A Match for Mary Bennet by Eucharista Ward

come out socially.” She wondered much at the difference between Derbyshire and Hertfordshire. Meryton’s balls welcomed all who wished to attend. “But I suppose they can anticipate attending the ball when they will be of age.”
    â€œYes, they do, but so often young men who will not inherit must move to town to find some employment. Many of the girls may still be near enough to enjoy it, and some country boys find work on the farms. Still, I remember my own awkward years between childhood and coming out, and I am afraid I wasted too much time envying others.”
    â€œAre there groups of carollers they might join?” Mary thought of Meryton assemblies when she played and young folks sang noels.
    Mrs. Wynters thought about that. “Not such as you find in town. But I have a small group of girls who sing in church. Perhaps I will check with Mr. Wynters to see if a waggon could be got to take them around the village and to farmhouses. It is a lovely thought, Miss Bennet.”
    Elizabeth rose, and the women departed to the parlour for coffee. Mary touched Georgiana’s hand. “Miss Darcy, would you join a group of carollers if you were free? Or is that something fine ladies do not do?”
    Georgiana thought awhile and then giggled. “I believe the answer is yes—to both! Fine ladies probably do not do it, but I would.”
    â€œThen let us try.” She found Mrs. Wynters talking to Elizabeth near the silver urn from which Elizabeth filled coffee bowls. Mary spoke to her confidentially. “If you make up that group of carollers, Miss Darcy and I would like to join them. And perhaps Kitty might come also.” She hoped to ask Kitty about it whenever Kitty finished telling Mrs. Bennet all about her dinner conversation with Mr. Oliver.
    Mrs. Wynters squeezed Mary’s hand. “Bless you, Miss Bennet. We shall be honoured to have you.” The gentlemen joined them in the parlour, and Mrs. Wynters signaled her husband to join her in a corner where she could propose to him their projected excursion. Mary managed to apprise Kitty of the plan, and seeing Oliver alone, Kitty ran to tell him of it—rather loudly Mary thought, scowling.
    Mr. Oliver commented that such involvement of the young people in festivities of the holy season impressed him favourably. “Reverend Wynters tells me that the young men of the parish work each year on a stable scene in the church yard. It seems they add figures to it each year, though he says he wishes they would improve the principal figures instead of adding figures of townspeople like the French do. And when the scene is up for viewing, they like to celebrate with wassail.” Kitty laughed at that. “But still, they have their part, so I’m glad the girls will have theirs.” Mary noticed that Kitty’s exuberance made Mr. Oliver raise his voice too. She wished for more decorum in the handsome parlour. She had no desire to hear the man’s pulpit voice.
    Her father approached her and asked, “What is the matter, Mary? Are we growing too boisterous for your refined taste?”
    Mary realized that she must have been frowning, and she shook her head. “Oh Papa, Kitty seems to want to shout out all our plans before they are even settled. She thinks her precious Mr. Oliver should be interested in all she does.”
    â€œWell, Mary, Kitty could do worse.” Bennet took his daughter’s arm and steered her to a chair. “Darcy speaks well of the young man. I never pictured Kitty marrying a clergyman, but if she does, it won’t bother you or me. Let the church elders and the pious dowagers of the parish worry about it. They might be loath to accept a flibbertigibbet for their parson’s wife!”
    On Saturday Mary, provided with Elizabeth’s simple directions, set out early to walk to Kympton, there being no servant available at so busy a time to take her by carriage. She knew she had the