Jane was perhaps the one of Mary’s sisters with whom she felt the most secure. While Jane was breathtakingly beautiful and hopelessly good natured, she had not ever cared much for formal education beyond the basics. In her company, Mary felt that she possessed an independent sense of self-worth. It was not that she did not bear any affection with the others, on the contrary, she loved them dearly in different ways. But, whenever Lizzie was in the room, all attention immediately went to her sharp wit and practical assessment of the world. As for Lydia and Kitty… well… Mary supposed they had their merits in both beauty and charm, but it pained her to listen to their endless prattle. At least for tonight, Mary need not compete amongst a crowd for the merest scrap of attention. Chastising herself silently for such selfish thoughts, Mary smoothed her new pale blue dress one last time and went below.
*****
Having arrived some moments earlier to find Jane and Charles Bingley already in attendance, Atlas Sutton accepted a glass of sherry as the small gathering awaited the announcement of dinner. He had hurried through his visits that day so he might freshen up before dinner. Having already discovered Mary’s new tutor, he held his tongue so she may announce it herself. Usually present in the parlor early on occasions such as these, he pondered her absence.
“I suppose you are wondering what is keeping Mary?” Mrs. Bennet queried with a wink before taking his arm for a turn about the room.
“Well… she is known for her punctuality,” he replied and returned her wink, much to Mrs. Bennet’s great pleasure.
“I believe that she has a new gown,” whispered the elder woman just as Mary made her appearance.
Atlas turned to where Mary now stood in the doorway. Gone was the girl he had mistook for a scullery maid when they had first met. In her place was a most becoming young lady. He wondered at the sudden interest in her appearance, then frowned when he remembered the very handsome tutor. Had she taken an interest in him so soon? Or had the newly acquired money altered her person?
Atlas thought back to the events of recent months. The discovery of a long dead Bennet in the cellars had been shocking enough, but the additional finding of her substantial dowry was enough to alter one’s lifestyle. He had hoped that it had not impacted Mary significantly. As it was, he had hardly seen her due to a virulent outbreak of influenza this winter season. If gossip were to be believed, the lack of financial worry had changed more than one member of the Bennet household. Mrs. Bennet spent rather freely, more so than in the past, and Kitty Bennet… well it was no secret that being in possession of a handsome dowry now put her sights higher in the search for a husband. Happily, nothing of the sort had been said of Mary… his Mary. He simply had to convince her. Some months ago, he had obtained the consent of Mr. Bennet to pursue his middle daughter, but it had not been an easy task. Mary was unique, and very straightforward. She would have her formal education before entertaining any thoughts of marriage… to anyone. Now, he could only smile and take small steps further to obtain her hand.
*****
“Please excuse my lateness. I hope I have not delayed dinner?” Mary asked as she took a chair opposite her sister and brother in law.
“No my dear, not at all. Jane was just telling us of her plans for some interior improvements to Netherfield.” Mrs. Bennet replied as she pulled Atlas Sutton to a seat in as close a proximity to Mary as decorum allowed.
Jane Bingley smiled and blushed faintly. It had been just over a year since her marriage and she and Charles had recently announced the expectation of a child by autumn. Mrs. Bennet had spent all of her considerable free time assisting with the selection of furnishings for the nursery. Mary was truly pleased for her sister. It was a twofold blessing, the new arrival would make Jane the happiest of persons, and it would occupy Mrs. Bennet completely. With the constant absence of Kitty as she visited one relation after another in her husband quest, and the apathy of her father, Mary was quite in control of Longbourn. It was something that suited her greatly. There was no one to tell her what to do, or judge her actions. Catching Atlas watching her intently, Mary too blushed slightly as she queried politely as to the arrangements until the announcement for dinner was made.
Offering his arm, Atlas escorted Mary to her chair and took the designated space beside her. He did not have to wait long for her to speak her own news. She poked absently at the first course, looking about as if assessing the most opportune moment.
“I have some news of my own. Nothing as wonderful as Jane’s, but exciting nonetheless. I have dismissed Mr. Jones and engaged a far superior tutor, one who studied at Oxford.”
“How impressive! Charles studied there as well,” Jane replied.
“Ah yes… for a time, but I did not complete my studies. My father took ill and required my presence with his business. I trust this young man matriculated?”
“Yes, his papers and references were all in order. He seemed very agreeable.”
“What did you say his name was?” asked Mr. Bennet, finally looking up from his soup.
“I didn’t… its Grayson Everfield. He actually finished at the university some years ago, and has been a tutor ever since. His most recent pupil sent an excellent letter of introduction.”
“Grayson Everfield? That name is very familiar. I recall a person with that name during my time. A scholarship man…quite bright, but very reserved. The son of a minister, if my memory serves correctly. If only Darcy were here, he always was the better scholar and would no doubt recall everyone in residence at the time,” Charles added with a shrug.
“He did mention that his parents had both passed, an orphan so to speak. Well… at any rate, I am glad that what you recall corresponds. I plan to soak up whatever he knows, it may be my only chance to have an Oxford education.”
Atlas did not comment during the conversation, but watched Mr. Bennet as Mary relayed her news. The elder man had frowned slightly when she had first made the announcement, but did not offer comment. Just how many tutors had Mary gone through? Atlas wondered to himself. He too had studied at Oxford, taking his medical qualifications, but had been rejected when he had offered his services as tutor. Now, feeling her eyes on him, he felt she sought his approval.
“He does sound like an excellent choice,” was all he could manage before turning his attention to his dinner. Thankfully the topic soon changed, Atlas did not like how the idea of Mary spending time with another was making him feel. It had been different with the most recent tutor. A scrawny, pale fellow with thinning hair and a chronic case of the sniffles, Atlas had not felt threatened for one second by Elias Jones. Grayson Everfield, ill-fitting suit and all, was an entirely different matter.
~Four~
Early the next morning…
Mary paced her father’s library as she anxiously awaited the arrival of her new tutor, running her fingers along the elaborately carved edge of Mr. Bennet’s cluttered desk. Last night, after the Bingley’s and Atlas Sutton had left, she had attempted to get her rest but had tossed and turned all night. Now, as the hall clock chimed just seven in the morning, she had been up and dressed for hours. Searching for a volume to pass the time, she ran her hand over the family bibles. The three antiquated tomes held so much of her family history. Pondering what Mr. Everfield had said in his interview about not having a family, she had felt sorry for him. It was indeed a terrible thing to be alone. Despite her large family, Mary had often felt like an orphan, but no longer. Since the marriages of three of her sisters, she felt as if a new fondness had developed between her and Papa. Many hours had been spent in conversation about a variety of subjects. Although her attempts to acquire an education had met with more than one obstacle, she did believe that much of what she had managed to learn had not gone unnoticed by her father…or Atlas Sutton.
Mary had observed an unusual quiet about Atlas’ generally lively nature last evening. She wondered what had occupied his thoughts, but had been remiss in asking, having been so absorbed with finding her new tutor.
Resolving to find time to visit his clinic, she pushed him out of her thoughts as she collected a series of books to begin her new studies.
“Astronomy, Geometry, Latin… and of course Botany. These should keep us occupied for some time,” she mused aloud.
“I should think so. I hope this new one can keep pace,” interjected a calm male voice from the doorway.
“Oh Papa! I did not hear you come in. I do hope you will allow me to make introductions. Mr. Everfield should be arriving by eight. I have told him of my preferences to have all my schooling for the day complete before luncheon.”
“If you feel it is necessary, I shall be happy to make his acquaintance, but I trust your judgement. It was a small comfort to have Charles Bingley acknowledge some familiarity. Strangers about Longbourn are not to my liking.”
“Yes Papa. That is why I did not include lodgings with the posting. I believe the salary terms are more than adequate to accommodate rooms in Meryton.”
“Indeed, I hope you have not spent everything you have? Your mother is doing her best to disperse every penny of the money you found.”
“I cannot help you with Mama, but I can assure you that I have been most frugal with my funds. There will still be plenty to attract a husband.” Mary replied with a laugh.
Mr. Bennet only nodded and gave her a hug before going to find his breakfast. The transformation of his awkward middle child into a graceful young lady never ceased to fill him with amazement.
*****
The stranger posing as one Grayson Everfield grumbled with discontent as he rose that morning. Dawn had not yet shown its rays over the horizon, but he had much to do before once again making the trek to Longbourn. If his deception were to be successful, there were a few small details to which he must attend. Dressing carefully in his oldest attire, he eased out of his room, avoiding the squeaky floorboards as he made his way below. The common room of the inn was thankfully empty, only the clatter of kitchen utensils could be heard through the door leading off the main room. Crossing under the glow of a single hanging lantern he entered the small stable used to house the horses of lodgers. At the moment, its only residence was a single cow, quietly chewing a dry clump of hay and eyeing him suspiciously. After a moment of searching, he found the tool he sought and made his exit into the darkness. Unnoticed he hurried down the road leading to _____shire, the opposite direction of Longbourn.
Wearing his own boots, and not the stiff dress shoes of another, he made excellent time and was soon at the location of his crime. Entering the dense woods that bordered the road, he was soon out of sight as the foliage folded back to hide his entry. Quickly, he searched in the predawn gloom for the hastily concealed evidence. It was so dark that he nearly tripped over the body that lay crumpled just as he had left it.
A thin slice of moonlight had risen in the time it took for him to locate what was now the remains of Grayson Everfield. It had been a stroke of sheer luck, or perhaps providence, that he had met the unsuspecting young man on the same lonely road. They had spent almost a day in each other’s company, with the scholar rambling on happily about his potential new employment. It had not taken long for a decision to be made. An opportunity such as this may never come again. One swift blow rendered the naïve young man unconscious, another sent him to his maker. His body had hardly weighed more than a child as it was dragged out of sight into the brush to await his return.
Now, as he pushed the stolen spade into the soft earthen floor of the thicket, all traces of the deed would soon disappear. Within a quarter of an hour, a grave deep enough to accommodate the body was ready and he rolled the now bloating corpse into the void. As he did so, a flash of metal caught his eye. Squinting into the hole where the body lay crumpled, he saw what had caught the moonlight. It was a signet ring. A very small, yet intensely personal object, it would serve perfectly to complete his disguise. Pushing the circlet onto the little finger of his left hand, it glinted slightly to expose the scrolled monogram. The stranger was now officially Grayson P. Everfield, new tutor to Miss Bennet of Longbourn, with no one to say otherwise. Tamping the last bit of earth on the grave, he gathered the satchel of belongings formerly owned by the now deceased. Slinging the strap over one shoulder, he kicked an assortment of brush over the freshly turned ground and returned to the road. Picking up his pace, he had just under an hour to report for the first day of his new post. It would not do to be late.
*****
Mary Bennet was please to discover her new employee making his way down the crushed gravel drive that formed a half circle at the entrance to Longbourn. It was a full ten minutes before the appointed time. In her mind, punctuality was a fine thing to possess. Greeting him in the foyer, she tapped on her father’s library door and made quick introductions before leading the way back to a small back room that now functioned as her classroom. Mr. Bennet was cordial, but not his usual welcoming self as he eyed the new tutor with a bit of suspicion. Mary found her father’s behavior odd, but considering recent events, he had become overly cautious around strangers. Resolving to seek his first impressions of Mr. Everfield later, she gave him a swift kiss on his cheek and left him to his own devices. It was time to begin her classes.
Longbourn did possess a real schoolroom, but it was on the third floor, next to the now unused nursery. Layers of dust covered the discarded furnishings. At one point, she had considered its use, but upon closer inspection found it far too personal with its collection of childhood memories, now bearing the nibbling of mice. Rescuing the large worktable from the clutter, she had arranged two comfortable chairs and a lamp in her new quarters on the main floor. Now, as they entered the space, Grayson Everfield spied the collection of books that Mary had selected. He knew practically nothing about any of the topics, except botany, and that was limited.
“Ah… Miss Bennet… if I may offer my professional advice…” he asked cautiously.
“Yes of course. Which do you think is best with which to begin?”
“It has been my experience that we must first assess your current level of knowledge and then proceed from there… one subject at a time. It can be rather overwhelming to take on too much at once… it inhibits proficiency.”
Mary tried to hide her disappointment, but she had to agree that perhaps her choices were a bit beyond her current capability.
“Of course… what do you suggest?”
“I believe you wished to be educated in the fashion of typical accomplished young ladies as well as gentlemen?”
“Yes…”
“Then might I suggest we begin with French as well as the biological sciences?” he offered as he pulled the thick botanical tome from the pile.
“Latin will also be acquired in the study of plants. One must be familiar with both the English and scientific terminology in order to be considered truly learned.”
Mary nodded in agreement, and offered a small smile as she gestured to one of the vacant chairs, and for the next two hours attempted to absorb as much of the text as possible. It was slightly taxing, truth be told, but Mr. Everfield was patient as he explained the pronunciations and uses of various plants. Fortunately, most were familiar as basic medicinals and herbals, common knowledge for the average housewife. However, he did his best to make each one sound as complicated as possible.
When the hall clock struck ten chimes, Mary felt as if she had solidified to her chair. While she had always been a great reader, the ability to be sedentary for such a period of time was rare as her sisters were a constant interruption. Needing some refreshment, as well as movement, suggested what she hoped was educational exercise.
“Mr. Everfield… may I suggest a turn in the garden? Mrs. Kincaid, our cook, keeps a considerable kitchen garden. Is it possible we may identify some of these plants?”
“An excellent suggestion! I must say, you have taken to this quite readily. Before long we shall be moving on to more complex studies.”
Mary only smiled. Aside from the new Latin names, she h
ad already been well versed with much of today’s lesson.
“Perhaps you can tell me the French names as well?”
“My pleasure, French is a favorite language of mine. I have spoken it since birth.”
Rising, he offered her his arm as they spent the rest of their time examining the contents of Longbourn’s garden and shrubbery. When the time came to leave for the day, Grayson begged the borrow of the Botany tome as well as the Astronomy.
“I should like to prepare some selections, if you don’t mind?”
Handing him the books, Mary bid her tutor good bye until the morrow and went off to find her father.
Seated exactly where she had left him hours before, Mary stood anxiously before her father.
“Well Papa? What did you think?”
“He is not like the others.”
“Is that all?”
“Are you positive about his references? It just seems that you hired him rather quickly. There is something not quite right… I cannot put my finger on it.”
“Well… I suppose it was sudden, but it seemed such a stroke of luck for him to appear just when needed…I will write his references today for verification if that will ease your concerns.”
Mary Bennet and the Longbourn Tutor Page 2