Free The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath Page A

to be so near him.
    ‘So have you come to an opinion about this ball and its merits compared to those at Meryton?’ Lizzy asked Mary.
    ‘I think a ball is very like a ball anywhere,’ she replied. Lizzy’s expression was merry.
    ‘Come now, Mary, I cannot believe you. You danced the liveliest set of them all. Surely this ball is better than any of those in Meryton?’
    ‘But they are the same,’ Mary insisted. It is I who am different . She went on, ‘But I don’t think we look for variety in our entertainment. If that is the sole purpose we quickly become jaded.’ Mary paused, trying to collect her thoughts. ‘I wonder whether balls should not always be the same, so that they become as comfortable and familiar as anything else.’ Then a person would not have to build them up so, whether in anticipation or dread. It would just be a ball, and one could enjoy the dancing and the company.
    ‘Well, I think they are great fun,’ Georgiana declared. ‘And if this one seems no different from the others in your experience, it is different in mine, if only because my brother has decided to let me dance.’ She gave him a look full of impudence.
    Darcy raised a brow at his sister. ‘You have Lizzy to thank for that, Georgiana. She persuaded me that locking you up in the tower as you deserve would only give you delusions of persecution. Henceforth I ignore you for your own good.’
    The whole table laughed at their teasing, and Mary felt a nudge at her back.
    ‘I beg your pardon,’ Mr Aikens said. He turned around and put his arm over the back of his chair most familiarly. ‘But I could not let your opinion of this ball colour your opinion of all of them.’ His eyes crinkled in a smile. ‘This is the best one, for that is the way of it – they are always the best, until the next time.’ He paused for effect. ‘But no ball, no matter the music or the dancing or the pretty girls’ – he made sure to look at all of them each in turn, Mary too – ‘can compare to riding to hounds on Christmas morning!’
    He was booed good-naturedly by all who heard him, and even Darcy took part in the teasing. Mary found herself laughing with the others.

    IT WAS LATE when they made their way back home to Pemberley. A ghostly half-moon was shrouded by thin clouds as the tired horses carried them back at a solid trot. When they reached the door and the footmen handed them out, one by one, Mary was so tired that she stumbled down a step. But with a strong hand the footman helped her up and she thanked him in a small voice.
    It was hard to resist the urge simply to tumble into bed. Instead, Mary unpinned her hair and undressed, letting the maid help her as she sleepily pulled on her long comfortable nightdress. As she fell into bed, she thought that Mr Aikens was wrong. This ball was the best and no other party to follow would ever surpass it. She fell asleep to the memory of his hand holding hers, his warm breath, and the way he smiled at her at dinner.
    For once, Mary Bennet had the attention of a most unsuitable suitor.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Dear Jane, Lizzy wrote. What do you think has happened? Mary danced at a ball. I could not have believed it myself had I not seen it. Even more surprising – she enjoyed herself, or I think she did. One young man paid her particular attention. I think he is quite kind, and means nothing by it, and I don’t think Mary is the sort of girl who will break her heart over a young man who is rough around the edges, but the compliments will be good for her. . . .
    The letter went on with the usual discussion of the little news and doings of Pemberley, but concluded with Lizzy sending her love to Jane and Bingley, her attentions to Bingley’s sister Caroline, and a last postscript:
    PS. Oh. Mary has given up playing the piano. I don’t know whether we should be concerned and I am not quite sure what has happened. But she seems quite comfortable and happy and so I must conclude that it is her choice