Page 2 of Suddenly Married

Jane succeeded in calming her mother and, after giving her a cup of herbal tea, managed to lull her to sleep.

She then went to the drawing room to speak with her aunt.

Madeline Gardiner was still with her three younger nieces, her heart aching to see them so visibly affected by all that was occurring at Longbourn.

Unfortunately, when Jane entered the room with Mr. Gardiner and Dr. Miller, their expressions revealed that they were not bringing good news.

"My dear, perhaps we should go to Thomas's study to speak more comfortably," Mrs. Gardiner suggested, unwilling to distress her younger nieces.

"No, Aunt. My sisters ought to be aware of what is happening," Jane replied, her voice trembling yet firm.

Mr. Gardiner regarded his nieces, who sat sad and apprehensive, but he agreed with Jane's judgement.

They needed to know the truth of Mr. Bennet's condition.

Turning to his friend, he said, "Dr. Miller, please give us your opinion.

" "I am sorry I cannot bring you better news," Dr. Miller began gravely.

"Your father's condition is critical. I cannot say with certainty that he will not recover, yet it is highly improbable.

I fear he may pass within a few days." The Bennet sisters and Mrs. Gardiner could not restrain their tears.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did all they could to comfort them, paying particular attention to Lydia and Kitty.

"Uncle, what will become of us?" Mary asked, clutching Jane's arm tightly.

"My dear, this is not the time to discuss that.

We shall face whatever is necessary together, and we will always help you in any way we can," Mr. Gardiner replied, unable to keep back his own tears.

Mary grew calmer after hearing her uncle's words, while Kitty and Lydia—though moved by the scene—did not fully comprehend its implications.

Jane, however, was painfully aware that, should the doctor's fears prove correct, their lives would be altered forever.

Despite her own despair and dread, Jane remembered something and turned to her uncle.

"We must let Lizzy know of our father's situation at once.

" "Yes, you are right, my dear. Do not trouble yourself, Jane; I shall send her a message immediately," Mr. Gardiner answered, visibly weighed down by the sorrow of the moment.

He went to Mr. Bennet's study to write to Elizabeth and instruct one of his servants to deliver the message without delay.

Meanwhile, Jane and Mary went to Mrs. Bennet's room to remain with their mother, and Mrs. Gardiner persuaded Kitty and Lydia to go to her room to rest.

◆◆◆

The following day, Elizabeth set out for her walk earlier than usual.

That morning, she was more fortunate and succeeded in avoiding any unwelcome company.

She encountered only Colonel Fitzwilliam, with whom she conversed most agreeably—until he, quite without intention, disclosed a piece of information she had long suspected.

The amiable colonel confirmed that Mr. Darcy had been instrumental in separating her sister Jane from Mr. Bingley.

After that revelation, Elizabeth could no longer continue speaking in the same friendly manner.

She excused herself, claiming fatigue, and expressed a wish to return to the parsonage.

A few hours later, when Charlotte and Mr. Collins were waiting for her to accompany them to Rosings, she informed them that she had a severe headache and preferred to remain at home to rest. Mr. Collins was displeased that Elizabeth should decline his esteemed patroness's generous invitation on account of what he deemed an insignificant ailment.

However, he refrained from pressing the matter, aware that Lady Catherine did not like to have ill persons near her daughter, who was a sickly young lady.

As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Collins and Maria departed, Elizabeth seated herself in the main room to reflect upon Jane's situation with Mr. Bingley.

'I always knew that Mr. Bingley's sisters had no true affection for Jane.

My poor sister—so beautiful and so good—did not deserve such treatment.

Oh, how I detest that man. If I had Mr. Darcy before me, I would tell him exactly what I think of him, without a moment's hesitation,'she thought, gazing out the window.

Her musings were abruptly interrupted by the entrance of a servant.

"Miss, a messenger has brought this for you.

He said it was of the utmost urgency." "Did he not say who sent it?

" Elizabeth asked, a little nervously. But when the maid handed her the letter, she saw her uncle's name upon it and was eager to read it at once.

"Thank you; you may leave." Elizabeth's mind instantly flew to Jane, fearing that something had happened to her.

She sat down, broke the seal, and read the letter without delay.

By the time she had finished, she could not restrain her tears and longed more than ever to be at her father's side.

'I must travel to Hertfordshire at once.

I cannot lose another minute,'she resolved, though she did not yet know how to proceed.

◆◆◆

Mr. Darcy was impatiently awaiting the moment he could see Elizabeth.

The previous night, he had finally resolved to declare his love and ask her to be his wife.

He knew that in doing so, he would act against his family's expectations and his own better judgement; yet he was determined.

He must marry and secure an heir, and he could not imagine doing so with any woman but her.

Only Elizabeth could fill the emptiness and solitude that had been his companions since youth.

When the Hunsford party arrived without Elizabeth, he was disappointed.

However, upon hearing from Mrs. Collins that she had remained behind due to illness, his disappointment gave way to concern.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, with his good humour and engaging conversation, together with his aunt's impertinent remarks, kept the guests sufficiently entertained so that no one appeared to notice when Mr. Darcy slipped from the room—or so he believed.

Once outside the mansion, he hastened towards the parsonage, his heart full of anxious anticipation at the thought that he would soon be alone with Elizabeth.

After he proposed, they would belong to one another forever.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, remained uncertain what to do.

She wished only to awaken and find that all was but a dreadful dream.

So when she heard someone entering the house, she assumed it must be Charlotte and Mr. Collins, and quickly wiped away her tears, determined to conceal her distress.

She intended to speak with Charlotte and ask her to keep the sad news private for a few days, not wishing Mr. Collins to be informed and begin making plans as the future master of Longbourn.

But her surprise was great when the visitor proved to be Mr. Darcy.

He looked at her and immediately perceived that she was unwell.

She was pale, though still as lovely as ever.

After a brief hesitation, he paced the room for a few moments before speaking.

"Miss Bennet, I was told you were indisposed.

Are you feeling better? I came to speak with you on a matter of great importance.

But are you certain you are well? You look pale—perhaps you should sit here.

May I bring you a glass of water?" Elizabeth grew more and more perplexed.

Mr. Darcy paced like a caged animal, his gaze fixed upon her, his words a curious mixture of concern and restlessness.

"Sir, I am well—only a little tired," she replied, unwilling to appear weak before the proud gentleman.

She had never sought his good opinion, much less his pity.

So agitated was Mr. Darcy that he gave no heed to her answer, nor did he observe her distress.

Fearing his courage might fail, he began at once the speech he had prepared—though, in doing so, he mingled the ardour of his feelings with the arrogance of his conviction.

He confessed that he loved her most ardently, but proceeded to dwell upon the inferiority of her connections, the imprudence of the match, and the magnitude of the sacrifice he was making in offering her his protection.

Elizabeth, already wounded and exhausted, ignorant still of the full state of her father's health, wished only to be with her family.

And now, at such a dreadful moment, this gentleman had chosen to offer her his hand in terms that insulted her as much as they astonished her.

She lacked the strength to give him the answer he deserved.

Instead, she stood before him and, unable to contain herself any longer, began to weep.

"Sir, I am sorry… I do not know what to say…

I—" Her anguish overcame her, and she could say no more.

Mr. Darcy, utterly confounded, believed that the depth of his sacrifice overcame her—perhaps she had feared he would never propose.

"My dear Miss Bennet, please do not cry.

I know you are unwell; let me order some tea, and then you must rest. Tomorrow we shall discuss the details of our engagement.

" Without knowing why, Elizabeth handed him the message she had received from her uncle.

Mr. Darcy took it and read it at once. When he had finished, he looked at her with compassion and drew her into his arms. She found comfort in his embrace and wept with greater intensity than before.

It was a relief to feel that someone was consoling her, even if it was Mr. Darcy.

"Please do not cry, my sweet Elizabeth. Everything will be well," he murmured to the heartbroken young woman, who continued to sob in his arms as he stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

So absorbed were they in their own thoughts that neither noticed a maid quietly observing the intimate scene.