Sam shrugged. “Do not scold me, Lizzy. It is all I can do to live with myself.”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. She had no idea what he was going on about. “Let me help get you inside.” She pushed him aside with her hip and turned the knob with ease.
Sam grinned when the door opened and took a step forward then staggered.
Elizabeth caught his arm. “Here, lean on me.”
“Such a good sister,” Sam smiled.
“Such an odd and odorous brother,” Elizabeth laughed as they reached Sam’s bed and he collapsed on it. She pulled off his boots.
“One day, when I find the best man in the world to make you a husband, he will be blessed to have you.”
Unbidden, the image of Will came to her mind. Elizabeth blushed and shook her head. “No, I do not think any man will have me. Perhaps I will live with you and Charlotte forever.”
Sam grimaced. “Why do you say that? I surely know there are cads and rakes in the world but there are good men too. Although, I am not sure there is one I would trust with you or my other sisters.”
Elizabeth put her hands on her hips as she peered at her brother. “You know Mama says I am not ladylike enough. I know I will always have a home with you for you are the best brother.”
Again, Sam’s face contorted in a mixture of pain and regret. “Will you hate me, Lizzy, if I say I am not?”
Elizabeth laughed. “I will not hate you, but I will laugh at you. Sleep off your drink, brother. You make far more sense when sober.”
“Come here,” Sam held out his hand.
Elizabeth came closer and took it. “Do you need something? Water would be best.”
“You are so good and pure,” Sam said earnestly. “Have you enjoyed staying at Darcy House?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth smiled and nodded.
“That is well but do not let this society alter you. The Lizzy Bennet I know is as carefree as a summer day. She has a refreshing, genuine laugh and carries herself with confidence.”
“Sam,” Elizabeth blushed, and words stuck in her throat.
“I would hate for you to be like Bingley’s sisters.”
“I promise, I will never be like them!”
“Good,” Sam nodded then groaned. “And will you always think of me as you do now?”
Elizabeth squeezed her brother’s hand. “You do not know how I have missed you each term when you leave for school. Must you stay for the entire summer with the Darcys?”
“I…I will be away for quite some time,” he answered slowly. “You will forget all about me while staying with the Gardiners. Let me look at you now.”
Elizabeth muffled a giggle as her brother cocked his head and squinted at her. With mussed hair and dishevelled clothes, he looked quite the hilarious picture and nothing like his usual charming and well-groomed self.
“Why, you are all grown up!” Sam said in astonishment. “When did you change from the little imp that was my sister?”
“I will always be your imp,” Elizabeth said as tears filled her eyes. When their mother had died, Sam spent hours occupying her with various activities. She had followed him everywhere. Never once had he asked her to leave or seemed to regret her presence.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to say more but heard a snore come from her brother. He had fallen asleep even while sitting. Chuckling to herself, Elizabeth gently pushed his shoulders to the bed. Once there, Sam turned and brought his legs onto the mattress. Finding a coverlet in a chest, Elizabeth covered her brother and snuffed the candles. Before closing the door, she looked over her shoulder at him. No matter what happened with him and Charlotte, or with anybody else, he was her brother and she would always love him.
*****
The following morning, Will arose and met his father in his study. For as long as Will could remember, George Darcy began work before breaking his fast. He dedicated two or three hours to business before greeting friends or family. Although in his early fifties, he had the energy of men half his age.
Will knocked on the door and was bade to enter. His father did not look up. “Father, may I speak with you on a most disturbing subject?”
Mr. Darcy returned his pen to the ink pot and folded his hands on his desk, giving his son all of his attention. “There must be some urgency behind this topic.”
“Indeed, there is. Last night, I found Miss Graves sobbing on the stairs outside the nursery. A bruise was forming on her cheek, and I believe she had been accosted and assaulted by George.”
The older man clenched his jaw and gave his son a sharp look. “Do you have proof of this? Did she accuse him?”
“No. She did not want me meddling and did not wish to name her attacker.”
“Then perhaps you had better listen to her.”
“Sir! How can you say that when you have a daughter? At this very moment, you have a house full of ladies that might be his next target.”
“Yesterday was Miss Graves day off. She was out of the house most of the day. Anyone might have harmed her. I do not believe anyone in this household capable of such a thing.” Mr. Darcy rubbed his temples. “If it eases your mind, I will speak to Miss Graves about sending a footman to accompany her when she is out. The new one, Annesley, might do.”
Mr. Darcy motioned for his son to sit. Sighing, he said, “You have no proof Wickham was behind the incident. Think about it, son. Do you think a young man who has been raised nearly as a brother to yourself, who comes from such good stock and reared with all the bounty Pemberley can offer is capable of such a thing? What would make him strike Miss Graves tonight when he has never done such a thing before?” Mr. Darcy turned red and pounded his fists on his desk. “I have tolerated your dislike of him long enough.”
“You are mistaken, sir, if you believe there have been no similar incidents. Why else have you had so many governesses for Georgiana?”
Will’s father scoffed. “Mrs. Reynolds always claimed they had found another position they enjoyed better. More pay, time in London, holidays with their families. Not everyone is suited to our lifestyle. Additionally, they all left months after George had last been in their company and I never saw a sign of injury upon them.”
“I think it likely that Miss Graves is the first to refuse his attempts at seduction.”
“Come, Will, that is beneath you. George is a handsome lad with charm and money enough that he would not need to resort to seducing my staff for his sport. Besides, he has too much honour. Every gentleman knows never to touch a servant.” He picked up his quill and returned his attention to his letter once more. “Just as they know a friend’s sister is off limits. Therefore I have no reason to worry about either you or George.”
Will took a step back, feeling as though he had been punched in the gut. His father knew of his attraction to Elizabeth? Evidently, he also disapproved and hoped to remind him of the code of honour among gentlemen. Taking a deep breath, Will scrutinised his father’s face once more. No, the older gentleman did not know of Will’s admiration for Elizabeth. He merely spoke of something on which he believed Will could understand.
“Now, if you do not have proof or anything else to say, leave me to my work. This holiday is planned for you and your friends—even old ones you no longer find pleasing—and I must finish before we can leave.”
“Yes, sir,” Will said and bowed.
Throughout the morning, he went through the motions. He read for a short while in the library until he heard others on the steps and joined them for breakfast. Elizabeth refused to meet his eyes and Sam seemed less jovial than usual. By the time the Bingleys and Richard arrived, the young people had adjourned to the drawing room and a headache burned behind Will’s eyes.
“How terribly droll this morning is,” Caroline observed. “Louisa and I were just saying how bored we are.”
“Oh, yes,” Louisa agreed and nodded. “We were.”
Will internally rolled his eyes. How was it the elder sister did nothing but parrot the younger?
Caroline threw a hand to her throat. “Billiards? Oh, we ladies could not possibly play!”
Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw Elizabeth smirk.
“I am sure we could all do nearly anything gentlemen do, although not with the same degree of accomplishment. However, the same is true even amongst our own sex.”
Caroline narrowed her eyes. “Yes, you are correct, Eliza. Some ladies are far more accomplished than others.”
Not this again. “I propose a game of Sardines.”
Each head swung in Will’s direction.
“You want to play Sardines,” Richard slowly said.
Will was unsure why he suggested it except it would require the others to be quiet and if he were lucky, he could be the first to hide and therefore have solitude. He hated the powerless feeling he had as he had attempted to help Miss Graves. Additionally, Sam seemed to be in no mood to cheer him up, and Elizabeth seemed to have taken a sudden dislike of him. He needed privacy to sort out his thoughts. “I will hide first.”
“Now, wait a moment,” Bingley said. “You will know all the best places to hide. “That is not fair.”
Sam nodded. “All of us men will know. Let one of the ladies go first.”
“I should like to try,” Elizabeth said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“You would,” Caroline muttered not nearly quiet enough.
Elizabeth continued as though she had not heard. “I am exceptionally good at hiding. It is one of my many accomplishments.”
Caroline glared at Elizabeth, but the others agreed to let her hide first. While Elizabeth wandered off, Will wondered how he could manage to look without being caught with the Miss Bingleys following his every move. “I think we should say every person is to search without help.”
“That is not the traditional way to play,” Richard observed.
“We are no longer children,” Will shrugged.
“Some of us are,” Caroline chirped.
“Would you rather visit Georgiana in the Nursery?” Will asked.
Caroline’s grin vanished, and she paled.
Sam held out his watch. The others made small talk while they waited for the time to search for Elizabeth. Will considered unfairly breaking the rules. Yes, he did know the hiding areas in the house. Rather than search for Elizabeth, he would hide.
At the appointed time, the group dispersed and went in different directions. Will entered the library and shut the door behind himself. He walked directly to the wall between the library and his father’s dressing room. The secret cupboard would be just deep enough for one or two people…or had been when he was a child. Now, it would be considerably cramped, but he would bear it to have a few minutes away from Caroline and Louisa Bingley.
He opened it up and heard a feminine gasp. At the same time, there was a sound near the library door. Small hands gripped him by the lapel and pulled him inside the cupboard. The door clicked shut just as the other opened. As Will’s eyes adjusted to the dark, he could see Elizabeth’s shocked face. Not that he needed to see her to know it was her. One, she was supposed to be hiding. Two, her scent filled the place. Her lavender fragrance relaxed him and soothed his aching head.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
“Hiding,” he answered.
“Hiding?”
“I did not expect you to locate this place. It is hardly large enough for the game.” Each additional person who found Elizabeth would need to enter the cupboard. As it was, their backs were pressed against the walls, and only the merest distance stood between their bodies. Elizabeth must have been as uncomfortable as Will because she could not stop fidgeting.
“I did not expect to be found. However, you were supposed to be searching. Confess it. You were cheating at the game to avoid the others.”
Will arched a brow as perspiration began to roll down his back. The little cupboard trapped the summer heat and the heat of their bodies only added to it. “It is my home. I may go where I choose.”
“And slight your guests?”
Will avoided her question. “Why did you choose this place to hide? Why did you offer yourself as the first to play if you did not want to avoid the others?”
“You suggested the game first. You—”
“Quiet,” Will hissed. He heard footsteps approach. Elizabeth fidgeted and knocked her elbow into him. “Be still!”
“I cannot help it,” she sighed. “You are so large! So tall and so broad!” Elizabeth’s breath quickened. “It is unbearably hot.”
Unable to raise his hand to cover her mouth, Will silenced her the only way he could. He leaned down and placed his lips on hers.
Instantly, arousal shot through his body. He had never known the primal urge now coursing through him. Elizabeth melted against him, her mouth meeting his even as he began to demand hot kisses. Pressing his tongue against her lips, he slid into the cavern of her mouth. His eyes rolled in the back of his head at the sweet taste of her. Chocolate from her breakfast. It was good he could not move, he could not take her in his arms. He could not press her against the wall and have his hand run over her flesh or lift up her skirt.
Will’s lips left hers, desperate for the taste of her skin. Elizabeth moaned, bringing some of his mind back to the present. Still, he trailed down her neck, pressing kisses on the sensitive flesh until he found her pulse point and could feel her heart’s rapid beats for him. Elizabeth shuddered against him, and he dropped his head to her shoulder.
“Elizabeth,” Will rasped as both of their chests rose and fell in quick spurts. “Everything about you endangers my sanity. One look from you and I am undone.”
Elizabeth stiffened. “Get out.”
Will brought his head up and tried to meet her eyes but she turned her head. He could see the scarlet red of one flushed cheek.
“Forgive me,” he whispered. “A terrible lapse of judgement…I should never have…”
“Get out,” she said, but her voice wavered.
Dear God, he had made her cry. His first real kiss with a woman reduced her to tears. Peeking out the cupboard door, he exited without a backward glance.
Chapter Five
After Will left, Elizabeth remained in the cupboard alone for nearly an hour. Grateful for the solitude, Elizabeth attempted to push aside her intense attraction to Will in light of what she had seen last night.
Elizabeth had visited the nursery to say goodnight to Georgiana but found her asleep. The girl reminded Elizabeth of her younger siblings so very much, and she had not anticipated missing them. However, it was her first time away from home but not with relatives. She had soon learned that while her sisters could be bothersome, there was great comfort in their familiarity.
After Georgiana fell asleep, Elizabeth neared the nursery door when she heard the voices of Will and Miss Graves. She could not make out their words. Inching open the door, she saw Miss Graves crying and Will leading her to her chamber. Elizabeth knew enough that no gentleman should be near a lady’s door. At the theatre, it was clear Sam, and possibly Will too, had some private liaison with a raven-haired beauty. Later that evening, Elizabeth saw Will with his sister’s governess. She had attempted to tell herself it made no difference, despite her growing infatuation with the man. Then, he kissed her, and it seemed the whole world resided in the space where their lips met.
While they had not started their friendship on the best foot, Elizabeth had thought Will began to have a tendre for her. He declared as much. Now, it seemed he did nothing more than play with her while he paid his attentions on other women. Although sheltered in the ways of men, Elizabeth understood there were some ladies considered unmarriageable. She knew men often spent time with the ladies and received physical pleasure from them. The woman at the theatre indeed seemed like one, and the heir of Pemberley could never marry his sister’s governess.
Elizabeth’s heart sank as she reconsidered Will’
s words from the theatre. She, too, was considered insufficient. Rather than avoid her, Will sought her out. Star-crossed lovers would be terrible enough, but the way he kissed her in the cupboard without a word regarding courtship must mean he had no respect for her.
Heat slapped Elizabeth’s cheeks, and blood rushed through her veins as her heart pounded. How foolish she had been! Why did she ever change her opinion of the young man? She had been charmed by his appearance and their common interests. Although she could find no fault with his behaviour as a brother, had she not witnessed proof of his father’s displeasure? Of Mr. Darcy, she had no reason to doubt. After all, her father trusted the man. As for general civility, Will immediately lacked the hospitality a host should offer his guests. If she needed further proof, she needed to look no further than he had earned the admiration of the Miss Bingleys.
For a moment, Elizabeth’s eyes welled with tears and shame threatened to strangle her heart. What a blow to her pride! She had not thought she would be so susceptible to such empty considerations with a suitor. His handsomeness and wealth had blinded her to the fact that he lacked the morality and character she needed for a husband.
“Husband!”
When had she turned into a ninny that believed every gentleman she met was a prospective husband? When had she turned her thoughts to matrimony? She was only sixteen. However, one day, she would have to walk down the church’s aisle and face a man at the altar. She would vow to honour and obey. To herself, Elizabeth promised it would only be to a man she loved. Still, while she could not say all her examples of matrimony were ideal, in general, she had more examples of married ladies than spinsters, and of the two categories, the spinsters had always seemed the least happy and most pitiable.
Elizabeth’s step-mother had insisted on putting her out at sixteen. She had declared Elizabeth would need the additional years to find a suitor due to her headstrong and bookworm ways. Suddenly, it felt as though a noose were tightening around Elizabeth’s neck. Her breath came fast, but still it seemed there was not enough air in her lungs. She had to escape this cupboard. She needed space!
Seven Days With Mr Darcy Page 24
