Chapter One

As she waited to gather her outerwear, at least her gloves and pelisse, Mary held onto her bonnet so she would have something in her hands. She never knew what to do with her hands and thought it best to keep something in them so they would have purpose and stay out of mischief.

This visit to Netherfield would not have been her choice. In fact, she thought it was a very bad idea. Though her mother loved all her daughters, Mrs. Bennet could be very loud and somewhat embarrassing. When visiting there was nowhere to hide. If she were at Longbourn, Mary made a habit of hiding after greeting guests. No one seemed to notice. It is impossible to hide when you are the one visiting, though, so Mary sat quietly with her hat in her hands.

She had quoted from a book or two, but, really, she did not have anything she wished to contribute to the discussion, if you could call it that. She felt Mr. Binley's sister, Caroline, did not like any of the Bennet sisters. Mary had passed Caroline in town, and she had not recognized her, or chose not to acknowledge her, even after Mary herself spoke.

So, Mary did not feel guilty keeping quiet around this lady who acted as though the community was far below her. How a woman whose family was so recently connected to trade thought herself above a country squire's daughter could not be a mistake or a misunderstanding. The woman had to be prideful. She must think the entire community ignorant of society's rules.

Anyway, Mrs. Bennet would be happy Mary spoke during this visit, even if it was just quoting what she read. Usually, she would not say anything at all.

When the first note arrived informing the family that Jane was sick, Lizzy had walked almost three miles to Netherfield. The second note from Lizzy must have scared their mother because Mrs. Bennet gathered the three remaining sisters to accompany her to Netherfield. Resembling a mother hen and her chicks, they descended on Netherfield.

Unfortunately, at the end of this visit, Mary found herself peering down the hall and out the front door. She observed a gentleman dismounting from a large stallion. Though she did not ride, she did recognize exceptional horse flesh when she saw it. It had to be someone of some importance. Certainly, a gentleman. Yet, she could not see the gentleman's face. She did see large muscular arms, broad shoulders, dark skin, and brown wavy hair. If only his face is as nice as… Mary thought.

Mr. Darcy was moving in the gentleman's direction with some haste. Before the man could hand his reins to the waiting stable boy, Mr. Darcy gave him a greeting like none she had ever seen given from one gentleman to another. He opened his arms wide pulling the man to his chest. Then removed him so that now Mr. Darcy's hands held the gentlemen by the shoulders. Yes, he was very handsome. Not in the conventional way. His skin looked like it had been browned by the sun. Only it was not red, but a beautiful tan color. He smiled and it went to his eyes. He seemed to allow his feelings to take on this whole self. He smiled through his body up into his eyes. He was a very happy man. What a beautiful person.

Mary heard Mr. Darcy when he said, "I am so glad you could join us, but what are you doing here? Did you miss me so much you had to follow in my footsteps?"

"No, you fool. I am here to give you the great privilege of basking in my presence. I know you have been without me long enough to feel somewhat faint from the lack of my stunning personality and vitality. I am here to give you a bit of my energy so you do not faint out of sheer need or desperation. What do you say? Is that a good enough reason? Surely, you cannot argue with my reasoning."

"Yes, cousin, I do most vehemently disagree with your special type of logical reasoning. But, since I am so glad to see you, I will not argue. It is good to see you here alive and well." Here, Mr. Darcy's voice seemed to possess a sadness that was reflected in the gentleman's face. Mr. Darcy then continued, "How long will you be able to stay?"

Mary was so fascinated by the scene before her, that she moved onto the stairs and watched them. Both men had obvious affection for one another. She knew women would greet each other like this, but never men. She could not help but wonder if this type of comradery between gentlemen was rare. She knew she had never seen such in all her years. Her father seldom had company. When he did, he never greeted them with any enthusiasm. Sir William Lucas was his best friend, but, still, she had never seen them behave in this manner. It was a grand thing to behold.

She found herself at the door staring at both gentlemen. And that was when they noticed her. Mr. Darcy looked at Mary, but, before he could introduce her, his cousin handed Mary his great coat and hat. He was pulling off his gloves preparing to give her, when Mr. Darcy stopped him.

"Richard, this is not a servant. This is Miss Mary Bennet of Longbourn. Her father is one of the leading citizens of this area. Miss Mary, this is my cousin, the honorable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, son of the Earl of Matlock, of London. He is on leave for some time and will be visiting with us."

Richard tried to apologize for his mistake, but seemed to make it worse. "Forgive me, Miss Mary. I could not tell you were not a maid… I mean, I did not recognize you by your appearance… I had not really taken notice of you as you stood there…" In his frustration he blurted out, "How was I supposed to know? Look at you! You do not look like you are part of the gentry. You just dress so plain, and I just assumed…"

Mary heard him. She cataloged every word he said. She made special note of his facial features as he spoke. When he finished, she was sure of one thing. Mr. Darcy might be glad to see him come, but she would be glad to see him go. He could go anywhere he wanted as long as it was away from her.

What happened next was not something the good Reverend Fordyce would condone. He was the author of a book Mary had read until she had most of it memorized. For years she thought the world would accept her if she followed his words as written in Fordyce Sermons. The problem was Mary had given up on the good Reverend. She had long lost faith in him and his teachings. She had begun to read other literature that could be called controversial. Books that encourage women to educate themselves. Unfortunately for the Colonel, she had also picked up a bit of language from the soldiers who had recently arrived in Meryton.

Richard went to gather his things from Mary since she had no reason to be holding them. She gracefully stepped back and moved said items out of his reach. Next, she was as graceful as any swan when she dropped each item one by one onto the steps. Then she took her tiny little foot and wiped her shoe across the tops of the pile. All the time she looked the Colonel in the eye. She challenged him as though she were a Colonel from a most formidable opposing army.

Colonel Fitzwilliam went to move forward, but Mr. Darcy stopped him, and Mary wished he had not. "No, Mr. Darcy, let him step this way. I promise you he will retreat faster than he advanced. Come forth and be conquered." When both gentlemen's mouths dropped in astonishment from her words, Mary shook her head and continued, "Was that too harsh? I thought you would appreciate the military jargon. What say you Colonel? Should I use ballroom verbiage instead? Shall we dance? What tune would you like me to play? Still not to your liking? If only I could meet you in the field of honor. No, that would be too honorable. Then let me make myself clear. You are not a gentleman. Your actions are not honorable. You may be a man, yet, from your behavior, I cannot tell. When I saw you greet your cousin, I was, at first, awed that two gentlemen could have such obvious love and care for one another. The beauty of the friendship I saw almost brought me to tears. Even your mistake in giving me your outerwear could have been understandable. I am not part of a family with great wealth."

"A simple honest apology would have been enough. But, no. Pride. I have always thought I would be judged for who I am inside, not my outward appearance. It was your words that have disemboweled me of such naivety. I shall not thank you for setting me straight. Your disdain for the feelings of others is obvious. I understand why Lizzy cannot stand you, Mr. Darcy. I thought you were better than to have friends of this sort. Obviously, we have been wrong about Mr. Bingley's character, too. How can a good man have such friends as you two? You did not know my sister, but you said loudly, in a crowd of people, whom you also did not know, that she was not tolerable enough to tempt you. Who are you for someone to tempt? How ungentlemanly! Do not look at me like that. What? Did you not mean those words? So, you apologized? No, I thought not - even though Lizzy has been here long enough for you to have done so. Colonel, do not worry I am just as plain and uninteresting as you first presumed. That will make this request easy for you. Please do not speak to me if we are in a crowd. Do not acknowledge me on the street or if I am in a group. Never, ever, come near me if I am alone. I will in turn do you the same courtesy. Farewell...men." With those words, Mary Bennet marched back in the house and, in the rudest way possible, told the servants to pack her sister's things so they could be taken home. She then informed her mother that her sisters could not stay in this place any longer. Their things were being packed and put in the carriage. She told Miss Bingley that, the next time she passed her in the street, she did not have to speak to her, then, either. She told Mr. Bingley that he needed to find better gentleman friends. Her behavior was so bad, it was impossible for Lizzy and Jane to continue staying at Netherfield, which, of course, was her plan.

No one knew what had happened except Mary Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and one very bewildered Colonel Fitzwilliam.