Page 17 of Suddenly Married

Mr. Wickham could scarcely credit what his friend Denny had just said.

The pompous and conceited Fitzwilliam Darcy had married the lovely Elizabeth Bennet.

He could not blame him; the lady was undoubtedly handsome, and intelligent, amiable, and compassionate—everything, in short, that Darcy was not.

He had long suspected Mr. Darcy's interest in Elizabeth, for he had observed the manner in which his nemesis regarded her.

When he learned that Darcy had danced with her at the Netherfield ball, he knew the matter was serious indeed.

Mr. Darcy detested dancing, assemblies, and all manner of social engagements.

Since the honourable Fitzwilliam would never stoop to keeping a mistress, he must, of necessity, marry her.

What gave Mr. Wickham the greatest satisfaction was the thought that the prudish Darcy would surrender his virtue to a woman who loved him.

'Oh, my dear old friend,'he mused with a laugh,when you make love to her, she will think of me.

' He had been too occupied with courting the insipid Miss Mary King and her ten thousand pounds to attend to the latest news.

Unfortunately, Miss King's uncle had taken her to Liverpool, and thus he had lost that source of funds.

Now that Mr. Bennet was dead, the Bennet sisters were, in all likelihood, under Darcy's guardianship.

He might have gone to Derbyshire to woo the new Mrs. Darcy, had it not been for the urgency of his debts.

He was quite certain that Mr. Darcy had not the faintest notion how to content a lively and passionate woman such as Elizabeth, whereas he could fulfil that role.

In such a manner, Mrs. Darcy might be persuaded to protect him and provide the funds he required to live in comfort without exertion.

Yet immediate money was what he most needed, and for that he had conceived another plan.

'Lydia Bennet,'he thought with a smirk,you are not as pretty as your sister, but you are foolish enough to force your new brother, Darcy, to purchase you a husband.

' Thus, Mr. Wickham continued to dwell upon his schemes for the coming days, until Carter appeared to remind him to return to his post of surveillance.

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Lawrence was on his way to Hertfordshire, seated in his carriage and reflecting upon all that had transpired in recent days.

He had worked harder than ever, hoping to occupy himself and avoid dwelling uponher.

Yet three days prior, his mother had informed him that Miss Bennet's father had passed away and that the Gardiner family was in mourning.

Despite the difference in their ages, he had always considered himself a good friend of Mr. Gardiner and held him in the highest esteem.

Unlike his own father, Mr. Gardiner was a man of culture and refinement.

Since Lawrence's youth, he had served as his tutor, guiding his studies and encouraging every intellectual pursuit.

Upon hearing the sad news, Lawrence had sent his condolences, but he also wished to know whether Miss Bennet was well and whether she might require assistance.

When he called at his friend's home, Mr. Gardiner was engaged in urgent business at his warehouse, and Mrs. Gardiner received him with tea, assuring him her husband would return shortly.

She related, with measured discretion, something of all that had occurred in recent days.

Striving not to appear intrusive, Lawrence inquired after Jane, though he knew he had no rightful claim to visit her, suspecting she might be expecting another gentleman to offer her comfort.

Still, he longed to see her, even if it were for the last time.

He therefore mentioned to Mrs. Gardiner that he must soon travel to Hertfordshire on business and hoped, while there, to call upon the Bennets to offer his condolences.

Mrs. Gardiner explained that Jane needed a good friend who might distract her from her sorrows.

Upon hearing that, Lawrence understood that Miss Bennet was alone, and he resolved not to lose the opportunity to offer her his support.

In truth, he had no business in Hertfordshire; it was merely the pretext he would use to approach her and demonstrate his willingness to be of service in any way she required.

He had already arranged to be absent from his office for a week, untroubled about his affairs.

Only two days earlier, he had concluded a most profitable contract with a wealthy gentleman from Derbyshire—a reserved but honourable man, wholly devoted to the management of his estate.

In most such agreements, the solicitors attended to every detail, but in this case, Mr. Darcy himself had been thoroughly conversant with the particulars.

He had understood the figures in the contracts perfectly and possessed a keen knowledge of the market.

The agreement promised substantial financial advantage, which gratified Lawrence greatly, though he chose not to dwell upon it.

His thoughts were fixed entirely on Miss Bennet and the time he intended to devote to her comfort.

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