Mary Bennet: A Novella in the Personages of Pride & Prejudice Collection by Jennifer Becton

Author:Jennifer Becton [Becton, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Whiteley Press, LLC
Published: 2014-09-09T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

A gentleman in pursuit of a lady with a large dowry does not hesitate.

Mary discovered this truth the morning after the Philipses’ dinner party. She had passed an ill night of little sleep. She got out of bed long after the sun rose, feeling tired and cross, and joined her parents for a late breakfast.

Mary sat at the table with her hands wrapped around her teacup. The warm china heated her fingers, and the strong tea warmed her from the inside. But it was not enough to unknot her stomach or thaw the coldness around her heart.

Logic told Mary that she had no reason for such a glum countenance, but her heart refused to listen.

A knock sounded at the door, and Mary barely lifted her head when Hill entered bearing a letter for Mr. Bennet.

“This came for you, sir,” she said.

Mrs. Bennet squealed, a sound that made Mary’s head pound harder, and snatched the paper before her father could reach for it. Mary put down her teacup and rubbed her temples.

“You see, Mary! What did I tell you? An offer has arrived,” she cried, waving it about for all to see.

Mr. Bennet rose from the table, a piece of toast in his hand, and beat a hasty retreat.

His wife turned to call after him. “Mr. Bennet, do not forsake us! This letter is addressed to you, my dear. We require your opinion on this matter.”

Mr. Bennet scarcely paused in his flight. “I do not recall a time when my opinion was heeded, my dear. Simply alert me to Mary’s choice, and I shall give my consent.”

“An offer?” Mary asked, her stomach tightening again. “I do not believe myself prepared to receive an offer of marriage.”

Mary frowned at her own words. Spoken aloud, it almost sounded as if Miss Hardcastle had been right in her assessment the night before.

It sounded very much like she did not know her own mind.

But it was the truth. Mary did not know if she was ready for this offer.

Confused, she dropped her face into her hands.

“Pish!” Mrs. Bennet cried as she eagerly broke the seal and searched for the name of the sender. “Mr. Randall has proposed just as I predicted!”

Mary lifted her head and stared at her mother.

Mrs. Bennet shook the paper at Mary. “How very traditional and formal he is! A letter such as this is the mark of an excellent gentleman.”

Mary reached for it, but Mrs. Bennet refused to relinquish it.

“Let me see,” she murmured before scanning the bulk of the correspondence. “He makes some comments on your beauty, your conversation…your act of salvation?”

Surprise pulled a grin to Mary’s reluctant lips.

“What does that mean?” Mrs. Bennet demanded.

“I prevented him from enduring an unpleasant conversation.”

“Well, it is a morning for joyful surprises,” Mrs. Bennet said, returning to her reading. “Here! Listen to what he says. ‘It is the fondest wish of my father that we might unite our houses.’ What say you, Mary?”

Mary blinked. “He truly wishes to make an offer?”

“Indeed! Look. Here

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