detained by a question from Darcy. Where the devil were they both? It was beyond his imagination, given the tension he had sensed between them, that they should be the only people missing and not be together. Presumably, they were clearing the air. Joshua slipped back out of the drawing room before his aunt could demand his company for her daughter and sauntered over to the door of the small adjoining sitting room. It was the most obvious place for Asquith and Mrs. Sheffield to have taken refuge. He was rewarded by the sound of voices—a man’s and a woman’s—coming from within and didn’t scruple to eavesdrop.

“It is most unfortunate we should meet in this way,” Mrs. Sheffield said. “I had no idea you would be here, or I would have—”

“Indeed.” Asquith said the one word with a marked lack of the charm Joshua was accustomed to hearing in his voice.

“What do you intend to do?”

“I have not yet decided.”

A long pause, and then Mrs. Sheffield spoke again. “Thank you at least for not making your suspicions public so far. I have told you many times they are unfounded, but if you do not choose to believe me, there is nothing I can do about it. However, such a slur, even if it is not supported by evidence, which it cannot be because there is none, would show me in a bad light.”

“We made a mistake in pretending we do not know one another. People are already suspicious.”

“I did not know what to do and followed your lead. I had no idea you were here, whereas you must have realised who I was when Mrs. Darcy mentioned my name.”

“Yes.”

“Please do me one kindness, even though I have no right to ask it of you. If you do decide to voice your suspicions, at least warn me in advance and give me an opportunity to tell my sister myself. She suffers from a nervous disposition and such a slanderous allegation would make her condition worse. I would leave here and return to my husband’s estate, but I am not free to do so. My husband’s brother seeks to—”

“Yes, I heard something about that.” Perdition, why the devil did Asquith have to interrupt? Joshua wanted to know a great deal more about the slanderous allegations Asquith was considering levelling against Mrs. Sheffield. Damn his impertinence. “Come, we ought to return to the drawing room before we are missed.”

Joshua was shocked by Asquith’s abrupt tone and complete lack of sympathy when it was obvious Mrs. Sheffield was in some sort of trouble. Trouble that was visited upon her in Jamaica. He concealed himself when the two of them left the room and delayed his return to the drawing room, slipping in virtually unseen.

His tardiness meant any opportunity to converse with Mrs. Sheffield was again denied to him. Music had been suggested, and it appeared Mrs. Sheffield played, as did Georgiana and Eliza. The three ladies conferred and Mrs. Sheffield was persuaded to perform first. Joshua enjoyed music and it soon became evident that Mrs. Sheffield was a proficient pianist. It was equally obvious, but unsurprising given the conversation he had just overheard, that she was preoccupied and gave her performance less attention than it deserved. Even so, he joined in the warm applause at the end of her piece, when she gave way at the instrument to Georgiana.

Mrs. Sheffield found a seat at the side of the room and Joshua strolled across to join her. People had got up and moved around when Mrs. Sheffield quit the instrument, so Joshua’s movements went unnoticed by the rest of the gathering whose attention was now focused on Georgiana.

“May I?” He indicated the vacant seat beside Mrs. Sheffield.

“Please do, Colonel.”

Joshua swished the tails of his coat aside and seated himself. It was impossible for him to establish from her demeanour whether Mrs. Sheffield welcomed his company or if she had hoped for solitude.