Page 7 of Suddenly Married

Lady Catherine was rendered speechless when the butler informed her that Mr. Darcy had left Rosings at dawn.

Upon hearing the news, she immediately sought out Colonel Fitzwilliam to demand an explanation.

He had taken refuge in the music room to avoid his aunt, but she found him nonetheless.

"Fitzwilliam, where is Darcy?" she asked imperiously.

"I am sorry, Aunt, but he had an emergency and departed very early this morning.

Apparently, there is some difficulty with one of his properties, and he must attend to the matter personally.

But please do not be concerned; he has given me detailed instructions for your steward, and I shall ensure they are followed," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied, silently praying she would not ask questions he could not answer.

"And when does he intend to return?" Lady Catherine demanded, striving to master her rising anger.

Fitzwilliam cursed his ill luck. He knew that once he answered the question, his aunt would lose her composure entirely—meaning that Anne, Mrs. Jenkinson, and he himself would have no peace for the remainder of the day.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "I do not believe he intends to return to Rosings until next year.

I am certain he will write to you with a fuller account of his plans.

" "This is inconceivable! I cannot believe Darcy would be so inconsiderate to Anne and to me, leaving without even saying goodbye.

Are you sure there is nothing more behind this sudden departure, Fitzwilliam?

" Knowing it was best not to contradict her, Richard replied, "I agree with you, Aunt.

Darcy was wrong; he ought to have explained his reasons to you in person.

" "Of course, he is irresponsible, and he will have to explain himself to me—and to your father—why…

" Lady Catherine began, and her laments continued for the rest of the day, to the dismay of everyone within hearing.

Richard could not help thinking about how his aunt would react once she discovered the actual reason for Mr. Darcy's hasty journey.

He was thankful that in two more days, he would be leaving Rosings and thus spared her inevitable outrage.

He pitied only Anne, who had no choice but to endure her mother's insufferable temper.

When Lady Catherine at last retired to her room, Richard went in search of Anne to prepare her for what was to come.

He knocked at her door, and Mrs. Jenkinson admitted him.

Anne was seated in a chair near the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket.

She looked so pale that he could not help feeling sorry for her.

"Anne, as you know, I am leaving the day after tomorrow, and I do not know whether we shall have the opportunity to speak privately again.

I shall be occupied with your mother's steward, so I wish to take this chance to converse with you.

" He told Anne that Mr. Darcy had proposed to Elizabeth Bennet, and of the family crisis that had compelled them to leave at dawn for Hertfordshire.

Anne did not appear surprised, and could not help smiling.

"I must confess I am a little disappointed, Anne.

I had thought to astonish you with my tale of Darcy's romantic affairs," the colonel said with a wry smile.

Anne always enjoyed Richard's company. To her, he was like a brother—one of the people she loved most in the world.

He had always been attentive to her, and no matter where he was, he wrote letters full of lively adventures that made her laugh.

She also loved her cousin Darcy, who had been equally attentive in earlier years, though they had drifted apart due to her mother's persistent insistence on their supposed engagement.

"I am not like my mother, Richard, who neither sees nor hears anyone but herself.

You cannot imagine how amusing it was to watch Darcy unable to take his eyes off Miss Bennet," Anne said, laughing.

After a few moments of shared amusement at Mr. Darcy's expense, Anne's manner grew more serious, and she spoke of something she considered of great importance.

"Thank you for coming to see me, Richard; there is something I wish to discuss with you before you return to London.

" She paused, glancing at Mrs. Jenkinson, who took a letter from the desk and handed it to her.

"I need you to read this letter today, to think carefully about its contents, and to come to me tomorrow with your answer.

" Richard wished to ask about the letter's contents, but seeing how weary Anne looked, he decided not to press her.

"Very well, my dear. I shall read it tonight.

" "Thank you, Fitzwilliam, for everything you have always done for me.

" Anne took her cousin's hand and kissed it affectionately.

"You are my little princess, and you know it," Richard replied, kissing her forehead.

After that, he helped Mrs. Jenkinson carry Anne to her bed so she might rest, and then he left her room.

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Mr. Gardiner hesitated before answering Mr. Darcy's request. Unsure whether he had heard correctly, he glanced at Elizabeth, who appeared as astonished as himself.

"Well, Mr. Darcy, we were about to leave for London, but I can spare you about fifteen minutes if you believe that will suffice.

Please, accompany me to my brother-in-law's study.

" "It will be enough for now, sir. Later, when we both have more leisure time, we may conclude our conversation.

I, too, must leave shortly for London." Mr. Darcy wished to obtain Mr. Gardiner's permission to marry Elizabeth before quitting Longbourn.

As an honourable gentleman, he intended to act as a man of his class and station ought.

As soon as the gentlemen left the room, every eye turned to Elizabeth, awaiting an explanation.

Mrs. Gardiner quietly instructed Mary to inform Dr. Miller that their departure would be delayed for a few minutes, and then told Kitty and Lydia to attend to Mrs. Bennet—but not to mention anything about Mr. Darcy's presence.

She wished to ensure there was no misunderstanding between her niece and the gentleman, for if Fanny Bennet heard that he had proposed, she would press Elizabeth to accept without hesitation.

Kitty and Lydia, well aware of their mother's likely reaction, were only too willing to avoid the nervous fits and lamentations that had made her so difficult to endure in recent days.

"Lizzy, I know you must be eager to see your father, but please explain why Mr. Darcy has just declared you to be engaged," Mrs. Gardiner said, while Jane poured the tea.

Elizabeth answered honestly. "I do not know, Aunt; since I received my uncle's message yesterday, several things have occurred that I can scarcely put into words.

" She then gave Jane and her aunt a full account of what had transpired between Mr. Darcy and herself since the previous afternoon.

Mrs. Gardiner discerned at once what Elizabeth herself did not.

"Lizzy, I hope you understand why Mr. Darcy believes you are engaged.

" She explained that by permitting him to embrace and comfort her, and by travelling alone with him in his carriage, Elizabeth had, in effect, given him reason to suppose she had accepted his proposal.

More troubling still, she had been placed in compromising situations, and if rumours were to spread, her own reputation—and that of her family—would suffer.

"Do you think, Aunt, that he misunderstood my actions?

" Elizabeth asked, alarmed. "Without a doubt, my dear.

That gentleman believes you accepted his proposal and is, at this very moment, explaining his plans for your future to your uncle.

" "Aunt, what should I do?" Elizabeth asked, her concern increasing.

"There is no easy answer, dear Lizzy. I advise you to wait a few days; if you act hastily now, you may later regret your decision.

When you feel calmer, you can speak honestly with Mr. Darcy and decide whether you wish to remain engaged and perhaps marry him.

" Jane looked at her sister but said nothing.

Had Mr. Darcy proposed to her, she would have accepted without hesitation.

A man of his position could protect their family, should the worst happen to their father.

"I do not need to wait, Aunt. I know very well that I do not wish to marry that proud, disagreeable man," Elizabeth declared firmly.

Mrs. Gardiner continued to counsel her, while Jane held her hands in silent comfort.

Elizabeth was confused, and although her opinion of Mr. Darcy remained unfavourable, she could not deny that he had shown her great kindness during the past hours.

Seeing that her niece did not fully comprehend the gravity of the situation, Mrs. Gardiner pressed her point.

"Lizzy, please do not make any rash decisions.

Wait a few days. If no one has discovered what has occurred between you and Mr. Darcy, you may then speak with him and clear up the misunderstanding.

Otherwise, I fear you will have little choice.

" Jane, knowing well her sister's impulsive nature, decided to lend her support to their aunt.

"Lizzy, you know our aunt is wise and thoughtful.

Please heed her advice, and do nothing for now.

" "I understand. Please, do not be anxious," Elizabeth said, looking at Jane.

She began to turn over in her mind what her aunt had told her, and could not help but feel even more bewildered.

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