Charlotte Lucas came to Longbourn the following morning accompanied by her brother John. After exchanging greetings, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Jane retreated to a comfortable settee to exchange news and what little gossip they had between them. John hovered, made sure that Charlotte was happily situated before quietly asking Mary to accompany him on a turn about the gardens and perhaps the lane.
"For you see Mary, I confess to missing Meryton and all that is familiar here while I am in London. You would not mind accompanying me?"
"No," Mary replied agreeably. "I should be pleased to, if you will share more on how you are getting on in London?"
They left the room, collecting up and donning coats and hats before stepping out into the crisp winter air. John took Mary's hand, tucking it neatly through his arm and set off over Longbourn's short lawn towards the wilderness and woods that bordered the lane. They walked in companionable silence with no great hurry before Mary hesitantly broke the quiet.
"Are you enjoying London? It seems to me that you remained such a short time at Lucas Lodge once you finished schooling, before heading off to London. Is it not the accepted tradition for a young gentleman to engage upon a tour of Europe?"
"Perhaps for some," John agreed. "But travel in Europe is not as convenient with the ongoing conflicts, I confess that I have no time for true idleness. I fear I should always wish to have a purpose."
"Is travelling, exploring the world and learning, not the purpose of such trips? Lizzy, I know would be delighted by such an adventure."
"Lizzy was born with the wanderlust in her bones," John replied with a gentle laugh. "But I could not justify the expense either. Thomas has his schooling to complete, and it would be unfair of me to use funds for a grand tour when they could be better spent elsewhere. As for London, my rooms are small but perfectly serviceable. Your Uncle is a knowledgeable man and I do believe that I am learning a great deal from him. My investments are nothing of which one could brag but I do hope, or well I should say, I am certain that I should receive a good return when the ship returns next year. But what of you Mary? How have you been?"
"Ever much the same," Mary replied. "Well, just lately I have, I suppose, changed. I spend more time with Kitty now, and Lizzy and Jane too. Georgiana, that is Miss Darcy, is a true protégé on the pianoforte and she has been most kind to share her knowledge. I do believe I am improving."
"That is good, do you think your father might send you to your uncle's so that you might engage a master?"
"I had not thought to ask," Mary replied musing. "It is possible. I know that Lizzy wishes for me to take her place when my aunt and uncle invite her and Jane to stay next.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Mary confided. "I believe that Jane's next stay shall be her last with my aunt and uncle. But as to Lizzy, she wishes for me to meet gentlemen. I suppose she is quite offended on my behalf and so wishes me to find a suitor to remove the memory of Mr Collins."
"And you have agreed to this scheme of Lizzy's?"
"I have not yet been officially told of it," Mary replied with a smile. "Jane has seen fit to warn me that Lizzy has taken after Mama and become officious about marrying me off."
They walked along the hedgerow before stepping through the gate on to the lane, then turned to the left, to follow the lane around the border of the park allowing them to return by the northeast gate.
"John," Mary began again, once more breaking their silence
"Yes?"
"You have always been kind to me, even when, I dare say, I did not warrant it."
"If you mean your preference for scripture and those sorts of works, I cannot blame you for wishing to find solace in something. I was dismayed only that your preference for sermons seemed to rob you of the common joys of life, but I am much gladdened to see that you seem to have found it again."
"I am surprised as you to find I have something to thank Mr Collins for. I believe I did as I ought. I behaved and reflected and acted with what I thought to be piety and yet what did it gain me? Dismissal by my family, and blindness to my own faults." Mary shook her head. "I do not believe there is anything wrong in enjoying life as long as it does not lend towards dissipation, but perhaps I have not always been wise in how to go about things. I do wish to thank you for being my friend, even when I believe I was not a very good one in return."
"Mary, we have always been friends have we not?"
"Of course, even at my worst I would not hesitate to call you friend. Though as I said, I doubt very much I deserved it."
"Mary, please, I. I do not know quite how to… Alas, I fear I did not think it so difficult to begin."
"John? I see you are distressed. I should not like to think that we have so suddenly lost the knack of speaking to each other."
"I like you," John blurted. His expression at once turned to humours chagrin.
"I like you too," Mary replied somewhat bemused.
"Yes, but Mary, you see, I am the son of a lowly knight, who is in truth, a tradesman given consequence. You Mary, and all your family are quite above my family in consequence."
"You cannot think that I find fault with Sir William or Lady Lucas. I have never believed that the relative status of either of our families was so dissimilar. Indeed, Mama and Lady Lucas have known each other since they were girls and we have always socialised. Neither my mother's marriage nor your father's knighthood has changed that."
"Lucas Lodge is not large and must support us all. There is a disparity of fortune there."
"Longbourn may be larger and more profitable, but it shall not remain ours," Mary pointed out. "The entail and my lack of brothers means that we shall be the last Bennet's to inhabit. But I should like to know why you have raised this betwixt us."
"Lucas Lodge is not as profitable as it might be. I wish very much to improve my family's fortunes. I do not want to inherit in haste you understand. I hope that my parents live long and healthy lives. I have been using this time, to take the opportunities my position affords me to make those investments that may yield a return. There might be an opportunity to purchase Claret House and perhaps, at the time when it is necessary, to use it as a Dower house. A gentleman wishing to bring a wife into his home should be able to offer the opportunity of being mistress of her home should he not?"
Mary bit her lip, looking out over the fields but not seeing. "Lady Lucas will be delighted."
"Mary," John stopped them in the lane turning to face her, he inched closer and reached for her other hand.
She allowed him to take it and smiled genuinely. "I shall be glad to make the acquaintance of the lady you are pursuing if you think it suitable. I should like to get to know her. I would like to be friends."
John smiled softly at her. "I am not courting anyone else, Mary. I wished to speak to you of my plans. I wished to know if you thought them good."
Mary nodded. "Yes, Claret House would be a good addition to Lucas Lodge. I do not know anything about the land upon which it is situated, only that Mr Horace grows some grain. We do not call, so I could not comment upon the state of the house, although I fear I understand very little about architecture or the way to identify what repairs may be necessary. Mr Horace is quite old; his wife died some time ago and I understand he has no children so there is likely to be some level of neglect unless his housekeeper is very good. But I do not know how much such a property will cost to buy if he even wishes to sell it."
"I have spoken to Mr Horace," John confided. "There were a few matters regarding the land a year or so back, and my father took me with him to speak to him. I have since then kept up the acquaintance and have been able to increase the yields of both our properties by overseeing them as one. Not, I assure you, for the purpose of relieving him of his property, but because as you say, he is elderly and has no wife or children. He looks after the land himself and hires in labourers during the planting and harvesting seasons. I fear that if I did not visit and maintain some correspondence, he would have next to no one to speak to."
"Is he aware of your plans?" Mary asked.
"In the general," John replied. "By which I mean he is aware that I wish to learn what is necessary to improve Lucas Lodge and he has been willing to share his knowledge and experience with me. I believe that he enjoys the conversation and we do keep an active correspondence when I am in Town. I have spoken to him recently of taking over management of his land full time. Combined with my father's parcel it is a manageable amount, but also because by doing so it relieves Mr Horace of the burden. It would mean that I should have to remain more in Meryton but London is not so far away that I fear neglecting my work there."
"It seems like a sensible plan, and indeed while of advantage to yourself, it is also to the advantage of Mr Horace."
"I am glad you approve." John said turning her hand gently in his own, squeezing it slightly. "Mary." He stopped, his jaw working, and Mary stood patiently waiting for him to form up the thought that was plaguing him.
"Mary, would you consent to being introduced to Mr Horace? I should like you to meet him."
"Well if you wish for me to meet him then of course I shall." Mary answered in surprise.
John smiled at her in relief. "I have prevailed upon Mother to invite him to her next supper party and on Mr Horace to accept the invitation. He rarely goes out into company. The Reverend Rufford has agreed to bring him in his carriage, so he will neither arrive to early, nor leave too late."
"John, will you tell me what it is that you are not sharing?"
John released her hand and tucked her other securely on his arm and turned her towards the lane once more. "In good time my dear Mary. I have no wish to keep secrets from you, but I wish to be a little firmer in my footing. You shall allow me that, will you not."
"Of course, John. I shall not mention it again."
They returned to Longbourn shortly thereafter, the conversation between them moving on. Mary spoke more of her time spent with Kitty and Georgiana, retelling anecdotes.
John left Mary to join her sisters in the parlour and made his way back to Mr Bennet's study, entering at the summons in response to his knock.
His first view of the room was to find Mr Bennet behind his desk, a book in his hand and a bottle of port by his elbow. The sight was familiar, and John found it reassuring that this gentleman who he had known all his life, was just as he ever was.
"Well, sit down," Mr Bennet said waving his hand at the chairs before his desk as he laid the ribbon in his book to mark his place. John settled in Lizzy's chair hoping his friend's courage might rub off on him.
"Shall I offer you refreshments?" Mr Bennet asked lifting the port decanter slightly.
"Ahh no, sir. No thank you."
Mr Bennet placed the decanter back on his desk then leant forward on his arms peering at John over his spectacles. "Well then Mr Lucas, perhaps you should tell me what brings you to my study on this particularly grey day."
John opened his mouth but couldn't find the words and quailed under the familiar sardonic quirk of Mr Bennet's eyebrow.
"Ah, Mary then, is it."
"Yes," John blurted in surprise.
Mr Bennet sat back in his chair regarding John shrewdly. "Have you spoken to Mary of your intentions? What has she to say of the matter?"
"I have not sir, that is not yet. I very much wish to take Mary as my wife, but my situation is not yet fixed."
"Your parents are in fine fettle it can be agreed."
"Indeed, and while my education is finished, Lucas Lodge is not so large that it requires all my efforts. As you are aware, I have been increasing what fortune is mine through investments."
Mr Bennet waved him to silence. "Mr Lucas, I have been aware that since Mary turned fifteen you have carried a tendre for her. In these last three years you have not waivered? Not even when Mary took up with that blasted book of sermons."
John shook his head.
"Well, perhaps your schooling saved you the worst of it. Nevertheless, Mary is a good girl, and I would not have any of my girls leave Longbourn but for the best of men who can love them for themselves, flaws and idiosyncrasies, the lot."
"Please sir, allow me to assure you- "
"There is no need to make love to me, Mr Lucas," Mr Bennet cut him off. "I want to know that Mary will be well cared for, you know she comes with hardly anything. Yes, yes," he waved John to silence again as he tried to protest. "She comes with barely anything and you will not have the advantages of being able to move away. Mrs Bennet is quite able to live another score of years if not longer despite her nerves."
John allowed himself a wry smile. "My own mother shall live just as long I have no doubt. I wish to give you the full picture of the recent changes in my circumstances, and I hope to gain your blessing for my pursuit of Mary's hand."
"I have not had the full tale. Phillips is tight lipped about his work as he should be."
"I have over the last five years been working with Mr Horace, by sharing labourers, purchases of seed and so on, we have been able to increase the profits for both Lucas Lodge and Claret House. As the lands border one another it was at first to ensure that our nearest neighbour was not left struggling in his advanced age. It has now been two years since I rented all of Mr Horace's lands and run them under my own stewardship alongside those of Lucas Lodge, which as you know, I have been managing for my father. My education, I admit suffered slightly as I was required here for planting and harvesting but I do not believe that my overall report was lacking. Indeed, I did finish in the top quarter of my class. I hope that, as I know you are a gentleman who values learning and education, I shall not suffer in your regard for this.
It was at the last quarter day when the final profits had been tallied that Mr Horace informed me that I have been named his sole heir. I had approached him about purchasing Claret House, we had begun to discuss the matter in the broadest of senses. He is aware of my plans and my wishes towards Mary and as he lacks his own heir, he has been most generous in naming me as such.
Between Claret House, Lucas Lodge and my own investments should they turn profits and not too large losses, I can I believe, afford to give Mary the comforts that she deserves. We shall not do so well as to afford London Seasons but certainly trips for concerts and masters should she wish them."
"And your parents? I believe Lady Lucas shall be as unwilling to hand over the reigns as Mrs Bennet."
"It is my intention that Mary and I reside firstly with Mr Horace. That shall allow Mary to run her own home without usurping my mother, a situation I dearly shall wish to avoid. It will also give Mr Horace the comfort of having company, something he has confessed he has a desire for after so long of being alone. Upon Mr Horace's demise I shall either turn Claret house into the dower house proper or, if Mary prefers it, we shall remain there and allow my parents to remain at Lucas Lodge."
Mr Bennet leaned back in his chair. "You seem to have everything in order. So, before I give you my blessing, tell me, what does Sir William and Lady Lucas say of your choice?"
"My mother and father have no misgivings in my choice. They are perhaps not as familiar with Mary as they are with Lizzy or Lydia, who by friendship with my sisters can often be found within our home, but my choice of Mary shall not disappoint them. Indeed, I truly believe that Mary is exactly the bride my family would wish for me."
"And what of Mary's feelings, does she feel the same attachment to you?"
"I do not know, sir, I have not asked her. I know that Mary considers me a close friend. It is my hope that if she does choose to accept me that we can grow that friendship."
"Very well, Mr Lucas, I have heard as much as I need to. I shall give you my blessing to marry Mary. I do hope you go about it better than that scoundrel Collins."
"Thank you, Mr Bennett," John said rising from his chair reaching out with his hand. Mr Bennet shook it briefly before picking up his book once more. John took the hint and left the room, pausing for a moment in the hall to release the tension in his shoulders. A satisfied smile curled across his lips and with a jaunty step he headed back to the parlour to collect Charlotte for the return home.