Mary Bennet and the Longbourn Heiress Read online

  “How do you feel?”

  “Oh much improved. I am rather pleased with the new fellow. He was gentle but stern in his chastisement. Apparently my consumption of sherry is to blame for this dratted foot, but he says I should be up and about in a week or so. I trust he managed to avoid your mother?”

  Mary only nodded and plumped a pillow. It was not surprising that her father would find Dr. Sutton favorable. After weeks of being cooped up with only Mary and Mrs. Bennet for company, a rabid dog would be welcome.

  “Did he leave a receipt for payment?” she inquired gently, but instantly the smile on Mr. Bennet’s face faded.

  “Yes, it is on the bureau, but don’t you worry about that. I assure you, your father will not see his family in the poor house just yet. We can afford a few luxuries such as doctors.” He replied with a false humor.

  Mary knew he worried deeply about finances, but there was not much she was able to do. It would never be permitted for her to seek employment, but eventually it may come to pass out of necessity. Should her father succumb to any sort of malady, she, Kitty and Mama would indeed be paupers. Oh to be sure, Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley would offer assistance, but the idea of being beholden for her keep was intolerable. If only she had been raised like a boy and educated, things would be different. While she had tried her best to improve her learning, it was limited to the contents of Mr. Bennet’s library. The dry tomes on history and agriculture did little to fill the void in her education. What sort of respectable family would hire a governess or companion that was ignorant of the most basic of ladies accomplishments? Neither she, no her sisters had ever learned anything past basic embroidery and music. In reality, she was far better suited to being a farmer or gardener. Mary loved plants and had read Papa’s two books on botany to the point of creating dog-eared pages and cracked bindings. She was also fascinated by animals. While she had not yet dared to experiment on her own, every time slaughtering season came, she watched how the inner parts lay exposed by the process. Hardly a ladylike hobby, she had kept her love of such things a secret. As with every other aspect of her life, there was no one with whom she could share her thoughts.

  Tucking the paper into her apron pocket, she promised to place it with the other household account papers and kissed her father on the forehead before leaving. Mary had no intention of adding it to the already mounting pile of bills. Tomorrow, when she went into Meryton to see about the cellar repairs, she would pay the fee.

  *****

  As he rode home, Atlas Sutton reflected upon his visit to Longbourn. Only having encountered two members of the family, he was uncertain of his opinions. Miss Mary was an enigma in her servants attire, while in contrast, he found Mr. Bennet to be most amiable. No doubt the poor man drank in excess to dull the harping of his wife. Mrs. Bennet apparently took to her bed at the slightest inconvenience, resulting in the entire household ceding to her demands. No wonder the maids were rude. However, he did not mention his observations to Mr. Bennet. After all, it was none of his affair as to how the man ran his home. With a promise to return in a week, he had conveniently forgotten to see to Mrs. Bennet. He was a man of medicine, not one to cater to the hysterics of a hypochondriac. It was one of his greatest trials when he decided upon his course of study. He simply was not a social person. Much preferring to spend hours in a laboratory, Atlas had become dedicated to the new field of forensic medicine. So much could be discovered by studying the ways in which people died. Crimes could be solved and new treatments made if only society was more accepting. Unfortunately, dealing with dead bodies was frowned upon, even if it helped the police. He simply could not make a living, even in the bigger cities. As it was, many folks still chose home remedies and superstition to modern science. He would have to keep his devotion to such work a secret. Unlocking the house with attached surgery he now occupied, he headed to the back room and his microscope. A few hours of study would help him relax and accept becoming a small town physician.

  ~Four~

  Mary rose early and dressed in her usual plain attire, only this time she donned a sturdy pair of boots. The road to Meryton was some three miles in length and the previous night’s rain would have turned it into a quagmire. Grabbing a fresh biscuit as she exited the house through the kitchens she also took Mrs. Kincaid’s shopping list. Scanning the items, relief flooded her as she would have enough money to not place anything on account. The last time she went into town, Mr. Smithers had given her a gentle reminder to have her father settle an overdue sum. It had been rather embarrassing, but today she would see to it all. The brisk morning air bit at her cheeks and she tied her bonnet snugly about her face. It would not do for her to fall ill and incur more expense. Besides, who would run the house? Mama was useless and even if Kitty were here, she would be more inclined to complain than help. Marching along at a quick pace, the activity soon warmed her and the distance covered in less than an hour.

  As it was early, she placed the receipt and payment for the doctor in a folded sheet of paper and dropped it through the slot in the door to the surgery. No lights were on in the attached house either. Mary snorted her displeasure at the luxury of being able to sleep at one’s leisure. Always an early riser, she found the solitude of the house at such an hour pleasing. Now, her habit had become a necessity in order to complete the multitude of tasks so recently placed upon her shoulders. What a difference it had made with the absence of Jane and Lizzie. Mary had never realized the amount of work her sisters did to keep the household running. With the doctor’s fee accomplished, she made her way to the grocers. It would take some time for the items to be gathered, enough to allow for a trip to the stone masons before returning home.

  “Good morning Mr. Smithers. My father sends his deepest apologies for his forgetfulness. I shall be settling the account in his stead.”

  A surprised, but pleased proprietor accepted Mary’s ten pounds and went to fill the additional order. The rumors he had heard about difficulties at Longbourn must have been false. They had always been the best of customers and it would have been awkward to become insistent upon immediate payment, but apparently all was well.

  Mary did her best to conceal the embarrassment she felt for her family and casually wandered the store on the false pretense of making another purchase. She had always shunned frivolous items, but her somber mode of dress had been more of a way to stand out amongst four sisters who were known for either beauty or charm, both of which she sorely lacked. Now, when she looked at the array of trims and bonnets, she wondered how she would look if she changed her appearance. Oh not drastically, but perhaps a small bit of lace would not do any harm. It was with this thought in mind that she was occupied when the doorbell jangled. Turning slightly to see who entered, she immediately pretended to appraise the quality of a ribbon when she saw the personage of Dr. Sutton. He was the last person with whom she wanted to speak. Dropping the ribbon, she circled the store evasively and exited while Mr. Smithers greeted the newcomer. However, her escape was not unnoticed.

  “Was that one of Longbourn’s servants I saw running out just now? Such a hurry… one might suspect dishonesty at such a rush,” Atlas asked with a raised brow.

  “Oh no, that is Miss Mary Bennet. Quite respectable, but a bit on the eccentric side, if you understand my meaning. She tends to go her own way, you will get used to it the longer you live here.”

  “Mary Bennet? She dresses like a scullery maid.”

  Gerald Smithers only shrugged. He had known Mary since she was born and had rather liked her. Always practical and without fancy airs, if she did not want to play dress up like the others of her station so be it. It would do the world some good to have more like her and he did not mind saying so, but not to the new doctor. No, it would be far more entertaining to observe Mary set the assuming young man in his place herself.

  *****

  Mary drew a breath of relief as she rounded a corner near the stone masonry. She was not in the mood for more snobbery, there was too much
for her to do to waste time. After explaining her needs to Will Sanderly, the mason, it was agreed that he would come out the next day to inspect the damage to Longbourn.

  “I won’t be able to give you a true estimate of cost until then. Are you sure your father is agreeable to this? The last time I was out there he just wanted me to patch up the walls. I told him then that it was only a temporary solution and more extensive work was needed, but he refused.”

  “Yes, he agrees… and thanks you for the advice, which he admits he should have heeded. Unfortunately, Papa is taken to bed with gout and cannot oversee things. We shall trust in your judgement completely this time. A complete repair is in order.”

  “As you see fit Miss Mary. My men and I will be out there first thing tomorrow.”

  Pleased with the morning’s business, Mary said her good byes and headed out into the street once again. Head bent as she arranged her reticule, she bumped squarely into another pedestrian, dropping the bag and scattering the contents. Swearing softly in the few words of Latin she had managed to teach herself, she looked up to apologize to the person with whom she had collided. Only it was not remorse she felt as a pair of deep amber eyes appraised her clumsiness.

  “Oh! It’s you again.” she said tiredly as she refused his hand up and dusted her cape free of debris.

  “Miss Bennet, I believe I owe you an apology for my behavior yesterday,” Atlas offered with what he believed was sincerity only to be rebuffed smartly.

  “And what behavior was that? Utter rudeness?”

  “I thought you were a servant…” he began, but was summarily cut off.

  “Should that matter? Is it acceptable to be rude to servants? Are they not deserving of human kindness?”

  “Well yes, but…”

  “But what?”

  Atlas only sighed as Mary’s fierce eyes threatened to bore a hole in him. Then suddenly, and without reason, he began to laugh. Today, she was wearing spectacles and the lenses only enhanced the sharp light emitting from her eyes, creating almost a feral gleam as she chastised him. Instead of creating anger, it only made her oddly appealing.

  “I believe you shall find your payment for services to my father in your surgery. Good day Doctor!” she snapped and began to stride down the street in an attempt to place as much distance as possible between them.

  “The name is Atlas… Atlas Sutton… Miss Mary Bennet! And I shall be seeing you again!” he called as she practically ran from his presence.

  “Not if I can help it!” Mary shouted over her shoulder and quickened her pace. How dare that man laugh at her! And what an odd name! Never would she willingly go near him again, let death take her before she called upon him.

  ~Five~

  Early the next day…

  As promised, just after breakfast, the masons arrived at Longbourn to assess the foundations. The flurry of workmen below quite distracted Mary from any thoughts about her second meeting with Atlas Sutton. Besides, the entire walk back to Longbourn had given her plenty of time to work off her anger. At first she had wanted to find a way to poison the man, but her Christian beliefs stopped such an idea. It was not her sound faith alone, but the possibility of sharing space in hell alongside that man! A servant indeed! And what was so wrong with that? Why did all men have such incorrect preconceived notions? Even her sisters had encountered the same before their marriages. Bingley had believed that Jane’s shyness was indifference, and Darcy….well that was another misunderstanding entirely. Mary had to even admit that her own opinions had been proven incorrect. When Mr. Collins had come to Longbourn, she had thought herself the perfect match for a vicar. But, no, even the religiously fanatical Mr. Collins had been swayed by the beautiful faces of her sisters. Mary still wondered why he had chosen Charlotte Lucas. It was an odd match indeed. However, with each additional encounter with Mr. Collins, Mary now considered herself lucky that he had not wanted her. God was truly watching out for her. Perhaps spinsterhood was a blessing in disguise. Besides, she was only eighteen and in no hurry. Today, her only pressing concern was to have the stone masons complete the repairs before her father found out. He would be more hurt than angry about Mary using her money. Ironically, the funds would eventually land in the pocket of the dreaded Mr. Collins when he inherited the estate, but until then, the Bennets needed a sound home in which to live.

  Entering the kitchens, Mary found Will Sanderly and two of his apprentices drinking tea and eating hot scones as they waited. Never one to be inhospitable, Mrs. Kincaid had immediately offered what refreshments were available. Now, they rose and clumped their way down the narrow stairs to the cellars. With multiple lanterns to provide light, the dark recess was far less intimidating. Even the army of mice decided to vacate from the sound of heavy booted feet nearing their space.

  At least it stopped raining, Mary thought as the men probed the damaged area carefully with their tools. She watched as great chunks of stone easily crumbled away under the chisels they wielded to assess the foundation. After only a few minutes, Will Sanderly motioned for his men to stop. Puzzled, Mary looked at him for an explanation. She had chosen to remain below, observing closely in an attempt to learn the process should she ever need to make such repairs herself one day. Sliding down from where she was perched on a barrel, she saw the area in question.

  “It appears that this is not the primary exterior wall to the house. There is a blocked up doorway. It was very well concealed, but time and damp has completely eaten away the plaster. We will need to remove it as well.”

  Mary was surprised to hear this news, and nodded her ascent. Although, rationale told her that this was not really uncommon. Many old houses bricked up areas that were no longer in use or unsafe. As Longbourn had been built over two hundred years ago, there could be many such passages. Curiosity made her want to assist the workers, but this was not to be had.

  “You just stay there Miss Mary, my men know what they are doing. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to say to your father should you get hurt.”

  Mary did not reply, but refused to resume her perch on the barrel, instead stood at a short distance away with her arms folded. It took only a few moments to expose the narrow passage leading off the main cellar. Peering over the shoulder of a worker, she saw four ancient barred doors set in the stone wall at regular intervals. It appeared to be some sort of locked storage or perhaps a gaol from when Longbourn had been the county seat. Following the men inside, the first two cells were empty. The third held an assortment of dusty bottles set in rows as a wine cellar. The last, at first glance contained only a heap of filthy rags. They turned to leave it for fear it was a home for mice, when one of the workers absently kicked at the pile, exposing not rodents, but a crusty skeletal hand. Jerking back in fright, the young man fell heavily against the far wall sending a large section crumbling down over him and the corpse.

  “Out! Everyone out before the whole thing goes down!” ordered Will Sanderly as he grabbed Mary roughly and pushed her before him. Muffled groans of pain could be heard under the rubble, but it was going to take more men to free his apprentice.

  Slightly in shock from the experience, Mary quickly regained her composure and began issuing orders. Pointing to the remaining apprentice, she sent him above to go for assistance.

  “We shall need the doctor as well!” she shouted as he took the stairs two at a time.

  “What can be done until they arrive? We only have just Ben, our groom to help, but I am very strong.” She insisted and tried to return to where the buried man lay.

  “Nothing here! It is not a place for a woman!” Sanderly snapped before seeing her frantic face.

  “I’m sorry, but we will have to wait. I have seen things like this before. If we go in, they may have to rescue us as well. I suggest you go tell your father and prepare for arrivals.”

  Mary went above and tried to hold back the tears that threatened. Why had Papa not seen to repairs before this? After giving instructions to Mrs. Kincaid and Cook, she stee
led herself to inform her parents. Things were bad enough without Mama going into additional hysterics, but it would be impossible to hide it from her. Knocking on her father’s chamber door, it suddenly came flooding back that Mr. Sanderly’s apprentice was not the only person buried in Longbourn’s cellars. They all had clearly seen the bones of another. Who had been locked there and why?

  *****

  By late afternoon, the rubble had been cleared and the unconscious body of Jem Slavin, mason’s apprentice, had been removed. He had sustained a severe blow to the head as a result of the falling stones, but had somehow managed to survive. Atlas Sutton had said it was a small miracle and had done his best to stabilize the young man before he was taken to his surgery. It had taken more than six men to lift the debris and free the additional remains of what appeared to be a woman. Her tattered dress suggested that she had been there for decades, but that was not an immediate concern. Mr. Bennet, filled with a mixture of anger and anxiety, sat closeted in his library with Will Sanderly and Atlas Sutton for some hours after the incident as they awaited the arrival of the local magistrate. Mary, much to her indignation, had been excluded from the meeting and had paced the hall trying to hear the conversation. All she had been told was that Jem, fortunately a strong and healthy man, would probably recover.

  Her father had taken the news rather well Mary had thought, but feared he was simply trying to contain his ire in front of the others. He had barely said a word to her besides an order to assist him below before the rescue volunteers arrived.

  “A man ought to know what is going on in his own home,” he had muttered before waving at her to leave him alone.

  Thus chastised, Mary had done her best to help the staff feed the rescue crew. Blissfully, Mrs. Bennet had taken a laudanum laced headache powder and had slept through the entire thing. Mary sent up a small prayer of thanks for that one small blessing, but wished that she too could drown out the events of the day. She had only been trying to help, but as usual, it was a disaster. Not only was a man badly hurt, but a sizeable part of Longbourn was unsound in addition to the discovery of a long dead body. If people thought Lydia’s actions had been scandalous, this would surely ruin them forever. Her worries were interrupted by the arrival of Sir Philip Evans, the magistrate. Mrs. Hill let him into the library and the door was again barred against Mary.