Midnight with Mary by Leenie Brown

Author:Leenie Brown [Brown, Leenie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leenie B Books

Chapter 4

Twelfth Night, 1812

Georgiana sat at the piano at the far end of Netherfield’s ballroom, and Bingley, with his violin, stood behind her. Music swirled, filling the spaces of the room not already filled with children’s giggles and adult conversation.

Much had happened in the past week, and these people and this house felt a great deal like home to Richard. There had been days of playing with the Gardiner children in the garden and afternoons sitting in the drawing room, either here or at Longbourn, discussing a wide array of topics with Mary and her sisters. He knew that he would shoulder a heavy burden of sadness tomorrow when it came time to leave Hertfordshire and all of this – but most especially, Mary – behind. They had become fast friends. He enjoyed arguing with her and provoking a sermon from her when he could. She was passionate about doing what was right and good. His lips curled upward. Even when it required a bit of subterfuge to perform an act of goodness.

He hoped Mr. Vace enjoyed the pie the two of them had procured from those which had been prepared for a dinner party. Richard could not remember the last time he had hidden behind a tree to watch his handiwork play out. He knew, however, that he had never before hidden behind a tree with an appealing young lady pressed up against him as she also sought to remain hidden while still being able to ensure it was Mr. Vace and not a stray dog that enjoyed the pie. Oh, if he were not a soldier, he and Mary could have a wonderful life together.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Colonel?” The very lady about whom he was thinking came to stand next to him.

“Likely not so much as your cousins are.” Truth be told, he was struggling to enjoy the evening at all, which was unusual for him. He was not given to fits of melancholy – not even when he knew he had unpleasant orders waiting for him to obey.

Unlike himself, Miss Gardiner and Master Gardiner, who had joined their mother and father along with Lord and Lady Matlock in a none-too-precisely done country dance, appeared to be having a fantastic time.

“I do not think anyone is having so much fun as they are,” Mary said with a laugh.

“Except my mother.”

Lady Matlock was tripping through the steps of the dance and looking thoroughly enraptured.

“True,” Mary agreed. “However, I would say your father looks just as entertained.”

“He does.”

She turned away from observing those on the floor to face him. “My mother said that we are to form the next set of dancers with Kitty, Lydia, Elizabeth, and Mr. Darcy. The children will be leaving the party, for it is nearly midnight, and they are not so good at being well-behaved when they are tired.”

How Richard wished he could immerse himself in the delights of tonight’s Twelfth Night Family Ball and remain here with Mary always. But he could not. A letter had come yesterday.

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