Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

26.

"Mr Burton!" Mary looks surprised.

"Robert, is that you?" Mr Bingley recognises.

"Bingley, Jane and Miss Bennet," he lingers. "I apologise for any inconvenience caused."

"Lot of inconvenience!" Says Caroline bitterly.

"Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst," he acknowledges their presence less enthusiastically.

"Join us," Jane happily offers as he takes his seat next to Mary.

"This is Mr Wright, he is a lawyer. This is Mr Burton, a family friend and cousin to Mr Darcy," they get introduced as they bow to each other.

"I hope you had a safe journey here," Mary asks him as others are engrossed in conversation.

"Yes."

"How was your business trip?" She asks.

"It is all taken care of—I wanted to apologise," he says guilty.

"Apologise, for what?" She asks confused.

"That day, I let without informing, but that's because I had no choice. I thought of writing to you but I wasn't sure of your address," he explained. "So as soon as I was done, I came here, to see you," he confesses as Mary's face blushes.

"Mary!" Mr Wright interrupts. "I think you should go and get some rest," he suggests.

"Yes, I better," she agrees.

"Why? Are you not well?" Mr Burton asks worried.

"No, No, it's just—I spent the day with Mr Wright and his sister, so I am just a little tired," she lies.

"You spent the day Mr Wright!" he repeats in shock.

"And his sister," Mary tries to coverup.

"Oh—

"Yes, I think we should let Mary get some rest," Mr Wright interjects.

"Mary?" He repeats astonishingly. "I'm sorry, are you both close?"

"No—

"Yes—

"I mean," Mary continues. "We have known each other for a long time. Mr Wright worked with my uncle in Meryton," she explained.

"Oh—

"Yes," Mr Wright says proudly. "Then, Mary you need to rest and I will take my leave," he says as he stands up. "It was lovely to meet all of you, and Mrs Bingley, the food was delicious."

"I am glad you enjoyed it, Mr Wright," Jane replied.

"Come to visit more often!" Carolina added with desperation.

"Yes," Mr Bingley awkwardly acknowledged his sister. "Our home is always open."

"Thank you!" He says as leaving. Mary accompanies him to see him off.

"Thank you, Mr Wright," Mary says with gratitude. "For today."

"Do not worry about it. Just take care of yourself," Mr Wright says as he places his hand on her cheek.

Just before leaving Mr Wright stops."Can I," he hesitates. "Can I come to see you tomorrow," he asks for permission.

"Yes," she agreed with a girlish smile. Despite Mary being hesitant about Mr Wright coming back to her life, she could not but be grateful for his help today. She felt happy that even after today, Mr Wright did not abandon her, he instead wanted to see her again. But she had her reservations. She didn't want to come in between his relationship with any other woman, but she did not know how to feel about this. He made her meet his sister, no committed man does that. She was just glad he did not make her meet his woman, or maybe he never will.

When she went back, she excused herself, despite Mr Burton, still there. She was not in her right mind to deal with Mr Burton. She was still contemplating about the day she had with Mr Ivanov and her sister's affair. She was confused about her feelings about Mr Wright and now to top it all off Mr Burton had arrived, only to see her, as he confessed.

Jane entered as she was still engrossed in her thoughts. "Did you have fun today?" She asked as she sat next to her.

"Yes, we did," Mary says convincingly.

"Mary," Jane's face grows intense. "I know initially I thought of Mr Wright as a philanderer, but—

"Mr Wright is not a philanderer!" Mary defends. "He just has a woman in his life and that is not wrong."

"He doesn't," she informs.

"But you told me—

"Yes, I know but I enquired about him," she says.

"You spied on him?" Mary asks astonished.

"No! I just asked people," she classifies. "From what I know, he is neither engaged nor married to anyone woman. The only people staying in his house are he and his sister."

"So—

"So he might just be a philanderer," she assumes.

"But I know Mr Wright and I am certain he is not!" Mary says adamantly.

"Mary as clever you maybe from books, your knowledge in situation of relationship between and man and a woman is not apt. I am not saying I dislike Mr Wright, but— time is passing and you have to marry a man for which uncertainty or doubt has no room." She explains.

"Marry? I do not even know if I like Mr Wright," Mary says contemplating.

"Mary, after returning to England, the first thing Mr Burton did was come to you. His intentions as clear."

"Mr Burton?"

"Yes, Lizzy told me he wants to marry you. He may soon ask for your hand in marriage!" She says excitedly.

"But—

"Mr Burton is a family friend and regardless of his womanising past, he is ready to settle down," she informs. "Just know he is well to do, charming and a decent man overall and Lizzy and I approve of it if you agree," Jane says as Mary is still left confused.

"But Jane—I am not ready!" She panics.

"He hasn't asked you yet, but if he does," she says. "Mr Wright has become a big part of your life ever since you came to London. I just do not want you to reject Mr Burton on the uncertainty that Mr Wright will propose."

"Mr Wright won't," she says sadly. "We are just friends."

"Very close friends indeed," Jane says sarcastically as she leaves Mary with her thoughts.

Mary knew what she had to do, accept Mr Burton's proposal. Mr Burton was a handsome, charming man. He was a little older to her, 13 years to be exact but that did not matter for he was ready to settle down and her sisters approved of him. He was not as rich as Mr Darcy but not as poor as Mr Wickham either. He had had a controversial past, but with his face and charm who wouldn't. Regardless of anything the most important thing was he loved her and would definitely ask for her hand.

Despite such certainty, Mary was hesitant. With Mr Burton it was always hesitation even if Pemberley when he had made his intentions clear. She felt this sensual feeling every time they got close but that according to her was not love. It was too forbidden for risky for love. But again she didn't know what was love.

Another obstacle was Mr Wright. In Pemberley, she wanted to forget about him, but ever since they reconciled in London, she cannot help but think about him. Mary did not know why she would even consider him, he was not a suitor, he was not her lover, they were barely even friends. But she subconsciously did. Her heart always brought up Mr Wright when Mr Burton considering to pursue her. Was it because both were Roberts? She wondered.

With still uncertainty and doubt she decided to sleep and make her decision when the time calls for it.

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