“I am indebted to my cousin’s interest,” Anne whispered softly.

Harwood noted Anne’s distress, which signaled that his mild threats had made inroads into her resolve. Another day or two of pressure would break her composure, and the lady would be more forthcoming.

However, even if his plan failed, he would transfer his affection to Miss Donnel. She was not as wealthy as the de Bourghs, but she could develop into a viable option. Her cousin was a viscount—the future Earl of Greenwall—and her uncle was an Irish baron. Even Worth had commented on the lady’s family possessing an excellent income. Plus, he suspected that Miss Donnel might be more willing to share her favors than Anne had been. She dressed more provocatively—in the finest silks and the most fashionable trends. She will do nicely, Harwood assured himself.

On his left, the lieutenant became aware of Evelyn Williams, who was sitting beside Mr.Worth. The woman maintained a steady, intent stare. With a very slight shake of his head, he warned her to look away. As he returned his attention to Anne, he quickly noted her preparation to leave. Before he lost his opportunity, Harwood left his seat and approached the settee. “Miss de Bourgh,” he said, bowing low.“might I entice you to stroll about the room with me?”

“I am rather fatigued this evening, Lieutenant; I shall withdraw. The day brought me much on which to dwell.” Anne stood, curtsied, and slipped from the room.

Harwood watched her go, knowing the lady’s distress played into his hands. A smirk formed at the corners of his mouth. He turned away to applaud Miss Darcy’s final performance of the evening.

“Hopefully, you play cards, Harwood,” Stafford said as he stepped up beside him and gestured toward the door. “Darcy assures me he has set up tables in the green drawing room.”

“I am not sure I can afford your game,Your Lordship.” He did not wish to lose more money—not until he had the de Bourgh wealth safely in his pocket.

The viscount laughed good-naturedly. “I do not particularly care if we play for matchsticks, Harwood. I just cannot sit to another hand of whist. I need a man’s game. So what say you? Care to join me?”

“In that case, I do not mind sharpening my skills.” Harwood nodded for the viscount to lead the way.

“Lieutenant,” Darcy called to forestall their retreat, “before you retire to the tables, might I introduce you to my sister, Miss Darcy?” He kept Georgiana on his arm as he brought her forward.

“It would be my honor to have the acquaintance.” Although his voice lacked the cultured intonation of the upper class, Harwood’s stance gave nothing to humility. He bowed over Georgiana’s hand.

“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.”