Page 3 of Suddenly Married
Lawrence Clark was in his office, endeavouring to complete some work, yet unable to banish from his thoughts the lovely Miss Bennet.
He knew well that she was not the woman for him.
She was beautiful and the daughter of a gentleman; assuredly, she had far better prospects than himself.
True, he was a successful tradesman with a well-established business and a formidable annual income, yet he was equally aware that their social differences would be nearly impossible to overcome.
Being a rational man, Lawrence understood that he could not alter his growing admiration for the sweet Miss Bennet.
Something about her inspired in him an irrational desire to protect her—perhaps it was her melancholy air, or her timid smile.
He knew he was utterly lost, and that, however he might try, he could not cease thinking of her, nor abandon his dreams of Miss Jane Bennet.
Mrs. Rose Clark, Lawrence's mother, came to inform him that dinner would soon be ready, but her son did not even notice her presence.
She observed him from the doorway for several seconds before speaking.
She understood perfectly what was on his mind.
Only a few days earlier, they had attended a small social gathering at the home of Mr. Gardiner, one of her son's friends and business associates.
That evening, she had noticed Lawrence unusually restless, nervous, and more attentive than ever to his appearance.
Upon entering the Gardiners' drawing room and beholding the beautiful Miss Bennet, Mrs. Clark had instantly perceived the cause.
Throughout the evening, Lawrence had watched Jane openly, making no attempt to disguise his admiration, and when she addressed him with a few kind words, Mrs. Clark had seen the joy illuminate her son's countenance.
She could only pray that Miss Bennet would not trifle with his feelings.
Like his late father, her dear son was the best man she had ever known.
Lawrence had begun working in his father's business at the age of fourteen.
Though he had always been clever, he had not had the opportunity for formal study, for he was needed in the family enterprise.
Yet, deprived of a university education, he read voraciously and was more cultivated than many who had enjoyed one.
His father, having inherited an emporium from his own father, had expanded it into a thriving company that imported and exported goods from various parts of England and across the globe.
At twenty, upon his father's death, Lawrence had inherited the business and, with the assistance of his uncle, had expanded it still further, until it now boasted two vessels of its own.
At thirty-two, he could look back upon years devoted entirely to work and to the care of his mother and sister.
He was not classically handsome, yet might be considered attractive—tall, athletic, and possessed of piercing blue eyes that revealed the keenness of his intellect.
Seeing him so deeply absorbed in thought, Mrs. Clark decided to leave him undisturbed, unwilling to interrupt his reflections.
After much deliberation, Lawrence resolved to visit his friend Mr. Gardiner the following day, that he might see Miss Bennet, enjoy her company, and indulge the hope that she might wish to know him better.
'My dear Miss Bennet, I hope the man who wins your heart understands how fortunate he is.
If only I could… I must finish reading these papers and cease dreaming of what can never be,'he told himself.
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Elizabeth suddenly came to herself and realised that Mr. Darcy was holding her closely, kissing and caressing her cheek.
Her first impulse was to ask him to release her, but she remembered that he had just asked her to marry him, and her family's present circumstances made her hesitate.
Confused and wounded, still pondering his sudden declaration of love, she heard Mr. Darcy speak.
"Miss Bennet, I am deeply sorry for what has happened to your father.
As soon as I am assured you are feeling better, I shall speak to my driver and valet so that they may prepare everything for tomorrow, and we can set out for Hertfordshire at first light.
Now that you are my betrothed, I am responsible for taking you to your family as soon as possible," Mr. Darcy murmured in her ear, still holding her firmly in an effort to comfort her.
He knew he ought to depart at once to make the necessary arrangements for the journey, yet he could not summon the will to release her.
Elizabeth, at that moment, seemed to need him more than ever.
After a minute, she broke the embrace. Taking the handkerchief Mr. Darcy offered, she wiped her tears and attempted to arrange her hair as best she could.
At last, taking a deep breath and turning away so as not to meet his gaze, she said, "Mr. Darcy, I think we should postpone our conversation for another day, in light of the recent events in my family.
There are too many matters which I must—" She could not finish, for Mr. Darcy wished her to know that he understood her situation.
"Miss Bennet, please do not trouble yourself.
I comprehend that you have other matters of importance to resolve.
We may speak of ourselves later, after you have seen your family.
For now, I shall prepare everything for tomorrow's journey; please try to rest. I shall be here at dawn to escort you to Hertfordshire.
" Elizabeth had never liked the man before her, yet at that moment she could not refuse the help he offered so readily.
The decisiveness with which he acted and the protection he seemed eager to provide made her feel unexpectedly safe.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Darcy; I am grateful for your assistance in this dreadful situation.
" Mr. Darcy took her hand and pressed his lips gently to it, speaking in a softer tone.
"My dear Elizabeth, it is now my duty to protect you.
Pray never doubt my love and my care for you.
It will be my greatest pleasure to comfort you whenever you need it.
" He longed to hold her again, to reassure her that she was not alone and would never want for anything by his side, but he knew there were urgent matters to attend to.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Your assistance is—" But her sadness overcame her, and she could not complete the sentence.
She looked at him with an expression of sincere gratitude, and for the first time, she saw the man whom many had described as good and honourable.
"Please try to be calm. Although I do not wish to leave, I must go, Miss Bennet," said Mr. Darcy, unable to resist caressing her cheek once more.
At last, he left the parsonage, his mind troubled for her sake.
Elizabeth retired to her room to make preparations for the journey.
Unfortunately, they each understood the nature of their future conversation quite differently.
To Elizabeth, it would be the moment to explain why she had never cared for him, and why she had been stunned by his unexpected proposal.
She was certain they were too different to enjoy the harmonious marriage she had always imagined.
Moreover, she believed Mr. Darcy could not be happy admiring a woman he deemed beneath his social rank.
Although she felt overwhelmed and confused, she thought that once she expressed her sentiments openly, he would see that she was correct and agree that marrying her was a foolish notion.
Yet she was not entirely sure she ought to reject him.
In other circumstances, she would have refused his offer at once; now, she even considered speaking with him about the particulars of his proposal.
Perhaps he would recognise his error and apologise.
Her priority was to protect her family, and Mr. Darcy was the means of doing so.
'Now I must think only of my father, or I shall lose my mind,'she told herself, brushing away her tears.
For Mr. Darcy, their forthcoming conversation was to be about the details of their engagement, their wedding, and their future life together.
He had made a difficult choice, but despite every obstacle, he was convinced he had acted rightly.
He was certain that she had accepted him and that they were engaged.
Nor did he doubt that she was as much in love with him as he was with her.
'My dear Elizabeth, I hope you understand that I shall take care of everything for you, so that you may rest. Until I can see you again, the hours will seem endless,'he thought.
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