Fan Fiction

Previously

"Nonetheless, I think you should have Miss Gunnarsson talk to Mary before vows are exchanged, it may help soften her attitude towards Mr. Gunnarsson's sister."

NOTE to GUEST: No, he does not NEED his daughters consent; you are right on that. I did not realize that was the way it was coming across; I went back and made slight edits which, I HOPE clarifies he was NOT asking for consent- he was simply being polite enough to show consideration for their feelings and giving them a heads up.

Blindsided

Talk with Mary and Kitty

Ch. 8

Mary had not spoken much as the family were mix and mingling with the Gunnarsson and she stiffened as she saw Miss Gunnarsson approaching in her long flowing, light-brown, colored dress. Yes, Mary, knew that sooner, or later, the two would be talking. Realized it needed to be done, but to have a mother who was young enough to be her sister was not appealing. However, Mary determined to do the proper thing and not to repeat the scene with her father at Pemberley hence she stayed in her seat and did not leave.

"May I sit down?" Miss Gunnarsson pointed to a chair and sat down when Mary nodded her head ever so slightly.

"Madam, I am happy to meet you and welcome you to the family. I wish you and my father the best. He is a good man, though sometimes he can be a little sarcastic, absent-minded and even neglectful at times as he hides in his library far too much. I am sure someone as already told you but I am the third daughter of Mr. Bennet, I also spend time, when not reading books, playing the piano. I have a great interest in moral and religious subjects, and I do not care for balls or parties; I find them frivolous and vain. I prefer the company of people less inclined to waste their time. I hope we can get along well, madam, and that you will not mind my occasional remarks or advice."

Emmaline could easily recognize someone who was struggling not to have a cold barrier up; Mary had hardly taking a breath while speaking, and the stiff way she spoke- matching the way she sat- shouted volumes. And there was no need for anyone to tell her Mary was fighting not to dump ice-cold water over her head. However, knowing honey drew more friends than vinegar did, Miss Gunnarsson responded gently. "My dear Mary, I know you must be feeling confused and hurt by the news of my upcoming marriage to your father as we have never met before today. I understand your emotions, I have had many conflicting ones myself though I have not shown them. I do not ask you to accept me right away. I have been told; by Elizabeth, you have always been a sensible and studious daughter, and I am not attempting to break any bond your father may have with you, or any of your sisters. Please, the last thing I would wish you to think is that I am trying to take over your family or interfere with your life."

"Why are you marrying my father then? We were happy the way we were." Mary's head knew the answer, knew she was being out of line, but could not seem to stop herself. Mary also knew she should be giving her Papa credit for his willingness to be considerate of his daughters' feelings as to him coming to Pemberley before Miss Gunnarsson had arrived. Mary sighed, that should have been good enough for her and, yet the question -and statement- had still come out. She hated feeling so conflicted inside herself.

"My father felt he, and my brother, owed your father their lives; Father also felt they owed Mr. Bennet honor from days long past. However, he was never in the position to do anything about it. Now, my family is respecting my father's wishes in paying it." She gave a soft smile. "I am doing the same for I would not think of dishonoring my father's name, and your father's own reputation is the same. I am -after meeting Mr. Bennet, hopeful he and I are a good match and can love each other, or that we can at least have respect for each other; many marriages do not possess even that." She looked around the room and then back at Mary.

"From what your family tells me your father has no roving eye and has a quiet strength many do not possess. He loves books which, from what you have just said, so do you. I have brought some books with me. Perhaps you would like to look at them? One in particular comes to mind. It is my mother's journal. Her writings would be of great worth to someone who like you who could truly... appreciate them. Later when it is a more suited time, maybe, I could show it to you?" Mary appeared to be relaxing and Emmaline spoke as she might to an injured animal on the estate not wishing to scare it off. "I want to be a good mother to you even though I do not expect you to call me mother. I do not want to be your problem, nor one to your father." The lady wrapped with saying. "Mary, I want him to be pleased with both of us. You will always be his daughter in his heart, no matter what happens between me and him. Please do not let this change your relationship with your father for the worse." She had spoken the last sentence because Mary had been holding back from Mr. Bennet since Miss Gunnarsson's arrival.

Mary looked at Miss Gunnarsson with a hint of smile though one could not be certain for it was so vague. "I am still not certain of what to think and, yet you are correct as to my father." With that she hurried across the room, gave her father a hug and, Emmaline guessed gave what level of apology the third Bennet was capable of at the time, for Mr. Bennet looked surprised, but then smiled not only at his daughter but over at herself. It was if he was silently sending the message of 'Thank-you, the wedding still would have gone on, but I appreciate your consideration nonetheless."

Kitty had seen the whole thing and sat down next to Miss Gunnarsson. "Madam, I am pleased to meet you and for you to join our family… I hope you will find love and harmony in your marriage with Papa. He is a noble and generous man, though sometimes he can be a little strict or stubborn… I am sure you will know how to persuade him better than anyone else." Mr. Bennet's fourth daughter said a few more things always starting with the words 'I hope'.

"If it makes you feel any better, Miss Bennet." Miss Gunnarsson whispered low as if sharing a secret. "You are not the only nervous one. Perhaps, we can hope together for the best?" Once again, Mr. Bennet found a daughter hugging him.

Kitty, though grateful for the way her father was handling thing, still asked softly, "Would you still be marrying Miss Gunnarsson if my sisters had strongly protested?"

"Do I really need to answer that, Kitty?" Mr. Bennet's countenance shouted 'really?'

"No." Kitty smiled, knowing the answer already in her heart. "Well, if you had to be blindsided, I count it a blessing it was Miss Gunnarsson that was sent your way, not her brother's wife."

"Kitty!" Mr. Bennet reprimanded his daughter in horror, but mostly because Ivar had just walked up behind his fourth daughter; the feeling of mortification only stuck around until after Kitty left red-faced because Ivar had replied he would not do that to his worst enemy, well, maybe his worst enemy but Mr. Bennet did not qualify as such.