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Mary spent some minutes considering why this observation surprised her, and came to the unsettling conclusion that, although she certainly loved Lizzy as a sister, the emotion was laced with jealousy and a desire to find fault.

For the first time in her life, she began to reflect on the impact that the tensions swirling around Longbourn had had on the interactions among its daughters.

Mary’s introspection continued after their departure from Lady Trowbridge’s home and aroused her sister’s curiosity, though Elizabeth guessed wrongly at its cause. “Mr. Dodd appeared to be an interesting gentleman. What did the two of you talk about for so long?”

For an instant, Mary merely stared at her in confusion, for she had quite forgotten the beginning of the afternoon. “I beg your pardon, Lizzy—I fear that I was preoccupied.”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows inquisitively. “Mr. Dodd?”

Mary smiled but did not blush. “Oh yes, Mr. Dodd was quite agreeable. He has some very interesting plans for setting up a school near his estate.”

“At the risk of sounding like our mother, he would be an excellent match for you, Mary.”

This time Miss Bennet did not hesitate in rolling her eyes. Lizzy laughed, “Oh, very well—that was entirely too much like Mama. I only meant… I wish… I want to be sure that you do not think such a gentleman is…”

“Too good for me?” offered Mary softly.

Elizabeth pursed her lips for a moment before responding; “You are a thoughtful, intelligent, and attractive young lady, Mary. I only want to be sure that you know your options… if you truly love Mr. Tucker and desire to go with him to Africa, I will do everything I can to help you... but if it is only a way to escape Longbourn, then I hope you will tell me so that we may find some other way that is not so dangerous.”

They rode in silence for a time, Lizzy worrying that she had been too direct and Mary trying to find the words to respond. Finally the younger lady said softly, “I do care for Mr. Tucker… very much… and my feelings for the man… are quite intertwined with his goals in life.”

The conversation paused when the carriage pulled up before the Gardiners’ house, but Elizabeth wished to hear more and suggested that they take a turn in the park across the street.

After several minutes, Mary spoke; “I know you have thought me odd, always reading religious tracts and quoting proverbs, but I truly do desire to make a difference in the world. In my heart, I believe that I’ve been called to bring the word of God to those poor, ignorant savages.

I admit that part of my attraction for the mission is to leave behind all that my life has been and go somewhere that no one knows me.

.. somewhere that I may reinvent myself.

It is… difficult to do so at Longbourn.”

Elizabeth linked her arm through that of her sister. “I can understand that very easily, as I have felt the same on many occasion. I love our parents, but it is very difficult to escape from the pigeonholes that our family has assigned to each of us.”

Mary stopped dead in her tracks and stared at her sister with surprise; “I had no idea that you felt that way as well!”

“Oh, yes, and we are not alone.” Lizzy summarized the similar conversations she had had with Lydia and even Jane.

“Perhaps it is a part of growing up—we feel the need to break free of the mold which formed us as children. It’s odd that our society expects and even encourages such rebellion from young gentlemen, but the opportunities are few and far between for ladies.

We cannot go away to university or spend a few years touring the continent. ”

“So you understand me, then?”

“Oh stars, yes,” Elizabeth smiled at her sister. “Though I wish you did not want to go quite so far away from us, I understand very well.”

“Then you will help me? To convince Mama and Papa? And prepare for the trip?” asked Mary eagerly.

Lizzy smiled, glad to see her usually sedate sister so animated. “Of course, Mary. I will always support you in what you desire; I only wanted to be certain that you understand what you are attempting.”

“Thank you, Lizzy.”

“Yes, well… if you survived the fearsome Mr. Modestino, what are a few lions and tigers?”

Mary attempted an innocent tone; “Oh no, Elizabeth, I’m leaving you to face the cats of Society. I believe my path will be much safer.”

Both sisters were smiling when they returned to Gracechurch Street.

Later, when she was alone with her husband, Lizzy admitted to feeling as if she knew very little about her middle sister.

“Growing up, we all attended services on Sunday, of course. Certainly Mary was more serious about it than the rest of us, I suppose, but it never occurred to me that she was so devout as to pledge her life to the church…”

“You make it sound as if she is entering a nunnery,” commented Darcy wryly.

Elizabeth tipped her head so that it rested against his shoulder. “I might prefer that! Can you imagine? My little sister, going to Africa? I don’t know whether to be jealous or wish my father would forbid it!”

Will traced his hand lightly down her arm. After a moment, he asked quietly, “Do you wish you could?”

Distracted by his touch, she responded with only a “Hmmm?”

Mr. Darcy felt his masculine pride stir at her response, but forced himself to focus on his question. “Do you wish to travel? We could, you know. We certainly have the resources.”

Elizabeth took her time responding and as she considered, she traced a finger along his collarbone.

Finally, she looked up so that he could see the warm look in her eyes.

“You would do that for me, wouldn’t you?

Leave behind your sister and your beloved Pemberley and carry my bags all across the world, wherever I wanted to go… just for me.”

His arm tightened around her. “Of course, if that is what you desire.” Will did his best to sound more enthusiastic than he felt.

Lizzy giggled a little and then drew herself up so that she might kiss him.

“You, Fitzwilliam Darcy, are a dear, dear man. Perhaps someday, we might go someplace… but for now, my place… our place is here. And all my curiosities can be met with an occasional trip to the British Museum or the Dulwich Picture Gallery… perhaps the Reading Room as well.”

Will studied her seriously for a long minute until he was reassured by what he saw in her face. Then he kissed her tenderly and laid his head back on his pillow. “Thank God…”

Elizabeth burst into peals of laughter. “And this from the man who once called fifty miles of good road an easy distance ! I believe that the thought of anything beyond the Scottish border puts your stomach into knots!”

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Darcy muttered, “One never knows what sort of food or lodging one is to find when traveling in foreign places.”

“Oh my poor darling, do tell me—have you ever been forced to drink the common cider and sleep on a straw mattress?”

Will decided it was high time to distract his wife from her teasing.

“I simply prefer…” He leaned over her, smoothing her dark curls back from her forehead.

“…to have a proper mattress…” He began trailing kisses down her collarbone.

“…available, in case all my wife’s desires…

” A hand moved to cup her breast. “…cannot be satisfied at the museum…”

That night, Mrs. Darcy found herself to be perfectly satisfied with her place in the world.