8. Chapter Eight

Mary smiled at Nellie, who rode across from her in the carriage. Typically, she would have brought her lady"s maid, but she was without one for the moment. Her maid had married shortly before they left Derbyshire. She was now the wife of the new bookshop owner in Lambton. Mary was thrilled her maid had found love, but it was slightly inconvenient.

Currently, it wasn"t a major problem since she didn"t have to prepare for social events and relied on one of the maids at Netherfield for assistance if necessary. She would have to have either train or hire one, eventually, but she was not going to worry about it yet. She was glad that Nellie had been available to go into town with her since she had grown to enjoy her company.

Smoothing her skirt in a nervous fashion, Nellie said, "Thank you for having me ride in here with you. I could have just as easily ridden with the coachman on top."

"Think nothing of it. If you had ridden up top, I would have been alone." Looking out the window, she noted the autumn scenery with a smile. The leaves on the trees in their vibrant fire colored dance made her happy whenever she watched them. "I have long preferred to spend time with others rather than to be alone. What do you think of the autumn weather we have been having?"

Leaning over to look out the window, Nellie took in the view, noting the way the leaves danced in the wind. "The wind has been picking up, but so far the season has been rather mild."

"There is something in the air, a scent or a feeling that is restful to me. I enjoy the autumn weather as long as it doesn't turn too suddenly." Leaning back into the cushions of the carriage, Mary took a deep breath.

"If you are ever worried about the weather changing, you should talk to old widow Atkins. She always claims to know when a storm is coming in. She says that she can feel it in her bones." Shrugging as she settled back into the cushioned seat of the carriage, Nellie tilted her head. "I do not know how, but I haven't heard of her guessing wrong."

"How is Mrs. Atkins managing, do you know? I learned that her husband had died while we were away. She had always been so nice to me as a girl." Mary reminisced about the times the sweet woman had offered her a horehound sweet when she visited her shop.

"She is doing well enough. Her youngest son took over the bakery and he and his new wife seem to enjoy having her about the place. It"s evident that they have a strong bond as a family, always showing genuine care and concern for one another." Nellie related. Seeming to calm with the conversation, Nellie's hands rested in her lap, no longer fiddling with her dress.

Mary glanced out the window again, eager to spot Meryton. Sighing, she forced herself to settle they would arrive soon enough. Looking at Nellie, she said, "I want to stop by and say hello to her. Maybe I will ask about the weather."

There was something nostalgic about walking down the streets of Meryton. It felt like everything had been the same forever and yet there were changes to be seen. There was a new color of paint on the haberdashery, and the main shop seemed to have grown somehow. Deciding to walk to the bakery first and then to the apothecary to look for the ginger that would help Elizabeth, Mary made her way down the street with Nellie in tow.

Though the weather was blustery, Mary still enjoyed herself. She was happy to watch the fallen leaves twirl as they blew down the street. It did not take long for them to get to their destination.

First, they were going to the Atkins bakery. Mary knew that they did not need to buy baked goods in town, but she wanted to check on Mrs. Atkins. The bakery was always a delightful place to the senses. The smell of yeast and sweet baked goods mixed with wood fire smell. Windows brought in plenty of light and there were always nice little embellishments here and there. Today there was a blue tablecloth that all the baked goods laid on with little flower embellishments embroidered on to the edges. The atmosphere was as inviting as it had always seemed to be, even years later.

"Welcome! How can I help you, Miss?" The kind voice of a young woman that Mary assumed was the new Mrs. Atkins came from the back of the room. She had been crouching down and doing something behind a display, so Mary had not seen her right at first.

Offering a surprised smile, Mary subtly evaluated the young woman. She appeared to be in her early twenties, and there was a gentle curve to her belly that suggested she might be in the midst of pregnancy. Mary could not recall her face and wondered if she was from Meryton or further afield. "Good morning. I was hoping to say hello to old Mrs. Atkins. It has been some time since I have been through Meryton, and I was hoping she would be here."

"Of course, she is in back, making us a pot of tea. One moment." Passing through the doorway in the back of the shop, she vanished behind a curtain that divided the space from the bustling bakery and their living quarters. Mary could hear her voice calling out, "Mother Atkins, there is someone asking for you."

Then came the well-worn voice that Mary could recognize. "I am coming, dear."

It was only a moment before both women came out of the back area. They were an interesting pair, and Mary was glad to see there was affection between them. She had heard living with one's mother-in-law could be quite difficult, but it seemed these two were managing quite well.

The older Mrs. Atkins was more weathered than Mary remembered, but there was still the smile in her eyes that had always warmed Mary's heart. "Miss Mary Bennet! I am so glad that you would be so kind as to come see an old woman like me. It has been some years since I last saw you. How are you, my girl?"

Reaching out, Mary took the woman"s hands in her own and noticed the contrast between the rough, callused texture of Mrs. Atkins's work-worn hands and the delicate feel of her own skin. It hurt her heart to see how much the woman had aged. Was it the sorrow of her husband's passing that caused it? They had always been a loving couple. "I am well, Mrs. Atkins. While I was away, I heard the news that your husband had passed. I wanted to offer my condolences. He was a good man and I know he will be missed by many people."

With a nod, Mrs. Atkins pulled her hands back and took a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe at her eyes. "That he was, my girl, that he was."

"He was always so kind to me whenever I was in town. Between him sneaking me biscuits and you sneaking me horehound sweets, you both had me quite spoiled."

"You needed the spoiling. You were always so solemn and serious when you were growing up. Not that I blamed you for it. We all handle the life that comes at us in our own way." Reaching out with a motherly gesture, she smoothed back a wisp of Mary's windblown hair that had escaped her pins. "Then you became fixated on that awful book for a time. Thank goodness you started expanding your reading. What was that book called?"

Mary laughed, oddly remembering the time before Elizabeth and Jane had taken her more firmly under their wings. "Fordyce"s Sermons." She had become quite fixated on the book before Elizabeth had expanded her world with other books and ideas. Now she read more than just the Bible and books of sermons. She read things by John Locke, Voltaire, Shakespeare, Woodsworth, and Coleridge. Mary grinned widely, thinking about how far she had come. "You have quite the memory, Mrs. Atkins."

"And you have quite the smile, Miss Mary. I always knew it was there." Reaching into her pocket, she took out two candies and handed both Mary and Nellie each one. "How are your sisters and mother? Are they well?"

"Mother is remarried now to an estate owner in Derbyshire named Mr. Hawkins, and I have a new little brother. Lydia is with Mother at the moment. Jane is well enough, and her family is set to arrive shortly. Kitty has recently married Theodore Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock. Currently, she is in Scotland visiting one of his estates on a wedding trip. Of course, Elizabeth is now Mrs. Darcy, and she is at Netherfield even now. Her son Arthur is the most adorable little scamp that ever had his parents twisted around his little finger."

"I am happy that your mother and sisters are flourishing. It brings a warm feeling to my heart." Nodding to Mary with a smile, she added, "I hope to see your sisters while they are here."

Looking towards the shop's entrance, Mary made sure there wasn't anyone else coming in. "One reason I made the trip into town this morning is I hoped that you still made that wonderful ginger cake. I want to see if I could tempt Elizabeth with something you made."

"Poor dear, not feeling well, is she? Let us see what we have that might tempt her." Going back to the baked goods, she moved around and began bundling some things up.

Opening her reticule, Mary began to pull out her money. "How much do I owe you?"

Waving off her question with a wrinkled hand, Mrs. Hopkins beamed. "Oh, how could I charge you? It is a welcome home gift."

Somehow, Mary knew she should not be surprised that was just the kind of woman Mrs. Atkins was. She may have been a widow with limited means, but she and her husband had always found a way to be kind to others. "Thank you, Mrs. Atkins. I am sure Elizabeth will be very grateful." Mary made a note to herself to find a way to pay the family back for their kindness.

Handing the paper-wrapped package to Mary, Mrs. Atkins pat her shoulder. "I hope your sister gets to feeling better. You tell her I said hello."

"Yes, ma'am, I will do that. Have a good day." Giving a little curtsy, Mary left the shop, happy to have seen an old friend once again.

Nellie followed closely, reaching out for the package she asked. "Let me take the cake, Miss Bennet. I can easily carry it in the basket I brought."

Handing it over, Mary continued down the street. "Thank you. Nellie, do you want to stop at any of the other shops before we walk to the apothecary?"

Confused, Nellie squinted at Mary, her brow furrowed. "Pardon me?" she asked, struggling to understand.

"Did you need or want anything while we were in town? I do not mind going to one of the shops if you have need of something. We are not in a rush." Mary knew that most women in her position would never offer such a thing to a maid, but Mary embraced her own unconventional ideas. At least when it came to treating people with kindness and respect. She had seen too many hurtful actions for a lifetime. She would be kind, however, and whenever she could.

Nellie hesitated before responding, her voice filled with uncertainty. "No, I don"t need anything," she said, "but I wouldn"t mind admiring the displays in the shop windows as we walk to the apothecary."

"Then that is what we will do. It is a lovely day to walk along the shops." Mary looked at the people moving about the town. People were moving about shopping and running errands. Across the street, the little tea shop seemed to have a steady stream of people coming in and out. Mary enjoyed the slower pace and cozy charm of small towns, in stark contrast to the fast-paced chaos of London.

Pausing to look in the window of the dressmaker"s shop, Mary wondered if the dress on the dummy in the window would look better in a less ostentatious color. The reflection in the window allowed her to see that a group of girls were crossing the street, chatting. Mary thought of turning to greet them, but then stopped when she heard them talking.

"Yes, that Bennet family is back, if you can believe it."

"But my Mama always said that Mrs. Bennet was a saint with as much as she worked to be of use to the people of Longbourn and Meryton." This voice was small and hesitant, speaking out against the first girl's obvious spite.

The first voice continued, "That may be, but Mr. Bennet was the absolute worst sort of person. I heard Mother speaking with Father about it one day. As if losing Longbourn wasn"t enough, he had to find employment to support himself before his passing."

"Oh, my," came another voice.

The ringleader huffed and then said, "Elizabeth Bennet"s marriage to a wealthy landowner may be admired, but I can"t help but question how it stands in comparison to her father"s lost estate. I say that leaves her in a tier below us. At least our fathers have their own estates. No matter what her husband did by buying Longbourn or owning his own properties, she is no longer the daughter of a landed gentleman."

Nellie, apparently unable to stand the girl's spouting of nonsense, confronted her. "Evaline Goulding, how dare you speak so of things that you do not understand! If this is how you are going to behave, I wonder how you were allowed to venture out of the schoolroom without supervision."

Turning around, Mary observed firsthand the girl turning her nose down at Nellie in her obvious maid"s uniform. Evaline rolled her eyes. "I do not entertain remarks from maids."

"Then maybe you will take advice from me." Stepping forward, Mary looked over the girl before her. She was maybe twelve or thirteen. It was obvious that though Evaline spoke of the Bennet family, she did not know who they were or what they looked like. "I find it fascinating that you would disparage my family so easily, Miss Goulding. Apparently you have been at the wrong end of some misinformation and poor advice."

The girl"s eyes widened ever so slightly. "Is that so?"

"If you ever want to have a season in town, you will need to realize who you speak about before you try to spread untrue and malicious gossip. I recognize your actions are most likely influenced by someone else's spite. I know from experience that it is sometimes hard to decipher who to listen to." Looking at all the girls and their various looks of shock and worry, Mary decided they could do with some good advice. "I will offer you with some of the best advice I ever received and leave you to decide for yourself your best course of action. Know that tearing people down will never make you feel the way you hope to. You will get much more happiness in your life if you exert the effort to be kind." Briskly curtsying, she turned her back on the shocked gaggle of girls and walked away with her head held high.

They walked in silence for a few moments before Nellie confessed, "I am not sure I could have been that kind."

"While it is true that they may have conducted themselves in a despicable manner, I am of the opinion that their actions were primarily influenced by the adults in their lives rather than their own maliciousness. At least I hope as much. Perhaps by being kind, I may help them find a better path." They continued walking in comfortable silence, but Mary could not help but wonder how Mr. Goulding had turned out so very different from his little sister.

Evaline watched the woman she now realized was Miss Mary Bennet leave. So that was the woman who she suspected her brother was forming an attachment to. She was prettier than her mother would have her believe. Evaline rather liked the shades of brown and blonde that shone in her hair. It was as if her hair could not make up its mind but was fine with being different, not quite brown or blonde.

Walking along with her friends, she let them take over the conversation and continued with only the barest of inputs and agreements. She needed to think after such a confrontation and knew she would not be left alone once she got home. There were too many lessons. Even her nights were no longer her own as she now had to sleep with her hair in those little wraps to make it curl. Though her hair did not seem to stay curled past breakfast.

Her mother had always been the type to want nothing to do with her unless she was showing her off to her friends. But lately she had been spending more time with Evaline. Of course, she spent most of that time complaining about either her brother Gabriel and how he was not trying to catch a wealthy debutant or Evaline and her looks. Evaline's lack of appropriate curls was one of her chief criticisms, though there was also Evaline's apparent inability to sit and stand straight enough. She had been called graceless too often to count.

How did one exude elegance and grace, anyway? Whatever the method, Evaline's failure in her mother's eyes seemed to make her mother despair for her future. Which she proclaimed loudly and repeatedly.

Her mother would talk to her governess about all of her faults in front of her, as if she was not even there. Evaline had never noticed her freckles before and now they were a catastrophe to be quickly remedied lest they become a problem at her come out. A come out that they were already planning for, despite it being over four years away.

When her mother had invited her to come into Meryton with her, Evaline had been happy to get away from her latest round of lessons in French, the harp, and deportment. And when the opportunity presented itself to demonstrate her superiority over the other girls with the gossip she knew her mother would be sharing, Evaline had jumped at the chance.

Hadn't it been drilled into her head that she must become the leading girl of her age? That it was her responsibility to become the most eligible debutante ever seen by Meryton? She would not have the largest dowery, but she was still expected to make the best match. The only way to do so was to begin training now and start taking the lead in their small circle of society.

Sometimes Evaline hated that she had come into her mother's notice. Though she supposed she should be grateful to have her mother's attention, even if it came with a new governess and scads of lessons and rules. Evaline was a young lady now and she would simply have to adjust. If only it was not so confusing.

And yet when she had met Miss Bennet, it seemed as if she did not prescribe to her mother's rules. Was that a good thing? Her mother had told her that at twenty-two, Miss Bennet was an unmarried disgrace, but it seemed that young woman did not hold the same opinion.

As Evaline walked, she realized she was envious of Miss Bennet's confidence. It looked as though she was not afraid of anything, or at least not of anyone's comments and jibes. She spoke of things that her mother would have probably held on par with heresy. Either Miss Bennet had never had a mother demand differently of her or she had never cared. Was it wicked for Evaline to want something besides what her mother demanded of her? Probably.

"As I live and breathe, if it's not little Mary Bennet." The kindly voice of Mr. Jones's gregarious wife was the first thing Mary heard as she entered the apothecary's shop.

Smiling at the older woman, Mary greeted her. "Hello, Mrs. Jones. How are you this fine autumn day?"

Mrs. Jones's graying hair peeked out of her lace cap, curling around her face as merrily as it always had. Mrs. Jones was kind, though more bubbly than Mary could handle in large amounts. Closing the distance from where she had been across the , the woman replied, "Well enough, sweet girl, well enough. The question is, how are you? I have not seen you in an age!"

"I am well, thank you, though I am afraid I am not so little anymore."

Reaching out with a smile, Mrs. Jones squeezed Mary's hand. Eyes bright and inquisitive, she asked, "Now I heard you were staying at Netherfield with your sister, Mrs. Darcy. Did I get the right of it? Gossip can be fickle with the truth, so I never rely on it wholly."

Yes, gossip could be fickle. Mary had seen it tear down a person with wholly wrong information, but she had also seen gossip be used to rally aid for a young widow in need. Without losing her smile, Mary answered, "Well, in that, the gossip was correct. I am here with Elizabeth and her husband, Mr. Darcy. Jane should arrive with her husband, Mr. Bingley, within another sennight."

"Now I also heard that you have been helping at Longbourn. Who would have thought that it would fall back into your family"s hands?" Turning, the older woman began stacking things on a shelf behind her. "I know it is not right to speak ill of the dead, but I am just right glad your father is no longer around to be a blight on that estate."

Mary could not respond without either being disrespectful to her father or Mrs. Jones, so she merely nodded her head and began to look around the shelves. There was no love lost between her and her deceased father, but it did not seem tasteful or respectful to talk so openly about him to people in town.

"Regardless, that Mr. Darcy will get things to rights. I heard tell he has a rather large estate up in Derbyshire. It will be easy enough for him to whip things into shape." Looking at Mary, she seemed to realize that she would not be sharing any more information on matters she wanted to know, so she wisely changed the subject. "Look at me talking you silly. You did not come in to chat with a doddering old lady. What have you come for?"

"I was hoping to get a good supply of ginger."

Eyes widening slightly at the request, Mrs. Jones nodded and said, "You are in luck. We have plenty on hand at the moment. I always make sure to keep it well stocked as it helps with so many ailments."

Mary knew the woman would have her suspicions. Mrs. Jones had not been the apothecary's wife for so long that she did not know why a young married woman might need ginger. "That is good to know. I would like to get powdered ginger if you have it." She was not going to confirm anything about Elizabeth's condition but was very glad to get what her sister needed.

Once again, walking down the street with Nellie, Mary could not help but laugh at the events of their morning. Some people were just so driven by the need for gossip.

Looking at Mary, Nellie seemed to guess what the laugh was about. "At least you are able to laugh. Mrs. Jones is like a dog with a bone at times. Always wants news, that lady."

Nodding, Mary chuckled, saying, "Yes, though she can be discreet. If you think about it, she knows a lot about the health conditions of the folks in town. She sees who comes into the shop for what and she knows where her husband is going. Despite that, I have never heard a word about her spreading news about people"s ailments and conditions. She may guess that Elizabeth is with child, but you won't hear word if it until it is spread in a different manner."

Getting a better grip on the basket she carried now that had another package, Nellie pondered out loud. "You are nice to look for the good in people. Sometimes I forget to do that."

"It is not always easy, but I keep trying." Mary looked at Nellie, wondering if she should explain how she had come to be who she was. "Once upon a time I was very judgmental and pedantic. I was always looking down on people. I did the right thing. Why did no one else? Then Elizabeth encouraged me to meet more people and pay attention to their lives. Between that and reading more widely, I realized just how hard people"s lives are already. No one needs extra strife in their lives. It is better to contribute to someone"s happiness than to criticize the choices they have made."

Moving around the wagon that was at the side of the street full of rolled up rugs, they made their way to where the carriage stood waiting. Mary stooped so suddenly that Nellie nearly ran into her. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Nellie tilted her head, trying to hear whatever Mary had heard.

The faintest mewl had Nellie looking towards the wagon and Mary rushing to the back of the wagon and looking in. The multicolored rugs lay in heaps. It was possible that they were being delivered to one of the shops, but that was not what drew Mary's attention. The sad, pitiable mewling that was coming from somewhere within the rugs was.

"Hey now! What are you doing to my rugs?" A gruff voice came from behind both women.

Turning to face a rather large man walking out of the nearby shop, Mary asked, "Do you by chance have an animal traveling with you? I hear something coming from the rugs."

"Wha'? I ain't got no animals, just good quality rugs for sale." Looking confused and slightly perturbed, the rugged man shook his head.

"Then why am I hearing crying coming from the rugs?"

Coming closer, the gruff gentleman examined his wares, rearing back when he too heard the small cries coming from the jumble of material. "There is something in there." Reaching out, he moved the topmost rug carefully. After a time of searching for the source of the sounds, a small furry head came into view.

A tiny calico face was blinking at them from between two of the rugs. Copper, cream, and brown splotched together on a tiny ball of fluff with two vivid blue eyes. "The poor thing must have climbed in at some point and become stuck." Carefully reaching out a hand, Mary let the kitten sniff her for a moment before scooping her up and cradling her against her own body.

"Who would have thought? I have been on the road for days. How long has it been in there?" Taking off his floppy cap, he scratched at his receding hairline. "I do not have time for an animal."

Cuddling the small kitten, Mary smiled in delight as it purred. "I have been looking for a cat since we need a mouser for Longbourn. I would be grateful if you would let me take it."

Brow scrunched in disbelief, the man said, "Won't be much of a mouser at that size, but I would be glad to let you have it."

"I am sure it will grow. Thank you, sir." Nodding to the man, Mary turned back to Nellie. "Let us return to Netherfield so that we may find this little one something to eat."