Mrs. Bennet remained behind to supervise the dinner preparations.
Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy walked ahead, discussing the latest developments in the war, while Mary walked with Elizabeth.
"Mary, you appear happier today than you have been all summer."
"Lizzy, you were right about Papa. We discussed everything, and I have come to understand that happiness in marriage is rare. I was fortunate to be often contented and sometimes even happy in my marriage. I need not feel guilty for wishing to be free of Mr. Collins."
She sighed.
"Papa says it is part of the human condition and that, if dissatisfaction did not exist, people would never strive to bring about change and improvement."
Mary glanced toward the cart carrying her sons.
"Now I plan to be grateful for every single day of freedom, for my lovely boys, and for my parents."
Elizabeth raised a brow.
"And Mamma? Will she not grate on your nerves every now and again?"
"No, Lizzy. Though I have spent only one night and this morning at Longbourn, I have already seen how deeply the loss of our sister has affected Mamma. She understands mortality now in a way she never did before. She treats Papa with such tact andkindness. I have yet to hear her complain or shriek as she once did. She, too, is grateful, but in her case, her gratitude is for those who remain in her life.”
Mary paused, then said, “She does not know how I truly felt about my husband. She sees only the goodness of a man who married one of his cousins. And she is not wrong, Lizzy. He could have married anyone. He was not required to marry a Bennet daughter. And he did father two beautiful boys."
Chapter 61: Reckoning
Dinner was tranquil, and afterward Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet played a game of chess while the sisters caught up with one another.
The Darcys returned to Netherfield by ten o'clock.
The ladies went directly upstairs to their bedchambers, but Mr. Darcy joined Mr. Bingley in his study.
When they were seated, Darcy said, "Charles, I am afraid I must tell you something that will distress you."
Charles stopped pouring the brandy he had just been praising to the skies and turned to look at his friend.
"What is it, Darcy?"
Darcy held out his glass. Bingley poured the brandy and then served himself. Once both men were seated, Darcy began.
"Yesterday at dinner, regarding the incident with the mouse."
Charles chuckled.
"That was a most awkward business, was it not?”
"Yes, it certainly was."
"Darcy, you need not concern yourself about the damask tablecloth. The housekeeper set to work on it immediately, and the stain has been removed. It looks as good as new. As for Caroline's silk gown, it is completely ruined, but I will not permit you to replace it. That is entirely out of the question."
Darcy took a sip of his drink.
"Charles, the truth is, there was no mouse."
"No mouse? What is this, Darcy? No mouse, you say? What then..."
"You wish to know what caused me to choke? Charles, your sister..." He paused. "The truth is that Caroline... that is to say, the truth is that Caroline made an improper advance."
"She made an improper advance?"
