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I want to say a massive thank you to Lisa (Guest) who left a review to say that there was a variation of Mouth-to-Mouth which the London Humane Society established in 1774 and called Expired Air Ventilation or EAV. Thanks so much for this insightful research and also the further references in the Bible, where the Prophet Elisha mentions Kings breathing into an apparently dead boy's mouth and revives him. (all credit goes to you!)
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Chapter 16
Sir Percy stood humming along to the notes of the Waltz as he picked at the fruits of the refreshments table finding himself bored of the company around him. It was odd to be scrutinised so fully as if he were an oddity or the main attraction of a travelling show. Scattering his glance about the room he noticed more than one head turn sharply away, clearly being caught ogling his person. He watched closely at the rest of the ballroom, who were turned facing he dance floor, and his attention was equally caught by Darcy and Miss Elizabeth dancing. They made a pretty picture and a handsome couple… but both had a stubborn streak that would be sure to get in the way. They danced elegantly sharing conversation and flirtatious smiles… a slight melancholy overcame him as unpleasant memories of his past resurfaced. Shaking his head, he tried to focus once more on the couple of the occasion and instead found his gaze landing on his brother Richard chatting animatedly to Miss Elizabeth's plain friend. He worked a moment trying to recall her name but its seemed to evade him and he once more became distracted by curious glances coming his way.
With a small shrug he turned back to his audience who were currently calculating his wealth against his brothers, and the continuous whispers of his relatives dispositions when he noticed that the blackberries that he had been absently munching through had stained his fingers. Scowling he suckled his thumb and looked up precisely into the hauntingly beautiful visage of Miss Mary Bennet.
Frozen and unable to move a muscle he drank her in where she stood hidden behind a large potted plant, fidgeting with the sleeves and skirt of her gown. She appeared to be scratching at her thighs, but then she poked her foot out from under her hem and he could see that her stocking was bunching around her ankle. Her stockings had fallen – Lord have mercy, he thought choking back a groan.
Finally, she straightened with a determined look she squared her shoulders and looked as though to take a step and come out of hiding when she thought better of it and burrowed further behind the fern and looked at her reflection in the window and patting her hair self-consciously.
What a beguiling creature this Bennet is, he thought unable to tear his eyes away.
Her dark tresses had been swept into a heap of curls atop her head with a few falling loose. Her gown was a pale blue which worked to bring out her beautiful porcelain complexion and clung to her in all the slight curves to perfectly drive a man both to distraction and completely mad with wanting and before he could think more on it his feet were carrying him to her…
"Oh, what a pile of rubbish," Mary Bennet huffed under her breath.
As she had dressed for the evening, she had known the silk stockings which she head purchased with all her pin money would be a mistake. The luxurious material kept escaping from their ties to her garters and the garters were pinching at her thighs. Perhaps if she were more of a walker like Lizzy they would not wobble and chafe under her dresses with such a level of discomfort.
The hairs on the back of her neck began to prickle as she became aware of someone watching her.
But who would take an interest to look in my direction?
Turning she was caught in the snare of Sir Percy's his molten brown eyes seemed to pierce her, seeing more of her emotions than she wished, is eyes sparkling with a slight warmth and something else altogether more powerful. He moved with such grace—without a single shred of insecurity. Steeling herself she took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her nerves and gain a level head around the most disarming gentleman of her acquaintance, when his Brother Viscount Rothford and his wife intercepted him. It appeared they needed his assistance by the lingering look full of promise he bestowed upon her before being pulled in the opposite direction.
"I see you look to Sir Percy with great frequency Miss Mary," sneered Miss Bingley coming to stand beside her.
"I don't believe that's any of your business," Mary replied tartly begging herself cheeks not to heat in reaction to her embarrassment.
"Take it from me, Miss Mary, gentleman like Sir Percy who are connected to the aristocracy look to bland, dull and unassuming women they perceive will be...accommodating. Trust that you will need to be realistic that he will take what he wants but he will not marry you."
Mary's head whipped to round to lock with Miss Bingley's. Her shock and a pain evident. Never had she been the recipient of such a verbal attack.
"Poor thing! Are you naïve enough to believe that his attentions would lead to a courtship?" Continued Miss Bingley with a pitying look in her eye.
Drawing in a deep breath Mary decided to show Miss Bingley how bland and unassuming she was. Straightening and looking at the twittering ninny before her she realised, she could only feel sorry for her.
"Yes, I suppose you have had many seasons to watch those around you become engaged to many gentlemen, Miss Bingley while you fall to the side." Mary responded. "Tell me, do you intend to be a governess of sorts for Mrs Hurst when she should have children? Poor thing! Surely you are not naïve enough that your brother will still have you hanging about when he marries?" She added smiling innocently.
Miss Bingley gasped in outrage and lashing out tore the sleeve on Mary's gown.
It all became too much, and Mary fled the ballroom, not noticing as she flew past Lydia who was being made to return home now the first dance had been observed. Upon sighting her sister closely being followed by Miss Bingley in a none too friendly manner, she checked her father was still in conversation with Mr Bingley and hurried in pursuit of them.
Bursting into the deserted room towards the end of the hallway, Mary shoved at the door only to startle as Miss Bingley manged to push hard enough to gain entry into the room.
"You and your family will never gain an alliance with my family; I can assure you of that! You may have destroyed Darcy and taken him from me, but you will never sink you filthy, common and uncouth talons into my brother!" hissed Caroline stalking menacingly towards Mary.
The slamming of the door startled both women.
"Who do you think you are attacking my sister!" shouted Lydia stalking towards Miss Bingley.
"And which one are you?" sneered Miss Bingley down her nose.
"I am Miss Lydia of which you are already aware." Lydia scowled in reply.
"Ah – the outrageous flirt!" taunted Miss Bingley. "Is this your model for how you will ensnare a man like Sir Percy?" she added laughing mockingly to Mary.
"Call me what you like but at least people wish to be around me, and gentleman wish to dance with me. It must wound you that our Mary garnered the attention of such a great man. He doesn't look at you - ever! No, he wants my beautiful and musical talented sister over you, who with all your money and accomplishments is still left a bitter spinster! You are no more than a sly snake, slithering about and sticking your nose in where it is not wanted." Spat Lydia charging to her sister's defence.
Caroline drew back and slapped Lydia hard across the cheek - the sound echoing through the room. Before anyone could react, Lydia launched herself at Caroline and shoved her accidentally knocking her into Mary who took the full force of Miss Bingley's elbow to the jaw and fell to the floor, scrambling to sit behind a chair.
"You are uncouth, girlish and vulgar!" spat Caroline.
Mary gasped in profound distress at the animosity being served their way and Lydia's heart immediately filled with anger.
"You are vain, greedy and a tradesman's daughter!" retorted Lydia.
Pausing in shock Miss Bingley turned such a deep shade of red she appeared near purple in colour as she released a growl and rushed aggressively towards Lydia.
When suddenly Miss Bingley let out a harsh shriek and jerked backwards before she could reach Lydia. After a moment of confusion all that could be seen was Mrs Bennet holding the young woman by the hair, in an absolute rage.
"You would dare strike my daughter!" She shrilled.
"Unhand me you witch!" shrieked Caroline batting at Mrs Bennet's hand.
"CAROLINE!" Came Charles Bingley's commanding voice and the chaos of the room stilled.
Turning their gazes, they saw Mr Bingley and Mr Bennet stood with thunderous looks upon the scene before them.
"What has come over you all? Have you lost all reason?" bellowed Mr Bennet after closing the door.
"Papa, she started it!" pouted Lydia pointed and Miss Bingley.
"And struck Lydia across the face!" added Mrs Bennet still refusing to let go of her grip on Miss Bingley's coiffure.
"Mrs Bennet, you will unhand Miss Bingley now and Lydia please collect your outer things and I shall meet you in the carriage. Mr Bingley, I trust you will take the necessary precautions to show Miss Bingley how grave an error she made in striking my daughter."
"You may have no doubts on that score Mr Bennet and please accept my apologies." Said Mr Bingley his jaw ticking in his displeasure.
Removing he hands from Miss Bingley's hair Mrs Bennet turned to Mr Bingley. "I hope we can all agree that this incident will go no further than this room. This evening is in celebration of my Lizzy and Mr Darcy, and I will not have it marred by such a vulgar display." And with that she stormed from the room.
Mary as usual was completely forgotten and remained unseen from where she had been thrown to the floor during the scuffle. The silence in the room became deafening as everyone left and shut the door, leaving her alone with the blood and adrenaline coursing through her.
When all of a sudden Miss Bingley's voice rang threw the air.
"Are you just going to scowl at me in the stupid manner Charles or will you follow Mr Bennets instruction?" she hissed.
"I hardly recognise you, sister. You are very dear to me as you know - but I am terribly disappointed in you."
Miss Bingley scoffed at this.
"I do not jest. I would not be quite so angry if i did not care. Why must you always make your company a chore? When did my adorably funny little sister become so hard and unfriendly?" he asked softly.
"You cannot be serious! You and Papa did not give me a choice to be anything but perfect! It breaks me to see that while you enforced such high standards on your sisters to move as far away from our beginnings in society you are will to throw it all away on a country Miss who is not worthy of you! I know you think me ridiculous and petty at times, but I cannot see that she cares for you an extraordinary amount. She is fond of you brother, I grant you that, but if you marry her, you will be marrying into an unequal affection. She does not love you as you do her, but I believe like most women of little fortune you must consider the purse of the man you are to marry… trust me and take some time apart and see if you care for her just as strongly after a season in town."
"Caroline, please what makes you say such things? I cannot stomach your manipulations. Not tonight!"
"Brother she is mercenary, and she is unkind when your back is turned. Will you turn your back on your own sister for the sake of a pretty face?"
"I cannot believe she was cruel to you. It is not her character."
"How many times do we hear of men of good income being trapped into a marriage to a veritable darling who changes as soon as vows are exchanged? There is no way the rest of her sisters can be of such excitable natures, and she is unflinchingly serene and all goodness! Do not be so trusting Charles! I am simply asking that you take some time away to understand your feelings and intentions more clearly. Is that so unreasonable?"
"I must ask for specifics as to her ill treatment towards you. It is not to be bourn and I would be remiss if I did not take such matters to task!"
"You question my sincerity?" demanding Caroline.
"Do not forget how well I know you, Caroline." warned Mr Bingley, "Now you will retire to your room and spend the rest of the evening writing an apology to Miss Lydia and her parents."
This was met with screech and the slamming of the door. Followed after by a long sigh and another opening and closing of the door before Mary was truly left alone.
Mary did not know how long she maintained her position sitting with her back the chair but when her mind cleared, she found her eyes trained on a bottle of amber liquor on the sideboard in front of her.
Standing on watery legs she poured herself a generous serving of the amber liquid and settled back on the floor, hiking her skirts up to finally adjust her stockings and breathing a sigh of relief. She would take some time to collect herself and then ring the bell for someone to fetch Jane or Lizzy to help her into a carriage home without being seen in such a state.
Meanwhile in the ballroom…
"You are very different to Mr Darcy; he is not the easiest in company. I wonder how you all grew together as boys and that all his friends are very large characters and yet he maintained his cautious nature..." mused Elizabeth aloud as she was joined by Sir Percy where she watched Mr Darcy dancing with Lady Matlcock.
"My cousin is a better man than most. He is worth the struggle to get to know, and he will never let you down." He vowed with sincerity.
"I do not doubt you and I meant no slight to his character. In fact, I am of the opinion our that we shall balance each other wonderfully well, don't you think?" she asked in the afterglow of optimism from their waltz.
"I find am in agreement with you in that, Miss Elizabeth." He smiled, though his gaze seemed to be searching the ballroom for something or someone.
"I am just curious to know more about him." Said Elizabeth pulling his focus once more.
"How fortunate that fate has decided to grant you a lifetime to do so." He laughed teasingly. "Has Darcy managed to convince you to take up riding?"
Blushing at his unwitting reference to her conversation earlier that evening Elizabeth looked away as she gave her answer.
"Pray tell me, why should I learn to ride when I cannot do so to my full enjoyment."
"Full enjoyment?" came Sir Percy's puzzled reply as Colonel Fitzwilliam and Charlotte joined their conversation.
"Yes, I am to learn to ride to be considered accomplished. But I may never truly exercise my horse, nor to feel the wind in hair. I am the be sitting in an uncomfortable position deemed ladylike by men and to have my enjoyment of the sport or any form of exercise curtailed by men."
"Indeed. I had never heard it explained in such a manner. Alas, that is the way things are." Said the Colonel.
"And alas they shall remain, until one day when we shall make men take a turn about Hyde Park in voluminous skirts and side saddles. I vow it would not prevail for much longer if men were supposed to adopt the same sedate manner." Elizabeth teased.
"I dare say you are not wrong in that assumption. And you say you are limited on all things by us ogres? That cannot be true!" answered the Colonel.
"Well, I may walk but not run. I may read but not take interest in anything that might turn into an intellectual pursuit. Although, I admit I am allowed free reign to compose music and play the pianoforte."
"Ah, but then I suppose it is the same with men in certain things, do you want to know the solution to your problem."
"I am all ears," she said eyes sparkling.
"The trick is not to get caught," he replied making a show of whispering behind his hand and giving her a wink. Causing Elizabeth and Charlotte to laugh heartily.
Reaching her side, Darcy gave his most charming smile and said, "Miss Elizabeth. You've had such a crowd surrounding you most of this evening. Might there be room on your programme for me to claim the supper set?"
"I believe even if it were taken, you would take precedence on this occasion, sir." She stated feeling a warmth curling in her stomach at the warmth in the look he gave her.
He nodded then looking away as colour heightened his cheeks slightly, making Elizabeth's smile broaden in exultation and having bested him and challenge his composure.
Elizabeth found that she was enjoying his company very well. She found that Mr Darcy's relations were not so intimidating as she had supposed. Though, the Earl of Matlock had yet to make an appearance…
To Be Continued...