Page 35 of Suddenly Married

Jane introduced her sisters and aunt. Lady Isabella's friends soon joined them, and Caroline greeted all the Bennet ladies with marked disdain before promptly ignoring them.

"How is your husband, Mrs. Clark? What a pity you left so early the other evening," Lady Isabella said, and with a voice dripping with malicious intent, added, "You do not know how much I enjoy it when your husband reads me poetry.

" She then feigned an expression of mock embarrassment and amended, "I mean, when he reads poetry at our literary gatherings.

" She looked into Jane's eyes, taking satisfaction in the discomfort her words provoked.

Jane blushed and found herself at a loss for words. She could not understand why that woman spoke so pointedly about Lawrence, but Lydia intervened. "Excuse me, but if you are married, you should ask your husband to read poems to you. My brother Lawrence has a wife."

Mrs. Gardiner quickly discerned the lady's intentions. After a few minutes of trivial conversation, she told her nieces it was time to return home.

"We have a very busy week ahead. I am afraid we must take our leave. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Gardiner.

"The pleasure was ours," replied Lady Isabella, fixing her gaze upon Jane. Then she added, "Please, Mrs. Clark, give my regards to your excellent husband."

Lydia was on the verge of giving that woman the sharp retort she deserved, but Kitty whispered in her ear, reminding her of what they had learnt from the governess and Mrs. Carter. Taking a deep breath, she said nothing, not even bidding farewell to that odious woman.

Once the Bennets had departed, Caroline approached Lady Isabella.

"My dear friend, you must not associate with such low-class people. You should not lower yourself to converse with such vulgar women."

"I have no interest in that silly blonde or her family. My interest lies in Lawrence Clark," Lady Isabella replied with a laugh.

"That insignificant tradesman?" Caroline asked in horror.

"I see you have not yet forgiven him for putting you in your place, dear Caroline. Well, yes, I am interested in real men such as he—not like your Mr. Darcy. He must be colder than ice. Or so I believed, until I heard that, in a fit of passion, he compromised a woman to force her to marry him."

"That is not true. He would never do such a thing. I know his… that woman…”

The other women burst into laughter, and although Caroline attempted to deny the accusation, no one paid her any heed. Her supposed friends seemed to take particular pleasure in reminding her that the man she had long claimed would be her husband had preferred another woman.

◆◆◆

Mr. Darcy stared at the note for several minutes, seeking some explanation. When he heard Elizabeth returning to her room, he quickly placed the message inside the book and set it exactly where she had left it before her departure.

"Is everything all right?" Mr. Darcy asked, seeking to begin a conversation.

"Yes. The housekeeper wished to ask me a few questions regarding our meals during our stay, and whether you intended to receive visitors."

Mr. Darcy noted the emphasis Elizabeth placed upon the word you , but chose to ignore the remark. He had expected her to speak of the book she had received.

She said nothing. Instead, Elizabeth took the volume, seated herself, and regarded it with eyes full of longing.

Mr. Darcy considered asking her about the note, but, unwilling to provoke an argument, resolved to find another means of learning what he wished to know about its mysterious sender.

"Elizabeth, the Countess will call tomorrow to accompany you shopping.

She will assist you in selecting your new wardrobe.

In two months' time your mourning will end, and we must begin attending certain events.

I wish you to buy everything you need, and everything you desire, even if it is not strictly necessary," he added with a smile.

A little uneasy, Elizabeth replied, "I am sorry, Fitzwilliam, but tomorrow I shall visit my relatives. You ought to have asked me before making plans with your Aunt."

Visibly displeased, Mr. Darcy said, "But we are to travel to Kent the day after tomorrow. I thought you would visit them after our departure."

Elizabeth could no longer maintain her composure.

"Mr. Darcy, I have fulfilled every part of our agreement, and I trust you will understand that I wish to see my family.

Excuse me, but I do not wish to speak further on this matter.

" She took up the book once more and began reading, ignoring her husband.

Mr. Darcy collected the case containing the jewels and told Elizabeth he would place it in the safe in his study. Once there, he summoned the butler to inquire about the package.

"Ford, a box arrived for Mrs. Darcy. Do you know who sent it?"

"The message and the package came from Mr. Gardiner, Sir," the butler replied.

The answer reassured him. Indeed, Lawrence was a relative who, for some reason, had possessed that book belonging to Mr. Bennet.

"Thank you, Ford," said Mr. Darcy.

The butler withdrew, and Mr. Darcy dismissed the matter from his mind. He had several arrangements to make and papers to prepare concerning Rosings, as Anne and Richard had requested him to bring them.

That evening's dinner was singularly dull.

Ordinarily, Elizabeth spoke and jested, drawing both Mr. Darcy and Georgiana into her lively conversation.

But that night she was silent, appearing lost in thought.

After the meal, Elizabeth excused herself, saying she wished to retire early to rest. She explained to Georgiana that she would visit her family the next day, wished to have everything ready, and would see her at breakfast to bid her farewell.

Mr. Darcy was vexed by his wife's behaviour.

First, her cold reception of his gift had wounded him; he had commissioned those jewels especially for her, and she had not even feigned pleasure.

Then, there was the book with the note from a stranger, which she seemed to value more than her husband's present.

And now, she preferred to spend the day in Hertfordshire with her mother and sisters rather than with his aunt, as though a single day less with her family would make any difference.

After dinner, Mr. Darcy went to the library, intending to read, but found himself unable to concentrate. He took two brandies before retiring to his room. He had planned to sleep alone, yet the thought of being separated from Elizabeth for almost a week was unbearable.

When he entered her room, she was sleeping. He lay beside her and began kissing her neck. Elizabeth awoke, pleased that her husband had come to spend the night with her; she could not deny that she would miss him.

She turned to him and began kissing him passionately.

Mr. Darcy was usually tender, taking time to kiss her, caress her, and speak words of love before they made love. This time, however, it was all over very quickly, and when it ended, he dressed and said, "Good night, Elizabeth," before returning to his chamber.

Elizabeth could not comprehend what had just occurred, but tears filled her eyes before she fell asleep. Twice, Mr. Darcy nearly returned to her chamber to apologise, but he chose instead to remain where no one could wound him.

◆◆◆

The following day, Elizabeth rose very early, having slept little for the excitement of finally seeing her family. She prepared everything she would need and went to breakfast. Upon entering the dining room, she found Mr. Darcy already seated, reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee before him.

Still wounded by the events of the previous night, Elizabeth resolved not to allow anything to mar her day. She greeted him with studied kindness and made the effort to engage him in conversation.

"Good morning, Mr. Darcy. I hope you slept well."

"I slept well, thank you," he replied, without lifting his eyes from the paper.

Finding him more absorbed in the news than in her, Elizabeth fell silent, focusing her thoughts instead on the happy day ahead. Fortunately, Georgiana soon entered, and the atmosphere lightened.

After breakfast, Elizabeth went to the drawing room to await her uncle's arrival.

Every few minutes, she glanced out of the window.

With some shame, she had asked him to wait for her in the carriage.

She could not be certain Mr. Darcy would object to his entering the house for a few minutes, but she preferred not to risk subjecting her uncle to any possible slight.

Mr. Gardiner did not deserve to be snubbed by her husband.

A short while later, Georgiana and Mr. Darcy joined her.

"Lizzy, you need not watch at the window for your uncle," Georgiana said with a smile. "Mr. Ford will inform you when he arrives. And I should very much like to meet him."

Elizabeth could not bring herself to meet Georgiana's eyes. Still looking at the street, she replied softly, "My uncle is very busy, and I do not think he has time—"

"Georgiana, you should prepare yourself. Aunt Victoria will be here in less than an hour," Mr. Darcy interjected quickly, unwilling to prolong Elizabeth's discomfort.

"Yes, but I must first say goodbye. Lizzy, I shall miss you."

Elizabeth turned and embraced her dear friend. "I shall miss you, too, my dear."

"Enjoy the company of your mother and sisters," Georgiana murmured.

"I love you, my dear Georgie," Elizabeth replied warmly, kissing her sister-in-law's cheek with sincere affection.

Georgiana left the room, and Mr. Darcy felt a measure of satisfaction at the bond that had formed between them.

"Elizabeth…" he began, wishing to speak with her, but she did not hear him.

She had seen her uncle's carriage outside. "Mr. Darcy, my carriage has arrived. I must go. I hope you have a pleasant stay in Kent." She curtsied and turned to leave.

He caught her arm and kissed her before she could go.

This time, however, it was she who was cold; the brief, cool contact made him feel an immediate pang of remorse. He knew he had earned such treatment after the previous night, yet he disliked parting with her on ill terms.

"I shall see you in a few days, Elizabeth," he said, masking his disappointment.

"Please give my regards to Miss de Bourgh, and I hope you have a safe journey. Goodbye, Fitzwilliam."

"Goodbye, Elizabeth."

Mr. Darcy went directly to his study. From there, he watched Elizabeth embrace her uncle, while a footman loaded her luggage into the carriage. He wished she had allowed Mr. Gardiner inside; he was a courteous gentleman, and they might have received him in the parlour for a few minutes.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw a tall young man step forward, embrace his wife warmly, and make her smile with unmistakable joy. Darcy's gaze fixed on him.

'Lawrence?' he repeated inwardly, the name turning over and over in his mind.