Mary Bennet and the Longbourn Heiress Read online

  Mary Bennet and the Longbourn Heiress

  Book One in the Mary of Longbourn Series

  Carrie Mollenkopf

  ~Prologue~

  Mary sifted through the old family trunk. Having been abandoned to the attics of Longbourn for years, it was filled with an array of faded miniatures depicting Bennets long since departed and an assortment of unfashionable clothing. It had been her favorite find, especially the small gilt oval of the young naval officer. When she had discovered the box, she and her sisters had spent many an hour in speculation as to who the various persons were and what their lives had been, sometimes trying on the gloves and hats as well, pretending to belong to another age. However, that time seemed an age ago in itself. Now, only she and Kitty remained at Longbourn, if they did not marry soon, one of their fates was to become the designated caretaker of her aging parents. Wrinkling her nose at the thought, Mary hoped it would not fall to her. While she loved her parents… or at least as much as was expected, the idea of spending the rest of her days listening to the exaggerated wails of her mother or the exasperated tones of her father was a fate she did not think she could bear. At least for the time being, they were both occupied with the impending marriages of Jane and Lizzie, her elder sisters. Unfortunately, once the blessed event was past, Mrs. Bennet would undoubtedly turn her attentions to the remaining unwed Bennet sisters. Until then, Mary would try to find as much solace as she could amidst the frenzy of preparations. Even now she could hear Mama’s voice echoing down the hall as she called for her to assist in the endless tasks to be complete before the weddings next month. Sighing audibly, Mary tried to think positively, but so many uncharitable thoughts had flown through her mind recently. While she harbored no jealousy towards her sisters, on the contrary, she was truly pleased for them, but the current chaos was hard to bear. Once it was over and the house was back to normal she’d feel differently. Perhaps she would be able to have her own bedchamber once Jane and Lizzie’s things were moved to their respective new homes? With that potential happiness in mind, Mary ran her finger over the carved frame of the young sailor one more time before carefully replacing it in the box and tucking the entirety into the bottom of the wardrobe she shared with Kitty.

  “Coming Mama!” she called and left the room to do as she was bid.

  ~One~

  Two months later…

  Mary Bennet hurried along the upper hall that housed Longbourn’s bedchambers. Both her parents had been confined to their beds for the past week. Papa from an attack of gout due to his recent overindulgences, and Mama from hysterics should Mr. Bennet die from his affliction and leave them homeless. Rolling her eyes heavenward as she walked, Mary whispered a short prayer for her sanity as she went below to fetch yet another tome from her father’s library. Perhaps setting up a cot in that room would be a better idea than having her constantly run between the two. It was not that she would deny her father anything. Since the marriage of her sisters, Mr. Bennet had been quite pleasant to Mary, often engaging her in conversation. The change, while surprising, was not unwelcome, but today he had woken rather surly from discomfort and in no mood for anyone.

  “I have sent for the doctor Papa. Perhaps he will have some sort of remedy that we have not tried,” she had said when he winced at her attempts to place a pillow under the affected limb.

  “Not old Crowley! He only mutters and pokes about often making it worse than ever.”

  “No Papa, Dr. Crowley retired a few months ago. I told you that already, it will be the new doctor… Sutton is his name.”

  “Now I shall be prodded by a novice… and with a greater fee!” he snapped before casting her an apologetic look when she frowned at him.

  “I’m sorry to be so cross, it is not your fault. Be a good girl and fetch me the business journal that Darcy sent me. He has been most helpful with estate management ideas.”

  Mary nodded and left the room. She knew that her father’s discontent was not from his painful joints alone. The cost of the weddings had been considerable. While she knew that both Darcy and Bingley had offered to pay for it completely, Mr. Bennet had refused. He still had his pride and providing for his daughters nuptials was one area upon which he insisted. Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennet had greatly overspent and the estate also needed some long overdue repairs. Mr. Bennet had found it necessary to find an alternate means of income appropriate for a gentleman of his years. The thousand pounds annual that Longbourn earned left very little to invest, but he would do his best. He had no choice other than to seek charity from his new sons-in-law, and that he would simply not do.

  Once below, Mary easily found the requested reading material and gave it to Anna, Longbourn’s only housemaid. In addition to Mrs. Hill, Cook and Ben, a boy who served as both groom and gardener, there was a desperate lack of staff for a house of its size. When her sisters had been in residence, the odd chore had been designated between them, easing the burden. Now, with three sisters married and Kitty off visiting Aunt Gardiner to assist with her recent baby, much had fallen on to Mary.

  Having always considered hard work to be the most admirable of occupations, Mary tried to be cheerful with her burden, but it had proven difficult. There had not been time recently to practice her beloved pianoforte. While she had come to admit that she lacked talent, the feel of the keys was soothing and the challenge to improve, stimulating. Moving through the parlor, she barely gave the instrument a glance before heading to the kitchens.

  “Good Morning Cook! Mama is requesting a pot of tea and some of those lemon cakes if any are left.” Mary announced with a touch of false cheer.

  “More like demanded you mean…you don’t need to be making any phony appearances with me Miss Mary, I know you too well.” Chuckled the portly Mrs. Kincaid as she wiped her spotless hands on an equally pristine apron before reaching for the kettle.

  Mary giggled in return. The kitchen was one of the few places in which she need not set pretense. As a child she often sought out its warmth and the companionship of the elderly cook, often wishing that she had been her mother. Somehow, the bastion of Longbourn’s kitchen knew her better than her own family. Today, Mary noticed with a bit of apprehension that old Mabelle Kincaid herself was also none too well. Long past the age of retirement, her parents should have pensioned her out, but could not afford it. Nor, could they afford any additional help. Seeing the knotted joints of the cook’s hands as she maneuvered the kettle, Mary offered her assistance, only to be waved away.

  “Oh I got this… but if you would fetch some potatoes and turnips from the cellar I would be most appreciative.”

  Mary knew that despite Mrs. Kincaid’s appearance of strength, she was terrified of mice. Longbourn’s cellars were known to be infested with them as the cool temperatures of autumn sent them scurrying for warmer accommodations. Now in mid-September, the dark depths would be filled with uninvited pets. Nodding her acceptance of the task, Mary donned a heavy work apron over her dress and started down the narrow stair. The way was dim, dirty, and smelled faintly musty. The sound of rodents scampering about could be heard before she reached the lower dirt floor. Flinching as one trod over her foot, she resolved to ask Ben to lay some traps immediately.

  With eyes adjusting to the darkness, she groped about a small recess set in the stone wall and found the lamp left for such purposes. Holding it high, she made her way to the row of bins containing the merits of a good summer harvest.

  “At least the mice do not appear to have gotten in here yet,” she murmured aloud as she raised the heavy oaken lid to the furthest bin.

  Dust motes rose heavily into the air as wood scraped against wood. Suddenly sneezing, she drop
ped the lid with a clatter, sending one of the furry inhabitants running in fright.

  “Ugh!”

  Mary wiped her dirt filled nose on the apron and hurriedly filled it with earth covered tubers. Staggering under the load, she teetered on her feet and reached out to steady herself against the stone wall of the foundation and instantly recoiled, wiping her hand on the now filthy apron. Peering closer, Mary noticed how the walls of the cellar were all seeping with damp. In some places there were even missing stones as ancient mortar has long since given way. Repairs were desperately needed or the house would crumble down around them. Knowing that her father had indulged her sisters with their weddings, she seriously doubted that funds would be easy to come by. Thinking about her own carefully saved sum of just over a hundred pounds, Mary considered using the money to pay for the needed work. Her father would be upset at the idea of it, but perhaps he need not know. It had taken years of careful saving of her pocket money, and it was hers to spend as she wished. Now, she was relieved that frivolous items held no appeal for her. Resolving to look into the matter, she adjusted her burden and went back to the stairs where she was met by Mrs. Kincaid, anxiously peering down into the darkness.

  “Oh Miss Mary! The doctor has arrived. I put him in the parlor as you requested before he goes up to see your parents. It is the new fellow, not old Dr. Crowley, and he’s a handsome one.” Mrs. Kincaid said with a wink. The old cook tried her best to play matchmaker at every opportunity.

  Mary only nodded and deposited the load of potatoes in the scullery and changed her apron before seeing to the arrival. As a person yet to be introduced to the demands of Mrs. Bennet, she wanted to give the poor man a good warning before he met Mama.

  ~Two~

  Meryton’s newest resident was not in need of any warning as to the nature of the inhabitants of Longbourn. On the contrary, within his first week, many a person had given him the intimate details of the entire county. Most specifically, one Lady Lucas of Lucas Lodge, had done her best to inform him about everyone.

  “My dear doctor, I insist you come to tea tomorrow as an example of Meryton’s hospitality,” she had demanded the day after his arrival. Having stopped in to see Dr. Crowley for some headache powders, she had been all too delighted to find an eligible bachelor in his stead. While that had been some weeks past, he had not forgotten his warnings about the Bennet family. Agreeing to tea that afternoon, he arrived to find himself closeted away immediately as Lady Lucas prattled her hoard of gossip.

  “As they are my dearest friends and nearest neighbors, what I say to you is meant with the best of intentions and out of kindness. However, I also feel it is my duty as a Christian woman to speak,” Lady Lucas had whispered over her teacup once the serving maid had left them alone.

  “It is just that the Longbourn estate is in some financial difficulties with its entailment. This has made Mrs. Bennet a bit overzealous when it comes to matchmaking her daughters. Although, I must give her some credit, as she has managed to marry off three of them just this year. Jane and Elizabeth, in particular, made very advantageous marriages. But, with two remaining daughters and no dowries, she still has work ahead of her. Fortunately, my own Charlotte was a love match, and as for my youngest, Maria, there is no rush for her to marry.”

  To this, Atlas Sutton made no reply, only politely nodding. He had also had his share of warnings about Lady Lucas. She too was in possession of an unmarried daughter, and despite her declaration as to no pressure upon Maria, he doubted her sincerity. Perhaps once she discovered that he possessed nothing besides his education and name, all thoughts of marrying him to anyone would cease. Preferring to keep his own council, an amused smile took his features as he imagined the exasperated faces of the local matrons when they found out. Encouraged by his expression, Lady Lucas continued.

  “While Kitty Bennet is a most attractive and lively girl, but do I worry she shares a bit too much of the carelessness that nearly caused a scandal for Lydia, the youngest, last year. Perhaps the memory will curb her frivolousness. But as for Mary… well I suppose it must fall upon one child to be the caretaker of her parents.”

  “That hardly seems fair?” Atlas interrupted, surprised at his own concern for a stranger beyond that of medical treatment, but it did seem that all too often young women were forced to sacrifice personal happiness in the name of duty. His own sister had insisted that his parents move into her home, despite objections from her husband that they were already overcrowded. Busy with his medical studies, he had never given it a thought until their deaths last year. Now, when it was too late, he felt the guilt of not having been of more assistance. Not understanding his sudden interest, Lady Lucas only shrugged in response.

  “Perhaps if they had been fortunate to have had a son it would not be so. Besides, Mary is such a plain girl, none too concerned for the more social aspects required of marriage, and far too serious for one so young. I believe she once fancied Mr. Collins, my Charlotte’s husband. As a clergyman, she no doubt believed her pious opinions to be of some attraction to him, but once he laid eyes upon my girl, everyone knew it was meant to be.”

  Atlas again only smiled, and soon took his leave, but not before being introduced to Maria Lucas and accepting another invitation to Lucas Lodge, this time for dinner.

  Now, as he stood in the parlor of the very family of which he had been so cautioned, he wondered just how much of the truth had been spoken. While he waited, a shrill female voice squawked orders that echoed through the walls. Shaking his head, he felt grateful that his intended patient was Mr. Bennet. It would seem that Lady Lucas was indeed accurate in her some of her descriptions. Perhaps a strong sleeping draught was in order as well as a restorative for gout? Musing this idea, he was not immediately aware when Mary entered the room as he had gazed out the window opposite the door. Her movements silent, she indulged a moment to assess the new physician of Meryton, cocking her head to one side as she studied him. Not as tall as Mr. Darcy, but more solidly built, his form was not unattractive. However, his deep auburn hair was quite unusual, especially on a man. She began to wonder if he had freckles before remembering her parents and ceasing her daydreams. Sighing, she cleared her throat to announce her presence.

  “Excuse me… Dr. Sutton?”

  Atlas turned at the sound and was met by a petite young woman with deep brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Her slight form gave her an almost ethereal quality. The authority in her voice was a contrast to the pixie appearance and ugly plain gray dress covered by a stiff white apron. Assuming her to be a housemaid, he did not bow in acknowledgement. And to his surprise, she did not dip a curtsey, but turned her nose slightly upwards. This small defiance pricked him deeply for some unknown reason. Long accustomed to the formalities he experienced in the well-to-do homes of his fellow students at Cambridge, he found the girl immediately irritating.

  “Am I to be detained much longer? Can you not show me to my patient? Waiting about on the whims of young ladies while there are ill people in need of care is not to my liking, Tell Miss Bennet where she may find me when it is convenient for her!” he snapped despite having only been in the parlor a few minutes. Unable to check his sudden anger, he sucked in his breath.

  The girl frowned at him and appeared to be choking a sharp retort, but remained silent, sending daggers with her eyes.

  “Follow me,” was all she said and left him to keep up as she briskly led the way above stairs and stopped at one of five closed doors.

  “You will find my father inside,” she directed before disappearing again down the hall. Let him find his own way out!

  A stunned Atlas Sutton could only stare at her retreating form, his speech temporarily lost in this realization that this was no servant girl he had insulted. Frowning at his ignorant assumption, he wondered why she had not immediately corrected him, but was recalled to his purpose by the sounds of a moan of pain from behind the closed door. Resolving to apologize later, he entered the chamber of his patient and put the
incident behind him.

  ~Three~

  Mary slammed the door shut behind her as she entered the sitting area of her mother’s bed chamber. Not normally a place to where she would ordinarily seek solace, nor any sort of advice, her mother’s chamber had simply been convenient. And besides, she needed a place to vent her own anger.

  “What an arrogant ass!” she said aloud as she gathered up her mother’s congealed tray of tea. Having drank her fill of the tea, its laudanum laced warmth had not done much too calm Mrs. Bennet’s frantic demands. Seeing Mary in this state, and not one to be left out of any new occurrence, however slight, she demanded to be told all.

  “What is it? Who is it? My nerves cannot handle much more. Has the doctor arrived? Has he seen your father? Am I to be a widow?”

  “Oh calm down Mama! Yes, the doctor is here, he is in with Papa just now. It is about him that I complain.”

  “Whatever for? Dr. Crowley has always been such a gentleman. Stop your nonsense.”

  “Mama, Dr. Crowley retired, it is the new man,” Mary replied with a sigh and relayed the encounter. However, Mrs. Bennet could see no reason for Mary’s indignation when an eligible bachelor was involved.

  “You must have misunderstood him. Perhaps if you bothered to have a care in your appearance he would have been far more agreeable. You really must try a bit. You did remind him to see me as well?” Mrs. Bennet replied and began to fan herself furiously as if some strange fever had suddenly took hold.

  Mary rolled her eyes in reply. She had indeed forgotten and went to her father’s chamber but Dr. Sutton had already departed. Her father, in contrast to his wife, was propped up on a myriad of cushions quietly reading. A content smile was on his face when she opened the door.