Chapter Text
Mary Bennett was a woman who was always stuck. Stuck between the silly world of Kitty and Lydia, and the financially secure world of Jane and Lizzy. Three sisters gone, only Kitty left, the 25-year-old woman was still stuck. And she had resigned herself to remain stuck as an old maid until her grave.
“How many times have I asked you, Mary, not to touch my books without asking. This is my only sanctuary.” Her father's voice came breaking into her calm mindset. Mary turned from the reference bookshelf to address the frustrated paternal figure. “Papa, I was desiring to borrow reference books on Beetles or arachnids.”
Mr. Bennet stared at her like she was asking to walk around in breeches. “Why in the world would you desire such heavy reading material?”
Mary blinked and pressed her glasses back up her nose. “Because I desire to learn more about God's creation?” A weak attempt at humor was lost on her father.
Mr. Bennet turned to his desk. “You may find it another time.”
This was her cue to leave before he practically dismissed her, as if she were a child or a member of staff. Mary sighed softly and quickly left the library.
Kitty nearly knocked her over as she swung down from the stairs into the hall.
“Katherine Bennet! Please watch where you are going. You nearly caused an injury.”
Kitty laughed and ducked around her. “It is not my fault you cannot see any better than an old grandmother. Watch your path.” Kitty quickly trampled down the hall, disappearing into the kitchen. “You better get ready, dear sister, we are leaving shortly for Netherfield.”
Mary slowly walked into the parlor and sat on a chaise lounge by the window. From a nearby drawer, she pulled a watercolor case and a small, bound sketchbook—a gift from Lizzie and Jane for her birthday.
Mary glanced at the window, looking out on a miserable, cloudy afternoon. Wind was swirling the yellow and orange early Autumn leaves into a dance across the road and grass. A small movement on the window frame caught her attention. Leaning forward, Mary spotted a darling green spider with a white and pink striped abdomen. It entranced her as it was preparing a web on the corner on the window frame. Mary’s new obsession had been creepy crawly creatures, anything that was small and wild. The small, little jewel-like arachnid was sketched, and she started to sketch in the window sill. Utterly entranced by the little thing she didn’t hear someone approach until a scream was heard from behind her.
“Good heavens, Mary!” Mrs.Bennet cried as if she had seen her very flesh and blood wounded in front of her. Mary turned, and a slow sigh escaped her lips before she could dampen it.
“It is a simple spider trying to make a home-” Her utterance died on her lips as she saw her mother raise a nearby book aloft. “Momma, no!”
The creature was squashed, and Mary, aghast, had to watch the spider and its progress being destroyed against the glass windowpane. Her heart was wretched, and she held her hand to her mouth.
“There. Took care of the little pest. If we weren’t all going to see dear Jane and Lizzie, I would be taking a long lie down.”
Oh, dear no. “All of us?” Mary echoed.
Her mother laughed and looked at her. “Of course, dear! Why, does my very presence cause you so much distress ?”
No, you and father cause me distress.
“Of course not, Momma. I simply.. Feel as if I am coming down with something.”
“Oh, no matter. You will be fine by yourself this evening, won’t you?”
“Is Mrs. Posey not here tonight?”
“No, she has the day off.”
Perfect. Peace. “Oh, alright. Perhaps, I should go lie down.”
Her mother was already leaving the parlor, and she turned quickly and waved at Mary. “Of course you should. I hope you feel better.”
Mary sighed again and gathered her painting kit and retired to her shared room. Kitty was worrying over her hair when Mary sat herself in a chair by the vanity.
“Which way is my hair more fetching?” Kitty turned to Mary, “Why aren't you dressed?”
Mary shrugged. “I wasn’t aware mother and father were coming with us.”
Kitty’s eyes widened. Apparently, this was news to her as well. “So I would be correct in assuming you will not be coming with us?” Her tone was whiny, pleading in nature. Mary almost felt sorry for her.
“No, I feel a bit ill.”
“Liar. So you are leaving me all alone with them? The entire carriage ride.” Kitty’s voice trailed off.
Mary did answer her question concerning her hair. “Looser, I think your hair looks softer.” Kitty rolled her eyes but heeded her advice, turning back to the vanity.
“Jane says there is going to be a new clergy man in town, currently staying with them at Netehrfield. And, a Captain. A friend of Mr. Bingley’s.”
“How very advantageous for you, dear sister.”
“I suppose it is.” Kitty opened her mouth to ask another question, but it died on her lips.
The remaining three Bennets departed the household around a quarter to two, just as dark, angry rainclouds pillowed and gathered along the skyline.
Mary left her room and spent the majority of the evening in her father's study, curled up with several reference books. The rain started to pour around 4, the sun had set, and the house was dark. Mary simply had lit the candles she needed to read, so the house was dark but not uncomfortable. A loud knocking at the front door jolted her from her notetaking. Mrs. Posey isn’t here. Maybe they’ll go away—another knock, more audible this time. Mary stood and walked to the door, a candle in hand.
The front door pushed open with the wind, and a very tall, wet man greeted her. A soft smile was all the distinction of personality or bearing Mary could detect.
“My apologies.” A deep baritone voice. One that sounded warm and worn, as if it had been used to speaking.
“Why?” Mary answered, raising the candle to better see the stranger.
Surprise and bemusement appeared to lighten up the man’s face.
“Why.. what?”
“Why are you apologizing?”
The man chuckled. “Well, it’s late, and I might have given the lady of the household a scare.”
Mary studied his face. “I am not the lady of the house, merely a daughter of one. And it is not very late, sir.”
The dripping-wet man stopped, confused. “It is not? I suppose I lost track of time walking to my intended destination. Ah, may I bother you to let me simply dry off and orient myself ?”
Mary knew it would be improper, perhaps even foolish, to allow a strange man in when not even a maid was home. But then again, Mary was always seen as the improper one. “I suppose it’s the Christian thing to do.” She stepped aside and let the man walk inside. Mary was always taller than most women, being 5 feet 7 inches. But here, with the man stepping inside, she realized her was most likely almost a foot taller than her. Mary quickly felt shy, as she usually did with the opposite sex.
“Let me go fetch something to dry you off- I mean something you can dry your-” Mary blushed, and quickly ran up the stairs. The dripping giant was still situated in the same spot when she came back.
“Oh, may I take your jacket?!”
The man laughed. “I actually did not bring one.”
“Foolish decision.” She gasped, horrified that she had said that out loud. Mary handed over the towel sheepishly.
“I suppose it was. I just thought the air seemed so fresh, I couldn’t resist walking.”
Mary noticed he was shivering the slightest bit. She turned. “Come to the kitchen, you can drip water there, and my momma won’t mind.”
The sound of heavy fieldworkers' boots sounded behind her as he followed. As they entered the kitchen, Mary pulled two chairs towards the large fireplace and went to reignite the fire.
“Would you want me to assist you?” The gentle giant's voice broke into her task.
“I am quite capable. Besides,” Mary threw a dry log into the glowing embers and stood back up to dart her gaze at his dark grey-green eyes. “You could be a criminal, an arsonist for all I know. You could light the fire, and the house catches on fire.”
Mary sat on the chair next to him as he chuckled deeply next to her.
“I promise you I am anything but a criminal.”
“Where are you residing, sir?”
“Well, I am new in town. I convinced my hired carriage to drop me so I could walk around in God's beautiful creation. Apparently, I was wrong in my heading.”
Mary was removing the light sprinkle of rainwater from her glasses, then regarded him again.
“While I, too, enjoy a walk about in the countryside, perhaps you should get a local guide or a map of the area.”
“I should. Would you know someone who could assist me with that?”
“I don’t know many people outside my household.”
“Do you know the area well?”
Mary looked at the man. In the flickering firelight, she could see his features clearly.
He was most likely around double her age. Probably 50. Long, deep lines around his mouth and eyes showed a life that had been lived through smiles and laughter. A royal straight nose and a jaw that was perfectly fine, and cheekbones to match. An intelligent brow and ebony black curled hair shone. Slight hints of grey touched his sideburns. He looked unlike anyone that Mary had ever seen.
“Pardon, did I have rainwater on my face?” He asked softly.
“Oh. No. I was-“
“It looked as if you were studying, perhaps memorizing my face.” He smiled warmly and sat back in the chair. “As a man on the better half of 45, I find that a large compliment.”
Mary’s mouth dropped open in shock. “I was not studying you for anything other than to describe to the constables.”
“You wound me!” He said dramatically.
Mary stood flushed. “Presumptuous man. I hope I have the honor to find you face down in a ditch when I go about my walks.” Mary gasped and slapped her hand over her rash mouth. When upset, her tongue quickly became her downfall.
The giant didn’t appear to take offense. He shook his head, grinning. He stood and bowed to Mary, and made to leave through the kitchen door. “Could you at least point me towards Netherfield?”
“Looking for work? My brother-in-law is the owner of the home.”
“Something like that.”
Mary explained the directions, and the man departed, leaving Mary equal parts intrigued and frustrated.