I'm back! Hello, hope you had a wonderful weekend. We're finally getting to the meat of the story and I am thrilled!
I continue to own nothing.
"Mary Poppins," George Banks says commandingly, though kindly, at breakfast. He still wants to believe he's master and commander of his house. Mary kindly does not point out that his children clearly run the house and that he has even less control now that she's returned.
"Yes, sir?"
"We shall be having company for dinner. I would appreciate it if you could take the night off."
Mary coolly takes a sip of water. "If that's what you would like."
"No," Jane interrupts. Mary starts; yes, Jane can be a brat, but this is the first time she's been openly defiant with her father. "I want Mary Poppins to eat with us."
"Jane," Mary says warily. "If your father wishes that I stay out of the way…"
"Father," Jane changes tactics, suddenly switching to pleading. "I have to put up with men I hardly know. I would simply feel more comfortable with Mary Poppins there."
Mary doesn't interfere. It simply isn't her place to make this call. "Well, I…" Mr. Banks starts.
"Please, Father?"
"I suppose an extra place setting couldn't hurt."
"Oh, thank you!" Jane springs out of her chair to kiss her rather uncomfortable looking father while Mary frowns, wondering what the girl could possibly have up her sleeve.
0ooo0
Dinner in the Banks' household is served promptly at six. At five, Mr. Banks brings two young men home with him from the bank, introducing them as Patrick Dunn and Lawrence Wright. Mary doesn't need her tape measure to know that Lawrence Wright will never do for Jane. He is clearly accustomed to being in control and the fiercely independent Jane would never agree to be kept under his thumb. Or perhaps that's just wishful thinking on Mary's part; even she will admit that she is absurdly protective of the girl who reminds her more of herself as a young woman than she'd ever care to admit. She would never want to see the defiance and intelligence in Jane's eyes dulled—though she wouldn't object to that defiance being reigned in slightly.
Patrick, on the other hand, seems far more acceptable. He seems infatuated with Jane from the moment they are introduced, content to let her talk, to challenge her thoughts and actually listen to her responses. When Jane directs the conversation towards Mary, he listens to her as well—surprising, since most young men don't believe that a nanny could possibly say anything worthwhile. Yes, if Mary had to make the decision for Jane, Patrick would most definitely have her vote.
Unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Banks seem taken in by Lawrence. His demeanor is perfectly catered to suit Mrs. Banks and he's clearly on his way to a top ranking position at the bank. Mary knows that the Banks want the best for Jane, but she has to wonder at their choices sometimes. Or she would, if it were her place to wonder at their choices.
But if Bert is right and Jane is… well, that would completely give Mary the right to worry about their choices. But, no, Bert is not right. He is flat out wrong, and even if he is right, she's going to make him wrong. She would never ask Jane to choose something like what he's talking about. No, that is simply not an option.
It really is too bad that one of Jane's current options is so awful, Mary thinks, as Lawrence makes another subtly sarcastic comment, vaguely seeped in misogyny. There's something incredibly unpleasant lurking beneath his exterior.
The word that comes to Mary's mind is dog, but Jane glances at her, rolls her eyes, and mouths "Pig."
For one second, just one brief, blink-and-you'll-miss-it second, Lawrence's face takes on a distinctly piggy snout and beady eyes.
Mary blinks in surprise and a little dismay.
She had absolutely nothing to do with that little piece of magic.
0ooo0
"So what did you think?" Mary asks later that night as she brushes Jane's hair.
"Lawrence Wright is a pig," Jane replies bluntly. Mary tenses up remembering the incident.
"And Patrick?" she prods carefully. She knows that Jane will shut her down if she seems too nosy.
"He seemed… slightly not as insufferable as I was expecting."
"High praise," Mary replies sarcastically, but not without a faint smile.
"Mary Poppins," Jane says suddenly. "Where does your magic come from?"
Mary freezes. No, she is not letting Jane start down this path. "Jane Banks, I do believe that is none of your business," she retorts, probably icier than she needed.
"It was just a question."
She sighs. "I apologize, Jane. I'm tired and I don't feel very well." And I don't want to talk about this. It's only a little white lie and she really is starting to get a headache.
"Are you ill?"
"Merely tired. A good night's rest is all I need. I'm sorry I snapped but I'd like to rest, if it's alright with you."
Jane's eyes narrow. "You're skittish, Mary Poppins."
"And you need to be going to sleep. Off you go. Spit spot!"
Jane may be a young woman now, but Mary always has been able to make things happen with that simple phrase.
I have good news... Well, I think it's good news. This chapter was originally about 3,000 words long. I cut it into two very lopsided halves, so the next chapter is entirely written and over 2,000 words long. AND it's entirely concerned with Mary Poppins' day off, which means it's entirely concerned with Mary and Bert! And I shall try to put it up soon!
-Juli-