With My Whole Heart Forever

by Wendi Sotis

  Elizabeth had no idea how he could possibly be correct. However, when her father made the announcement, Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised.

  At first, her mother’s colour rose, then drained from her face. She fanned herself with her handkerchief. “Jane and Mr. Bingley,” she said, almost to herself. “That I expected. But Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy?”

  She met Elizabeth’s gaze. Elizabeth braced for her reaction, but her mother simply sighed deeply, as if with complete satisfaction. Smiling, in the most sedate tone Elizabeth had ever heard from her mother, she said, “Such delightful news. I congratulate you all.”

  Elizabeth looked at Jane, who was all astonishment.

  After good wishes were expressed all around, Elizabeth’s father said to her, “I hoped this would happen, but there was no way to be sure. Her nerves sprang from not producing a son; therefore, she could never predict what the future would bring. Now she knows that she and any of your sisters who are still single will be taken care of once I am in my grave.” He sighed with almost as much contentment as her mother had a few minutes ago.

  “Papa, I must speak to Fitzwilliam about it, but apparently Mr. Bingley made a suggestion to Jane that perhaps we should make it a double wedding. What do you think about it?”

  “One wedding instead of two? I think it a brilliant idea.”

  Elizabeth felt a tap on her shoulder. She had barely turned around when Ana embraced her tightly. “I am ever so happy you will really be my sister!”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Well, I do not have to worry whether you approve, at least.”

  Ana shook her head. “Approve? Of course, I approve. Even before you met, I hoped and wished that you would marry Fitzwilliam someday.”

  The gentlemen were invited to remain to dine, and they were all happy to accept. Mrs. Annesley was sent for, so she could join them, as well. The evening was a complete success. Even Elizabeth’s mother was satisfied with how the meal turned out, though she had such short notice to arrange it.

  Now that Wickham had been caught, Ana would return to Netherfield with her brother. As they gathered to say their farewells in the entry hall, Elizabeth pulled Fitzwilliam aside.

  “I am curious. Earlier, when your aunt was here the second time, why did you thank her?” she whispered.

  “My uncle, Richard, and I have spoken to her many times about the need for her to stop meddling in other’s affairs. I thought this situation might accomplish what nothing else has.”

  “It just might work.” Elizabeth tried to stifle her mirth, but a chuckle slipped out.

  He sighed. “In future, I beg of you, especially when we are alone, please never hold back your amusement. That I will hear your laughter every day for the rest of my life is one of many reasons I consider myself the most fortunate man in all of England.”

  “Which makes me the most fortunate lady in all of England, since I love to laugh.”

  He feigned offense. “Have I no other qualities that could form the basis of your feeling blessed?”

  She raised one eyebrow, hoping he understood it was a sure sign that he was about to be teased. “There must be a few other things about you that are, shall we say, adequate.” She placed one finger on her lips and tapped them, trying to look as if she were busy thinking. “Ah, I think I found one.”

  For a moment, she thought he really was offended, so she began a list immediately. “You already know from my journal that I consider you the most handsome man I have ever seen and that I feel we are perfectly suited. You are also the most generous gentleman that I know.” She counted off on her fingers. “You are kind-hearted, responsible, charitable, the best brother, the finest master—”

  A blush rose on his cheeks. He laid a hand on hers. “Stop, please, Elizabeth.”

  “…and humble. If you would allow me to continue, I have several more of your finer qualities on the tip of my tongue, Fitzwilliam.”

  His gaze slid down to examine her mouth.

  She wished all the people just a few steps away would disappear so he could continue what they had begun after his proposal a few hours ago.

  Elizabeth quickly looked around. No one was paying any attention to them. She took his strong hand in hers and tugged him into the sitting room. He positioned them behind the door.

  Moving up on her toes, she placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself and pressed her lips to his.

  That she initiated the kiss produced an even more enthusiastic response from him than before. He pulled her into an embrace for a few moments, then cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes.

  She smiled saucily. “As I said in the journal entry you read; it is as if the angels observed what was in my heart and created you to fulfill everything I have ever wished for.”

  He inhaled sharply as if surprised she had said it aloud. He leaned in for another kiss.

  “Elizabeth, I may not be able to say it as elegantly as you have, but believe me when I say I love you.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  “I could not have wished for your sentiments to be more perfectly stated.” She sighed with pleasure.

  JUST THE BEGINNING…

  EPILOGUE

  ~ Tuesday, 26 November 1811

  Darcy paced around the outskirts of the crowd, his gaze barely leaving the door that led from the front corridor into the ballroom.

  He had never looked forward to a ball in his life, but he had been anticipating this one since Bingley announced his plan. Enjoying the thought of dancing was a novel experience, but one that he felt he would get used to with Elizabeth as his partner. If she ever arrived.

  Someone bumped into him. “Pardon me,” he said as he continued on his march.

  Mrs. Bennet had boasted of only four-and-twenty families in the area. So then, where did all these people come from?

  Since Bingley signed the year-long lease of Netherfield, the estate was his to do with what he pleased, but did he have to invite half of London to his first ball?

  Bingley also invited his sisters, who had always been a nuisance to him in the past, but he found they were staying far away from him now that he was engaged to be married. They were flitting around single gentlemen of fortune this evening. Darcy smiled briefly.

  As Darcy passed by a couple dressed as a dove and a peacock, the gentleman reached out and grabbed hold of Darcy’s arm. Though Darcy did not wish to speak to anyone, he halted.

  The lady said, “We have been trying to catch your attention for at least a quarter of an hour, Nephew, every time you raced past us. You seem out of sorts. Has something gone wrong?”

  “Aunt Adelaide. Uncle Albert.” Darcy bowed to the Earl and Countess of Matlock. “Ana went to Elizabeth’s house to dress with her future sisters. They have not yet arrived. After all that we have been through lately, I cannot help but worry.” He looked again at the door.

  “Oh, is that all?” Uncle Albert said. “You will learn that ladies like to be late so that everyone notices them.”

  Aunt Adelaide closed her fan and tapped it on her husband’s arm. “Have I ever done such a thing, Albert?”

  “No, my dear, of course not, but you radiate such an air of magnificence wherever you go, people cannot help but notice and admire you.” He winked at Darcy. “But even you, Adelaide, must admit that many ladies do that sort of thing.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “I stand corrected.”

  Darcy shook his head and answered while searching the crowd of people near the door to the corridor. “You do not know Elizabeth very well. She is not like that at all.”

  “Ah, but Elizabeth is not the only lady in the household. Mrs. Bennet struck me as the type who would wish her daughters to make the grandest entrance possible, especially at a ball that is being held in honour of their engagements to such fine gentlemen.” She patted Darcy’s cheek.

  Remembering last evening, he almost forgot his anxiety. Mrs. Bennet had been in her glory, hosting the Earl and Countess of Matlock in her humble
home. It struck him that his aunt was probably correct about what was delaying them.

  “Richard did not have time to tell me what happened earlier today at the court-martial,” his uncle said.

  “Wickham will be deported after all. To Canada,” Darcy said. It had been a surprise when the court allowed Sally to accompany Wickham, but a relief, as well. Poor Sally. Darcy had talked to her about its being a bad choice, but she insisted. She was right — what else would she do? She would never get another job in England.

  “Good.” Uncle Albert nodded. “I hear Clarke has married the seamstress?”

  Darcy sighed. He really did not wish to speak about all this tonight. He only wanted to spend time with Elizabeth. Yet, he could not ignore his uncle. “Yes. Apparently, he always had a soft spot for Lucy. She will remain with him at Pemberley, but only on the condition that she never enter the house again. I am not certain it is the right decision, but otherwise, Clarke will look for a position elsewhere, and I do not want to lose him. Her brother will join their older brother at his farm in the north.”

  Aunt Adelaide said, “Anne told me to wish you joy, Darcy. She was unable to get away for the ball but has every intention of coming to the wedding.”

  Darcy raised his eyebrows. “Really? How will she manage that?”

  Uncle Albert said, “My sister would not dare turn me down when I arrive to escort Anne to Hertfordshire.”

  Darcy chuckled, but his attention was pulled away from his relations when he recognised a couple he was sure was the Gardiners, for they were wearing the same costumes they had worn at the Harvest Ball at Pemberley.

  “Excuse me, I recognize some of the Bennets’ relations.”

  He made his way towards the Gardiners with hurried steps but stopped about halfway across the ballroom when he spied a butterfly and unicorn enter, arm-in-arm. Bingley was behind them, sporting a mask that looked extraordinarily similar to his favourite hunting dog. He escorted a swan, which he assumed to be Jane Bennet.

  Elizabeth rose to her tiptoes and searched the crowd. He knew the moment she spotted him by the dazzling smile that spread across her lovely face.

  Holding her gaze, he continued towards her. When he reached her, he bowed, and she curtsied without breaking their shared regard.

  “Good evening, Mr. Stallion,” she said with amusement in her voice.

  “Good evening, Miss Butterfly.”

  With a quick look to her left, Elizabeth indicated he should not forget the others in her party. He greeted them briefly, then held out his arm to Elizabeth and ushered her further into the room.

  “I agree, Mrs. Gardiner. My brother and my friend are growing quite inattentive,” Ana said.

  He remembered himself and went to offer his other arm to his sister, but he found she was already being attended by Mr. Gardiner.

  Ana continued while looking directly at him, “But of course, their distraction has brought me much joy. Is not general incivility the very essence of love?”

  Elizabeth's eyes sparkled. “I see I have influenced you, Ana. That sounds like something I might have said, had I not been the subject.”

  The orchestra signalled that the dancing would soon begin. Bingley guided his fiancée to the head of the room. Darcy and his bride-to-be followed.

  The music began. It was a waltz!

  Darcy’s smile faltered. Waltzes were rarely danced at private balls and never played in public. He was surprised Bingley arranged for one to be played as the first dance.

  He moved closer to his love and whispered quickly, “Do you know how to waltz, Elizabeth?”

  She nodded.

  He took her into his arms, and they began to move. Good heavens, this was nice.

  “Fitzwilliam, have you met my mother?”

  He frowned with confusion. “You know I have.”

  “And yet, you think she would have allowed her five daughters to be unprepared at any ball? After all, dancing is the food of love.”

  He could not help but grin at her. “Is it not widely believed that poetry is the food of love?”

  “Not according to my mother.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “I guess you did not look at a dance card this evening? A waltz was clearly marked as the first.”

  “There was no need. I will only have one partner.”

  Her eyes opened a little wider in alarm. “You will not dance with my sisters?”

  He felt his face warm. “Do they expect that I will?”

  “Of course, they do. You will become their brother in a fortnight.”

  “Perhaps if you said that differently, Elizabeth, I would be happier to do as you ask.”

  She seemed confused for a moment but then rewarded him with a brilliant smile. “You will become my husband in two weeks.”

  He nodded. He could not hear it said often enough. “Now, I will happily dance with your sisters.”

  “How will you react if I repeat it?” Elizabeth pulled the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth.

  She had been doing that often lately. Darcy had a feeling she knew that the gesture always brought his gaze to her mouth and his thoughts to kissing her.

  If she kept doing that, it was going to be a long evening filled with anticipation of their good night kiss. Thank goodness, the second dance of their set was a bit complex and required his concentration, or he might have become completely distracted with similar thoughts.

  After their set was over, he escorted her to her parents. They came to a stop, and Elizabeth said, “I hear from Ana that you have renovated the library. May I see it, please?”

  The light in her eyes told him the wait for a kiss might not be as long as he previously expected. His heart rate increased.

  “No one has signed your card for the second set?”

  She shook her head. “I left it open on purpose…” She paused, and one eyebrow rose. “…so I would have time to see the library.”

  He stifled a smile.

  “May I come with you? I wish to see Lizzy’s reaction to all you have done with the room,” Ana said from behind him.

  Darcy could feel his expression fall. The ball would seem twice as long now.

  Elizabeth hesitated. “Oh, yes – yes, of course, Ana.”

  Ana said, “I believe Jane and Mr. Bingley also wished to… um… see the library.”

  Bingley had been in the library a hundred times, and he was certain Jane Bennet had already seen it, for he had brought Ana, Miss Bennet, and Bingley in yesterday to see the result of his carpenter’s hard work.

  That could only mean one thing. Ana knew precisely what Elizabeth’s and Jane’s wish to see the library meant, and she was accompanying the two couples to prevent gossip.

  Indeed, his baby sister was growing up.

  Jane and Bingley joined them, and the group left through a second doorway that led to the corridor where the library was located.

  Elizabeth was quite surprised when they entered. As per Darcy’s orders, Tom Clarke had added four stacks, parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the back wall. Over the past month, he received at least one shipment of books per week, all of which had now been neatly arranged, a few in each row.

  After witnessing Elizabeth’s amazement at the changes, which she said made this library look a little like the one at Pemberley, Ana sat in a chair near the hearth.

  “I have been involved with the transformation at every stage and know every nook and cranny of the chamber. Feel free to look around.” She waved her hand, picked up a book from the table, and held it up. “I left the book I have been reading here in case I needed a few minutes of quiet. I hope you do not mind, but I do find the need for a little break from the noise of the ballroom.” Without waiting for an answer, she opened her book and began to peruse it. “I will not be long. Only a handful of pages remain.”

  Darcy could not help himself; he laughed out loud.

  Bingley cleared his throat. “Jane, dear, I would like to show you some new books that Darcy shelved only
today. They are down here.”

  Jane willingly followed him to the last row.

  Elizabeth pointed down the first row of shelves and said, “May I look down here?” She bit her bottom lip again.

  Oh, yes. From the look in Elizabeth’s eyes, Darcy was now absolutely convinced, she did know exactly what that did to him.

  He followed her half-way down the aisle. She turned and kissed him soundly.

  When they parted, Elizabeth kissed his cheek.

  “Not that I mind, not in the least, but why do you always kiss the same spot on my cheek?” Darcy asked quietly.

  Elizabeth’s smile widened. “Because I simply adore your dimple.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I do not have a dimple.”

  “Yes, you do. Right here.” She kissed it again.

  “I have never seen it in the mirror, nor has anyone ever mentioned it to me. I do not have a dimple.”

  Someone knocked on the shelving.

  Elizabeth and Darcy jumped away from each other and looked around. No one was there. The knock sounded again.

  Stupefied, Darcy shrugged and called out, “Yes?”

  Ana peeked her head around the end of the stack of shelves. She giggled when they both looked surprised. They moved towards her.

  Ana took one of each of their hands. “As I was nearing, I overheard your last sentence, Brother. No one ever mentioned your dimple before because it was not there. It made its debut the first time you smiled at Lizzy, and it has appeared there ever since — but only when you are looking at her, or when you are thinking of her. It is how I knew you two would marry, even the night of the Harvest Ball.”

  He was speechless.

  Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open. “Only for me?”

  Ana squeezed their hands. “I cannot thank you enough, Lizzy, for making my brother so happy. Richard has also mentioned it several times, as well as my Aunt and Uncle Fitzwilliam, soon after they arrived.”

  Ana said a little louder than she been speaking, “I have finished my book.”

  Ana’s statement had what Darcy thought to be its desired effect. Jane and Bingley wandered down the long aisle towards them.