Hey, I am very grateful to my first three reviewers. They were very kind. So since you all seem to like this story, I have been encouraged to write a second chapter.

Mary had finally stopped crying and Lizzy had walked off to speak to other guests. Mary listened as Henry played the piano with graceful, experienced hands.

Mary got up suddenly. She walked over to the young man playing the grand piano.

She tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to face her,"May I help you Ms. Bennet?"

Mary hesitated and then made her voice as cold as the air of the mountains in winter,"Yes, sir. I was wondering if you would be so kind as to allow another person play."

Henry just smirked at the young lady,"And why, my dear lady, would I do that? Obviously, no one else seems to mind that I am the only player."

Mary narrowed her eyes,"Would you to make room in that big head of yours, you would see that I would much enjoy to play on the piano."

Henry chuckled,"Why do we not play together?"

Mary blush as Henry made room for her to sit. She hesitantly slid onto the piano chair and catiously placed her hands on the keys, allowing her fingers to move along with his. They

made a harmonic sound as their fingers danced together.

Suddenly. Mary heard Henry laughed. She stopped playing and looked at him in confusion.

"Why do you laugh? Is it that you think so low of me that you believe even my piano skills are unfathomable?"she asked.

Henry smiled, eyes shining brightly,"I just find it amusing how you forgive so quickly."

Mary sucked in her breath. He was right. She usually held grudges for life, but in his case, it had taken fifteen minutes to get over his hateful words.

Mary just shook her head and stood up,"Well forgive me, Mr. Porter, for not holding a grudge over first impressions."

Mary walked away, leaving Henry to stair after her.

Mary went up to her life long best friend, John Andrews.

"Hello, Jo."

John looked up and smiled Mary,"Hello, Mare."

Mary giigled,"How are you. I have not seen you since last February?"

"Oh. Father has found me an intern job as a forger. I have been in Forntown,"said John.

"Well I was worried. You sent no letters and I feared the worst,"said Mary.

"Oh, my poor Nightmare wwas fearful for dear old John."

Mary giggled at John's childhood nickname for her,"My dear John, how could you expect me not to? So did you meet a kind woman that you wish to woo?"

John suddenly became serious,"Um, actually, yes. I did in fact."

"Well, that is great, John. What is her name?"

"Martha Yunt."

"Well I hope to meet her some day,"said Mary, smiling.

John looked at her with joy in his eyes,"I hope you do as well."

Mary smiled and laughed as two more men from her childhood, Edward Turner and William Jordan, came and spoke to the two.

Little did Mary know, though, that Henry Porter was glaring at the three young men behind her back. And that a very complicated life was put in front of her for the next year.