Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

33.

Mary arrived at Gracechurch street, London in front of a modest house with red brick walls which had turned brown due to erosion and dirt accumulated over the years. As the coachman's helped her with her luggage her aunt, Mrs Gardiner was standing to welcome her. Although the journey wasn't short, due to the easy roads and good weather Elizabeth had reached on time. She hug her aunt with glee. She was thankful that they let live at their place even if it was to look after her nieces and nephews in their absences. Anything was better than staying a minute more in Longbourn with her mother down her throat.

Suddenly, two little boys jumped out of the main door and hugged her without a warning.

"Oh, Charoline and Henry!" Their mother warned. "Let Aunty Mary settle down first!" She advised to no avail. Mary soaked in the warmth of their body for it was cold in England.

"They get very excited when someone visits since we get few visitors," Mrs Gardiner tried to justify.

As they entered the house the house there Charles, of about 17-18, holding a little girls hand.

"Aunt Mary, we are so glad to have you!" He said excitedly dignified.

The little girl's one hand held her elder brother's hand while she sucked the thumb of her other hand.

"This is Emma," Charles introduced while Emma tried to shelter herself behind him, wary of the new visitor.

"Hi! Emma," Mary said as she tried to bend her knees to her level. "Isn't someone a bit shy," she remarked in good humour.

"Oh, she gets nervous when she sees new face," her aunt explained. "She will get use to you do not worry," her aunt said as she pulled her niece aside.

"I am so thankful you could make it dear," she expressed holding her nieces hand. "Your uncle was going to go to Bath (a town in England) alone for business for we couldn't abandon the children, but then suddenly like some miracle your kettle appeared and I was thrilled and thankful for you for you had offered what I never imagined was possible at such short notice."

"Oh, Aunt!" She signed with relief and exhaustion. "I cannot take all the credit as you accepting my offer was also help to me," she expressed with a little sadness which her aunt. She ushered the children away from her as she led her towards a small but humble backyard and asked the maid to get them some tea.

As the ladies took the first sip from the tea, Mary sighed again, with exhaustion or relief this time. "Mamma, is going on telling people I am still to be enraged to Mr Burton," she came straight to the point.

"Mr Burton?" Mrs Gardiner analysed.

"Yes, he is Mr Darcy's cousin and also works with him," she went on. "He had proposed to me back in London when I stayed with Jane few months ago. Mamma and papa found out when he had written a letter asking my father for my hand in marriage before he could officially ask me."

"That is very kind of him," her aunt remarked.

"He is a very kind, generous and good person," she explained with a worried face. "But...

"But what?"

"It didn't feel right and I couldn't go through with it." She explained desperate for her aunt or someone to understand.

"So you do not wish to marry anyone?" Her aunt concluded.

"No! I wish to marry, or am open to marriage," she tried to figure her feelings out. "But with Mr Burton I imaged my future and.."

"So it is Mr Burton you did not wish to marry?" Her aunt tired again.

"No!" She said worried. "Mr Burton is perfect. He is a little older is wise, wealthy and handsome. He could provide any girl with a healthy life but it didn't feel right," she concluded as if questioning herself.