Page 24 of Suddenly Married

In the last few days, Lawrence noticed that Jane was melancholy, making him insecure.

He knew that Jane did not love him, but he knew that they could be happy if Jane gave him an opportunity.

Lawrence had always thought communication was essential to establishing lasting relationships.

So, the afternoon before the wedding, he decided to speak with Jane and tell her he could wait if she did not feel ready to marry.

"My dear, I would wait for you all my life if it were necessary.

" "Lawrence, it is not what you imagine.

I am certain I want to be your wife and start a life with you.

It just hurts me so much that Lizzy cannot be with us at such a crucial moment in our lives.

" Lawrence had to make a superhuman effort to control himself.

He wanted to go personally to look for her sister-in-law and tell her pompous husband everything he thought of him.

Unfortunately, now they were business partners, but he would end all kinds of contracts with him as soon as he could.

"I understand, and I am sorry for my uncertainty.

I am also very sorry that she cannot be here.

Even though I met her a few years ago and we did not have the chance to know each other, I still remember her beautiful green eyes and her mischievous smile.

" "Lizzy has the prettiest eyes I have ever seen.

Also, I think you and she would be good friends because you have similar temperaments.

" Jane continued talking for several minutes about her dear sister Elizabeth, and that made her forget that she was not there.

Lawrence only hoped he could have the opportunity to let Mr. Darcy know that none of them were interested in visiting any of his properties or needed his money.

The following morning, Lawrence nervously waited for Jane in the church.

When he saw Jane appear on the arm of her Uncle Gardiner, he could not think of anything but Jane and how much he loved her.

The night before, he had had a horrible nightmare in which she regretted marrying him.

Jane had dispelled all her doubts. Lawrence was a good man who had brought joy back to all the women in her family, especially her mother, who adored him.

He was loving and always took the time to listen to her.

Besides, Lawrence had welcomed Kitty and Lydia as if they were his younger sisters.

They felt so comfortable with him that they patiently listened to his advice, so much so that they even began reading some books he had recommended.

Her sister Mary had never related to a man.

Her only male figure was her father, and conversing with Lawrence helped her be a little less shy with the opposite sex.

He always listened patiently, even advising her to read more than sermons and open her mind to other topics.

Jane knew that her future husband was the best that could happen to her and her family, and she would do her best to make him happy.

She needed to repay his kindness somehow.

The wedding was lovely. Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Gardiner prepared the wedding breakfast, and Kitty and Lydia decorated the church with many flowers.

The ceremony was discreet due to the mourning of the bride and her family.

After church, everyone went to the Gardiners' house to celebrate.

Only family and closest friends were present.

Lawrence's sister and her husband traveled from Liverpool, where they lived, to accompany their brother on that special day.

Lawrence's two best friends, Captain Frederick Walker and his wife, and his younger brother, Captain Roland Walker, also attended.

The reception was pleasant, and everyone enjoyed it.

Lydia had recovered and felt much calmer; she no longer had nightmares, although she still slept in the same bed with her mother.

"Mr. Clark, we want you to know that we are delighted that we are brother and sister," Lydia and Kitty told Lawrence as they hugged him.

"Precisely because we are brother and sisters; now you should call me Lawrence, not Mr. Clark.

" Lawrence was very fond of his new sisters.

From what Jane had told him, they had matured since the death of their father.

But also, when they felt sincerely loved and protected, they felt the need to change.

Mary, who was not always comfortable in social gatherings, decided to play the piano to liven up the reception while everyone chatted.

Suddenly, someone sat next to her. Captain Roland Walker offered to turn the pages while she played.

At first, Mary did not say much. She was a timid girl.

Also, the Captain was so handsome that she practically froze when he started talking to her, especially since he seemed to look at her with interest. After the initial embarrassment had passed, they began conversing, and Mary realized Captain Walker was friendly and pleasant.

"Miss Mary, do you always play the piano while others chat?

" Captain Roland Walker asked. "No, sometimes when I play the piano, others dance," Mary replied with a slight smile.

The Captain found it amusing that Mary, who looked so severe, had such a distinct sense of humor.

"And when you want to dance, who plays the piano?

" "So far, I have never wanted to dance, so I have not had that dilemma.

But if one day it happens, and I see you again, I promise to tell you what happened.

" Mary enjoyed talking to the Captain. He was like Lawrence, but different at the same time.

"Your sister has married my best friend; I am sure we shall see each other on more than one occasion.

Do your sisters like to dance? "They do like to dance, but my family is in mourning, and it would be lousy to play lively music and have my sisters dance now.

" "Of course," replied Roland. Lawrence told his friend a little about the tragedy of the Bennet sisters, and he could not help but feel compassion for them.

"Captain, what is life like at sea?" Mary asked as she continued to play the piano.

"Sometimes it is exciting and other times very dull.

" Then, seeing Mary's questioning face, he clarified.

"It is exciting when facing a storm, traveling to new places, and discovering landscapes you had never imagined.

But it gets boring as days and days go by, and there is nothing to do.

" Roland told Mary a little more about life at sea, and she listened and asked him questions, which he answered enthusiastically.

Inadvertently, Mary and Roland chatted for more than an hour while she played the piano, and he turned the pages of music.

After the reception, Jane and Lawrence set out for their honeymoon in Ramsgate so that Jane could see the sea for the first time.

But unfortunately, they could only stay a week there.

As the wedding was sudden and unexpected, Lawrence had many business commitments that he could not delay.

Also, he had to find a new home for her mother and sisters-in-law because he did not want them to depend on Mr. Darcy any longer.

He did not want the gentleman to feel he had the power to despise his wife and new family.

◆◆◆