With My Whole Heart Forever Read online

  “My aunt and I were the only people there, outdoors, returning from the retiring room.”

  A chill crept up his spine. Miss Bennet had been outdoors, away from the crowd when Wickham approached?

  What had he been thinking, using the small shack next door as a retiring room for the ladies? Why had he never ordered an addition to the building? He would definitely make certain one was built before next year’s Harvest Ball.

  The urge to move and discharge some of his nervous energy was too great. His guests’ eyes followed him as he paced slowly behind the desk.

  “As far as I know, sir, the man did not re-enter the ballroom at all. Your sister was sitting with the Johnstons, indoors. Although I could see the Johnstons’ table, they did not look in our direction, so she did not see me speaking to him. Also, assuming the man was you, my aunt was standing nearby, a few feet away.”

  “What did this imposter say to you, Miss Bennet?”

  Suddenly, it seemed difficult for her to speak. She focused on the tassel attached to her reticule, with which she began to fidget.

  A sense of dread washed over him. What had Wickham done this time?

  Miss Bennet took a deep breath and sat up a little straighter. “First, he tried to get me to walk alone with him. Naturally, I refused, but then he tried to pull me away from the safety of the barn.”

  Darcy gasped. “He what?”

  She nodded. “I am afraid I had to struggle to escape his grasp.”

  “My niece and wife entered the ball immediately and informed me of what happened,” Mr. Gardiner said. “I would have notified one of your staff, but my wife is a quick thinker, sir. She realised that doing so might risk our niece’s reputation, especially since most of the staff working this evening were not native to Pemberley.”

  Miss Bennet spoke a little louder this time. “Besides, something the man said made me believe he acted because—”

  Darcy stopped pacing. “Because?”

  She straightened her spine. “Because you asked me to dance, sir.”

  Darcy widened his eyes. Wickham knows me too well, and he can detect my attraction. My interest has put Miss Bennet in danger.

  She lowered her gaze to her lap again and almost whispered, “He said that it was a rare occurrence.”

  He only nodded. What could he say to that without revealing his fascination with Miss Bennet, raising her expectations?

  “And then he said… well, he said that because of this, I am now part of his plan.”

  Darcy could feel the blood drain from his face. He grabbed hold of the back of his chair to steady himself. “Did he inform you just what his plan entailed?”

  She nodded. “Both my aunt and I heard that part. He said, ‘All that he wants and all that he has will become mine.’ I believe he meant you, sir.”

  Darcy should not have been so shocked at this disclosure, but he was. Did Wickham think he could just walk in and take everything from him?

  Of course, he did. Had he not almost taken from him the most important person in his life — his sister?

  Now, Wickham was going after all that he wanted, as well? Miss Bennet attracted him as none before, but he knew almost nothing about her family, her connections. He would never pursue her until he did.

  Oh, why had he danced with her? He closed his eyes for a few moments to recover.

  Miss Bennet winced.

  Darcy’s eyes snapped open. He caught the sight of Miss Bennet pulling her hand from her uncle’s grasp.

  Gardiner’s brow furrowed. “Are you hurt, my dear?”

  Darcy’s jaw dropped. “Did Wickham harm you?”

  Miss Bennet swallowed hard. “Wickham? Is that the man’s name?”

  Darcy nodded once, anxiously awaiting an answer.

  She looked away from both of her companions as if she was examining the room, but her eyes flitted like the butterfly she was dressed as this evening, landing on nothing in particular.

  After a few moments, she raised her chin and said, “I must admit that I expect to have a few bruises by morning.”

  Good heavens, Wickham did harm her.

  How could I have allowed this to happen?

  Darcy ran a hand through his hair. “I cannot apologize often enough, Miss Bennet. Had I an inkling that Wickham would have done anything like this, I would have never left the ball. Doing so must have frustrated him and caused him to escalate his scheme to the next level.” He shook his head. “But I never expected even he would do such a thing as this.”

  “If anyone is to blame, it is I, sir. You must remember that it was my suggestion that you leave the ball to avoid the mischief Wickham arranged for you.” She cocked her head to the side. “And in the end, I must thank you for holding the ball in the shearing shed instead of the ballroom, sir. I would not be surprised if I broke at least one of his toes with the heel of my boot before I escaped his grasp.”

  It had to be the shock of her statement that made it so difficult to suppress a quick chuckle. “Thank you for sharing that fact, Miss Bennet. I needed to hear it.”

  She nodded. “I must assume that Ana and I will not be riding tomorrow, sir?”

  Darcy walked to the window and looked out for a minute or two before turning to answer. “Soon, perhaps, but not tomorrow. I do not want to spoil my sister’s outing, but I do feel we must delay it a day or two. When the time comes, I will attend your ride myself, but my schedule over the next few days makes that impossible. I will add the presence of Simons, a most trusted footman to your party. In fact, he is the man who was at the door just now — one who has often ridden along with my coach when I take a long trip, providing security against highwaymen.”

  He looked at Gardiner. “Does my plan for your niece’s safety meet with your approval, sir?”

  “If you trust your sister to this man’s protection, Mr. Darcy, I have faith our beloved niece will be safe, as well.”

  Darcy locked gazes with Miss Bennet, but for some reason, this time, her expression made his heart lurch in his chest.

  In this low light, her eyes seemed a deep emerald, but earlier today, in the daylight, he noticed they were closer to the colour of the first blades of the spring grasses. He had never seen eyes quite that shade before.

  Her bruises would heal, but to think, his carelessness in underestimating Wickham might have injured this lovely creature irreparably.

  Fury rose in his chest once more, but this time, it was directed at himself. It was his responsibility to protect all those on his estate, and he had failed.

  Miss Bennet quirked an eyebrow.

  How long had he been staring at her?

  He blinked. “I am sorry to place any restriction on your activities, Miss Bennet. Taking into account that Johnstons’ farm is at the edge of my property, which is inherently more difficult to make certain Wickham has abandoned, I do not think it is prudent for you to walk alone any longer.”

  Uncle Edward said, “I agree completely. I am certain your aunt will, as well, Lizzy.”

  Miss Bennet nodded. “I understand the necessity.”

  Darcy continued. “As long as the weather allows, for the remainder of your stay, I propose that you allow me to provide transport to the manor house at whatever time of the day you choose, so you can walk or ride with my sister, in addition to any other plans the two of you make. Though tomorrow you should remain indoors.” He tore his gaze from Miss Bennet’s lovely visage and settled it on Gardiner. “Of course, the ladies will be accompanied by suitable escort once I deem it safe for them to leave the house, and a maid will be sent with the carriage to and from the Johnstons’ farm.”

  Miss Bennet looked at her uncle. “Can I be spared for several hours a day?”

  “I am pleased to give my consent. Your father permitted you to travel with us on holiday, Lizzy. Even though you have never once complained, both your aunt and I have fretted over your having to accompany us here instead.”

  “But, the children—”

  Gar
diner waved a hand in dismissal. “My sister-in-law and nephews are recovering nicely. Although Mrs. Johnston has declared you an angel sent by God in their time of need, Lizzy, she has also indicated that she misses having her usual time with her children. Since the danger of contagion has passed, she would like to return to giving them their lessons. It is predicted all three invalids will be able to resume normal duties within a fortnight, which is ideal since I am obligated to return to London at that time. We — and the Johnstons, I might say — would be happier knowing you will be free to enjoy the remainder of your time here by visiting with Miss Darcy.”

  Miss Bennet smiled. “You know I have no regrets, Uncle.” She turned to Darcy. “However, if my presence is no longer necessary at the farm, I would be happy to accept. Your sister is a delightful young lady, and I would enjoy getting to know her better.”

  There was no pretense in her countenance, as he had often seen with other ladies. If he were a betting man, he would wager she sincerely did wish to spend time with his sister.

  “I am certain Ana will be in full agreement.” He stepped closer to them and raised his chin. “And please be assured that Wickham will be found and chased out of this county in good time, if not this very night.”

  He held out his hand to Gardiner, who stood and shook it. Miss Bennet rose and thanked the gentleman. A time was arranged for the carriage to be at the Johnstons’ farmhouse on the morrow.

  Darcy walked them out to the carriage, which Simons had already called for. He watched them pull away, then turned to look up at the house.

  He would make the rounds and check the locks on all doors and windows personally.

  Almost immediately upon the carriage’s departure from Pemberley, a soft snuffling sound came from the opposite side of the carriage. Uncle Edward was snoring! Elizabeth smiled. The poor man was exhausted. She remained as quiet as she could to allow him to sleep.

  Her mind whirled, reviewing the events of the evening. Her thoughts naturally turned to the time she had spent with the man called Wickham. In retrospect, she wondered how she could have, at first, misidentified that vile man as Mr. Darcy.

  It was then that she realised that, although Mr. Darcy had not given them any indication of how Wickham had wronged the Darcy family, or why he was so afraid he might have approached Ana, she sensed a sort of comradery between her and Mr. Darcy in being wronged by Wickham.

  Elizabeth’s heart pounded as she rubbed at the ache in her arm, where Wickham had held on so tightly. The memory of the cloves and almonds of his cologne made her nose wrinkle — cloves always made her sneeze! Why had she not remembered that before? The recollection of his repulsive breath almost made her gag.

  At the time it happened, she had been more angry than frightened, but now, it was the opposite. Her mind made the jump to what might have happened if her instincts had not worked as quickly as they did.

  She shook her head — she must refocus her thoughts on something else.

  She concentrated on the set she had danced with Mr. Darcy. At the time, she had been aware that he was a gentleman of means, but beyond that, she had known nothing about him. Even without hearing his name or seeing his face, she could not deny her attraction to him… the intensity of his deep brown eyes, his muscular build, and his strong jaw. The resonance of his voice flowed over her like liquid chocolate.

  He was a man who cherished his sister and respected his tenants. Experiencing how he responded to her plea for the well-being of the tenants of Netherfield, how he regarded her words with a seriousness that most men did not, making her feel as if — even though she was a woman — her views had value. She mattered.

  This was the kind of man she could fall in love with.

  Inhaling sharply, Elizabeth could not fathom where that thought came from. She had only just met him.

  In the past, Ana had seemed afraid of him — afraid to introduce Elizabeth, afraid that her brother would reject her if she told him of meeting with Elizabeth without his permission. That was quite telling, was it not?

  Contrarily, Ana adored him and called him the “best of men.” Additionally, Ana seemed to lack self-confidence, which could explain why she was afraid. Perhaps she felt she could never live up to his expectations of her.

  Elizabeth sighed.

  Time would tell what kind of man he really was. She should keep an open mind.

  CHAPTER 13

  The following day, at the appointed time, the Darcys’ coach pulled up to the yard in front of the Johnstons’ farmhouse with the brawny footman, Simons, riding up top with the driver.

  Elizabeth watched Simons examine the horizon. The weather had been bright and sunny all morning, but within the past half-hour, dark clouds had appeared in the distance. She thought, looking at the sky, that perhaps he was tracking the storm.

  She returned her gaze to him and noticed he had tensed. He focused on a specific area and stood.

  Elizabeth looked in the same direction. Down the road that extended perpendicularly from the farmhouse, someone rode towards them on horseback. The rider turned off into the field and gained speed, soon disappearing into the woods that skirted that side of the tenant farm.

  When the man was out of sight, Simons jumped down from the coach and opened the door. She could see the form of a woman inside on the backward-facing bench, but with the curtains drawn, Elizabeth could not make out her features. Mr. Darcy had said he would send a maid.

  Did Mr. Darcy worry about me enough to send this guard because I am a friend of his sister? Because I had been accosted at an event hosted by him? Or does he feel something more? He did admit dancing with anyone was not usual, yet he asked me to do so.

  Simons placed a wooden step on the ground to aid in her ascent.

  I am being silly. Of course, Mr. Darcy would be cautious toward any visitor to his estate.

  She stopped herself from shaking her head so the footman and maid would not notice.

  Simons handed her up into the coach.

  When her vision adjusted to the change in light, she realised there were two people inside. She nodded to the maid on the bench across from her, then turned to the person next to her. “Ana!”

  Disappointment nagged at her. Mr. Darcy was not concerned about her at all; he sent the man to guard his sister.

  Again, her sensibilities tended towards the ridiculous.

  “Good morning, Lizzy. I was so excited about your spending the day at Pemberley, I could not sit still. I thought I might as well ride along with the coach. I am sorry my brother would not allow me to step out to greet you. There must be something very particular happening for him to restrict me from doing so. He also does not usually send Simons along.”

  Elizabeth blinked. It would have been convenient if Mr. Darcy had warned her last night that he would continue withholding this information from Ana.

  Well, if her brother did not inform Ana that Wickham was nearby, she certainly had no right to enlighten her friend.

  As the coach pulled away from the farmhouse and made a wide turn around the barn to return to the road, Elizabeth cleared her throat. “I am glad our plans changed to remain indoors today, otherwise we would have had to cancel altogether.” She nodded toward the windows to their left.

  Ana peeked through a slit in the curtains. “The storm must have moved in since I left the house.”

  Her friend had not looked out the window at all during the entire ride? Was it Mr. Darcy or Simons who was being so cautious? Was their aim to keep Wickham from seeing Ana or to keep Ana from seeing Wickham? Elizabeth wished she knew why Mr. Darcy had been wary of Wickham, even before he accosted her.

  Along the way to Pemberley, the two discussed the ball. Upon their arrival at the house, Simons escorted the ladies indoors, where they were met by the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, who informed them that luncheon would be ready in a few minutes. She led them to the most tastefully furnished parlour Elizabeth had ever seen.

  The room was enormous, at least three ti
mes the size of the morning parlour at Elizabeth’s home, which she should have expected since the building itself was at least ten times the size of Longbourn. Sofas, chairs, and tables were arranged in several seating areas. The furnishings were antiques, but well-maintained; however, the patterns in the paper on the walls and the upholstery were similar to those she had seen in her mother’s most recent fashion magazines, all done up in differing shades of green and cream.

  Ana behaved as if this level of style and elegance was not an unusual occurrence for her. It was not surprising; she lived here, after all. Did Ana realise that this level of wealth was not the norm?

  Elizabeth strolled to a window and stifled a gasp. The scene was one of the most magnificent she had ever witnessed. The large lawn sloped downward, ending at a lake at the bottom of the valley, which reflected the manor house and sky, then there was a gradual incline to a hilltop higher even than this one. She imagined the view from there would be spectacular.

  All the plants around the lake seemed natural. To her left, a sliver of the exquisite rose garden was visible. To the right, she could glimpse the stairs that led down to another garden, sunken so that the plantings were level with the bottom of a steeper hill on that side of the house.

  It had started to rain since they had entered the house. She was sure this all would be twice as lovely on a sunny day.

  Suddenly, Elizabeth felt out of place… insignificant.

  If the Darcy’s ever visited Longbourn, would they think twice about having befriended her and cut off contact with her from then on?

  Smiling, Ana approached.

  Elizabeth said, “Oh, Ana! I did not think it possible, but the grounds are even more beautiful when seen from the house.”

  Ana blushed deeply and thanked her.

  No, this modest, humble girl would not shun her. Elizabeth was a gentleman’s daughter, the same as Ana. No matter the difference in their wealth, they were equals.

  As far as Mr. Darcy’s opinion went, at his age, he should be experienced in society. The quality of the fabric of her gowns alone should have hinted at the level of her father’s income. If either of them cared about that sort of thing, she would have never been invited here today, let alone every day for as long as she and the Gardiners were in the area.