Summary: Follow Mary Bennet in her quest to discover her true self, as unlikely friendships are formed, tentative romances occur, and attempts of matchmaking (or insufferable meddling) run wild. Also featuring Kitty, and other lessener Austenian heroines. "Crossover" with Mansfield Park.
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Jane Austen's genius. Only this plot is mine, along with a few original characters.
Georgiana felt incredibly relieved since she had confessed her near-elopement to Kitty. It was the first time she had dared touched on this painful subject. With William it had been impossible, for he had kindly made it clear to his sister that the "incident" was forgotten. So kindly, in fact, that Georgiana had felt awfully ill-at-ease. Once again, Pemberley had been her shelter, her brother's presents- and his presence too- aiming at making her as carefree as before. Each time she remembered her brother's behaviour, she was ashamed for having treated him so badly. With his sense of duty, he had certainly felt responsible for her error. And unlike many others, he had not punished her, rightly understanding that the discover of Wickham's duplicity had punished her enough. He could have locked her in a dark room- well, this was very unlikely, but the idea was here-, put her under the vigilance of a severe dowager, or even- the very thought frightened her- sent her to her terrible Aunt, Lady Catherine, telling her the whole story.
The last option was definitely the worse. Her Aunt, she was sure, would not have been as sympathetic as this other Catherine who wanted to be called Kitty.
She had been so afraid to lose the young woman's esteem, and strangely, Kitty seemed more interested in befriending her now. Well, she did not understand the wheels of the Bennet sisters'mind, but she did not care. If she had been able to convince Kitty not to do the same mistakes, then her confession had been for the best.
Kitty was still shocked by Georgiana's confidences. But she did trust her implicitly. The horror of Wickham's true character, the doubt on her young sister's marital life, the astonishment to learn of the generosity of this cold and arrogant man, Mr Darcy- how he must love Lizzy, then! Now I understand why she did marry him, after all- and Mama was wrong, it was not for his money! It was out of gratitude, and perhaps even love- and above all, to learn that Georgiana had been so…so bold!
Kitty had always considered herself as more sensible than Lydia, due to her being one year older. This was partly true, for she was indeed more sensible, but far less than she praised herself to be.
However, had she been proposed to elope, she would have seriously hesitated, no matter how sorely tempted she would have been. She used to think of an elopement as a most romantic gesture, but she would not have easily eloped. First, she was aware of the inconveniences of an elopement; then, although she was too innocent to think that the destination was not Gretna Green, she would not have eloped with the first amiable young man. Of course she was not averse to the silliness of flirting- she had not been Lydia's sidekick for years for nothing!-, but she was well aware that flirting was not falling in love. And Kitty Bennet had rather high standards for the man whom she ought to marry: handsome, rich (the influence of Mrs Bennet had somehow crushed Kitty's most romantic and non mercenary aspirations), adventurous. So as you can see, Kitty Bennet would not have eloped so easily as many assumed. This was what made her think highly of Georgiana, whom she had quickly classified as belonging to the "dull and proper" category. Now Kitty was compelled to forget her prejudice, and her admiration for Georgiana's unsuspected boldness was the first incentive to make friends with her.
With these thoughts she was done tying the ribbons of her hat and went to find Georgiana to parade in Town.
Mrs Fanny Bertram had been true to her promise: Mrs Traumayn and Mary had received an invitation at the parsonage. Meanwhile, Mary had dutifully fulfilled her task as a companion. She had played every evening, had read aloud the poems Mrs Traumayn was so fond of, trying to correct her reading according to Mrs Traumayn's comments.
Mrs Traumayn had listened to Mary's reading interestedly. The young woman had read with the application of a pupil: loudly enough to be heard, but without any trace of emotion in her voice. She had been saddened by the fact that Miss Bennet, who had many difficulties expressing her own feelings in real life, could not achieve to do so while reading the feelings of others. Sure, there was no mistaking in the way her eyes were suddenly more alight, but to less observant people Miss Bennet looked emotionless. However, Mrs Traumayn had not suggested to Miss Bennet more expression in her voice: this would have only confused the young woman. Instead, she had subtly given her technical advice on the way she should articulate words, without exaggeration but in order to reach a perfect elocution. And she was proud of Miss Bennet's ability to do so, often judging that with a good teacher, Miss Bennet could have achieved earlier a great deal of accomplishments, and perhaps, if properly encouraged, she might have possessed enough assurance not to always carefully guard her feelings. She had been surprised when one evening, she had taken a nap, exhausted, while Mary was reading- and how, waking up half an hour later, she had found Mary still gently reading.
"Miss Bennet, how much I appreciate your devotion to your task, you ought to have stopped when I fell asleep! I would not have blamed you, and you would have spared yourself a sore throat!" she had exclaimed.
Miss Bennet had a rueful little smile:
"I am used to people dozing or talking whereas I have begun to read. This does not bother me".
"Who? Who may have been indelicate enough to act so rudely?" Mrs Traumayn had asked.
Miss Bennet had looked surprised by Mrs Traumayn's outburst against the offenders:
"Well, my younger sisters, sometimes my elder too- and my mother. I cannot blame them, for my readings do not interest them much."
"Nonsense! Would you act so, Miss Bennet? Even admitting that the orator would be quite dull?" Mrs Traumayn had interrupted.
"Well, no, but others do not feel the same way and we cannot change it" Miss Bennet had answered.
"Listen, Miss Bennet, the rules of savoir-vivre do apply to everyone. Respect does work both way. Do not let other people look down on you, and promise me that next time I fall asleep while you are reading, you shall consider your duty over."
Miss Bennet had looked very pale, startled. Mrs Traumayn had realised with a pang of heart that she was not used to being talked so.
And now they were on the way to the parsonage. Mrs Traumayn looked at Mary's dress: very strict, greyish. She could not reproach anything to the dress except that it made a young woman of nineteen look like a middle-aged dowager. But she had understood that Miss Bennet liked hiding in these clothes, so she had not the strength to deprive her of her shell. And thus they arrived at the parsonage, greeted by the charming Mrs Bertram and her husband, a kind-looking young man.
Mary was comforted by the sight of Mrs Bertram, but she hoped she should see Miss Price. There was something in Miss Price's frank and open manners which made her feel welcome. As she was introduced in the dining room, she spotted Miss Price in a modest brown dress. Miss Price saw her too, for she flashed her a bright smile and came to her, leaving Lady Bertram, comfortably seated in a chair overflowing with cushions, Mary noticed, to the care of several men whose backs were the only things Mary could see of them.
"Miss Bennet! Mrs Traumayn! How good to see you again" she exclaimed.
Once again, Mrs Bertram looked slightly uneasy by her sister's display, but Mary did not see why. Miss Price did not have the cheek of Lydia and Kitty.
Mrs Bertram's husband, the young Mr Edmund Bertram, made the introductions. He called the men who were discussing near Lady Bertram:
"Mrs Traumayn, Miss Bennet, let me introduce you to Mr Charles Maddox."
"We know him already. How do you do, Mr Maddox?" Mrs Traumayn said.
"And this is my elder brother, Mr Tom Bertram." Mr Edmund went on.
A tall young man made a perfect bow, then Mary met his dark brown eyes looking amused when he recognised her.
So Mr Tom Bertram was this impudent stranger!
She gave him a criticising look as she noticed that he was the most "fashionable" man of the little assembly. As a parson, his young brother was dressed more simply, and Mr Maddox was not as elegant as him. As they seated for dinner, she compared the two brothers. They were both tall and very handsome, but whereas Mr Edmund Bertram had light-brown hair and blue eyes, his brother had dark brown hair and brown eyes. Miss Price had told her that Mr Tom Bertram was twenty-seven and Mr Edmund Bertram, twenty-five, but Mr Edmund looked the eldest of the two with his kind but solemn face.
She listened to the ongoing conversation between the two brothers while Lady Bertram remained silent, Mrs Traumayn quietly conversed with Mr Maddox and Mrs Fanny Bertram, and Miss Price stopped telling Mary how glad she was that Mary could come and busied herself with the soup.
"Why did Father not come with you, Tom? Did your business trip go well?"
"Do not concern yourself with these dreadful business matters, Edmund. You have much to do with the parsonage" Mr Bertram answered carelessly and, to Mary's ears, a bit dryly.
"Father was tired, so he did not come. But do not worry, you shall receive him soon. This is just a little indisposition. You know how Father easily worries" he reassured his brother .
Mary nearly huffed at the lack of concern the young dandy expressed for his Father's health. The words of Lord Prescott came to her mind "the troubles brought to Sir Bertram by his eldest…". Surely the ways of the young man had not been assuaged over the years, and this explained Sir Bertram's indisposition.
Mr Bertram was musing over the young woman who had been introduced to him as "Miss Bennet". He had been rather amused to discover that the fierce-tongued young woman who would not ask for his help was this shallow-looking and silent Miss Bennet. She was nothing like the other young women he knew: her dress reminded him of the horrors his meddlesome Aunt Mrs Norris-thankfully currently abroad- used to wear shamelessly, and she had refused his help.
The elegant (and somewhat bothersome) young women he knew asked for a gentleman's help every two seconds when they were taking a walk: "Mr Bertram, I have lost my handkerchief! Can you find it? I think I lost him near this tree? Have you looked under this bush?" or "Mr Bertram, I am sure that I twisted my ankle! I heard something crack! Can you stay with me and hold my hand until the suffering goes away and the doctor arrives? ".
Well, perhaps it was not so boldly asked, but the young ladies had no qualms using a gentleman's gallantry to be served. In the first case, he amiably searched the bushes with the cane he brought each time a walk was bound to take place; in the second, he offered his services to go and fetch the doctor, but he very firmly refused to sit by a bed of pain, furthermore imaginary.
And he was definitely not used to meet faces as severe as this of Miss Bennet. Her lips were pinched as though she was seeing something in him which disgusted her, and he was pretty sure that she was glaring at him while he was discussing his father's condition with his brother. What was wrong with this young lady? She looked so dull and modest, but Tom knew better: she had acted like a stubborn mule with more persistence than many ladies of his acquaintance. One thing was certain: he was resolved to avoid her as much as possible.
After dinner, she was seated near his brother –luckily not himself!- and he distinctly heard her ask Edmund:
"Sir, I would like to know your impressions on Fordyce's Sermons."
Fordyce's Sermons? The title itself led him to a deep slumber. This sounded very like this austere lady: her appearance, her glares…He rolled his eyes at the philosophical discussion his brother was indulging himself.
Yes, Miss Bennet was definitely a lady to avoid at all costs. Between looking for lost handkerchiefs and discussing an old bore's sermons, Tom Bertram knew what was the best for him.
Mary was very glad to talk of what she used to proclaim was her favourite book, but that she had come to consider as terribly, well, narrow-minded. Fordyce's Sermons contained advice to young ladies: how they should behave publicly, what they should believe. Mr Edmund Bertram shared her views:
"This book is way too harsh on your sex, Miss Bennet. A lady shall know how she ought to behave through her education, and above all her conscience- she need not this book to act properly."
Miss Price was looking a little lost:
"Mrs Traumayn, Miss Bennet, we are used to playing a game of whist. Would you like to join? ".
Mrs Bertram said that for herself, she was not a very good player, but she urged her guests to enjoy themselves.
"I am sure that my brother-in-law and Mr Maddox shall see no objection."
Mrs Traumayn declined the offer:
"I am a dreadful player, I am afraid; but perhaps Miss Bennet does play?".
Lady Bertram declined too, and so did her second son; but Mr Bertram was seizing the opportunity to escape the boring duty to entertain his mother, and Mr Maddox was ready to oblige his friend and Miss Price. But there was still one player lacking, Mr Bertram realised.
After his brother, his sister-in-law and Mrs Traumayn's refusal, he asked without much hope:
"Do you play, Miss Bennet? You just need to know the rules, which are quite simple-and we do not expect a perfect strategy from you. Everyone is entitled to mistakes", he said encouragingly.
The condescension! I shall show him that one can be a good player outside the London's circles!
"I do play, Mr Bertram" she quietly answered.
"Please, Miss Bennet, be my partner!" Susan exclaimed.
"Tom is so proud of his game, and I must avenge last time's game. He cruelly squashed Fanny and I with Mr Maddox, but it was foul play- Fanny is so kind that she does not play to win! " she added affectionately.
This reminds me of Jane. Poor dear Jane loses each time she plays too. Well, if Miss Price has a combative spirit, perhaps I have finally found partner who is devoted to the game for once.
"I accept your offer, Miss Price" Mary said seriously.
And the game began. Miss Price had been right: Mr Maddox was an average player, whose nice comments during the game diverted Miss Price's attention as well as his own. Surprisingly, Mr Bertram was as good as Miss Price had claimed him to be, and his regular features showed his concentration. He did reply to his friend's comments, though, but only when necessary, and Mary was forced to admit that he was the best player she had ever met, Mr Hurst excepted.
She was not the only one surprised by her opponent. Mr Bertram was very mortified to see that Miss Bennet held her own very satisfactorily, giving him a hard time. Since when did bookworms learn to play so ruthlessly? But he did not complain much, for he had to uphold his reputation as a gallant gentleman, and like Mary, he had not known such a challenge since he had begun to play in the country for quite a long time.
After a very disputed game, especially between Mr Bertram and Miss Bennet, which even led to Mr Bertram asking his friend to focus on the game- Miss Bennet did not need to go to such measures, since the very fact that her cousin had to ask for his partner's attention made Miss Price aware that they had a chance to win, which ensued in her energetic nature being entirely devoted to the game-, Miss Price and Miss Bennet were declared victorious.
Whereas Miss Price thanked her profusely, and the others commented on her ability: "Upon my word, Miss Bennet, this was very well played!" Mr Maddox said, and Mrs Traumayn smiled :"I see that you are a young lady of more talents than you praise yourself for", and Mr Edmund joked: " My brother shall not recover from this, Miss Bennet", Mr Bertram congratulated her, offering the perfect example of the well-bred gentleman who accepts defeat with dignity, although his eyes were a little glazed by the astonishment.
He had been defeated by a bookworm who read Fordyce's Sermons! His friends from London, and his fashionable brother-in-law Mr Yates, shall never hear of it, or he shall be the laughing stock of the assembly!. Mr Bertram franctically thought.
Then Mrs Traumayn and Mary had to depart, for it was quite late, but both had been thoroughly enjoying the evening.
Elizabeth had let Kitty and free to go in Town and to make their little purchases. Kitty was facing excruciating choices, between the hats, the gloves, the beautiful silk she dreamed of to be wrapped around her…but the reality of her allowance made her sigh and choose cute, frivolous but affordable accessories. Seeing her sigh, Georgiana shyly proposed that Kitty borrowed her some money, but Kitty refused:
"No, Georgiana; I can make the most of anything. Some ribbons and I have a whole new hat, a few laces and I have a more elegant dress. But you could use your allowance for a new dress! You are always very elegant, of course, but you always wear the same colours. You have the means to change and to be more noticed at balls, and I am willing to help you!" she exclaimed.
"Thank you, Kitty, but I do not think that it would be a good idea. I am quite satisfied with the dresses your sister chooses for me, and"
"You mean that Lizzy chooses your dresses?" Kitty asked, incredulous.
"Well, she proposed to help me since I cannot decide when I am at the dressmaker, so it is easier for me. I do not want to go halfway the trouble which comes with a new dress, and your sister has been very kind to do so."
"But Georgiana, I might accept Lizzy's advice, but I never let her choose my dress for me! It is so much fun to consider the colours, the material, and Lizzy deprives you of this entertainment!"
"I asked her to" Georgiana defended her sister-in-law.
"But she shall agree to let you choose yourself if you asked her to?"
"Yes, I suppose, but Kitty, I assure you that I cannot speak my mind when I am at the dressmaker. People are pressing me to hurry and to take a decision, and I find myself with a dress that I dislike. Your sister chooses according to my taste, and I am not certain that I want to change."
"I shall ask Lizzy and we shall do this together, please? I shall help you but your word shall make the trick. Please" Kitty said with irresistible puppy eyes.
This was Georgiana's most important weakness: she could not say "no". And so she agreed to Kitty's scheme, even promising that she would speak to Lizzy about this plan the very evening.
As the two girls were walking down the street, two gentlemen stopped to greet them. Kitty recognized the first one, the Earl of Hampstead, looking a little less bored than his usual self. He introduced them to his friend, a light-brown haired gentleman with expressive dark eyes, as Mr Harding.
Mr Harding bowed and said little, his eyes detailing Georgiana's sweet face with an admiration he did not quite manage to hide. Georgiana said nothing, letting Kitty exchanging the usual "how do you do's" before the Earl, having spotted the predatory Miss Owen and Miss Bingley approaching, excused himself and his friend and after a look at Mr Harding, emitted the wish that they shall meet again, but he had to elbow his friend twice before he snapped out of his silent contemplation and bowed again.
Then, Kitty, having perfectly detected the approach of the two ladies as the cause of the gentlemen's departure- despite his nonchalance, the Earl had good eyes! It must have been what they call self-preservation, Kitty mused- took Georgiana's elbow and quickened her pace. A few words whispered at Georgiana's ear – Miss Bingley is behind us- were enough to make Georgiana follow Kitty's lead. When properly stimulated, Georgiana was a very fast walker too.
Once they were out of the two ladies' sight, they smiled to each other. Then Kitty teased Georgiana:
"What do you think of Mr Harding? He is a very handsome gentleman."
"He certainly does look so. Why this question, Kitty?"
"I daresay that Mr Harding looked also quite smitten with you, Georgiana. He did not even hear his friend's adieu before the Earl elbowed him."
Georgiana blushed fiercely and exclaimed:
"No, Kitty! This cannot be true!"
Kitty, surprised by Georgiana's reluctance to recognise the young man's obvious admiration, changed the subject. Georgiana was far too modest for her own good, but she would change that.
A few days later, Georgiana found a letter on her plate for breakfast. Elizabeth spotted it but did not mention it to her sister-in-law. However, Georgiana opened it and said aloud:
"This is from Mary! Lizzy, Kitty, do you want me to read it to you?"
" Mary wrote it to you, Georgiana. We shall not invade your privacy" Elizabeth said gently.
Kitty added sotto voce:
"Besides, there is nothing interesting Mary could say! She probably knows nobody and nobody knows her because she is always engrossed in her books!"
Georgiana read Mary's letter:
"Dear Miss Darcy,
I hope that this letter shall find you in good health. Unfortunately, I have not much to tell you, but I hope that the friendship you offered to me shall overlook the mundane facts of my life.
Mrs Traumayn is very kind to me, and the Bennet name fears nothing with her. I try to make myself as useful as I can, for I am very grateful that I have been given this opportunity to discover a new place, new people. And this has worked so far, Miss Darcy, for I have met a very nice girl, Miss Susan Price. I think you should like her. She is not as shy as you and I, and possesses this scarce gift of being always welcoming. She really makes you forget all awkwardness. I wished I could be as lively, but there is always this feeling of self-consciousness which makes me weigh the pros and cons of my actions, and I end up feeling very stiff and uncomfortable. However, I spent a very enjoyable evening yesterday.
We were invited at the parsonage- the parson is Miss Price's cousin, and his wife is her elder sister, both reminding me a lot of Mr Bingley and Jane- and there I played whist and Miss Price and I, who were partnered together, won against Mr Bertram- the elder brother of the parson- and Mr Charles Maddox, a very amiable gentleman. Though I know how petty this victory may appear to you, I had a very good time. It was the first time that most of the people of the assembly did not judge me, there was no ball so I did not ridicule myself by sitting as a wallflower during the whole evening, and I actually enjoyed myself, playing a game I enjoy with worthy opponents. This is a minor thing, I am aware of the fact, but it means much to me. The only gentleman I did not like was Mr Bertram, and I do not say so because he was a valuable adversary, but except for his skill at playing whist, he does not have much to recommend himself. This does not matter, since I want to make friends with Miss Price, and I shall avoid the gentleman's society.
What about you, Miss Darcy? I hope that you enjoy balls and social gatherings more than I do. Kitty does not bother you too much with dresses and ribbons and lace, does she? If you cannot stand her ramblings anymore, threaten to play the piano, and you shall have several hours alone. It used to work by me.
Before I stop writing, please kindly tell me how Lizzy and Kitty are doing. I have written to Jane too so I shall hear of her soon, but I shall not write to Kitty unless she wants me too, which is very unlikely, and I shall wait before writing to Lizzy, for it would be very awkward since our last discussion. (You know why, Miss Darcy, since you heard it).
I have written to Father too- a very short brief, formal, telling him of my whereabouts and asking about his health and Mama's. You are my most reliable correspondent, Miss Darcy. I count on you.
Please give my regards to my sisters. I hope I shall receive a letter from you soon,
Mary Bennet".
Georgiana heard Lizzy's slightly anxious voice:
"How is Mary, Georgiana? Is she well?"
"She is indeed", Georgiana assured her. "She gives her regards and asks of your news, Lizzy, and you too, Kitty."
Kitty looked surprised and answered dismissively:
"Oh, write to her that I am very well and that I enjoy myself quite pleasantly at the balls."
Elizabeth answered quietly:
"Tell her that we are all in good health and that we hope we shall see her soon, once she decides to quit her position."
And thus she left. Georgiana decided on her own accord to write to Mary only the first part of her sister's message.
Author's note:
-first, thanks a lot for your reviews, they really make my day! I would love to read your comments, suggestions...
-each time I post a new chapter, I reply to the reviews on my profile and delete the former reviews.
-Coming soon: Mary encouters rather unpleasant ladies, her acquaintance with Susan is at crossroads, and Kitty is bored...