Page 25 of Suddenly Married

Jane loved the sea, and her honeymoon week had passed quickly.

It had all been wonderful—more than she had ever expected to experience in the way of happiness after her father's death and Mr. Bingley's abandonment.

On the last day of their honeymoon, Lawrence asked his wife, "Did you like the sea, Mrs. Clark?

" They were walking along the beach, enjoying their time together.

Lawrence was delighted; although he knew that Jane did not love him, she had been very tender with him, and that alone was enough to make him happy.

"I loved it very much, Lawrence. Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful place.

" "I am so glad to hear that you have enjoyed the scenery, and I hope my company as well," Lawrence said.

Jane could sense Lawrence's insecurity, and she felt compelled to clarify her feelings without delay.

"Lawrence, this week has been wonderful not only because the ocean is beautiful, but especially because of your company.

" "Thank you, my love," Lawrence replied eagerly.

They walked in silence for a while, and then, after some thought, Lawrence added, "In the future, my dear, I should like us to come and spend our holidays in this place.

I hope we shall be accompanied by many children, just as lovely and kind as their mother.

Do you wish to have many children, Jane?

" "Yes, I would love to. I wish we might have a large family," Jane replied.

She felt so happy that, for a moment, she forgot all the tragedy that had lately overshadowed her life.

Each day, Jane enjoyed her husband's company more.

He was so loving and so passionate. When he was unaware, she would watch him, especially his intense blue eyes.

One of the things she loved most was when he read poetry to her; he was so romantic, and his voice was deep and beautiful.

The previous night, he had read a love poem with such passion that she could not resist the temptation to kiss him when he finished.

After she did so, he took her in his arms and kissed her for almost an hour before making love to her.

Upon reflection, she realised that there was something in him that made him particularly attractive: he was strong and confident, and she felt safe at his side.

"Tonight will be the last night of our honeymoon, and I want it to be special, my love.

" So, seeing no one on the beach, he kissed his wife passionately, and Jane thought there was nothing more memorable than a kiss from her excellent Lawrence.

◆◆◆

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had been apart for a week.

She did not understand why she felt so miserable.

She had done nothing wrong, and it was he who had caused that separation.

He scarcely spoke to her and had not visited her chamber since the night she refused his company.

During that dreadful week, Elizabeth had been wounded and wearied by the whole situation, and on more than one occasion, she had responded impulsively to one of his pompous remarks.

They had returned to speaking as they had when they first met, constantly disputing.

She felt uncomfortable with such a state of affairs and no longer wished to tolerate Mr. Darcy's mood swings.

"If he wishes to be angry, let him be. My husband is very stubborn, Dante.

He always says that he loves me. But, if I am to be honest with you, my dear friend, I must confess I am not entirely certain of that.

" Dante barked in response, and Elizabeth could not help but laugh.

"I can see that even you have realised how stubborn my husband can be," she told her dog as she embraced him.

"Thank you for your company. I do not know what would become of me without you, my beloved Dante.

" Accompanied by her dog, Elizabeth walked to the bench near the lake to read the letters that had arrived that morning.

Everyone had written to her, each recounting their own version of the wedding.

"Dante, Jane, and her husband have gone on their honeymoon to Ramsgate.

Jane has always wished to see the sea. I am so happy for her.

" Lydia and Kitty also wrote that Mary had spent much of the wedding breakfast conversing with Captain Roland Walker.

They declared he was by far the most handsome man they had ever seen and that he had visited Mary the following day at Mrs. Clark's house.

They added that Mary had blushed so much upon seeing him that she looked like an apple.

This made Elizabeth laugh, thinking her sisters were jesting, but she knew something was indeed amiss when she read Mary's own letter.

In it, Mary spoke almost entirely of Captain Walker.

By the time Elizabeth had finished reading, she knew that he was tall, blue-eyed, red-haired, the name of his ship, how brave he was, and all the places he had travelled.

"Dante, I believe Mary is in love," Elizabeth said to her dog, laughing heartily.

"My dear Mary, I hope you may marry for love.

" Elsewhere in Pemberley, Mr. Darcy was angry with himself.

He knew he ought not to seek a reconciliation with Elizabeth—she ought to apologise for being late to breakfast, for ignoring him, and for never telling him what he so longed to hear.

Yet he could not bear to remain estranged from her.

He had married her, sacrificed his good name, and cared for her family despite everything.

It pained him that she did not seem to understand how much he loved and needed her.

Mr. Darcy had always been lonely, and since taking over Pemberley, his solitude had been even greater.

Elizabeth had become the light of his life, and although she did not appear to recognise all the sacrifices he had made for her, he did not wish them to remain apart.

Thus, he went straight to the bench where she always sat with Dante, knowing he would find her there.

As he approached, he heard her laughter while her dog gazed up at her, wagging his tail.

She had not yet noticed his presence, so he observed her for a moment.

He knew that such laughter had been prompted by one of the letters she was reading, and suddenly, without much thought, he asked, "Mrs. Darcy, what makes you laugh so much?

" Upon seeing her husband, Elizabeth instinctively gathered her letters and slipped them into her pocket.

"Mr. Darcy, I did not hear you coming. I…” She would have liked to tell him all that had made her content, but she knew he was not interested, and, as always, she resorted to her wit so that Mr. Darcy might not perceive what she was truly thinking.

"Your wedding gift, Mr. Darcy. He is an amusing dog.

" "If I had known you were so fond of dogs, I would have purchased one of the finest breeds as a wedding present," replied Mr. Darcy, glancing at Dante.

"I do not require a dog of the finest breed, Mr. Darcy.

I am content with Dante." She drew a deep breath before continuing.

"If you are always so concerned with money, refinement, and connections, I have often wondered why you married me.

I am but a poor, unconnected, simple country girl.

" As soon as she had spoken, Elizabeth regretted it.

She had no wish to provoke her husband's anger when he seemed to be seeking reconciliation.

"You are Mrs. Darcy now," Mr. Darcy replied tersely.

"It is almost time for dinner, Elizabeth.

" He offered her his arm to escort her home.

Elizabeth accepted reluctantly, and they began to walk.

He was emotionally exhausted and unwilling to begin another quarrel that might drive them still further apart.

Sensing his tension, Elizabeth sought to lighten the moment by speaking of some plans she intended to carry out for the tenants' families once her mourning period had passed.

He listened without comment, and before they reached the house, he stopped abruptly.

"My love, I cannot continue to be distant from you.

This situation leaves me uneasy." Surprised, Elizabeth smiled and replied, "Fitzwilliam, I do not like it either.

" Then, blushing, she added, "I shall be waiting for you tonight.

" "And I shall be glad to sleep beside you," said Mr. Darcy, smiling and caressing his wife's cheek.

He then took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.

In that moment, he felt content and forgot all his destructive thoughts.

He cared not who might see them; he loved his wife, and the Pemberley staff knew it well.

◆◆◆

The Bingleys returned to London after their brief stay at Netherfield.

Mr. Bingley was saddened that he could not see Jane, yet he consoled himself with the hope that his friend's marriage to Elizabeth Bennet might one day help him to reconnect with her.

The family had spent a month in Bath on holiday, during which Mr. Bingley instructed his butler not to forward any correspondence.

He had wished to rest and to be entirely free from business and other obligations.