The smug self-congratulatory smile Richard wore as he silently praised his genius on handling the girl’s bruised ego evaporated as his daughter’s anxious voice reached his ears.
“Papa? What about me and Patches? We don’t want anything to happen to Mrs. South’land.”
Miss Bennet stepped past him and drew the girls into a comforting embrace. “All will be well,” she gently reassured them. Glancing in an obvious, furtive manner toward the other cousins, she leaned forward and whispered in their ears.
Beth’s eyes grew large and a smile spread across Patience’s countenance as a soft “Oh,” escaped their lips. They too looked at their cousins and then back at Miss Bennet.
“We won’t tell, Aunt Mary,” Patience said excitedly. “But can we stay together?”
Miss Bennet looked up to Richard who glanced at the groups again. “Certainly, you may assist William. Now which team shall have Miss Bennet? As William already has two ladies to protect, I suggest she join Richie’s team. I shall then assist William in his protection of such young beauties.” Beth and Patience giggled as they each took one of his hands.
“But Willie has three and I only have two,” Richie crossed his arms and stomped his foot.
“Ah,” Richard said sagely as he leaned toward his youngest son. “But you have Mistress Mary, and she is the wisest lady in our acquaintance.”
Richie considered his father’s words for a minute, as though he were weighing their validity. Finally, he nodded and took Miss Bennet’s hand. “Pa is right, Mistress Mary. Will you be on my team?”
“I would be delighted,” Miss Bennet curtseyed before stepping up beside him. “Now, here are the particulars.” She handed a slip of paper to Richie and the other to William. “We must read them thoroughly in order to learn where Mrs. Southerland has gone. Remember, there may be other facts hidden somewhere in Pemberley that are not on this paper.”
The two teams moved to opposite sides of the nursery to read them over and decide where to go next. Everyone worked very hard and soon they were off, out of the nursery to find the next set of particulars.
Mrs. Hampton had wisely given Miss Bennet two different sheets of paper so the teams went in opposite directions, though the final sheets would take them to the same location. After hiding the remaining pages about the house, she proceeded to the kitchen where Mrs. Southerland, Cook, and Mrs. Reynolds were enjoying a lovely tea, while sweet rolls baked in the oven for the children.
***********
“I believe the clock that is mentioned is in the library,” William said, his brow creased as he considered the paper before him.
“Then that is where we must go next.” Richard picked up Beth and Patience who squealed as he lifted them.
As they left the conservatory, William looked at his father. “I bet Richie’s team has already found Mrs. Southerland; he has Mistress Mary.”
“And you have me. Are we not equally matched?” Richard chuckled.
“Oh yes, Papa. You and Mistress Mary are very well suited.” William smiled and rushed ahead as a stunned expression passed over Richard’s countenance.
Picking up his pace, Richard pondered his son’s words as he followed behind. He was approaching a turn in the hall and the boy was no longer is sight. He was about to call out for William to wait when Miss Bennet rounded the corner and they nearly collided.
“Miss Bennet,” Richard drew to a stop. “Forgive me, I was attempting to keep up with my son.”
A light melodic laugh escaped her lips. “Yes, we saw him rushing toward the library. He appeared very excited when he saw us.”
Richard leaned forward conspiratorially. “He was pleased you had not already found our quarry.” He looked up to see Janet watching them intently, a smile spreading across her features.
“Come, Mistress Mary!” Richie tugged her hand. “You can’t talk to Pa; he’s on Willie’s team.”
“Oh, of course, Richie; you are correct. We must not associate with our competitors.” She smiled broadly, one eye closing nearly in a wink as she looked at Richard, and he found himself responding in kind.
“Papa!” William’s voice was heard as he rounded the corner on the party, and Richard turned in time to catch another exchange between the eldest cousins. “Oh, I thought I had lost you.”
William looked to Janet again, but she simply smiled. Obviously a bit annoyed, but also uncertain what to do next, he simply folded his hands and waited patiently.
Watching Janet and William was nearly comical, but Richard realized they must carry on with their game if they were to be finished in time to dress for dinner. Turning back to Miss Bennet, he bowed as best he could with two squirming three year old girls in his arms.
“Forgive me, Miss Bennet, but we must continue on our way. Mrs. Southerland must be found or we shall miss our dinners.”
“You are quite correct, sir.” Miss Bennet curtseyed and turned to follow Richie down the hall toward the music room.
Richard stood a moment, looking after her and found himself oddly pleased when she turned to look back at him; but not as pleased as Janet and William, judging by the smiles which spread across their countenances.
Chapter Fifteen
“Aunt Mary,” Janet called out as she waved her hands furiously for the woman to join her at the table in the nursery. “Come, sit by me!”
“Very well, Janet; but you must not shout so. Do you not wish to behave as a proper young lady? If you show you know how to do so, you may be able to attend tea in the drawing room with me and your mother.” Mary crossed the room at a dignified pace and took the indicated chair.
“But I prefer the nursery. There are too many rules in the drawing room.” The child pouted until she realized it was having no effect on her audience.
“It appears the time has come for stricter rules to be implemented in the nursery also. Do you not agree, Mrs. Southerland?” Mary turned to the older woman so the children could not see her expression, and winked.
“Quite so, Miss Bennet. If the children are to grow into proper ladies and gentlemen, it is never too early to begin.” The nurse turned her back so as not to reveal her smile.
“What sort of rules?” Janet whined.
Mary clucked her tongue. “I fear you are becoming too accustomed to my presence, Janet. Perhaps I should not visit so often in order for you to maintain your good behaviour.”
“Oh no, Aunt Mary! We love when you come to see us.” All the children nodded their heads and Patience slipped into her aunt’s lap, wrapping her wee arms about Mary’s neck.
“We’re going outside today? You promised when the sun came back we would.” The young girl looked at her with wide, hopeful eyes.
It had been several days since their hunt for their missing nurse, and the rain had continued in various intensities throughout. All were pleased when they had awakened to the sun pouring through their windows that morning, and Mary had promised they would go outside after tea.
“What is this? Have you begun tea without me?” They turned to see General Fitzwilliam standing at the door, watching the scene.
“Pa, Pa!” Richie ran to his father and was swooped up onto his shoulders, giggling all the way.
“Come, Father, sit by me,” William called as he moved seats about and drew up a chair between himself and Miss Bennet.
The General placed a hand on the back of the chair. Ever aware of the smiles and nods that passed between the older children, he lowered Richie into the chair and moved to sit on Janet’s far side instead, between her and his daughter.
“No!” Richie jumped out of his seat, took hold of his father’s hand, and tugged him back toward the original chair. “You have to sit by Mistress Mary!”
“Do I? But I thought I would sit by Beth today.” General Fitzwilliam’s face was the picture of innocence, and Mary had to turn away to maintain her composure.
“What Richie means, Cousin Richard, is that William wanted you to sit by him.” Janet’s eye
s widened as she looked at her youngest cousin, silently pleading with him to be silent.
A frown covered Richie’s countenance before he turned to his brother. “But don’t we want Pa to sit by Mistress Mary?”
William raised his eyes to the ceiling as he took his brother’s hand. “Here, Richie, have a biscuit,” he said hoping the boy would not speak with his mouth full.
Accepting the treat but not eating it, Richie turned to his twin. “Isn’t that what Janet said, Beth? Mistress Mary and Pa should sit beside each other, and we must be quiet so they can talk.”
Jumping to her feet before he could say more, Janet ran toward the window and cried out, “Oh, it is such a lovely day! I can barely wait to go outside. Must we have our tea first, Aunt Mary?”
“Oh yes, Aunt Mary!” Patience clapped her hands and bounced in Mary’s lap.
Throughout the scene, Mary had been attempting to maintain some semblance of calm. Both she and the General had become aware of the children’s attempts to bring them together, though they had not spoken of it aloud. Simple exchanged looks had conveyed their understanding of what was occurring. They did not wish to disappoint the little ones, so Mary had spoken to her eldest niece. She thought she had made it clear they should desist; but here they were once more.
Knowing she would be unable to maintain her composure should she look at the gentleman, Mary focused her attention on the child upon her lap. Patience’s eager, bright eyes looked at her beseechingly.
“I am certain you would become quite hungry within moments of being outside if you do not eat beforehand,” she said softly.
“Could we have a picnic?” Beth called out. The child who had been so shy upon her arrival to Pemberley was becoming quite outspoken in the presence of her cousins.
“I am afraid it is still too wet and muddy,” her father told her as he lifted her onto his lap. “Would it not be best to eat a bit of something now, and perhaps Mrs. Hampton could have some lemonade waiting for us when we return?”
Before the children could answer, Richie’s stomach growled loudly. With the decision thus made, everyone good-humouredly took their places at the table. Janet sat between her aunt and cousin, looking at them as though she were trying to find some way to move them closer together without their knowledge. For their part, the adults gave no recognition to the contemplative gaze upon her countenance.
When the last crumb was brushed away, the children turned to their elders for permission before rushing to the wardrobe to retrieve their outerwear. Once all were properly attired, General Fitzwilliam led them from the room with an admonishment to behave until they were outside. A footman met them by the garden door with the General’s and Miss Bennet’s outerwear. Once everyone was prepared, the doors were opened and the children were running through the paths before the adults had stepped from the porch.
“They are so like Lizzy.” Mary smiled and shook her head. “I would not be surprised to see my sister about while we are walking.”
“Well, that accounts for Janet and Patience, but what say you of my children, Miss Bennet?” the General asked her, one brow raised in mock censure.
Realizing he meant to tease her, she mimicked his stance and responded, “As you have two sons, I could say it is the way of boys, or they must imitate their father; but having known their mother to be my sister’s particular friend, I must say they too resemble Sarah.”
A cloud appeared to pass over his countenance and Mary immediately regretted her words. “Forgive me, sir. I did not mean to …” Unable to finish as she was uncertain of what to say, Mary turned from him and began looking for the children. “We should have instructed them to remain on the paths before the doors were opened. I can only imagine the girls’ petticoats will be thick with mud when they return.”
“Sarah once told me she and Lizzy were often scolded for the damage they did to their skirts. I cannot imagine Elizabeth would be harsh with her own should they appear so.” A forced smile appeared on General Fitzwilliam’s countenance just before he took a deep breath and stretched his arms as wide as his overcoat allowed, as though he were attempting to release some tension within himself.
“Come, Miss Bennet,” he said as he offered his arm. “It is a beautiful day and the children are leaving us behind. We must embrace it with their enthusiasm. Carpe Diem, I say. Seize the day!”
Reluctantly, for fear she may say something which would unnerve him again, Mary accepted his arm and looked at him suspiciously. “What are you suggesting, sir? Are we to ‘romp’ about? Perhaps find a puddle and attempt to leap it?”
A slow smile spread across his lips. “What a splendid idea.”
Laughing nervously Mary attempted to pull her hand from his arm and back toward the house. “Oh no, sir. You shall not see me behaving so.”
The General pulled his arm against his side effectively trapping her and placed his other hand over her own. “Ah, but it was your suggestion.” He began walking down the path, pulling her behind him as she continued in her attempts to extricate her hand from his.
“General Fitzwilliam, we must not. We are to set the example for the children. They must know the proper way to behave.”
He stopped suddenly and turned on her. “Why Mistress Mary, how contrary.”
Her cheeks bloomed crimson and she pulled upon her hand again. “General Fitzwilliam, I insist you release my hand,” she said as forcibly as she was able.
“No,” he responded and began walking toward the sounds of the children once more with her in tow.
***********
“Whatever…?” Elizabeth leaned forward in her chair as she pointed toward the gardens. “Georgie, look there. Are my eyes deceiving me?”
Georgiana set her teacup down upon the table and turned to see what had caught her sister’s attention. They had decided to enjoy the break in the rain and take their tea on the porch overlooking the gardens. A few minutes prior they had seen the children running down the paths. Expecting to see their nurses following them, Georgiana’s shocked expression mirrored Elizabeth’s when she saw her cousin practically dragging Mary behind him.
“Is that Richard?” Georgiana asked, amusement clear in her voice. “And is he pulling Mary along with him?”
“Then I am not hallucinating?”
“No, I see them clearly. Look, it appears Mary is attempting to gain our assistance.” Turning to her sister, Georgiana’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Should we go?”
Elizabeth glanced from her sister-in-law, to Mary, to the house. “Your brother may be displeased with me, but I must think of my sister.” She smiled as they both stood and made their way down the stairs and into the gardens.
***********
“Oh look, there is a good size puddle,” Richard pointed down the path and increased his speed. Miss Bennet’s hand remained trapped upon his arm and he could barely contain his laughter.
“General Fitzwilliam, please,” she begged.
He stopped abruptly causing her to bump into him. “Yes?” he asked nonchalantly.
She took a moment to catch her breath before speaking. “Will you please release my hand?”
“No.” He turned and started toward the far side of the garden once more, but at a slower pace. He had noticed Miss Bennet was exceedingly winded and, though he was entertained by her reactions, he did not wish to cause her any harm.
“Richard!”
He had also seen his cousins sitting on the porch and heard them now calling for him, but Richard was determined to reach the puddle without further interruption.
“You are being called, sir.” He was pleased to hear Miss Bennet no longer sounded quite so out of breath.
“Yes, it is Elizabeth and Georgie,” he said as he continued down the path.
“Should we not stop and wait for them?” A hint of pleading entered her voice.
“We shall stop soon enough.”
There was silence between them, and Richard was certain Miss Bennet was searching
for something to distract him from his goal. He was proven correct a moment later when she pointed to their right. “Oh look, there are the children.”
Richard raised his head and, catching his son’s eye, nodded. “Yes, I see them.”
“Should we not go check on them?”
“Oh, I think not; it appears as though they are coming this way.” Unable to repress his amusement any longer, Richard chuckled.
“I am not amused, sir.” Miss Bennet’s voice took on a hard edge, but she also sounded near tears.
Richard slowed again, allowing her to come alongside him, and glanced down at her. She refused to meet his eye, as was so common. He had wished to have fun, but did not want to alienate her. Since his return from Matlock he had begun to look forward to the time they spent together with the children.
“Miss Bennet,” he said softly.
She did not respond at first, but eventually raised her head so he could see around her bonnet. The tears in her eyes caused him remorse.
“Forgive me, I only meant to tease you a bit. You know I would not hurt you.”
She nodded as she turned away and wiped her eyes with her free hand. “I know. I am being foolish, but I have never been …” Her words drifted away, as though she was uncertain which of his actions had been most disconcerting.
“Taken capture? Forced in a direction you did not wish to go? Faced with the possibility of ending in a puddle?” he asked, the hint of amusement returning to his voice.
“All of those listed?” She laughed softly.
“Forgive me?” he asked as he ran his thumb over her hand which still remained in his grip.
“If you would release me, I believe I could forgive you, sir.” She smiled up at him, obviously believing their trek to have ended.
“Oh, but we are so close,” he said softly and began walking again.
“General Fitzwilliam! You tricked me!” Miss Bennet pulled as hard as she could, but was still unable to free her hand. Turning, she saw her sister and Georgiana nearby. “Help, Lizzy! He means to toss me in a puddle!”
Mistress Mary and the General: A Pride and Prejudice Inspired Story Page 12
