Mary placed her fingers on his lips.
“Do not speak of them, dear love. I could not have married you then, even if you had stayed in Meryton. You had your duty to Phoebe, I mine to my parents. We must not look back in bitterness. Only forward, with joy.”
His arm tightened about her.
“Still the same dear one,” he murmed, his lips on her fingers, “thinking of others before yourself.”
Mary shook her head, a gleam of mischief in her eyes.
“In future, your happiness will be my prime concern, dear Charles. And if we two are to become one, as the prayer-book says, then that means my happiness as well, does it not?”
Charles chuckled, but his eyes darkened, too.
“Let me show you where our happiness lies!” he said thickly. As his lips closed on hers, Mary was swept away by the strength of her response. At 35, she thought she had learnt all that life could teach. But it seemed she still had a lot to learn.
Tonight I write in this volume for the last time. After today Mary Bennett will be no more. Tomorrow is the first day in the life of Mary Watson, and I know her days will be happy, in the care and affection of my dear Charles.
I spend tonight at Netherfield with my friends, Mr and Mrs Grange and with Hannah Hunter. My only regret at leaving Meryton is to lose the company of my dear friend Hannah. But she is back in her rightful place at Netherfield, to care for her sister Eleanor, and to love and cherish all her sister’s children.
Thought there may be some danger that Eleanor will lose her sister after all. Mr Collins has become aware of Hannah’s excellent qualities, and begins to show signs of wishing to persuade her to remove to Longbourn. Should she agree to do so, I would almost feel sorry for my cousin. He would no longer be a domestic tyrant, but would be forced to comply with the rules that Hannah implants in every home she manages. I wait with interest the outcome of this encounter.
Tomorrow is almost here. I have had kind messages from my family in Derbyshire, Mr and Mrs Bingley, Mr and Mrs Kent, and Mrs Darcy. Mr Darcy continues to stand as my special friend, and is to reach Meryton tomorrow morning in time to escort me to church. Of Mr and Mrs Hunter we hear little. I acquit them both for the pain they caused me... through them I am free to marry my dear Charles. But Eleanor and Hannah are not so forgiving. Lydia will not find it so easy to cozen them as she did her husband.
It is gone midnight. Hannah stands at the door ordering me to bed. Meekly I obey. But I shall not sleep. Thoughts tumble in my head like kittens in a basket. Only one idea stands out clearly. Today I wed the dearest of men, my own Charles Watson.
Mary Bennet of Meryton Page 11
