This chapter was again tricky since I am not a dweller of London and I do not know all its ins and outs, but I shall document myself more in the future. I tried my best and if the atmosphere is not that of real London, I apologize and encourage you to give me some piece of advice about it. In any case, thank you all for your reviews and hope you enjoy reading.

Chapter 20: London!

There were many ways Mary could have described the journey by carriage that she suffered with the Gardiners and her father. Pleasant was not one of them.

She had left very early in the morning, the sun had not risen yet, but everyone was ready to go so she had to comply.

Struggling with the luggage to the vehicle while listening to her mother's shrill voice had been one thing, but the awful silence that followed afterwards was unbearable.

Mary had never enjoyed too much gab or noise, but this time she found the quietness disturbing. Her father was deep in thought and looked so worried about something which she could not tell, that she fretted to ask him anything.

Mr. Gardiner had not slept much the night before so he was quite drowsy, making him perfectly still and, if he did not talk, his wife did not durst to either.

Mary frowned and thought she would never let herself be bullied into silence by anyone. Of course, it was her wish not to talk, but she liked to feel she could talk if she wanted to.

She leant against the window looking out at the grey sky. Rain was coming soon and she would probably see a mucky, grubby London.

But as the carriage passed the hills in silence she wondered whether she should expect more; perhaps it would not be a tedious trip; perhaps she would find some joy in exploring the vast city, though she doubted that under the strict vigilance of the Gardiners, she would have any of that.

However, even little was good enough. She desired to feast her eyes upon the libraries and offices and firms and shops and all those little trinkets she saw in the shop windows. It would be exciting to see all that was new to her, at least for some days.

She would write to her mother and Kitty and maybe…maybe the Colonel and her could come to London a bit, that would be nice.

No. Stop doing that, she's not just your sister anymore. She's also a wife. She already has someone to care for her, you cannot provide that anymore. Is not this better?

She doubted it. With all her insecurities, it felt better to have someone to look after.

At length, she let her eyes drop from tiredness and fell into a deep slumber which she had denied herself since five in the morning.

'Mary, Mary, wake up. We've arrived!'

Someone was shaking her and she almost had half a mind to tell that person off, when she realised she wasn't at home and Mrs. Gardiner wasn't one of her sisters.

She instantly looked up and saw her smiling face.

When Mary dared look out the carriage an over-whelming sight appeared in front of her.

The tall towers and buildings heaved upon her with their cemented breath as streets wound and narrowed into little alleys, darkened by shade. In front of her, an open market flanked its little shops and stalls neatly across the dirty pavement as chimney sweeps strolled smirking with their brooms on their shoulders.

Women shouted at the top of their lungs, exposing garments which oozed their bosoms out like fresh flowers in a spring morning. Sweat glided down their forehead as they slapped their little children to be quiet.

Carts blocked the road as many barrels were thrown in the street and some strong lads picked them up and ran with them to a tall, red-bricked building that exerted smoke through a thick-looking chimney.

Old linden trees and acacias bowed down when the wind swept through them and released their flowers and scent upon the lucky pedestrians who hurried to their daily tasks. She saw birds soaring in the sky, chanting wearily as no one listened and she felt a tingly feeling in her stomach when she saw so many faces, so many places, so much movement.

She could see even from here the Palace of Westminster like a brooding shadow that arched its columns and frowned at every visitor who did not pay it their right service.

'Ye get inside now, ye wonderin' fool!' an elderly man shouted at a young man who stood out of an office talking to a young girl wearing no bonnet.

The gilded sign wrote "Boucle's" and the man appeared to be a clerk there who had taken an inopportune break from his duties.

'Conquestin', aye?' the elder continued mockingly. 'Cow lasses make ye want to quit, aye?'

'Half a penny and all you can get about The Sixth Coalition in the Courrier! Come buy it, save yourself a penny, get it with ha'penny. Come ye, don't you wish to know how Paris goes?' a young lad was yelling with all his might, flagging his newspapers.

So many beautiful houses rose seemingly out of dust before her, their little gardens prim and proper, their front doors coloured and bright and the curtains drawn up to reveal a perfectly comfortable parlour, but around them, a chaos of noise and movement made them appear as crowded and crammed.

She saw with delight how they entered Piccadilly and her mouth, which had fallen agape anyway, echoed yelps of wonder. She stood at the window and couldn't take her eyes off all she saw, all the people and their odd countenance, all the hustle of the city.

She had never enjoyed towns or crowds, but she felt pleased to drive through London in a carriage, not taking part in the bustle but rather watching it from afar and admiring its vigour.

'Is not it so wonderful and at the same time wicked, Mary dear?' asked Mrs. Gardiner knowingly.

'Why yes…it is not what I expected.'

'Now, Mary, do not act like this is a new country, it's only the capital. If you saw Paris at this time…that would be a treat,' her father spoke for the first time and Mary blushed self-conscious.

'Now let her be excited if she wishes! It's not every day a young girl like her gets to see this,' Mr. Gardiner said.

'Quite true, you'll see Mary, London has much to entertain. Jane thought so too, in fact she fell in love with the theatre here. If you can ignore all this artificial haste, you can actually look upon an admirable, ancient city,' Mrs. Gardiner added.

'Now…we need to arrive in Southwark Street which is …well some miles ahead. Of course, if you first prefer to have a bite to eat, I do not think Greta, our cook, prepared anything.'

'No, we'd better go and rest and put the luggage away,' Mary spoke firmly and her father smiled pleased.

Those miles ahead were quite many, but she waited obediently until they reached a very pretty dwelling, with blue curtains at the windows and a flight of stairs at the door. It was white and grey, but it looked very welcoming.

'Well, it's humble, but quite something in this part of town; it's well furnished, compared to the Nickelbots'. They have a preposterously large house, but they barely have two couches,' said Mrs. Gardiner, but Mary did not think the house small and humble at all. It was almost as large as a country house and she wondered if her aunt really considered her dwellings modest or simply tried to seem unaffected.

Another gruelling struggle with luggage was overcome and she was comfortably set in her room, which was a neat little bedroom with a wardrobe and a desk. She felt quite cosy and she installed all her possessions immediately, wanting to go down and see the rest of the house.

For only two people living in it, the house was greatly lavished. She truly could not see the logics of it being so, since they had no children, but she supposed they deserved their luxury as long as it was gained honestly.

The drawing room was decidedly her favourite room since it contained an ample library. Her spirits were dampened, however, to discover most of them covered aspects of economics, business and very few with the History of the Jacobs.

These were not such pleasing subjects, but she would not care so much, for she had all London to search for books. The dining room was very festive all the time, since her aunt and uncle usually had many guests, especially now since Mr. Gardiner had acquired Mr. Toddler as a partner.

Good china could always be seen on the table, which was rarely put out at home since the Bennets never received such visits; her father loathed them.

Mr. Bennet took some rest in his chambers and decided he would go to the law office tomorrow morning, at a sharp hour, or so he told his daughter and relatives. He refused to have some supper right away, since he wished to be alone to meditate upon his course of action the morrow.

He knew his behaviour was making Mary worry, but he could not help it. He only smiled at her encouragingly and went on to his business silently whilst she was guided by her aunt and uncle through the house.

'Here we keep some old likenesses…' said Mr. Gardiner as he led her to a room that sported a pianoforte and many lovely sofas and chairs, around some card tables. The walls were adorned with odd-looking paintings.

He stopped short in front of the portrait of a very stout looking man, mounted on his horse and surveying what seemed to be a valley with his binoculars.

'What think you? Who does he look like so firm up there?' asked her uncle.

'Er…Captain Wellington?'

What does he wish me to say?

Her uncle frowned and coughed upset.

'Poo! Him! He's no good. That's my great grand-father, Augustus! Many say I am the spitting image of him, his son took after his mother and so forth...'

'Was he really…a red coat?'

'Heavens, no! He simply sat the portrait, he dealt with trade.'

'Oh,' she let out disappointed. So much for chivalry in the family…

Appearances could not be ignored, no matter how false.

'Now you stop bragging about your ancestors already, a bunch of upset fellows with no sense of humour! Better come with me, Mary, I'll show you our pianoforte.'

She was grateful her aunt saved her from further embarrassment, but when Mrs. Gardiner launched herself in a tedious story of how she had purchased this wonderful object she unfortunately "had no talent for", Mary regretted having left Mr. Gardiner.

She wondered if she was allowed to play, but she considered she had given up. She did not know what to play that would please them, anyway. Yet, the sight of such a comfort made her heart beat faster as she remembered old times when she would not leave the instrument for a second.

'But you know how to play, do not you, Mary?'

'Oh, I did at one time, but I have lost my skill…I suppose…'

'But you can practice here, then!'

She smiled obediently, but she doubted she would.

'Who will entertain us when we have guests, after all?'

She looked up alarmed. If there was one thing she loathed more than town, it was gatherings with food and play and such triviality that it made her stomach turned upside down.

She would find a way to escape those, if she could. Perhaps faking a headache would work.

The tour of the house and all their clamorous talk lasted for two hours, after which Mary was thankful to return to the solitude of her room.

She had thrown herself on the bed, ready to close her eyes, when a maid entered her chamber boldly, without bothering to knock.

'Dinner is a'ready, Missus,' she stuttered.

'Now?' she almost wailed.

The maid looked at her confused, as if she had not understood the question.

'Nevermind…I'll be down promptly.'

'Better change ye clothes, Missus…' the maid spoke again.

Mary blinked with disbelief. How audacious of her!

'Why should I?'

'Mrs. Gardiner don't like…plain clothes for dinner.'

Plain! This is one of my best…oh, why do I bother…

'I was not intending to wear it anyway,' she added wearily and shut the door.

Is the reader really keen on finding out how this unfortunate dinner went? Perhaps you have already gathered that Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did indeed take much pride in their home and only continued their prattle throughout the meal, though they spared Mary to talk of her itinerary for the next days. They seemed keen on planning it all for her and what could she do but consent to it? She was only a guest, after all.

It was almost the end of the meal and she was sipping from her glass of wine tiredly, being slightly put off that her first day had been spent inside, when the audacious maid returned to announce that Mr. Bennet had called Mary to him.

She was surprised to hear it, but relieved to leave the table and join her father. She knocked at his door carefully and was allowed in, where she discovered her father sitting in the armchair, by the window with the newspaper on his lap.

Many sheets of paper were scattered across his desk, but she chose not to inquire about them as she noticed her father looked exhausted.

'You called, papa?'

'I did, Mary, come here.'

She obeyed and sat on the opposite chair across from him, looking up expectantly.

'You are probably wondering why I called. I wanted to discuss some things with you.' He paused. 'I guess this is also a chance to apologise for not acting much like a father today and for hiding in my room all this time.'

Mary started to protest but he did not let her.

'But you must understand, I have been very much worried these past days and I didn't know what to do, up until recently. I chose to hide some things, but perhaps I can trust you, for I am in need of your help this time, Mary.'

'What is bothering you father and how can I help?'

He sighed and put his hand on hers.

'I need you to keep a secret for me. I won't be returning home from London. No, no, don't be scared, I'm not eloping at my age! I simply need to pay a visit. To Mr. Collins…but your mother and sister must not know.'

'Mr. Collins?' she asked surprised. 'Why do you wish to visit him and why without mother knowing?'

'I have issues to discuss with him which would displease your mother. I can hardly lie to her, this was hard enough, but I'd rather keep this away from her, for a while. At least to see how this visit advantages me.'

'Why…why need you talk to him?'

But she already knew the answer to that and her eyes darted to the papers on his desk. He noticed it and smiled.

'You're quite bright Mary, I'm sure you already know…'

'Papa…you do not need to lower yourself like that…'

'I won't beg for help Mary! But the man must have some sense, there must be something I can do…'

'Why must you try so hard?' Mary insisted.

'For whom do you think I try?'

She bowed her head ashamed.

'Mary, dear…I am not putting myself out too much. I'll give it a try, if it leads to nowhere, I'll content myself with the fact that I need my sons-in-law to provide for my two single daughters.'

Mary admitted to herself she wouldn't like that, but would acquiesce nevertheless.

'What…what is it that you want me to do?'

He grinned and caressed her hand.

'I will be some days away. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner would offer to write to your mother, but you should try and persuade them otherwise, tell them you would rather keep in touch with her solely since you would have so many things to tell her. I will tardy some days in which time you must write to your mother that I am still in London, dealing with some unfinished business at my will. Tell it so that she does not worry much, for any modification to it brings panic to her. After all these years, she still believes me capable of foolish acts. That is all I would need you to do, Mary. I would need you to make her believe I am still in London until I return, of course. I promise she will find out about my visit, eventually.'

She grasped the full meaning of his words and nodded absently. She would not be lying to her family for the first time.

'A-alright then…but please be careful and return promptly home, do not tardy a single day,' she insisted.

'My dear, I do not believe that Mr. Collins' lovely manners would keep me there more than three days, at most.'

She laughed pleased and already thought of how she would write to her mother.

'And you'll tell the Gardiners you're leaving?'

'Yes, I shall leave the day after tomorrow, they will know that I have departed home, but you and I, Mary, would know different,' he said winking at her.

She felt a bit excited; her father and she shared a secret. It was a rare case, since he had never entrusted her with such ordeals.

'I see you're gleeful at the opportunity of fooling your mother,' he added.

'Indeed, I could not let this chance pass…'

'Do not let London pass you either, Mary. Do not let the Gardiners rule you completely. London has its charm, especially for young ladies.'

'I do not know how I'll like it, but entertainment does not interest me so.'

'Haha! I used to speak like that when I was young and then I realised no one believed me, including myself! Ah, Mary youth is wasted on the young. Do not be so bitter about life.'

'I am not, papa. But life isn't simply an endless laughter, life is full of beauty and discovery. A woman can't do so much to elevate herself.'

'Do not look down upon your sex, they can do much if they but put their mind to it, I am sure you could, Mary.'

'If I am given a chance…'

'You are given one every moment, you need but take it.'

Mary had entertained the view that Mr. Gardiner seemed too worldly and comfortable with his situation and did not exert himself so much to deserve his name. The next day she had to admit that she wasn't entirely correct.

Mr. Gardiner woke her up quite early and immediately told her he would take her on foot across Central London to have a good look at some wonderful constructions and shops. She was surprised to know he enjoyed walking so much and was delighted at his proposal.

'I have some business to attend to as well, but I'll keep you in sight. You can explore the surroundings whilst I step into some offices a bit.'

Mary agreed happily and put on one of her nicer gowns, not forgetting the money her father had given her for books. She was quite thrilled to be out so early and to wander on the streets the entire morning and midday.

Mrs. Gardiner wished them luck and wanted to pack them something to eat, but Mr. Gardiner proposed they dine out, at which Mary nodded pleased.

Thus away they went!

Mornings were always quieter, especially since it was Friday, but the air was thick with the smell of carts, horses, burnt coal and lime.

The streets were half-crowded, half-empty and she felt some freedom in walking beside her uncle, who stood erect and proud, holding her hand.

Everywhere she looked, Mary found something to pique her curiosity, even though she hardly admitted it to herself.

At last, she found a bookshop next to one of the churches and she decided she would loiter for a while there. Her uncle was pleased and told her he would be waiting for her whilst he would be checking with some acquaintances across the street.

'Call me if you need anything, I shall be close by,' he told her and left her to her own schemes.

Mary was delighted and she entered the shop which she wouldn't leave for another hour.

Inside there wasn't much space, not as much as she would have liked, but so many books adorned the walls that it made her skip with joy as she strolled across the panelled walls and thumbed each volume carefully.

Every shelf offered a new pleasure and many a times she was tricked into sitting down and reading through one of the volumes, until the shop assistant coughed loudly as warning. She then blushed and placed the book under her elbow, clearly considering purchasing it.

After the best of an hour had passed Mary was struggling hard to carry no more, no less than five and twenty books of all sizes. Other customers peered at her curiously and the shop assistant literally opened his mouth in surprise as she declared happily she would buy them all. Her face was glowing and it seemed there was no end to her joy.

'All? Are you sure, madam?'

'Yes, I am quite sure,' she replied hotly. She was giving the largest portion of her money on them, but she had picked the most indispensable.

'Very well then…but…I shall tie them up for you. It will be a bit tedious to carry…'

'No matter, no matter!' she replied looking at the shelves she had left and considering she should perhaps inspect them again, lest she had not skimmed through the books properly.

'Very well then,' the man in front of her huffed, toiling with the volumes.

At length, she exited the shop carrying her load of books tied with a string together. They had been placed in three packages wrapped in paper and she could barely see in front of her because of them, as her head was completely hidden.

For a moment she feared that being alone with this load, someone might attempt to sway her and steal her books, but she considered not many people stole books in those times.

As she turned the corner ready to call for her uncle, she noticed he was some feet away talking anxiously to a young man, fashionably dressed and sporting a top hat.

She squeezed her eyes to have a better view and she almost yelped.

Mr. Prowler! What is he doing here?

But then she remembered his offices were in London. It would not be a shocking thing to see him on the street, yet she felt slightly panicked.

Why is he talking to my uncle? What do they have to share, anyway? But I will wait until he leaves, I will not face him after what happened at the wedding.

She felt a new gush of anger take over her as she recalled his behaviour.

Mr. Prowler was, indeed, sharing some light conversation with Mr. Gardiner, but nothing of the sort to make young men too focused, thus, from the corner of his usually observant eye, the young lawyer noticed a woman's figure watching them at the corner of the street.

At first he was not sure what to think, but when he saw the packages of books, all doubts left him. He smiled mischievously and pointed towards her corner.

'Is that the niece you have told me of, Mr. Gardiner? I think I saw her at the wedding.'

Mary observed the two men had turned their eyes on her.

Why are they looking at me? Oh, no.

She quickly hid behind the wall but it was too late.

'Mary, dear, is that you?' her uncle called.

'Are you hiding, Miss Bennet?' another voice called and she grimaced at knowing whose it was.

Breathing, she straightened herself as best as she could and calmed herself before turning the corner with dignity.

She held her head up and refused to look at him, seeming as if she had never tried to escape them. Unfortunately, her bravado was much lessened by the fact that her head was hidden by her many books.

She reached their corner and bowed stiffly, almost dropping the books.

'Careful, dear,' Mr. Gardiner said holding her.

'Yes, Miss Bennet, it would be a shame to ruin that perfect barricade you have constructed,' added Mr. Prowler.

She would have loved to reply to that, but unfortunately she was trying to find her balance again.

Mr. Prowler stepped up and took one of her packages from her arms.

'There! I usually like to see the faces of the people I talk to.'

She scowled and tried reaching for her books.

'I'd appreciate if you gave them back, Sir.'

'Mary, dear, Mr. Prowler is only trying to assist you,' Mr. Gardiner intervened helping her be rid of the weight by taking one of the packages himself. 'Are you sure you did not take all their books, my dear? Oh, but this is how she is, Mr. Prowler.'

He laughed mirthfully whilst Mr. Prowler only smirked down at her.

How utterly embarrassing…

'Oh, but where are my manners! Mary, are you acquainted with Mr. Prowler? He is Mr. Toddler's lawyer, the partner I've been telling you about.'

Mary groaned inwardly.

Of all the lawyers in London…

'He tells me he has been acquainted with you and your sisters for a while. But you probably saw him at the wedding as well, did you not?'

'Yes, I have, I've been acquainted with him since I visited Jane.'

'Oh, how lovely then! I always loathe having to introduce people, it is so awkward for one, very indeed. Well, you might know, Mary, Mr. Prowler is also helping Mr. Darcy with some affairs.'

'Yes…I have heard of that,' she said keeping her eyes adverted to the ground.

'But he has time for poor Mr. Toddler as well, do you not? It's quite tedious when a man cannot handle anything on his own, but then again he pays well, my lad, does not he?'

'Quite well, considering he is quite a miser at other things,' Mr. Prowler said.

'Well then, Mary, you do not expect us to walk the streets with these books! We will have to call for a carriage, but we will have something to eat on our way home, how does that sound?'

Mary nodded embarrassed and held her books firmly. She would have felt disappointed had the circumstances been different, but she was perfectly content to leave.

'Mr. Prowler, could you mind her a while whilst I call for a cab?'

'It would not be any bother, Sir,' he said grinning.

Mr. Gardner scurried off without replying and left Mary holding her books miserably.

'Lovely to see you decided to try London, Miss Bennet. Your uncle told me all about your grand adventure!' he spoke mockingly.

'It's such a misfortune I am in want of good company, though,' she added acidly.

'Oh, and here I thought you esteemed your aunt and uncle.'

She scowled and decided to take issue with something else.

'I am wondering why you accepted to stay with me here, after all, I was under the impression that you did not wish to be seen with me or make believe you are in my company,' she said alluding to their dance at the wedding.

He looked confused at her for a moment, but then it dawned on him.

She felt pleased to see him surprised, but his trademark smirk returned immediately, not wishing to lose the battle of wits.

'Ah, typical of females! Only they can keep such a silly grudge. I guess you are not an exception, Miss Bennet. Perhaps you felt affected by it since I did not notice you dancing with anyone else that night.'

If her hands had been free, she would have not shied from slapping him right across the face. Her anger flared.

'Typical of females! Better so than an immature child with no sense of honour!'

Oh, that sounded stupid…damn.

'Well, you are starting to sound like one Miss Bennet and it's really not the way to win me.'

Win you? Ha!

'Then explain why you lied in front of your acquaintances,' she added uncertain.

'I am afraid I do not have to do anything, it is none of your concern, Miss Bennet,' he said smiling.

She turned her head annoyed and kept quiet.

'Come now, were you that offended? I did not think it would mean so much to you. I suppose I should feel flattered.'

'Not at all!' she retorted. 'I only do not like it when people, especially gentlemen act so impudent.'

'Then you should know that I am no gentleman and if you ever had such illusions, I'm afraid they must be shattered. I am only what you see, Miss Bennet,' he said seriously. 'Nothing more.'

At that moment Mr. Gardiner came up, gasping for breath as he took off his hat to cool down.

'Alright, I found us a nice one, it's just down the street, it's a miracle I did though. So much demand, these days!'

Mary felt slightly relieved and she turned her back to follow her uncle, but Mr. Prowler took hold of her elbow and placed the package of books in her already full arms.

'Do not forget you valuable possessions,' he added and bowed.

'Well, I am sorry we had to be so brief, Mr. Prowler, but we will discuss more tonight at dinner, won't we?'

Mary turned alarmed.

'What?'

Luckily, no one heard her as her uncle guided her to the carriage.

'Certainly, Sir, I shan't miss it,' Mr. Prowler said and raised his hat, departing promptly.

As they climbed into the carriage, Mary felt more and more irritated and wanted to question her uncle, but he was immersed in his own thoughts and talked only of how the grain stocks had lowered considerably.

'Oh, but you shall hear more of it tonight, Mr. Toddler is much more informed of it. Oh, that's right, I didn't tell you! Oh, we've planned to have Mr. Toddler for dinner tonight, together with Mr. Prowler, who has become quite a favourite of Mrs. Gardiner's. We often invite poor Mr. Toddler, for his cook is not very skilled and he dines mostly alone, poor soul, he cannot always take advantage of Prowler's presence.'

'I see…' she replied and turned her head to the view outside.

'You'll see, you'll like Mr. Toddler, he's a very modest young man and his lawyer is very amiable, is he not?'

Mary could barely hold her snort.

That afternoon, Mary only sat up on her bed together with her books and skimmed through every one of them pleased, not being sure which to start first as she gathered them all in a pile in her lap. She felt content to have such a fortune she esteemed highly. The only slight buzzing in her head was the meeting she had had with the impolite lawyer, but she already considered dinner would not be so much trouble.

Already Mrs. Gardiner was busying herself since she always liked to appear very welcoming to Prowler. Mary could not understand what her aunt and uncle saw as amiable in the man, but she gathered she would not find out soon.

She would be satisfied if she saw as little of him as possible, however.

Her father would be joining them for dinner, since he planned on departing first thing in the morning and she felt comforted by his presence there. Prowler would not dare take issue with her if her father was there.

Mrs. Gardiner burst in at that moment without paying any excuses as she fumbled with some pieces of cloth in her hand. She looked quite anxious and Mary wondered whether someone in that house ever bothered to knock.

'Mary, darling have you seen Anita?'

That rude maid?

'No, I have not, why do you ask?'

'Oh, I can't find her anywhere and I need some help with the table.'

'I can be of service, if you wish,' she said out of politeness, but instantly regretted it when Mrs. Gardiner took her by the hand happily and led her to the dining room. Sometimes she was too kind for her own good.

She was sent to the kitchen to check on the meal and whilst she surveyed the many pots boiling angrily on the stove, she noticed a small door that led to the back garden.

Curious as always, she pushed open the door and peered through it.

The skies had darkened and the garden looked perfectly still, though, admittedly, it seemed to be forgotten and less handsome than the front one, for no one bothered with it if no one could see it. Let the facet be pretty, who could care less about what lurked on the other side?

And this was available as rule in London, England, wherever one travelled. She then did not wonder why Lydia, though quite spoilt and cheeky, was admired on account of her charming looks.

Suddenly, her ear caught strange whimpering sounds, barely audible.

She noticed the small gate was open and as she walked to it, she discovered a small alley between two ribbon shops whence the sounds came.

She was a bit apprehensive and did not know how to act, but the person seemed to be in trouble, so she trod on confidently.

She turned the corner and hoped the person wasn't injured when she came across a sight she would not soon forget.

Anita was thrown against the wall, with her arms by her side shamefully as she was being taken by a young man who had a very rough appearance. His trousers were let down considerably and she saw his dirty, hairy legs in the dim light.

It was then she knew that those sounds had been Anita's moans of pleasure and she instantly felt sick, horribly sick and wanted nothing else but to be buried in a hole and stay there. She shut her eyes and quickly ran away, locking the small gate after her.

I've seen one too many such things…

She now was very disposed at helping Mrs. Gardiner, anything not to have to remember the scene or worse, be sent to look for Anita.

At seven o' clock sharp the Gardiners, Mary and her father reunited in the dining room to wait for the guests that were soon to come.

The doorbell rang but of course, Anita was not there to answer. Mary rose immediately and offered to attend at the door, lest Mrs. Gardiner called for Anita insistently.

The two gentlemen were welcomed into the hall as they stepped in and Mary became acquainted with a mousy-haired man of two and thirty, with a lanky figure and dull eyes, who spoke hastily and checked his watch constantly. This was Mr. Toddler and he did look frightened, poor soul, no wonder he was attached to his lawyer so.

'Good evening…it's rather chilly outside…' he spoke unsure giving Mary his hat. 'Girl, take this to the wardrobe…'

Mr. Prowler followed behind, smirking amused at the scene.

'Oh, Sir, I am not a servant. My name is Mary Bennet, I'm a guest here.'

Mr. Toddler's eyes widened in remorse and he hastily took his hat back and bowed apologetically, kissing her head.

'Oh, Lord…I…I am terribly sorry. Mr. Gardiner has told me of his nieces, you must be one of them…I did not know…' he stuttered sweating all over.

'You have nothing to be sorry for, you could not know, Sir, the maid is not to be found.'

'But they shouldn't have made you go instead Miss...' he said bowing once more. 'My name is Toddler. Arthur Toddler, perhaps you h-have heard of me?'

He dropped his hat and tried picking it up, but Mary took it for him and he only ended up hitting his head on the small coffee table placed there.

He rose, rubbing his head excusing himself and pretending nothing had happened as he straightened his back.

She smiled kindly. 'I have, my uncle has praised you many a times, but let us join them in the dining room.'

Mr. Toddler smiled meekly and strolled stiffly in the house whilst Mary waited on him.

'Why, no good evening for me, Miss Bennet?' asked James faking distress.

'You can let yourself in, Mr. Prowler…' she said leading the way.

'How very audacious of you…Anita cannot be found? How unfortunate they sent you for her tasks.'

'Why do you say so?'

'Well, Anita was much…friendlier,' he said grinning.

Idiot…

When all were seated at the table Mary thought he would fall back to his snide comments, but surprisingly, James stood erect and serious, never sparing her a glance and talked smoothly to Mrs. Gardner and Arthur, assuring them the grains stock would rise soon in summer, whilst frowning pensively when no one was addressing him.

His manners were quite impeccable and he did not dare say anything impolite for some time. She stood facing him next to her father, who found pleasure in discussing with him and wondered whether they knew his true character.

But Mary did not have time to examine his conduct too deeply for she was interested in the talk as well and listened keenly. From time to time she would add a small comment, but the only one surprised by it was Mr. Toddler.

'Oh, I had no idea the lady was so…so well a-acquainted with politics and economy, how wonderful!'

'Yes, our Mary reads and studies a great deal,' said Mrs. Gardiner proudly. 'She is quite scholastic, I tell her she tries a great deal too hard, but she enjoys it.'

'How lovely to hear a f-female is indulging in study and knowledge, an accomplished lady…is most…most admirable,' he said flustered.

Mary smiled humbly and thanked him meekly, but decided Mr. Toddler was the only one who saw her as accomplished.

'Speaking of which,' said Mr. Gardiner, 'I promised Mary I would take her to see some offices in London, preferably trades or law…I was wondering Mr. Prowler if you could perhaps allow us to visit your offices some time, when convenient, perhaps we could stop by a couple of times. I already arranged for Mary to come with me to Mr. Toddler's office and mine.'

Mr. Prowler looked at Mary probably for the first time since they sat down and his eyes were not mocking her, but simply questioning her.

'Does Miss Bennet wish so?' he asked slowly.

'I would, it would be a good opportunity for me to learn some things,' she spoke boldly.

After all, no one will talk me into not doing something. His cheeky manners towards me are no reason to bring myself to his level.

'Very well then…' he said nodding politely.

'I would be quite pleased to attend to M-Miss Bennet, we would be honoured, of course…' sputtered Mr. Toddler lowering his head humbly.

'Thank you, Sir, you're very kind,' Mary said.

Arthur felt quite lucky to be so warmly addressed, since you have probably noticed, dear reader, that he was not such a firm character as to entice respect.

'Arthur gets quite swayed by any…kind lady, do you not, Sir?' asked Prowler cynically.

Mr. Toddler only blushed and asked Mrs. Gardiner when desert would be ready since he was a great fan of her puddings.

At length, the dinner ended and the guests rose to leave. On cue, Mary followed them to the door, holding Mr. Toddler's hat and cane for him.

'I do wonder where Anita is! For Heaven's Sake it's almost ten o' clock, I should think she needs to be taught a lesson!' exclaimed Mrs. Gardiner from the parlour.

Mr. Gardiner came up in the hall to bid goodbye to the gentlemen.

'You are welcomed any time. We have a wonderful drawing room where many a pleasant evenings can be spent, perhaps when both of you aren't quite so busy as to enjoy…well what I mean to say is that we cannot let our troubles and affairs take over us completely, we need to leave room for some amusement.'

With that he shook hands with both of them warmly whilst Mary held the door open.

'Miss Bennet…it has been…an utter pleasure to m-meet you…' Mr. Toddler addressed her as he passed the threshold, bowing so hard his hat almost fell again.

'I shall be expecting you then, Miss Bennet,' Mr. Prowler drawled as he exited the house, his eyes mocking her.

She frowned as she saw his figure depart in the dark and shut the door.