Page 1 of Suddenly Married

Elizabeth was returning to the parsonage after walking for more than an hour.

What she had intended as a pleasant stroll had, unfortunately, turned into an unpleasant experience.

Once again, she had suffered the disagreeable surprise of Mr. Darcy appearing, as if out of nowhere, to join her, and offering little conversation beyond a few disjointed sentences.

Some days earlier, Elizabeth had taken the trouble to inform him which route she most favoured, hoping thereby to prevent such unwelcome encounters.

She was now more convinced than ever that he deliberately sought her company merely to vex her.

Indeed, it seemed that when he was bored, he could think of nothing better than to amuse himself at her expense.

As she approached the parsonage, Elizabeth saw her friend Charlotte strolling in the garden and hastened to speak with her, eager to put the disagreeable meeting with that gentleman out of her mind.

For his part, Mr. Darcy was walking back to Rosings, his mind even more encumbered with doubts.

The last few days had been most stirring.

He was pleased to have enjoyed the opportunity of spending time with Elizabeth, yet he dreaded making a foolish decision that might endanger his family's future and diminish its prestige.

He could no longer deny that he loved that beautiful woman, and he knew very well that he must soon decide upon his course of action.

There were but two alternatives: to set aside all thoughts of duty and responsibility, consider only his own happiness, and propose to Elizabeth—or to forget her entirely and resign himself to a life of complete unhappiness.

He had never, in all his life, acted in a manner unbecoming of his position.

From a very young age, he had assumed the full responsibilities of his estates and family legacy with composure, managing them with unfailing success.

Perhaps the time had now come for him to think of his own future and to secure contentment with the only woman he had ever loved.

With that new resolution in mind, he entered Rosings with a smile, imagining a brighter future.

He went directly to his room, both to reflect upon the step he must take and to avoid his aunt's impertinent insinuations and inquiries.

◆◆◆

Mrs. Bennet had locked herself in her bedroom, weeping and unable to rise from her bed.

The previous afternoon had perhaps been the worst day of her entire life.

Her world had collapsed when Mr. Hill informed her that Mr. Bennet had been found unconscious, only a few feet from the house.

It appeared that the new horse he had purchased a month earlier had thrown him when he attempted to gallop, and he had fallen violently to the ground, striking his head hard upon a rock.

The apothecary had come to see Mr. Bennet but declared that they could do nothing except wait and pray for his recovery.

Mrs. Bennet was deeply distressed by her husband's condition, yet she could not help but think of the future.

If Mr. Bennet were to die, her family would be suddenly poor and homeless.

The atmosphere in the house was growing increasingly tense, and with Jane and Elizabeth absent, no one remained who could keep the crisis under control.

Mary, therefore, felt relieved when Kitty announced that their uncle Gardiner's carriage was approaching.

The previous day, when their father's body had been found almost lifeless, Mrs. Bennet and the entire household had been in complete confusion.

Mary alone had maintained her composure, and she had resolved to send an express to her uncle, entreating him to come without delay and to bring Jane to assist the family.

When Mr. Gardiner received Mary's message, he immediately made the necessary arrangements to leave the following morning for Longbourn.

Well aware that his sister would be of little use in a trying situation, he also contacted his good friend Arthur Miller, a highly respected doctor, and requested that he accompany them to examine Mr. Bennet's condition.

The moment Mr. Gardiner broke the news to Jane, she was overcome with grief and wept inconsolably.

As the eldest of her sisters, Jane understood only too well that her father's death would bring not only sorrow but also the potential ruin of the family.

The previous evening, Mr. Gardiner had invited several of his tradesmen friends to dine, and once again, Mr. Clark had shown marked interest in Jane.

Though he had often visited the Gardiners, that was the first occasion on which he had sought a more personal conversation with her.

He was not handsome like Mr. Bingley, yet Mrs. Gardiner had assured Jane that Mr. Clark possessed a prosperous import business and was a man of wealth, kindness, and honour.

Jane knew that if her father did not recover, she must set aside her youthful dreams of marrying for love and instead seek financial stability and protection for herself and her family.

Therefore, before retiring for the night—and while striving to master her despair at the dreadful news—she told Mrs. Gardiner that, should Mr. Clark express an interest, she would gladly accept his courtship.

Mrs. Gardiner was saddened but understood Jane's resolve.

She could not dissuade her from making what might seem a hasty decision, for she knew all too well the fate that awaited her nieces without their father's protection.

Regretfully, she recognised that Jane was acting wisely in seeking security in a future union with a good and honourable man such as Lawrence Clark.

Upon entering the house, Mary greeted them and recounted to Jane and her aunt the latest events of the day.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gardiner and Dr. Miller went directly to Mr. Bennet's bedroom to ascertain the extent of his injuries.

"Dear Mary, thank you for acting so quickly and informing us of our father's condition," Jane said, embracing her sister.

Before her stood Lydia and Kitty, both in tears, while their aunt endeavoured to comfort them.

Jane was shocked to see her two younger sisters, usually so lively and talkative, subdued and lost, plainly suffering and uncertain what to do.

Hearing her mother cry out, Jane quickly made her way to Mrs. Bennet's room to offer comfort.

She knew she could do little, but at the very least, she could assure her that Mr. Gardiner had brought a doctor from London to aid in Mr. Bennet's recovery.

◆◆◆

Elizabeth was taking tea and conversing with her friend Charlotte in the latter's private sitting room, entirely ignorant of the tragedy unfolding at Longbourn.

"How was your walk in the park, Eliza?" Charlotte inquired.

"With the same uncomfortable company as yesterday, and the day before, Charlotte.

I was walking along my favourite path when I again encountered the disagreeable Mr. Darcy.

The worst part was that he requested permission to walk with me, and, after that, he scarcely uttered a word—save for a few peculiar questions that made me feel most uneasy.

I am convinced he delights in seeing me discomposed in his presence," Elizabeth said with a laugh.

"I believe he admires you, Eliza. But I also believe he does not know how to manage his feelings for you," Charlotte replied in the same humorous tone, suspecting she was likely correct.

"My dear friend, if a man such as Mr. Darcy—handsome and wealthy—were to propose to you, what would you say?

" she asked with curiosity. Elizabeth answered without hesitation.

"I would first thank him, and then I would refuse.

I could never bind my life to a man so cold and implacable as Mr. Darcy.

But I do not know why I trouble myself to answer your ridiculous question.

If you could see the scornful expression on his face whenever he looks at me, you would not entertain such foolish notions.

" "You are probably correct, my dear friend," Charlotte replied.

She chose not to pursue the subject further, for she knew how obstinate and blind her friend could sometimes be.

After five more minutes of trivial conversation, Maria entered the room, and the topic changed.

Charlotte reminded them that they were invited to dine at Rosings the following evening, which immediately made Maria anxious.

She began to fret over what she might wear so that Lady Catherine would not regard her with disapproval.

◆◆◆