No Other Choice by Leenie Brown

Author:Leenie Brown [Leenie Brown]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leenie B Books
Published: 2022-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Mary opened her trunk and shook out one dress and then another before hanging them in her wardrobe. It had been only a week since she had left home, but it felt strange to be in her room listening to the chatter created by her mother and sisters. She sighed. She had not missed it. She preferred the quiet of Rycroft Place.

She saw the handkerchief Georgiana had attempted to tuck into her trunk as a surprise. She had embroidered a dark blue M on one corner and had put small yellow flowers on the other corners. Flowers she said Mary would have to see one day when she visited her at Pemberley. Mary ran a finger over the flowers. Georgiana was one of the many delights of Rycroft Place she was going to miss, for shortly after Mary returned to London, Georgiana was to return to her brother. Oh, she would not be happy to see that day come, for she had enjoyed their discussions. Some had gone far into the night.

She tucked the handkerchief into her pocket and went back to her unpacking. She had nearly finished when her door was flung open, and Lydia skipped across the room and flopped on the bed.

“Was it very grand?” Lydia asked.

“Was what grand?”

“Rycroft Place, silly.” Lydia clutched her hands to her heart dramatically. “Did you meet any gentlemen that made you swoon?”

“May I come in?” Kitty stood at the doorway.

“Of course, you may come in,” Lydia said before Mary could say a word.

Kitty looked to Mary, who nodded. “What was town like?” she asked softly.

Mary joined her sisters on the bed. She knew that she would not have a moment’s peace if she did not answer Lydia’s questions, although she doubted Lydia would be satisfied with any of her answers.

“Rycroft Place is very grand. It has many maids and footmen. The floors where you enter shine, and you would be able to stand four ladies side by side on the steps. There are three sitting rooms… not all on the same floor… and several bedrooms, a music room, a dining room, a library…”

“Is there a ballroom?” Lydia asked, turning onto her stomach.

“Yes.”

Lydia sighed. “I should so love to have a ballroom. Then, I could dance and dance. Did you dance in it?”

“No,” Mary said with a laugh, “but I did dance in the music room since it is where Miss Darcy has her lessons.”

Lydia expelled a loud sigh of longing. “I should love to have dancing lessons.”

“I would, too,” added Kitty.

“Was the dancing master horrible? Did he smell funny and have rotten teeth?”

Mary laughed again. “No, he was a gentleman of about five and forty. He had a funny way of speaking because he was not born in England. He was very direct, but he was pleasant.” She was certain her youngest sister would not appreciate his directness, but Mary did.

“Did you dance with him?” Kitty asked.

“I did twice. The other times, I danced with Lord Rycroft, so that the dancing master could help Miss Darcy through the new steps.

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