Page 38 of Suddenly Married

Elizabeth froze for a moment but quickly decided to introduce her sisters to Georgiana. Regardless of what her husband might say later, it was the only proper course; to do otherwise would be to slight both Georgiana and her own sisters.

“I have missed you as well, Georgiana. I trust everything went well for you in Kent. Allow me to introduce my relatives—my uncle, Mr. Edward Gardiner, and my younger sisters, Catherine and Lydia.”

Elizabeth avoided looking at Mr. Darcy. She could feel the weight of his gaze upon her, and she knew that if she met his eyes and saw his disapproval, she might say something she would later regret.

Kitty and Lydia understood the moment. Without drawing attention, Kitty gave her younger sister the slightest nudge, reminding her of the promise they had made to Lawrence months earlier.

When their brother-in-law had engaged a governess for them, he explained it was to help them mature, so that no one might ever again have cause to despise them for their behaviour.

Though he had not named anyone in particular, they both knew he referred to Mr. Darcy.

Now was their chance to prove to their sister’s proud husband that his opinion was of no consequence to them.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Darcy,” Lydia and Kitty said together, curtsying politely.

“It is very nice to meet you as well, Mr. Gardiner, Miss Catherine, and Miss Lydia,” Georgiana replied warmly.

The two girls felt a pang of sympathy for Georgiana; she seemed so genuinely pleased to meet them that they longed to be more open with her. Yet they would not, for anything in the world, give Mr. Darcy cause to speak ill of them. So they merely smiled.

Mr. Gardiner saw Elizabeth’s unease but also noted how admirably Kitty and Lydia were conducting themselves.

He regretted that they did so chiefly to avoid censure from Mr. Darcy.

Hoping to ease the tension, he said, “The pleasure is ours, Miss Darcy,” and, turning to Mr. Darcy, added, “Mr. Darcy,” with a respectful touch of his hat.

Mr. Darcy inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Mr. Gardiner, Miss Catherine, Miss Lydia,” he said curtly, offering them a slight bow.

The sisters, hand in hand, returned his gaze seriously, curtsied, and then looked away. Elizabeth knew her husband deserved no warmer reception; indeed, she would not have blamed them had they ignored him entirely.

“Lizzy, we must invite your sisters and Mr. Gardiner to dine with us,” Georgiana said with enthusiasm.

“If they cannot today, then tomorrow perhaps. We return to Pemberley the day after tomorrow.” Then, with delight, she added, “Let us go inside, and we can talk more comfortably.” She was thrilled—Elizabeth’s sisters seemed friendly and close to her own age; perhaps they might become friends.

Elizabeth felt utterly overwhelmed—a mix of anxiety, shame, and anger rendering her silent. Normally resourceful in trying circumstances, she found herself with nothing to say.

Mr. Gardiner, perceiving her struggle, intervened. “My dear Miss Darcy, I am sorry, but my wife is waiting for us at home. She prepared a special dinner for my family. Otherwise, we should have been most happy to accept your kind invitation.”

“Tomorrow we are already engaged, and the following day we return to Meryton. But thank you for your consideration,” he added.

Kitty noticed Georgiana’s smile falter and could barely conceal her own disappointment. Elizabeth had spoken of how shy and lonely Georgiana was, and it pained them to think she might feel slighted.

Lydia stepped forward to soften the refusal. “If you are ever in Meryton, Miss Darcy, you must come to visit us. Our mother adores company and would be delighted to meet you. You may stay for a month or more, if you wish.”

As Lydia spoke, Kitty clasped Georgiana’s hands in reassurance.

“I should like that very much—and perhaps you can visit us in Pemberley one day,” Georgiana replied, giving Kitty’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“I believe it is time to go, girls, or Mrs. Gardiner will send us to bed without dessert,” Mr. Gardiner teased, drawing laughter from them all. They bade farewell to Georgiana and Elizabeth, then Mr. Gardiner touched his hat to say goodbye to Mr. Darcy.

“Good evening, Mr. Darcy,” Kitty and Lydia said coolly before stepping into the carriage.

“Your sisters are beautiful, Lizzy, and so friendly…” Georgiana continued to speak of Kitty and Lydia as they entered the house. She was delighted to have met part of Elizabeth’s family and was excited by the invitation to visit them.

Elizabeth merely smiled. She had no wish to make her husband’s life easier; if he objected to Georgiana associating with her family, he must explain it himself. Besides, she felt too close to tears to speak.

“I am a little tired and not hungry. If you will excuse me, I shall go to my chamber. I shall see you at breakfast, dear Georgiana.” Elizabeth withdrew, avoiding further conversation.

Georgiana assumed her sister-in-law did not wish her to be acquainted with her family, and if she had known the truth, she might not have blamed her.

Mr. Darcy, uneasy, dined with Georgiana to avoid facing Elizabeth so soon. The meeting with her uncle and sisters had been deeply uncomfortable. Throughout dinner, neither spoke much, each absorbed in private guilt.

For Darcy, the shame was hard to admit. Elizabeth had been obliged to introduce her sisters to Georgiana in the street.

Worst of all, Mr. Gardiner had greeted him with warmth and civility, despite having been denied entry to his house.

Darcy wondered if Elizabeth had told her family of his prohibition.

Perhaps that explained her sisters’ coldness.

Yet he had to acknowledge that they had behaved with propriety and shown respect to Georgiana.

Still, he would not permit his sister to associate with them.

Even so, he was not pleased to see his wife part from her family on the pavement, as if she were a servant rather than the mistress of Darcy House.

With her maid’s help, Elizabeth bathed and changed into her nightgown.

Claire had also unpacked and put everything in order.

Elizabeth was looking at the three handkerchiefs her mother had sent for her husband when she heard him enter.

She quickly placed them in the drawer of her nightstand, knowing he despised her mother and would never value a gift from her.

“At last, we are alone, Elizabeth. I should like to tell you all that happened in Kent, and speak of other things, if you are not too tired,” Mr. Darcy said in a conciliatory tone.

“I am tired, but I would like to know how Miss de Bourgh is.”

Mr. Darcy began to relate the news of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne’s marriage, and his reasons for accepting the proposal.

He considered speaking of what had happened with her sisters, but refrained; he did not wish her to think he had changed his opinion of the Bennets.

Lady Catherine had been most critical of Elizabeth’s family, having heard much from Mr. Collins, and Mr. Darcy did not wish to give his aunt further cause to censure his choice of wife.

Instead, he said, “Elizabeth, I believe I owe you an apology. The last night we were together, I behaved… You did not deserve it. The truth is, I missed you greatly these past days, my love…” Unable to resist, he drew her into his arms and kissed her.

Elizabeth decided it was best to put the events of two hours earlier out of mind.

She was weary, and she, too, had missed him.

This time, he was tender, telling her often how much he loved and longed for her.

Despite his faults, she could no longer deny how much she loved him.

They made love twice and slept through the night in each other’s arms.

When Mr. Darcy awoke at dawn, Elizabeth was still sleeping.

He remembered how, the night before, she had hastily placed something in her nightstand drawer.

Curious, he opened it quietly and found three handkerchiefs with his initials.

Believing Elizabeth had embroidered them for him, he smiled, thinking it a surprise.

He closed the drawer and, returning to bed, wrapped his arms around her.

She stirred and nestled closer, and he fell asleep again, feeling that no man could be happier than he was in that moment.

◆◆◆

The days following Mary’s wedding were particularly arduous for Lawrence.

Two shipments of fabrics had arrived from the Orient, and he, together with his two assistants, had much to coordinate.

He liked to be personally involved in his business and to be acquainted with every detail, for in that way he was better prepared to make the right decisions.

The day was oppressively hot, so he wore only a shirt and trousers.

When his work was at last concluded, he stopped by the water pump to refresh himself.

He then went to his office to change his shirt and dress with proper formality, for Jane, his mother, and Mrs. Gardiner were expected shortly.

He had told them that a consignment of high-quality silks had arrived at his warehouse, and they might choose whatever they pleased.

As he removed his damp shirt to don a dry one, he suddenly felt feminine arms encircle him.

“You are even more perfect than I imagined. You remind me of those statues in the museums my tedious husband so admires,” she said.

Lawrence was shocked to see Lady Isabella’s hands upon his bare torso without the slightest reserve.

“Madam, what are you doing here?” he exclaimed in horror, stepping back from her and hastily pulling on his dry shirt.

“I came to see you, my love. I confess, I never imagined you would receive me in this state. Yet after what I have just seen, I desire you all the more. I have even decided to forgive you for leaving me abandoned the other night.”

Lady Isabella appeared much amused by Lawrence’s discomfort. She believed she had achieved her aim and that Lawrence Clark could no longer live without her.

“I have no notion of what you are speaking, madam. I must ask you to leave my office at once, and never return.” By this time, Lawrence had put on his waistcoat and was attempting to arrange his cravat.

“There is a lengthy list of men who wish to be in your place. If I go now, you will have no second chance. I never beg any man; they are the ones who beg me,” she said, her tone sharp with displeasure.

Since she had been fifteen, men had been unable to take their eyes from her, and she would not endure the notion that, at eight-and-twenty, a man should reject her.

She had been the mistress of a duke and two earls and was the wife of a baron.

It would not be a mere merchant—the first man ever to spurn her.

“I am sorry, madam, but I have no interest in begging for you. If your list of suitors is indeed so long, I suggest you choose one of them and leave me in peace. I love my wife, and she is the only woman in whom I have any interest.” Lawrence was exceedingly uneasy; he knew not what to do with this woman, nor could he comprehend why she had become so fixated upon him.

Lady Isabella’s fury was instant. “You will regret rejecting me, Lawrence Clark.” She left the office, already contriving how she might exact revenge upon the man who had now become her greatest enemy.

Upon stepping outside, she saw the foolish blonde and the other ladies approaching.

She pinched her cheeks, dishevelled her hair and the neckline of her gown, and, just as they were about to enter, she passed by them with a smile.

“Mrs. Clark,” she said, and then stepped into her carriage and was gone.

In less than a minute, Jane, Mrs. Clark, and Mrs. Gardiner entered Lawrence’s office. He was visibly uncomfortable, slightly flushed, and still attempting to arrange his cravat. The moment was awkward, for everyone thought the same, yet no one spoke.

Jane noticed a shirt lying upon the floor and her husband’s nervous hands adjusting his cravat. She recalled that woman’s mocking smile and the familiarity with which she had addressed Lawrence at Lord Fleming’s house. At that instant, Jane wished to be anywhere but there.