Mary exclaimed with delight, 'A dashing young captain, please do tell!'
Her brother, although slightly irritated by her enthusiasm, took it in good humor.
"Not that young. And dashing or not, I couldn't tell. I'll let the ladies decide. But he has proven himself at sea, earning quite the reputation. The Admiral holds the most favorable impression of his character, and has no scruple to add to his consequence."
Mary's smile wavered. Henry knew that she had not a favorable impression of the Admiral's character herself.
'Well then, let's see. He will be a welcome addition to the dull affair,' she replied cheerfully, ready to forget the unfortunate mention.
Her brother laughed. They could walk in good spirits, be it in London or anywhere their fortune might lead them. Their complete understanding of one another made any disagreement fleeting.
"'The dull affair,' the saddest words ever spoken. But, Mary, you should recognize, you must, that Mansfield Park is far less dull than the somber picture you painted in our minds when we first discussed it. The countryside has its own charms. You no longer seem so eager to return to your city and your friends.'
His sister nodded involuntarily, then added quickly, as if veering away from the natural course of conversation, "How do you find it yourself? Do you consider your time in Mansfield to be well spent?"
"I always strive to make the best of the present situation," he responded, gesturing broadly at the rural landscape. He then pointed to their current abode, the parsonage they had left behind on their morning walk. "Just like our dear Mrs. Grant."
"Our poor sister wouldn't be the only one to benefit from the courtship of a captain, dashing or not though," she sighed.
"You think I'm failing in my task of entertaining Miss Bertram and Miss Julia properly at the Park, perhaps?"
Mary's turn to laugh had come.
"I was thinking of Miss Price. Sometimes I believe I'm the only one who remembers her."
"Oh, Miss Price," Henry gallantly touched his hat. 'But I suppose she at least has her cousin's assistance."
"Her cousin's assistance? I would consider myself rather ill-used if I could rely only on a cousin's help!"
"Yes, Mary, and it speaks well of you to have such charitable thoughts. But I doubt Miss Price could endure the kind of attention you would rightly expect, no matter her situation in life."
Mary slowed her pace, weighing her words before speaking. "Her situation in life, taken from her family at such a young age, sentenced to spend the rest of her days ordered around by that dreadful Mrs. Norris, or passively ignored by Lady Bertram... Even with all the faults of the Admiral's household, I can't envy Miss Price's situation. She scarcely talks, barely allowed to. Yet, she seems good-natured enough, and Mr. Bertram..."
"Mr. Edmund Bertram," Henry sardonically corrected.
"Do you envy the freedom of the Admiral's new protegé?" was her retort.
"Yes," he graciously admitted. "We are all condemned to covet what we cannot have. If you could choose, Mary, what would you wish for?"
"Mr. Bertram," she replied.
Mr. Tom Bertram and Mr. Edmund Bertram were in sight, most likely on their way to the parsonage. When they spotted the couple, they changed course to join them.
"Excellent news, Crawford. Managed to convince my friend to join us. Bath's most splendid quiz," Tom saluted. "However, I see Miss Crawford turning her head. It appears Miss Crawford has no interest in a quiz, whether from Bath or elsewhere."
Miss Crawford bit her tongue to withhold the retort that Mansfield Park had seen its share of quizzes and was not in need of more. Aunt Norris, their mother, Mr. Rushworth, Mrs. Rushworth... even in London, assembling such a varied assortment under one roof would be a challenge.
"I would be honored to meet any acquaintance of Mr. Bertram," she granted with a slight reverence.
Once again, Edmund had the opportunity to admire Mary's refined demeanor and fine spirits. He was well on his way to falling in love with her, though he remained oblivious for now.
"I had to come to terms with it myself," he acknowledged. "Since he is a member of the clergy, it would sadden me to see him ridiculed."
"As ridiculed as he surely will be, most likely deserving so," Mary thought, her mood souring. She held a great disdain for the clergy, and any mention of it, especially from Edmund, was hard to endure with a smile.
"Miss Crawford, please don't frown," Tom laughed, "I assure you, both of you will get along famously. He will compliment your choice of muslin, and discuss angles and drawing perspectives in the midst of a cotillion. Even you, Miss Crawford, will lose your composure."
Edmund shook his head. In the absence of their father, he had to defer to his brother's judgment. And Tom took pleasure in committing one impropriety after another, well aware that their mother and aunt were powerless to stop him.
"So, when shall we meet this prodigy?" Henry asked with forced cheerfulness, providing Mary some cover.
"At the ball, naturally. Tomorrow's ball."