A Chance Meeting pt 2

Sir William Lucas makes an introduction, but is it a favor?

Part 2

What atrocious manners he had! Though it would certainly be deemed improper, Mary met the man’s stare with one of her own. He blinked and shook his head.

That was satisfying.

She gathered her book to her chest and strode toward the reading room. Best not continue such improper interactions lest he gather the wrong impression of her. She had work to accomplish and best not allow anything to get in her way.

He followed after her. “Wait, Miss, pray stop.” Though not raised to a shout, his voice boomed and commanded. How brazen.

Good manners and good breeding demanded that she stop, so she did, but she did not turn to look at him. “I have not made your acquaintance, sir. Your demand is most impertinent.”

He scurried in front of her, his eyes wide and he chewed his lower lip. “Pray wait here, just a moment.” He dashed off toward the reading room.

It was a perfect time to make her escape. She really should, though it would be polite to wait just a bit. A minute, nothing more. That odd longcase clock that stood next to the reading room door and ticked far too loudly could now be her ally rather than merely an irritation. Tick-tock-tick. Just a moment more and the hand would shift to the next minute and she would—

“Miss Bennet, how delightful!”

Sir William Lucas? What was he doing here? When did he frequent the library? She nodded at him and forced a pleasing countenance on her face. He was not wearing the Master of Ceremonies sash he so enjoyed wearing at local assemblies, but his expression was the same as he wore then.

“I have heard you are in want of an introduction.” He trundled toward her, the unusual young man just a step behind him.

“No, sir. I would not trouble you for such a thing—”

“Pray forgive me, sir. But I am the one in want of an introduction.” The young man bowed slightly. “It is my understanding that this young lady is in your circle of acquaintance.”

“Indeed she and her family are. We consider them very great friends.” Sir William gestured broadly as though that proved his point.

Mary held her breath to avoid a sigh. He might consider them great friends, but she was not so entirely generous. It was still a bit of a sore point that Mr. Collins chose Charlotte over her.

All the more reason why she needed to do this favor for Charlotte.

“Miss Bennet, may I introduce Mr. Percy Johnstone, Vicar of Heatherington Parish.” Sir William thumbed his lapels and rocked forward on his toes.

Was there any other man who could be so pleased in offering such a simple service?

Mr. Johnstone bowed.

She curtsied because it was appropriate. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.” It was difficult to lie without letting is show on her face.

What matter, it probably did not in any case. Not that Sir William would notice and if this Mr. Johnstone did, it was good to understand just how welcome this acquaintance was.

“As am I, madam.” His smile seemed just as forced as hers.

If he did not want to know her, then why was he so determined to obtain an introduction? How maddening could he contrive to be?

“Very good, very good. I see my task here is done.” Sir William patted his belly and trundled off, probably to find another good deed to do for some unsuspecting innocent.

“Er, ah, now, Miss Bennet, we have been properly acquainted, about my book.” He glanced about furtively and pointed at the book.

“Your book, sir? You are quite presumptuous. By all rights the book belongs to Clarke’s, not you. And I have rightfully checked it out. There is no means by which you can argue that this book is yours.” She clutched it a little tighter to her chest and slipped back a step.

“What need have you for such a book? It is hardly a woman’s kind of reading.” His nose wrinkled into a sort of a sneer.

“That is not for you to judge. Why else would a woman come to a library but to read what books she pleases? I would thank you to keep your opinions to yourself. I have never asked for them and I can tell you quite clearly that I do not welcome them.”

His eyes budged in an expression that in other circumstances might have been funny.  The furrowed creases on his forehead deepened, a bit like one of Gillray’s caricatures. “I need that book.”

“And I do not? Why else would I have taken it out?”

“What do you need it for?”

“That is a personal question and hardly any of your business.”

“My need is greater.” He took a long step toward her.

She back peddled to match. “I am sure in your eyes your needs are always greater than anyone else’s.”

He cocked his head and blinked.  Could he really be surprised? “That is a harsh judgement.”

“Have you given me any reason to think otherwise of you?”

He clutched his forehead, rolling his eyes., dramatic as Lydia when she did not get her way. “Pray return the book and let me have it.”

“You may have it when I have finished with it. Besides, since I have already checked it out, I have used all my subscription for the month and I would have to wait a full fortnight before I might take out another.”

“That is easily remedied. I will pay for you to be able to check out another this month.” He patted a pocket that must contain his purse

“That is a grand gesture, I am sure, but I do not know you at all. I cannot possibly accept such a gift under these circumstances. I will assume that it was well meant, but I will not endanger my reputation for your convenience. Good day.” She turned sharply on her heel and marched out of the library.

Two young women dodged out of her way. She threw the door open and marched into the sunshine.

The audacity of the man! The gall! Pompous, arrogant creature, demanding she give up her rightfully obtained tome to him simply because he declared that he needed it more than she. Who was he to make such a judgement? Worse still, who was he to make sure a public offer to pay for her subscription?

She pressed a hand to her belly to subdue the sick feeling that rose. What might people think hearing that? Her cheeks burned. At least Sir William would vouch for her decency.

What an audacious, ill-manner sort of man was this vicar from Heatherington.

She turned away from the library, toward the baker’s. She had nothing to actually do there, but the smell of baking breads was always very soothing. Exactly what she needed now. She paused near the doorway, soaking in the perfume of hot, yeasty breads.

“Pray, Miss Bennet, please wait.”

No! He was like a dog begging for scraps. “Pray importune me no further, sir. I regret Sir William introduced us at all. Pray do not make me resort to cutting you in public.”

“I regret that those are your feelings on the matter. But, I beseech you, hear me out. I am in desperate need of that book. My parish children are in dire need of schooling. The mistress of the local manor will be starting a dame school and I will be taking in boys to teach. That book will be foundational to what I teach them.”

“And I am on a similar mission for the wife of the vicar of Hundsford. She too is planning to teach local children and has the same need.”

“Oh.” His jaw dropped.

Perhaps now he was convinced that she truly needed the text. Not that she should have had to defend her choice of reading material to a complete stranger. “You will excuse me now.” She bent her knees in a tiny curtsey and tried to edge past him.

“But I still need that book. How long will you have it?” At least his voice had lost its commanding-demanding edge.

“As long as I need. I think that is longer now than when you first began to harass me over it.” The latter bit probably was unnecessary and even unkind, but had she not been driven to it?

“Please, madam …”

“I will not give up my book. But if you are so desperate to use it, you may speak to my father. Perhaps he will consent to you using it in his library when I am not reading it myself. Now, good day.”

His jaw dropped and he stared at her.

She nodded as she strode away, listening for footsteps. Good, there were none.

Hopefully that would keep the blackguard away from her and her book.

Find other parts of this story HERE

So will he be discouraged or not? What do you think?