Mary Bennet and the Return of the Soldier by Carrie Mollenkopf

Author:Carrie Mollenkopf [Mollenkopf, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-08-27T04:00:00+00:00

~Sixteen~

The next day, being Sunday, the Bennets, accompanied by Atlas Sutton, attended services under the scrutinizing eye of Reverend Morton. It had been some weeks since the staunch icon of religious doctrine had seen Mary Bennet in church. She had always been a pious young lady, the very image of modesty and proper deportment… that is until the arrival of Dr. Atlas Sutton. While he had avowed to love all humanity, Reverend Morton found himself harboring a great dislike towards the young doctor. At first, he told himself it was due to the man’s affinity for science, but later acknowledged his own jealousy. A long time widower, Arthur Morton had occasionally entertained the idea of remarriage. With no children and now some years past fifty, he knew time was running out. It was not until the marriages of her sisters that he had looked at Mary Bennet in a new light, that of a grown woman and not a child. However, he was also a realist, he saw how she looked at the doctor, and it was practically indecent. They had also been keeping unchaperoned company. It was his obligation to do something about it before temptation and the devil won. It was for this reason that he had invited the Bennets for luncheon after services.

“My dear Reverend Morton, to what do we owe the honor?” preened Mrs. Bennet as they were ushered into the tiny dining room of the vicarage.

The dining room, really more of a closet that housed a table much too large for its area, was quite the squeeze for five people. Reverend Morton, having chosen to forgo the services of a housekeeper since the death of his wife, shuffled a stack of papers from the cluttered table to a spot on the floor.

“As you can see, I do not entertain in large numbers, but considering the circumstances, I felt it necessary to have all of you present today.” He explained and immediately excused himself to the kitchen where a small respite courtesy of the Dancing Duck Inn lay waiting.

Puzzled looks were exchanged between the Bennets as well as Atlas and Mary, but before they could discuss the possibilities, Reverend Morton returned bearing a laden tray. Rising to assist, but awkwardly restrained due to the heavy cloth sling that bound her healing arm, Atlas waved Mary off and relieved the older man of his burden. He preferred to be occupied rather than the subject of whatever inquisition was propelling this meeting. Something inside him warned that it had more to do with him than the Bennets. Atlas remembered how the priest had been most upset when he had insisted upon the churchyard burial of a murdered man last year.

“What situation?” Mr. Bennet asked as plates were passed around, but was forced to wait further until after a short blessing was said.

“Why Mr. Bennet… Mrs. Bennet…surely the gossip has reached your ears by now. I was simply wondering when I may post the banns to avoid any possibility of scandal.

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