Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

35.

On the way home, Mary smiled as she remembered the joy of playing piano to children had bought her. Mrs March complimented her skills and thanked her profusely for offering help.

But when she returned home she was only concerned about Henry and rushed to see him only to find Charles already there.

"Charles!" Mary looked surprised. "You finished school?" She looked surprised.

"I came back early," Charles replied nonchalantly. "I bought a book for you as promised," she said as he caressed his little brother's head to comfort him, who seem to be taking their parents departure rather badly.

"I'll leave you both alone," Mary says as she takes the book and shuts the door only for her eyes to land on the book— The Book of the City of Ladies.

"Robert!" She whispers to herself as if surprised or as if disappointed she had forgotten about him for some time. But she consoled herself for he might have forgotten about her too. He was the reason for it all, for her getting angry with her mamma, writing to her uncle and finally coming to London, the very place he lived, but she was certain she would not run into him, for he lived in a far posh area than her uncle and aunt.

She wondered if she should clarify to him, explain she was not engaged to Mr Burton, and what her mother implied was a misunderstanding, but it didn't seem right. For what was she explaining herself to him, what did she expect him to do? Did she want him—- the thought awoke something in her, surprised her even. She had loved Mr Wright before a little more than a friend but he never reciprocated and when she finally thought he felt the same why about her, Mr Burton's proposed to her. But this had nothing to do with Mr Burton, and everything to do with Mr Wright, he never saw her as a woman, but merely a friend, a companion and she had to accept in order to move on.

Charles came out of the room with a disappointing countenance.

"Henry?" Mary wondered.

"He is still upset, let us leave him alone for a while," he suggested as both went downstairs.

"How do you like the book I got you?" He asked as a smile appeared on his face.

"It is one of my favourites," she said smiling with hidden nostalgia.

As the evening passed it was silent and peaceful. Charles was reading alongside her, Emma was taking a nap, Caroline read something in her bedroom and Henry still refused to leave his room. Mary was rereading the book Charlie got her but only the sad memory of Mr Wright was covered by the memory of joy Mary experienced at Mrs March's.

"I wonder what is this institute Caroline goes to?" Mary asked Charles.

"It's run by Mrs March, it's for women and creating them for their future," he replied.

"It is very fascinating! I have never saw such an institute for women back home or anywhere," she said excitedly.

"Yes, it is progressive and Mamma, insisted on Caroline attending. But there are many which are more formal with governesses but this was convenient," he revealed.

The next day, as soon as Mary revived Jane's latter at 5 in the morning she began to bake. The lemon cake for her was now a challenge which she had to overcome for Henry's sake. She attempted thrice and finally get it right on her 4th attempt, a beautiful brown sponge cake layer with Lemon cream and lemon and sugar puree. On top she glazed it with the same puree and a slice of lemon for decoration and it looked wonderful. Ms Everly was now serving breakfast and both Charles and Emma looked at her creation adorably. She immediately ran to Henry's room, where he still laid sadly.

"Henry..." she made her presence be known.

"I have a surprise for you!" She said as he tussled without a reply.

"It is the lemon cake!" She finally revealed as Henry jerked a little.

"Jane's Lemon cake!" Said as his eyes opened and sneakily looked towards her.

"But if you still don't want to get out of bed... then we will just eat it ourself..." she teases him when he jumps out of bed and for the first time in days comes out to witness her creation.

As soon as he sees the cake he is wary. "This is not like the one aunt Jane makes," he says disappointed.

"It looks a bit different, but everything is there," she says as she cuts him a portion. "Taste it," she puts the slice front of him and he hesitantly eats it. His face finally changes from scepticism to a big smile.

"It is good!" he says with a full mouth as he takes another bite.

"Others also get a pierce and are enjoying eating. Mary happy with herself looks at the 4 which gives her satisfaction that she had provided herself in some way she hoped to do even in future.

When suddenly letters from Mr and Mrs Gardiner. There were letters for everyone including Emma which Charles helped her read. But the longest was of course Mary's which at first thanked her again for looking after the children. Then, described their wonderful journey and then informed her that the key to the nursery door in the backyard was given to their neighbour Ms Polly and to seek it form her.

"Ms Polly?" Mary looked at Charles for answers.

"Yes, she is our next door neighbour. A very sweet old lady. Did mamma tell you about the nursery?" He wondered.

"Yes."

"She occasionally takes flowers and herbs form it for herself and friends so mamma gave her an extra key," he informs.

"Flowers and herbs!" Mary said curiously.

"Yes, mamma likes them," he says before Caroline comes before here.

"Aunt Mary!" She calls. "Last time when you played the piano for us we all enjoyed it," she says to Mary's delight. "Will you play for us again?" She asked with desperate eyes.

"Oh, dear," Mary contemplated. "I would love to but I need to come back to Henry and Emma.."

"Henry came to the library with me," Charles try's to help.

"No!" Henry protest. "I want to stay with Aunt Mary!" She says as he possessively comes and sits near her.

"You can take Emma and Heaney to Mrs March's then," Charles suggested. "I am sure she won't mind."

Mary was excited now. As much as she didn't want to admit she loved playing Piano for the children and hear them sing. She didn't continue for the sake of the children especially Henry but since Henry was in a good mood today and Emma slept half of the way, she felt relieved as she walked with the three children to Mrs March's, who was delighted to have a play again for nine of the piano teachers worked out.

"You playing here would be marvellous dear," she said excitedly. "And do not worry about the children they can stay, I will take care of it," she assured her as ushered the children towards herself.

Henry proved to be a problem for he won't leave Mary alone. With so many girls around he felt foreign and nervous and refused to go to Mrs March like Emma. Mary felt happy that he finally warmed up to her, for the lemon cake worked, so she sat him in her lap and started playing.

He touched a few keys for the sake of curiosity but that didn't ruin the tune and as the kids started singing, he grew more happy and comfortable.

After the mini concert, Mrs March inquired if Mary would come again tomorrow for she would be delighted. Mary agreed.

"Of course, dear I will compensate you," Mrs March said.

"Compensate me?" Mary asked confused.

"Yes, pay you for your service," she explained.

Mary was confused, did she work for Mrs March now? Was she allowed to work? Can a woman like her work. This was a new concept to her for she always thought if she never marriage she would be a governess, so was she a governess here? But she merely played and taught the children, it was more like a teacher.

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