Page 54 of Suddenly Married

"Fitzwilliam, my love, what am I to do with you?

" Elizabeth sighed. She knew it was wiser to wait some days until they might converse calmly.

She wished to be certain that, should they give their marriage another chance, they might dispel all misunderstandings by speaking with reason.

Until then, everything between them had been nothing but unbridled passion—whether in love or anger.

'In a few days,' she resolved silently, 'I shall send a message to Darcy House, that we may meet in some neutral place. Then we shall see whether we can repair our marriage—or part forever, my dear Fitzwilliam.'

◆◆◆

It had been two days since he had spoken with Mary, and he grew more impatient by the minute.

Every message that arrived, every time someone knocked at the door, he hurried to see whether it was Elizabeth.

He had laboured as never before; his work had always been his sole companion, and in it he had long found happiness and contentment.

He had been satisfied with the fortune he had amassed.

Upon his marriage, he had immediately begun planning to save for his daughters' dowries and to provide for his sons, who were not his heirs.

He had wished for many lively and entertaining children like their beautiful mother.

That day, he resolved to go to the club for luncheon.

Fitzwilliam had left the day before for Kent, and he did not wish to be alone, lest his thoughts drive him to distraction.

After luncheon, he intended to practise some fencing, for physical exercise helped him relax and sleep somewhat better.

He had always been disciplined, yet in recent days he had neither eaten properly nor refrained from excessive drinking.

He had determined to change that, so that he might be well the day he met Elizabeth again.

He lunched at the club with Lord Fleming and another gentleman. It grieved him to learn that an intelligent and cultivated man such as Lord Fleming had married so frivolous and immoral a woman as Lady Isabella.

"What did you think of Admiral Walker, Darcy?" asked Lord Fleming.

"A fascinating man—certainly a hero," replied Mr. Darcy.

"I agree. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of his youngest son.

Those young and handsome officers, like Captain Walker, imagine they may pester any woman, believing they will all fall at their feet.

Isabella told me that the man had made improper remarks to her in the presence of his wife.

Fortunately, my wife is a lady of impeccable morals, and she immediately put him in his place.

But sadly, not all young women are like her. "

Mr. Darcy preferred to say nothing. It was clear that Lord Fleming perceived only what he wished to see.

When their meal concluded, he went to practise fencing, and afterwards returned home to learn whether any letters or messages had come from Elizabeth.

Should he hear nothing that day, he meant to speak with Mrs. Gardiner the next, intending to write a letter to Elizabeth and beg her aunt to deliver it.

Unfortunately, on his way home, an accident in one of the streets blocked the path of his carriage, and he had no choice but to wait.

◆◆◆

Elizabeth had gone for a walk in the park near Clark House.

She had been much troubled in the past few days and scarcely knew what to do.

She had planned to visit her Aunt Gardiner, with whom she might converse freely; her aunt always knew how to listen, to help her see matters from different angles, and finally to advise her towards a wise decision.

As she walked, she observed a group of children at play and wondered what her future niece or nephew might be like. Yet her thoughts soon turned to what a child of her own and Mr. Darcy's might resemble. She pictured a boy who mirrored his father—serious, handsome, and stubborn.

"Hello, Lizzy!" cried a cheerful voice, making her start. She had been so absorbed in imagining Pemberley's future heir that she had not noticed Lawrence walking beside her.

"You quite startled me, Lawrence!" Elizabeth exclaimed with a laugh.

"I beg your pardon, I could not resist. I came to find you because Jane was concerned. She said you left almost two hours ago, and as you know, we are soon to dine. Admiral Walker, Frederick, and Anna are joining us this evening, and Jane wishes everything to be perfect."

"And she wants me to help her?" asked Elizabeth with a smile.

"Something of the kind." Lawrence offered his arm, and together they turned towards home.

As they walked, Lawrence entertained her with anecdotes from his recent visit to the port, where he had gone to inspect two ships newly arrived from India.

"I swear to you, Lizzy, not a single sailor spoke English. To make myself understood, I was obliged to resort entirely to signs. I flatter myself that I am now something of an expert in the art."

"Then the next time we play charades, I must insist you are on my team," Elizabeth replied, and they both laughed heartily.

◆◆◆

"Sir, the street is closed, and we do not know when it will reopen. We may either continue to wait or take an alternative route. It is somewhat longer, but better than standing still. What do you advise, Mr. Darcy?" the coachman asked his master.

"Let us take the alternative route," he replied to Mr. Hayes.

They turned down several streets and entered a new quarter of the town, a neighbourhood of large and elegant houses, belonging chiefly to wealthy merchants.

It had been a long time since he had passed that way, and he was struck by how much the area had grown.

Many houses were even more luxurious than his own.

As he looked out the window, he suddenly heard a familiar laugh. Instantly, his heart quickened, for the laugh belonged to his beloved Elizabeth. She was walking on the arm of Mr. Clark, who also laughed heartily. They appeared as the best of friends.

Once the first astonishment had passed, he struck the roof of the carriage to alert the coachman.

The moment it stopped, he sprang out to look for Elizabeth, but she had already disappeared.

He did not perceive that they were directly before Jane and Lawrence's house, and in those few seconds, Elizabeth and her companion had entered it.

He walked a short distance, searching in vain, before resigning himself and returning to the carriage.

On the way home, his mind replayed everything his cousin, the Viscount, had once told him about Clark—that he had abandoned Lady Isabella for a beautiful brunette, and that they had been seen together at a jeweller's, where he had presented her with an expensive diamond ring.

'I am a fool. How could I imagine Elizabeth capable of such conduct?' he said to himself, though his agitation grew. 'Why does that immoral scoundrel presume to walk with my wife upon his arm? And Elizabeth—how is it that you know this man?'

Suddenly, another thought struck him. He remembered the gentleman who had once come to his house with Mr. Gardiner to collect Elizabeth.

He recalled that she had received gifts from a man, and that Mrs. Bennet had spoken warmly of him—a wealthy man, able to support a woman's family if he chose to claim her.

As soon as he reached home, he hastened to his study. He pulled open the drawer where he kept copies of his business transactions and began searching feverishly until he found the contract he sought.

At last, he sank into his chair, staring again and again at the document, until he could no longer restrain his tears.

LAWRENCE Clark!