Murder & Misjudgment Read online

  Murder & Misjudgment

  A Pride & Prejudice Variation Mystery Romance Series

  Abbey North

  Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  About the Author

  Blurb

  A trip to London promises to be exciting as Lizzy tries to help Jane find a way to meet with Mr. Bingley. Her own experience is enlivened by meeting Lord Aumley, a handsome young viscount thrust into the world of Society unexpectedly. She wants to like Lord Aumley as more than a friend, but when she meets Darcy again, she accepts she cares more about the prideful man than she should. Her heart seems set on him, though her mind is still at war with the idea.

  While making it clear to the young viscount she has no interest beyond friendship, a homicide crosses her path, followed by another soon after. When Darcy notices the victims bear an uncanny resemblance to Lizzy, he swears to protect her—even if it means keeping her under lock and key. Lizzy isn’t certain she’s even at risk, but she wants to find the murderer in their midst while perhaps seeing unexpected changes in Darcy that lead her to contemplate his previous proposal with renewed attention.

  This is part four of the “Crime & Courtship” series, which will be five books, intended to be read in order, and follow roughly the same timeline and location as J.A.’s masterpiece. The first mystery takes place in Meryton. The next will be at Netherfield, followed by Hunsford, then London, and finally Pemberley. The story arc will continue throughout all five parts, compromising one long read broken into five sections. A mystery is central to each installment, so you could call this a cozy mystery sweet Regency romance.

  While Abbey sometimes writes sensual JAFF, this series is strictly SWEET.

  1

  Lizzy stood with Jane in the Perkins’ drawing room, striving to have a good time. She’d been in London for a few weeks now, and while Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had been as warm and welcoming as ever, Lizzy felt vaguely discontent. She couldn’t explain why, so she sought to divert herself from those emotions by throwing herself into every social activity available.

  That was how she and Jane had come to accompany their aunt and uncle to this evening’s rout-party at their friends’ house. Now, Lizzy eyed the same people she’d been accustomed to interacting with for the past few weeks and felt the same swell of discontent. Something was missing, but she couldn’t imagine what. She refused to speculate too.

  “Did you receive a missive from Mary today?” asked Jane as she sipped a glass of lemonade.

  Lizzy nodded, holding her own cup without bothering to lift it to her mouth. It was too tart for her tastes. “I did, along with letters from Mama, Kitty, and even a brief letter from Lydia.”

  Jane pulled a face. “Let me guess, the poor dear is dreadfully bored with the soldiers gone and being denied the opportunity to travel to London before the weather changed?”

  Lizzy smiled. “You forgot she was unhappy with the gifts she received for Christmas.”

  “I do hope she can find a way to be content.” Jane looked concerned. “It must be difficult for her, since she’s such a vibrant and social creature, and with the soldiers gone, and us away, she has far fewer opportunities for frivolity.”

  Lizzy felt a surge of sympathy for her younger sister. “You are right. I was not as understanding as I could be. I must endeavor to write her back when we return to the Gardiners’.” Then she asked, “Why did you bring up Mary specifically?”

  “She mentioned a young man named Jonathan Mayhew. Do you know him?”

  Lizzy smiled. “I do, and so do you. He is Uncle Phillips’s law clerk.”

  Jane’s eyes widened, and she grinned in delight. “That is from where I know the name. Mary did not say much about him, only that he complimented her skills with the pianoforte when he came to dinner recently with others. I assume she must be referring to Aunt and Uncle Phillips.”

  Lizzy nodded. “I suspected she had a tendre for him based on their interaction the last time I saw them together, along with a conversation we had before the Netherfield ball.”

  Jane’s expression looked pained then, and she said, “Excuse me. I believe I need more lemonade.” It was a patent falsehood, for her glass was amply full, but Lizzy didn’t call her on it. She knew Jane was still upset about the separation from Bingley, and she had yet to see him since her arrival in London.

  Lizzy’s lips curled with disapproval when she recalled Jane’s recounting of calling on Caroline Bingley. The woman had pretended she was on her way out, and even Jane had questioned that. There’d been no question about Caroline’s true friendship, and just how false it was, when she came to Gracechurch Street a few days later and made it clear to Jane she would never be acceptable to Bingley, and all hopes were pinned on Bingley and Georgiana making a match.

  Lizzy’s anger stirred anew, and she struggled to calm it. With Caroline actively thwarting them, she had no doubt Mr. Bingley didn’t even know Jane was in London, and since they didn’t move in the same social circles, she hadn’t yet had an opportunity to see him. Lizzy had been trying her best to think of a way they could interact, or accidentally meet, but so far, she’d had no ideas.

  Jane rejoined her just as there was a stir, and they turned to see what had caused the commotion. It appeared to be caused by the arrival of three guests, who were slightly late. They were all young men roughly around Jane’s age, and Theodore Perkins, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, looked like he was puffed up from pride at their arrival. The young man was nineteen, and it was obvious he had a case of hero worship for whomever these new arrivals were.

  Lizzy was curious herself as she eyed the three of them. One of the three was a rather portly young man with white-blond hair and a sickly complexion, but the other two were quite handsome indeed. At first glance, she thought they might be brothers, since they had similar builds and dark hair, but when she looked closer, she decided they were not related, at least not as closely related as she had imagined. “Who are they?” She asked the question of Jane.

  “They are acquaintances of Theodore’s,” said Lily Perkins, hovering nearby. This Season was her first venture into society, and she still looked a little nervous. “I do not know much about them, for I have only seen them a few times, but I know the one in the middle is Viscount Aumley, and his name is Adam Turner. His handsome friend at his side is Mr. Tristan Nobles, and I believe the third gentleman is Mr. James Elliott.”

  “We have been graced with a viscount,” said Lizzy with a minor twitch of her lips. “This must surely be the highlight of the Season.” At least in the social circles in which they all moved.

  Jane nudged her gently. “Be nice, Lizzy.”

  Lizzy gave her sister a bland smile. “I am being nice. I truly imagine it must be quite a coup for young Theodore to convince a viscount to show up at his parents’ humble rout.” She wondered what the viscount’s angle was, but she didn’t have long to await an introduction.

  She found herself seated beside the viscount at the dinner table, with his friend Tristan across from them. Her immediate suspicion struck her as wrong after she’d had a few moments to converse with Adam, who seemed to be a captivating young man. Lizzy liked to consider herself above responding to superficial charm by now, but she couldn’t deny he was a handsome man with a charismatic bent.

  “What brings you here this evening, Lord Aumley?” asked Lizzy as their first course was whisked awa
y. She felt slightly protective of Theodore, who was a naïve young man, and she hoped this wasn’t some ploy to mock him or make him an object of jest.

  “I quite like young Theodore,” said the viscount, as though he’d read her thoughts. “I do wish you would call me Adam, Miss Bennet.”

  Her eyes widened. “I could not be that audacious, Lord Aumley.”

  He sighed. “No, I suppose you cannot. I admit, I am having some difficulty adjusting to my new role.”

  Her eyes widened as she buttered a roll. “What role is that, Lord Aumley?”

  He tugged at his cravat, his finger dipping underneath the tight bow to loosen it. It almost seemed a subconscious gesture. “I never expected to inherit the title, I assure you. I was living in obscurity in Cornwall when I received the unexpected news that my great Uncle had died without another heir.”

  He pitched his voice low as he leaned closer, saying, “I was apprenticing to be a carpenter when I learned the news.” There was a hint of gentle mocking in his tone, clearly directed toward himself. “Utterly shocking, is it not?”

  Lizzy’s lips twitched. “It is most appalling, Lord Aumley.”

  He sipped his wine before replying. “It was quite a scandal at first, so I shunned the ton last year upon inheriting the title. Duties in the House of Lords prevent me from seeking refuge this year. This is my first Season out, and I assure you, it still causes quite a stir when I move among the ton. There are those like young Theodore who look up to me, though I have scarcely done a thing to earn it, and there are just as many who are above me in status and wealth who look down upon me, recognizing me as the usurper I am.” He sounded remarkably unconcerned about that.

  “That must be difficult.” She felt a stirring of sympathy for him, imagining how it was to suddenly be thrust into a higher echelon of society and be expected to easily adjust. Jane might have a similar issue if she ever married Mr. Bingley, but Jane was so kind and gracious that she could not imagine many people would be able to dislike her sister.

  He seemed unconcerned. “As I said, it was an adjustment, and I am still making it, but when I contrast my existence now with what it was two years ago, I can hardly be displeased to have been so lucky. Fortunately, there are those who have been kind to me, like Tristan and James.”

  She smiled at Tristan, who looked at them when he heard his name. “That is a relief. Friendship does make burdens more tolerable.”

  Tristan’s lips curved into a smile, making his rather thin face more appealing. “It has been my pleasure to be friends with Lord Aumley. Our acquaintance occurred at a timely fashion for me as well. I had just lost my fiancée in a terrible accident when we met, and Adam provided a good deal of distraction from the pain.”

  Lizzy’s frowned. “I am so sorry.” She didn’t ask for details, though she was dreadfully curious. It wouldn’t do to be poking and prodding into his pain though.

  Dinner passed in a congenial exchange, though Tristan rarely contributed anything. He seemed to be on the quiet and shy side, but Adam more than made up for that. Lizzy was startled to realize she was thinking of him by his first name by the end of the meal. It was difficult not to. He had an open and friendly manner, and with his easy magnetism, she was predisposed to like him in no time.

  There was nothing more to it than that, but when he suggested they sneak into the kitchen sometime later to have more of the delicious plum pudding, Lizzy and Jane found themselves agreeable to the idea. Jane was giggling, and so was Lizzy. She knew this was scandalous behavior, but it also sent a thrill through her, and since it seemed relatively benign, she didn’t think they would have any problem.

  They entered the kitchen a few minutes after, finding the staff still cleaning up from dinner. A young woman a few years older than Lizzy with dark brown curls and brown eyes looked at them. She seemed vaguely appalled for a moment before she remembered herself and curtsied. “How may I help you, misses and sirs?”

  “We had hoped for a second helping of that delicious plum pudding,” said Adam with a wink.

  The woman blushed. “I made that.” She announced it proudly, but still with a hint of modesty.

  “It was exquisite,” said Adam, sounding completely convincing.

  Lizzy had no reason to doubt his honesty, for she had found it delightful as well. “It is probably the best one I have ever had, Miss…?”

  She came out from behind the counter and approached them. “I am Marie Harris, the assistant cook. Cook has already gone to bed for the evening, but I do not believe he will mind if I slip you an extra serving. Nay, I doubt he will even notice.”

  “We do thank you, Miss Harris,” said Adam as the assistant cook distributed small bowls to them moments later.

  Jane eyed hers with clear trepidation. “It was so good, but I fear I might not have room for another serving.”

  “It certainly will not do you any harm,” said Lizzy, admiring her sister’s slender form. Lizzy was more on the curvy side, and though she knew she shouldn’t indulge in a second serving, she plunged in her spoon without much regret. It was a delicious treat, and she happily surrendered her empty bowl a few minutes later, her stomach feeling far too full. “Thank you so much for your kindness, Miss Harris.”

  The girl curtsied. “Of course, miss. You are a guest in Mrs. Perkins’s home, and anyone who likes my plum pudding deserves special consideration.” She flushed as she laughed a little before taking Adam’s bowl, and then Tristan’s. Jane surrendered hers last, leaving a few bites behind. She seemed apologetic as she did so. “I am sorry. There is not a thing wrong with the plum pudding, but I have no more room.”

  “It is all right, miss.”

  After Marie had reclaimed their dishes, the four of them left the kitchen again and returned to company in the drawing room. Lizzy felt young and carefree in a way she hadn’t for a long time, and she attributed that to Adam’s influence and prompting them to do something so silly, yet harmless.

  As they took seats on the settee, Adam and Tristan stood beside them, and Adam said, “You seem like an intelligent sort, Miss Elizabeth.”

  Lizzy flushed with pleasure at the compliment as she nodded. “I do like to think so. My papa would agree, but my mother would caution intelligence is an unattractive feature in a woman.” She laughed slightly as she revealed the information, realizing it was probably too forward. She seemed like she was fishing for compliments.

  His lips spasmed, and his brown eyes warmed further. “I am afraid I must disagree with your dear mother in that case. I have met a great many lovely young ladies during the Season thus far, but far too few of them are capable of holding a conversation. Have you been to the British Museum yet, Miss Elizabeth?”

  She shook her head. “I have not yet had a chance to attend. Often when I am visiting my aunt and uncle, we have other duties and activities.” Visiting the museum appealed to Lizzy, but it didn’t seem the sort of entertainment the rest of her family would enjoy.

  “I plan to attend tomorrow, wanting to see the Indian exhibit again. They do have quite a few fascinating relics, and information is readily available. If it would not be too forward, I would enjoy it if you attended with me?”

  Lizzy blinked for a moment, hesitating. Was attending the museum a friendly gesture, or did he intend more? Was he laying the pathway to court her? Lizzy was more unsettled than pleased by the idea, though there was nothing wrong with the viscount himself. “I would like to do so. It is always lovely to make new friends, especially if they share common interests.” She hoped she’d put just the right amount of emphasis on the word friends, not wanting to blatantly dissuade him, but also reluctant to allow him to believe there might be more to her interest than friendship.

  He beamed. “Excellent. If you will give me your address, I shall call on you tomorrow at eleven to collect you and meet your guardians before we go to the museum.”

  Lizzy shared her address with him, and they settled into more generic topics of conversation. Lizzy fou
nd herself smiling more than she had in a while, and she finished out the evening with a pleasant glow of satisfaction as they returned to Gracechurch Street in the accompaniment of Aunt and Uncle Gardiner.

  She and Jane went upstairs, going to the bedroom in the attic they shared while visiting. She helped Jane with unbuttoning her dress before turning so Jane could do the same for her. Aunt Gardiner had a lady’s maid, but neither of them wanted to wait for Lucy to be finished helping her mistress, since they were both tired.

  After sliding into her nightdress and getting onto her side of the bed, Lizzy curled up on her side, hugging the pillow and huddling under the warm blankets, since there was a chill in the room. Jane joined her a moment later, asking, “Do you like the viscount? He seemed quite taken with you, Lizzy.”

  Lizzy frowned, unaccountably thinking of Darcy’s proposal for some reason before she banished the thought. “He seems like a nice young man. I think we might become friends, assuming we have enough common interests.”

  Jane giggled. “I would like for you to find someone who is more than a friend. Do you think that could be Lord Aumley?”

  Lizzy hesitated before saying, “I do not believe so.”

  Jane sounded disappointed. “I am sorry, Lizzy. Surely, there is a man who will be able to please you at some point? I know you are committed to the path of spinsterhood, but I hope for you to fall in love.” There was deep sadness in her tone then. “Not that falling in love guarantees happiness.”

  Lizzy turned, taking Jane’s hand in hers in silent support. There was little she could say, but she hoped her presence alone was soothing as Jane wiped away a few tears before closing her eyes in a determined fashion, clearly intent on sleeping.