Page 6 of Suddenly Married

Elizabeth gazed at the road, yet saw nothing; her head spun, and she felt bewildered.

She longed to reach Longbourn as quickly as possible, praying it was not already too late.

She needed to see her father, to know his condition, and—above all—to embrace him and tell him how dearly she loved him.

In her distress, she remained oblivious to her surroundings and the implications for her future.

For instance, at that very moment, she was travelling alone in a carriage with a man she did not even consider a friend.

Mr. Darcy could not keep his eyes from her; her air of vulnerability rendered her still more beautiful in his sight.

He reflected on how greatly his life would change, wondering why he had wasted so much time in hesitation and doubt before proposing to the only woman he had ever loved.

He was wealthy—far more prosperous than his father had been—and had no need of additional fortune.

Moreover, no one would dare look down upon his wife; he possessed sufficient influence and power that few would willingly make him their adversary.

Yet Mr. Darcy was reluctant to acknowledge—even to himself—that he had always feared feeling vulnerable.

His childhood had been a solitary one. His parents were honourable people who instilled in him sound principles, yet they rarely had time to spend with him.

Matters grew worse after his mother's death, when his father buried himself in work, leaving the boy in the care of servants.

His only true companion had been his little sister, whom he loved more than anything in the world—until Elizabeth appeared with her fine eyes and enchanting smile.

She was so full of life and spirit that her smile and melodious voice had captivated him from the first moment he beheld her.

For that reason, it pained him now to see her so heartbroken.

"Miss Bennet, we shall make a short stop at the inn in a few minutes.

We shall have an opportunity to freshen up and take a short walk, if you wish.

After that, we shall continue towards Longbourn.

I will ask one of my servants to bring us some food, which we may eat here in the carriage.

I hope you can take some nourishment—and perhaps rest as well.

It would be best if you were prepared for all that awaits you at home," Mr. Darcy said in a voice of genuine compassion.

"I shall try to eat, though I am unsure I can sleep.

Thank you, sir." Elizabeth was astonished by Mr. Darcy's manner and could scarcely believe that the kind, considerate gentleman before her was the same Mr. Darcy she had known in Hertfordshire.

She could not forget that he had condemned a good man like Mr. Wickham to poverty—out of what she believed to be jealousy— and that he had separated her sister from the man she loved.

Yet none of that weighed with her at the moment; he was aiding her through the most difficult hours of her life, and for that she felt deeply grateful.

"After eating, cover yourself with this blanket and use this pillow to support your head.

You will find yourself asleep before long.

" "Perhaps I am exhausted," she replied softly.

After that, she fell silent, and Mr. Darcy continued to watch her, his heart swelling with the thought of how happy he was to have her by his side.

He longed to protect and comfort her and, by doing so, to show her how much she meant to him.

Thus they continued their journey, he all the while forming countless plans for the beautiful future he imagined they would share.

◆◆◆

Jane had gone to sit with her mother for a while.

Mrs. Bennet was still in bed, weeping and lamenting—most particularly over Elizabeth, who, she insisted, had refused to marry Mr. Collins and thereby condemned them all to live in the street should Mr. Bennet die.

Jane listened in silence, convinced that her mother's constant wailing did nothing to help.

The burden of managing the household and caring for Mr. Bennet had fallen almost entirely upon Mary and herself, and both were exhausted; her mother's complaints only made their task the more trying.

Even Kitty and Lydia attempted to be of service, which made Mrs. Bennet appear the most immature member of the family.

Yet Jane, ever compassionate, acknowledged that her mother's agitation had some justification, and so she did not judge her too harshly.

When Mrs. Bennet at last fell asleep, Jane seated herself by the window and began to think of him.

How much easier everything would have been had Mr. Bingley been there to support her.

Since his withdrawal from Hertfordshire, Jane had been plunged into deep sadness.

When she travelled to London, she still cherished a faint hope of seeing him again, even imagining that perhaps he loved her as much as she loved him.

But the reality had proved far harsher: Caroline and Mrs. Hurst had made it clear that neither they nor their brother had any interest in her.

Jane did not blame Mr. Bingley. She knew she had nothing to offer him beyond her love, and that a wealthy, handsome gentleman like him had every right to aspire to a more advantageous match.

Yet, in light of her family's present difficulties, she could no longer afford to waste time dreaming of what would never be.

Her duty now was to protect her family—and that she would do, as the eldest sister.

"Jane, dear," Mrs. Gardiner said softly, so as not to wake Mrs. Bennet, "Dr. Miller wishes to speak with your sisters.

In an hour, we shall depart for London, and he wants to explain what must be done to care for your father and to answer any questions you may have.

" "Thank you, Aunt. Let me cover my mother with a blanket, and I shall join you in the drawing room.

" "We shall be waiting for you, my dear," Mrs. Gardiner replied, distressed to see Jane pale and striving to manage the household while her sister-in-law remained in bed.

Jane soon joined the rest of the family, and Dr. Miller explained in detail how they should care for the patient.

He promised to return in a few days to observe his progress.

Jane and her sisters—including Kitty and Lydia—thanked the doctor for his assistance and assured him they would follow all his instructions.

"Doctor, we will always be grateful for your taking the time to travel here to aid our father," Jane said warmly.

"You have nothing to thank me for, Miss Bennet.

I only wish I could have given you better news.

Still, do not lose hope—in my years as a physician, I have witnessed miracles," the doctor replied gravely.

The carriage stood ready to convey the Gardiners and Dr. Miller back to London when Elizabeth arrived at Longbourn with Mr. Darcy.

No one noticed until she appeared in the room and rushed to embrace Jane and her younger sisters.

Mr. Darcy stood in the doorway, silent, with the solemn air that so well characterised him.

When the greetings were over, Elizabeth realised she must introduce him to her aunt and uncle.

Wiping away her tears, she said, "Well, Mr. Darcy, you already know my sisters; allow me to introduce my uncle, Mr. Gardiner, and my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner.

" The Bennet sisters greeted him politely, though with some reserve.

None of them could imagine why he had come at such a difficult time for the family.

"Miss Bennet, Miss Mary, Miss Catherine, Miss Lydia, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner," Mr. Darcy said with cool formality, bowing with the barest degree of courtesy.

Noticing the questioning expressions around her, Elizabeth was about to explain his presence, but he spoke first. "Mr. Gardiner, I hope you understand that, owing to the emergency, I had no choice but to accompany my betrothed without making other arrangements.

I presume you are Miss Elizabeth's guardian while her father is incapacitated, and therefore I should like to speak with you privately, to clarify any doubts my unexpected arrival may have caused.

" When he had finished, all present were stunned—but none more so than Elizabeth Bennet.