Blindsided

Previously

"Little lady, you and I will make a marriage work there is no doubt; we both take our vows serious."

Adjustments

Ch. 10

Emmaline knew very little on how to run an English landed gentry's household for three reasons: one, she had been older when her father had brought her back to Europe from the societies they had lived in; Two, Margaret had been too ill to teach her, and so, Emmaline had spent most of the time doctoring her brother's wife rather than learning to run a household. And third, when Ivar had remarried, Matilda had refused to teach her and had, somehow, prevented the other sisters from reaching out, but then claimed it was Ivar's sister's own fault for not having the skill.

However, during the time spent in London, Mr. Bennet's bride had scoured her mother's journal and taken in any information she could find. It had also helped that Emmaline had gotten help when Maja had moved in So, thankfully, she knew enough to not drag her feet in getting dressed and getting herself into the kitchen on time. She put on a simple but elegant gown of pale blue and pinned her dark hair in a neat bun. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, feeling a surge of happiness and gratitude for her new life.

"Mrs. Hill," the new Mrs. Bennet asked as kindly as she knew how as soon she appeared before in the kitchen, "could you please add some fruit to our morning meals for now on?" She had a fondness for fresh fruits having seen personally the benefits of eating such foods regularly, now made the request of it being part of their meals. And, when those were not available, then whatever had been able to be preserved would do.

"Yes, Ma'am," Mrs. Hill, having already been warned by Mr. Bennet about the new Mrs. Bennet's foreign habits, and had been told the lady herself would be helping in preserving fruit for the winter months, complied with no complaint; especially since Mr. Bennet's second wife was being so polite. She brought a basket of ripe apples, pears, and plums, and placed them on the table, along with some bread, butter, cheese, and tea.

Emmaline checked in on Mary and Kitty to see if they needed any help. Mary was practicing the piano and had no need of help. She played a tune that was supposed to be cheerful but was quite labored. Kitty was struggling with some needlework and was happy to take a few pointers; however, they did not take long to be given. Emmaline showed her how to make neat stitches and avoid tangling the thread. Therefore, Mrs. Bennet said she would be in the vegetable garden if anyone needed her; a fact she would have let her husband know if he had not already set up some basic rules. If she was doing basic chores -including garden work- and it did not interfere with their mealtimes together, there was no need to report to him. Therefore, she respected the rules agreed upon.

Mrs. Bennet worked first on weeding rows of vegetables the family would eat and she paid attention to the fruit trees. She admired the blossoms and the fruits and picked a few to taste. They were sweet and juicy, and she savored them. A small dog Mr. Bennet had allowed her to get ran around the yard as she worked. He was a black and white terrier, and she had named him Benny. He barked and wagged his tail as he chased butterflies and birds. He was a lively and loyal companion, and she loved him dearly. It was only when Kitty told her breakfast was ready that Emmaline left the garden and headed indoors.

Mr. Bennet entered the kitchen and found himself smiling to see his daughters sitting at the breakfast room's table along with Emmaline. Her auburn hair was quite the contrast to Mary's and Kitty's brown locks. And her olive-toned skin, while not extremely dark, was still browner than that of his daughters' lighter complexions. He had forgotten how good it felt to see a woman sitting at the kitchen table who was not an offspring of his.

"Good morning, Mr. Bennet, I hope you approve of the meal." Emmaline did her best to smile as she tried to focus on the meal and not his hands. She had been taught the shape of man's could tell you much. Mr. Bennet's told her he worked just as much in the family's gardens as anyone else for there were rough lines on his fingers and palms. There were also signs he had turned many pages of a book as there were markings stained on the tips, and sides, of his fingers from the quills he had dipped into containers so he could then write notes on paper, or on the edge of the pages of what he had read. She did not need physical signs on his hand when it came to tender touches, those were now entrenched into her memory. And so, Mrs. Bennet admired her husband's diligence as he came in for the morning meal, and yet found herself wanting to touch his rough palms though she chastised herself and told herself to focus on breakfast instead.

"It looks like a fantastic meal." Mr. Bennet sat down, gracious enough to spare his bride from any embarrassment as he had easily seen she had not been looking at his face while speaking. It was only after Grace was said did he reach out and gently squeeze Mrs. Bennet's hand without saying a word; causing his bride to blush at the realization he had easily read what was in her eyes.

Mr. Bennet may have kept vocally quiet on where Mrs. Bennet's gaze had been, what he had easily deduced as to her wanting to hold his hand. He may not have let go of her own hand. However, he did not hold back his opinion when Mary, who may have wanted to show respect to her new mother, had been honestly trying but, alas, slipped and criticized Emmaline for spending too much time outside in the garden .

"Mary…" Mr. Bennet spoke sharply. "You have no right to speak your mother in such a manner. She has done nothing to warrant such criticism, nor has she shown you anything but kindness since her arrival. She had my permission to be out working in the garden in the first place and has not said a word of harshness towards you this fine morning."

"I realize that father, but…"

"There are no buts." Mr. Bennet kept his voice steady. "Mrs. Bennet has given us her time, attention and affections willingly. You are now showing nothing but disrespect and absolute ingratitude. You will someday be wed; I would suggest you learn as much as you are able to from your new mother. I am certain the knowledge she holds in her mind could be handed to you would be useful to you in your marriage to a man who may be one who see as much as the world as Mrs. Bennet's own father did. And she has offered, more than once, to let you look at her mother's journal that she brought with her."

"I am sorry, Mother." Mary turned to Emmaline. "Father is correct, there is much I could learn from you before I marry."

"Did you ever come close to exchanging vows with another man before my father?" Kitty asked hesitantly, not wishing to incur her father's wrath for asking such a personal question to Mrs. Bennet.

"I had more than one offer. However, one only came close." Emmaline answered with a tone that showed no sign of being offended, which saved Kitty's hide.

"Pray tell, what stopped you, my dear." Mr. Bennet paused his spoon in mid-air, wishing to hear his wife's answer just as much as his daughters did.

"I realized he would drive me mad, for the Duke had the charm and the wit of a rock. I am sure he was made of stone. And when he did talk, I am convinced the rock had more sense." Emmaline grinned as Mr. Bennet chuckled and then she confessed there was more. "And he, I learned -like the others, would not have been faithful and would have forced me into London society; something which I detest. I only go to London if I absolutely must."

"Sounds like you and my father will get along just fine." Mary managed to smile. "Though I dare say you have upset Kitty, she so does love parties."

"And, you, my darling offspring, seem to be a wooden spoon. Capable of stirring our cook's pot. Shall I tell her you are available? Or will you cease to be so when she finds out how much you now neglect your studies?" Mr. Bennet was not only referring to Mary's unnecessary comment about the enjoyment her sister found at social gatherings, but of the fact Mary's attention had been more on writing to a gentleman who had begun showing his attentions her way rather than it had been on her books of late. Mary made no reply, only gave yet another quiet apology; this time to both Mrs. Bennet and Kitty. She really did not like the battle which had reared its ugly head this morning; Therefore, she ate the rest of her meal in silence.