Page 27 of Suddenly Married

After Lawrence and Jane returned to London, several fortunate events took place.

Mr. Phillips found a house in Meryton at a reasonable price which, with a few repairs, would soon be ready for them to occupy.

Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, and Lydia were pleased, for none of them wished to remain at Longbourn.

Although the place held many cherished memories of a happier past, they longed to begin anew elsewhere.

Longbourn was no longer their home, and they felt they had no right to stay, particularly if doing so meant owing anything to the arrogant Mr. Darcy.

In Meryton, moreover, they would live very near uncle and aunt Phillips, which would make them feel less alone.

Lawrence also engaged a governess to improve Lydia's and Kitty's education and basic accomplishments.

Both girls were eager to learn, determined to show their new brother how grateful they were for his protection and kindness.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill, unwilling to remain in Mr. Collins's employ, left Longbourn with the Bennet family.

Though they esteemed Charlotte, they could not forget Mr. Collins's conduct towards Elizabeth during Mr. Bennet's final illness.

If he had treated a gentleman's daughter with such disregard, they did not wish to imagine how he might treat his servants.

They were therefore delighted when Mr. Phillips informed them that there was room for them in the new house, where they might continue in Mrs. Bennet's service.

Mr. Phillips also undertook to inform Mr. Collins that he might take possession of Longbourn at once.

Though almost four months remained on the agreement between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins, Mr. Phillips explained that his sister-in-law would vacate the property immediately.

Thereafter, it was Mr. Collins's responsibility to communicate with Mr. Darcy's solicitor and settle the matter of the remaining months of the lease.

Mr. Phillips, as the Bennet family's solicitor, had concluded all business with Longbourn; henceforth, all concerns regarding the estate must be addressed to its new owner.

Jane assisted her mother and sisters in removing their last belongings from Longbourn to the new home where they would begin afresh.

While sorting through some volumes in the library, she could not help but shed a few tears.

Lawrence, noticing her distress, immediately approached.

"What is the matter, my dear? You know I cannot bear to see you unhappy.

" "It is nothing of consequence, Lawrence.

This was my father's favourite book. I know Lizzy would love to have it," Jane replied, wiping her eyes.

Whenever Lawrence heard mention of his sister-in-law, he would frown.

More than once, he had wished to travel to Derbyshire and confront Mr. Darcy, but his wife and Mrs. Gardiner had persuaded him against it, insisting it would only make matters worse.

Elizabeth was Mr. Darcy's wife and, however unwillingly, under his guardianship.

"Do not concern yourself, Jane; I shall send it to her as a gift.

If it should prove part of the entailed property, I shall purchase it from Mr. Collins so that he may replace it with a new edition," Lawrence said, taking out his handkerchief to dry her tears.

"Thank you, Lawrence. You are the best husband I could ever wish for; I do not deserve you.

" She could say no more, for her husband embraced her and kissed her tenderly—until an indignant cry broke their moment.

"Cousin Jane, how dare you behave in so immoral and indecent a manner in my house!

I see you are as libertine as your sister Elizabeth.

As your closest male relative, I must discipline you—" Mr. Collins was prevented from finishing his insult by a blow to the face so forceful that he fell instantly to the ground.

"Coward! If you ever dare to disrespect my wife or any of her sisters again, I shall call you out," Lawrence declared, as Mr. Phillips and Jane attempted to restrain him.

"Do not forget, Collins—no one insults Mrs. Clark, her mother, or her sisters.

" "I beg your pardon, cousin Jane. I did not know you were married, nor that this gentleman was your husband…

I thought you were like your—" Mr. Collins stopped himself abruptly.

"I am glad you are married, and to a man of your social standing.

" "Pardon me, Mr. Collins, but I do not understand your meaning," said Jane.

"Cousin Elizabeth ought never to have set her eyes upon, let alone seduced, a gentleman of Mr. Darcy's rank—" "One more word, Collins, and I cannot answer for my temper," Lawrence warned darkly.

"It was the eminent Mr. Darcy who followed my sister and begged her to accept his hand, Mr. Collins," Jane said, forcing herself to speak calmly.

"Never repeat that falsehood—do you understand?

" She would not allow so petty a man to malign her sister's honour.

"Lady Catherine says—" Mr. Collins caught sight of Lawrence's darkening expression and wisely held his tongue.

The gentleman was tall and powerfully built, and his cheek still throbbed painfully from the blow he had received only moments earlier.

He decided not to test his luck further.

Mr. Collins continued to harbour resentment toward Elizabeth for having rejected him.

He had once looked forward to turning her out of Longbourn upon Mr. Bennet's death; yet now she was Mistress of a great estate and possessed of immense wealth.

He thought she deserved to suffer, but instead she enjoyed every comfort at Pemberley.

At last, Mr. Collins apologised to Jane, claiming ignorance of her marriage, and presented her with the books she had requested.

Wishing to avoid further unpleasantness, he adopted a conciliatory tone and turned his attention to arranging Longbourn according to his own tastes.

That evening, the Bennet family dined together at their new home in Meryton.

Mr. Phillips recounted the confrontation with Mr. Collins and described how the man had been cowed by Lawrence's temper, which provoked much laughter and good-humoured teasing at Mr. Collins's expense.

The following day, Lawrence, Jane, and Mary returned to London.

Within the week, Mr. and Mrs. Clark would take possession of their new house, while Mary was to remain with Lawrence's mother so that the lady would not be left alone.

It would also make it more convenient for Captain Roland Walker—who was now formally courting Mary—to visit her.

◆◆◆

Colonel Fitzwilliam was in his cousin's chamber, keeping her company.

She felt somewhat better that day and had managed to rise from her bed.

She sat in an armchair near the fireplace; though it was summer, her complexion was so pale and her frame so frail that she was ever chilled.

"You asked me for three months to consider my proposal; I suppose you have come to give me your answer," Anne said to Richard.

"I shall do so, Anne. This very day I sent a letter to Darcy, requesting that he and Georgiana come to Kent as soon as they are able," Richard replied, gently stroking his cousin's hand and feeling a deep sorrow at seeing her so unwell.

"Thank you, Fitzwilliam. I knew you would help me," Anne replied at last, her eyes fixed upon the fire.