Chapter 5: Inside a pocket

Mary woke up with a start, breathing heavily sweat gliding down her forehead. She got out of her bed slowly, taking in her surroundings. She instantly looked towards Kitty's bed, but it was empty.

Slowly, she dressed herself and washed her face. When she returned in the room she noticed the shreds of paper next to Kitty's bed. She bowed down to pick them up, but noticed there were pieces of the Colonel's letter.

Anger built up inside her and holding a piece of paper exited the room and quickly made for the drawing room, where she supposed she could find her sisters.

She burst into the room fully aware her hair was as dishevelled as if she had fought her way through a storm.

'Where is Catherine?' she asked loudly.

Jane was writing at her small desk and she seemed to be the only person in the room as she looked pensively at the dark blue clouds outside. Upon Mary's entrance she rose alarmed.

'Mary, has something happened?'

'Oh, Jane, where is Kitty?' she asked, a degree calmer.

'Shush,' Jane told her as she took her by the arm and closed the door quickly behind her.

'Kitty has gone to visit Colonel Fitzwilliam.'

Mary stared for a minute.

'What do you mean?'

'She came this morning, very much distraught, showing me a letter from the Colonel about his illness and she insisted she wanted to go and visit him, but made me promise not to tell mama or Mr. Prowler.'

'What on Earth determined her to go like that?'

'She seemed to be upset with the Colonel…it was rather odd, she was slighting him and offending him in my presence, but wanted to see him at the same time,' Jane said smiling.

'So…I should suppose she is with him right now,' Mary said quietly, her expression softening. 'She went on foot?'

Jane nodded. 'I could not stop her, I told her it was foolish, but she would not listen. She said she enjoyed walking…oh, I hope I did the right thing…the Colonel's lodgings are close indeed but…'

'Then I must go myself at once,' Mary replied in a firm tone.

'I thought you'd say that, so you have my approval to go, but please let Joseph, our coachman, accompany you, for I shall not let you walk there.'

Mary smiled and thanked her sister, going to get ready for the trip.

As she reached the Hall she was greeted by Mr. Prowler who had come from breakfast.

'Miss Bennet, where are you going in such a rush?'

'Mr. Prowler…I do not suppose it would be of much consequence to you.'

'Well, I might guess your destination, but please, allow me to remark that you needn't hurry to your conquest in such a way.'

'Pardon me?'

'I was simply assuming you were going to visit a certain gentleman…'he said casually.

'And indeed, I am going to visit a gentleman who might need my assistance. Why do you ask?'

'Concern for your reputation and your sister's drive me to inquire, Miss Bennet, for I do not suppose this is the most exemplary conduct to show to a younger, more naïve sibling,' he said proudly.

Mary frowned and looked at him suspiciously.

'Of what conduct do you speak?'

A long pause followed.

'Has Miss Catherine woken up?' he asked at length.

'Not yet…' Mary replied rapidly. 'No, she is still in bed…she said she did not feel composed enough to leave the room. It seems the Ball has tired her.'

'Oh, terrible news indeed, I do hope she shall recover soon,' he said silently.

'So do I,' she said sternly. 'Now, if you'll excuse me, Sir…'

'Oh, pardon me…I will not interrupt your affairs any longer…but I beg you to consider what I have told you, Miss Bennet,' he said and departed.

Mary was puzzled about what he had said and as she reached the carriage she looked again at the house, trying to understand what he had meant.

Did he refer to my going to see the Colonel? It must have been this…for what else could he have supposed? she thought getting in and drawing her shawl over her shoulders.

'I should not thing of it anymore…' she murmured.

'This is what happens when you do not listen to my sayings, Mr. Fitzwilliam…' Kitty said as she placed another cold compress on his forehead.

She sat on a chair near his bed, a newspaper on her lap and spoke in most grave and patronising tones.

'I told you, that very day, that the weather was inappropriate for a walk…but you so insisted,' she said pulling his pillow up so he could sit in a more comfortable position.

'Oh, please Miss Bennet, do not trouble yourself so, my maid can assist me in such trivial affairs,' he said feeling embarrassed.

'Nonsense, that Beth woman cannot tie a shoelace with spectacles on, she can hardly take care of you, Sir,' she said loudly so the maid could hear her.

'And I did insist that day Miss Bennet, for I much wanted to enjoy your delightful company and hear you praise the nature you so love,' the Colonel said in a stroke of inspiration caused by fever and unconscious bravery.

Kitty stopped half way as she was wringing the compress and looked at him blankly. She giggled nervously and sprinkled him with little drops of cold water, as a form of punishment.

'It seems the illness has much damaged your mind, Sir,' she spoke amused.

'On the contrary, I have never been more lucid,' he spoke firmly, but she simply smiled at him and threw her locks of hair nervously out of her face.

All this was observed quietly by Mary, who was standing in the doorway, peering through the small opening. She smiled and shook her head, not knowing what to think of her sister.

At length she entered the room slowly at which point Kitty instantly got up and dropped the compress on the floor.

'Mary! What are you doing here?'

'I came to see a good friend and a very secretive sister,' she replied ironically.

Kitty pursed her lips. 'You haven't told mama, or Mr. Prowler, have you?'

'Be at rest, they know nothing of your escapade.'

Kitty scowled silently.

'How are you, Colonel?' Mary asked warmly.

'Much better, thank you, at seeing such good friends around me and being attended by such a caring young lady,' he replied.

Kitty merely smiled proudly and wrapped her arm around her sister's, as if hiding childishly behind her.

Their visit did not last much longer as Catherine seemed impatient to leave now that Mary had arrived and spoke of the weather and bland things when asked to participate in the conversation. The Colonel didn't observe her agitated spirits, but was merely happy for her presence.

As the two sisters reached the carriage Kitty spoke in most offended tones.

'You needn't have come simply because you believed me incapable of taking care of myself, Mary.'

'It was with no such intention in mind that I come, Kitty. I only wished to see my friend.'

'Yet you interrupted in a most impolite way…' she murmured.

'What are you saying, Catherine?'

'Nothing,' she replied a degree louder. 'Has Mr. Prowler asked of me?'

'He did. I told him you were indisposed,' she replied promptly.

'Why did you tell him that? Now he'll think I am rejecting his advances…' Kitty moaned.

'And what was I supposed to say to him, pray tell me?' Mary asked but her sister did not answer.

They both got into the carriage in silence, not exchanging two words for the rest of their way back.

They reached Bingley Park in no time, but as soon as they entered the Hall they heard Charles and Mr. Prowler pass by, at which point Mary quickly took Kitty by the arm and forced her to enter a small room which served as a broom-cupboard.

'Mary, what in the world?' Kitty started.

'Shhh!' Mary said signalling her to be quiet.

'Mary, I want to get out,' her sister insisted but Mary placed her hand over Kitty's mouth and scowled quietly.

The two gentlemen were engaged in a conversation that was not familiar to either of the young ladies, but Mr. Prowler stopped shortly in the middle of the Hall.

'Did you hear something?'

'What do you mean James?'

'I heard some voices…'

'I didn't hear a thing,' Charles replied smiling.

'Must have imagined it…'

'Too much bureaucracy does that to a decent fellow,' Mr. Bingley laughed, alluding to James' late hours of study.

'I think I should like to check on Miss Bennet to see how she is, for I heard she was ill-disposed this morning,' James said casually.

Kitty's eyes widened fearfully and Mary stiffened instantly.

'Was she really? Jane must know of it then, I hope nothing serious,' Charles said amiably.

'So do I…' Mr. Prowler said.

They turned and entered the parlour leaving a dead silence behind.

As quick as possible the two sisters exited the broom-cupboard and climbed fearfully the flights of steps to their room.

They managed to reach it in time and Kitty quickly disposed of her dress remaining but in her petticoat as she got in her bed, drawing up her quilt.

Mary placed herself in the armchair in the corner, planning to sew a stocking, but no sooner had she sat down, than Mr. Prowler knocked at the door ceremoniously.

'Who is calling?' Kitty said in a weak voice.

'Mr. Prowler, Miss Bennet, wanting to see how you are. May I come in?'

Kitty nodded to Mary who went to open the door.

Mr. Prowler bowed politely and went to Kitty's bed, seating himself in a chair in front of her.

'Miss Bennet, I was in agitated spirits to find out you weren't well,' he said.

'Oh, Mr. Prowler, you worry too much, I…simply felt indisposed and fatigued, perhaps I wasn't dressed fitfully for such weather. I may have caught a small cold…but I shall recover if I rest a bit.'

'Should we call for a physician?'

'Not at all, such small business can be best healed naturally,' she replied sweetly.

Some more trifling words were added before Mr. Prowler got up.

'Miss Bennet, I hope you shall take good care of your sister and not be away again,' he said, turning to Mary.

'Do not fret, Sir, she shall have me as comfort.'

'I hope your trip was pleasant enough,' he added sternly.

'It was very much, thank you,' she said in grave tones.

'Humpf,' he bowed and left the room.

As soon as he was gone Kitty got up and started walking about the room.

'Mr. Prowler is very gentile, isn't he?'

'Barely…' she whispered in reply and took up a book, forgetting about the stocking.

The afternoon soon drew on and Mary and Kitty went for a walk in the garden, planning to find comfortable places to either read or dream wistfully of the future.

'Dear sister, perhaps exercise will make you recover…,' Mary said ironically, alluding to what had passed in the morning.

Kitty laughed good-naturedly. 'Oh, you have been a comfort indeed,' she replied dramatically.

Kitty searched for chrysanthemums while Mary sat under a poplar, skimming an ancient map of Rome.

Their peaceful state was however, interrupted when they heard a maid pass by the gates with a large hamper in her hand.

Kitty rushed to see what the woman had brought, ignoring Mary's calls as she hurried to get hold of her sister.

They both reached the poor maid who had shrunk into submission when she had seen the two young ladies approaching. She bowed frightened.

'I came to see if there was anyone at the gates, missus…'

'Whatever for?' exclaimed Kitty rudely.

'Well, this here o' basket been left on m' doorstep of the back kitchen. Might have been brought by someon' of som' sort…messenger haps…' she said stuttering.

Kitty bowed down to inspect the hamper and noticed it was full of vegetables and poultry. A small parcel, with a letter on top was to be found in it.

The younger sister quickly took hold of the parcel and opened it without delay.

'Kitty, how rude, you mustn't do that! What if it is for Mr. Bingley?'

However, Kitty was already half-way through a ceremonious invitation that she had found inside.

'It's from Lady Catherine and Mr. Fowler,' she beamed. 'They've invited us to dine at Rosings. What delightful news, perhaps Mr. Fowler wishes to apologise for his most shocking behaviour at the Ball.'

Mary frowned and turned away. The other letter however, caught her attention and she picked it up from the basket.

It was addressed to Miss M. Bennet. She could see no other writing indicating another name, however.

She put it in the folds of her dress quietly and ordained the maid to announce Mr. Bingley of the occurrence and to store the goods properly.

Taking Kitty's hand she rushed towards the house and presently found Jane to whom they showed the invitation.

She was very pleased to see such letter, but her gratitude cannot be compared to that of Mrs. Bennet's, who seeing an opportunity in this, insisted that she, Jane and Elizabeth remained at home.

'It is not proper of married women to go dining in such a manner with a single gentleman and his relatives…' she said.

'Oh, so you must presume it proper for single ones to do so,' Elizabeth remarked laughing. Mrs. Bennet clicked her tongue and remained quiet.

It was a fortunate event for the mother that Mr. Bingley was engaged in his office with Mr. Prowler and that no gentleman could accompany them. Thus it was settled that only Kitty and Mary were to go to Rosings with Joseph, the coachman.

They both went to their room to prepare and it was safe to mention that Kitty loitered for two hours in the lavatory as Mary sat, bored in the niche near the window.

At length, she remembered the letter and took it from the folds of her dress, peering at it concerned.

She opened it carefully and found her handkerchief, which she had lost, inside. A small note was attached to it.

You might just find the lily in the ferns, if you but look closely.

Mary's hand trembled as she put the handkerchief in her pocket and looked at the small piece of paper between her fingers.

A lily in the ferns…Did he mean…but I am nothing unique. I am not like Catherine…yet this letter was addressed to me.

'Mary? Come and help me please,' Kitty said loudly from the other room.

Mary woke up from her reverie and quickly concealed the note in a book, placing it under her pillow.

'Yes, Kitty?' she entered the lavatory and was almost hit with a shoe in the head as her sister struggled to brush her curls.

When all the preparation was done, the two sisters got into the carriage once again, but this time to a different destination.

Mrs. Bennet advised them both as if they were going on a trip abroad, never to return and Jane told them not to cause much trouble.

Mary looked at the nature surrounding her with a new eye. She smiled shyly and considered someone did not think her a waste of company. Kitty giggled nervously beside her, but she could only think about the note.

A small yellow leaf landed in her lap once again, but this time she did not blow it in the wind.

They arrived at Rosings and were welcomed with cold cordiality by butlers and maids as they surveyed the beautiful mansion and the vast lands surrounding it.

'Lizzie was right…it does look like a castle,' Kitty murmured with admiration as she saw the sun set blissfully across the copper branches of oaks.

Mary looked at the large windows which were covered in steam that only served to heighten their elegance.

As they entered the parlour and were baffled by its grandeur, Mary felt sorry she had not improved her attire at least a bit, for she was wearing a very plain and even disrespectful dress, whereas Kitty was sparkling with beauty.

Shrugging her shoulders she told herself beautiful attire would not matter.

To Mr. Fowler it wouldn't…considering he…she thought, alluding to the letter again.

Lady Catherine came into the parlour accompanied by her daughter and Mr. Fowler who was holding the hand of the before mentioned young lady.

After good greetings and respectful attentions, Lady Catherine condescended to give her "amiable" formulas with which she welcomed guests and started a small talk with Kitty Bennet, wanting to know why the entire family could not attend.

Kitty explained thoroughly and most brashly how obliged she was to her and how Mr. Bingley and her sisters had been engaged.

Lady Catherine was pleased not to see Elizabeth or Jane, but disapproved of the young sister's audacious speech.

Mary inspected Anne carefully and found her in appearance a most weak being, though she clung indifferently to Mr. Fowler.

'Miss Bennet,' he suddenly addressed her, 'would you care for a game of backgammon?'

Mary was too puzzled to refuse and they both sat down at the game table.

They played in silence for a while, Mary not daring to look at him.

'Your sister is a most garrulous being,' he said at length.

'It runs in the family…'Mary replied quietly.

He chuckled.

'I suppose you expect a form of apology for the way I treated you last night, Miss Bennet.'

'What way, Sir?' she asked surprised.

'Why, I left you to make a fool of yourself in the middle of the room with no partner,' he said amused.

'It is of no consequence…' she said, but she did not hear any word of apologise from him.

'I perhaps was rude, but it couldn't have been helped…the presence of your sister and her…suitor displeased me,' he said offhand.

Mary remained silent.

'I advise you to look into the matter, Miss Bennet…and be careful of your acquaintances, especially your sister's. You might find some startling things about them...that may provoke many inconveniences…' he added.

Mary started playing with her handkerchief and looked at the fireplace worriedly.

'Thank you, Sir for your care…I did not consider…' she started, but when she looked at him she saw him smiling at her softly.

'That is a very beautiful handkerchief, Miss Bennet, be careful not to lose it,' he said and got up to wait on Lady Catherine who had called him.

Dinner was soon ready and they all sat in the dark and dreary dining room, which smelled oddly of burnt candles.

Mary and Kitty sat next to each other, the younger sister whispering trifles in her ear about the things she had noticed on the small coffee table in the parlour.

Mr. Fowler and Anna sat opposite them and Mary looked from time to time either at him or at Lady Catherine who was seated, as always, at the head of the table.

The gentleman spared her few looks, but those were quite quizzical and odd and spoke to no one but her and Lady Catherine which made Kitty renew her opinion of him being "the most insolent bloke to have ever crossed her way".

Lady Catherine already thought Mary was either cunningly shy or plain stupid and did not much speak to her which did not bother her at all as she found ample time to observe the house minutely.

Mr. Fowler guided her to the library and Mary was most impressed by the immense and beautiful library that Lady Catherine possessed.

The rows and rows of books seemed never to finish and she glided as in a dream, through the room, reading every single title she could feast her eyes on.

'I have a similar library at my own residence in Derbyshire, but I do not profess to it being better stocked,' he said following her amused.

Mary found a book which very much interested her and applied to take it out, but in doing so she fell on a heap of books with the wanted book in her lap. Her hair was now a very dishevelled bun and her entire apparel seemed out of the ordinary.

She blushed deeply, but Mr. Fowler laughed good-naturedly and picked her up from the floor.

'You should be careful, Miss Bennet, books can be quite dangerous,' he said with mirth.

'Especially in my hands,' she added.

The evening drew on in a pleasant way for Mary, though Kitty declared she was bored out of her wits and wished to go home.

At length, the carriage was brought up and the two sisters bid the Lady and Mr. Fowler goodbye, for Anne had already retired.

Mr. Fowler bowed and kissed their hands, but Kitty scowled silently, trying her best to be rude to him.

As they departed, Mary could have sworn she saw a dark figure, running through the trees, but when she looked back she could only see the mist of the night falling over the estate.

'Honestly, he is a most pompous fellow with bricks instead of brains,' she exclaimed.

'Kitty, you barely talked to him. How could you have formed this opinion?'

'Didn't you look at his eyes, Mary? They held a most insolent and proud glare.'

Again, both sisters remained silent, not exchanging any words until they reached the comfort of their room at Bingley Park.

Mary found yet another letter on her nightstand, addressed to her. However, this time, it was from Lydia.

Kitty had run into the drawing room to give Mrs. Bennet and Jane an account of the night so Mary opened the letter and read it at leisure.

Dear Mary,

I was much surprised to hear from you of all people, my dear sister, for I hoped Kitty would write to me a few lines. That is not to say I am not thoroughly pleased to hear from you, what with Kitty thinking I am ungrateful simply because I chose to do my duty of matron and mistress of my house. For I have much to bear, much to bear….Oh, Mary as a married woman life would be quite dreary, were it not for my angel, Mr. Wickham.

I am so happy to hear Jane is with child and I cannot wait till I can have a bundle of joy myself! I wish I could have come for I long for appropriate company. But I promise Mr. Wickham and I will soon visit and tell you of all his braveries for he has already gone off to Ireland to fight. Poor man, as soon as he was healed he went off to save the country! Such noble man, and having been ill too! I should declare myself very frightened were it not for his conscientious letters which inform me of his state minutely. Oh, I wish all of you could have such husband as mine!

As for his poor injuries that set him to bed for a while, I can only blame his wretched cousin for this! I told my dear Jane he had been wounded in battle, which is not an entire lie, I dare say! I was too ashamed, you see, to tell you my husband had got into such a fight, but believe me, he looked as if he had come from battle indeed! Why, that wretched Mr. Prowler! Such an ungrateful cousin indeed!

They fought on the account of my own person, would you believe it? Mr. Prowler dared to approach me on more than friendly terms when he came to visit and Mr. Wickham considered his duty to set him straight! But Mr. Prowler hit him with such brutality that poor Mr. Wickham had to be attended by me day and night! Well, at least I am glad he had his own share of injuries! I dare say I would have pressed charges, were it not a "family business" as they say.

I do not know where he is now, but let him feel ashamed for having done this to my poor husband! I hope he never returns to our company.

Now you know what stopped us from coming and I wish you could feel pity for the hard and laborious tasks which precede me, but I have no choice in the matter.

I shall be able to visit sometime this winter and until then I hope you are all well.

With Love,

Lydia Wickham

As soon as Mary finished, she jumped from her seat, struck with horror and hurried to show the letter to Mr. Bingley.

She considered she ought to tell the news to the gentleman first, for her sisters would certainly not take it well. She hoped he did not much trust Mr. Prowler and wondered whether he knew he was cousin to Mr. Wickham.

Much was her surprise however, when Mr. Bingley himself informed all of them Mr. Prowler had left the same afternoon, on account of urgent business to London.

Kitty entered a state of irritating depression and cried tears of remorse for not having said goodbye to him.

'What a curious event! He was in such a rush that I dare say it would seem quite impolite…' Mrs. Bennet muttered.

For the first time, Mary agreed with her.

'Yes, Mr. Bingley, is this the conduct of a proper gentleman?' she said considering if she should bring the subject of the letter into discussion.

'I assure you, Miss Bennet, I trust Mr. Prowler as much as I trust Mr. Darcy and think of him a most obliging and honourable fellow.'

Perhaps your kindness has blinded you…Mary thought as she tried to comfort her sister who was much in despair.

She did not know what possessed her to do it, but she hid the letter carefully and showed it to no one hoping they would forget Lydia was to write to them. Mary considered she would show it to them when they would be more at leisure and composed.

She knew the first to know would have to be Kitty.