Page 60 of Suddenly Married

“I am glad you enjoyed it, Mrs. Darcy. Though I see it is not only your tart that tempts you,” said Mr. Darcy, watching her steal from his tart as she laughed.

At that very moment, the ever-gossipy Mrs. Peterson entered the tearoom with some equally talkative companions.

She was astonished to see the severe and reserved Fitzwilliam Darcy laughing so freely with a lady.

But her surprise deepened when she recognized the woman as Mr. Clark’s supposed new mistress.

Seizing her opportunity, she told her friends she would return shortly and approached their table.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy. It has been a long time. And I see you have company.”

Mr. Darcy’s expression grew serious at once. He knew perfectly well that the woman wished only to discover the lady’s identity.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Peterson. Allow me to introduce my wife, Elizabeth Darcy.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Peterson,” Elizabeth said warmly, rising to greet her. Perceiving her husband’s sudden change of countenance, however, she refrained from further conversation. After a few minutes, Mrs. Peterson excused herself and returned to her companions.

Elizabeth could scarcely contain her laughter.

“It was difficult not to laugh, seeing how quickly your manner changed. I assume she is not one of your closest friends.”

“She is a dreadful gossip. She approached only that I might introduce you, so she would have something to spread about during her calls tomorrow,” Mr. Darcy explained.

“You are so transparent. You never conceal your dislike of anyone—just as when you first met me,” Elizabeth replied, mimicking his voice. “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me."

“I see the bad old habit of teasing your husband has returned. Fortunately for you, we are in a public place, where I cannot respond as I did at Pemberley whenever you were impertinent with me.”

Mr. Darcy was delighted to see his wife blush. He took her hand and kissed it discreetly, while she gazed at him with tenderness.

“I love you, my beloved wife.”

“And I love you, too, Fitzwilliam.”

This very romantic scene did not escape Mrs. Peterson’s watchful eyes.

She resolved not only to repeat that Mrs. Darcy was carrying on an affair with Mr. Clark, but also to declare that the young beauty had dethroned Lady Isabella as the most sought-after woman in society.

She had secured for herself the elusive and wealthy Mr. Darcy and, in doing so, stolen Lady Isabella’s most precious admirer.

“The day after tomorrow, I shall travel to Meryton with Jane to help my sisters prepare for our mother’s birthday.

I shall return in three days,” Elizabeth told her husband, speaking of her plans.

She knew he was striving to make amends with her family, but she would nonetheless miss his presence at the celebration.

Mr. Darcy had already arranged to visit Mrs. Bennet on her birthday, yet he wished to surprise Elizabeth and said nothing.

“My love, it is time I escorted you back to your sister’s house. I do not like that woman observing our every move.”

“I do not mind that woman seeing how much I love my husband, but I must admit I am feeling somewhat tired. You are right; it is time you took me to the Clarks’ house,” Elizabeth replied with a beautiful smile.

They left the tearoom and went to fetch Georgiana. Once again, they would dine with the Clarks.

◆◆◆

Lady Isabella was inside her luxurious carriage on the corner, staring at the exit door of Lawrence’s company.

She knew he was within and was waiting for the right moment to approach him.

She wanted to hear from his own lips a denial of the rumor linking him to Mrs. Darcy.

She had resigned herself to not having him when she thought him a prudish, one-woman man.

But knowing that he was immoral like all men, she could not comprehend why he had rejected her.

Lawrence left his office after four in the afternoon.

He had to fetch Roland from the harbour because they were both leaving for Meryton for Mrs. Bennet’s celebration the next day.

Jane and Elizabeth had departed early in the morning, and Lawrence would spend the night alone with Roland.

He had also invited Mr. Darcy to dinner to share his plan to end the malicious rumours about his honour.

He was walking absently towards his carriage when a female voice addressed him.

“Mr. Clark, I need to speak with you urgently,” Lady Isabella said, somewhat exasperated.

When Lawrence turned to see who was speaking, he immediately tensed and wondered what that woman wanted. “Madam, please leave me alone. There is nothing you can say that interests me.”

“For you, I have left all my lovers. I cannot endure that any other man touches me. Lawrence, my love, tell me what this Mrs. Darcy possesses that I do not. I doubt she is more beautiful than I. Do you know? I have jewels and money; I even own two properties. I can leave my husband if you wish and live alone. I swear, my love, that only you may visit me and have me.” Lady Isabella had taken Lawrence’s hand and stroked it as she shed tears.

“I love you, Lawrence Clark. Let me be your mistress and teach you what love is.”

Lawrence was speechless for a moment. He was certain that a creature as selfish as Lady Isabella could not love anyone but herself. Yet he feared she believed herself in love with him. He did not want her to continue meddling in his life and creating further trouble.

“You do not know what you are saying, madam. Elizabeth Darcy is my sister-in-law, my wife’s sister. I wonder why people create gossip where there is none. I beg you, do not repeat that malicious rumour again.”

When Lawrence finished speaking, Lady Isabella threw herself into his arms and exclaimed, “I knew it, my love. Forgive me for mistrusting you. I was so jealous…”

Lawrence immediately pulled her away and said forcefully, “Madam, please stop addressing me in that manner, and do not take such liberties with me again. I am a married man, and I love my wife. I do not know why you have this obsession with me, but I beg you, leave me in peace. I am not interested in anyone but my wife.”

Lady Isabella wiped her tears and instantly changed her demeanour.

With cold disdain, she added, “This is the last time I entreat you, Lawrence. In my arms, you would have known what true love and pleasure are, such as you never will with your silly wife.” And with an evil smile, she concluded, “I am sorry, but I do not know how to lose, Lawrence. I have many powerful friends willing to please me in exchange for one night. I shall destroy you and your business. You will regret having humiliated me, Lawrence Clark.” With that, she departed, leaving Lawrence stunned.

That night, at dinner in the Clark house, Mr. Darcy arrived with his cousin, the Colonel.

He explained to all the gentlemen what his family had planned to debunk the rumours.

Lawrence, for his part, recounted what had happened in the afternoon with Lady Isabella.

Everyone was astonished at the lady’s audacity.

“That woman is obsessed with you, Lawrence. When I met you almost twenty years ago, I would never have thought you would end as a true Gothic novel hero,” said Roland, while all the men present could not help but laugh.

“Do not laugh at my misfortune, Roland. Believe me, it is not amusing at all,” Lawrence replied, throwing a cushion at his friend.

“Well, gentlemen, I shall explain the plan,” Richard said, interrupting them.

He described in detail what his family was accomplishing.

The Earl of Matlock, the Countess, his son the Viscount, and his wife had already begun visiting all their contacts to contradict the rumours.

Besides, the Bennet sisters and their husbands had been invited to the theatre for the premiere of a new play.

There, they would introduce Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary to society, so that everyone might see they formed a united and happy family.

“I hope this is over soon. One of the advantages of being serious and boring like me is that women such as that do not trouble you,” said Mr. Darcy.

“I am not so sure, Darce. Do not forget that you once attracted Miss Bingley’s attention,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied, and they all laughed.

After an enjoyable evening, Mr. Darcy retired to sleep. The following day, he would travel with Georgiana to Meryton to surprise Mrs. Bennet with a special birthday present.