AN: I'm so sorry for the very long wait. Life got in the way but I promise I will do better. Thanks for everyone who reviewed it really makes me happy that people are actually enjoying it as much as I enjoy writing it.
"Miss Bennet." Tom said completely surprised.
"Sir, what are you doing here?" Mary asked completely embarrassed and still on the floor.
Tom looked around the library grinning saying, "I think it's quite obvious of what I'm doing here."
Feeling very foolish, Mary quickly stood up ignoring Tom's offered hand. Not looking at him she turned and quickly walked towards the door.
Confused, Tom asked, "You're leaving?"
Mary stopped, turned her head and looked at him straight in the eye saying, "I think it's quite obvious." She rushed out, closing the door behind and ran back to her room. Mary was mortified, she did not want to face him again.
"If only I'd stayed in my room!" She berated herself as she paced back and forth.
Feeling really tired now she collapsed on her bed counting down the days when she would be able to go home.
A knock on her door woke her with a start. She sat up quickly mumbling, "Come in."
Two maids came scurrying in, one carried a tray of breakfast while the other crossed the room to open the curtains to reveal an extremely bright morning.
"What time is it?" Mary asked confused as she shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight.
"It's past 11 miss." the maid carrying the tray to her replied. "Mrs. Darcy ordered for your breakfast to be sent up stairs and to prepare you for the outing today."
"Outing?" Mary groaned not wanting to know what her sister planned for them to do. She wanted nothing more to stay in and read or play the beautiful piano she saw in one of the rooms .
"Yes miss."
"They'll be leaving in an hour so you should hurry with your breakfast." the other maid spoke as she took out a fresh dress for Mary to wear.
"I'm not hungry thank you." Mary said as she stood up from bed. She walked to the window to see people already out enjoying the day.
" Come miss." the maid said as she swiftly took off her nightgown and began dressing her.
"Did my sister tell you where exactly we are going?" Mary asked.
"I believe the plan to go riding and have a picnic by the lake side." the maid answered as she sat her down to do her hair.
"Horseback riding?" Mary asked in dread.
"Yes Miss."
"I don't want to go, please tell my sister I'm not feeling well." Mary said as she abruptly stood up.
"But Miss…"
"Mary?" a sweet voice asked.
"Lizy." Mary said trying her hardest to smile.
"Are you almost ready? Everyone's waiting."
"Sister…I don't…you know how I don't like to ride." Mary said in a pleading tone.
Elizabeth smiled tenderly at her sister saying, "It'll be alright Mary, you are going to enjoy yourself. Besides someone has asked for you."
Mary eyes widened as she squeaked out, "Who?"
"Oh Mary! You do look lovely in your new riding clothes, you did thanked your sister I hope. Must be very expensive and look at this room how lovely it is…" Mrs. Bennet interrupted as she walked into the room.
"Morning mama." Mary stopped her looking pleading at Elizabeth.
"You'll be fine I promise." Elizabeth said laughing at her sisters discomfort as she grabbed her arm pulling her to the door.
"Come mama we're leaving now."
"You didn't tell me who asked for me." Mary whispered to Elizabeth.
"You'll see." El;izabeth said with a secret smile.
"Lizy please." Mary sternly said not in the mood for games.
"Relax Mary and enjoy."
They stepped into the bright outdoors everyone talking and having a good time already. There was at least fifteen people mounted on their horses ready to go.
"Elizabeth you're here finally." Darcy said as trotted towards them on his stag.
"I was getting Mary." Elizabeth explained as she took Darcy's offered hand and swiftly mounted behind him.
Mary stood close to her mother knowing she would end up in a carriage a place where she wanted to ride. A carriage pulled in front of them with her father already inside talking happily to another older gentlemen. Before she could safely climb inside Tom stopped beside them on his stag saying, "Morning Miss Bennet.
"Morning." she said in a dismissive tone.
Tom grinned then pointed over at a horse saying, "Your horse is waiting."
"My what?!" Mary asked.
"Your horse." Tom said slowly still pointing at the horse.
"But I…"
"Go Mary, your keeping the others." Mrs. Bennet said impatiently.
Mary backed away from the carriage and slowly made her way to her horse. Kitty came trotting by laughing as she said, "Don't be scared Mary."
"I'm not scared." Mary defensively said.
Ignoring her Kitty batted her eyes towards Tom saying, "Morning Mr. Bursley."
Tom nodded then turned to Mary asking, "Do you need help mounting?"
"No thank you sir." Mary declined turning red with embarrassment.
Mary lightly touched the horse side not knowing how she should climb on. A stable boy saw her hesitation and offered a hand. In no time at all she was up on the saddle hanging on to the reigns for dear life. She thanked the young boy shakily. This was going to be a long day.