Changeling Child - Part 12

Prologue

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy visited Longbourn again the following morning, and Mr Bingley took the opportunity to personally deliver an invitation to the long-awaited Netherfield Ball, as he had promised. Diarmait, who accompanied them, took the precaution of requesting Mary’s first and last set, and speaking to Papa to formally request a courtship.

Of course, he did so in front of Mama, who delighted over the idea while Papa recovered from a coughing fit after choking on his tea. There would be no way for Mary to escape a new dress now. Papa cleared his throat, “Did you not only meet days ago?”

Diarmait did not react, though braver men would have quailed under the glare Mama aimed at Papa, thwarted by Mary’s suitor standing between them. “We danced together when I passed through a year ago, though I stayed only briefly. Miss Mary made an impression, and I determined that if I met her again, I would not hesitate.”

Gaping was not an attractive look on Lydia, and Mary felt no need to clarify that the dance had been at an Underhill revel. Mama was satisfied by the explanation, and Jane and Lizzy were full of congratulations. Papa summoned Diarmait to his study to discuss the matter further, but ultimately gave his consent.

Jane and Lizzy did not escape new dresses for the Netherfield ball, either, which was some comfort. Jane was an old hand at distracting Mama while her sisters gave the dressmaker the specifications that they wanted, rather than the excess that Mama suggested. Mary didn't need a new dress, but she had outgrown her winter coat, and it was becoming cold enough that her spencer would not do for much longer.

The dressmaker had a lovely dark red fabric in stock, and didn't care what clothing she made, so long as she was paid for it.

Upon leaving the dressmakers, they saw Lady Lucas with her two oldest daughters, and they adjourned to the local tea room. Mama and Lady Lucas never missed a chance to exchange gossip, and Maria gravitated to Kitty and Lydia, who had accompanied them to Meryton despite not being included in the dressmaker's appointment. Mary nibbled on a lemon tart, relishing the moments of peace while Jane kept a watchful eye on their sisters over the rim of her teacup.

Charlotte and Lizzy were also conversing, albeit in much lower tones. Mary's curiosity got the better of her, and she focussed her attention there. "... sure you will be happy with such a man?"

The concern on Lizzy's face was genuine, along with some poorly-concealed upset. Charlotte smiled, a touch sadly. "I am not romantic, Lizzy, you know that. Mr Collins will not be a love match, but I don't believe he is seeking one, so neither of us will repine. He wants a wife, I want a house of my own where I am not a Spinster and a burden on my relations."

Charlotte was considering marrying Mr Collins?

It did make sense upon reflection. Charlotte was nearing thirty, without the good looks or status of gentry that the Bennet sisters shared. Sir William might be a knight, but was not wealthy, and his ties to trade were recent enough that the people he hobnobbed with in London would look down on Charlotte as a shopkeeper's daughter. Meryton did not boast a surplus of eligible young gentlement equal to Charlotte's rank, and the eldest Lucas was of a practical nature.

Lizzy had a number of opinions on Mr Collins, none of them complimentary, but she possessed enough tact not to say them to her friend. "Then I wish you luck in gaining his attention, my friend, and I will not let it come between us. I confess that there is no-one at Longbourn who will regret his absence, should he spend more time elsewhere."

Charlotte noded thoughtfully, "I will ask Mama to extend him an invitation to Lucas Lodge. She is no less keen to marry off her children than your Mama; she just hides it better."

The Netherfield Ball was a delight.

No-one could find any fault with Mary or her attire, and the light in Diarmait's eyes when he saw her was most gratifying. For the first time, Mary, who had not thought beyond promising her first and last sets to Diarmait, did not sit out a single dance, and Mr Bingley had been cautious in which officers he invited, ensuring that they all knew how to behave around a gentlewoman. None of the officers who had gained reputations as flirts or needing corrections to their behaviour were in attendance.

Notably, Mr Wickham was not among those invited, a fact that was sure to make its way through the local gossips within days.

With Mr Collins safely redirected toward Charlotte, he had ceased all talk of his 'fair cousins', and the sisters only had to endure one dance apiece out of politeness. Despite Miss Bingley's determined attempts - and Mrs Hurst's somewhat more lackluster support of her sister - Mr Darcy danced twice with Lizzy, once with Mary, and once with Miss Bingley as hostess. He even managed to bestir some reserves of social energy to ask the eldest Miss Long for the final set of the night, when he encountered her at the punch bowl.

Mary inquired of it during their dance, and Mr Darcy looked embarassed but determined. "Elizabeth is a far more social creature than I, and there must be a balance somewhere. Besides, my courting her has made me less of a target for the matchmaking Mamas, and I need not fear raising expectations as I once did."

For a man with good reason to be prideful, and a tendency to avoid excessive socialising, this was no small admission. Mary did her best to convey a warm smile, "I am proud of you, if that means anything."

Mr Darcy inclined his head, "From a kindred soul, and perhaps a future sister, it does."

Mr Bingley had to return briefly to London in early December, shortly after Mr Collins and Charlotte departed for Kent, as the new Mrs Collins was eager to see her new home. He visited Longbourn on the way, to assure Jane that he went to attend to matters of business, and would return in no more than a week. Mr Darcy accompanied him, and returned with two additional members to the Netherfield party; his younger sister, Georgiana, and her companion, Mrs Annesley. Mama welcomed both, seeing the introduction as a sign that Mr Darcy wanted to be sure that any woman he considered marrying would not conflict with his sister.

Despite Miss Bingley's frequent declarations of friendship between her and Miss Darcy, it was quickly evident that Georgiana desired only civility between them, and followed her brother's example in avoiding her hostess as much as politeness allowed. Loudly proclaiming the virtues of London over the Country, particularly during the Season, Miss Bingley accompanied the Hursts to Ton for Christmas. The Hursts returned in January, but Miss Bingley did not.

Mr Darcy had to return to Pemberley in late February to organise and oversee the spring planting, but not before he stood up with Mr Bingley when he married Jane, or before making his own offer to Elizabeth. He would return after he made his yearly visit to Rosings Park in March. Those two weeks were the quietest Elizabeth had ever been, until Charlotte extended an invitation to visit her at Hunsford.

Mary mentioned it to Diarmait, who was still shadowing Wickham and his friends. Wickham was finding the Militia rather less to his liking after Mr Darcy hinted to the shopkeepers that it was wise to limit how much credit they extended to those they did not know well. Equally, there were comparatively few Changelings in the area for Wickham to bend to his purposes.

Aside from Mary herself, there was the Innkeeper's youngest daughter, still a child of eight or so, and twin boys who tended the sheep at Windemere. Mary had her suspicions about the youngest Lucas girl, but she was a mere three years old - it would be some time before anything she said would be taken as more than a child's games.

Diarmait looked thoughtful, "The local Queen's younger sister has some gift with foresight, and says that important events will happen at Rosings soon. I had hoped to introduce you to Anne, in any case. Will you be able to work your way into an invitation, or would your parents allow you to come with me?"

Mary considered the question. Mama was still annoyed that Charlotte would one day displace her as Mistress of Longbourn, even if that feeling was tempered by the triumph of one daughter installed as the Mistress of Netherfield, and another daughter engaged to a wealthy gentleman. It would be easy to persuade her that Mary should go as Elizabeth's chaperone, particularly with Mr Darcy due to visit Rosings at the same time. Reputations had been ruined for a carriage ride. "Not unmarried, I think, but perhaps as Lizzy's chaperone."

Her warrior hesitated, "We have been courting as a cover, but I have never asked if marriage is something you desire."

With Jane and Lizzy well-settled, marriage was less of a necessity than it had been a year ago. There was a great deal of merit to her older sisters' stance of only marrying the right partner. Shoving her nerves to the back of her mind, Mary gave her answer, "It would depend on who asked me. I could not abide a foolish or indifferent husband, but you, I would marry as soon as Mama could arrange a wedding breakfast."

Diarmait beamed at her, as radient as the sun in the uncharacteristically clear sky. "Then I should make the time to speak to your father and acquire a special license."

A special license meant not needing the Banns read, which meant not being the centre of attention for weeks, and no risk of anyone trying to object. Mary did not trust that Wickham would not try to find some way to disgrace those who endangered him by arranging for someone to protest, even if their grounds were lies. A quick wedding meant a limit on the parties Mama could throw to celebrate; there was only so much socialising Mary could endure at once.

Glancing around for potential witnesses, Mary raised herself on tiptoe and finally, finally, kissed the man she had loved for nearly a third of her life.

Mary was married twice; once in Meryton surrounded by friends and family, in a spring-green dress and a new bonnet; and again Underhill when the Queen of the Herefordshire Court bound her hand to Diarmait's with a shimmering cord.

Days later, she donned the lace cap of a married woman, and departed with her new husband and her sister to Kent.

Kitty and Lydia were not pleased to remain at home, especially with Maria Lucas accompanying her father to Hunsford, but the Militia had not yet decamped, and Mama had found a new standard of behaviour for young gentlewomen in Georgiana Darcy. Being the only daughters left at home, perhaps they would flourish under the concentration of parental attention.

Charlotte welcomed Lizzy to Hunsford, which was quite what Mary had expected of a man like Mr Collins. Mostly practical, with odd things like shelves in the closet having been "suggestions" from Lady Catherine. There was a well-tended garden and chicken coop, and Charlotte seemed content in her situation.

The unloading of Elizabeth's trunks was disrupted by the arrival of a low phaeton, driven by a frail-looking young woman, and another whose dress marked her as a companion. Diarmait hastily dismounted to take the younger woman's hands, beckoning Mary over. "Miss Anne, it is wonderful to see you again. Permit me to introduce my wife, the former Miss Mary Bennet."

Miss de Bough was clearly only fragile of body, for her eyes were keen and intelligent, and she smiled happily at Mary. "Mr Cathal has spoken of you often. I came to invite Mrs Collins to dine at Rosings, but of course you are all welcome, too, and you might as well cancel whatever rooms you booked at the Inn; for I insist on you both staying at Rosings Park."

Mary could not help smiling back, "We would be delighted to accept the invitation. My dear husband has spoken much of you, as well, and I look forward to furthering the acquaintance."

Diarmait's eyes flickered between them, but he only looked displeased when Mr Collins came huffing out the door to pay his - long and much rehersed - compliments to Miss de Bough. The young lady bore them with more tolerance than Mary would have managed, extended her planned invitation, then took up the reigns of the phaeton again. "I prefer the lyre to the pianoforte, Mrs Cathal. We must compare instruments once you are settled."

Mary had not known that lyres were used as anything more than props in expensive paintings, to make a young woman appear more cultured. She dipped a curtsy in farewell, "I look forward to it."

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