Volume II
1
Mary's departure with the Pendleton's to East Yorkshire was partook with much silence on the middle Bennet's part. Throughout the duration of Kitty's nonsense in fondling her new husband with sweet praise and giggles, Mary had held her tongue and only spoke with a look of chastisement in her eyes that was very much noticed by her new brother-in-law.
Mrs. Bennet had seen her daughters off with very optimistic sentiments. With Mary left to be wed, she was of the highest certainty that her time in East Yorkshire would place Mary within the acquaintance of a man of just as high of society as Edward Pendleton, and she did not hesitate to speak of her good fortune with her husband, who soon began to lock the door of his study to prevent her intrusion.
Georgiana Darcy departed for Pemberley the following day, whereupon she was greeted to an empty house, since Elizabeth and her brother had left for a trip to London. However, such thoughts of loneliness were not present within her youthful being, for she found herself easily enveloped in the affairs of balls and couples and fashion once more. As much as the Darcy girl desired to elope into the life of the country, she would never deny herself the luxuries of her heritage if ever she was presented with it.
"My, and I thought that the words were too good to be true!" Kitty was helped out of the carriage by her husband and she gasped. "Why, Edward, however could you be so modest?"
Chamberlain Hall, the home of Edward Pendleton, was a vast estate encompassing a large plot of country in East Yorkshire. The great structure seemed overbearing amongst the tall grass and trees, and appeared to be more easily situated within town, where such grandiose edifices were common to passerby. Its dominant countenance perturbed Mary, for Edward Pendleton did not appear suited for a home of such a stalwart structure.
"Mary!"
At the urgings of his wife, Edward Pendleton had situated Mary Bennet on the opposite side of the building, where Mary received a spectacular view of a water structure built similar to a lake, and to which she found most calming. However, even the tranquil landscape evoked through the window pane was obstructed by the spectacle of her room. Cast in a golden light, the majority of furniture within the room possessed a gold tint to them, and the shimmer of the space made Mary hesitant at first to move about, as if she were trespassing amongst forbidden treasures.
Towards the evening, Mary had objected to attending dinner, insisting that travel made her lose her appetite, to which the servants sent up a dish despite her orders. Her hesitancy at first to touch her surroundings dissipated until she was rearranging the furniture, moving her vanity away from the window so she might place a settee in front of it to observe the view.
William Cadaver had been unaware of Mary's attendance at Chamberlain Hall until he overheard two servant girls giggling about some strange girl who they were delivering supper to. Abandoning the other servant who was stacking dishes in the kitchens, he followed their high pitched giggles until they reached the golden room. Hidden inside a room across the hall, he waited patiently for them to depart from the room they had entered and head back towards the kitchens.
Mary Bennet sat hugging her legs as her chin rested upon her knees, looking out at a sun setting over the horizon. Enthralled at the sight before her, she did not take notice of William's presence, which enabled him to observe her with meticulous care.
Her hair remained down and had cascaded down her entire back, appearing like a black velvet cape. Her cheeks seemed to have far more color than the average ruddy complexion of many women, but not even the natural scarlet of her cheeks could compare to that of full lips that seemed to purse out in wonder, as if she were thinking a deep thought that required her to think intently. She was no beauty, nor was she handsome, but there was something appealing in seeing her consumed in absorbed thought that appealed to him, and he found it to be as enchanting as any lady of immense magnetism.
"Mary!" he repeated her name once more before her head shook and she departed from her previous contemplation. "I did not know you would be residing at Chamberlain Hall with my master."
"He has been most obliging, as of late." Mary responded. "It seemed discourteous of myself to deny his offer."
"Is this not exquisite?" William asked. "I do wonder, oft times enough, if such a place could possibly be real, and I have lived here since I was thirteen."
"It does appear too immaculate for inhabitance," Mary agreed. "I have no doubt Kitty is quite smitten with herself in her providential circumstances."
"I am sorry, Mary." William approached her and leaned against the settee. "I do not know how fixated you were upon my master, but I must say that these conditions past you by merely because life shall present you with far better than that which my master has to offer you."
"Is there much to entertain a person in East Yorkshire?"
"There are balls, as there are any other place…"
"No, if I wish to place myself in misery, I may do so by remaining at home." Mary shook her head. "I wish to attempt new ventures, if I may be so bold to pursue such a thing."
"What sorts of ventures, might I inquire, are you pursuing?"
"If I may be alone for the longevity of my life, I shall wish to do so in a most pleasing fashion." Mary began. "I shall not peruse such practicalities as would restrain me to reside within a home, awaiting for some gentleman to come calling upon me. I shall wish to explore, and do all that a woman might possibly can. It might not be such a great feat as sailing to the Mediterranean, but I should like to explore this place. Though I reside in the same country, it is of such a foreign environment. I am most certain the culture of such a place must differ from that of my home, and I wish to learn all that I possibly can in the duration of my visit."
"I should of suspected such intentions from you."
"Be my actions so predictable?" Mary smiled. "I suppose I must seem so droll."
"Not at all," William disagreed. "Why, you are a very intriguing companion, Mary. I cannot imagine such humdrum while in your presence."
"Perhaps you might do me the honor of introducing East Yorkshire to me?" Mary suggested.
"It would be my honor entirely if I could do such a favor," William grinned. "I do hope the place is up to your expectations."
"There are no expectations," Mary responded. "Therefore, I shall receive no dissatisfaction in whatever may await me."
"That does appear as if it be the way to go."
"It does appear so," Mary agreed.
"Oh, I know exactly where I shall take you tomorrow!" William exclaimed gleefully, jumped up. "You would not be troubled with waking before dawn, would you?"
"Not at all. I dare say I will get no sleep at all, considering I am anxious to be out and to see this new place."
"Oh, but my master will not approve of you leaving so early in the morning," William frowned. "He shall think me to do you injustice by causing such a scandal…"
"Do not worry over Edward," Mary placed a hand on his arm to calm him. "I am not sworn to obedience on his behalf, and my reputation is entirely my own to decide upon whether I am willing to ruin it. If I choose to go out into the darkness of the morning with you to explore East Yorkshire, I shall do so whether all of the country thinks it disreputable."
"Then do dress a bit warm, for it does get quite chilled before the sun rises in this area of the country." William informed. "And do meet me on the doorstep of the main building as early as you can. I, too, doubt I shall sleep much for anticipation for tomorrow."
"I shall wear a shawl and extra petticoats, if that shall suffice."
"I am sure it shall," William laughed. "I am sure my master shall not be pleased in you being introduced to the town before he could perform the task for you. He shall wish to be the one to…"
"My Lord, William, I care not what Edward might possibly wish for me." Mary interrupted. "Whatever his intentions may be, I shall not allow them to prevent me to do what I would initially desire to do, and I would take much delight in having you show me all there is that is worth to be acquainted with in East Yorkshire."
"My, and I thought you might expect that you should wait for him to provide you with a tour," William remarked. "He did, after all, allow you to reside at Chamberlain Hall, and I am sure that most within your same position would take upon the expected role of an obedient guest."
"You forget I am not one to submit to what is to be expected from me."
"Of course," William chuckled. "However could I forget?"
2
Anticipation had denied Mary Bennet a night of slumber, and she took to readying herself when the stars first began to fade. Clad in a plain brown gown of gingham and a cape of black, she knew she looked very much like a girl from the farm, and so she kept her hair down to diminish her apparent facade.
Though she found herself more homely than usual in such plain attire, William found himself standing from where he sat atop the steps of Chamberlain Hall's entrance when she slipped through the doors. It was true that she dressed more simple than she ordinarily would, but cast within the shadows of the hood of her dark cape, he could distinguish the scarlet color about her face that made her so very enchanting and her large eyes that twinkled even within the darkness with some unknown mystery.
"Is there explanation for why we must depart so early in the day?" Mary inquired when William helped her atop a horse that was tied to a tree in the front.
"If I chose to tell, then the surprise I wish to bestow upon you shall no longer be a surprise," William grinned before they galloped towards the town.
Mary Bennet and William Cadaver had arrived at town promptly before dawn, but they did not linger in the streets, but hurried across until they reached the ocean, where William tied the reigns of the horse to a street post and escorted Mary across a dock. There, numerous ships were lined up, and a few burly sailors were seen leaning against masts and railings, awaiting for the rest of the crew to awaken to unload.
"Be there a reason for you to direct me to the docks?"
"There is always a reason," William pulled her across until they stood at the very edge, before a small boat. "There is a person here who I desire that you should meet."
"A person?"
"William!" a shadowed figure of a man was seem emerging from the cabin below the small vessel. "A bit early for you to visit, do you not think so?"
"I did hope that I might find you at a time where you were not too preoccupied with your own business," William explained. "Have I chosen an appropriate time?"
"I may always find time for some family," the man laughed and approached the railing across from where William and Mary stood, where he held out a hand to Mary. "Do forgive me for ignoring you until this moment, Miss. I do not have the privilege of being in the acquaintance of ladies very often, so I easily forget my manners."
"There is nothing to forgive, for I did not introduce myself as instantaneously as courtesy would demand from myself."
"I am Jonathan Cadaver, Miss." It was upon this instance that Mary placed her hand in his and he bowed to place a kiss atop it. "There is not much to which I may recommend myself, but I am a sailor upon The Rosemary, first mate, if I may be exact, and have been upon ships for near seven years now, I do believe."
"I have not much to recommend myself either," Mary found it rather effortless to respond to him. "I come from the country, and am the middle child amongst five daughters. I am the only unwed one, though that might sound inappropriate in conversation to announce, but I suppose it be as much a part of who I am than all other attributes. I have come to visit East Yorkshire upon my younger sister's marriage to Edward Pendleton, to whom your brother works for. He has stolen me into the darkness of the morning to come here and meet you; I think that be the reason that we left so early."
"You are very pleasant to listen to," Jonathan Cadaver commented. "I do assume you hear similar flattery very often though, Miss?"
"Often? Not at all," Mary laughed but found herself growing hot with a blush.
"What a shame," William pulled Mary back as Jonathan jumped over the rails upon the dock. "I do not think the crew shall mind if I depart for a bit. I am sure they shall understand when they lay their eyes upon the lady to which I have the honor of acquainting."
"Please forgive my brother," William whispered as they walked down the streets. "He is known to be a flirt."
"I must say I did not notice," Mary giggled when she turned from William and saw his brother staring at her.
"Do you often visit East Yorkshire, Miss Mary?"
"This is my first."
"Perhaps this shall not be your last?"
"Well, I must admit the company is quite stimulating, so I do think I shall return again."
"Where are we off to, brother?" Jonathan asked when William led them to turn another corner. "Do tell you are not to send us to a dead end."
"We are off to eat," William replied. "It seems only proper that we provide ourselves with the proper nourishment we intake every other day."
"Do you not think my brother so very proper?" Jonathan laughed and patted his back. "Do loosen up that cravat of yours. I would not wish for my brother to choke so early into the day."
In all of her acquaintance, Mary Bennet had never met a man more outrageous. She did not come from a family of vast wealth, and not even those of penury existence within Meryton appeared in such attire as that of Jonathan Cadaver. He wore dark breeches with enigmatic stains and patches, and a shirt that was ripped upon the sleeves and at the chest, where a broad chest was slightly exposed in a display that was most inappropriate for gentlemen of the time. He possessed nearly identical features to William, with the same tone to his hair and the same cowlick that cast locks upon his forehead. A slight shadow was upon his jaw, and Mary had never seen a man so unkempt, with dirt upon his hands and his face too long neglected by a blade.
William had chosen a small building where many boarded after long voyages at sea, and the small area to dine was nearly full upon their arrival as the sun peaked atop the horizon. A rotund woman placed warm beverages for them, and Jonathan Cadaver had shot down three glasses before she had returned to ask for their breakfast orders. His lack of polish and mannerisms would have appalled Mary at any other time, but she now felt exhilarated, already knowing her actions in departing so early without Edward's knowledge would place her in much trouble. Her new acquaintance merely augmented the initial sentiments she had felt throughout the morning and she did not take heed of his unsuitable actions and only tossed back her head in strident laughter that she had never indulged in before.
"You did not tell me that Missy here was so very enchanting, brother." Jonathan nudged William as Mary looked about the room, soaking in the scenery around her. "I must admit I was not so reluctant to abandon my lodgings when I heard from the crew on deck that you had arrived, but I am very pleased that I chose to greet you now."
"She is a dear friend, John." William warned. "And she has friends in much higher places than that from which I stand. Do not do her injustice."
"I would never do a lady injustice," Jonathan answered, his eyes still dancing with youthful mischief. "Do you recall us as boys when we would compete to see who might receive the most kisses by sundown?"
"I know not why I chose to indulge such an activity," William laughed. "I was sure to lose each time."
"Of course you were," Jonathan slapped his brother's back before Mary turned around once more. "Is the location up to your standards, Miss Mary?"
"It is perfectly substantial," Mary reached for her glass and looked at the two grinning brothers. "What has you both smiling so roguishly?"
"We are merely soaking up the pleasure bestowed upon us by your presence this morning," Mary merely stared as Jonathan mimicked Mary's reach for a glass and he took a sip. "Have I caught you at an awkward moment, Miss Mary?"
"No… not at all." Mary now took a sip, but she found it difficult to swallow as Jonathan's eyes burned into her, as did his devilish smile. "I was thinking, is all."
"You are standing before an intellectual, John." William informed his brother. "Mary is the most cerebral woman I have within my acquaintance. I doubt you shall find a more knowledgeable companion."
"My, perhaps I should have you teach me a bit?" Jonathan suggested with the raise of an eyebrow. "For I possess not an ounce of intellect."
"I am sure I shall find some delight in teaching you," Mary laughed once more at his remarks, and now it was William who raised his eyebrows. "Though I am most certain it shall be an arduous task."
"Come, I am sure you have a cleverer word within that head of yours."
"I would not doubt it," Mary giggled.
"So shall I use this as opportunity to see you in the future, Miss Mary?"
"Use whatever you would like," Mary responded. "Any excuse would do."
"Mary," William kept the horse at a trot as they headed home. "Did you have a good morning?"
"Good?" Mary held out her arms widely. "I am most certain there is a better word to use than that to describe this experience."
"I shall take that as you had a splendid time," William looked back briefly and frowned. "I am very pleased that you enjoyed the company of my brother, Mary, but do take heed when in his presence. John is a rogue and he does not maintain platonic relations with ladies for long…"
"I have never had a greater time!" Mary laughed and placed a hand upon William's shoulder. "I understand now, William, what you have told me before. It is so much more rewarding to not allow such sensibilities and logistics to govern all of my actions. I feel so free… so…"
"Ridiculous?" William muttered.
"It does appear as if you are brooding, William…" Mary noted. "Do tell what is troubling you, so that I might help."
"I do think I rather enjoyed the sensible Mary over the silly one."
"I have waited eighteen years to have my fun," Mary responded light-heartedly, not noticing the tone of William's previous remark. "It has all been humdrum up to this point. Mere drollness that has been my companion thus far. But now I understand why my sisters so sought to be ridiculous, for it does provide the soul with far more vitality and stimulation than a lifetime of reason. Thank you William, for giving me such a moment of pure bliss. Never before might I have thought it possible."
"Of course," William lowered his head, not willing to destroy her present joy with his own troubles of it. "I am glad that I have been able to present you to such happiness."
"Mary!"
Since he had awoken and heard of Mary's disappearance into the morning by the servants, Edward Pendleton had been restless. Though his neglect towards his new wife did not provide him any relief, his guilt for disregarding his wife was easily surpassed by his concern towards Mary's whereabouts. He stood atop the doorsteps of his home, awaiting her arrival, and he began to run at the first sight of Mary in the distance.
"Edward?" Mary gazed down at him as he bent over, attempting to catch his breath. "You know you were not required to race over here in such a display."
"Do you have the slightest idea of the degree of worry I had when I awoke to hear that you had ran off in the dark to Lord only knows where?" Edward held out a hand. "Come and get off the horse now."
"Now? We are almost home."
"You are perfectly capable of walking."
"It would be excruciatingly rude to abandon William after the justice he has done me the entire morning."
"And it was excruciatingly rude of me to abandon my wife after the justice she has done me by our wedlock, but I have done it." Edward snapped. "I am not one to play games with you this instance, Mary, and I demand that you depart from that horse and walk back."
"You are not one to order me around," Mary bit back as she hopped from the horse without his assistance and continued to walk away. "I am not one of your servants that owe you anything."
"Regardless, you should show the courtesy of informing me of your whereabouts before you leave."
"Nor are you my parents, who require such things."
"But, like your parents, I care about you and I shall never forgive myself if ever anything of harm came your way while you resided with me."
"How could you ruin such a perfect day!" Mary answered, halting her pace to turn to him. "Never before have I felt like this, and now you must proceed to diminish any happiness that I have accumulated throughout this day. How could you?"
"I do not mean to hurt you, Mary." Edward ran a hand through his hair. "It is just, I have been so concerned for you since I awoke and awaiting for your return every hour in vain has provided me with no relief, nor has my neglect towards Catherine."
"I did not demand that you partake in such actions, Edward. They were entirely your own choice."
"Yes, but I would wish to think that you might have undergone similar measures, had you been in the same circumstances as I."
"I…" Mary lowered her head now, as reality settled in. "Do forgive me for my misbehavior, Edward. It was most inappropriate and irresponsible."
"It is alright," Edward reached out and pulled her head up. "Do not feel so lowly. We are young only once."
"I hope my actions did not interfere with any of your plans for the day."
"Not too many of them."
"Oh…"
"I had Catherine send for your dress at Pemberley," Edward informed. "That was as far as I had gone in any tasks for the day."
"My dress?"
"Yes, the one that you wore to the Pemberley ball."
"Do you mean to tell me that…" Mary stopped, as she closed her eyes and awaited the answer she knew would come.
"There is a particular friend of mine who shall arrive in the next few days," Edward explained. "I have told him about you, and he is anticipating becoming acquainted with you, and Catherine and myself thought the best way with which to introduce you to such a gentleman would surely be through the means of a ball at Chamberlain Hall."