Page 19 of Suddenly Married

Lawrence felt a little nervous and uncertain when he knocked at Longbourn's door.

Mr. Hill opened it and informed him that they were not receiving callers, as the family was in mourning.

"Sir, I am a friend of Mr. Gardiner, and I met Miss Bennet in London.

I am in Hertfordshire on business and would like to offer her my condolences.

" "I understand. Please wait; I shall see if Miss Bennet can receive you.

" Mr. Hill went to inquire whether the family was available.

Jane was in the parlour, reflecting on all that had occupied her mind since her father's death.

She had assumed all her family's responsibilities, for her mother was still unwell, though somewhat improved.

The nurse insisted that Mrs. Bennet rise from her bed and take the exercises that aided her recovery.

Amidst so much sadness and calamity, Mrs. Carter had been a light of hope—like an angel sent to show Jane that God had not abandoned them.

Her younger sisters did not know what to do; they were as lost as Mrs. Bennet herself.

Jane knew they owed everything they had to Mr. Darcy, and she hated to seem ungrateful; yet it pained her deeply that her future and that of her sisters lay in the hands of a man who despised them.

That knowledge made her feel helpless and useless, and she longed above all to find some means of freeing herself from that burden.

Most of all, she wished for a position that would enable her to support her family.

She dreamed that one day she might tell Mr. Darcy they no longer required either his money or his contempt.

But she knew such a thing was impossible for a woman, which only deepened her despondency.

"Miss Bennet, Mr. Lawrence Clark is here.

Would you like to receive him?" Mr. Hill asked, bringing Jane back to reality.

"Yes, please, Mr. Hill." Jane was surprised, yet pleased.

Mr. Clark was agreeable, and conversing with him would help her forget her troubles, if only for a few hours.

Lawrence followed Mr. Hill into the parlour and was happy to see that Jane wished to receive him.

Yet the sight of her so pale was heartbreaking.

It was clear that she had wept recently and lost weight; still, despite this and the modest mourning dress she wore, she looked beautiful.

"Miss Bennet, please allow me to offer my condolences to you and your entire family.

I know well what it is to lose one you love.

I lost my father more than ten years ago, and the pain remains.

" Lawrence did not wish to be intrusive, so he refrained from adding more.

"Thank you, Mr. Clark, for taking the time to visit us.

Please, be seated and allow me to pour you some tea.

Have you been long in Hertfordshire?" "No, I arrived only an hour ago.

" As they drank tea, they spoke of various topics, and the time passed quickly.

Jane invited Lawrence to walk in the garden, and they did so for a long while, enjoying one another's company.

She was genuinely grateful; his presence had helped her to stop dwelling on her misfortunes.

After that pleasant afternoon, Lawrence visited Jane daily.

They walked in the garden and shared their sorrows, hopes, and dreams. Mr. Clark was intelligent and led a busy life.

He had travelled to many places, so he always had something interesting to relate, and Jane waited each day with impatience to converse with him.

Lawrence was both excited and full of hope.

Miss Bennet seemed to enjoy his company, and they had more in common than he had imagined.

They both loved poetry and adventure novels, and both wished for a large family and a home by the sea.

She was beautiful and intelligent, and she knew how to listen and to advise him.

Yet he also discovered that she was shy and unaware of how exceptional she was.

"You have been in Hertfordshire five days now, and it feels as though you have always lived here," Jane said after hearing Lawrence describe the surroundings.

"I like the country very much, Miss Bennet.

I grew up in the city, so I never had a garden as large as yours, but despite that, I have always enjoyed being in contact with nature.

Last year, I purchased a house on the coast, and whenever possible, I spend a few days there.

" "I have never seen the sea, but I hope to do so one day.

" As Jane said that, she noticed Mr. Clark looked at her as Mr. Bingley had months before.

Yet she could not deceive herself; Mr. Clark was very agreeable, but she regarded him only as a friend.

She hated loving a man who did not deserve it, but she knew it was not something she could control.

"Mr. Clark, when must you return to London?

" "In a few days, but if my business here succeeds, I plan to return soon.

" He spoke directly to Jane, hoping she would understand his meaning.

"I must confess, I am curious to know how a gentleman as important as yourself can have business in Meryton.

" "What brought me here is not in Meryton, but in Longbourn.

" Then, seeing Jane's confusion, he concluded, "I came to Hertfordshire for you, Miss Bennet; for from the first day I saw you, I have not ceased to think of you.

I love you, and if you will give me the opportunity, I promise to do all in my power to make you happy.

It would be my greatest joy if you would consent to be my wife.

" After speaking, Lawrence knew he would soon be either immensely happy or greatly disappointed, and he waited impatiently for her reply.

He was practical and did not wish to waste time or trouble Jane further.

He preferred to be direct and accept the consequences.

Jane was not surprised by his declaration.

She knew Lawrence admired her. Yet she was no longer the innocent girl she had been before her father's death.

Though she would not lie, she had no intention of letting such an opportunity pass.

"Mr. Clark, I am flattered, and I wish you to know that I am willing to accept your kind offer.

But I cannot deceive you; I would have you hear all I must say, and then, if you still wish to marry me, I shall gladly accept your proposal.

" "Of course, Miss Bennet. I am most eager to hear what you wish to tell me.

" They sat upon a bench, and Jane revealed all that had lain upon her heart for many days.

She wished to be honest with Lawrence, for she had come to respect him.

"I do not love you, Mr. Clark, but I admire you greatly, and I shall do all I can to make you happy and to be a good wife.

" Lawrence took her hand and kissed it tenderly.

"Miss Bennet, that is more than I could have hoped.

If you respect and admire me, it is a fine beginning; perhaps one day you will feel something deeper for me.

" "I hope so as well, Mr. Clark. But that is not all; I must tell you of other matters.

" Jane rose and began to speak of Elizabeth and her husband's situation.

She explained how he had supported the family since her father's death, and how it pained her that Mrs. Bennet and her daughters depended upon a man who despised them.

"I can scarcely believe what you tell me, Miss Bennet.

What sort of gentleman would behave thus towards his wife?

But do not distress yourself, my dear Miss Bennet; if you accept me as your husband, I shall care for your mother and sisters.

All of you shall be my family, and from that day it shall be my duty to protect you and your loved ones.

" For the first time since her father's tragic accident, Jane felt a glimmer of light in her life.

She smiled at her future husband as tears of happiness filled her eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Clark." "You have nothing to thank me for, my dear.

" Lawrence was as content as Jane. Offering his arm, they continued walking through the garden, making plans for the future.

At last, Jane felt she could trust someone and felt protected by the good man who offered her so much for so little.

She did not know why, but she felt a quiet joy in walking beside Lawrence and hearing all he told her.

She had never before had a friend, and it delighted her to think that her future husband had been her first male friend.

That night, Jane told her sisters all that she had discussed with Lawrence, and although at first they were surprised, they were all most pleased for her.

Lawrence had won the hearts of all the sisters by his kindness and affection.

Afterwards, Jane spoke to Mrs. Bennet, who was greatly moved and asked Jane to invite Mr. Clark to the house, for she wished to meet him.

The following evening, Jane hosted a small engagement dinner, inviting her uncle and aunt Phillips to meet her future husband.

Jane explained to Lawrence that Mrs. Bennet wished to see him, but that she had trouble with one leg and could not descend the stairs.

Lawrence went to Mrs. Bennet's room and sat with her for some time.

Though she still had difficulty speaking, he was patient, even when she asked more than one indiscreet question about his business and income.

"Why do you not dine with us, Mrs. Bennet?

" Lawrence asked. "I would love to, but I cannot manage the stairs with this leg.

Thank you for coming to see me. I am just an old, ailing woman," said Mrs. Bennet, wiping away a tear.

"You are nothing of the sort, but a most lovely lady," Lawrence said, kissing her hand.

He was saddened by her condition—she had just lost her husband and was now burdened with ill health.

Then an idea came to him to cheer her. "You can dine with us, Mrs. Bennet.

" "What would I like more than to leave this room, my dear Mr. Clark?

" "I can help you with that. Do you trust me?

" Mrs. Bennet laughed lightly. "Of course, I trust you.

I am curious to know what you intend to do.

" Without further word, Lawrence lifted Mrs. Bennet into his arms and carried her down the stairs.

Entering the dining room with his future mother-in-law in his arms, he declared, "I found this beautiful lady who needed my assistance.

I feel like a knight in shining armour rescuing his queen.

" "Oh, Mr. Clark, I am no queen at all, but you are indeed our knight, who will soon be my son," said Mrs. Bennet with excitement, kissing him on the cheek.

Mrs. Bennet laughed like a girl. Jane had not seen her mother so happy in a long time, and she longed to embrace and kiss Lawrence.

She had never thought a person could be so generous and charming.

Without a doubt, her husband was much like her dear Lizzy; both had the power to draw forth smiles even in the darkest moments.

Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, for their part, regarded their soon-to-be brother with admiration.

He made them feel safe and less helpless.

"Mr. Clark, do you go to many balls in town?

" Kitty asked cheerfully. "Not many, for I have a great deal of work; but I love to dance.

" "After our mourning is over, I shall come to town, and I want to dance with you at a grand ball, with music and many couples…

" Lydia said with a laugh. "It would be an honour to dance with you, Lydia.

" "I play the piano, Mr. Clark. If you wish to dance with Jane, I can play for you," Mary added.

"Thank you, Mary. I shall be most happy to hear you play.

" Jane was overwhelmed with happiness. After so much sorrow, smiles had at last returned to her home—thanks to Lawrence Clark.

◆◆◆

George Wickham was concealed within the barn, awaiting Lydia.

He had made every preparation to take her to London and compel Darcy to pay a generous sum for her hand in marriage.

He had told the foolish girl that they would go to Gretna Green, and she had believed every word.

"Mr. Wickham, are you there…?" Lydia asked, a little frightened.