It's a short one today but trying to keep moving forward so I can get them out close to weekly! Excited for this summer of our story – well be moving the needle a little on the Lizzy – Darcy dynamic in a new way. We know some tragedy is coming, but we'll hold that off as long as we can!
Just a reminder (aka a shameless plug) I have 4 books available on KU and for regular-old purchase on Amazon. Expectations & Apologies; Friendship & Folly; Assumptions & Arrangements; and After the End. Pen name = Elizabeth Squire
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"Mary, you must take your head out of your book and take in the view," Lizzy told her sister who had been reading beside her for the past two hours without so much as a look out the windows. Outside the flat and open fields and sparse trees had made way for the rolling hills and streams of the Derbyshire Elizabeth loved most. They were just passing Moorwood House which she pointed out to Mary who had finally lifted her eyes.
"That means we are only ten miles from Barlow Hall," Lizzy told her sister.
"Indeed, we are less than two hours from home," Mr. Gardiner added.
As she watched the beloved familiar landscape Lizzy noted that Mary's fingers were strumming in an uneven rhythm against her now closed book.
"It reminds me of Longbourn," she told Mary, reaching to take her sisters hand in hers.
"Yes, I can see that," Mary answered, hesitantly. "The trees and garden are different of course but the house itself looks quite like ours."
The threesome passed a few minutes in silence, each watching the countryside, painted shades of green with dots of pinks, reds and blues interrupting the picturesque verdant monotony every so often.
"Have you thought any more about what masters you might want us to procure for your visit?" Their uncle asked.
"I do not wish for you to have to spend money on me," Mary answered, bowing her head.
"Mary, we mean to do for you just as we do for Elizabeth and have done for Jane. It is no trouble, and we are happy to help you improve yourself, particularly if it brings you joy."
"Would you wish to join me in my music lessons?" Elizabeth asked. Mary's head snapped up.
"You would not mind?"
"No of course not. You have shown great improvement in your playing this year. I know Mrs. Fitzwallace is a good teacher, but Mr. Squire is excellent and though he is patient with me he will be delighted to have you to work with. You are much more diligent in your practice. And perhaps you would like to try the harp. If you learn to play maybe we can convince Papa to buy one for us at Longbourn so I don't' have to go nine months in between practicing."
"I should like that very much."
"Wonderful, we will be playing duets in no time," Elizabeth declared, drawing closer to Mary and looping their arms. "Or perhaps you shall play with Georgiana, and I will sing."
Mary looked at her sister for a long moment before asking, "do you think Miss Darcy will like me?"
"Mary, you need not worry," Mr. Gardiner answered, "Miss Darcy is very kind and will welcome you with open arms."
Though she nodded Elizabeth sensed her sister was not entirely satisfied with this answer.
"That is very true," she told Mary. "I also know she will like you straight away. You and she remind me of one another. You are both shy in larger groups and with people you don't know. You are both kind and intelligent and you both like music – studying it and playing it."
"I look forward to meeting her," Mary said.
"And she you," Lizzy answered. When Mary regarded her with a question in her eyes, she went on to explain, "when I knew you would be accompanying me, I wrote Georgiana to tell her. I have told her of all my little sisters for years and she is excited to get to know you in person and not simply through my stories. I imagine she wants to see if I have been truthful in my characterizations."
"And have you?" Mary asked, a rare hint of teasing in her voice.
"More or less," Lizzy answered with a look of mock solemnity. "You will have to ask her yourself. I hope we might visit Pemberley as soon as tomorrow."
"The Darcy's returned to Derbyshire last week. You and your aunt can pay a call tomorrow. I am certain she kept her schedule clear for that very purpose."
And though she had done so many times before Lizzy spent the next few minutes describing Pemberley, its stables, woods and gardens in detail to her younger sister who listened and questioned Elizabeth as if this was all new information. Mr. Gardiner listened to them with delight. He had not seen Mary since they spent Christmas as Longbourn two years ago and was not certain what to expect from their fourteen-year-old niece. She was the sister Lizzy spoke of least often. Lizzy's letters and her tales when visiting were full of Jane as they spent the most time together. She mentioned Kitty and Lydia nearly as often – relaying the games she played with them, the silly fights they had or the new things they were learning and doing through the years. Mary was an occasional character in the family picture Elizabeth painted, often in the background and not fully developed like the others. If the interactions he had with her over the past day and those he observed between the sisters were any indication, Miss Mary would be wonderful addition to their family party for the summer.
"Will you join Lizzy in her music lessons, Miss Mary?" Mr. Barlow asked shortly after the five of them sat down to dinner.
It was, not unusually, a congenial affair. Mary had already opened up a great deal. This was likely due to her aunt's kind attention and Elizabeth's enthusiastic recitation of all the things, people and places she would introduce to her. It was also helped by the fewer number of people around the table vying to be heard.
"She has invited me to," Mary responded with some hesitation. After looking to her sister who nodded and smiled her encouragement Mary added, "I should like that very much if my aunt and uncle have no objection."
"Of course, Mary," Mrs. Gardiner replied, knowing her husband had already given his enthusiastic consent during their journey. "We would be delighted. I will send word to Mr. Squire that we shall extend the length of his lessons to accommodate an extra pupil."