Page 213 of Pride and Prejudice Resolutions

Accomplishments Achieved in London:

Mastered the Narrow-Eyed Stare.(Effective on fishmongers, haberdashers, and one unfortunate curate who attempted to explain theBook of Jobto me. He retreated during the plague of boils.)

Played Music That Made Georgiana Weep.(Intentionally. And she thanked me for it.)

Survived Twelve Balls Without Quoting Fordyce.(An unhuman feat of restraint, given the behaviour of some of the gentlemen present.)

Received Flowers from a Gentleman.(Unexplained. Possibly a clerical error. Or a prank.)

She studied the fourth entry. It still made no sense. It defied the laws of the universe.

Men did not send flowers to Mary Bennet. Men sent flowers to Janes and Elizabeths and Lydias—women who sparkled and flirted and made the world seem a place worth living. Mary did not sparkle. She informed. She corrected. She cited sources.

These were different skills, and none of them attracted floral tributes. They attracted silence and a sudden need to check the weather.

And yet.

Thank you for the depth.

What depth?

She had insulted a Countess, explained the economics of trade routes, and compared portraiture to digestive complaints. These were not actions which inspired romantic gestures. These were actions which inspired polite concern for her sanity. She had not been charming. She had been accurate.

Unless.

Mary looked at the flowers. A horrible thought occurred to her.

Unless he likes it.

Noooooooo.Mary shuddered.That is impossible. No one likes accuracy that much. He is simply confused. He has mistaken my rudeness for charm. It is the only logical explanation.

The carriage jolted over a rut in the road, launching the yellow blooms briefly into the air. Mary caught the bouquet with one hand, steadying the aggressive optimism before it left its petals on the squabs.

"Hertfordshire approaches, Miss." Hobbs did not look up from her knitting, her needles clicking ominously. "We should arrive within the hour."

Home.

Mary closed her notebook and tucked it into her reticule, beside the card.

A headache began forming behind her eyes. She sighed dramatically but quietly, not wanting to attract the maid's attention.

She braced herself.