“It never even crossed my mind to think otherwise,” said Gregory. “Truly, I am not attempting to engage her affection or pull her loyalty away from you. Not in the least. I simply find her to be an interesting conversationalist.”
“So, you enjoy talking to her,” said Allen. “Is that why to make it a point to dance with her at every opportunity? Don’t think I haven’t noticed that your hand lingers on her longer than necessary.”
This surprised Gregory, for he hadn’t even noticed such a thing. Now that he thought about it, however, it had always feltas if his hand was reluctant to let go of her waist or her hand any time they touched during a dance.
“I apologize if I have crossed a line,” he said. “It was most unconsciously done, and it will not happen again.”
“You’re right it will not happen again,” said Allen, “because you will not be dancing with her again this season. In fact, if I catch you talking to her for more time than it takes to be polite, I shall run you back to Eastbourne myself.”
“You’re being a bit possessive, are you not?” said Gregory. Such jealousy from the older man shocked him. Gregory could well remember the former Mrs. Allen, and she had been a frivolous sort of lady, freely chatting with and even flirting with anyone she chose.
Allen leaned back in his chair and just looked at Gregory for several long moments. Finally, he said, “Do you remember when you and every other man at the table asked why I had remarried when we gathered at the beginning of the season?”
“Of course,” said Gregory. “You declared that you just needed a new heir. It’s a tale as old as time.”
“Yes, that is what I said,” said Allen, “and that is what I believed when I married her. All I was looking for was a woman who could bear me a son and who wouldn’t waste my money. Mary was perfect for my purposes, since she was young, healthy, and she had no pretensions to wealth. Even now, though I would gladly give her more, she never asks for anything. What I got when I married her, was far more than I even knew was possible.
“Mary is, in every way that matters, the perfect woman. The care she shows for others is always tempered with practicality. The effort she put into learning how to be a proper hostess was astounding. Everything I have asked of her she has done inways that exceeded my expectations every time. And I do meaneverything.”
The way Allen emphasized the last word implied that he was speaking of the more intimate aspects of marriage as well as the practical ones. The idea suddenly made Gregory very uncomfortable.
“Given all that, I am certain you can see that I would wish to protect her,” he continued. “I would not wish for your attentions, whether intentional or not, to cause her any pain or distress. I would prefer it if you were simply out of her life.”
Gregory scoffed. “You claim you own her with one breath; then with the next you claim you are simply protecting her,” he said. “I think you are just jealous.”
He expected his outburst to raise the ire of old Allen, but the man simply raised one shoulder nonchalantly. “Believe what you will. I know my Mary, and I know that if you continue to court her attention, even if you are not trying to engage her affection, you will eventually hurt her. You need to back off.”
Gregory took in a deep breath and let it back out. He did not wish for his anger and resentment to color his speech. “I will be leaving London tomorrow. I received a letter from my steward, and my presence is needed in Eastbourne to resolve a dispute. I was not planning to return to London until next winter.”
“Then I wish you a safe journey,” said Allen. He then got up from the table and went back into the main room to resume reading the paper.
Gregory sat in the parlor for quite some time, wondering what in the world had just happened.
Chapter 7
By the end of her time in London, Mary had grown quite comfortable with society, far more so than she ever imagined possible. Though she still didn’t like crowds very much, and she was always grateful to come home to their quiet little house, she could tolerate them longer than she had been able to in her own neighborhood.
She had been a little disappointed to find out that Mr. Worsley had left the city near the beginning of April and would not be returning until next year, but since such behavior was common enough, she let it go. There were plenty of other interesting people to talk to.
Just before Mr. and Mrs. Allen went home to Braydon Hall, Mary received promises of regular correspondence from all six of her new friends, and she promised to write back.
It only took a single day for Mary and her husband to settle back into their lives in the country. They were almost immediately visited by Mrs. Bennet and Mary’s sisters. Kitty and Lydia demanded stories of the splendor of London, and Mary laughingly obliged, at least for a time.
Jane and Elizabeth didn’t say much, but they listened and watched carefully. Just before leaving, Elizabeth pulled Mary aside and said, “I’ve never seen you so happy and comfortable. Did you truly enjoy London as much as you claim?”
Mary smiled. “Yes, I did. Mr. Allen has a close group of friends, and their wives readily welcomed me among them. It is amazing how much being accepted can boost one’s confidence and happiness.”
Mary had meant it as a simple explanation of why she was happier than she had ever been in her life, but she realized as she said it that it might have come across as accusatory. As Elizabeth’s eyes became a bit watery with sorrow, Mary was certain she had said something wrong, but she did not know how to take it back or fix it.
“I’m sorry, Mary,” said Elizabeth. “I am so sorry.”
She knew that Elizabeth was apologizing for ignoring her all the years they grew up together. She gave her older sister a hug and said, “Do not think on it. The past is the past and cannot be changed. The present and the future are what we have power over.”
“You are so very good, Mary,” said Elizabeth as she hugged Mary fiercely. “I truly am glad you are so happy.”
As Mary bade farewell to her family, Jane also gave her a quick hug and whispered, “I am sorry, too.” She didn’t give Mary a chance to respond, however, as she slipped out the door, heading for the waiting carriage.
A week after arriving at Braydon Manor, Mary realized that she missed the hustle and bustle of all the activities of London. She found herself bored with the repetitive activities that filled her days, activities that used to be comfortable in their familiarity.
