Almost Persuaded: Miss Mary King Read Online Free Page B

there, bestowing his handsome smiles upon her, when he
might have the privilege of spending time in company with any woman
of his choosing, brought a smile to her face.
    “Your smile is very becoming, Miss King. Though, I am
certain you do not need me to tell you that. You cannot be at a
loss for admirers.” He brushed his finger across the tiny specks on
her cheek, unleashing a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. Long
considered the bane of her existence, she now had cause to
reconsider. I shall never powder my freckles again.
    Mary and Mr.
Wickham meandered a bit farther—the former being more and more
flattered and the latter being eager to accommodate. She was sorely
disappointed when she espied Anne sitting on a bench just ahead,
reading a book as if it were not a chilly morning and as though she
had not a care in the world. As soon as Anne looked up, she closed
her book and stood and walked towards them.
    “Miss King—I
pray you do not mind my waiting for you. Your father asked about
you, and I told him I would collect you from your morning walk—thus
saving him the trouble.” Her posture rigid, Anne glowered at the
lieutenant. “Good Morning, Mr. Wickham.”
    He bowed. Anne
forced a smile. “I do not suppose you will be returning to the
house with us. It is early still, and the family is not yet
receiving callers. You might come around at a respectable hour. I
am sure Miss King would welcome you, as would Mr. King.”
    “I should be
on my way.” Wickham took Mary’s hand and bowed before it. “I shall
call later this afternoon, Miss King.” How disappointed she was
when he released her hand without bestowing a kiss. The touch of
his lips on her skin surely would have carried her through the long
hours until their next meeting.
    “I shall look
forward to seeing you, sir.”
    Wickham
glanced at her companion and nodded. “Miss Heston.”
    As soon as he
was gone, Mary folded her arms over her chest. “Could you have been
any ruder to the gentleman, Anne? One would think you do not wish
for him to court me.”
    Anne huffed.
“Mary, I know you admire the gentleman—but courtship? What is the
point in even entertaining such notions when you know your father
has other plans for your future?”
    “If you are
speaking of his sudden desire for an alliance with my cousin, you
should not concern yourself. I am not at all reconciled to the
possibility. I have admired Mr. Wickham from the instant I first
laid eyes on him. I cannot say the same of my cousin.”
    “You have not
seen your cousin in years. He may be every bit as handsome as your
Mr. Wickham. In addition, he is very rich, and Mr. Wickham is
not.”
    “No, Mr. Wickham is not rich, but that does not mean he is
not suitable as a husband. I have spent all my life not being rich.
I have no reason to believe it is of such great importance now. Mr.
Wickham speaks of leaving the militia, of studying the law, of
practicing in a small town such as Meryton, of marrying and raising
a family. Every word he utters rings chords of delight in my heart.
His dreams are in perfect harmony with my dreams. What is more, he
professed he has always noticed me. He was afraid I would never give
consequence to someone like him.”
    She wrapped
her hands about her shoulders and spun around. “Oh, Anne! Can you
not appreciate what this means? The gentleman and I are perfect for
each other!”
    Nothing would
puncture her enthusiasm. Not even the pinched expression that
graced her companion’s countenance.

Part 3 – Almost
Persuaded
    Mary had enjoyed another perfectly agreeable morning with
Mr. Wickham. As usual, she found herself pleading his case to Anne
on the heels of his leave-taking. Mary paced the floor whilst Anne
sat calmly on the faded sofa. “You are far too apt to find fault in
Mr. Wickham and for no other reason than he is exceedingly
handsome. I contend handsome young men are every bit as honourable
as the plain.”
    “ No—it is more than that as you well