Page 30 of Suddenly Married

Lady Isabella was impatiently awaiting the arrival of her guests.

When her husband told her that Lawrence Clark had married, she was elated and began to make plans.

From the first time she had seen him, she had liked him.

Lawrence was everything her husband was not: young and attractive.

He was not a pretty boy like her foolish friend Caroline Bingley's brother; instead, he was a confident, mature man with intense blue eyes.

She still remembered that the first time he came to her house, her insipid husband had organised one of those tedious literary gatherings she was forced to pretend she enjoyed.

She smiled, recalling the intensity of his voice when he read a poem.

If the fervour with which he read reflected how intense he was in other activities, she presumed he would undoubtedly be the best of lovers.

As a rule, she did not involve herself with single men, for they always fell in love with her and asked her to leave her husband.

Married men made no such demands, which made her feel more secure and free.

On more than one occasion, she had considered making an exception with Lawrence, for the pleasure of one night in his arms. That day, she wore a provocative gown that revealed her best attributes.

'From today, my dear Mr. Clark, you will be mine,'she thought, as she looked at herself in the mirror.

Many of the guests had already arrived, and she would soon be searching for her prey.

Jane had dressed discreetly in half-mourning attire, with little adornment, yet she looked lovely, and Lawrence could not stop looking at her.

They had arrived at Lord Fleming's home, and he had introduced her to the host and other acquaintances.

Jane sat conversing with the wife and daughter of a friend of Lord Fleming's.

Lawrence was speaking with a group of men, including Lord Fleming, yet he scarcely attended to their conversation, for his eyes were fixed upon Jane.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his arm, and Lady Isabella said, "My dear Mr. Clark, what a pleasure to have you in our house.

" Then, with a suggestive look, she added, "I heard you recently married.

Please allow me to congratulate you. You cannot imagine how delighted I was when I heard the news.

I have always thought married men much more interesting.

" Lawrence felt most uncomfortable. He had always considered Lady Isabella a rather superficial woman, though he knew little of her.

He did not like the manner in which she addressed him, but he concealed his discomfort and merely replied, "Thank you very much, madam; the truth is that I am most fortunate to have found such a wonderful woman as my wife.

" At that moment, Charles Bingley, his two sisters, and his brother-in-law entered the drawing room.

Caroline liked to arrive a little late to command the attention of the entire room.

Lord Fleming called Mr. Bingley over to introduce him to the group with whom he was speaking.

He liked the young man, for he reminded him of himself in his youth.

"Clark, this young man is the son of an excellent gentleman I had the good fortune to befriend.

Bingley, this is my future partner, Mr. Clark.

" "Charles Bingley, it is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Clark," said Charles, extending his hand.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Bingley," replied Lawrence.

The moment he heard the young man's name, he knew precisely who he was and hid his disquiet as best he could.

Caroline and Louisa immediately went to speak to Lady Isabella.

They had the latest gossip to share about a mutual friend whose husband had acquired a new mistress.

Suddenly, Louisa signalled with her eyes to Caroline, and they both watched in horror as their brother approached to greet Jane Bennet.

Lawrence was very quiet; the men around him conversed, but he could not join in.

He suddenly observed Charles Bingley notice Jane's presence, and, visibly moved, he approached her and said, "My dear Miss Bennet, you cannot imagine how very pleasant it is to see you again.

" Jane became nervous and completely flushed.

She replied in a trembling voice, "Mr. Bingley.

" Lawrence had watched the entire scene and felt as though his heart had been torn from his chest. Before him stood his wife—the woman he loved—looking at the man she loved.

◆◆◆

Elizabeth stood upon the balcony of her room.

The night was pleasantly warm, and the soft breeze was most agreeable.

The sky was clear, allowing her to behold the stars in all their splendour.

Her husband slept in her bed; they had dined there together, and during their conversation, he had revealed much that astonished her.

What she had once mistaken for a look of disapproval, he confessed, had in truth been a look of admiration.

"Mrs. Darcy, has no one told you that it is impolite to leave your husband sleeping alone in your bed?

" said Mr. Darcy, as he came to her, embracing her and kissing her forehead.

He was still elated by all that had transpired that evening.

The delight of playing with Elizabeth as though they were children, only to end in passionate lovemaking, was beyond expression.

He was not a man of great experience; Elizabeth had been his first and only woman, and he felt proud to have waited seven-and-twenty years for her.

"I am sorry, Mr. Darcy, but the night is so beautiful.

" "You are the beautiful one, my dear wife," he replied, gazing at her with intensity.

Mr. Darcy recollected that he had yet to tell Elizabeth of the journey he and Georgiana must make to Rosings to visit Anne.

He explained that Anne had requested to see them, though she had provided no detail as to the reason.

"My dear, I understand if you would prefer not to visit Rosings.

To be frank, though I know I shall miss you, I would rather not expose you to my aunt's impertinence.

You might instead accompany us to London and remain there, purchasing all you desire and require.

" Elizabeth knew at once what she wished to do.

"Fitzwilliam, I would prefer to use that time to visit my relatives," she said eagerly.

The prospect of seeing her entire family again and attending Mary's wedding filled her with delight.

Mr. Darcy did not like the idea; he wished her neither unhappy nor uneasy.

He remembered how often she had blushed or been embarrassed by her mother and younger sisters, and he preferred not to imagine how they might behave now that Mr. Bennet was no longer there to restrain them.

Yet he knew he could not refuse her; they were her family, and she loved them.

After several moments of silence, he replied at last, "Very well, Elizabeth; you may visit your family if you wish.

" Elizabeth instantly embraced him and kissed him tenderly, before settling into his arms, where she remained for a long while.

"I think it is time for us to sleep, my love.

Tomorrow, we have much to do in preparation for our journey.

" "Fitzwilliam…" Elizabeth began with some nervousness.

"Yes, my dear?" he asked, a little intrigued.

"I love you." She could no longer deny it, and so she spoke the words.

Mr. Darcy drew her close at once and replied, "I love you too. "