Page 37 of Suddenly Married

The greetings lasted more than an hour, filled with laughter and tears. They spoke of everything that came to mind, but above all, of the joy of being together once more.

That evening, Jane hosted a dinner at her home, where Elizabeth met Captain Roland Walker, Mary's future husband.

She liked her future brother-in-law very much; he was a well-travelled gentleman of knowledge and experience, whose adventures were most engaging to hear.

Though he appeared stern at first, that was merely a facade; once at ease, he proved personable and warm.

Elizabeth was especially struck by his patience in answering her mother's impertinent questions without the slightest difficulty. He seemed so happy in Mary's company that nothing else around him appeared to matter.

Elizabeth was also pleasantly surprised by the change in Kitty and Lydia.

Both were more modest in their opinions and had interests beyond balls and officers.

She noticed the admiration with which they regarded Lawrence, and the way he considered their views, even offering gentle reproofs when he thought them in error.

Elizabeth delighted in being among relatives in a house full of joy, where none of her brothers-in-law looked down upon her mother, sisters, uncle, or aunt.

Yet, in the midst of her happiness, she could not feel entirely at ease; she missed her husband and regretted the thought of being perpetually divided between her love for Mr. Darcy and her attachment to her family.

"Lizzy, I want you to sleep in our room. We have two great beds—you can sleep one night with me and the next with Kitty," Lydia proposed.

"There is no need, Lizzy. I have already prepared a room for you," Jane said.

"Thank you, Jane, but I think I shall sleep in the room with these two monsters. However, I warn you—no pillow fights. You know I am invincible, even two against one," Elizabeth replied, making her sisters laugh.

When they finally retired, all five sisters gathered in the younger girls' room to talk and ask Elizabeth private questions beyond their mother's hearing. They were eager to know how her new life with Mr. Darcy was.

"Are you happy, Lizzy?" Mary asked in her usual direct manner.

"Yes, Mary. My husband may be a little stubborn, but he is very loving, and Pemberley is a wonderful place. I love Georgiana dearly; she has treated me as a true sister. I do not understand why Mr. Wickham said she was proud and arrogant—it is quite the opposite."

At these words, Lydia's expression grew troubled. "Mr. Wickham is a hateful, evil man," she said, her voice faltering. Jane immediately embraced her.

"Lydia, why are you crying?" Elizabeth asked with concern.

"Lizzy, Mr. Wickham is a scoundrel," Mary interjected, and she told Elizabeth of the events in the barn and how Lawrence had ensured that the man would trouble no other young woman again.

"Lizzy, why do you not tell us stories about Papa? I miss him so much, and you knew him best," Kitty said, seeking to change the subject.

"That is an excellent idea, Kitty. Let me tell you about the time Papa hid in his study for nearly ten hours to avoid speaking with Mrs. Long," Elizabeth said, laughing.

"Papa always said she was a most tedious lady," Jane added.

Within minutes, Lydia had forgotten her distress, laughing as Elizabeth recounted stories of their father.

Later that night, Elizabeth felt a pang of shame for ever having believed Mr. Wickham's falsehoods about Mr. Darcy. She fell asleep with her arms around Lydia, hoping to comfort her sister after the painful memory she had recalled.

◆◆◆

The journey had seemed endless. Mr. Darcy had not slept well the previous night, and knowing he would soon see Lady Catherine did not make him feel any better either.

Georgiana had also been very quiet during the journey.

The fact that Elizabeth had not invited her uncle to come to the house and did not want to introduce him to her made her wonder.

She was horrified that her sister-in-law had learned about her horrible mistake and did not want her family to be associated with her.

When they finally arrived at Rosings, Lady Catherine was stunned.

Apparently, no one had told her they would come that day, but she felt happy because she would have dinner guests with whom to share all her wisdom.

Anne had not been dining with her lately, and Richard had spent so many days at Rosings that she had nothing more to advise or criticize him.

"And your wife, Darcy? A good wife should always accompany her husband," said Lady Catherine. She sat at the head of the table and looked suspiciously at her nephew.

"She stayed in London buying everything necessary for her debut next season." Mr. Darcy answered curtly so that his aunt understood that he did not wish to discuss the subject with her.

"And you, Georgiana, are you pleased with your new sister?"

"Yes, very much so, Lady Catherine."

"Why a young lady would not be happy with a sister as pretty and pleasant as Mrs. Darcy," said Richard to stop his aunt from bothering Georgiana any further.

"What do you know of what a lady should be like? Listen and take note in case you ever decide to marry, although I cannot imagine who would want to accept you if you are as impertinent as your mother and as lazy as your father."

"I am neither lazy nor impertinent, Lady Catherine," Richard replied, trying to contain his laughter. Then he looked at Georgiana and winked.

Lady Catherine redirected all her anger at Richard, but he did not care about anything his aunt said. At least she was not pestering Georgiana anymore.

After dinner, Richard explained to his cousins that Anne would be waiting for them in her chamber to speak without Lady Catherine interfering. Once everyone was sure Lady Catherine had retired to her room, they went directly to see Anne.

"Darcy, Georgina, you do not know how happy I am to see you. Thank you for coming. Darcy, I am very sorry that Mrs. Darcy could not come, but I understand her reasons very well," Anne said in a very soft voice.

Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were saddened to see how deteriorated Anne was. It was evident that she was very ill. "Please do not trouble yourself, Anne; she understands perfectly. She told me to give her regards and hoped to see you soon."

Anne decided to share important information after asking them about their trip and how they were.

"Dear cousins, I have asked you to come to tell you that Richard and I are getting married tomorrow.

" Then, seeing the surprised faces of her cousins, she added, "We shall do it because every day I feel worse, and I do not want my mother or one of my cousins to inherit me when I die.

Richard is like a brother to me, and I want him to own everything that belongs to me.

So I want both of you to be there and witness the wedding so that my mother cannot use any schemes to take from Richard what will be rightfully his. "

Mr. Darcy was not surprised by the news. He knew that Anne would do something like that to protect Richard. He knew Lady Catherine would never willingly accept living in the dower's house.

"My dear Anne, thank you for trusting me, and I want you to know that you can count on us," Mr. Darcy explained.

Georgiana sat beside Anne and kissed her hand to show her support. "My dear cousin, I am happy to be here with you and help with whatever you need," said Georgiana.

The following day, they would all leave early to marry in a neighboring parish so Lady Catherine would not find out. Mrs. Jenkinson had everything ready.

Georgiana was surprised by the news but understood Anne's motives. She could not help but feel sorry. If Anne was doing something like that, she surely thought she had little time to live. Seeing her appearance, it was evident that she was very ill.

Before retiring to sleep, Richard stopped by Mr. Darcy's room to speak with him.

"You must think I am a mercenary, Darcy. But I swear it was Anne who planned all this."

"Do not worry, Fitzwilliam; we both know Anne has made the correct decision."

The next day, Mr. Darcy and Georgiana attended Richard and Anne's wedding. When Lady Catherine got up, her daughter was married, and Rosings had a new Master.

P otherwise, she might have cried the entire way.

Her husband and Georgiana were not expected back until the following day, and thus she had not anticipated meeting them.

Though she had no intention of inviting them into the house, she was determined to avoid any unpleasant encounters.

"The houses in this neighbourhood are very fine, but none as pretty as Lawrence and Jane's," Kitty remarked.

"Is your husband's house nearby, Lizzy?" Lydia asked.

Elizabeth understood why Lydia had said your husband's house. Lydia was correct—if she could not welcome her family there, it could hardly be called her own.

"We have arrived," Mr. Gardiner announced.

The butler, seeing Mrs. Darcy, sent a footman to fetch her trunk. Mr. Gardiner assisted Elizabeth, Lydia, and Kitty from the carriage. They were exchanging farewells when Mr. Darcy and Georgiana came into view around the corner.

"I shall miss you so much," Elizabeth told Lydia and Kitty, embracing them. "Take good care of Mama, and keep me informed of her health." She kissed them each on the cheek.

"Do not worry, Lizzy. We shall always be with Mama," they replied in unison.

When Elizabeth looked up, she saw her husband and Georgiana approaching.

"Lizzy, how lovely to see you again!" Georgiana exclaimed, running to embrace her sister. She then smiled warmly at Lydia and Kitty.

Elizabeth, however, was uncertain what to do or say. She could not bring herself to meet her husband's eyes, for she sensed he must be furious.