“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Georgiana curtsied. “I understand from my brother that you are a close associate of my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

“We have served together for the past several months.”

“With my brother’s permission, I would welcome hearing of the colonel. It has been some time since we have seen him. Possibly you might spare me and my sister, Elizabeth, a few minutes tomorrow.”

“Naturally.” Harwood gave a low laugh—an intimate, husky sound, which sent a shiver of warning through Georgiana. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Darcy’s arm, and unsurprisingly, he covered her hand with his free one.

“We will excuse you this evening, Harwood,” Darcy said. “You should not keep the viscount waiting. Patience is not in Stafford’s vocabulary.” After the lieutenant had bowed and left the room, Darcy looked into Georgiana’s azure blue eyes. “What is it, Sweetling?” he coaxed.

Georgiana bit her bottom lip—a sign of her anxiety. “I wish I could say, Fitzwilliam.” She glanced about the room, assuring herself that they stood alone. “Although I have never met the lieutenant before this evening, he is somehow familiar, and it is not a comfortable familiarity.”

Darcy whispered close to her ear, “Listen to your intuition, Georgiana. Do not ignore such warnings.They will serve you well.”

“Do you suspect Lieutenant Harwood of duplicity?”

Darcy grumbled,“You are not to be alone with the man until—unless—I am sure of his honesty.”

His request stunned Georgiana, but she nodded her agreement. He had given her no such warning about Mr. Worth or Viscount Stafford. “Whatever you say, Fitzwilliam.”


“Might I have a word with you, Lieutenant?” Nigel Worth waited in the main corridor.

Harwood fought the urge to roll his eyes.“Of course, Mr.Worth. How might I be of service?”

Worth directed the lieutenant through an open doorway to one of the many drawing rooms. Only a roaring fire provided the light, but Worth needed no light to say what he needed to say. “I will come straight to the point, Lieutenant. Leave Miss de Bourgh alone.”

Harwood’s eyebrow rose in curiosity.“And what would a country lawyer do if I chose to ignore his advice, Mr. Worth?”

Worth continued doggedly. “The lady has returned from her business trip wiser, thanks to your manipulations. Leave her to her life.”

Harwood glowered. “Is that the way it is, Worth? Do you affect the lady for your own? Are you really even the de Bourghs’ man of business?”

Worth wanted to call the man out, but instead he stayed with the story he had concocted as Anne’s defense. “How much will it cost to be rid of you, Harwood?” he snarled.

“More than you have, Worth.” Harwood strolled toward the door. “I will deal with you tomorrow, sir.”

“You bastard!”


A few innocent-sounding inquiries told Harwood the layout of the rooms on the third level. Keeping to the shadows and timing his movements carefully, he entered the unlocked room in the early hours of the new day. Closing the door with a snick, he turned silently to the candlelight. “I see you were expecting me,” he smirked.

“Should I not have been?” The candle on its stand rose to light the way.

He pushed away from the door and strolled toward the bed. “What the hell are you doing here?” He fingered the remains of a half-eaten biscuit, resting on a plate on the table’s edge.“I certainly did not expect to find you at Pemberley.”

“The snowstorm brought Derby to a standstill; I had no other choice but to take sanctuary under Mr. Darcy’s roof.”

Harwood worked his way about the room, touching the decorative items, which gave the chamber its atmosphere. “I was distressed to discover you among Darcy’s guests, but now that I dwell on it, it may prove to be for the best. I can use your expertise to my advantage.”

“Our advantage.”

He smiled condescendingly. “Our advantage.” Harwood seated himself in a nearby chair, relaxing into the cushions.“What can you share regarding the de Bourghs?”

“I care nothing for the family. The mother’s pretentiousness is irritating, but expected. It is the woman—the one you have made your prey—of whom I speak. As mercurial as Hamlet and as false in her dealings as Shylock himself, the lady ebbs and flows. How can you even assume you have the situation in hand? Has she or has she not refused you?”

“Miss de Bourgh will refuse.We knew that coming into the affair. Obviously, I have no intention of marrying the woman.”

A bark of laughter interrupted his summation. “I would say marriage is out of the question under the circumstances.”

“Yet, the de Bourghs know nothing of which you speak.” He rose and crossed to the door. “Stay close. I may need you to cover for me.”

As he eased the door open to slip into the darkened hall, a warning followed him. “This is the last time, Robert. I will not tolerate another manipulation. We will stop our wanderings.”

Harwood did not look back—only paused long enough to acknowledge the words with a slight nod.

He closed the door silently behind him and sought secrecy behind a cluster of potted palms at the head of the staircase. Holding his breath, Harwood waited for the lone footman to pass before he made his return to his chambers. He seriously considered taking the short trek to Miss Donnel’s room and ascertaining whether the lady might entertain him, but he knew it presumptuous to appear uninvited in her chamber. Soon, he told himself as he reentered his room. She is ripe for the plucking. Despite the warning, I am not finished here.


The morning brought the hopes of a complete thaw. A steady stream of water dripped from the trees and every overhang as the temperatures rose, and the snow began to melt. From his study’s window, Darcy watched the main drive, expecting Lucas’s return sometime that day. He prayed the servant had found his cousin at Matlock. Darcy needed a voice of reason in the madness surrounding his household.

“You sent for me, Mr. Darcy?”The butler bowed courteously.

Darcy turned to address his man. “Yes, Mr. Baldwin. I need a man sent to Sir Phillip Spurlock’s.Tell Sir Phillip that we need him at Pemberley posthaste in his capacity as the local magistrate. We must deal with the three deaths, and I wish Sir Phillip to speak to my guests before they depart the estate.”

“Must we, Mr. Darcy?” The rumors that would follow such news in the community obviously worried Baldwin.

Darcy understood; he, too, dreaded the possibility of others knowing of the events of the past week at Pemberley. “This is not simply a Pemberley matter, Mr. Baldwin. Too many know of what has happened here. Only Sir Phillip can erase the shadow of doubt clouding our horizon.”

“Certainly, Mr. Darcy.”The butler bowed respectfully.“I will see to it immediately. By the way, sir, I have allowed Jatson to return to limited duties.Although I assured him that you would not expect him to rejoin the staff so soon, Mr. St. Denis feared losing his position. I have met him halfway by giving him abbreviated responsibilities.”

“I trust your judgment in the matter, Mr. Baldwin.” Darcy returned to the window.“Let me know immediately of Lucas’s return.”

“As you wish, Mr. Darcy.” The butler bowed out of the room.

Within a minute of Baldwin’s exit, a light tap on the door brought Darcy away from his vigil. “Mr. Darcy, might we speak for a moment?” Harwood filled the door frame.

“Certainly, Lieutenant. Please come join me.” Darcy gestured to his favorite chairs. “How can I serve you this morning? I pray that you have not had second thoughts on your accommodations.”

“Absolutely not, Mr. Darcy. My chamber is more than adequate, especially for a man used to cramped military quarters.” He settled himself before continuing. “I am afraid, sir, that the accommodations had nothing to do with my sleepless state. My regard for Miss de Bourgh causes my conscience to turn in upon itself.”

A dark smile graced Darcy’s lips. “You have had no interaction with my cousin since we met yesterday?”

Harwood did his best to keep his expression unreadable. “I attempted to approach Miss de Bourgh yesterday evening, but your cousin was too unsettled for a conversation about the future. I thought it best to follow your suggestion that we speak later this morning.”

“If that be the case, Harwood, I do not understand the nature of this discussion.” A cold fist struck his heart. Darcy knew this was the moment the real Lieutenant Robert Harwood would reveal himself, and he prayed that his own instincts had not betrayed him.

Harwood eyed Darcy sternly. “For many hours, I have mulled over what is best for Miss de Bourgh.” The interloper guarded his words carefully. “I sought out your cousin because I wished to do the honorable thing—to give Miss de Bourgh the protection only a husband can offer a woman.Yet, it appears that the lady does not welcome my plight.” Harwood paused, but when Darcy made no comment, he continued. “I care for Miss de Bourgh, and I do not wish to witness her ruination.”

“That is most admirable, Harwood.”

The officer offered a weary sigh. “I have considered Miss de Bourgh’s hasty retreat, and I have tried to anticipate who might know of your cousin’s Liverpool stay. If Miss de Bourgh refuses my proposal, I would still like to offer myself up as the lady’s friend. It would seem there are certain people whose silence must be purchased to keep Miss de Bourgh’s reputation pure. I would be willing to act as an agent in securing the discretion of those involved.”

Coolly composed, Darcy regarded the man. “That is most benevolent of you, Lieutenant.”

“Of course, I hope it does not come to that. I prefer to claim the lady’s hand as my own, but if I fail, please consider me as your cousin’s champion—to conduct this business tastefully.”

“And have you considered what such prudence might cost my aunt?”

Harwood fought the urge to celebrate his victory. Facing Darcy with a stony glare, he replied, “I would imagine several thousand pounds—the inn’s proprietor, maids, stable hands, hackney drivers, and many more will need to be brought under the umbrella to shield your cousin properly.”

Darcy’s fists formed at his sides. “And you wish me to approach my aunt in your name?”

“I thought it best to bring my concerns to your attention.You were the voice of reason in the room yesterday. Having offered your cousin the protection of her family, I assumed you would understand the urgency of making arrangements—before the rumors can no longer be squelched.”

Darcy rose to his feet to end the conversation.“I appreciate your candor, Lieutenant. I will keep your advice in mind as I negotiate with my aunt—until we meet a bit later.” He offered the lieutenant an abbreviated bow. “Breakfast is available in the morning room.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I shall partake of your kindness and then return to my room until we confer with your family. I thought it might be prudent to make a list of whom we may need to approach to secure their silence.”

Darcy knew Harwood preferred the payment to the marriage, but for good measure, he added, “We can only pray that my cousin will accept a marriage of convenience rather than the infinite possibilities of her ruination.”

“Of course, Mr. Darcy. We both hope as such.”


Sir Phillip Spurlock arrived before the family sat to their morning meal. Darcy met him in the main foyer and ushered him into his study before anyone else could speak with the man. He sent one of the maids to find Elizabeth and Georgiana. He wanted them both aware of Sir Phillip’s investigation.

“Your man was most insistent, Darcy.” Sir Phillip warmed his hands near the fire. “What is all this about?”

Darcy steadied himself. “There are three bodies in the attic drying room.” He watched the horror spread across the baronet’s face. Sir Phillip and Darcy’s father had attended Eton together—he was a man whom Darcy admired and respected.“All have died of mysterious causes. I have several unexpected houseguests because of the storm, and I assumed you would wish to question them before they departed.”

“Three?” Sir Phillip took a nearby chair.

“My cousin’s traveling companion and two of my staff.Another, Jatson St. Denis, suffered minor injuries in a confrontation with an unknown assailant.”

“I am afraid I do not understand, Darcy. Has someone entered the house illegally or is our culprit someone we know?”