Page 39 of Suddenly Married

"I am so glad you are finally here; I have been waiting for you," Lawrence said, a little calmer as he put on his jacket.

"My love, there is a fabric in a colour I believe will look beautiful on you, although I must confess that everything looks beautiful on you.

" He kissed an absent Jane upon the cheek.

Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Clark attempted to divert Jane's attention while they examined the fabrics, yet they could not conceal from themselves the sadness upon her countenance. At last, after twenty minutes, she said, "I am not feeling well. I should go home."

"My dear, are you quite well? I can call the doctor to ensure that you and my child are safe," Lawrence said, deeply concerned.

"It is not necessary. I merely wish to go home and rest," Jane replied, unable to prevent a few tears from falling.

Lawrence regarded her with bewilderment; she looked pale and unwell, and he was alarmed for her and their child.

"Mrs. Gardiner, if you do not mind, I should like you to accompany Jane. I need to speak with my son," Mrs. Clark said.

Jane and her aunt departed, while Mrs. Clark followed her son into his office. Once there, and after he had closed the door, she spoke.

"What were you doing in this office with that woman in the red dress? Are you mad, son? Neither your father nor I raised you to be immoral, least of all now that you are married."

"What do you mean, Mother? I have been working all day, and when I came to my office, that woman was here…" Distraught, he added, "Mother, what falsehood has she told Jane? I swear to you, I have done nothing wrong. You know better than anyone how much I love my wife."

"Then tell me what occurred here."

Having composed herself, Mrs. Clark listened to her son's account. He told her everything about Lady Isabella—from the first moment of their acquaintance, to her invitation to a private room during her husband's gathering, and to what had transpired scarcely an hour ago.

"Son, you must speak to Jane and relate to her all that you have told me. Furthermore, I think you should be prepared, for I am certain that woman will seek to harm you in some way. Women such as she do not accept a man's rejection with grace."

"Thank you, Mother. I shall speak to my assistants to instruct them on what to do for the rest of the day. After that, I shall go directly home to speak with Jane."

Jane returned home with her aunt. She lay upon her bed for a few minutes, yet it did nothing to quiet her thoughts about what had transpired in her husband's office.

Feeling unsettled, she asked her maid to accompany her for a walk in the park near the house. When she had lived at Longbourn and felt sad or in need of reflection, she would always walk in the garden, and it never failed to restore her spirits.

As Jane left the house with Sarah, she did not notice that someone had begun to follow her. When she reached the park, however, a voice addressed her nervously.

"Mrs. Clark, how very pleasant it is to see you. May I accompany you for a walk?" He offered his arm with a broad smile.

"Mr. Bingley, what a surprise," Jane replied, with a touch of curiosity.

After a moment's awkward silence, Jane consented to his company, though she declined to take his arm. They walked for a few minutes, conversing upon trivial subjects, until Mr. Bingley at last ventured to speak his mind.

"Mrs. Clark, I wish you to know that I admired you greatly, and that I was not wise enough to value the woman you are.

I now see that I was a fool to be guided by my sisters and to follow the counsel of others.

I am truly sorry if my conduct caused you pain, and I assure you I have learned from my mistakes. "

Jane smiled at him. "All that is in the past, Mr. Bingley; please do not trouble yourself. I sincerely hope you will meet a lady who can make you happy in the future."

She then, quite without intending it, began to weep. Mr. Bingley, concerned, invited her to sit upon a bench in the park.

He asked several times how he might be of service, but Jane continued to cry.

"Mrs. Clark, allow me to accompany you home."

"Mr. Bingley, I do not wish to be at home just now."

"May I ask why?"

Without realising how, Jane began to recount all that had taken place in her husband's office that morning. "I feel dreadful for not trusting him, but…"

"I regret speaking ill of a lady, Mrs. Clark, but you should pay no heed to one as malicious as Lady Isabella.

I have known her for many years, and I am well aware of her cruelty.

I have seen the way your husband looks at you; it is evident that he loves you deeply.

No man so devoted would exchange a woman like you for one such as she.

Without presuming to interfere, I would advise you to hear your husband; I am certain he will have a worthy explanation. "

"Thank you, Mr. Bingley; I shall speak to my husband," Jane replied, more composed. They continued in conversation for a few minutes longer, and Mr. Bingley then told her he would be travelling north the following week to visit his friend Darcy.

"I shall have the opportunity to see Mrs. Darcy in her new role. Pemberley is a fine estate, though it has always been quiet and serene. With your sister as its mistress, I am sure it will be much more lively."

"Lizzy has told us how beautiful her new home is," Jane answered.

Mr. Bingley suspected she did not wish to speak of Mr. Darcy or Pemberley, and that her words were intended to sound neutral. "Do you have plans for the summer?"

"Nothing in particular. I am with child, and my husband has much work in the coming months."

"My sincere congratulations to you and your husband. You will be a devoted mother."

Meanwhile, Lawrence arrived at his house, where he was informed that Jane had gone for a walk in the park with her maid. Upon arriving there, he saw Sarah speaking with another servant, which made him uneasy.

"Sarah, where is Mrs. Clark?"

"She is talking with a friend on that bench, sir," Sarah replied.

When Lawrence saw Jane conversing with Mr. Bingley, he went towards her immediately. He could not understand why that man was with his wife.

"Good afternoon," Lawrence said gravely.

Mr. Bingley rose and replied warmly, "Good afternoon, Mr. Clark." Looking at Jane, he added, "Thank you for your time and company, Mrs. Clark. I must be going now. I wish you a pleasant day."

"Thank you for your company, and much success in all your future endeavours," Jane replied.

Mr. Bingley bowed and departed, content to have closed a chapter of his life, certain that his angel was happy with a man who would cherish and protect her.

Once he was out of sight, Lawrence sat beside his wife, took her hands, and began to speak in a trembling voice, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Jane, I love you; I do not know why that woman…"

Jane wiped his tears with her hands. "Please, tell me everything from the beginning, my love."

"Yes, of course. That evening at Lord Fleming's…"

Lawrence recounted everything, particularly the events of that day in his office. "My dear, I do not know why she was there, but I swear I have done nothing to provoke her interest. I do not wish to speak ill of a lady, but such a woman could never…"

"I know, my dear, and I beg your pardon for having been jealous and doubting your honour. I realise I should never believe anything from that lady. Please, Lawrence, do not trouble yourself. I would never allow her lies and intrigues to harm our marriage."

"Thank you, my love." Lawrence kissed his wife's delicate hand, content and relieved. He had feared she would be furious, even that she might wish to leave him, a thought that had made him utterly miserable—especially now, when he was soon to become a father.

"Why was Mr. Bingley here, Jane?"

"He wished to apologise. Mr. Bingley is a good man, Lawrence. He is beginning to mature and to recognise his mistakes. He helped me to see what Lady Isabella truly is, and advised me to listen to you."

"Indeed?" Lawrence was somewhat surprised, though he did not relish Jane's having spoken of such a private matter with Mr. Bingley. Nevertheless, he was just enough to be grateful that the man had spoken in his defence and had revealed the truth about that woman's character.

"It is time to go home, my love," Jane said. Taking his arm, they walked on together, happy to have cleared away the misunderstanding.

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That afternoon, Lady Isabella went to Mrs. Peterson's house to impart some news. All of London knew that the lady was the greatest gossip in the city, and she would take it upon herself to spread whatever tale Lady Isabella wished the world to hear.

Lady Isabella created a story in which she had enjoyed a torrid romance with Mr. Clark, but had been obliged to end it because he had become obsessed with her, thus endangering her marriage.

What Lady Isabella did not realise, however, was that Mrs. Peterson had perceived in her manner too much ardour.

Indeed, she appeared more resentful than concerned.

Thus, Mrs. Peterson, with great relish, altered the tale and spread the rumour that the young tradesman had left Lady Isabella for another lover, also a married woman, but much younger and more attractive than she.

Within a few weeks, everyone wished to meet the man who had dared to scorn the lady once considered among the most beautiful in the highest circles. Equally, all were eager to see the attractive woman who had supplanted the malicious and spiteful Lady Isabella.

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