A Chance Meeting pt 5

What is a dinner party without a little matchmaking on the side?

Part 5

“I must say, that is very odd, very odd indeed.” Mama pranced around the parlor in a little circle, wings flapping, feathers fluffing. The sun was beginning its nightly descent, so she cast long shadows across the faded carpet. She was about to work herself into another flurry. “Why could he not have simply accepted the invitation when I offered it?”

“I do not know, Mama.” Yes she did. It was rather a bold-faced lie, but she could hardly tell Mama the truth, could she? That would lead to nothing good for any of them. She smoothed her skirt over the lap and looked out the window.  “I suppose he wanted to be certain that his mother would be well looked after whilst he was away.”

“I suppose. I suppose. And it is a caring and noble gesture to be sure. One that should be pleasing no doubt. But it is rather inconvenient.” Mama wrung her hands.

Mary turned her face aside a little further so Mama would not see her long-suffering expression. “How so? I can hardly imagine your preparations for dinner will be so different with just one addition to the party.”

Mama whirled toward her and glared. “But he is not family. It is the first time he will have dined with us. One must make a good impression when one invites a guest for the first time. Have I taught you nothing?”

“He has been at the house nearly every day this week. It is hardly the first time he has sat with us.”

“But it will be the first he will dine with us. A dinner invitation is no small thing, my dear. And the impression we make could be a vital one.” There was Mama’s pointing finger waggling at her, as though she had not heard this sort of speech at least a dozen times before.

Mary rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “Oh, pray, Mama, you have not already decided to make a match with him?”

“He is a respectable young gentleman with quite a good living. I think either of your girls would do for him very well.”

“Excuse me?” Kitty? With the young vicar?

“What is so astonishing about that? You both are pretty enough girls, when you make the effort. Your manners are pleasing, and you are gently born. What more could a clergyman such as himself want for?”

Mary rose and threw her hands in the air and paced in front of the window. “A pleasing companion? One of like mind and interests? Perhaps one who finds his home and parish acceptable?”

“All those things can be accomplished if one sets her mind on it.” And there was Mama’s finger again. “The key is having the opportunity to do so. Just because your sisters are well married does not mean you can sit back and assume they will be happy to care for a spinster sister.”

How good of Mama to have such faith in her.

“Do not look at me that way, girl. You know just how many young ladies never find a husband. Charlotte Lucas nearly joined that number. She was very fortunate to have settled well. Do not expect that you can simply sit back and enjoy her good luck. That is not the way of the world. You must try and put yourself out just a bit.”

“I do not need you pushing Mr. Johnstone or any man at me. Thank you very much.” Mary folded her arms and turned her back.

“Well, there is still Kitty. I am sure she will be more sensible than you and make an effort at being pleasing.”

Mary turned back to face her. “Kitty is entirely unsuitable for a man like him. She is a … a silly little flirt who cannot hold a serious thought in her head. He is a deep reader, a thinking man, not in want of such a frivolous companion.”

Mama’s eyebrows flashed up and the corners of her lips lifted just a mite. “Go get yourself dressed for dinner. Your newest frock will do very well, I think.”

“I have no intention of dressing for dinner. That would suggest—”

“Nothing but common courtesy. Look at you, covered in burrs and mud from your walk. It would be disgraceful to all of us, not just our company for you to appear at the table like that.” Mama gestured at her hem.

It was inches deep in mud and burrs. “Very well. But not my newest dress.”

Mama snorted. “Very well, your second best will do.”

Mary turned on her heel and stormed out.

Mama’s desperation to marry her and Kitty off should have subsided with the security that Jane and Elizabeth’s excellent matches provided. If anything, considering Lydia’s situation, Mama should want to be assured of the character and situation of any young man in their acquaintance. But no, it did not seem to occur to her. Was she really so blind to the truth of Lydia’s situation?

Mary dragged herself upstairs. Then again, was it possible Mama appreciated that Mr. Johnstone was the nephew of their vicar? That was some recommendation to his character. At least he was known by some mutual acquaintance. There was something comforting in that.

Although, there really did not need to be. This was not going to turn into one of Mama’s matchmaking affairs.

Absolutely not.

An hour and a half later, Mary returned to the parlor, to await the arrival of their guest.

Kitty flitted into the parlor about a quarter of an hour later, in her best gown, Mama’s insistence no doubt, cheeks flushed pink—she probably had been pinching them. How silly she looked, so very pleased with herself and assured of being pleasing. Ridiculous little flirt.

Papa sauntered in, wearing a contented look. Did he perhaps expect “sensible” conversation at the dinner table tonight? Since Lizzy’s departure, he often complained at the lack of it. Not that he tried very hard to engage anyone in it. If he had been willing to listen to Mary, even just a little, he might have been surprised at what he would find.

But that did not signify now.

A sharp knock on the door and Hill ushered Mr. Johnstone into the parlor. He looked much as he always did: a bit tousled and frowsy, but his coat had been brushed and his boots cleaned, so he was taking some trouble to be presentable. Mama would say he had the look of a man in want of a wife.

“We are delighted you could join us for dinner, sir.” Mama rose and curtsied.

Mary winced at her honeyed tone. Did anyone else hear it that way, or was it just her and her cynicism?

“I thank you for your kind invitation.” Mr. Johnstone bowed and sat on the chair that mama gestured toward, between Kitty and Mary.

How utterly unexpected.

“I understand your mother was visiting with Lady Lucas today.” Mama settled herself back into her favorite floral upholstered chair.

“Yes. It seems that they share a common acquaintance from school, I believe, and were encouraged by her to become acquainted.”

“How very nice. I am sure Lady Lucas is glad for the company. How does your mother find our little parish?” Mama’s face tightened as it often did when the subject of the Lucases came up.

“I think she has been enjoying it a great deal. She favors a quiet sort of country life, but it is pleasant to be near a larger village than Heatherington. It seems that the shops at Meryton offer a great many wares she cannot easily come by in our own little parish.”

“There is a great deal to be said for a quiet country existence.” Papa leaned back a bit and pressed his elbows into the padded arms of the chair. “But one does feel the limits at times, like the lack of a proper library?” He cocked his head and lifted his eyebrow.

“Indeed, that is a bit of civilization that we sorely miss.” Mr. Johnstone chanced a quick glance at Mary.

“I could not agree more.” Mama folded her hands in her lap. “It is such an agreeable place for young people to be able to enjoy company. I think the officers of the militia spent many an hour there when they were stationed with us.”

Mary covered her eyes with her hand and squeezed her temples. No, she would not comment to that remark. There was no good in it. No, none at all.

Hill knocked and announced that dinner was ready. Mama ushered them to the dining room. Was it wrong to be relieved that that line of conversation was at an end?

For all her other foibles, Mama did set an excellent table and dining room to match. Candles, flowers, mirrors and crystal all combined to create an atmosphere of comfortable warmth and ease. She could make the room very formal when the occasion demanded it, but today, it was comfortable and encouraging of conversation.

Mama announced the dishes and Hill brought around plates of soup. Cauliflower. Made from the leftovers of the vegetable from dinner last night. It was good household management, but not the sort of thing one mentioned in front of guests.

“So what did you think of Clarke’s Library?” Kitty asked, smoothing her napkin over her lap.

Mary winced.

To his credit, Mr. Johnstone did not even blink. “I think it is a very well stocked establishment with very pleasant public rooms. I can see why many are attracted to spend time there.”

“When the militia was in Meryton, we went there regularly to see the officers. We all found it very agreeable.” Kitty seemed so very pleased with herself.

Mr. Johnstone paused, as though at a loss for words.

Kitty could have that effect on sensible people.

“Of course you did, why should you not.” Mama patted her fingertips on the table beside her plate. “Their presence added so much to the attraction of the place, do you think agree? It is a well-known fact that a library cannot survive on books alone. It must have some other form of attraction to bring patrons in. How sad it is that they had to move on to Brighton to continue on with their training and things. We all miss their presence sorely. My youngest daughter, you know, married one of their officers.”

The creases beside Mr. Johnston’s eyes tightened. “I had heard something of that nature.”

Mary cringed. Just how much had he heard? If he had been spending time with Lady Lucas, probably a very great deal.

“It is such a lovely thing to have three daughters married, and all in one year. We are very blessed.” Mama flashed a smile at Papa who kept his expression quite neutral.

“So it would appear, madam. My younger sister is yet unmarried and that is a constant source of concern to my mother.” Mr. Johnstone sipped his wine.

“Does she live with you?”

“No, my mother is gracious enough to keep house for me. My sister divides her time between my elder brothers’ homes. The eldest holds the estate in Sussex. My second brother is a barrister in London.”

Mama brought her hands together in a silent clap. “Oh, a barrister! That seems like rather a smart career, especially as it keeps him in town.”

“He finds it quite agreeable. It appears to suit his temperament well.”

“And you find the clergy suits yours?” Papa dabbed a drop of soup from his chin with his napkin.

“I do, sir. I have been accused more than once of being a bookish sort. I find excessive study is quite socially acceptable when one is a clergyman.” He cast a quick glance at Mary.

What did he mean by that and why were her cheeks growing hot?

“Oh, that does sound disagreeable, to be constantly stuck in a room with books.” Kitty sniffed.

To her credit, Mama glowered at her. Mr. Johnstone shrugged, the corner of his lips lifted just a bit. Good, he was not offended; instead he seemed amused. That was better than offended. Kitty’s attitudes were so ill-informed that they really were not worth taking offense at.

“I rather enjoy study and education, Miss Kitty. I am looking forward to moving forward with a plan to start taking in some boys to teach.”

“You wish to start a school?” Kitty shuddered. “To have strange children running about underfoot and no governess to mind them? I think it sounds rather dreadful.”

“But the privilege of shaping young minds that will in turn have the chance to profoundly impact those around them. What greater influence could a common person have in the world?” The words tumbled out before Mary could stop them.

“I quite agree with you, Miss Bennet.” How warm his voice had become.

They locked gazes, but the intensity of the connection was too much to maintain for more than a few seconds.

“I understand there is a particularly library book in Mr. Bennet’s possession that you are using in your endeavors?” Mama’s eyebrows lifted, a little conspiratorially.

Papa shrugged over a large bite of potatoes. “Mary has that out rented from the library, not I.”

Mama snorted. “I know she has been most inconvenient to you, insisting she has first use of the tome every morning. I do not use why you cannot use it together. I am sure she would benefit from your insight and wisdom as she studies. With all your learning, I am certain you could be of great benefit to her.”

Mary ground her teeth until they ached. There was absolutely nothing she could say right now that would be of benefit, nothing.

Mr. Johnstone’s blush appeared quite sincere. That was some comfort. “I thank you for the compliment, madam. But I could not impose upon your daughter’s good graces so much. It is enough that she has agreed to share the book with me.”

“Nonsense. I understand you are to leave in what, a week? You must be permitted as much time as you like with the material when you have such an important task before you.”

“No, madam, please, do not trouble yourself.” He lifted open hands above the table.

“I insist. We will set a place for you at the breakfast table and expect you here as early as you care to come. Mary will—” What an emphasis she placed on that word! “—be happy to share the book with you and to hear your wisdom on the matters she writes to Charlotte of.”

Mary’s cheeks burned. How lovely it was to be talked about as though one were not in the room.

Mr. Johnston turned to her. “I would not insist on such an imposition. How do you feel about this notion?”

It was a nice gesture on his part to be sure, but did he know that after Mama’s declaration she really had little choice? It would be most agreeable to assume he did not. She gritted her teeth and willed a pleasant expression on her face. “I am sure it will be fine. At the very least, we can make the attempt.”

He smiled, very tentatively, glancing from Mary to Mama. “Then I shall accept your invitation, and as Miss Bennet suggests, we shall try and see how it works.”

“Excellent, excellent.” Mama settled into her seat, like a hen on her nest and tucked into the generous slice of meat on her plate, so very satisfied.

Mary held her breath lest she sigh.

Find earlier parts of this story HERE

So did Mrs. Bennet do Mary a favor or not? Let me know in the comments.

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