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Mary was pleased to see the smile that graced Elizabeth’s face when she returned from her drive with Mr. Darcy. Apparently, her sister had finally forgiven him, and she was much happier for having done so.

Mary suspected that it would be very easy for Elizabeth to fall in love with him, though it would depend strongly on how adamant and consistent Mr. Darcy was in his courtship. That was something Mary could not predict, but she looked forward to seeing how it all played out.

Mary couldn’t devote too much time to her sister’s romance, however, for she had much to do and much to prepare for her own wedding.

Since Mr. Worsley was once again in Meryton, he took up at least a couple of hours of her time every day.

Not that she ever regretted the time spent.

In fact, she wished she could give him more of her time, but that would have to wait until after the wedding.

The time she spent with her betrothed was sometimes taken up with matters of business and money, but there was plenty of time to just chat. Despite their resolve to keep themselves chaperoned, there were plenty of stolen kisses and caresses as well.

One morning, a week after Mr. Worsley had returned to Meryton, he and Mary were sitting in the parlor while Elizabeth was out for a drive with Mr. Darcy. Mary had asked a maid to stay in the room with them, but she was not within easy hearing range.

“I was thinking about what we will do with Braydon Hall after we get married,” he said.

“I thought we were planning to manage it from a distance, possibly lease out the house itself to keep it from falling into disrepair,” said Mary. “You said it would make a fine inheritance for a second son.”

“I did say that,” he said, “and I believe it, but as I’ve been thinking about it, I thought that might be unfair to you.

You have taken care of this home and these people for over two years, and I believe you should have the sole right to decide what happens here and who it goes to when you and I are gone. ”

“Why are we discussing this now?” asked Mary.

“It is already written in the marriage contract, which has already been filed with the courts, that Braydon Hall will go to our second son, just as your property in Eastbourne will go to our eldest until it is time for him to inherit your family’s title.

My investments will be used to furnish dowries for any daughters.

If we make changes now, we will have to completely rewrite the contract and re-file it. ”

“I just don’t think we explored our options thoroughly enough,” he said.

“For example, you could sell it and use the proceeds and your investments to more equitably provide for our children. After all, it is entirely possible we could have five boys, just as your parents had five girls. We just don’t know what will happen. ”

“It is also possible that we will not have any children at all,” said Mary quietly, voicing her own fears for the first time. “I was married to Mr. Allen for over a year, and I never fell pregnant.”

Saying her fear out loud seemed to give it power, and Mary felt tears spring to her eyes.

Mr. Allen had told her not to worry that she hadn’t produced an heir, since she would be his heir, but Gregory’s situation was entirely different.

No one but the son of his lawful wife could inherit his title, and if she did not produce that son, she had no idea what would happen to Glyndebourne.

Gregory gathered her into his arms to comfort her, despite the presence of the maid.

“Mary,” he said, “I will not trifle with your intelligence by saying that it does not matter whether you produce children or not. It does matter, and we both know it. However, none of us can predict what life will bring, nor can we tell why you didn’t have children with Mr. Allen.

There are many ladies who go a few years before falling pregnant, and there are others who become so right away.

“What we can do is promise each other that we will support each other no matter what happens. Together, with God, we can always find a way forward. That is what marriage is always about.”

Being in Gregory’s arms was quickly becoming Mary’s favorite place to be. With his strength surrounding her and his scent filling her lungs, she felt truly at home, safe, at peace.

He was correct. They could not predict the future. Thinking that gave Mary an idea.

She pulled herself out of his arms and said, “Since we cannot know what will happen, what if we left Braydon Hall unassigned in the marriage contract. Then we can decide together what should be done once we have more information about what needs to be done, once we know how many children we have and what their needs will be.”

“You are brilliant,” Gregory said. “It sounds like a perfect plan. I’m surprised I didn’t think of it myself.” He grinned to show he was teasing. “I assume that means you do not wish to sell Braydon Hall.”

“No,” she said. “I would be happy to lease out the house, but I would like to retain control of the estate. I will have to travel here occasionally to check on things, but I don’t need this entire house just to visit for a few weeks a year.

I can stay with my parents or just rent a house in Meryton like you are doing now. ”

“We,” he said. “Not just you, but we both will need to visit Braydon Hall occasionally. I do not like the idea of being separated from you even for just a couple of weeks. Where you go, I will go. I hope the reverse also holds true.”

“Of course,” said Mary. “I will always be happy to travel with you wherever you need to go. Though I hope we are not a particularly flighty couple. I do like to have roots and a steady home.”

“As do I,” said Gregory. His voice had deepened in that way he had when he was feeling particularly amorous. “It is one of hundreds of reasons why we make such an excellent couple.”

Mary squeezed his hand, but the presence of the maid made her uncomfortable expressing her feelings in any more personal way.

“I love you, Gregory,” she whispered.

“I love you, Mary,” he said softly, and he kissed her cheek.

A few more weeks passed by in a whirlwind of activity.

Elizabeth received a visit from Mr. Darcy almost daily, and it became quite clear to Mary that Elizabeth’s heart belonged to Mr. Darcy should he choose to claim it.

In fact, Mary was beginning to worry that, if he decided against marrying Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy could hurt her very badly.

Mr. Bingley had clearly taken note of Mr. Darcy’s more purposeful courtship, and he began visiting Jane at Longbourn to specifically call on her.

He took her for walks and rides when he could, but Mrs. Bennet did not give Jane quite as much freedom as Mary gave to Elizabeth.

Nevertheless, Mr. Bingley’s attentions were obvious enough that the entire neighborhood expected him to propose very soon.

Mr. Bingley, with encouragement from Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, had decided to throw a ball toward the end of November as a way of thanking his neighbors for welcoming him so readily.

The week before the ball, there was little conversation about anything else, except between Mary and Gregory.

Neither of them cared very much about it one way or the other.

They were much more focused on their wedding, which was to be held a week later.

Mary was looking forward to being able to dance with Gregory, but it was not something she was overly excited about.

After all, they would have a lifetime together beginning just a week after the ball.

What Mary was interested in was Elizabeth’s excitement as she added a new ribbon to her dress and purchased fresh flowers for her hair.

Elizabeth had never looked forward to a ball so much in her life, and the reason for it was simple. She was head over ears in love with Mr. Darcy.

The truth was startling and shocking to admit, especially after such a rocky start, but it was nonetheless true.

After only a few times in his sole company, Elizabeth realized that his natural seriousness made him a relaxing presence.

She didn’t have to be perfectly witty Elizabeth, though he enjoyed her jokes.

She could be herself, silent if she wished to be or talkative if she had something to say.

His steadiness of character quickly became apparent, and Elizabeth found herself growing in her trust in his judgment.

She didn’t always believe everything he said implicitly, but the few times she had asked what he thought on a particular topic, his insight had given her a perspective she would not have thought of on her own, showing her that he thought deeply on many subjects.

Her admiration of his intelligence, steadiness, and handsome features were all part of what she loved about him, but Elizabeth had to admit that the fact that he so clearly adored her added weight to her feelings.

He would often drop compliments into their conversation as if they were facts, giving her no choice but to believe he meant them.

He also deliberately took every possible opportunity to hold her hand.

Occasionally, Elizabeth had caught the gentleman simply looking at her with the slightest of smiles on his face, his mind clearly contemplating something pleasant about her.

With all this, it would be miraculous if Elizabeth didn’t love him.

Two days before the ball, Mr. Darcy braved the rainy weather just to sit and talk with her for a half hour in Mary’s front parlor.

While he was there, he asked Elizabeth for both the first dance and the supper dance at the Netherfield ball.

Of course, she readily agreed, but she was beginning to hope that he would soon ask a much more important question.