Chapter 17
Ten days before Christmas, Mary arrived back at Longbourn, having been transported by one of Darcy’s best carriages with two footmen in attendance for security.
She was a bit surprised at the welling of emotion that overtook her as the carriage turned into the sweep and she saw her home.
Her father, Kitty, and Mrs. Hill came out to greet her, despite the chilly, overcast day.
“I am glad you are come home, Mary,” said Mr. Bennet, kissing her on the cheek. “It will seem a bit more like Christmas with both my daughters here.”
“Oh, but Lydia, Wickham, and the boys are coming too, Papa,” Kitty chimed in. “Do not forget that.”
“As if I could.”
“It is good to be home,” Mary said as they entered the house.
“I bring Christmas presents for you all from Lizzy and Mr. Darcy, although I confess I did most of the shopping for her as she was still not feeling strong enough. She did accompany me into the village but waited in the carriage and gave me instructions on what to purchase—even my own gift.” She laughed.
“So ’twill be no surprise when I open mine! ”
Mary saw Father nod approvingly. “I believe Pemberley has been good for you, Mary. You appear quite content. You must give us all the news over tea—all that you did not share in your letters, that is.”
“Oh, but we have little time for that, Papa; the Christmas assembly is tonight!” Kitty exclaimed.
Mary noticed for the first time that her sister was now out of mourning black and wore a deep purple dress with accents of green.
“I was so afraid you might miss it, but you came back just in time. Of course, I know you dislike dancing in general, but just to mingle with people and not be dressed in full mourning, that is worth celebrating, is it not? What will you wear? Your dark green dress with the gold stripes?”
“No…” Mary thought of the new, beautiful maroon dress in the back of her closet. “I have another dress in mind.”
***
That evening, Mary instructed Sarah to take particular pains with styling her hair.
At Pemberley, Georgiana had helped her devise a new look that Mary thought quite attractive, and she was determined to have the Bennet’s underhousemaid recreate it.
When it was finally as she liked, Mary enlisted Sarah’s help to put on her new gown, relieved to see it was every bit as beautiful as she remembered.
She resisted the urge to tug the neckline up, telling herself that the ecru lace gave her modesty enough while still flattering her smaller bosom.
Her corset had but little to push up, she reflected sadly, but as she studied herself in the mirror, she decided she was more than presentable.
She could only hope Mr. Yarby might also think so.
As the daughter of his employer, she was confident of getting one dance, but—oh! —she hoped for so much more!
Mary opened her small jewelry box and lifted out the dainty garnet necklace that had belonged to her mother.
She fastened the clasp behind her neck and smiled to see how perfectly it rested just below her collarbone—the gold chain and gems glinting as they caught the candlelight.
With a hopeful heart, she grabbed her best shawl and went downstairs to join her family.
***
The assembly hall was crowded, noisy, and warm as the Bennets entered, and Mary thought she would likely soon discard her shawl. Kitty, seeing Maria Lucas, skipped away to join her friend, leaving Mary holding her father’s arm while they stood, scanning the room.
Frankly, Mary was rather surprised her father chose to come to the gathering; he rarely had done so in the past. But that was when Mama was still alive and could chaperone. I expect he feels it is his duty now.
“Papa, thank you for bringing us, though I know you do not care much for balls and dancing.” She leaned in close to be heard over the music. “I hope you shan’t be too bored.”
Mr. Bennet patted her arm. “Do not fret over me, my dear. I shall find some way to amuse myself.”
Sir William Lucas came up to them, clapping his hands in delight.
“I see you are back from Pemberley, Miss Bennet. Capital! Quite capital to have you attend tonight. You are looking very well, if I may say so. And I am certain many an eligible young man will be asking for the honor of a dance tonight, so pray do not refuse even though we know you consider dancing to be a touch frivolous!”
“Thank you, Sir William,” she replied, evenly. “I confess I do not have such high hopes as you, but we shall see what the evening holds.” Spying Amelia across the room, she excused herself and hurried over.
The two women embraced and stood together with their arms about each other’s waists, watching the dancing.
“It is so good to have you back, Mary,” Amelia said. “I appreciated the fine letters you wrote, but words on paper cannot compare to a true conversation with my friend. You left your sister well?”
“Lizzy is very nearly her old self, I am happy to report. It is a pity not to have Christmas with them all at Pemberley, but in truth, I am so glad to be home.”
“Did I see your father enter with you?”
“Oh yes, he does not care for dancing, so I suppose he will spend most of his time in the card room. Perhaps we shall see him in the supper room later. Is…is your brother here?”
“Is someone speaking of me?” a familiar voice said behind the two ladies.
Mary spun around and felt her breath catch in her throat. “Oh! Mr. Yarby…I did not know whether you would be here.” She curtseyed. “It is a pleasure to see you again.” Oh, he was every bit as handsome as she remembered. Such kind eyes—and those dimples!
“It is equally good to see you back home, Miss Bennet. I know Amelia certainly pined for your company during your long absence, but I hope your time away resulted in a beneficial outcome to your sister’s health.”
Mary felt her face begin to flush—good heavens, what was wrong with her? She cleared her throat. “Oh, yes. I was just telling Amelia that Lizzy is doing quite well. The more her wicked wit displayed itself, the better I knew she was.”
“Mary is quite fetching tonight, do you not think, Robert?” Amelia asked. “Now that she and Miss Kitty Bennet are out of full mourning, they can enjoy assemblies and dance as all young ladies should.”
Oh, please ask me to dance—please! Mary silently begged.
“You look quite well indeed, Miss Bennet,” said Yarby. “And if I may—”
“Mr. Yarby—the last set has ended. I believe this is our dance,” a voice broke in.
Mary turned to see her sister Kitty smiling, her eyes firmly fixed on the rector. How on earth did she get an invitation to dance with Mr. Yarby so quickly? He must have promised it to her earlier in the week. Perhaps he is smitten with Kitty! Mary felt her confidence begin to ebb away.
“Indeed, it is, Miss Catherine. But first, I wished—”
But Kitty was already tugging at his sleeve. “Come, or we shall have a bad position in the line!”
With a small smile and an apologetic look back at his sister and Mary, Mr. Yarby allowed himself to be pulled onto the dance floor.
While the dance set commenced, Mary and Amelia chatted although Mary found it hard to concentrate on the conversation as she watched her sister and Mr. Yarby.
Kitty was so light on her feet and seemed to be enjoying herself enormously.
Much to her dismay, Mary saw that Mr. Yarby appeared equally engaged.
Did he particularly care for her, or was this just the kindness he always showed her family?
Mary was in agony as she watched them. The set seemed interminable, but at last it ended, and Mr. Yarby escorted Kitty off the floor, where another young man immediately engaged her for the next dance.
Mary stared resolutely at the floor, wishing she could disappear into the crowd, but Amelia’s arm was firmly linked in hers.
“Goodness, that was robust. I am quite glad my new shoes fit well.” Yarby said as he rejoined them. “I believe this next dance is ours, Amelia.”
Amelia turned to her companion. “Mary, would you do me the gracious favor of taking this set with my brother? I suddenly feel overheated and am quite thirsty and in need of refreshment; it is so very warm in here. You don’t mind, do you, Robert?”
Mary saw a flustered expression on Yarby’s face for a moment, although it quickly changed to his usual smile. Was he feeling forced to dance with her? She lowered her eyes to the floor and stood, mute.
“Not at all,” she heard him say. “That is, if Miss Bennet is agreeable.”
Mary nodded, fighting back tears. Likely, it would be her only dance all night with the rector and was due to a gift from Amelia—not even his own idea. She took his arm, and they walked onto the floor to take their positions.
Why should I have thought it would be any different than before?
I am homely, awkward, and not at all a desirable partner.
He was clearly uncomfortable with Amelia’s request. I have his pity, not his affection.
Well, at least I know the steps to all the latest dances, thanks to Georgiana, so I shan’t make a complete fool of myself.
***
“You look quite well tonight, Miss Bennet,” Yarby said as they brushed past each other, took hands and turned. “Is that a new hairstyle? Amelia always exhorts me to notice such things, for she says ladies enjoy such comments. Am I correct?”
“It is a new style. You are all flattery, sir, I thank you.” Mary could think of no other answer, but fortunately, the dance steps moved them apart for a time.
When they reunited again, she changed the subject.
“There was an assembly last month, was there not? Did you and Amelia attend? The subscription fee is not too steep, is it?”
“No, I think it quite reasonable. And to answer your question, we had planned to attend in November, but one of my parishioners became quite ill—indeed, we feared he might die—so I was at his bedside. Amelia could not attend alone, of course, so she stayed home.”
“Papa might have been persuaded to take her—oh, but so soon after Mama died, that would have opened him to criticism, most likely.”
She saw an odd, brief expression on Mr. Yarby’s face, but he did not have time to speak before the two parted again, taking new partners for the next few lines before reuniting.
“Yes, and Amelia as well,” Yarby continued. “I should hate to see her injured in such a public manner.”
Mary gave him a serious gaze. “You are such a good and devoted brother, Mr. Yarby. You make me quite envious. I believe all we Bennet sisters would have benefited from having a brother such as yourself. And not just because we could have kept Longbourn in the Bennet family.”
“You are generous to say so. I hope I am the kind of brother she deserves.”
They continued to dance silently for a time before Mr. Yarby spoke again.
“Miss Bennet, I wonder whether I could ask you for some advice.”
Mary felt her color rise again—how gracious of him to seek her opinion! He must think highly of her.
“Of course, how may I help?”
“I have been wracking my brain trying to think of a good Christmas gift for Amelia. I have purchased a book for her, but I should like to get her something…you know…”
“More feminine and suited for a lady’s taste?” Mary asked with a small smile.
“Yes! Exactly. What would you suggest?”
“Well, I did notice her reticule is in need of replacing. The velvet is quite worn away in spots. I am sure you could find one that would suit in Meryton.”
“The very thing! Thank you, Miss Bennet—that will do perfectly!”
***
The two moved together so well, Mary wished the dance set would never end, but at last Mr. Yarby escorted her from the floor.
She looked around for Amelia but did not see her, so she found a chair and sat, waiting and hoping for another dance with Mr. Yarby.
She studied the other single young ladies in the room, some younger than she, others a bit older.
They all seemed in high spirits, gaily laughing and flirting.
Mary wished she could flirt. It simply was not in her nature; such a false act to attract a man’s attention was abhorrent to her in every way.
And, she had to admit, she would not even know how to begin.
But could Robert fall in love with her if she did not flirt a little?
How else could she let him know of her feelings for him?
She could not simply declare her feelings to him in a blunt fashion.
It would be terribly forward. And what if she did and he rejected her? She would die from embarrassment.
Oh, Mama, if you were here, I am certain you could give me some guidance. Tell me how to use my mind and words to win him over.
But as she watched the other young ladies, she reflected that Mrs. Bennet might not have been able to advise her on a strategy. It was not her intellect after all, but her mother’s beauty and charm that had won over her father.
Neither of which I have in abundance…