A Most Affectionate Mother

by Maria Grace

  “What about your sister? Was she not—”

  He laughed again. “She will think you a saint for relieving her from the responsibility. She had little desire to come to the country, much less to assist me.”

  The corner of her lips turned up.

  “You will marry me?”

  “Yes, I will.”

  He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. “I know it is sentimental and perhaps not even sensible to say, but I have never meant anything more. I love you, Mary, and I hope you never forget that.”

  Chapter 8

  Mrs. Johnstone received their news with pleasure and complaints that her son had taken far too long in getting on with the matter. He was lucky, in her estimation, that Miss Bennet was a patient young woman who would tolerate all his dithering. Though her words bordered on harsh, her tone was so good-natured Mary could not be offended on her betrothed’s behalf. Who would ever have thought she would find favor with her future mother-in-law? Hopefully their reception at Longbourn would be as auspicious.

  The next morning proved clear and bright and all things a wonderful morning ought to be. Mrs. Johnstone was only too happy to see them off early. The sooner they obtained her father’s approval, the sooner they could get themselves wed, and life at Ashlea Cottage would return to their comfortable routine.

  He handed Mary up to the seat of his modest gig. She had never ridden in such a vehicle before. There was something freeing about having the wind in one’s face. True, the weather could make it inconvenient and uncomfortable, but more often than not, travel was that in any case. For now she would enjoy the novelty of it all.

  The horse clopped steadily along the road. Each step kicked up small rocks and dust and took them closer to Longbourn. She wrung her hands in her lap.

  “You are fretting again.” He glanced toward her, a mix of concern and amusement in his eyes.

  “I suppose I am.” She pulled her hands apart and tucked them under her legs.

  “You do not honestly expect your father to object, do you? Not after he practically threw us together.” He chuckled under his breath. “I will enjoy the distinction of having the only match-making father-in-law I have ever known of.”

  “I rather credited that act to my mother’s attentions, but I suppose as to effect, there is little difference.”

  He snickered and urged the horse on. “Never fear, I have not failed to give either of our mothers their fair share of the credit for this happy occasion.”

  “At least your mother had a plausible reason for inviting me to Ashlea Cottage. I am concerned—”

  “You need not be. For this purpose, she will find a way to manage the boys whilst we are gone. She does not like the task, but to get you as a daughter, she will persevere. For which I might add, I am quite grateful.” He reached over and squeezed her hands. “She has surprised herself by how fond she is of you.”

  “Exactly what am I to make of that statement?” she harrumphed playfully.

  “That I am indeed a fortunate man, and nothing you say is going to change my mind.”

  “Are you sure she will be able to—”

  “Cope a few weeks until you return? The glow of her success will help her rise to the occasion. Though I have no doubt she will be only too glad for you to take over after we are married. I have a feeling she might even be planning a brief visit to my brother in town for some relief.” He glanced at her. “You have that peculiar look on your face again. What are you thinking?”

  “You will not approve.” She turned her face aside.

  “I understand being weary of your family’s meddling and condescending attitudes. My mother felt sure no woman would pay me notice if she did not force their hand.”

  “So that is why you chose to start a school? Because your mother was certain it would result in a wife for you? She has unusual methods, sir, very unusual.” She pressed her head to his shoulder. “You know, my mother might fall into a fit of vapors if she sees us driving up like this. We are being rather bold, you know.”

  “I have no qualms if you do not.” He winked at her.

  “Ah, sir, I know your games. If I say I do not, you will tease me that my mother will delight in our public declaration because it means you will not back out. And if I say I do, you will threaten to turn back before we are seen. Then you will write to my father, and my parents will both come to Hetherington, my mother bringing all the commotion of a circus with her. And if I defer to your better judgement, you will never cease to remind me of all I have said.”

  He laughed long and deep, the sound she so dearly loved. “I have been warned of the dangers of marrying a clever woman. You are proving every one of those warnings correct. But I am undaunted, for I have a clever mother and know firsthand what I have asked for.” He pressed her shoulder with his. “You still have not told me why you are so anxious.”

  As usual, he would not permit her evasions. Odd, how cared for it made her feel. “It is silly I suppose, but I dread my mother’s reaction. No matter what it is, I know it will be dreadful and embarrassing. She will take credit for ‘she will have known just how it would be.’ She will compare you to my sisters’ husbands which will be awful no matter how she does it. Or she will be effusive in her relief that her least marriageable daughter is finally off her hands.”

  “You seem to know your mother well.”

  “You think I exaggerate?”

  “I know too well that you do not.” His voice turned low and serious. “I wonder how you will feel about living with my mother when you come to know her better.”

  “I think your mother is ready to relinquish the duties of the household and enjoy the security of knowing all her sons are respectably married. That shall ease our way considerably.”

  “That was not an answer.” He harrumphed. The horse snorted in reply. “I assure you it will be well with your parents. See, there is Longbourn. I will show you.” He urged the horse into a slow trot.

  “Mr. Bennet! Mr. Bennet! You are wanted immediately.” Mama shrieked as she flurried down the hall like a nervous hen. Was she afraid he might change his mind if Papa did not appear immediately?

  Mary glanced up at Mr. Johnstone.

  He leaned down, smirking, and whispered, “I said it would be well, not quiet or easy.”

  Papa trundled out from his bookroom, removing his glasses and blinking. “You have not even taken them to the parlor, Mrs. Bennet? Where is your hospitality? Come, Mr. Johnstone, join me in my bookroom whilst my wife expends her power of conversation—”

  He meant interrogation—

  “—upon her daughter.”

  He glanced at Mary, a little apologetic and followed Papa into the study. No doubt he would have the easier time of things. Truly what more did Papa need to know? Mr. Johnstone had a good living, a suitable home, a good character, and he wanted to marry her. What more did Papa really care about? How like him would it be to draw out the conversation as long as possible to avoid dealing with Mama.

  Mama shooed her into the parlor and shut the door behind them.

  “So you have an understanding?” Mama stood near the door, hands clasped in anticipation.

  “Would I have ridden alone with him all the way here in an open gig otherwise?” She rolled her eyes. No, it was not polite, but no one could be expected to do otherwise under the circumstances.

  “Do not be smart with me, miss. You would not be on the verge of marriage without my attentions. You should be thanking me, not putting on airs.” Mama bustled to her favorite chair near the tea table.

  Mary smiled and nodded as she made her way to her preferred seat. At least she might be comfortable while biting her tongue and biding her time.

  Mama settled into her chair, a knowing look in her eye. “So you think you got him yourself? I was the one who invited him to dinner. I was the one who suggested you two study together. How else would you have spent so much time together if it were not for my interventions—”

  “
Perhaps Mrs. Johnstone’s invitation to stay with them might have had some effect.” Mary squeezed her eyes shut. She should not have said such a thing, should not have tried to provoke Mama so. It was not kind and probably not smart, either.

  Mama stopped midsentence and stared at her, jaw agape. “You truly believe an effort on her part to put you two together?”

  “What else would you call it?” Was she really arguing which mother had done more match-making?

  “The woman is half-deaf and blind and her mind half-gone. I was surprised she had enough wits about her to write you a letter of invitation at all.”

  Which would also require the power of sight to accomplish. Best not mention that to Mama just now.

  “I will concede that it is fortunate she saw you as able to help with something clearly disagreeable.” Mama punctuated each syllable with her hands. “That will make it much easier for you to live with her. But the important thing is you made proper use of the time together—”

  “Do you to wish to hear of his home, or the school he has there?”

  “There is plenty of time to talk about those matters later. Mrs. Daring has already assured me that the Hetherington Vicarage is quite suitable. That is enough for me right now. More important, we must consider your wedding clothes. You will have no need of the finery Jane and Lizzy required, but still a trip to London is in order. With your Uncle Gardiner’s help, I cannot imagine it will take—”

  “Mama, Mr. Johnstone will speak to Mr. Daring about reading our banns starting this week. We will wed as soon as they have been read three times.”

  “Why the rush child?” Mama gasped and turned pale. “You do not fear you are—”

  “Mama! What are you suggesting? No, absolutely not. He has a school to run, and his mother is not up to the task of helping him. He needs me there as soon as possible to help with the students.”

  “Oh, well, I suppose it cannot be helped then. I insist you be married from Longbourn though. I have given the wedding breakfast a great deal of thought whilst you have been away ….”

  Mary smiled and nodded as Mama waxed long about the menu for the wedding breakfast and the guest list. Though it might not be exactly what she would want, there was little point in arguing. As long as they could leave early enough to get to Hetherington that evening, whatever Mama insisted upon would be tolerable.

  Hill handed Mary a box containing a medium-sized bride’s cake. The dear woman had seen to it that an entire extra cake was baked for them to bring back to the vicarage to share with the children and Mrs. Johnstone. Mama did not understand the need, but Hill did, and Mary would be ever grateful.

  Though Mama’s guests still enjoyed Longbourn’s hospitality, it was time for the guests of honor to depart. Mary and Percy—it was good to be able to call him that now—took their leave and headed for his waiting gig. Her parents followed them out the front door, Mama dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief.

  Mary blinked in the bright sun. It was still high enough in the sky that they would arrive in Hetherington with plenty of daylight to spare. Fluffy clouds dotted the sky—the happy friendly sort, not the kind that threatened rain and would keep them from their destination. All in all, it seemed an ideal morning for traveling, especially when it was to one’s new home with the man she loved.

  “Oh, my dear girl! Whatever will I do? How will I manage the dearth of female company here? With all four of you gone—”

  Mary cringed. Her company had never seemed important before. “I am sure you will find Kitty’s companionship quite sufficient.”

  “How can you say such a thing? You are going into a neighborhood where you know no one, where you have no friends. I dread sending you into so isolated a state.”

  How odd it never seemed to matter that was exactly what happened with Jane, Lizzy, and Lydia. “I met a great number of people whilst I stayed in at the vicarage. I have no concerns at all.”

  “That is because you do not know how lonely a woman can become. I insist, for your sake, bring Kitty with you. I know she can be a great help to you. Living with a man you hardly know is—”

  “I know him far better than you think—and you have taken credit for that, as I recall. Why do you not relax in the fruits of your labors now and enjoy Kitty’s camaraderie for yourself?”

  Mama dismissed her remark with a sharp wave. “Really, it is nothing. I can have her packed and there tomorrow afternoon with no trouble.”

  “Truly, it is better for her here.”

  “I insist. I cannot be selfish with my girls.”

  “Hetherington is a small village, much smaller than Meryton. There are few young men there, especially with the sort of prospects you would hope for in a son. There is nothing there for her. She would be much better off with Jane or Elizabeth who could see her introduced to a much wider acquaintance than I will ever have.”

  Mama sniffed and snorted and rolled her eyes. “Well, if you put it that way.”

  “Come, Mrs. Johnstone, we must away.” He beckoned to her from the gig.

  Mary curtsied to Mama and rushed to him. He handed her up into the gig, and they were off.

  “Well that proved more difficult than I expected,” he muttered.

  “Indeed? What did Papa have to say?”

  “He suggested your mother might be interested in visiting the vicarage soon. After all, she hardly got to meet my mother whilst she was staying with Mrs. Daring.”

  “I do not imagine you supported the notion.”

  “Hardly.”

  “Mama was insisting I bring Kitty with us, to … ah … assist me in my transition and keep me from being lonely.”

  He stared at her wide-eyed as though afraid to ask.

  “Calm your fears. I made it very clear there were no young men in Hetherington for Kitty.” She smoothed her skirt over her lap.

  “Do you want your sister to stay with us?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “If you refused on my behalf … I just do not want to deny you anything that might make things easier for you.” He sneaked a quick glance at her.

  The attitude was dear, to be sure, but … “What leads you to believe my sister would make things easier for me?”

  “It is a done thing among many I have known.”

  “Perhaps by some. But not by me. You are already bringing me into a houseful of children. I hardly need another one.”

  “Your sister is no child.”

  “You do not know Kitty very well, do you?” She harrumphed. “She is silly and flighty and frivolous. She would be bored to death with the shops in Hetherington which she certainly would visit every day. That is one of her favorite activities, after all. As for finding any assistance in her, you can drive that thought from your mind. She is—utterly useless is perhaps too strong so I shall not say that—let us say she is not likely to be helpful. She does not like to manage a household and is scarcely sympathetic to children. If she must work, she complains bitterly and leaves tasks half-done—hardly the example I want to set for our young charges. She of all of us needs a wealthy husband to deliver her from all those tasks she hates.”

  “Do you mind having a houseful of other people’s children? You know, you did far more with them than anyone could have expected. If you do not wish to engage with them at that level once we return, there is nothing says you have to. They do not need to be constantly watched over. They are old enough to leave home. If their parents were poorer, many of them would be apprenticed or working by now. You do not need—”

  She laid her hand on his. “Pray stop, just stop. I know they are too old to be mothered, and yet, I am fond of them. I interact with them because I like them, and I like to do it. It pleases me to believe Charles’ behavior has become more tolerable since I intervened.”

  “Indeed, it has. But there is something to be said for the youngsters learning how to manage bullies on their own, for they will have to in the future.”

  “Do you want me to stop then? To ignore
the children as paying tenants and nothing more?”

  “Hardly,” he mumbled under his breath. “You have been a great help to me.”

  “Then stop trying to be so agreeable and allow me to do that.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Johnstone.” He flashed his eyebrows and winked at her.

  “Cheeky man.” She rolled her eyes and leaned against his shoulder.

  “Obstinate, headstrong girl.”

  “I take that as a compliment, sir.”

  “One of many that I hope you will soon accustom yourself to.”

  Thank you!

  Thanks for reading A Most Affectionate Mother. I hope you enjoyed it.

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  Other books by Maria Grace:

  Remember the Past

  The Darcy Brothers

  Given Good Principles Series:

  Darcy’s Decision

  The Future Mrs. Darcy

  All the Appearance of Goodness

  Twelfth Night at Longbourn

  Jane Austen’s Dragons Series:

  A Proper Introduction to Dragons

  Pemberley: Mr. Darcy’s Dragon

  Longbourn: Dragon Entail

  Netherfield: Rogue Dragon

  The Queen of Rosings Park Series:

  Mistaking Her Character

  The Trouble to Check Her

  A Less Agreeable Man

  Sweet Tea Stories:

  A Spot of Sweet Tea: Hopes and Beginnings (short story anthology)

  Snowbound at Hartfield

  A Most Affectionate Mother

  Darcy Family Christmas Series