Page 5 of Suddenly Married

As promised, Mr. Darcy arrived very early to collect Elizabeth.

Fortunately for them, Mr. Collins, having stayed up late the previous night composing an interminable letter to Sir William, did not awaken to witness Elizabeth's departure in Mr. Darcy's company.

"Dear Eliza, I hope you have a safe journey, and that upon your arrival at Longbourn you will find your father much recovered," Charlotte said, embracing Elizabeth and thanking her for her visit.

"Thank you for everything, Charlotte," Elizabeth replied, downcast, unable to prevent a few tears from falling.

Mr. Darcy, observing the scene from a short distance, refrained from interrupting the friends' farewells.

Yet he was troubled for his betrothed; seeing her in the morning, he had perceived at once that she had likely slept little and eaten nothing.

He resolved to ensure she took some nourishment when they paused to rest the horses.

At last, Elizabeth stepped into the carriage, and Charlotte addressed Mr. Darcy.

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for supporting Elizabeth in this difficult moment.

Please take good care of her." "Do not be concerned, Mrs. Collins.

I shall do all in my power to protect Miss Bennet and ensure her comfort and safety.

" He spoke under the assumption that she knew of their engagement, believing her one of Elizabeth's closest friends.

"I am ready to begin the journey, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said with a faint smile that did not reach her fine eyes.

"Before the day is over, my dear Miss Bennet, you will be home," he replied, then handed her into the carriage and followed after.

When he saw that she was comfortably seated, he instructed the coachman to set off.

Elizabeth drew a deep breath, and as the carriage rolled past the grounds of Rosings Park, she began to pray for her father's recovery and her family's future.

Charlotte remained standing for a while, watching the carriage carry away her dear friend.

Her heart ached for Elizabeth, and she sincerely wished that all might end happily for her and her sisters.

Yet beneath her concern lay a quiet recognition of reality: should Mr. Bennet die, Elizabeth would be obliged to weigh her position with the utmost care.

Youthful dreams have to be set aside in favour of security, and few opportunities could be more advantageous than the one Mr. Darcy now placed within her reach.

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Charles Bingley was nearly finished with his breakfast when Caroline entered the dining room.

He was surprised, for his sister seldom rose before noon, but he chose not to remark upon it.

He had no desire to begin the day in an argument.

"Charles, why do you not invite Mr. and Miss Darcy to dine with us tomorrow, or the day after?

I cannot wait to see my dear friend Miss Darcy.

" Caroline was, in truth, not the least interested in Georgiana, whom she considered insipid and prone to respond to everything with a polite smile.

In her opinion, it was almost impossible to converse with her.

Nevertheless, she was eager—indeed, impatient—to see the handsome and wealthy Mr. Darcy again.

"I am sorry, Caroline, but Darcy is in Kent visiting his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

And please, do not urge me to invite him when he returns, for I know he must travel to Pemberley and then likely to Scotland.

You see, I shall not see him again for several months.

" With that, Mr. Bingley hoped his sister would desist from pressing the matter.

"It is a pity we cannot see one another more often.

I know very well how much Mr. Darcy and Georgiana enjoy our company," Caroline replied.

She could not fathom why her brother failed to understand how essential it was for her—and for Mr. Darcy—that they spend more time together.

"When you write to Mr. Darcy, be sure to tell him that Louisa and I miss Georgiana very much.

" "I shall do so, Caroline," Mr. Bingley answered, continuing with his breakfast. He had explained to his sister many times that his friend was not interested in her, but she refused to acknowledge Mr. Darcy's indifference.

In truth, Bingley could, in a way, understand her.

He himself was in much the same predicament.

He knew Jane Bennet did not harbour any deep affection for him, yet he could not cease loving her.

Since returning to London, he had followed the advice of his sisters and Darcy, spending his time visiting friends and attending social engagements, but nothing had succeeded in distracting him.

On the contrary, he thought of his angel night and day.

More than once, he had been tempted to return to Netherfield and forget everything else, but he knew Darcy had been correct: to marry a woman who did not love him would have been a grievous error.

"Charles, we are invited to the Parkers' house today.

I hope you will accompany us," Caroline said, drawing her brother from his reverie.

She suspected he had once again been thinking of Jane Bennet.

Indeed, she and Louisa feared that their reckless brother might return to Hertfordshire without warning and commit the greatest mistake of his life.

"I do not know, Caroline. I have little inclination to spend the evening with a crowd of people I scarcely know.

" Mr. Bingley would much prefer to call upon a friend or remain quietly at home.

"Nonsense, Charles. We have known the Parkers for over two years.

Besides, you have declined their last several invitations, and they may justly feel offended.

And you should see how lovely Emma Parker is.

She has just turned twenty, and her aunt, Lady Agatha, presented her with the most beautiful bracelet—" "When I return from the club, I shall let you know whether I shall accompany you," Bingley interrupted, unwilling to hear another word about Miss Parker.

He had agreed to distance himself from Jane Bennet, but that did not mean he would permit his sisters to choose his wife for him.

Caroline continued speaking of matters that interested her alone, while Bingley pretended to listen.

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