Miss Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by M. A. Bard

Author:M. A. Bard [Bard, M. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Sequel - Canon Compliant, Others POV, Not in Amazon Library
Goodreads: 218637434
Published: 2024-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter: A Step into the Unknown

Mary had spent the afternoon in the seclusion of her room, meticulously arranging her belongings and attempting to find some comfort in the small but tidy space that was now her own. The unfamiliar surroundings and the sheer weight of her journey had left her feeling somewhat unsettled. She had avoided the company of the other young women, preferring the solitude of her thoughts as she tried to organize her mind as she had her possessions.

But as the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening shadows began to lengthen, the sound of a bell echoed through the halls, signaling that it was time for supper. With a deep breath, Mary knew she could not avoid her new companions forever. She quickly dressed in her most modest gown—a simple, high-waisted muslin that, while unfashionable by London standards, was still of a finer quality than what she imagined the others would wear.

Descending the staircase, she was struck by the simplicity of the home. The bannister was of plain wood, polished to a soft gleam but devoid of the intricate carvings and gilding she was accustomed to in England. The walls were painted a soft, warm cream, with only a few modest paintings of pastoral scenes to break the monotony. It was a far cry from the grandeur of Longbourn, but there was a certain charm in its unpretentiousness.

As Mary reached the bottom of the stairs, she heard the murmur of voices coming from the dining room. She hesitated for a moment, smoothing her dress and taking a deep breath before pushing open the door. The sight that met her eyes was both familiar and foreign—a long dining table, surrounded by nearly twenty young women, all about her age, but with an air of practicality that set them apart from the ladies of the English aristocracy.

The room was lit by a large chandelier that cast a warm glow over the scene. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, and the floor was covered with a simple but elegant rug. The table itself was set with plain white china and simple silverware, devoid of the elaborate settings and fine crystal she was accustomed to. There were no footmen hovering in the background, no liveried servants standing by to attend to every need. Instead, Mrs. Abigail Townsend, the matron of the establishment, stood at the head of the table, overseeing the proceedings with a calm and authoritative demeanor.

Mrs. Townsend, noticing Mary’s entrance, raised a hand to still the quiet conversations that had been buzzing around the table. "Ladies," she announced in a voice that brooked no nonsense, "we have a new guest joining us tonight. Miss Mary Bennet, from England." There was a pause as all eyes turned to Mary, assessing her with a mixture of curiosity and reserve. Mrs. Townsend’s tone softened slightly as she added, "Miss Bennet will not be training as a teacher like the rest of you, but I expect you all to extend to her the same courtesy and respect that you would to any of your peers.

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