The Master of Pemblane (Book 2 - A Universal Truth)

By Sarah Bevan Fischer

In the second part of A Universal Truth (Based on marvelous Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) it is five years later. Emy has forged a successful career in New York and Matt has reestablished the Pemblane estate on an even footing. Both have faced their demons and moved on. Each of them dream of the other and are drawn towards each other with a magnetic force.

At the end of the first book, Emerald, the unraveling of the Bennet family, her sister's drug addiction and her parent's separation and ultimate divorce, distresses Emy. Matt is equally challenged by his father's death and the circumstances that surround it. Could Zach and he be half-brothers?

The ghosts of Pemblane trouble Emy. She is afraid of the strange connection that she feels to the 200-year-old Elizabeth, and the parallels of her own love story with Matt, and Elizabeth's with the Matthew of the past.

Everything that occurs in the spring of 2013 is drawing Emy back to Pemblane, to face the inevitability of her attraction to Matt. Will they finally be united in the passion that they both feel for the other? Can Emy face the past and move forward without being damaged by the ghosts of Matt's ancestors?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah Bevan Fischer
• Release date: Mar 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311913395

Sarah Bevan Fischer

I wrote my first story aged eight and have never really stopped since. A busy career, mostly in the fashion industry, filled my days. I have written articles, regular features and a blog for many years but every attempt to write a novel never made it beyond the first couple of chapters.Finally an opportunity to follow my dream came when I lost my job and simultaneously got a buyer for our house in the UK. We planned to downsize and remove to Spain. Almost as light relief from the organisation and packing I started to write the first chapters. Unlike on previous occasions the words flew off the keyboard and the first book of The Friendship Diaries, Palmerstone, was born. I continued writing furiously once settled in Spain.I loved writing the Friendship Diaries and I had high hopes that readers would love the characters as much as I had loved writing them. Caitlin, Rebecca, Suzanne and Penny have been my imaginary friends for a long time. I always had the intention of continuing the stories with the younger characters to the fore. The warm and supportive feedback that I have received from many of you has inspired me to crack on with the next series of stories - Beyond Friendship.My sincere thanks go to all of you who have followed my stories. Particularly thanks to those of you who have taken the time and effort to give your very valuable feedback. Writing can be a lonely business, a word of praise or a constructive criticism are always welcome.I completed the planned four books of Beyond Friendship and published in October last year. Then I took to reading for a change of emphasis. Amongst the books that I picked up was Jane Austen's fabulous P&P, an all time beloved of mine along with many other JA fans. So I curled up and re-read my all time favourite novel savouring the acute observation and sly wit and, of course, the classic romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Once I had completed reading the novel I was at a loose end. I got to wondering what the Bennet family would be like if they were around today...The result of my musing formed my next project. A Universal Truth, written in two parts (Emerald and The Master of Pemblane), transposes the Bennett's into the 21st Century. I changed the names of the characters to suit the modern setting and had a little fun with the plot. The story is anchored in the past by a parallel love story that haunts the modern characters.A Universal Truth is not an attempt to emulate JA's wonderful work, rather to recognise its ongoing extraordinary popularity 200 years after it was penned. I hope not to seriously offend any stalwart Austenites, if I have I apologise wholeheartedly. (And I had absolutely no idea how many JA tributes and sequels have been written until I embarked on the second half of this project. Naive or what?!).What next? It is difficult to decide because I have several half formed ideas. My decision has been made for me by requests from my lovely readers for another in the Friendship and Beyond stable - therefore the adventures of Hattie, Charlie, Chantal, and Poppy; plus the old guard from the first series will hit the shelves by the end of May 2014 with a bit of luck and a following wind!Thanks to my readers once more for all of your feedback, appreciative or otherwise! I love to hear from you.

Book preview

Foreword:

In October last year I was suffering from withdrawal symptoms having completed the Palmerstone series (so far). Understandably I was missing daily contact with my imaginary friends. Whilst musing on my next project I dipped into a few novels new and old. Amongst them one of my all time favourites, the marvelous Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Anyway I got to wondering what the Bennet family would be like if they were alive in the 21st Century... Emerald (A Universal Truth) is the result.

My story is not intended to be a rewrite of P&P, Austen's legendary novel is merely a starting point. I have taken a lot of liberties with the characters, and the story line bares little resemblance to the original because life isn't like that anymore! However there are parts of the story that echo the past and also parallel the original.

Introduction

Charlotte giggled and screamed in delight as her mother swung her in the air and they whirled across the dance floor.

'Faster Mama, faster....' the child cried, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. Mother and child collapsed in a heap laughing together. She gathered her child into her arms and kissed her repeatedly. Charlotte enjoyed the embrace momentarily then wriggled from her mother's arms with a happy cry,

'Papa!'

Charlotte's father bent to receive his daughter's embrace and lifted her high in the air above him,

'Carlie' his deep voice resonated with love and pleasure. 'My darling' his gray eyes met her green ones. He deposited his daughter back on terra firma and held out his hand to help his wife to her feet. 'Are you well?' Her husband ran his hand over her expanding belly and caught her to him for a kiss...

Chapter 1

Emy shut her eyes for a moment and collected her thoughts. She scanned the boardroom quickly and professionally everything was prepared for the all-important presentation. Emy's rise in the world of publishing had been meteoric. She allowed herself a momentary feeling of satisfaction, but try as she might she could not blot out the emotional pull she had experienced the previous evening.

That she should have seen Matt, of all people, and at such an awkward time. Although, of course, Emy supposed it was inevitable that she would meet him at some stage. She and he were both involved in the world of publishing after all. Emy sighed and tried to focus her attention on the forthcoming meeting. She had made the choice to leave; she just had to learn to live with it.

Emy got through the meeting on automatic pilot. Her bosses and colleagues all muttered and nodded their approval. Emy had gained a strong following due to her hard work, tenacity and team spirit. Everybody liked her, and despite her impressive rise in the company she had never thrown her weight around. Emy smiled her thanks as one of the top executives patted her on the back and congratulated her on the figures newly presented.

'You will go far young lady' he predicted in his old world charm manner.

'Thank you' Emy responded simply, there was not much more to say. She had staked her reputation, laid down the gauntlet if you like, with the performance she had just given. She would be invited to be a director or she would leave. Why don't I care?

Once again Emy's thoughts were towed back to the previous evening. It had been a big event in publishing. The awards were very prestigious for the authors and also, of course, for their agents and publishers. One of Emy's cohort of writers was up for the top prize. She was a writer whose talent Emy had helped to nurture. One who had started well and then continuously surpassed herself. The two women had become good friends in the process.

Emy finished a long day in the office and prepared for the big event, she had got used to the New York way of dressing to go on in the evening. That morning she had arrived at work dressed in a black trouser suit and a simple vest. Emy freshened her make-up, tugged a comb through her sophisticated bob, and applied a splash of her favourite eau de cologne. She turned to one side to admire the drape of the red low backed top, heavy with sequins, into which she had just changed. She looked professional yet dressy enough for a night out at one of New York's top venues. Emy bent and slipped her feet into the pièce de résistance, a pair of divine red suede stilettos. She had fantasised about these shoes for weeks and almost suffered a cardiac arrest when she had succumbed to the temptation. Emy had never thought to spend so much money on one such frivolous item. Yet they were awesome.

Jody and Emy met in the hotel lobby; Jody voluble with a combination of nerves and excitement.

'Hey calm down' Emy advised giving her protégée and friend a hug. 'Whatever happens this evening you will be on your way. I checked your sales today and they have gone through the roof since you got shortlisted.'

'Great, I didn't gather about the kudos' Jody responded, rather overawed by the news. She had very little understanding of, or interest in such matters. As long as she could pay her parents a little for her upkeep she was happy. Jody reckoned that she owed her whole success to Emy. She had sent her manuscript to gazillions of publishers before Emy Bennet had responded with a request to read more. In part her faith in her editor was well placed. Emy had fought long and hard to persuade senior colleagues to back her judgment; a fact that most had now conveniently forgotten.

The evening had passed by pleasantly enough although Emy found it a struggle to maintain the high level of intelligent criticism, insider gossip and wit that such a gathering required. She was already tired after a long week, and a long day. With the prospects of an early start in the morning her spirits were flagging.

Emy's protégée did not win, but as Emy had predicted she was sought out by the press to be photographed and interviewed. It was at this point that Emy had felt confident that she could absent herself without causing offence. She waved and smiled encouragingly to her charge as Jody was towed away by one of the organisers. Emy bent to collect her clutch and scarf from beside her chair and stood to depart. As she made her way towards the door she cast her eyes around the room for familiar faces.

Matt's was not one that she had prepared herself to see. There was no mistaking his dark hair and chiseled features, the rather serious expression and the unmistakable air of wealth and consequence that he wore unconsciously. Emy's heart stopped. In fact her breathing stopped. For a moment she felt like she was wading through treacle her feet wouldn't obey her, then she was rooted to the spot. For a second he turned his head as though he saw her. Emy could have sworn later that he had seen her. His light gray eyes had darkened like the ocean on a cloudy day. Emy practically ran from the room as though the hounds of hell were after her.

Chapter 2

It was five years since she had seen him on that fateful day at Pemblane; the day that her heart had been broken. She didn't attach any blame to Matt. In fact how could he not have changed his mind under the circumstances? Matt had known of her younger sister's slide into drug addiction and of the acrimonious break up of her parent's marriage. Not just known of but had tried to help Lara's plight. For the whole sad story to be open to the scrutiny of his snob of an aunt and the sneers of Amelia, sister of his best friend, was not to be tolerated. Emy had taken the coward's way out. She had run away, just as she had done last night.

Emy sat at her desk with her eyes closed reliving the emotion filled seconds of the evening. Those seconds had felt like hours, as if she was paralysed by...by what? Emy shook her head slightly. In all probability Matthew Brooks Devonshire never gave her, Emerald Bennet, a single thought.

Although from the little of him she heard from Scarlett he was still single and working like a maniac. Emy sighed heavily and pushed some papers around her desk in a desultory fashion. She sighed again and fired up her PC. She would check her e-mails and then head home early. She had put in a long week already, and it was pointless sitting at her desk for the sake of it; even though it was the big, swanky one she had dreamed of.

Scarlett. Emy smiled despite her previous ennui. It was always a pleasure to hear from her best friend.

Dearest Emy,

I miss you so much. When are you going to tow that city girl sorry ass of yours back home to see your country girl friend? Your Goddaughter will be full grown before she meets you at this rate. Which leads me to a request that you CANNOT refuse. Emily Leigh Brooks is to be christened next month and you HAVE to be here. After all a christening has to have the godparents.

A full proper invitation is in the post but I am preempting it with a begging e-mail. Please, please, do come.

Much love Carle, Ashley and your namesake little Emy.

Scarlett had attached a few new photos of her very photogenic toddler. Little Emily dimpled cutely from under a mop of curls. Emy brushed a silent tear from her cheek. The child was a year old and it was true she had not seen her little namesake. In fact Emy had only seen Scarlett twice since she had left Pemblane so precipitously in response to her sister Jade's call for help. Once the girls had met up in London when Emy had visited on business and once Scarlett had flown out to New York and spent a long weekend with Emy.

I'm living my life in exile. The unbidden thought almost knocked the wind out of Emy. Is that what I've been doing? Running and hiding from Matt and losing all my friends and family in the process? Enough! Emy pushed back her chair, strode firmly to the door, collected her coat and bag and left the office.

'Goodnight' her assistant called to Emy as she crossed the outer office,

'Night Gemma, have a good weekend' Emy called over her departing shoulder.

Emy got back to her neighbourhood in record time; she must leave the office earlier more often. She headed to the local grocery store and stocked up on some basics. She exchanging a few nods of recognition and a little idle banter with the store manager. She had lived in this part of SoHo for almost four years now, at first in rentals, but recently in her very own apartment. Emy's heart still lifted each time she arrived home and stepped into the sleek and surprisingly spacious living room. She loved the high ceilings and the light that flooded in from the tall windows. Not in Pemblane's league but...Why had she suddenly thought that? Emy had never compared her life or her new home unfavorably before.

In her heart Emy knew why. She was homesick for her family, for Jade and her father in particular, she missed her best friend as though she had lost a limb and above all her heart still yearned for what might have been with Matt. His words haunted her still... 'We'll talk and' he had said with a slight hesitation 'I have something very particular that I want to ask you' Matt had dropped a kiss onto Emy's upturned forehead and pushed her gently towards his guest room. Emy had slept little the whole night wondering if Matt was intending to propose. On balance she had thought that it was his intent. She struggled with her feelings. She loved him for sure BUT, and it was a BIG but; she was 22 years old with a good degree and ambitions for a career. She had never thought that her fate was to marry young, certainly never dreamed of marriage to a wealthy man as her road to fame and fortune. Emy had oft times jested to her best friend, Scarlett about her affair with a large desk and commensurate salary.

Anyway the chance to accept or reject Matt's proposal of marriage was never to be. The morning brought something entirely other than expected. Emy had received a distressed call from her older sister begging for her prompt return. Their youngest sister had absconded from drug rehabilitation and arrived home in an inebriated state causing havoc in the family. Mrs. Bennet had added to the chaos with an announcement that she was leaving her husband and family for her lover.

Matt had been a stalwart support, insisting on driving Emy from Derbyshire to her family home in Oxford. He had waited patiently in the hope that she would return with him to Pemblane, yet her message was finally that she must stay to assist her father and sister. Matt had returned to Pemblane and his sister, and the assembled party with a heavy heart.

Emy ran her hand through her hair to tuck it behind her ear and recollected the missive that she had received the following week. She did not need to open the worn folds of Matt's letter. She knew the words by heart:

'My Dear Emy,

Our thoughts have been with you and your family this last week and Daisy joins me in sending her heart-felt condolences for your woes. I have sought to keep the details of your sudden departure from our other guests but as you can imagine conjecture is rife in certain quarters.'

Emy had no doubt that Matt referred to Sam's sister Amelia. She would be bound to have cast aspersions and annoyed Matt with her questions and assertions...

'It is with huge regret' Emy felt sick in the same way as she had when she read these words for the first time. 'I have to tell you that I must depart the UK for a trip to France and then on to Australia. Would that we had been given the opportunity to talk as we had planned to do... As it is I will be away at least until Christmas.

Be assured of my continued good wishes and high regard,

Yours,

Matt.'

Emy's heart clenched once more as she recollected the gamut of feelings that her emotions had run through. She could not blame him. Why would a wealthy man choose a wife such as her? He could have the pick of women from blameless families, from a family such as his own with wealth and consequence. What she couldn't understand was that he should have changed his intentions overnight. Emy had thought that the good opinions of Matt's cousin and his sister would matter more to him than those of his awful aunt and the equally vile Amelia.

Then had come the letter from her sister. Jade had sounded depressed and beyond hope that the sisters would ever be able to form a happy relationship for themselves. Emy brushed tears from her eyes as she remembered the content:

'I think now that I will never marry it is such a lottery to find the right person with whom to spend one's whole life. For us, more difficult than for most, damaged as we have been by our dysfunctional family life. I wish it wasn't so, but I fear that it is true.

I'm sorry that this is such a depressing missive. What a mistake it was for me to return to Oxford.

For you my dearest Emy I hope and wish for better things to come. Be careful before you make an irrevocable decision.'

Had Jade been right? At the time Emy thought that she was. It had just been a dream, a hallucination that Matt really cared for her. Too late now Emy rebuked herself.

Right in the middle of this maelstrom Emy had received an invitation. One so unexpected and so significant that she had decided that it was meant to be. A major New York based publishing house had offered her a prestigious job. Emy closed her eyes and remembered the empty feeling she had experienced when she had read the e-mail that had offered her everything that she had ever dreamed of:

'Dear Ms. Bennet,

We have a vacancy for a Commissioning Editor with our New York office and wonder if you would be interested in taking up the position? I attach the job description, terms of employment and remuneration for your information. The position is permanent and we are on a tight deadline to fill it. Please would you respond by the end of the week?

Kind regards

Louise Perret,

Director,

Human Resources.'

Yet what else could she have done but accept? Wait around for Matt to return from Australia in the hope that he may have changed his mind again; if marriage with her had ever been his intention