Chapter 2: Something New
The blush in Kitty's cheeks grew as her eyes wandered around the store and Mary couldn't help but feel a little bit happy that she had been able to help make her sister happy. She knew that Kitty had been feeling down ever since Lidia, Elizabeth and Jane had been married and moved away. To tell the truth, they were probably each the last sibling the other would have chosen to be left at home with, but they were still sisters and because of this Mary could enjoy the light in her little sister's eyes.
"Oh, Mary, I think we shall get you a nice dark green. It will bring out your beautiful skin and your hair nicely" Kitty gushed as she ran her fingers down a length of ribbon that even Mary had to admit was quite beautiful.
"Yes, Kitty, it looks perfect! You always did have the best taste in ribbon," Mary cooed to her sibling. Kitty however was smiling vapidly over Mary's shoulder while she turned her shoulders just so and tilted her head a touch. Mary sighed none too subtly, knowing the all-too-familiar signs: Kitty had just seen a man.
"Mary! He's coming over here! Quickly, now, think of something to say that isn't completely horrible." Kitty whispered urgently. Mary frowned. She always had plenty to say that was interesting, didn't she? Music and books showed what an educated young lady she was; that she was more than your average brainless mouse. No matter that she could talk someone's ear off about any subject regarding her favorite composers, not that she ever felt the need to join in on conversations and present much of her knowledge.
As Mary pondered over what her sister could possibly mean, a masculine voice drowned out her mind's worrying completely. "Do you ladies need any company?" Mary turned around to see the most handsome face she had ever seen in life. An artist's dream come to life, standing there smiling down at… her?! She glanced over at Kitty to see that her sister had noticed the same problem. The man most definitely was addressing Mary, not Kitty. Mary noticed that she was now clenching the beautiful ribbon tightly in her left hand as she faced the man, her mind blank.
"W-w-well, as a m-matter of fact, w-we were just l-leaving," Mary stuttered, "B-but you are welcome to join us."
Kitty turned to look at her sister incredulously. What did you just say?!?! her eyes were practically screaming. Mary rolled her eyes at her sister. She was tired of Kitty thinking that she had no social skills at all. She would prove just how wrong Kitty was. She squared her shoulders and turned back to the man, smiling.
"That sounds lovely!" the stranger said, clicking his heels together and bowing slightly. "My name is William Bradford, miss, at your service."
Mary's eyes grew wide with surprise. So this was one of the boys Kitty was clamoring about earlier. "Well, my name is Mary Bennet. I believe your family is joining ours for dinner this evening."
"A beautiful name, but even so it doesn't do justice to the wonderful creature before me. And yes, I believe you are right, my father had mentioned something about dinner with the Bennets tonight." Mary blushed at the compliment. What is the matter with me? she thought, I am never like this with men… this is how Kitty behaves, not me. Not knowing quite how to respond, Mary turned to her little sister who had apparently already turned her back on the conversation to start looking at ribbons again.
"Kitty, I am going to get this green ribbon. I'm going to pay and then I will meet you outside." Her sister's eyes grew wide with shock, but she nodded. It was unheard of for a girl to be in the company of a man she wasn't familiar with alone. Mary shrugged off her sister's concern. She was likely to only be alone with the man for a few minutes, and they would be on a crowded street where everyone in town could see them. There was nothing to worry about.
Mary walked up to the counter and laid her coins out while she waited for the salesgirl to wrap up her ribbon. "That color will look beautiful on you, Miss Bennet." She jumped as William's voice sounded right behind her ear. She turned around, startled to find him so close.
Mary's mind went blank as she searched for a response, but all that came out was "Please, call me Mary." William smiled warmly, gently picked up her hand and whispered "Of course, Mary" before placing a quick kiss on her hand. Mary felt close to fainting, something she had the sense never to do before in her life. She always thought that girls who swoon when a man says sweet words were weak and foolish. Yet, here she was, swooning at William Bradford's flirtations. "But you must call me William in return" he said, winking.
Mary smiled as she felt her cheeks flush, "alright…. William."
His grin grew wide as he nodded his head to her and said, "Well, I must be off. Now that I know there is going to be such a rapturous woman at dinner tonight, I shall be sure to look my very best. Deliver my goodbyes to your sister. I will see you tonight… Mary." He said her name on a half-whisper that sent shivers up her spine.
She gave the salesgirl her best smile as she accepted the ribbon. She turned around and looked for Kitty. She would never believe this!
