Now, as she stopped at the rear of the surgery and led her horse to the small stable, Mary re-thought her decision. As it was, tongues had been wagging about her association with Atlas. Even Mama had cautioned her behavior. Snorting in contempt, Mary had rolled her eyes at her mother when she had voiced her opinions.
“Mama you are only worried that silly Sir Franklin Amesbury will stop calling on Kitty. Well, you needn’t worry about that! He may have a title, but he is poor as a churchmouse. It’s Kitty’s dowry that has attracted his attention.”
“I have no idea to what you refer.” Mrs. Bennet had retorted with a sniff. If she had her way, Kitty would be wed to that penniless viscount by the end of the year. What was money anyway? They had plenty at Longbourn and besides, the Bennet connections to Pemberley and Netherfield was secure as could be. Perhaps Kitty and Sir Franklin could be persuaded to take up residence at Longbourn.
Mary had only half heeded her mother. Her feelings for Atlas were such a jumble. The only sure thing was that Mary had indeed gotten comfortable seeing him regularly. Imagining a world in which they did not share opinions on everything did not bear contemplation. Unfortunately, Mary was not really sure that what she felt was love. It had happened so gradually that she was not aware until now. It would be impossible for her to continue her studies as well as work in the surgery forever, but she would enjoy it while she could. Spending the rest of her days alone at Longbourn, caretaker to her parents suddenly seemed unbearable without him.
Today, they were to discuss terms of her employment. Over the past few weeks, Atlas had mentioned that he needed to pay her for her services, while she had countered that she needed to pay for his tutoring. With both parties refusing to take any sort of salary, an impasse had ensued. With the reception area filled with people, Mary pushed her thoughts aside and set to work. It was not until well near tea time that the steady flow of people finally abated. Exhausted, Mary and Atlas shared their customary pot of tea and discussed the day’s events.
“I could not believe that Lady Lucas had such a long list of complaints. A person would think that death was imminent with the way she described the bunion on her left foot.” Mary said as she rubbed her own sore feet.
“I know, you should have seen her reaction when I suggested that she actually wear shoes that fit properly instead of being three sizes too small. ‘My dear doctor, you simply do not understand a lady’s vanity’ she had informed me. She is right about that, no wonder she insists upon seeing only you now.”
“Well I cannot say that her reason for visiting was entirely for health purposes. She spent more time trying to extract gossip than anything else.”
“Did you indulge her?”
“I actually considered making up a number of falsehoods, but decided to discuss Jane’s baby. It was safer.”
Atlas laughed, but quickly grew solemn and placed his still full cup back on its saucer. Taking one of Mary’s hands in his, he examined the delicate fingers and slightly chipped nails. Hardly the hands of a lady, but he was reluctant to let it go, nor did he sense any attempt by her to pull away
Feeling awkward, Mary sat and allowed Atlas to inspect her hand. She had been trying to wear gloves more often, but they simply got in the way. What was he thinking? Had she done something to upset him?
“Penny for your thoughts?” she ventured, but did not retract her hand from his grasp.
“I have been giving some of the town gossip serious consideration.” He said slowly, gauging her reaction, but was received only a wide-eyed innocent stare.
“What sort of gossip?”
“Only the true things?”
“Truth is hardly gossip… what on earth are you talking about?” Mary demanded and tried to remove her hand, but was denied. Instead, Atlas pulled her to him so that his nose touched hers.
“Us, Mary… The entire town believes we love each other… and I agree. Marry me, Mary… say you will.”
Mary was rendered temporarily speechless. For how long had she ignored her feelings? Did it take others to point out what was so clearly obvious?
“Well…” she began slowly with a smile threatening to break what she tried to believe was her most serious face.
“There must be some parameters….I run Longbourn as I see fit…I still work in the surgery…and I won’t promise to obey… especially if I feel it is wrong.”
“So…you promise not to change a bit?”
“Not one bit.”
“Is that an acceptance?”
“Yes, Dr. Atlas Sutton… I will most definitely marry you!”
~Epilogue~
Two days later…
Mary Bennet sat facing her father once again in his study. This time no harsh words were passed between them. Instead, Mr. Bennet had only the happiest of feelings for his middle child. For the past two years, he had hoped for Mary to be settled and now it would come to pass. His heart had hurt each time someone passed over Mary for one of her sisters, or openly criticized her social awkwardness. Now, as Mary had accepted the proposal of someone who truly deserved her, he was puzzled by the secrecy and delay upon which the couple insisted. At first he worried that Mary was reluctant and entertained second thoughts, but exactly the opposite was so.
“Papa, I know this may sound selfish, but I don’t want my wedding to be overshadowed by anything else. With Jane and Lizzie both expecting and Kitty… well you know Kitty. If she is the only sister left unmarried she may run off with the first fool that comes along. I don’t want that for her. That means Mama cannot know… at least not yet.”
Mr. Bennet nodded at his daughter in agreement. The same argument had been placed just the previous day when Atlas had spoken with him. After nearly thirty years of living with his wife, he completely understood. Mary and Atlas would have their day… for them alone and no others. It was time well past due that Mary was the center of attention.
“I agree to keep your secret upon one condition…”
“Yes?”
“You make your wedding the grandest event that Meryton has ever seen.”
“Oh Papa!” Mary replied as she rose to kiss his cheek. Whatever her father wanted, she would do, and left him to his letters. It would be a difficult secret to keep, but so much fun.
Watching his daughter leave, Mr. Bennet kept his indulgent smile fixed until she left the room, closing the door firmly behind. Once alone, he again turned his attention to the packet of correspondence that had arrived that afternoon. Only two of the items bore any great significance to the residents of Longbourn. The first, bearing the seal of His Majesty’s Army was from Colonel Forrester, the man whose lack of diligence Mr. Bennet still partially blamed for Lydia’s unfortunate marriage to George Wickham. The Colonel sent a short note to all of the significant members of Meryton and the surrounding area announcing the return of the militia for an undisclosed length of time. The sense of unease was only increased by the sight of a smaller, rose colored letter addressed to Kitty. It was in the sloppy childlike scrawl of his youngest child. Not normally a person to deny privacy to his family, Mr. Bennet prudently broke the seal on Lydia’s letter. It was as he feared. Lydia and Wickham would be accompanying the regiment to Meryton and were requesting Kitty’s intervention to secure an invitation to reside at Longbourn. With anger swelling at the thought of spending one hour, let alone weeks, in the presence of George Wickham, Mr. Bennet crumpled the letter and tossed it into the glowing remains in the fireplace. Watching it flare and curl before disintegrating, he contemplated what to do. While his wife would be elated at the prospect, Mary was another matter entirely. His middle child hated George Wickham, but tell her he must, and before they returned….
To be continued….
Coming in Fall of 2017….
Mary Bennet and the Return of the Soldier
Mary Bennet and the Longbourn Tutor Page 12