Grabbing her bonnet, she tied the ribbons under her chin and hastily pushed a strand of hair out of her face that wouldn't stay in the bun. Tucking the book she had been spending a few days reading, she headed outside into the cool autumn air. Mary quickly picked up her pace to get to her favorite spot.
The wind quietly whispered through the trees and breathing in the fresh air, a small smile graced her lips when she smelled the wildflowers, as she neared the fast flowing creek.
"Is that a smile I see, Miss Mary?"
Spinning around quickly, she cringed when she heard her favorite book hit the hard packed earth. Lifting her eyes, Mary found herself staring into the shining eyes of Michael Lucas. His arms were folded over his chest and she could see amusement and something she couldn't recognize in his eyes. "Mr. Lucas, you should not sneak up on someone like that."
Michael's smile widened, "It wouldn't have been sneaking up if you would have been paying attention to your surroundings instead of daydreaming, Miss Mary. I don't remember you ever daydreaming when we were younger."
Narrowing her eyes at him, he watched intrigued as her nose scrunched up a bit, and her eyes flashed. "You sir have been away for three years without once ever coming home. A lot has changed while you have been away." She retorted, her ire rising as he smirked. Mary wanted to get out of his presence as quickly as possible. All of a sudden when he was around she felt like a bird stuck in a cage, not able to get out. He always knew how to bring out stubborn and improper side of her.
He leaned closer to her and she felt his breath grace her cheek. "I see you haven't changed at all, Miss Mary. You still have your nose buried in a book."
"I bet you don't even know how to read," she said and then quickly put a hand over her mouth embarrassed. What is wrong with me?" "I'm sorry, Mr. Lucas. I shouldn't have implied that you weren't taught how to read."
Michael threw back his head and laughed. This is one of the reasons that he fell in love with her all those years ago and it never ended. She always knew how to keep him on his toes even though she had no idea she was doing it. Mary stared at him a moment, thinking he was clearly not in his right mind as he continued to laugh.
Seeing her expression, he sobered, "It is quite alright. I know you didn't mean any harm in it."
They stood in silence for a moment, both of the lost in their own thoughts. When the sound of the water reached his ears, Michael knew exactly where Mary was headed. Lowering his gaze to study her face, he found her studying her shoes. "Mary?" he whispered.
Snapping her eyes up to his when she said her Christian name, Mary felt something flow over her, making her feel shy. Michael had always called all of the Bennet girls by their Christian names growing up, but that had to stop when they got older. Now when he said it, it felt different.
He watched silently as a mixture of emotions swam across her face. He knew that she had never had any gentlemen suitors and he wanted to do this the right way and not scare her away from him. "May I escort you to wherever it is you were headed?"
Nodding her head, Mary reached down to pick up her forgotten book. A large warm hand enclosed over hers, whispering in her ear. "Let me get that. I should since it's my fault it's on the ground."
Quickly pulling her hand away from his, she nodded her head and fixed her gaze forward. Michael grasped the book and walked quietly beside the object of his affections. He wanted to court her, but he wasn't sure how long he was going to be home before being called away again. He wanted her to know how he felt before he went away. Following her through the small grove of trees, he let his eyes adjust to the sudden sunlight.
Looking around him, a small smile lit his face when he recognized where they were. A fast flowing creek ran through the small meadow. Shifting his gaze to the left, he noticed the swing he had hung for his sisters and the Bennet girls when they were younger. They would spend all summer out by this creek, daring to see who could jump in the farthest off the swing.
Turning his gaze to rest on Mary, he remembered a time when he would dare her to jump in after him. She would meet his gaze head on and only hesitate a moment before crawling onto the swing and jumping in. He missed when she was so carefree and not so serious.
Mary settled under a large oak tree and waited for him to join her. Handing her book back to her, Michael leaned up against the tree, keeping his gaze fixed ahead.
"How are you enjoying your time back home, Mr. Lucas?"
"Not much has changed in the last three years since I have been home. Charlotte and Lizzy seem to be closer than they were before I left."
"After you left, they started spending more and more time at each other's estates. It vexes Mama greatly, because instead of spending all of her time with her best friend, Lizzy could be looking for a husband. She doesn't want us to all end up in the hedgerows." Mary stated with a scowl.
Snapping his gaze to settle on her face, he wondered if she was looking for a husband; anyone to please her Mama. "Are you searching for a husband, Miss Mary? I remember when you were seven, you told me that you would never marry, cause boys were gross." He chuckled slightly and smiled when a soft blush stained her cheeks.
"I have changed quite a bit Mr. Lucas since I was seven. I don't plan on ever marrying."
Raising a brow slightly, he watched her face. Her lips were formed in a thin line and her eyes were staring straight ahead. Maybe I can change that Mary. I sure hope so.
Author's Note: Okay I know I haven't updated any of my stories in almost 2 years and I really don't have a good reason why. The only thing I can say is my life has been really crazy and it's finally somewhat settling down. I got inspiration for this story a few weeks back and decided to put pen to paper again. I'm a bit rusty since I haven't wrote anything in two years and I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this but I hope you can bear with me. Review and tell me what you think.