The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet by Katherine Cowley (the reading list book txt) 📗

the—” She could not make out the next portion, but a little later another phrase was clear enough to decipher: “I have confirmed that he has been shipping things illegally to and from France.”

Footsteps approached, so she closed the edge of the letter and opened her new book.

“Do you need any refreshment, Miss Bennet?” asked the shopkeeper.

“No. I am quite all right.”

That had been too close. She could not risk someone noticing her examining Lady Trafford’s mail and then reporting it to her.

As she continued to spy on Lady Trafford and Mr. Withrow, she would need to find concrete evidence, either of their involvement in Mr. Holloway’s demise, or, if they were in no way responsible, of whatever nefarious activities they were involved in, for the things she had observed pointed to at least some underhanded behaviour. Lady Trafford’s benevolence to Mary was a less important factor than her potential crimes. It was Mary’s duty as an Englishwoman to expose Lady Trafford and Mr. Withrow before returning home.

Which meant she truly needed more evidence.

Finding this evidence would require more actions like she had taken last night and today—not things that were wrong, per se, especially as they were morally justified. However, they were things that could put her in an awkward situation should she be discovered by Lady Trafford.

She thought of the words of her father, whenever she struggled to get along with her sisters. “Sometimes, my dear, if you want something, you must allow others to believe they have gotten their way, and that you are doing as they wish.” Then he would pause dramatically and say, “It is the only way I have survived your mother all these years.”

Mary needed to make Lady Trafford believe that she was doing as Lady Trafford desired, so she would not notice Mary’s other actions, or at least be more likely to dismiss or forgive them if she did notice them. She needed to ingratiate herself more with Lady Trafford to guarantee that she would not be sent home before she discovered the truth.

By the time Lady Trafford returned to the shop with the carriage, Mary had decided on a plan. First, she removed the letters from her pocket—except the ones from Kitty and Mrs. Bennet—and gave them to Lady Trafford.

“I took the liberty of collecting your letters.”

“That is what the postmaster told Mr. Tubbs,” said Lady Trafford. “How very thoughtful of you. Did you receive any letters yourself?”

“Yes, I received one from my sister, Kitty.” She did not precisely know why, but she did not want to mention that she had received a letter from her mother. Perhaps it was that her mother mentioned very specifically that Mary needed to demand more from Lady Trafford, but the letter made her feel uncomfortable.

“I have something that I have been considering for the past several weeks,” said Mary.

“Yes?”

“When we first met, you said you could train me to be a governess. As I have spent time here, I have realized how much I value independence. I do not want to spend my entire life dependent on the whims of my aunts and uncles, my sisters and their husbands. I would like to make my own way. Would it be possible for you to have me trained in other things beyond French and drawing? I am not completely committed to becoming a governess, but I would like that to be a possibility for my future.” All of this was true; she did value independence and would like additional lessons and training.

Lady Trafford smiled. “It is wise to prepare for the future and embrace multiple possibilities.”

“So you will help me? I am not…asking too much of you?”

“Not at all. I will plan your course of study myself.” She seemed quite pleased.

When they returned to the castle, Lady Trafford led Mary to the library. Mr. Withrow was at work at his desk. He greeted his aunt warmly and gave Mary a “Good afternoon, Miss Bennet” and a polite but lukewarm smile.

Lady Trafford wandered through the library, pulling down a number of books. She handed them to Mary. “To read, for your studies.”

Mary read the titles as she carried the books up the stairs. The top one was a book titled The Complete Book of Manners for Young Ladies, but there were also books on history, mathematics, and geography. Mary realized she had not asked Lady Trafford about the order in which the books should be read, or if there was anything she should focus on while reading them. She went back down the staircase to ask, but she paused directly outside of the library. Lady Trafford and Mr. Withrow were having a conversation, and the door had not been closed all the way.

“I know that you would have preferred to train her younger sister,” came the voice of Lady Trafford. “But while you think Miss Catherine Bennet would have been more suited as a…governess, I do not believe that would be the case.”

Mr. Withrow uttered some sort of dissent.

“You may not find Miss Bennet attractive or agreeable, but she may still be useful for our purposes, and you will train her, Henry.”

Mary put her hand against the wall to steady herself. She noted the pause Lady Trafford had taken before the word governess; clearly, they had something else in mind for her, some sinister purpose that required grand manipulations to get her to come here, to Castle Durrington. What did they want with her?

Yet she could not focus entirely on their plan, instead being struck by Lady Trafford’s admission, that Withrow—and probably others—did not find Mary attractive or agreeable. She had never cared much about attractiveness, though she did like to think she was agreeable and pleasant company. She did not care about Withrow’s good opinion, yet still the fact of not having it slid down her throat like a bitter drink, settling in her stomach. Perhaps that was why they had chosen her instead of her younger sister; if Mary was not attractive or agreeable,