A/n: Than you very much for reading! Apologies for the short chapter...
After that outburst of music Mary felt much better, less confused. Well slightly, the gentleman who had fetched her bonnet for her was playing on her mind. For one of her sisters this would have been nothing but for Mary this was an entirely new experience. A gentleman paying her attention!.
Robert however had a lot more than Mary on his mind. Wickham dead! How was he to get his revenge now?. Before anything he must visit his sister and see how she was coping. Thank God, Colonel Fitzwilliam had met the gentleman in question and realised his interest in his sister before it was too late. He felt he was indebted to Fitzwilliam now, but that could not be helped he would repay him, somehow. As Robert was having these thoughts, the familiar sight of home had appeared on the horizon, at last, he thought and cantered the last few miles for Thunder (his horse) was as eager as he to reach home.
He stabled Thunder and entered through the front door, just as he did a lady ran towards him. "Robert, oh Robert it is you! My boy you have come home!" she chattered looking proud. On first appearances this lady may have seemed frail but she was as robust as any half her age and had a glow of true happiness about her. She embraced him and held him at arms length "How tired you must be? Come through and sit down!" she declared. "Mother, you are looking well! It is wonderful to see you again!………. How is Louisa?" A shadow overcame his Mother's joyous face. "That scoundrel hurt her…" Robert felt ready to explode, if that man had laid a finger on his sister…… "Not physically, but emotionally. You'd be surprised how much Lou liked him, I believe she was really in love. Time will heal her wounds, but it will take a lot longer than you imagine. I praise the Lord for Colonel Fitzwilliam, he has been so kind…."
Just as she said this they reached Louisa's door, it was ajar inside Louisa was sitting upright in bed, reading. Robert did not want to disturb her but as he tried to creep away from the door, she saw him.
"Robert!!!!" She said gleefully, Robert entered and looked at his much younger sister, she pale and had dark circles about her eyes. Apart from this she seemed her usual pretty self but inside she was hurting. " How are you?" He asked gently taking her hand. She gave a slight smile "Much better, I feel ready to be up soon.". Robert nodded and understood his sister's need to be up and busy, so nodded and said " Tomorrow, if you are well. Is Fitzwilliam Still here?". His Mother nodded and told him he was in the drawing room. He kissed his sister's hand and went to find the Colonel.
"Mary you must go and that is that!" declared her Mother. Why must she always go to these Balls?, nobody ever asked her to dance, nobody wanted to talk to her. So why must she go, She could stay at home and read some essays or sermons, do something worthwhile with her time. But yet again her Mother insisted she must go, Mary who was not willing to fight surrendered and accepted that she was going, happy about it or not.