With My Whole Heart Forever Page 9

  “The ladies belonging to neighbouring estates see to the needs of Netherfield’s tenant families, as well as those of our own. After a recent event proved almost fatal for one family, my father and some of the other gentlemen have begun to use their own funds to make the most necessary repairs to Netherfield’s tenant houses. While I am afraid this has become a burden that our neighbourhood will not be able to afford for much longer, at the same time, these good men cannot ignore the people who live there.”

  “But how does this relate to your wish to meet Mr. Darcy?” Ana asked.

  “I have been told the owner of Netherfield Park’s name is Mr. Darcy.”

  Mr. Stallion stopped walking, forcing both ladies to halt as well. “Go on,” he said.

  “At first, when I heard the name of the family at Pemberley, I vowed to confront Mr. Darcy as soon as I could gain an introduction. However, during my stay here, I have become convinced it could not be the same man. Pemberley’s tenants and servants that I have met thus far have nothing but good to say about their master. It is evident he goes above and beyond most gentlemen’s concern about their tenants’ welfare. For example, he sent a maid and farmhand to assist the family I am staying with while they have been ill. Just seeing the lengths to which the Darcy family has gone to in order to show their appreciation of those who work for them by hosting this wonderful ball has convinced me further. Also, learning he has offered to lend his tenants books from his private library to enlighten their minds has swept away any doubt that remained.” She held up the book she had borrowed and shook her head. “All these actions speak quite highly of Mr. Darcy’s character. Pemberley’s Mr. Darcy would not ignore the tenants at Netherfield, even though they are many miles distant from his home.”

  Nobody said a word, so Elizabeth continued. “However, I am eager to learn whether the two gentlemen are somehow related. If so, I am determined to bring up the plight of the tenants at Netherfield Park with Mr. Darcy. I can only hope he is the kind of man who would be willing to persuade his relation to carry through with his obligations as the owner of Netherfield.”

  Ana’s shoulders relaxed considerably. “He will do it, I am sure. Mr. Darcy is the most sensible, responsible, and conscientious gentleman I have ever known. I am certain he will help in any way he can.”

  Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief, but in the same moment, she noticed Mr. Stallion’s gaze sweep quickly to his sister. Elizabeth wondered if Ana insulted him by saying such things about his neighbour with no complimentary comparison to himself.

  “I cannot tell you how I needed to hear that,” Elizabeth answered. “Since you know him, may I beg for an introduction?”

  An uncomfortable silence prevailed. I guess not. “Well, then, perhaps you can tell me… do you know what Mr. Darcy was wearing today?”

  “If I told you,” Ana asked, “what would you do?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “I might shock my relations — and myself — in the process…” She straightened her spine. “But in service to my family and neighbours, I must find the courage to introduce myself.” She smiled impishly. “I will be leaving the area soon, anyway, so if his opinion of me is less than favourable, it will make no difference.” Her smile disappeared. “However, I give you fair warning in case you both wish to distance yourself from me for the remainder of the ball. And, of course, I will have to beg Mr. Darcy not to hold my bold actions against the family I am staying with.” Her brow furrowed.

  “There will be no need to beg.” Mr. Stallion shook his head and turned to his sister. “I am sorry, Dove, but it is difficult to carry on a serious conversation through a horse’s muzzle.” He removed his mask.

  Elizabeth was relieved. While wearing masks was amusing at first, she disliked concealing her identity after they left the ball. She removed her own mask and looked at him again.

  He stepped out of a shadow, and her breath caught. Goodness! He was even more handsome than she expected him to be during their dance.

  He spoke to her. “Your cause is a noble one, Miss Bennet.”

  “How did you know her name?” Ana asked.

  He looked off into the distance and did not answer.

  “If you applaud my undertaking, sir, will you then agree to introduce me to Mr. Darcy?”

  “I am Mr. Darcy.” He bowed slightly.

  Ana gasped.

  “Oh!” Elizabeth's mouth gaped open. Purely out of habit, she curtsied in response. She then blinked at Ana. “And that would mean you are Miss Darcy?”

  “Yes.” Ana’s answer was barely audible as she removed her mask.

  Elizabeth’s curiosity almost caused her to ask why Ana had not identified herself before this, but her friend’s pleading expression halted her questions. She would have to wait for answers until they were alone.

  Elizabeth pushed her confusion away and concentrated on the relevant subject at hand. “Since you approve of my intentions, Mr. Darcy, will you agree to help me?”

  He nodded. “I suspect it is a distant relation of ours who owns the estate. Let us say, his past behaviour has given me no reason to doubt what you say about his negligence, Miss Bennet. He is a man whose company I have avoided for many years. I will not allow my cousin Huxley to sully the Darcy name any more than he already has. I will do what I can.”

  She could tell by his expression that his feelings about the man were much stronger than his words revealed. The fact that this Mr. Darcy would not feel comfortable spending time with a man like his cousin, who would ignore his estate, said much about his character.

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” She smiled. “I cannot explain how much my family, our neighbours, and the tenants at Netherfield will appreciate any effort you can make on our behalf.”

  CHAPTER 11

  As Darcy led the ladies towards the shearing shack and the ball, it took a Herculean effort to keep himself from staring at Miss Bennet.

  This lady certainly had courage. Most would think it beneath them to champion the unfortunate tenants of a neighbour. In contrast, Miss Bennet found herself in a unique position and moved to act on their behalf. It warmed his heart.

  She was lovely, inside and out, and precisely what he expected her to be when he had seen her in the fields with the children. He truly knew nobody else like her.

  Miss Bennet and his sister had certainly hit it off quite nicely. They chatted like old friends as they walked along. It was such a relief to see Ana behaving this way.

  Darcy was glad his cousin Richard was not visiting at Pemberley or Matlock just now. If Richard had been nearby, Darcy might have had to fight him for the rights to court her.

  Court her? Heavens, no! He only just met her.

  He only wished she would be a friend to his sister, did he not? And he was certain Richard would approve that plan.

  “Is tomorrow good for you, Fitzwilliam?” Ana asked.

  He should have been paying closer attention to the conversation. He cleared his throat. “I am sorry, Dove, I was distracted. Is tomorrow good for…?”

  Ana giggled, and what a lovely sound it was. “To have Miss Bennet to Pemberley for tea? Oh! Would you like to go riding in the morning and return to the house for refreshments?”

  “I do not have a riding habit with me—” Miss Bennet started to say, but Ana interrupted.

  “You may borrow one. I have several. You did say you enjoy riding.”

  Miss Bennet smiled. “I would like it very much if Mr. Darcy permits.”

  Darcy nodded. “Since Miss Bennet is willing, it is fine with me, but I have some work to accomplish in the morning. You should take Jimmy with you as an escort for your ride. I can join you for tea in the afternoon.”

  “Thank you, Brother.” Hugging his arm, Ana glowed with joy.

  He had not seen her this happy in a long time.

  A few buildings away from the ball, they stopped, and the ladies helped each other tie their masks on again. Once his mask was in place, as well, they continued.

  As they ap
proached their destination, Darcy spotted a boy he did not recognise leaning up against the carriage house. Spying them heading in his direction, the boy straightened and took off running towards the shearing shed.

  Darcy’s stomach twisted. He had seen this sort of behaviour before, and it was always associated with one person. Wickham! The rogue had forever hired boys to keep watch for him and warn him when he was about to be discovered.

  Why had he not thought of it before? Changing the Harvest Ball to a masque was the perfect venue for that scoundrel. Wearing a disguise, he could sneak onto the grounds of Pemberley, where all his staff knew the cur was forbidden at all times and were authorized to throw him off the property without even consulting Darcy first.

  What would happen if his sister knew Wickham was near? What if she doubted all that he explained to her about the rascal? Upon seeing him again, would she rush to meet him? Or if she did honestly believe what Darcy told her, would she be terrified of the reprobate?

  Perhaps he should hasten inside to get a glimpse of the man and see which way he left so he could have a couple of footmen go after the rascal?

  He looked around. There was nobody in the area except for a couple of stable-boys who had been hired for the evening from other estates. He did not know whether he could trust them; for all he knew, they were friends of Wickham’s. He would not leave the ladies here without protection.

  Perhaps it would be better if he kept Ana outside for a few minutes so Wickham could leave before they re-entered the ball?

  While he loathed the thought of allowing that villain to escape, for his sister’s sake, it was the best choice he could make at the moment.

  “Are you well, sir?” Miss Bennet asked with a voice full of concern.

  Ana asked, “Fitzwilliam?”

  Miss Bennet stared at him with trepidation. Ana’s eyes were wide with distress.

  He then realised he had stopped walking and his entire body had become rigid. No wonder both ladies seemed uneasy.

  Darcy took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then put every effort into relaxing his muscles so that he would not frighten the ladies any further.

  He turned to Miss Bennet first. If I word this carefully, I can speak the truth without giving the rest away. “I just thought of something important. However, it will have to wait until tomorrow.”

  He forced a smile in Ana’s direction and placed his hand over hers. “Worry not; all is well.”

  All was not well, but Elizabeth could tell that whatever was wrong concerned Ana, and Mr. Darcy was doing everything in his power to keep his sister from finding out about it.

  It also must have something to do with that boy who ran off the moment they neared. Years ago, she had seen similar conduct when the Wallace brothers used to take turns acting as lookouts while the others stole apples from old Mr. Brant’s orchard.

  To Elizabeth, it was obvious this boy was sent to watch for the Darcys’ return, but she did not know enough about the people in the area to predict who it was the boy was to warn. The only thing she was sure of was that Mr. Darcy did not want Ana to know what he suspected, and he was in no hurry to begin walking again. If he wanted to keep them outside a little longer, she should help distract her friend.

  “I have resided with the Johnston family for a few weeks now, and since I am a gentleman’s daughter, my aunt and uncle would not allow me to do much. As a consequence, and taking into account my love for the outdoors, I have explored a great deal of the area. Pemberley is a beautiful estate. Every day, I discover some new scenes to enjoy. If my uncle and aunt can spare me tomorrow, I would be quite willing to ride and have tea with you.”

  Ana’s visage brightened again. “We will have a delightful time, I am certain! I was thinking of taking you to an area you have not yet seen—”

  Elizabeth widened her eyes and glanced at Mr. Darcy, who was looking at the entrance to the ball. If they had only met this evening, Ana could not know what Elizabeth had and had not seen.

  Ana continued hesitantly, “At least, since it is too distant from the Johnstons’ farm for a stroll, I assume you have not seen this area.” She looked up at her brother. “I thought to ride to the pond and ancient tree near the Stanhope farmhouse.”

  “It is a good choice,” Mr. Darcy said, his gaze still focused on the door to the shearing shed.

  Typically, Elizabeth might have asked more about where they were headed in the morning, but she was too distracted. She guessed Mr. Darcy was watching to make certain the person he felt Ana needed to be protected from was not exiting in this direction. She could not help but glance towards the shearing shed herself.

  In case he was correct, Elizabeth let go of her escort’s arm and stepped in such a way that Ana’s back would face the door while they carried on their conversation. “I do hope my aunt and uncle can spare me, for I am looking forward to spending the day with you. I thank you for the invitation.”

  “It must be strange to be living in a tenant house when you have been brought up at an estate’s manor house,” Ana said.

  Oh good! A subject which might take some time to explain. She spoke slowly when answering, “I admit the routines of a farming household are quite different from my own family’s daily habits, but different does not mean unpleasant. I feel blessed to be put to use, helping to keep the youngest children occupied for the part of the day when their older siblings are busy with other tasks. In a way, I feel I have helped give their mother time to heal without worrying about the children becoming ill, too.”

  “I am certain the Johnstons are grateful for your assistance,” Ana said.

  “We are grateful, as well.” Mr. Darcy met Elizabeth’s gaze.

  Elizabeth was impressed for it was something she would have said herself if the situations were reversed, but she did not think many others would feel the need. She wished this gentleman did own Netherfield.

  “It has been my pleasure,” Elizabeth answered. “The Johnstons are good people.”

  “That they are,” said Mr. Darcy, hesitating while he glanced away again. “Shall we go in?”

  He must be confident the boy would have had enough time to find whoever it was he was looking for by now.

  Ana nodded. Mr. Darcy extended his elbow to Elizabeth. She took it, and they proceeded indoors.

  As they passed her table, with the promise that she would join the Darcys again in a few minutes, Elizabeth stopped to inform her aunt and uncle of her return and to leave her book with them. Mr. Darcy and Ana proceeded to their own table.

  When Elizabeth arrived at the Darcys’ table, Ana sat alone, looking quite disturbed.

  “Lizzy, the strangest thing just happened. Miss Rowley approached and said, in a flirtatious way, that it was my brother’s dance. I know he would never have engaged her for a set. He specifically avoids that lady at all functions, for he cannot abide her company in the least. Furthermore, he does not enjoy dancing.”

  “Really? I would not have guessed it when we danced earlier.”

  Ana replied, “It is true, and although he dances well, he usually avoids it, especially when he is not particularly acquainted with his partner. I was quite surprised when he asked you.”

  “Perhaps he is behaving out of character when it comes to dancing this evening in general.”

  “I do not believe so.” Ana worried her bottom lip. “He was taken aback when Miss Rowley approached.”

  “What do you think happened, then?”

  Ana shook her head. “I do not know. I was able to glimpse her dance card while she spoke to my brother. ‘Mr. Stallion’ was written on her card. The handwriting was similar to his, but I am confident it was not his.”

  “Is there another man dressed as a horse?” Elizabeth asked as she examined the crowd.

  “I do not believe so.”

  The idea that the lady must have written his name on the card herself occurred to Elizabeth, but she did not wish to say it aloud.

  Obviously, Ana came to the same
conclusion, for she said, “I do not think Miss Rowley would have reason to know what my brother’s handwriting looks like, let alone be familiar enough with his writing to imitate it. I do not understand it at all.”

  “Perhaps your brother will inform you of what he thinks may have happened when he returns.”

  The two watched Mr. Darcy dance. The gentleman was not enjoying himself at all. His expression was quite different from what it had been during his dance with Elizabeth. A strange sense of satisfaction rose within Elizabeth’s chest at the observation, surprising her.

  When the music ended, Mr. Darcy escorted Miss Rowley to a matron, most likely her mother. He bowed and walked away without saying a word, returning to their table.

  Ana leaned over to speak quietly with Mr. Darcy, but it was loud enough for Elizabeth to hear. “Brother, did you enjoy your set—”

  “No, I did not,” he barked, then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I am sorry for snapping at you, Dove. I do not understand how my name got onto her dance card. I have not asked anyone to dance, other than Miss Bennet.”

  Feigning disinterest in what the siblings were saying, Elizabeth looked around the room. There was a lady dressed to resemble an angel who was staring at Mr. Darcy and anxiously fanning herself.

  Just as Elizabeth was about to bring the lady to Ana’s attention, the first strains of another song began. The lady snapped her fan closed, handed it to an older lady — most likely, her mother, judging by the resemblance — and approached their table.

  “Mr. Stallion. Have you forgotten, sir? This is our dance.” She held onto her dance card as if her life depended on it.

  Mr. Darcy’s eyes widened significantly enough to notice through the mask’s eye holes.

  Goodness, he had not asked this lady to dance, either?

  Mr. Darcy rose and rounded the table, then held his arm out to her.