Read Online Almost Persuaded: Miss Mary King by P. O. Dixon - Free Book Online Page A

never be my own. I shall
be a devoted wife and mother.
    “How does one help fretting over one’s own dire prospects
when Jane Bennet, reputedly the greatest beauty in Hertfordshire, at almost
three and twenty, is nearly knocking on spinster’s door? With
everything in her favour, if she is unable to secure a husband,
what are my chances?”
    Mary recalled Lydia Bennet’s carelessly spoken words when
she skipped past her with a cup filled with bright-red punch,
spilling a good measure on Mary’s finest slippers. Rather than
apologise, Lydia had responded to her older sister Elizabeth’s
hushed admonishment with blatant disregard. “W ho cares three straws about her? Who
could about such a nasty little freckled thing?”
    The silly girl had no idea her voice resonated. She is vain and
completely in awe of herself, and she has little regard for the
feelings of others. Still, Mary could not help being wounded by the hurtful
sentiments. She touched her face. Yes, I have freckles, as I always will—a
family trait. They are nowhere near as bad as they have
been.
    Miss Anne
Heston, a genteel woman with a kind and generous disposition,
arched her brow. “I will give you leave to be less than charitable
towards Mrs. Bennet, but I will not countenance your disparaging
yourself, young lady. You are every bit as lovely as Miss Bennet
and every bit as charming as Miss Elizabeth. As for Miss Mary, your
talents outshine hers. With regard to the two youngest, Miss Kitty
and Miss Lydia—well, the least said, the better.”
    Mary dared not argue Anne’s point. The younger sisters were
as different from the older sisters as night and day—not to mention
their being out before the eldest were married. If my father were half as
indifferent as Mr. Bennet, I might have been out years ago. Mr. Bernard King
was fiercely protective, a fact Mary attributed to her being his
only child and the only living reminder of her late mother, whom
Mary was sure he loved deeply in spite of his tacit admonishment
against the mentioning of her name in his presence. Why else has he
elected not to remarry? What other reason might explain the
prominent display of her likeness in the library?
    Anne collected
her sewing and began arranging her basket. “I wager your chances of
garnering Mr. Bingley’s attentions are as good as anyone else’s.
You shall see.”
    Mary shrugged.
“Perhaps you are correct. I shall take heart in knowing not all of
the gentlemen in attendance at the assembly were enraptured by the
Bennet sisters. Not that it bodes well for the rest of us, mind
you.” She leaned forward. “Do you know what Mr. Bingley’s haughty
friend, Mr. Darcy, said about poor Miss Elizabeth?”
    “Pray, do not
keep me in suspense.”
    “He proclaimed
her only tolerable. I venture she is not accustomed to such a
wound. There is little chance of Mrs. Bennet pushing one of her
daughters on him.”
    ~*~
    Just when the town was beginning to settle down from the
addition of the Netherfield Party, news of the pending arrival of
the regiment stole everyone’s attention. What excitement for all
the single young ladies who admired gentlemen in red coats. Even
more exciting for Mary was the prospect of making the acquaintance
of a particular officer that evening during a dinner party at the
home of the Meryton attorney and his wife, Mr. and Mrs.
Phillips.
    Mrs. Phillips
would be the one to host such a gathering, for she availed herself
of every excuse to entertain guests in her home. She and Mrs.
Bennet were sisters; thus, Mary could not amuse herself that the
Bennet daughters would not be in attendance. For the first time,
Mary believed her plain muslin gowns of browns and greens no longer
suited. Still, they were the finest she owned. Her father was
frugal. He valued utility over finery. With Anne’s help and a few
well-placed ribbons, Mary prepared for the evening’s dinner party
with utmost care, paying attention to her hair and applying a bit
more powder