Hope you all had a pleasant new years eve. I've gone through this chapter sooooo many times, since it's well... THE chapter. The one many prob. been waiting for... however, I am sure you'll be just as eager to recieve the next :P

Well... get on with it!


Chapter 9 – a meeting of fate

Upon entering, after having greeted the hosts, Mary came to where the dancing would take place. A small scene in the back of the room held various music instruments and along the sides there were a few tables and chairs for resting between the dances.

The second room, which was separated from the first by a large archway held many round tables and chairs where people could sit. To one side there was a long table with food in snack size along with punch and other alcoholically beverages.

Upon further inspection of the ballroom Mary noted that it was actually two huge separate rooms, only connected by a vast arch doorway with beautiful curtains pulled to each side, giving just the hint of separation from eating and dancing.

The large family quickly found a table big enough to keep them all and close enough to the food and drink table.

To the left in the dining part a door led to a large balcony that had a connection to the door in the dancing part. From there you could also enter the garden, which consisted of a large maze made out of small bushes, all covered in snow, and which ended by a large lake with a small island in the middle and with the possibility of rowing to it; a true sight to behold.

Or so was the description of Mr. Basiter, a friend of Mr. Bingley who was also invited and had come to greet them all by their table. Mr. Basiter was apparently a friend of the Von Thesen family and had been at the estate enough times to memorise its beauty and to pass it on.

Mr. Basiter's description was quite complete, although Mary could hardly be sure since she had yet to see it herself, but it made her wonder what the lady of the house did. How did she spend her time? Had she ever been in the entire house or were there still rooms undiscovered by her? Mary giggled to herself by the thought of such a big house. Every day a new adventure. If SHE lived there she'd draw a map. Or perhaps the lady already had a map, Mary laughed to herself by the thought of the Machioness looking at a map to find her sleeping chambers.

"That is the eldest son over there," Mr. Basiter explained and Mary looked over to the side where the young Marquess Von Thesen stood. "And his fiancée," and next to him stood a woman. Mary could not make much out of the woman, for she had her back to Mary. Little were said about the two, except that it was arranged marriage and both were madly in love with each other. The conversation moved on and eventually Kitty and Lydia got too bored and said yes to dance with the next who asked.

"Excuse me," a voice interrupted the conversation around the table. Mary looked up and saw the young Marquess standing to the side. He bowed in greeting and for a moment Mary caught his eyes, but looked away in embarrassment, "I…" he said, and Mary felt his eyes upon her, "I-I was wondering if there is anything you need. My family wishes for everyone to enjoy themselves to the fullest," he explained with modesty and people smiled lovingly to him.

"I don't think this night could be more perfect," Mr. Bingley commented and the young Marquess had the grace to blush and bowed humbly. He lingered for a moment and then moved on.

"My, he's seemed quite sweet," Mrs. Bennet was saying when Mary had managed to bury her worry again.

"He almost stuttered," Miss Bingley commented with a giggle along with Mrs. Hurst.

"Perhaps because he saw Mary," Jane giggled lightly and Mary looked up, confused.

"Pardon?" She asked, unsure what they were talking of.

"He was looking at you," Lizzie explained and Mary fended off the hints with a witty:

"Must be my astonishing mask," and people laughed lightly before moving on. Mary spent no time dwelling on the Marquess, for she did not think he had looked at her more than anyone else, and found it all silly. Instead she moved onwards, politely, and blushingly, declining the two invitations for a dance on her way to the balcony.

The air was cool and refreshing when considering the heat from inside. She stared out upon the landscape and realised that Mr. Basiter had been quite right. There was indeed a large maze ending by a beautiful lake. Although Mary would love to explore she soon found the weather to be too cold and went inside again. By her table the young Marquess was again and Mary felt a slight worry in the pit of her stomach. Any mentioning of the necklace could be damaging and she did not like the idea of having to explain herself.

She slipped onto her seat just as Mrs. Bennet was asking if he, the Marquess, was interested in a dance with any of her daughters. The Marquess accepted and Kitty was promptly pushed his way.

"Do remember, Mrs. Bennet, that there is a time for scandals, but it is not with this family and definitely not right now," Mr. Bennet looked at her harshly and Mrs. Bennet had the grace to blush a light pink. Although, Mary quickly realised, it might've been the wine.

As the song ended the young Marquess escorted Kitty to her place and kissed her hand politely, commenting her marvellous dancing skills.

"Miss Bennet," The Marquess turned to her and Mary felt a suck in her naval, "will you do me the honour of the next dance?" Mary tensed.

"I'm sorry-" Mary was about to say that she did not dance, but her mother shushed her quickly and said yes. A moment later Mary was on her way to the dance floor to dance a dance she hardly knew the steps for.

"Please sir," Mary said in complete panic, "I do not dance well!" Mary explained in a frantic whisper as the song began.

"Follow my lead," he instructed professionally and Mary did so. Slowly the pair moved about and Mary, taking care of doing what everyone else did, was relieved that no disaster had been made. Yet.

"May I ask why you don't dance?" He asked as they turned.

In a hushed tone Mary said, "It always ended in disasters when I was younger and now it's sort of become a traumatic experience," he laughed at her, "what?" She demanded to know.

"Nothing, please excuse my bad behaviour," he was still glowing with humour and Mary felt herself laugh lightly in return. Indeed it did seem silly considering the main thing people did at gatherings were to dance.

"What do you do then?" He asked and Mary politely explained that she read books. He nodded gravely, which Mary felt slight anger towards. For her it seemed the Marquess disliked women learning. And then the question of the necklace came and Mary nearly forgot to keep dancing. Quickly she tried to find something to say, but as nothing suitable came up she kept silent and spoke not a word again throughout the dance. The pair parted without many words and Mary, upon reaching her table, was reprimanded for scaring him away.

She wanted to excuse, but she did not know how. And she did not even feel that it was for her to excuse. He had asked, after all, and as such he should apologise. Lizzie, Jane and Mrs. Bennet were the only ones at the table along with Mary when the Marquess came back.

"Mrs. Bennet," he bowed to Mrs. Bennet and briefly acknowledged the others presence. "I accidentally stepped over your daughter's feet earlier as we danced, I feel quite horrible! Might I have a word with her so I can apologise?" Mary frowned, not sure what he was talking about.

Mrs. Bennet looked at Mary and said, "Oh Marquess Von Thesen, please do not be alarmed! Mary cannot dance so I am sure the accident is not fault of yours!" Lizzie and Jane looked at Mary apologetically and made Mary feel slightly better, although, she was still confused as to what the Marquess was talking about. He had not stepped on her feet. Nevertheless, he gave her his arm and she politely took it and let herself be escorted around. For a few minutes no words were spoken, but eventually the Marquess said,

"I deeply apologise for my bad behaviour and for taking interest in business that is out of my concern," Mary looked up at him.

"You're forgiven," she said quietly; in her mind trying to find an excuse that sounded genuine and briefly wondering why he would go through the trouble of lying.

"I asked only because the necklace I have was specially made for me and there should be only one in this world," his voice was casual as if he had no desire to pursue the topic, but merely explaining. But Mary knew he still wanted answer.

"Oh?" She said, feigning interested, "well you know how the world is," she laughed lightly, but with a worried edge to it all, "everything is copied nowadays," she continued and he agreed and the pair fell silent again as they reached the doors to the balcony.

"There was another reason why I asked," he suddenly said and Mary noted that he seemed restless.

"Yes?" She questioned uninspired as they stopped by a large window. A servant passed them with some drinks and the Marquess beckoned the servant over and gave both him and Mary a glass. Mary sipped to the wine while waiting for the Marquess to continue.

"I gave the necklace I had to someone," he said calmly while looking intently at Mary. Mary frowned, waiting for him to continue, but he did not. Instead he watched her until she felt uncomfortable and turned towards the window.

"Perhaps that is how it got copied," she eventually said.

"No, I'm quite sure there is still that one," he stated and Mary turned to him, angry.

"Sir, are you accusing me for-" Mary fell silent. If there really only was this one necklace and he had given the necklace to someone… Mary shook her head. That was simply too silly a notion. The though of Ferdinand could be the Marquess was simply too far out.

"Did you give it to your fiancée?" She recovered and he replied with a simple no. She looked into his eyes; telling herself that she was mistaken. The heat of the room was going to her head. Before she knew it the hall was swimming before her eyes and she felt a hand lead her somewhere where the wind was cold. After a few minutes she felt herself recover from the experience and looked up into the Marquess's eyes.

"This cannot be," she whispered anxiously, "Ferdinand?"


Cliffe, I know, but... ahh well yeah, still trying to find out how to tangle everything in. Families, fiancees, Kitty... god that girl annoys me... I'd rather have her married before Mary, or at least engaged... It gives Mary a bit more of a left out spirit somehow... Wait, just had a plan! Brilliant! Ok, got to write now! Bye!

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