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Welcome back to

A Swan In Hiding

Yes dear readers I know once again there had been quite the time gap between updates, so to make up for it I give you a chapter that, I hope, shall have been worth the wait.

Thank you one and all for your patience and wonderful support for this story.

A Note, this chapter had not yet been touched by my Beta so any and all errors you may find an entirely my own

As promised this chapter is dedicated to Molly Jae who granted this story its 315th review

I as you already have guessed, own nothing

Now with the formalities concluded I bring you

Chapter 26 Of Shopping and News

Skydancinghobbit

``Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature"

Returning to the house Mary felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, all the unfounded fears of the day before laid to rest she could breathe the free air and,for the moment, life was beautiful once more. Oh how fortunate she was to have friends such as Cynthia and her Ladyship to give her such excellent advice. She would never again undervalue the merits of honesty. Glancing over her shoulder her lips curved into a gentle smile at the form of her intended as he left the stables, making fast for a side door the rolled sleeves of his great coat, with traces of hay clinging to the damp fabric telling her much of his care of the mounts they had just ridden.

Dear Richard, how eloquent she might now have been on his merits even before the knowledge of that horrible day became known to her. Armed now with the truth she was both humbled and proud of his actions. He had undergone such strains of the mind and heart only to rush back to her side the moment it was done, bringing with him a girl he cared little for beyond the knowledge that she had meant a great deal to Mary's peace of mind. Then he had done still better, coming with all haste to find her and inform her of Lydia's condition before even raising the dust of the road from his hands.

How such a man could love her was both a wonder and heaven's best gift.

Removing her riding gloves as she passed through the entrance hall she caught sight of a figure in one of the tall mirrors and stood drinking in the image before her. Attired in the riding habit and hat of a noble woman it was only in her eyes that she could recognize anything of the young Miss Bennet she'd formally been just a few scant months ago.

Oh how well she remembered those evenings by the fire at Longbourn house. Her father emerging from his library cautiously to join his family for a few hours of nessicary interaction before the silly chatter became too much for him and once again he would vanish into to his sanctuary like a rabbit into its burrow.

Her mother prattling on to great relish of Lydia about one topic or another, Kitty drinking it all in attempting with all her might to find something of worth to bring to the discourse. Jane and Lizzy laughing in a corner of the sitting room the two beautiful sisters whom she had loved as she should. Not for their beauty for they heard that often enough but for those unguarded hearts that always offered her quiet compassion and company at whatever the hour.

Dear Lizzy and her wit, ever eager to divert her thoughts from a dour turn as she had struggled to find a place among them, to be known for something, anything to make her stand out. Finding it at last in the dry and rather tedious words of Fordyce, it did not gain her much within so small a circle of listeners however good her efforts and hours of devoted study. She was either shushed by her mother for speaking something nonsensical or made an object of sport by a father's dry humor that at times bordered on scorn.

Yet despite these troubles she had always the comforts of good cooking, a warm place to sleep and any number of suitable occupations about the house. It was more than most young ladies could boast, Mary felt her lucky in being born to such a family. Yet, much to her shame looking over her most trying years she had never been happier than she was now. Accepted valued and loved, not for her bare mortal threads that she clung to but simply for herself alone.

"Mary"

How long Ann had been standing behind her was a mystery but as she returned from her musings with a start she was startled to find the light of the day beginning to fade from the windows. Her friend only looked on her with a measure of concern on her features as she brushed a hand gently over her surprised to find moisture there.

"Was your talk with Richard so very trying as to make you weep?"

"Oh no Ann I just...oh how to explain it to you, I am not sure I can, it's just coming inside I saw myself and I couldn't see Miss Mary Bennet anymore"

Ann frowned at her as she took her arm, leading her upstairs to her chamber where a hot ball lay steaming for her. She said not a word as she assisted her from the riding kit, gently shooing the maid servant away before firmly shutting the door. Mary stepped gratefully into the water. She was surprised as Ann lifted the small pitcher to help her attend to her hair taking it seemed great pains to see to her comfort as she gently massaged the soap into her hair. The crackling of the fireplace was oddly soothing as she finished the task. Indeed she had nearly dozed off after having dried herself and settled before the sitting room blaze eager to dry her hair and go to dinner in a few hours' time when Ann at last found speech. Yet even that was not it for it was uttered in so hesitant and sad a tone Mary might have thought her afraid to speak at all.

"Mary. Am I right to think you, unhappy here?"

Turning in her chair despite her languor Mary was quite shocked to find her companions eye glittering with unshed tears and she promptly took her hand pulling her gently into the seat next to her with a violent shake of the head.

"Oh dear sweet Ann I am afraid you may have quite misunderstood me, I only meant that I had changed so very much these last few months I hardly knew myself, not that I was in the least unhappy here!"

"In fact much as it pains me to admit, I have never been more so than here, it was that thought that made me weep but they were happy tears."

Overcome it seemed by some strong emotion she was startled as her friend all but threw herself into her arms and wept in earnest. It was not until she spoke again Mary had any notion whether it was from joy or sorrow.

"Oh I am so glad, I do not know what I should ever do if you were to leave me!"

"Leave you? Ann, I began as your companion and thus I shall remain until you or your mother see fit to part with me"

Smiling as she withdrew and accepted the handkerchief to dab at her eyes and cheeks Ann even managed a water giggle as she was struck by a sudden thought.

"My mother never shall you may be sure of that, even if she did Cynthia would never let you get away from us now, ah and I had almost forgotten, tomorrow we are to be a shopping party. Richard insists upon it, apparently his new status requires a presentation at court! Is not that exciting and we are all to come!"

Missing the point entirely Mary began to brush her drying hair, contemplating the merits of such a trip. Apparently the rules of morning were to be placed aside for this special event, which meant the young people could appear wearing the most fashionable colors. Which would look well on Richard?

"To help him attire for the event, or merely maintain his good humor?"

"Oh Mary, It is customary for an intended new Earl to present his connections to the king, meaning you as well"

The brush clattered to the floor missing the rug with inches to spare as Mary gaped at her for a time utterly heedless of Minerva who was choosing that moment to race about the floor in pursuit of the shadows the fireplace cast. An odd roaring sound was rapidly filling her head and suddenly Mary's breathing began to grow shallow as panic set about her like a garment.

"Ann! You cannot be serious, I cannot go before the king! I I. Am well a daughter of a gentlemen farmer!"

Happily before Mary could swoon or gather anymore volume to her distress the door of her room swung inward to reveal Cynthia who was looking none too kindly on the youngest Miss Deburge

"Ann, badly handled indeed my dear poor dear Mary has had quite enough to be getting on with today, it was supposed to be a secret!"

Looking through ally chastised Ann sunk into her chair moving only when Cynthia asked her to fetch Mary's emerald gown and necklace. Frozen in her chair Mary could not even utter thanks for this idea as her mind reeled with this piece of news. She that daughter of Mr. Bennet be presented to the king?! It was beyond her, how could she be equal to such a thing?

Gentle hands brushed her panic aside as they began running through her hair wiping her muddled thoughts quite out of her mind as they followed the path of the brush. Gently tugging here and smoothing there, it was the most wonderful feeling in the world. Closing her eyes Mary felt an odd tightening in her chest. Her mother had only done such a thing for Lydia and Jane when they were younger. Oh, if this is how it felt no wonder her youngest sister took such smug pride in being the favored daughter.

"Mary dear one...listen to me now, though Ann may have been tactless with the fashion she presented it, the fact remains that in two weeks we shall indeed all be going to court, when one received a summons from his gracious majesty one does not refuse but I can help prepare you...if you listen and remember what I have to teach you, Can you do that for me?"

Exhaling Mary found her voice, just as Ann returning bearing her attire for the evening, along with the enticing scent of roasted meats in her wake. She had time to learn that was in her favor, summoning her courage she rose from the chair and squared her shoulders.

"Yes, I think I can"

So ends Chapter 26-peeks out from behind her couch-

So what do you guys think is our girl ready to face the hurtles and snares of the court?

Thanks as always to my Beta SighingWriter who has bravely begun to edit the beginning of this story.

Whomever grants this story its. 330th review shall have Chapter 27 dedicated to them

Thus stay tuned for Chapter 27. Court and Consequences.

Skydancinghobbit