After days apart, another series of long hours until they might speak would ache… and ache. As nothing else could.
∞∞∞
Mary having had a quiet night filled with sleep and solitude, Elizabeth determined enough time had passed to speak with her.Though Mary choosing to answer could well be another matter entirely,she reminded herself as she left the room she and Jane shared and stood before the neighboring door.
A soft knock, a quiet ‘come in,’ and Elizabeth, with her tissue wrapped gift in hand, entered the small space.When had she last been in Mary’s room?she wondered as she observed hersister seated on her bed, the wall behind pinned with worn landscapes, country views of work and livestock, several vibrant fall leaves, and a mosaic made from painted rocks in the shape of a wide branched tree.
It was? Frugal. Enchanting. And yet, not quite the Mary she had expected. A daring, adventuresome young lady would possess such a room, not the quotation memorizing, shy wisp of a girl her family had thought her. Had all of the servants, farm hands, and other intimate friends of Mary not spoken up at the first worry for her safety, the two would be at odds, instead, it seemed the only thing out of place came from their family. For it was clear their assumptions and Mary’s decision to behave accordingly had been poor ones.
“Is there something you wanted?” Mary questioned politely, her head tilted as she observed her sister unmoving in the doorway. “Ah, I see you hope to serve as a statue in the middle of Meryton’s town square? If you must practice it, let it at least be in my room rather than in my doorway. What if I want to use it?”
“I will try to keep such practicing out of doorways then; well, at least yours,” Elizabeth teased, her feet and voice finding purchase as she closed the door behind her. “Here, I have a present for you.”
Patting the bed, Mary answered as Elizabeth sat down, “But you all gave my gifts last night.”
“I did not purchase this for your birthday.”
The gift set in Mary’s hands, Elizabeth observed her sister’s face move from confusion to a broad smile as she pulled on the pale blue gloves.
“Perfection,” Mary said as she turned her gloved hands backwards and forward. “They will be the talk of the town…” herface falling, she shifted toward her tiny window, the colourful leaves outside dancing in the wind. “I am sorry my perceived ruination is likely to be forced upon our whole family; that the stain of one is deemed the stain of all. I can understand the rancor I am to endure. I, being alone and away from family, have spent days in the company of single men–one in particular–and innocent or not, in our society that is not done. Yet, the unkindness I suspect you have and may still endure, that is beyond my comprehension. It is not just, let alone biblical, and I admit it angers me.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Elizabeth rushed, her heart breaking for her sister. “Those who spread gossip ought to ask forgiveness, not you.”
“What are they saying?” Mary asked, her head held high though her eyes moistened. “I need to prepare myself.”
Nodding, Elizabeth played with the edge of Mary’s bedding. “It. It is not pretty. Though I can tell you that many have refused to engage in the gossip–Mrs. Hill, the rest of our staff, tenants, the men who work in the fields, your friend Mrs. Mason, even the Lucas’, and you know how difficult it is for Mrs. Lucas to ignore gossip. Not to mention Mr. Darcy, Lord Lightcliffe, Mr. Aldry, and Mr. Peters. Indeed, there are perhaps near as many who refuse as those who do.”
Would that be enough to satisfy Mary?Elizabeth wondered, her hope for such an outcome fierce.How might she tell her sister what unthinkable things were being spoken against her?
A watery smile on her face, Mary looked Elizabeth in the eye, “I am grateful… Proud and pleased even. It does my heart good, and I will cherish it. But I still need to know. I must be allowed to break here, where we are unseen. Where I am safe.”
With a gulp, Elizabeth told the horrors of all people said; of deeds so out of character for any well-bred young lady, let alone one with a character such as Mary’s. And, though Mary did shed tears, each supposition worse than the last, she continued to hold her head high as all of the gossip became known, her sniffing and the rubbing of her red-rimmed eyes the final signs of her pain.
Wrapping her sister in her arms, Elizabeth sought to convey her support for her, as well as her pride, for the once uncertain sister had become a strong woman, and though that strength would help see her through, the love of friends and family would be needed before the gossip came to an end.
∞∞∞
Early morning shifting to late, Darcy and the Colonel arrived at Longbourn as promised, the cold but clear weather permitting Mary’s suggestion of a walk to meet with approval. Vast approval by their mother, in any case, for, having come to accept Mr. Darcy as,‘not entirely displeasing,’and with her great awe at his and the Colonel’s connections, there was much to give the suggestion merit.
“Yes. Yes. What an excellent idea!” she cried. “It shall do wonders for your health, no doubt–though do wrap warm, Mary. I fear Kitty and Lydia have been looking a little peaked, and Jane as you know must tend to Lord Lightcliffe, so you four shall have to enjoy the fine day without them. A pity, I know, but that is the way.”
“But Mamma, there is nothing…” Kitty began, their mother cutting her off.
“Yes, there is nothing worth risking your health for. Enjoy this fine weather, gentlemen.”
“We shall, Ma’am,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said with a bow, his pleasing smile delighting their mother.
A ready eye kept on her sister as they put on their outer garb, Elizabeth determined that she would discover what she had not been able to ask.If it were love which seemed to bind Mary and the Colonel together? And if the two had a secret understanding?
Taking the proffered arm of Darcy, Elizabeth sought to fix her attention to him, though her gaze never long strayed from her sister. “You arrived half a day before any of us expected,” Elizabeth remarked as they took the road away from Meryton.
“I suspect we were all eager to return, our rest limited to what the horses required; though a brief deluge on the second day made us wonder if we would even arrive on time. Thankfully the majority of the roads were clear and dry.”
Moving to the side of the road as a farm wagon rolled past, Elizabeth’s gaze drifted from it to the Colonel and Mary who had advanced well ahead of them, though even that distance could not hide the pair’s easy appearance; the way in which he dipped his head, intent on whatever she said, or the way in which Mary inched closer than necessary.
Indeed, though she had not the heart to question her sister after relaying the gossip to her, it was clear the two had grown close. Whether they had an understanding could not be as easily determined. Though Darcy might know?
Looking up to find a smirking, Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth’s lips pulled, “Whatever has you amused?”
