[ Mary has never been the best at socializing, though she does try. She has, of course, read a variety of books on the matter but her skills at properly engaging in conversation with a whole party and knowing when to steer topics has always fell a little flat. Because of this, she is glad that the bulk of the work had fallen on her Aunt Gardiner and she could observe her in the hopes of taking something away from the encounter.
And now that the gentlemen are leaving she feels she could do with some quiet time alone in her guest room, perhaps with a book. Sadly her thoughts are interrupted once again by Mr. Hickinbottom, who expresses his deep regrets in being parted from her so soon. His behavior this afternoon has been quite odd, but at no point has he been reprimanded by her aunt or uncle and she's left to wonder if this is common behavior for men in London. He goes on to suggest the two take a carriage ride in Hyde Park on the morrow and Mary's eyes widen slightly at the boldness of the invitation. ]
Excuse me, but I do not believe it would be deemed proper.
[ Her eyes flicker to her aunt, seeking guidance, and her aunt too looks a little rattled by the suddenness of Mr. Hickinbottom's favor for her niece.
"I am the height of proper and your reputation is my chief concern," he replies with condescension. "Hyde Park is a very public place and all would see we are behaving properly." Aunt Gardiner calmly states that to meet in Hyde Park and take a turn is perfectly acceptable if a chaperone is present, but to leave from this house and travel to Hyde Park alone would not be. And so Mr. Hickinbottom switches tactics and tries to draw in Mrs. Gardiner or Kitty to act as chaperone. Mary doesn't know how to properly give the signal to her relations that she has no desire to attend and after a great deal of hemming and hawing she finds herself obliged to go the next day, though she insists Kitty ride with them too. Such is fine with Mr. Hickinbottom. He'll try and find an excuse to leave Kitty behind. Surely an engaged girl will be fine left to herself for ten or twenty minutes.
This arrangement leaves Mary with unsettled feelings and she rises from her seat to force Mr. Hickinbottom to leave by her movements alone. If he insists on lingering she will have to draw him to the door and all but shove him out onto the stoop. Leaving the room and entering the hall, she comes across her cousin and Mr. Cartwright still having a conversation on camels. Robert speaks of his desire to ride one and Mary settles her hands lightly on the boy's shoulders as she stands behind him to address the gentleman. ]
Thank you again for visiting, sir. If I do not see you before your departure, we will meet again at home.
[ The smile she gives him is one of her rare ones, heartfelt and transformative as her eyes nearly sparkle. Her newly discovered feelings will be known to her alone, but they're precious to her and she can't help how she feels. However, as Mr. Hickinbottom moves closer to her the smile shifts into something tight and restrained as she nods to him. ]
My sister and I shall meet you tomorrow, sir.
[ And with that she nods to the footman to open the door before Hickinbottom can think up another reason to delay. ]
no subject
And now that the gentlemen are leaving she feels she could do with some quiet time alone in her guest room, perhaps with a book. Sadly her thoughts are interrupted once again by Mr. Hickinbottom, who expresses his deep regrets in being parted from her so soon. His behavior this afternoon has been quite odd, but at no point has he been reprimanded by her aunt or uncle and she's left to wonder if this is common behavior for men in London. He goes on to suggest the two take a carriage ride in Hyde Park on the morrow and Mary's eyes widen slightly at the boldness of the invitation. ]
Excuse me, but I do not believe it would be deemed proper.
[ Her eyes flicker to her aunt, seeking guidance, and her aunt too looks a little rattled by the suddenness of Mr. Hickinbottom's favor for her niece.
"I am the height of proper and your reputation is my chief concern," he replies with condescension. "Hyde Park is a very public place and all would see we are behaving properly." Aunt Gardiner calmly states that to meet in Hyde Park and take a turn is perfectly acceptable if a chaperone is present, but to leave from this house and travel to Hyde Park alone would not be. And so Mr. Hickinbottom switches tactics and tries to draw in Mrs. Gardiner or Kitty to act as chaperone. Mary doesn't know how to properly give the signal to her relations that she has no desire to attend and after a great deal of hemming and hawing she finds herself obliged to go the next day, though she insists Kitty ride with them too. Such is fine with Mr. Hickinbottom. He'll try and find an excuse to leave Kitty behind. Surely an engaged girl will be fine left to herself for ten or twenty minutes.
This arrangement leaves Mary with unsettled feelings and she rises from her seat to force Mr. Hickinbottom to leave by her movements alone. If he insists on lingering she will have to draw him to the door and all but shove him out onto the stoop. Leaving the room and entering the hall, she comes across her cousin and Mr. Cartwright still having a conversation on camels. Robert speaks of his desire to ride one and Mary settles her hands lightly on the boy's shoulders as she stands behind him to address the gentleman. ]
Thank you again for visiting, sir. If I do not see you before your departure, we will meet again at home.
[ The smile she gives him is one of her rare ones, heartfelt and transformative as her eyes nearly sparkle. Her newly discovered feelings will be known to her alone, but they're precious to her and she can't help how she feels. However, as Mr. Hickinbottom moves closer to her the smile shifts into something tight and restrained as she nods to him. ]
My sister and I shall meet you tomorrow, sir.
[ And with that she nods to the footman to open the door before Hickinbottom can think up another reason to delay. ]