Before I continue on this story, I want everyone who is reading it to know that although I enjoyed writing this story, and I do like it to an extent, looking back at it now I'm not so happy with it - things like characterisation and predicability. I don't want to put you off reading it (!) but please don't be mean when critiquing it because I probably already understand! However, I'm putting it up because a lot of people have requested I do so. Thank you very much for the warm and helpful critiques.
The Assembly Rooms were buzzing with light and people. Mary and Kitty walked up the steps together. Tonight was the night they would meet all the newcomers, for Mary had only met the men of Netherfield, and Kitty had met no one.
"I hope we have lots of partners, Mary," said Kitty nervously, "for I know no one here but Maria Lucas. We are just as disadvantaged as all the newcomers here tonight. I would rather all our old friends were here. I miss Tiffany Purvis."
Mary squeezed her hand. "Don't worry; I am here, and so is Maria, and although I am not very well practised at getting along with strangers, you make friends with ease."
"Yes, I suppose that is true," said Kitty. She looked at Mary with an expression of wonder on her face. "You've changed past belief, Mary."
Mary gave only a rueful smile.
They entered the Assembly Rooms and stood by the entrance looking around the room. So many new faces everywhere! It was almost terrifying to see a place so familiar filled with people so unfamiliar.
"Miss Bennet?" came a voice from behind them. Mary turned round, surprised to see Mr Hildesly smiling at her. "Oh! Good evening, Mr Hildesly!"
"Good evening," he returned. "I am glad to see a face I have already met! Please introduce me to your friend."
"Certainly," replied Mary. "This is my sister, Miss Catherine Bennet. Kitty, this is Mr Hildesly."
Kitty curtsied, grinning at Mr Hildesly. "How do you do?"
He bowed. "Very well, I thank you, Miss Catherine. If your hand is unsolicited, would you do me the honour of dancing with me the first?"
"With pleasure," Kitty smiled, almost shyly.
Mary stifled a laugh, watching them. It was obvious that Mr Hildesly was very impressed by Kitty, who was certainly looking lovely tonight, and that Kitty was intrigued and interested by Mr Hildesly, which must be a first considering that she had only deigned to look at officers for a long time.
Mary herself was wearing an ivory coloured dress with clever beadwork on it and white freesias in her dark hair. Although the dress was very simple, it was elegant, and she looked very pretty too. However, she would not admit that, as looking pretty only made her feel vulnerable. She walked off from Kitty and Mr Hildesly to get herself a drink, unconscious that several eyes were following her already.
Balls made her nervous now. Before, she had just found them intolerable and frivolous, because she had not wanted to enjoy them, but now she found herself wanting desperately to enjoy herself, and that caused a slight feeling of apprehension that she might not be at all solicited to dance. She sighed, and sipped her lemonade.
"Excuse me, miss?" asked a voice timidly.
She spun round, startled by the noise.
A young woman stood before her. "I am so sorry, I surprised you," she said.
"Not at all," replied Mary.
The girl let out a peal of bell-like laughter. "Oh, I did! I know I did! And I am ever so sorry." She reached out her hand to shake Mary's. "You must tell me your name."
"I am Mary Bennet."
"Oh! Pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet, I have heard so much about you. I am Annabel Guildford."
"I am happy to make your acquaintance, Miss Guildford, for I too have heard a lot about you!"
Miss Guildford laughed again, an animated, pleasant laugh which Mary thought quite enchanting. "I am very sorry to introduce myself to you without a proper introduction, Miss Bennet, but the problem with our situation is that nobody knows anyone here, and so one must make an effort to make friends rather than wait for someone to introduce one to anyone who looks vaguely interesting."
Mary laughed too. "That is quite allright, Miss Guildford, I perfectly understand. Rules of society must have an exception. You know, it is quite strange to come somewhere like this where I have been coming for a long time, and hardly knowing anyone. I should be glad to meet more people, for I cannot stand being a stranger."
"You must meet my family then!" said Miss Guildford. "Come, I will make you known to them, and then you must introduce me to your family."
Mary agreed, and they walked off. First Miss Guildford introduced Mary to her parents. "Mama and Papa, I want you to meet Miss Mary Bennet. These are my parents, Sir and Lady Guildford."
"Good evening, Miss Bennet!" said Sir Guildford, a friendly smile instantly springing to his face. "Are you the eldest daughter of Mr James Bennet who came to visit me last week?"
"No, not the eldest," Mary replied with a smile, "for my two elder sisters are married, but I am the eldest at home."
"Well, well!" said Lady Guildford. "I hope you and Annabel will be friends. You have lived at Longbourn all your life, have you not? Well, we already greatly enjoy the area, don't we, my dear?"
"I am glad," said Mary. "Hertfordshire is very pretty."
"And this is my sister Helena, and my sister Isabella," said Miss Guildford, impatient to continue with the introductions. "Helena, Isabella, this is Miss Mary Bennet."
"Good evening." The two sisters curtsied and grinned, both seeming to be very pleasant, if not the equals of Annabel.
"Pleased to meet you," said Mary cheerfully.
"I have a younger sister and brother," said Miss Guildford, "who I would introduce to you, but they are still at home, for they are not out yet. But I will introduce you to my brothers." They made their way across the room to where Miss Guildford's two older brothers were standing, talking to each other. "Desmond, John, this is Miss Mary Bennet. These are my two brothers, Mr Desmond Guildford and Mr John Guildford, Miss Bennet."
"Good evening, Miss Bennet!" said Mr Desmond Guildford excitedly. She was amused when she remembered her father's description of the man.
"Good evening, sir," she said.
"I have heard a lot about you," he said, smiling.
"Really?" she asked, amazed. "I have heard little about you. Where do you hear of me?"
"That's my secret," he said mischievously, tapping the side of his nose.
"Oh, please tell me!" she begged.
"Don't be foolish, Desmond!" scolded Miss Guildford. "It was the people at Netherfield, Miss Bennet, my brother knows them already."
"Oh," said Mary, suddenly remembering Mr Alcott's cruel words about her. She was quietened, but Miss Guildford took her arm and led her away from the two brothers, one of whom had not said a word.
"If we are to be friends, you must call me Annabel, Miss Bennet," said Miss Guildford.
"Then it follows that you must call me Mary," replied Mary, smiling back.
"Alright then - Mary! Is it agreed?"
"It is agreed - Annabel!"
They both laughed. It was at this point that Mary came face to face with one of the most handsome creatures she had ever seen in her life. She stopped, dead in her tracks, terribly afraid that her mouth was wide open or something foolish like that. He was tall and fair and he had such a face and such a physique that Mary couldn't quite pull her eyes off him. He had a unique combination of noble and good-humoured features, rendering him both distinguished and charming to look at, and he had an athletic, graceful build which filled out his elegant black coat perfectly. To add to this all, he had a kind, friendly air about him, especially obvious in his sparkling eyes, and it was impossible to think him proud or frightening, the latter of which might have been overwhelming because of his amazingly good looks, were it not for his eyes.
"Good evening, ladies," he said in a polished, deep voice with an appealing twinkle in his eye.
"Good evening," Mary squeaked.
He continued. "I have not been long in Hertfordshire, but I am already disposed to approve of it, what think you? This is a pretty, charming ball for the country."
"I have lived here all my life, sir," said Mary, determined to act sensibly and stop staring like a fool. She almost didn't notice Annabel slip away to procure herself a drink.
"Oh, have you?" he asked, interested, turning towards her.
"Yes, I have."
He gave her a smooth smile that almost made her choke, and it was impossible for her to smile back. She just stood, frozen like an idiot, or so she thought. "What is your name?" he asked in his mellow, smooth voice, motioning to the seat beside him.
She sat down. "I am Mary Bennet, sir."
"Oh, I met your father, I think. Is that so?"
"Yes, I think. He visited all the new families last week."
"Well, I am Trevor Newlands," he said. "I am the nephew of Sir Geoffrey Penfold, you know."
"Oh!" she said, suddenly noticing the lovely colour of his emerald eyes. "Yes, Papa told me about you."
"Oh, what did he say?"
Mary began to blush. What could she say? "He said you were very agreeable..."
"And what else?" he pressed, amused by the pretty little thing sitting by his side, so obviously not sure what to say.
Mary had never known such a mind blank for creative ideas. "He said - he said you were very handsome," Mary said in a rush, her cheeks warmer than she ever thought they could be.
"Oh..." he said, looking a little embarrassed by this revelation. But he saw the absurdity of the situation, and began to laugh, to her relief. "Well, I have heard about you, Miss Bennet."
"Oh? What did you hear about me?" she said with a smile.
He laughed. "Are you sure you want to know?"
She considered, her head to one side. "Yes. I want to know."
He found her quite charming. "I heard that you are very pretty..."
She stopped smiling, and only blushed, an almost frightened look on her face. "Oh?" she ventured.
"And," he plowed on ruthlessly, "I think it is safe to say that it is quite true."
She didn't know whether to laugh or blush more. She did both. "And who told you this, Mr Newlands?"
"Mr Alcott of Netherfield."
"Mr Alcott!?" she gasped, astounded. "Not he! He thinks me plain and dreary, I assure you!"
"You have met him?"
"Why, yes, he came to pay my father a morning visit with his friends."
"And so why do you think he thinks you 'plain and dreary?'"
She paused. "Well ... you see ... I overheard a conversation."
"Oh...!" he said, nodding. "Well, don't hold it against him, because for one thing, you are very pretty, and for another thing, he didn't mean a word of whatever he said, for he told me quite the opposite."
"But how very confusing!" replied Mary, wrinkling her brow. "To say such things of me, and then to say the opposite! Are you sure, Mr Newlands?"
He smiled. "Yes."
Mary recollected herself and thought of what this meant. Mr Alcott thinking she was pretty? She did not know what to think. How would she treat him next time she saw him? To her dismay, she saw him coming towards them at that moment. Despite herself, she caught her breath at the sight of his handsome face, and almost began to laugh as she thought how entirely unpredictable this situation would have been several months ago. She would have been sitting in a corner, a frown on her face, thinking how frivolous balls were, and blandly telling her sisters that she thought the rewards of observation and reflection were much greater than that of dancing. Mr Newlands would not have even noticed her, and certainly Mr Alcott wouldn't have even bothered making rude remarks about her - it would have been obvious to all how dull she was. She smiled slightly.
"Miss Bennet - Mr Newlands," said Mr Alcott, bowing. Mary curtsied back. She didn't know where to look, but when Mr Alcott did catch her eye, she took care to infuse a cold, indifferent air into it. He looked a little taken aback.
"Good evening, Alcott," said Mr Newlands. "You don't look especially bored. Is it possible that you are actually enjoying yourself?"
Mr Alcott looked emotionlessly at Mr Newlands. "It is a tolerable ball for the country."
Mr Newlands let out a crack of laughter. "Praise indeed! Miss Bennet, you had better not take Mr Alcott's statement at face value, for that is a great compliment on his part, if I judge him from my long acquaintance."
"You know each other well, then?" asked Mary, addressing herself solely to Mr Newlands.
"Yes, tolerably," said Mr Newlands.
"We box together, Miss Bennet," said Mr Alcott.
"Oh, how horrid!" she exclaimed. "I daresay you think it just a sport, but I find it impossible to understand how gentlemen derive the smallest satisfaction from hitting each other repeatedly!"
Mr Newlands laughed. "Rest assured, Miss Bennet, that we do not always socialise by doing that!"
Mr Alcott had an amused look in his eye that Mary did not quite like, and so she changed the subject without continuing to argue her point. "Do you gentlemen spend most of your time in town?"
"Yes," replied Mr Newlands, "but sometimes I stay with my other aunt in Sussex. However, those visits are usually short-stayed, for she has an avaricious temper that I cannot stand! Therefore-"
Mr Alcott interrupted him without ceremony. "Would you dance the next with me, Miss Bennet?"
Mary looked at him hard, trying to discern the expression in his eyes. However, the cool grey eyes gave away nothing. "I - I - don't know," she stammered. "I had not - I am not -"
"I believe the correct words are - I accept, Mr Alcott," he prompted her with a bow. She looked at him in astonishment, surprised at the bright twinkle in his eye.
"No, I believe they are not, in this case," she said coldly. "I thank you, Mr Alcott, but I am not inclined to dance."
"You are set down, Alcott!" laughed Mr Newlands loudly. "Now what shall you do? Get down on your knees and beg, man!"
Mr Alcott ignored Mr Newlands, and looked at Mary appreciatively. "Why is a pretty young woman who looks to be in perfect health not inclined to dance?"
"I don't know, sir," replied Mary sweetly, "but maybe you can understand why a common, vulgar girl with – what was it? – dreary looks and features is not inclined to dance?"
This time she had really surprised him. He almost jumped as understanding came into his eyes. She mentally congratulated herself.
"What's this?" said Mr Newlands, out of his depth. Mary kept her cold eye fixed on Mr Alcott for several moments until he began to look distinctly uncomfortable, and then she, weaker than she appeared, turned to Mr Newlands. "Oh, nothing of consequence," she replied.
She felt amazed at her own power. Mr Alcott looked decidedly uncomfortable, and she felt a new sense of potency that she had never known before. However, all this gave her was a overwhelming feeling of guilt. She knew at once that she really should forgive him. She pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling a sudden headache.
"Are you feeling quite well, Miss Bennet?" asked Mr Alcott gently. She looked up at him, trying not to look confused. All she could find in his face was concern.
"I have a slight headache," she said quietly.
"Let me get you a drink, Miss Bennet," said Mr Newlands, "if you are feeling unwell. No wonder you are not inclined to dance!"
Mary sat quietly by Mr Alcott's side. He did not seem to know whether to say anything or not. Suddenly she blurted out, "Mr Alcott, I may have next to no redeeming features, but I am not mercenary."
"I believe you," he replied.
"I assure you that our garden was worked by myself, and I alone, with the exception of a manservant hauling in things that were too heavy for me to carry."
"You must let me explain," he said. "I think you neither common nor vulgar, neither twitty nor plain - certainly not that! I think you are very pretty."
"Please do not compliment me," she said coldly before he could continue.
"As you wish, ma'am, but do let me explain myself. I was in a foul mood, and my bad feeling was piqued by your smiles at my obvious bad attitude. The words came out of my mouth before I thought upon them. It was inexcusable of me, Miss Bennet, but I beg you will forgive me, for I have been wishing those words unsaid ever since."
Mary looked at him, surprised. "That was very prettily worded, sir."
"I flatter myself it was," he said gravely, but with a disarming twinkle in his eye, and she couldn't help but laugh. "Am I forgiven, then?" he continued.
"Why, of course not!" cried Mary. "However, if you grovel enough over the next few days, perhaps I shall consider forgiveness as an option rather than the more tempting choice of the guillotine."
He laughed out loud, shocking Mary. She had not thought it possible to make such a man as he laugh. At this point he seemed quite pleasant, and Mary could hardly imagine him as the man she had met just a few days ago.