Dear readers, I've published one of my stories here many years ago but couldn't recover the account. Well, let us start afresh. I'm offering you a murder mystery. It has a high body count. This is written together with R.C. I hope you enjoy it. Constructive comments are welcome.

All rights are reserved. Please do not post it anywhere else or share it without my permission. Thank you.

Chapter 1

It is well-known fact in all of England that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley only wished for a little liveliness. It was thus a rational scheme for Mrs. Darcy to arrange merriment for him. After all, one should always maintain the spirits in a state of enjoyment, as life is short. How very true for this night at Pemberley. The Darcys decided to co-host along with their brother and sister, Jane and Charles Bingley, a fine assembly of their friends and family to celebrate the third anniversary of both couples' nuptials.

"Have you grown that bored with me, Mrs. Darcy," Darcy asked of his wife, as he pulled her into his lap and rubbed against her, marveling at the loveliness the expensive fabric was hiding.

"Never, my darling," Elizabeth whispered in his ear, grazing his lobe with her teeth. His face turned a proper shade of crimson, as he remembered their morning tryst and longed to retire back to the bedchambers. Unfortunately, it was just after breakfast.

~0~

The Pemberley estate was now a flurry of activity on that Saturday, August the 4th, as the eager to be seen first guests arrived. Although the couples' nuptials had been in November three years ago, they had decided to hold last year's anniversary party off until August, as Jane did not wish to leave her darling son Benjamin at such a young and tender age, as he had had a touch of colic. Elizabeth had picked the early August date, which was a secret between her and Mr. Darcy. It was the anniversary of Elizabeth's first trip to Pemberley, in which she truly began to fall in love with Mr. Darcy.

"Hmph, it has not looked this well-kept since your wedding." Mrs. Bennet sniffed to the Darcys, as she stepped down the staircase beside Mr. Bennet, with the younger Bennet girls; Lydia, Kitty, and Mary falling in step behind her, in order of height, rather than age. Mr. Bennet beamed with pride as he saw the happiness on Elizabeth's face.

After the double weddings in Hertfordshire three years ago, it had been some time since Elizabeth had seen her family. Longbourn was a good three days journey away, and it was easy for the Darcys to find small reasons to extend the delay in visits. Elizabeth's first pregnancy and their son's first year had provided reason enough for the last two years.

"Mrs. Bennet," Darcy said in all politeness.

"Well, I for one had expected a much larger turnout," announced Lydia, emerging from behind her parents. "This pales in comparison with the Goodnestone's party last month."

"Ah, Goodnestone, your new friend's estate in Buckinghamshire. Then I hope our celebration doesn't disappoint, in the atmosphere, sister," Elizabeth managed, while leading her family through the marble entryway, hoping to find someone else to occupy their amusements.

"Lydia, I did not realize that you would be a connoisseur of a fine party." Darcy's sister, Georgiana, said coolly as she approached the guests with impeccable timing. "Of course if I had entertained the idea, I would have known that you would never pass up an opportunity to lend your knowledge to us," Georgiana said sarcastically. She loved her brother's wife but could not stand Elizabeth's two youngest sisters, who always criticized or embarrassed Elizabeth, on their mother's instigation.

"I suppose my excellent taste is quite unknown to you, but I am pleased to see you have not joined a convent and abstain from tonight's festivity. I heard you have entertained that idea; have you not?" Lydia retorted.

Elizabeth noticed a certain vein protruding and pulsating on her husband's neck, and sent a silent prayer up to the heavens to give him the strength to make it through the festivity without seriously offending any of the guests.

With a quick bow to the Bennets and a raise of his eyes to Elizabeth, Darcy led Georgiana away from Lydia, into the ballroom first.

"Elizabeth, mother, father and sisters," cried an endearing voice. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief and joy at seeing her best friend and favourite sister Jane and put a gloved hand on her arm.

"Oh Lizzy, we are hosting the event of the season, I have a wonderful loving husband, and a beautiful son and I worry that my good fortune is undeserved. Is it a real thing to have too much happiness? I feel positively light-headed." Jane smiled.

"Oh, I know exactly how you feel. It happens every time I have a glass of champagne on an empty stomach. Come, let us have a bit of the chiffon cake that we convinced our husbands was a total necessity," Elizabeth laughed as she led her sister into the ballroom, following the family.

~0~

Darcy, with a little bit of help from Bingley, had indeed spared no expense to please their wives by celebrating their anniversaries together. Primrose and anthuriums were strung throughout the estate, which seemed to overflow with the beauty and felicity of the two couples. Everyone who was anyone was clambering to attend Darcy's formal affair. The latest fashions and gallantry from London, Derbyshire and between, were displayed on the women, and the gentlemen were polished and starched so that the entire gathering gave the appearance of a group of dolls that had just been unwrapped at Christmas.

"Hello, my darling nieces. Don't the two of you look positively radiant?" Mrs. Gardiner declared, embracing Jane and Elizabeth warmly. Elizabeth smiled and pushed aside her feelings of anxiety that seem to inevitably surface with the dealings of certain family members as she kissed her aunt and uncle.

"I am thrilled the two of you were able to make it. Uncle Edward, I have heard a report that your work has been keeping you quite busy."

"Not too busy that I would miss the opportunity to pay a visit and celebrate the joyful union of my two favorite nieces." Mr. Gardiner replied with a wink.

"Oh hush, you!" Mrs. Gardiner mocked an expression of wonder. "The two of you have simply out-done yourself in the arrangement of this affair. Your elegant and exquisite taste has fashioned an event that will be long remembered. You have managed to bring the elegance of London to Derbyshire. Everyone who is someone is here. I'm sure your mother is pleased with the opportunities that seem to be afforded here," with this Mrs. Gardiner's gaze lingered on Lydia, who had managed to position herself near Viscount Henry. "I see that your sister has managed to seek out Lord Matlock's heir."

A dark shadow flitted across her uncle's face as a recognition seemed to occur.

"Ah, yes. Viscount Henry. I recall seeing him outside a shop at Bond Street. It must have been two months ago. Please excuse me, ladies." He uttered, as he rushed from the group.

"Unfortunately I see that Mother is currently barraging Lord and Lady Matlock," Jane stated. Elizabeth turned her head to observe Darcy's Uncle and Aunt and Viscount's parents. The handsome couple had grim smiles on their face, akin to the expression of two trapped animals.

"Ah, and who is the gentleman slowly making his way towards us," Mrs. Gardiner asked, as a young man in red with a dashing smile boldly approached.

"Lieutenant Digweed, this is my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner." Elizabeth introduced. "He is a friend of Mr. Bingley." she continued.

"I am so sorry to interrupt your conversation, Mrs. Bingley, could you please advise as to where I might find your husband?" Digweed asked Jane.

"You will find him in the anteroom possibly, hiding away with a proper drink, and perhaps a game of loo with some of the other gentlemen," Jane answered.

"Well, a proper gentleman can never resist a call to a proper drink. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Gardiner, and Mrs. Bingley...always such a pleasure to see you." he finished as he looked Jane up and down, with eyes finally resting on her bosom.

And with that Digweed made his way across the floor, knowing that he held the gaze of more than one young lady. Out of the corner of her eye, Jane noticed her sister-in-law, Caroline Bingley excused herself from the group she was conversing and followed in Digweed's direction.

"That young man seemed quite familiar, though I know for a fact that I hadn't met him. And his names sounds familiar. How would I know of him, ladies?" asked Mrs. Gardiner.

"Unfortunately, he also happens to be a distant cousin to George Wickham," replied Elizabeth. George Wickham was a dissolute young man who had grown up in Pemberley and was a godson of the late Mr. Darcy. Fitzwilliam Darcy had warned his wife and her family of the scoundrel.

"The family resemblance is quite strong, in more ways than one," remarked Mrs. Gardiner.

~0~

Wishing to avoid any conversation regarding the scoundrel, Wickham, Jane excused herself as well and left to follow Caroline. As she made her way out of the large double doors, she kept her eyes fixed on who she thought might have been Caroline. It was this mistake that left her with a glass of red wine spilled down her bodice.

"Oh dear! I am so sorry M-m-Mrs. Bingley!" stammered Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam as he quickly moved to blot the stain he had just inflicted. Realizing that his movement left him with fingers on Jane's bosom, caused even deeper infliction of speech.

"Oh, h-h-heavens. Clumsy me." The Colonel blushed.

"Oh nonsense, I was just going to change." Jane lied and stepped away. "I am honored that you were able to attend the Darcy's and our celebration. It has been so long since you paid a visit to our home at Sapphire park." Jane noticed the man was quite shaken and took pity on him.

"Have you been beating my husband at cards?" she asked, smiling to put the poor man at ease.

"Beating...at cards? I have not."

"Did you just arrive then?"

"No…I..." Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed to be at a loss for words. Jane knew she needed to put him at ease promptly.

"Well, if you are a man who dances, there is a gay time underway in the ballroom."

"I am. Thank you," Richard added curtly, as he strode away.

Jane, having lost sight of Caroline completely, assumed Caroline had gone to the ladies room to at the rear of the house and ascended the giant green-carpeted stairs in search of Elizabeth's dressing room and a gown that she might borrow. She knew that all of the servants were busy with the party. As Jane passed a door to her right, which she thought was used as the temporary nursery, she heard some muffled sounds, and what might have been a cry. Both Elizabeth's and her sons had been left in charge with the nurses, and Jane wondered if she had mistaken the location of the nursery. She opened the door a bit to get a glance at her sweet cherub baby, Benjamin. Jane instantly regretted her decision. Before she could close the door, she made out the smooth cheeks- not of her one-year-old son, but of a grown man, whose pants were crumpled down around his boots. Two slippers with shoe-roses were curled around his back, as were two manicured hands, as the couple swayed to an invisible, mechanical rhythm.

Jane was incensed with the clandestine rendezvous. Who were these two disreputable, profligate animals? She thought she had observed a red coat on the man, but she could not be sure, as the room was dark. And as for the young woman, Jane had no idea. Jane had only seen the woman's hands and feet. Had Jane been spotted? Jane's stomach turned at the thought, as she quickly descended the stairs to tell her sister. Elizabeth, back in the ballroom, was holding court with her Darcy, the Matlock's and Lady Catherine.

"Jane, please join us for a toast," Darcy announced when he saw her. "You remember the Matlock's, and my aunt, Lady Catherine?"

Jane felt the eyes of the group on her hair that had come undone in her panicked escape down the stairs, her sweaty face, and the wine that spilled on her gown. Darcy's face fell as he saw Jane's appearance, and Elizabeth's was one of pure puzzlement.

"Oh yes, it is so lovely to see all of you here, for this fine celebration. Elizabeth, may I borrow you for a moment, please?" Jane inquired, putting her very most serene smile, but her fingers were in a vice-like grip on her sister's arm.

"My god, are you intoxicated?" Elizabeth giggled as they broke free from the group.

"I wish I were," she replied as her eyes teared up. "There is an awful scandal taking place in Pemberley in this exact moment. I wish I had never seen it."

"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked as the smile disappeared from her face.

"Upstairs. In one of the bedrooms. A lover's tryst. I cannot be sure who they are…" Jane trailed off leaving Elizabeth to imagine the worst.

"Oh no! What shall we do? Let me get my husband. You keep watch and make sure no one else goes up those stairs." Elizabeth ordered her sister, as she ran in to get her husband.

"And where is my husband in the middle of all of this debauchery?" Jane mused to herself.

Through the gap in the door to the ballroom, Jane watched as her sister calmly strode up to her husband, and seemed to be laughing a lover's whisper into his ear. Darcy's brow furrowed as he followed Elizabeth's playful tug towards the door.

"Jane. Where?" Darcy asked curtly.

"The second door on the left," she replied. Darcy leaped up the grand staircase two steps at a time. Some moments later, he returned to the stairs, shaking his head.

"Who?" Elizabeth questioned as he paused on the last step.

"No one," he answered. "Your sister must have startled whoever it was because they have gone. Please do not breathe a word of this to anyone, Jane, or the rumour will take hold."

Jane knew he was right. So many important guests were here. If rumour got out, no one would be able to resist talking about it. The gossip would be nearly impossible to extinguish.

"I will not tell a soul," Jane assured Mr. Darcy, as she wondered whether or not this was true, exactly. Jane told her husband everything. As if reading her mind, Darcy added, "Excluding, of course, your husband." Jane smiled in relief, and then remembered her dress.

"Elizabeth, could I trouble you for a change in the dress? You cannot expect me to continue with my hosting duties looking like someone who has been working in the kitchen."

"Of course, we will just be a moment. Please keep the guests entertained with your charming wit," Elizabeth teased her husband, as she and Jane again headed up the stairs.

"Who do you think the scoundrel and harlot were?" Elizabeth whispered as soon as they were out of earshot.

"I wish that I had some clue, but alas, I have none. I have witnessed so many people, coming and going from the ballroom." Jane said.

"Yes, but the guests we have here are all of the highest esteem…" Elizabeth began.

"Maybe the lady was seduced." Jane offered, and both sisters fell into a fit of giggles. Upstairs, Elizabeth quickly picked out a deep red gown for her sister. "Now who will be seducing whom?" she asked as Jane pulled the dress over her curvaceous body.

Jane thought of Mr. Bingley slowly and sensually unbuttoning it later, and a warm feeling rushed over her. She was eager to get back to the party, find her husband, and resume the celebration.

As the sisters descended the stairs, they encountered Mrs. Bennet, looking more frantic than ever.

"There you are! Both of you! Sneaking away and hiding when there is a party to be hosting, and your sisters' very life may depend on the repercussions of this event."

Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a knowing smile. "Whatever do you mean, Mother?" asked Jane.

"Your poor sisters may be rendered as spinsters, and die penniless. It is the responsibility of their older and married sisters to match them with suitors who can provide for them, and extend them the same happiness that the two of you have been granted, thanks to the labours of your father and I."

"And who, exactly, would those willing young men be?" teased Elizabeth.

"Do not exacerbate my condition. You know how my nerves plague upon this aging body. Lieutenant Digweed, Viscount Henry, or Colonel Fitzwilliam, to name a few among several others. Many men are deserving of your sisters." Mrs. Bennet raged. "Do not play with me, Elizabeth! You ungrateful child are going to send me straight to my grave. But most importantly, you know that I am referring to Viscount Henry, Lord, and Lady Matlock's heir. He would make a prize husband for Lydia, Kitty, Mary..."

"I do not know Mother, I think the three of my sisters might be too much for the poor Viscount-" Elizabeth said while trying to maintain a straight face. Neither Jane nor Elizabeth could contain themselves any longer and doubled over in laughter. Mrs. Bennet huffed in frustration and returned to the ballroom to find Mr. Bennet and tell him what horrible and ungrateful daughters his oldest two had become in the absence of their mother. She reasoned that she would do a better job with the other three, even though she had managed to marry the two oldest off well. In remembering that, her nerves were soothed, slightly, and she was able to regain her composure.

Meanwhile, Jane finally saw her husband, Charles, emerge from the salon. His face was pale and sweaty.

"Whatever is wrong?" Jane asked. She hoped he had not lost too badly, playing high in whatever game of cards he might have been involved.

"It's Viscount Henry-" the words came out as a struggle.

"Oh no," lamented Elizabeth, "Mother has gotten to him before we could save him," she laughed. The joke was lost on Charles, who looked alarmingly at Elizabeth and his wife.

"You are aware of what has happened then?" Bingley asked, slowly. The smiles faded from both of the ladies' pretty faces as they registered the alarm in his eyes.

"Do we know what? What is happening?" Jane's mind flashed to the scandal she had witnessed earlier.

Charles paused for a moment as if gathering in his mind what he would like to say. "Viscount Henry is dead. It is quite apparent that he was murdered. He was bludgeoned about the head."

Jane felt nauseated immediately, and could not believe the words coming from her husband's mouth.

"Whoever has committed this bloody act, " Charles continued, " is likely still here. Darcy has sent for the magistrate. It is imperative that we keep all guests here until they arrive. Please act as calmly as you can, as we do not wish to alarm the staff or guests in the meantime. Go now together to check on our children, and come straight back to me. Elizabeth, I have sworn to your husband not to let you out of my sight after that. "

The last thing that Elizabeth saw before she hit the floor was the look of horror on her sister's face.

A.N. I look forward to reading your reviews.