Notes: This is a difficult chapter. I promise Mary will have her HEA. Next chapter Elizabeth & Darcy. It is a difficult one, but necessary. We are approaching the end of the story.

PPP

As soon as Darcy returned to the inn, Mary excused herself, explaining that she had a headache, and retreated to her bedchamber. When dinner was served, she did not make an appearance.

Before retiring for the night, Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth went to Mary's bedchamber to check on her. Despite Mary's attempt to conceal her distress, both Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth noticed the telltale signs of tears on her face. Concerned, Mrs. Bennet embraced her tenderly, softly caressing her hair.

Overwhelmed with emotions, Mary broke into tears, and with a quavering voice, she uttered, "I am a fool … Mama…"

"No, Mary. You are not a fool - "

Mary interrupted her, "Yes, I am a fool... I knew he was never going to marry me... He led me to believe that he liked me... but he told me that he needed to marry a wealthy lady, an heiress... because he was accustomed to a life of luxury…"

Helplessly and vehemently, Elizabeth exclaimed, "Mother is correct. You are not a fool. You are a good and honest young lady, while Colonel Fitzwilliam is simply a fortune hunter! You deserve a much better gentleman than him!"

Mary shook her head and began to protest, but Mrs. Bennet interrupted her, "Lizzy is right." She gently caressed Mary's cheek and added, "You are very young; he is the first gentleman you have met. From experience, I know that as the days go by, the pain will pass and will give way to resignation and one day the Colonel will be a distant memory."

"How can you be certain? You married our father…"

Mrs. Bennet took her handkerchief, and with tenderness, wiped away Mary's tears as she spoke, "When your father had to marry my cousin, I wept for several days. I was convinced I would never recover because, as you know, I was in love with him and had many hopes." A slight smile appeared on her face as she added, "I remember how my parents, especially my mother, did everything they could to alleviate my sadness and were incredibly supportive. A few weeks after your father's wedding, my father leased a house in London for two months. It was there that I had the chance to meet several acquaintances of my brother from university, including a handsome and amiable gentleman named Mr. John Shaw and his sister, Miss Marianne Shaw."

With marked curiosity, Elizabeth and Mary looked at their mother, who, with a slight smile, revealed, "Mr. Shaw was the second son of a minor gentleman, he was about to be ordained to take possession of a living yielding an income of 120 pounds. We met on several occasions, and he even visited me with his sister three times. The day before returning to Hertfordshire, he sought my permission to visit me at Purvis Lodge; and I accepted. I found his company delightful, and in his presence, thoughts of your father seldom crossed my mind."

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise as she leaned in and asked, "Did he visit you?"

Mrs. Bennet shook her head and replied, "Shortly thereafter, Miss Shaw wrote to me to let me know that her brother had been in an accident and was required to rest for at least three months. It was during this time that Jane was born." With a heavy sigh, she added, "You know I loved your father very much, and I never regretted marrying him. However, if Mr. Shaw had not had that accident, I probably would have married him instead."

For a few moments, nobody said a word, they were deeply in thought. Then, Mrs. Bennet added, "I know the situation is not the same, but I am certain that you are going to meet another gentleman, worthy of your affection, and you are going to be very happy with him."

Mary closed her eyes and nodded.