Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

27.

The next morning, Mary woke up, tired. She was already worried about the situation with her sister and Mr Ivanov. Additionally the revelation about Mr Wright and Mr Burton's presence made her feel the centre of attention, which she did not like.

She gather herself and went down to greet Mr Burton properly. She was still confused by Mr Burton and his intentions. She knew now he was there to see her, but then what? Was he going to propose? If he did would she say yes? She hadn't thought about it much. She liked Mr Burton for his charm and good looks but was that enough and moreover, did she like him enough to marry him? 

greets.

"Oh, good morning! How did you sleep," he inquires.

"Decent," she half-heatedly answers.

"Why so? Is something wrong with the room?" He asks alarmed.

"No, no! The room is absolutely perfect, it's just—

"You miss home?"

"Yes, but—

"Do not worry you will be back with your mamma and papa tomorrow," he tried to cheer her up.

"Mr Bingley, you and Jane have had your own ups and downs before your wedding, right?"

"Yes but at the end of the day I am a luckiest man to choose your sister."

"How did you know she was the one?" Mary asks curiously.

"You just know it," Mr Bingley said vaguely.

"But how?" Mary asks unsatisfied. "What made you fall in love with Jane?"

"I liked her at first, I liked her very much but when I unfortunately left Netherfield for London on the hopes of forgetting her, that's when I realised....

"Realised what?" Mary asked with full focus.

"That I love her," he said with a boyish smile. Then I couldn't wait even for a moment to stay away from her, I immediately had to marry her and make her mine," he said as Mary looked more confused.

"Distance makes the heart fonder," he said as the left for breakfast.

Everyone was gathered around the breakfast table. Mr Burton as expected was focused on Mary. He poured her orange juice, warned her to blow her eggs as they were hot, passed her water when she was chocking on her fruit. He was very gentlemanly and attentive towards her. Everyone noticed this but just smiled a little not making anything obvious.

Mary did not like Mr Burton babying her. She was not use to men giving her attention and not especially a very eligible man caring her so deeply. She appreciated Mr Burton for his efforts but it didn't seem natural to her, she wasn't use to such attention especially with her sisters around and today she did not want such attention especially.

"Excuse me," she excused herself wanting some fresh air.

As she walked along the garden path she wondered what her life would be if she ended up with Mr Burton. He is much older than her but he is also well settled, although not a duke like her mother wanted, he is wealthy in his own way which was sufficient for Mary. He was handsome, tall, intelligent and most importantly he cared about her. Him coming to London alone was a sign of his willingness to want her which gave Mary a kind of security. But there was still something missing.....they definitely have chemistry which was evident when she spent time with him in Pemberley but Mary still felt anxious."

"Miss Mary!" Mr Burton approaches her. "May i join you?"

"Yes, of course," she says startled.

"Is something bothering you?" He asks hesitantly.