Willoughby's Return (38 page)

I think it a shame that Mrs Jennings has been put to so much trouble looking after an ungrateful girl who has not the courtesy to tell her protector whither she is bound.

I hope to see you in London shortly
,

With all due felicitations
,

Mrs Lucy Ferrars

Passing the letter to William, she hesitated, waiting for the curious landlady to leave before opening the second. “Oh, William, I should not have left Margaret on her own. What can it mean?”

Marianne could not imagine that the latest letter contained any better news, but it was worse than she could possibly have imagined.

Upper Berkeley Street, March 3rd

Dear Mrs Brandon
,

You must return to London at once and bring the Colonel with you if he can make the journey. I do hope he is feeling better. I am so sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, but I have to tell you I am very frightened for Miss Margaret's well-being. Mrs Robert Ferrars saw Margaret get into Mr Willoughby's carriage early this morning, and she has not yet come home. I hope all will be resolved before you return but I am most anxious to see you
,

Yours ever
,

Mary Jennings

“We must leave for London immediately,” Marianne cried, unable to remain calm. “What on earth can have happened? Oh, William, I knew Margaret was not in her right mind when I left, but I can hardly credit this behaviour.”

“I can credit Willoughby with almost any behaviour,” Brandon said grimly. “Come, we must leave now. I only hope we are not too late.”

Marianne could not voice her fears. It all seemed to make perfect sense. The balance of Margaret's mind had not been right. When Marianne thought about the outings that Margaret had been making on her own, everything suddenly seemed clear. Henry Lawrence was to blame, she thought. If he had not broken her sister's heart, none of this would have happened. Margaret had always been in love with Willoughby, an infatuation that had now brought her to ruin. But what had been his motives? What did he want with a young girl? That he might wish to take his revenge in some dreadful way for having been spurned by
Marianne was a thought which immediately crossed her mind. She shuddered to think of the possibilities.

Their journey went off well. Colonel Brandon decided it would be quicker if they travelled through the night, only stopping for refreshment at a roadside inn and for the purpose of changing the horses. On the second day they arrived in town at five o’clock and travelled straight to Berkeley Street to find Mrs Jennings. However, they were dismayed to discover that she was not at home and, not knowing what else they could do for the moment but see if there were any more news in Manchester Square, they directed the coachman to return to their home. As the carriage came to a standstill, Marianne looked up at the house with a sinking heart. How they were to find Margaret and discover what had happened to her she had no idea. What was she to tell her mother? How would Mrs Dashwood react when she heard the news?

As they entered the hallway, Marianne was stunned and surprised to see Margaret running down the stairs toward her, followed not far behind by Henry and Mrs Jennings.

“Margaret, you are safe! Thank goodness! We were so worried about you,” Marianne cried, throwing her arms about her sister with a mixture of relief and genuine affection at seeing her. She looked toward Mrs Jennings, who smiled conspiratorially.

“Miss Margaret was in safe hands after all,” the old lady said.

“Yes, I am safe and it is all thanks to Mr Willoughby. Look, Marianne, I am engaged to be married and with the blessing of Lady Lawrence, too. We are to be married next week!”

Neither Marianne nor the Colonel could understand what Margaret was talking about, but there on Margaret's wedding finger sparkled an emerald and diamond ring for everyone to see.

“Speak up, Henry, what is the meaning of this?” William Brandon declared in a stern voice.

“It is true, Uncle William. Margaret and I have been secretly engaged for some time now.”

“But what has Mr Willoughby to do with it?” asked Marianne, who could make neither head nor tail of any of their story.

“Henry was leaving for the continent, but he wanted me to go with him, as we could not bear to be apart for a year as Lady Lawrence wished. We were to run away. Mr Willoughby pretended that he would help us when all the time he was plotting against our elopement,” cried Margaret.

“Mr Willoughby persuaded my mother that we should be allowed to marry,” Henry interrupted. “He has quite a way with the ladies, you know, and especially with my mother. He told her that he had once loved someone that he should have married, though he was comforted by the fact that she is married now to a better man than he. Mr Willoughby even extracted a letter out of my mother giving her consent. He was determined to do what he could before he went away.”

“Where has Mr Willoughby gone, Henry?” asked Brandon.

“He has taken his wife abroad to the continent. Willoughby had a hankering to see Switzerland and the Alps. He gave me this letter to be entrusted to you, Uncle Brandon.”

Marianne could not believe what she was hearing. She was so relieved to find Margaret so happy and glad to think that Willoughby was not such a villain after all. “My hearty congratulations to you both,” she cried. “Although I must admit that you completely fooled me, you dreadful pair.”

Marianne stopped when she saw the expression on Brandon's face as he read the letter. “Miss Williams is to be provided for
whilst Willoughby is out of the country, which may be for some time. He is bestowing a very generous allowance upon my ward and her daughter. I am utterly astonished.”

Marianne knew that the possibility of Willoughby ever seeing his child was remote, but she was gladdened to think he had considered them enough to make financial provision. His departure from England could only mean that his sentiments of love for her had, after all, been real. It was impossible not to think of him without a certain affection; she had loved him once, and he had proved that his love for her was genuine.

Marianne observed Henry and Margaret standing next to one another and thought how wonderful it was that they were to marry, but how such a feat could be accomplished in so short a time she could not begin to think. “I am genuinely delighted for you both,” she addressed Margaret and Henry, “even though I cannot imagine how a wedding can be arranged next week!”

“Do not worry, Mrs Brandon, it is all in hand. Your mother is on her way with Elinor, Edward, and the children.” Mrs Jennings lowered her voice to a whisper. “And I hope you do not mind me adding that I really feel that in your condition you should not be worrying your pretty little head about it, but sitting down.”

Marianne could only laugh. As she looked around her at the happy scene, her eyes met William's as he gazed back in sheer adoration. “Come along, Mrs Brandon,” he said, sweeping her off her feet and picking her up in his arms before she could protest, “Mrs Jennings's advice must not be ignored.” He kissed her cheek tenderly as he mounted the staircase, whispering into her ear. “Doctor's orders, Mrs Brandon. Lots of love and plenty of bed rest.”

THE END

About the Author

Jane Odiwe
is an artist and author. She is an avid fan of all things Austen and is the author and illustrator of
Effusions of Fancy
, annotated sketches from the life of Jane Austen, as well as
Lydia Bennet's Story.
She lives with her husband and three children in North London.

Lydia Bennet's Story

A Sequel to Jane Austen's
Pride and Prejudice

JANE ODIWE

“A breathtaking Regency romp!”

—Diana Birchall, author of
Mrs. Darcy's Dilemma

How does impulsive, high-spirited Lydia turn out?

Lydia is a girl of untamed expressiveness and vulnerability, and all she can think of are pleasure and marriage. She's convinced George Wickham is the man of her dreams, but quickly discovers her hero is not the man she believes him to be.

In this spicy sequel to Jane Austen's
Pride and Prejudice
, Lydia is reunited with the Bennets, Bingleys, and Darcys for a grand ball at Netherfield Park, where she’ll have to face down the greatest scandal of all, and in the process, might just find the key to true happiness.

“An absolute delight to read.”

—Historical Novels Review

“ Odiwe emulates Austen's famous wit and manages to give Lydia a happily-ever-after ending worth of any Regency heroine.”

—Booklist

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