Jim and his mother came down to the parlor to see the captain's body. Jim was crying. I knew that although he didn't like the captain, Jim had so recently experienced loss and this must be hard for him to see a second death in so short a time.
"We need to leave," I said, worry and fear creeping into my voice. Mrs. Hawkins and Jim both nodded their agreement. We raced out of the inn and down the road to another inn called the Hamlet, not far away. When the three of us got there, we were out of breath and panting. Mrs. Hawkins immediately started to ask some of the patrons to help us, while Jim and I stood right in the doorway. I was trembling with fear, and Jim put his arm around me to steady me.
"There, there," he whispered. "I won't let anything happen to you." I leaned against him and surveyed the parlor of the inn. It seemed as if we weren't the only ones who were asking for help tonight, for I saw two other people talking to the innkeeper with worried expressions on their faces. They looked familiar. I squinted, trying to get a better look when I realized that they were none other than my father and my sister, Jane! I gasped.
"What's wrong Mary?" Jim asked, his eyes full of concern.
"Over there," I whispered fiercely and nodded in the direction of my father and Jane. "Those two are my father and my sister, Jane." Jim's eyebrow raised, but he said nothing. "You have got to hide me, quick!" I spoke urgently. "I don't want them to find—" Too late.
"Mary! Oh thanks heavens your safe!" exclaimed Jane. She rushed over to hug me, but I recoiled. The look on Jane's face went from overjoyed to hurt.
"What's wrong, Mary? I missed you so much, and so did the others! We all want you home!" Jane said, hurt and confusion clouding her eyes
"Really? After all the things they said about me, you honestly expect to believe that they missed me!?" I spat.
"Oh Mary, please try to understand, we really do love you, it's just…."
"Just what? It's just that I'm an embarrassment to the family? Well, I'm not going back with you! "
"Mary," Jim said. I turned to face him. "I know you're hurt, but you have to forgive them. They're your family."
"But I want to stay with you, Jim!"
"I wish I could say yes, but if I did then that would mean I would be putting your life in danger. I don't want anything to ever happen to you. If you love me, then you'll forgive your family and go back with them. I promise, I'll write to you as soon as I can. Please, you need to leave soon. I don't want you getting hurt. Promise me you'll forgive your parents?" Jim said, his voice choked with emotion.
I sighed and agreed reluctantly to go back with my family, though it may take me a long time before I forgive them. Then Jim said something I thought I would never hear in my life. He said that as soon as he could, he would come to Longbourn and marry me. Until then, he would write me letters as often as he could. I was overjoyed, and tears streamed down my face. He kissed my hand and left with his mother to return to the Benbow Inn. I climbed in the carriage along with Jane and my father, and we all headed home. Jane and I looked at one another, and a silent apology passed between us. I knew that even though I may never be as pretty as Jane or as clever as Elizabeth, I would always have Jim, who thought I was the most amazing girl ever. I closed my eyes, leaned back, and smiled to myself. I love happy endings, I thought, and drifted into sleep.