Page 53 of Suddenly Married

Roland was furious; at last he confronted the man who had treated his wife with such contempt. He spoke vehemently.

"So you are the fool who once declared that my sweet and delicate wife should never set foot in any of your houses!"

Mary wished above all that her husband might say no more to Mr. Darcy. She understood his feelings, yet she knew such words were unnecessary.

"My dear, I beg you…"

Mr. Darcy, taken by surprise, could not comprehend why the gentleman demanded explanations in such a public place.

"Miss Mary, I wish to know—"

Roland, perceiving his wife's nervous distress, ended the matter swiftly.

"I am Captain Roland Walker, and this is my wife, Mary Walker. Do not trouble Mrs. Walker again, for I can and shall, without hesitation, strike you where you stand if you do not leave her in peace. She is my wife now, and I shall defend her with my life if need be."

With that, he seated himself beside Mary, handed her the glass of punch, and kissed her cheek. After a few minutes, Mary resumed her performance at the pianoforte, somewhat calmer. Her husband stayed constantly at her side, whispering encouragement while casting threatening glances at Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy, for his part, withdrew once more to his corner to reflect on all that had occurred.

Mary Bennet had married the son of one of England's most distinguished naval officers, and he had been wholly ignorant of it.

Watching her at the pianoforte with her husband at her side, he wondered how many more surprises might yet await him.

He had once told Elizabeth she must not invite her family into his houses, believing it best for her.

Yet this evening he realised, more than ever, how gravely mistaken he had been.

Had he behaved as any ordinary husband, he and Elizabeth would certainly have attended Miss Mary's wedding.

The thought that Admiral Walker knew he had forbidden his daughter-in-law to visit her own sister filled him with shame.

What, indeed, had he ever held against Miss Mary?

He had heard her sing out of tune at a ball and had delivered some ill-judged sermons.

He was nothing but a fool and richly deserved the humiliation he now endured.

Captain Walker had merely done what any loving husband ought: to make it plain that his wife must be respected—something he had failed to accomplish with his own.

As she played, Mary noticed Mr. Darcy retreat once more to his corner.

He stood alone, pale and expressionless.

She had never been much of an observer, in truth; her eyesight was weak, and at home she required spectacles to read.

Yet she could not fail to remark that her brother-in-law looked as pale as Elizabeth herself.

Mary had never been romantic, and she did not fully comprehend how a man such as Roland Walker had fallen so ardently in love with her.

Still, she could perceive that between Elizabeth and her husband there existed a depth of feeling beyond her understanding.

"My dear Captain Walker," she said, while continuing to play, "after I finish this piece, I wish to speak with Mr. Darcy." And she added with determination, "I do not desire your intervention."

Roland disliked the notion exceedingly. He would not willingly expose his wife to that man's contempt. Yet he knew Mary's mind was resolute.

"Very well," he replied with resignation, "but I shall accompany you. In that way, I may ensure that fool does not so much as think of disrespecting you."

Colonel Fitzwilliam soon approached his cousin. Though he did not at first understand the situation, after conversing with Mr. Darcy, he perceived that something was amiss.

"Darcy, is something the matter?" he asked.

At that moment, a gentle female voice was heard.

"Excuse me, Mr. Darcy. Might I beg a moment of your time?"

Richard and Mr. Darcy turned, and when Mr. Darcy saw Mary, he immediately replied, "Of course, Miss Mary."

"Mrs. Walker," Roland corrected, dryly, as he took his wife's hand.

Mary felt a flash of annoyance. Her husband had promised not to interfere, yet it was the very first thing he did.

"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Walker," said Mr. Darcy, both surprised and somewhat amused by the Captain's behaviour.

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I wish to inform you that Lizzy believes you are in Scotland, and that you are very angry with her, never wishing to see her again.

That is why I was astonished to see you here tonight.

I also wish to let you know that I shall tell her of our meeting.

I do not desire to interfere, yet I would never lie to my sister nor conceal the truth from her.

That is all, sir. I shall not trouble you further.

Good evening." Mary looked at Roland, indicating it was time to retire.

"Please wait, Miss—Mrs. Walker—"

"We are leaving," Roland interjected.

"Yes, I understand… Mrs. Walker, if you speak with your sister, I beg you will tell her that I have been searching for her these many days; that I am not angry; and that I pray daily for her forgiveness and for the chance to speak with her to resolve all our misunderstandings."

Mr. Darcy had been about to take his sister-in-law's hand in friendship—she had given him the first glimmer of hope he had received from Elizabeth's family. Yet when he looked up and saw Captain Walker's threatening expression, he refrained.

"You have my word that I shall speak with Lizzy. Now, my husband and I must retire."

"Good evening," said Roland. The couple took their leave of the Admiral and the hosts, and soon returned to the Clarks' residence.

On the carriage ride back to Darcy House, Mr. Darcy confided to his cousin who Mary Walker was, and how her husband had threatened him and forbidden him even to speak to her.

"What can I say, Darcy? You deserve that and more. What a humiliation to encounter your sister-in-law's husband—an impeccable gentleman, the son of a national hero—under such circumstances," Richard declared, shaking his head.

"I know, Fitzwilliam. You cannot imagine how much I regret it. But at least I know that Miss Mary will tell her sister I am searching for her," replied Mr. Darcy.

"Mrs. Walker—do not forget," Richard teased. Mr. Darcy could not help but laugh.

◆◆◆

The following day, Mary told Elizabeth that she wished to speak with her on a matter of importance and would prefer to do so as soon as possible. Elizabeth, intrigued, proposed they walk in the small garden, as she desired fresh air, and there they might converse.

Once they reached the garden, Mary began.

"Lizzy, I encountered your husband at the dinner I attended last evening."

Elizabeth was taken aback, for she had believed Mr. Darcy to be in Scotland. Yet she chose not to interrupt, preferring to hear what Mary had to say.

Mary perceived her sister's uneasiness and, taking her arm, continued.

"When he saw me, he was astonished. He approached and addressed me as 'Miss Mary.

' Unfortunately, Roland overheard him, and upon learning who he was, became furious and commanded him not to trouble me.

You know how my husband is. He thinks I am the Queen of England, and any offense against me is high treason!

" Mary felt a little embarrassed by Roland's behaviour.

Yet, she did not condemn him, knowing Mr. Darcy had never been particularly friendly either to her or to the rest of her family.

Elizabeth understood that Mary was jesting to prevent her from distress. She knew well how protective Roland could be and did not blame him for his reaction.

"Do not trouble yourself, Mary. My husband is not a child. He has offended many people with his arrogance, and at times it is his turn to hear unpleasant words."

"Thank you for understanding. In any case, once Roland calmed himself, I spoke with Mr. Darcy, and he asked me to deliver a message.

He bade me tell you that he has been searching for you, that he is not angry, and that he longs to see you again so that you may converse and resolve all your misunderstandings. "

Elizabeth was stunned. Her husband was looking for her in London.

"Lizzy, I shall now leave you to reflect and decide what is best. I wish you all the happiness in the world, my dear sister."

"Thank you, Mary, for the message, and for your courtesy to Mr. Darcy, though he has not deserved it."

Elizabeth embraced her sister, who kissed her cheek before returning indoors, leaving Elizabeth absorbed in thought.

Elizabeth seated herself on a bench beneath the shade of a tree and began to reflect upon Mr. Darcy.

If she were honest, she longed to run at once to Darcy House and find him.

She knew that if she did, they would likely be happy in each other's arms for a few hours, until some new quarrel arose.

Their relationship had always been so—passionate to excess.

She had gone from hating him to loving him without fully comprehending how it had happened.

She knew he had never been indifferent to her, and she had always admired both his appearance and his intelligence.

During the months at Pemberley, Elizabeth had learned much that astonished her.

She discovered that she had been the first and only woman in his life.

From childhood, he had never played like other boys, for his mother had taught him that the grandson of an earl must always act with dignity, while his father reminded him that the heir to a great estate and fortune must devote himself to study.

Mrs. Reynolds had confided that young Fitzwilliam had been brilliant but shy, and that until adolescence, he had stuttered, which accounted for his dislike of speaking.

Mr. Darcy had often told her she was the light of his life and that he had never given himself to anyone as he had to her.