Almost Persuaded: Miss Mary King by P. O. Dixon Page B

than usual to her face in an attempt to cover her
freckles. Earlier during the week, she had espied a fine young
officer on the street in Meryton. She later learned his name:
Lieutenant George Wickham. He took no notice of her, but she hoped
that would change starting that night.
    Espying him for the first time that evening as he strode
into the room, his countenance confident and his demeanour
commanding, Mary had never seen such a fine combination of charm
and good looks as she attributed to the officer. She convinced
herself there was little concern over his being in the younger
Bennet sisters’ company at the time. Surely they can mean nothing to a man of
his consequence. He is too much of a gentleman to put them in their proper
place. That must be the case, for any officer foolish enough to
give serious consideration to young girls of fifteen and
sixteen—girls too young to be out—is hardly worth my regard. However, seeing him
with Miss Elizabeth, who was closer to her in age, was quite
disconcerting.
    Mary sought
her governess’s company, and the two of them sat in another part of
the room deliberating all they espied. Anne arched her brow. “He
hangs on her every word, and she is no less eager to encourage his
every reply. What do you suppose they are discussing?”
    “Oh! What does it matter? I wager a man like Mr. Wickham
renders even the dullest conversation enjoyable.” How I envy Eliza
Bennet. “I
suppose there is little likelihood of her willingly forfeiting her
time with him before dinner.”
    “Do not be
disheartened. Surely he will not speak with her all evening. If he
sits with her much longer, his behaviour will give rise to rumours
and speculation. Certainly Miss Elizabeth is too sensible to
encourage such a prospect.”
    “I pray you are correct.” With my having gone to such lengths in
anticipation of making the dashing lieutenant’s acquaintance, I
should hate to think my efforts were for naught. When Mary managed
to direct her eyes away from the gentleman, she discerned young
Lydia Bennet—making a spectacle of herself at the card table. None
of the other young ladies in the room exhibited such indecorous
behaviour. I
find it puzzling that no one in her family attempts to reign in her
unguarded manners. What will it take to tame that wild
child?
    Finally, supper put an end to cards as well as Mr.
Wickham’s ardent attention to Miss Elizabeth. Miss Heston
nodded. “There, you see. The gentleman has leisure to enjoy some of
the other young ladies’ company. Smile. It may well be
you.”
    The gentleman cast a glance in her direction. Nervous heat
spread through her body. Finally, this is my chance. She donned her warmest smile.
“Anne, I believe he is headed this way. I know it is your duty to
remain by my side, but I would enjoy nothing more than time alone
with him.”
    He was but three feet away when out of nowhere the two
youngest Bennet daughters seized hold of his arms and coaxed him in
the opposite direction. Mary’s heart sank in her chest. Will I ever have my
share of the handsome gentleman’s attentions?
    ~*~
    Realising her best chance of garnering Mr. Wickham’s
undivided attention was outside the presence of so many eager
single young women, Mary recruited her reluctant father’s aid in
her quest. “Papa, if you do not invite any of the eligible
gentlemen to dine with us here at Kingston, then what chance do I
have of making the acquaintance of any of them?”
    “Mary, my
child, I did as you requested in calling upon the admirable Mr.
Bingley at Netherfield. What manner of benefit derived from my
sacrifice? By my reckoning, you have yet to call on his sisters in
return as you said you would do.”
    “Do not think
I am unappreciative of your benevolence, but I am afraid your
efforts were in vain. Having met the Bingley sisters at the
assembly, I believe they are two of the last people I wish to know
better, even if they are our neighbours. They are nothing at all
like