With My Whole Heart Forever

by Wendi Sotis

  Ana straightened her spine. “After what he has done this time, I doubt anyone will believe his version of what happened at either Ramsgate or here in Hertfordshire.”

  Mr. Darcy rose and walked over to the window. Everyone seemed to be silently thinking over what had just been discussed.

  “I think we all wish to do what is right,” Elizabeth said.

  Mr. Darcy turned around to face them. “My main concern must be for Ana’s reputation. I maintain we transport him ourselves.”

  “Perhaps we need to think on this a little more and reconvene either here or at Longbourn in the morning,” said her father.

  “Yes,” agreed Colonel Fitzwilliam. He turned to Mr. Bingley. “Meanwhile, show me where Wickham is, Bingley. I would like to see him and say a few words. Perhaps the knowledge of my being here will give him nightmares.”

  Mr. Darcy chuckled.

  Elizabeth’s father rose along with the other gentlemen. “I will come with you. I want to have a look at this man.”

  Mr. Darcy nodded his approval just as Mrs. Curtis came to the door with a note for Elizabeth, along with word that a small trunk had been placed in Ana’s bedchamber. Mrs. Curtis spoke quietly to Mr. Darcy.

  “I am sorry, Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Darcy. “Mrs. Curtis informs me that there are no other chambers ready for occupancy at this time. After readying the living quarters for Ana, Bingley and me, the staff has been concentrating on making the public rooms presentable.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “As long as Ana does not mind that I use her rooms, it is fine with me. This is the least of our worries.”

  She looked down at the note. It was from Mrs. Hill, saying her mother and sisters were still in the village at her Aunt Phillips’s house.

  Elizabeth informed her father and Jane. They agreed that was good news. The entire Bennet household would be in an uproar if her mother knew that her father and sister had been called to Netherfield because someone tried to kidnap Elizabeth and Ana.

  “Ladies,” said Mr. Darcy, “perhaps you should retire to Ana’s rooms while we go to see Wickham?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “That would be welcome.”

  Mrs. Curtis escorted Ana, Elizabeth, and Jane up the staircase to Ana’s rooms. Mrs. Annesley met them there. The other ladies chatted about trivial matters as Elizabeth went into the dressing room to wash. Marie, Ana’s personal maid, helped her change. When she joined the others, they were in Ana’s sitting room.

  Elizabeth had just taken a seat when there was a frantic banging upon the door. Before Ana could direct the person to come in, Mr. Darcy burst into the room, closely followed by Colonel Fitzwilliam. All four ladies stood.

  Something was very wrong.

  Both gentlemen were more than flustered. The look in their eyes was wild, but they calmed a little when they saw the ladies were well.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam rushed through the door to Ana’s bedchamber. Mr. Darcy desperately searched the sitting room, even looking behind the drapes at each of the windows, under the sofas, and behind furniture.

  Ana, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Annesley looked at each other without saying a word.

  She could hear a door open in Ana’s bedchamber, probably the one to the dressing room. A few moments later, the door slammed shut again. Colonel Fitzwilliam returned as Mr. Darcy finished searching the sitting room. They both stopped to catch their breath, staring at the ladies.

  Elizabeth’s father walked into the sitting room from the corridor. Elizabeth was shocked at the expression of concern etched into his features.

  “What has happened?” Elizabeth asked.

  Mr. Darcy’s shoulders slumped. “Wickham is gone.”

  CHAPTER 28

  Darcy sat down heavily in a chair across from the ladies while Richard paced from one door to the other, remaining ready for anything that might happen. Mr. Bennet stood near his daughters.

  Darcy said, “When we arrived at the outbuilding, Simons was tied up behind some crates. Once we ungagged him, we learned that Wickham and the footman that Bingley had left to help Simons guard him was gone.

  “Simons says that Lucy—” He nodded at his sister. “Yes, Ana, the seamstress we brought along with us from Pemberley — had joined them soon after Bingley left. Joseph, the footman, is her brother. It seems Lucy was…”

  He looked at Richard. How was he to say this delicately to the ladies?

  Richard continued, “Lucy had been compromised by Wickham. Joseph forced Wickham to make some promises if they helped him escape. Joseph expressed his and his sister’s regrets to Simons and sent apologies to the Darcys through him, as well. Though Wickham wanted to kill Simons, Joseph refused to allow it and tied him up instead.”

  “But why?” Ana asked. “Why would Lucy and Joseph do such a thing?”

  Darcy knew his sister. Once she heard part of the story, she would not rest until she knew all. He suspected the same of Elizabeth. Jane Bennet, on the other hand, would probably not wish to know any of this at all.

  Darcy said, “Apparently, Joseph wanted him to marry his sister… so she would have a husband…” He shook his head.

  Mr. Bennet finished, “…before Lucy’s child is born.”

  “Oh, goodness,” Elizabeth said, a hand to her chest. “Wickham is truly an appalling man, in every way possible.”

  Ana gasped. “That must be how Wickham got hold of a mask like yours for the ball, Brother! Lucy was the person who covered the wire with cloth.”

  Darcy sighed. It was all too much. “Bingley is seeing to Simons. Simons could not even look at either of us.” He gestured to himself and Richard. “Simons has been through quite an ordeal; I thought if we left, he would feel more comfortable.

  “Additionally, we had to make sure Wickham did not come up here.” He ran a hand through his hair. “For all we know, he will find a way to convince Lucy and Joseph to help abduct Ana again.”

  “If they had come up here, we would never have allowed that to happen,” Elizabeth said.

  Darcy closed his eyes momentarily. “Bingley had given Joseph a pistol.”

  Elizabeth’s features tightened, and fury flashed in her eyes. “Ana will come with us to Longbourn. She can stay in the room Jane and I share.” She looked at her sister, who nodded. “He will not look for her there.”

  Mr. Bennet cocked his head to the side. “He might if, as you say, Sally was a part of his plan. She might have given him information about the ways in and out of the house, perhaps even a key.”

  “The slide bolts will keep him out,” Elizabeth said. “There are no keys for them.”

  “I agree,” said Mr. Bennet. “Miss Darcy is safer at Longbourn than she is here at Netherfield. Our home is smaller and easier to defend.” He stood and hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “There is no way Wickham could have influenced Mr. Hill, who is an honest man without vice. He and I will sit in the corridor outside my girls’ rooms all night, and one or the other of us will remain with them during the day, as well.”

  Darcy said, “I will come along and take a turn at watch, so you and Mr. Hill can get some sleep.”

  “No,” said Richard. “You, Bingley, and Simons should remain at Netherfield. If so, and Wickham is watching, he will assume that Ana is here. If he makes a move, you can capture him again. I, on the other hand, did not see Joseph when I arrived, so Wickham should not know I am here. With Mr. Bennet’s permission, I will come to Longbourn after dark, which will keep my involvement confidential.”

  “If you can go to Longbourn after dark, why can I not accompany you?”

  “I would like you to make a show of your being at Netherfield. Look through the drapes… make it seem accidental that you left them open a little at supper. You should move to the music room afterwards, as is your usual habit. Make your presence obvious.”

  Miss Bennet rose from her seat and walked around to the back of the sofa where the other ladies were sitting. “I was thinking… Mrs. Annesley, if we made your hairstyle more ela
borate and you kept your back to the windows, someone at a distance could mistake you for Ana. You are of a similar height, and I know from when you chaperoned us in the past that you play the pianoforte very well. Perhaps you can entertain Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley for a little while.”

  Elizabeth’s smile was incomparable. “Jane, that is brilliant!”

  Mrs. Annesley said, “I would be happy to be Miss Darcy’s stand-in for an evening or two if it leads to catching this man.”

  Ana added, “Thank you, Mrs. Annesley. But we must keep in mind that if there are any other of our servants in league with Wickham, it might not work more than once.”

  Darcy gritted his teeth. Everything they had said made sense, but he did not want to be three miles away from his sister if she needed him. Or Elizabeth, for that matter.

  He despised himself for it, but it also bothered him to no end that this scheme should place Richard in such close proximity to Elizabeth tonight… and for who knew how long until they caught Wickham.

  Jealousy — he recognised it now. That was what he had felt since Richard’s arrival. But why should he feel this way? If Richard said he was not going to offer for Elizabeth while they were in Kent, why should he expect Richard to court her now?

  He pushed the thought from his mind. Now was not the time for these notions. The simple fact was that Ana was unsafe here. He had not known Lucy very well, but he had always thought Joseph was trustworthy. After what happened with them, Darcy had no idea who else could be relied upon.

  The others were correct; the Longbourn plan was a good one.

  He almost growled as he let out a breath, but he nodded his approval.

  Ana was not at all happy at her cousin’s suggestion that Marie, Ana’s maid, might not be as loyal as Ana thought, but she gave in to her cousin’s pleadings to dismiss Marie for the evening. The door to the sitting room was left ajar, and the gentlemen remained there, with Colonel Fitzwilliam stationed just outside the door, while the ladies moved into Ana’s bedchamber and dressing room.

  Jane went to work on Mrs. Annesley’s hair, trying to match it the best she could to the way Ana’s was styled. Meanwhile, Ana and Elizabeth found an overnight case and packed a change of clothing for the younger lady.

  When Mrs. Annesley’s hair was arranged well enough, the coach was called for.

  Ana provided Elizabeth with a cloak, which was very near in colour to Jane’s cloak. If Elizabeth and Jane walked close together, it could be wrapped around Ana, as well, which would cause confusion to anyone that might be watching to identify how many people were leaving Netherfield.

  Just as the ladies rejoined the gentlemen, Mr. Bingley and Simons arrived. Simons fell back and remained at the door, hat in hands, his eyes fixed on the floor.

  Mr. Darcy stepped forward. “Simons, are you well enough to put on a show in case Wickham is watching the house this evening? We are hoping you will aid us in capturing him if he does.”

  Simons widened his eyes. “I – I expected to be let go, sir. I failed. Not once, but twice. In one day.”

  “None of us expected Wickham to be in Hertfordshire, Simons, and we all trusted Joseph and Lucy. If I had been in your place, the same would have happened to me at Oakham Mount. In the shed, I would have trusted Joseph.” Mr. Darcy extended his right hand. “Help us. We will not be fooled again.”

  Ana smiled at Simons and nodded.

  Simons shook Mr. Darcy’s hand. “With pleasure, sir.”

  “I would like you to drive the Bennets to their home, then return with the coach. Ana will accompany them, but that fact will be kept secret.”

  Mr. Darcy brought Mr. Bingley and Simons up to date with their plans for the overnight. “Bingley and I will join you all at Longbourn in the morning.”

  The ladies explained their proposal with the cloaks.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “It is a good plan, proving once again that the suggestion I have made to my commanding officer is sound.”

  When all but Mr. Darcy were confused, Colonel Fitzwilliam clarified, “After witnessing the goings-on in ballrooms, soirees, and parlours across London, I have often felt that if England would only employ ladies as strategists, more battles would be won by the British, and wars would end much sooner.”

  A few chuckles passed through the group, providing a bit of needed relief from the stress they had been under for such a large part of the day.

  Elizabeth’s father said, “If your commander needs more convincing, he should see my Lizzy play chess. She is ruthless.”

  Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam raised their eyebrows.

  Elizabeth felt a blush rise across her features. Most gentlemen were appalled by her tomboyish interests. Mr. Darcy seemed to have accepted what he already knew of her. However, in the past, when gentlemen learned she was interested in what was so strongly considered a man’s game, their acceptance of her disappeared. Would the same happen with Mr. Darcy?

  “You play chess, Lizzy?” asked Ana.

  Her father shot her a look that reminded her of what he always said to her. In most areas, he allowed her mother to raise their daughters as she saw fit, but when it came to intelligence and whether or not his daughters should hide it from gentlemen, he advised that she should not listen to her mother.

  It is all nonsense. Be true to yourself, Lizzy, he had said on more than one occasion. Never hide your interests or abilities, no matter the consequences. I wish for you — and all your sisters — to be content with the life-partner you choose. I do not want to see you saddled with husbands who do not respect you for who you are.

  Mr. Darcy’s opinion did matter, but perhaps it was not for the reason she initially thought. If Mr. Darcy could not appreciate her for who she was, she could never love him with her whole heart, and therefore, her love for him would not last.

  She might as well find out now if he disapproved.

  Elizabeth nodded once in answer to her father’s reminder and stood a little taller. “I seem to have a higher aptitude for chess than some of the traditional activities meant for ladies.”

  Ana smiled. “If I had known you played, I would have challenged you to a game while we were at Pemberley. We have a handsomely-carved, antique set I am certain you would appreciate.”

  Elizabeth almost laughed out loud. She had been worried Mr. Darcy would disapprove, but meanwhile he had taught his sister to play chess!

  “Perhaps tonight at Longbourn,” her father said. “A game between two such intelligent ladies should prove fascinating. I look forward to it.”

  “I regret that I cannot be there to observe, as well,” Mr. Darcy said with the hint of a smile.

  In spite of herself, Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief.

  His smile disappeared the moment Colonel Fitzwilliam clapped him on the back. “I will tell you all about how much I enjoyed the game when I send a note in the morning, Cousin.”

  Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy. “I am sure we will play again, sir.”

  Mrs. Curtis entered to inform them that the carriage was ready.

  After Mr. Darcy thanked her, he took a long look at Elizabeth and then turned to Ana. “I wish I could be with you tonight.”

  “When you visit at Longbourn tomorrow, I will expect to hear all about Mrs. Annesley’s portrayal of me.” Ana kissed her brother’s cheek.

  Ana moved to speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Jane and their father were busy saying their farewells to Mr. Bingley.

  Elizabeth placed her hand on Mr. Darcy’s sleeve. “We will keep her safe, sir,” she reassured him.

  Staring into her eyes, he took her hand in his. “I cannot thank you enough for all that you did today, Miss Elizabeth. Until Wickham is caught, I will worry for you, as well.”

  He does care, at least a little.

  Elizabeth’s father approached.

  Mr. Darcy bowed over her hand. After holding on a moment or two longer than necessary, he turned to her father. “Mr. Bennet, I feel I should warn you that, at this point in
time, I am more concerned about Miss Elizabeth’s safety than I am for Ana’s. Wickham is a vindictive man, especially when his plans have been blocked.”

  He met Elizabeth’s gaze once again and swallowed hard. “And you, Miss Elizabeth, have thwarted him twice now.”

  Elizabeth’s breath caught at the depth of the look in his eyes. For a moment, she thought Mr. Darcy might feel the same for her as she did for him.

  After a blink, the expression was gone.

  Her father cleared his throat. “Worry not, Darcy. If Wickham has fled the area, all this will come to nothing. If, on the other hand, he does have some nefarious scheme in mind, I have no doubt that his attempt will once again be checked and he will be caught. We will not be fooled again.”

  “I pray you are correct, Mr. Bennet.”

  Mr. Darcy and her father shook hands, then the entire party made their way down to the entryway. The only servants in the lobby were Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, who, Mr. Darcy had mentioned, knew about their plans for the evening. All three ladies donned their capes, and Jane and Elizabeth walked out together. Ana shuffled along between them.

  Mrs. Annesley stood in the shadows at the doorway waving while Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley stepped out onto the landing. Jane and Ana, who were about the same height, tried their best to step up into the carriage at the same time. From where Elizabeth stood, she thought they did a good job of it. Soon they were on their way to Longbourn.

  CHAPTER 29

  When the carriage was out of sight, Bingley, Richard, and Darcy joined Mrs. Annesley and Mrs. Curtis in the entry lobby.

  Mrs. Annesley said, “Sir, I have arranged for Mrs. Curtis to bring my meals to Miss Darcy’s rooms.”

  Mrs. Curtis nodded. “Yes, we felt it a good idea if Mrs. Annesley should remain in the mistress’s sitting room until it is time for the music room after supper. If I bring it personally, and there are any other traitors in our midst, they will not have time to inform Wickham, Lucy, or Joseph of the switch.”

  Richard nodded. “Good thinking. It is a precaution worth taking.” He turned to Darcy and Bingley. “What shall we do for the time being?”