Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

39.

At the dining table, Robert Wright sat with his sister Isabella Wright, waiting for their uncle to arrive.

Their uncle was Lord Howard, the 4th Earl of Blackmore. As the Lord walked down with the help of his servants Robert and Isabella stood up to greet him. Lord Howard was an old man now, barely able to walk in his old age.

"How did the hearing go today?" He asked his nephew Robert.

"It was good except for Mr Smith objections," she said with a chuckle like it was expected. "And how are you my dear," he tried to reach out his hand to Isabella. "I am fine, how are you uncle?" He asked pressing his hand in concern.

"Oh! I will live for now!" He said and laughed. Lord Howard was a good natured man, who had had a small family of his own with a while and two children. But as life would have it, his wife passed away in childbirth and after 1 month the child died his only daughter had been taken by scarlet fever. After that Mr Howard became so depressed he preferred not to marry and lived his life as a lonely bachelor. His only sisters children became his companion who gave him company and also were legally entitled to everything he had. He adored Robert and Isabella like his own children and even encouraged Robert to pursue law in order to be one day sit in the House of Lords.

With his health now worse than ever, both his niece and nephew stayed with him in order to be by his side. 

"How is the venison?" The Lord asked them as he ate his green salad.

"Very salty," Robert remarked. "You won't like it."

"Give me a bite!" The old man demanded.

"No uncle, the doctor said you cannot eat meat," Isabella said worried.

"Besides, it is not proper dining etiquette!" Robert remarked with a smirk.

Lord Howard was not a polished man like a Lord ought to be. He was born in a middle class family, making his money in rails and earning in Earldom. He had married a polished lady who kept him in check and helped him mingle with other reputed people in society but after her demise, he went back to his old habits.

Robert enjoyed when his uncle wasn't uptight like the ones in the high profile parties and balls, but Isabella, the youngest who grew up in the society scowled.

"We are family!" He demanded but wasn't rewarded. "So much for leaving you two with my fortune!" He said bitterly as he continued eating his green food.  

After dinner, the three of them settled in the big mahogany hall with accents of gold and white, which gave it a gothic vibe. The two men discussed business, politics while a bored Isabella, typical of a lady played the pianoforte.

"Have you found a wife yet?" His uncle suddenly interrupts.

"Yes," I replied rather dryly. "Grace Ashworth," I informed with indifference. Miss Ashworth was one of the most eligible women in London. Her Father Lord Henry Ashworth had made million from his business in agriculture and wine. She was the perfect match for Robert, prim and proper who would help him with his future endeavours.

"Do you love her?" Lord Howard asked with a smirk.

"I like her," Robert replied. For him Grace was a practical choice. A rich heiress from an aristocratic family, who was also considered pretty and desirable by several, why did he need to be in love with her for such practicality.

"Like is not love!" His uncle remarked.

"Love is not practical!" His nephew rebutted.

"Oh, boy!" Lord Horward sighed. "You will have everything when I die—

"Uncle!" Isabella protested.

"It is okay child," he addressed her. "I will eventually die and in such a case I will leave everything to you and your brother," he says as her attention is focused on her uncle. "And with everything you have— education, money, title, if you cannot find a love to share it with then...then it is all useless!" He sighed again half exhausted and half annoyed.

"I understand uncle but—

"Uncle I think you should rest!" Isabella cut him off as she escorted her uncle upstairs.

"Love!" He sighed annoyed. He was partially annoyed cause he knew he couldn't get the ones he did love. The first one Mrs Williams who he loved in his pubescent years. He knew it wouldn't work, she was 15 years his senior and cut him off when he confessed his feelings. And the second was— MARY! But now Mrs Burton.

She was like a breath of fresh air. While others tried to impress him, she wanted to spend time with him purely for their conversation and company. It was pure, real and natural with her. But by the time he had realised he was in love with her, it was too late and there was nothing he could do not, except maybe a duel?

But he wasn't certain if she loved him and all he wanted from her dear friend was for her to be happy in her life, which he hoped she was.

He wanted to visit her when he was at Mr Philip's and heard she was home. But when her mother told of her engagement, he didn't know how he would react or how he should react. So he decided against it.

He did meet Lydia, who he knew from the few times Mary mentioned her. He wanted to ignore her or anything that would remind him of Mary and the heart break but the sadness and desperation in her eyes challenged his conscience, but in a strange sense he was also doing it for the very reason to stay close to Mary.

"Check if there is any letter from a Miss Bennet," he asked the maid.

Ever since Lydia accepted his help, he had done seldom for he still wasn't lord or established enough. He only helped her financially till shy stayed with family and friends for returning to her husband wasn't a choice and divorce was hard to get. But once he would get his title he was sure to help her much more effective.

"Here, Mr Wright," the maid handed him a letters.

"But it is addressed to Mrs Mark," she added.

"Mrs Mark?" He looked at the letter surprised and immediately recognised the writing.

"Mary!" He said with happiness as he ripped open the letter as if it was a chocolate and he was a child.

MY DEAREST SUSAN,

I hope you and Mrs Mark's are in good health and the journey went peacefully.

I had no patience after you left to even ensure you reached to Longmere before the letter arrived in order to correspond with you for I miss you already.

Everything is good at the Gardiners', Henry had demanded a Victoria Cake with strawberry Jam, while Caroline demanded for a blueberry jam and began quarrelling. The solution was an alternative layer of both jams which ended their quarrel.

I do not have any idea as to how to bake a Victoria cake or make jam, but I am determined to do it for the children sake.

Hope this letter reaches you.

YOUR DEAREST FRIEND
MARY BENNET

"MARY BENNET!" He said astonished. She wasn't married then, but how did she know Mrs Mark, the caretaker of the house? Was it a coincidence or was it destiny giving him another chance.

Robert couldn't decide but he knew he had to cease this opportunity for he might not get another one. He hurried upstairs, still holding the letter in his hand.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Isabella asked as she descended from the stairs.

"To see Mary!"

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