Page 232 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

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“I have already told you whom I intend to marry.”

Alexander stood before the fireplace at Lucas Lodge, facing his mother.

Lady Lucas sat rigidly upon the sofa. “And I have told you that you are behaving like a fool. Mary King has ten thousand pounds. Ten thousand, Alexander. Mary Bennet has almost nothing. You have known Mary King all your life. She is a pleasant girl from a respectable family, and her fortune would be a considerable addition to your own.”

“I do not love Mary King. I love Mary Bennet, and I intend to marry her.”

Lady Lucas made an impatient motion with her hand. “Love is a very fine thing when one has nothing more important to consider. You are the eldest son. You will have responsibilities to this family.”

“I have responsibilities to the woman I marry as well, and I will not marry one woman while wishing she were another.”

“You have allowed yourself to become infatuated with Mary Bennet because she has a lovely face and figure, but youth and beauty are fleeting. We all grow older, Alexander. When her beauty is gone, what will you have then?”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I will have the woman I love and, God willing, our children.”

Charlotte rose from her chair. “Leave him be, Mamma. He is happy in his choice, and Mary is a good, kindhearted woman.”

Lady Lucas looked sharply at her. “This does not concern you, Charlotte.”

“It concerns all of us if Alexander is to be made miserable for the sake of Mary King's money. If Papa were to die tomorrow and Alexander took his place with Mary beside him, you would be grateful that he had chosen such a woman. She is sensible, she works hard, and she cares for people who can do nothing for her in return. He might have fallen in love with a tart, and then where would you be?”

“Charlotte!”

Charlotte kept her eyes upon their mother. “You are speaking of ten thousand pounds as though Alexander were destitute without it.”

Lady Lucas looked back at her son. “You have your future to consider. Your father and I can still determine what assistance is given to you while he lives.”

“My future is secure. Grandfather saw to that, and I require nothing from you or Papa.”

Near the wall, Maria stood with her hands clasped tightly, and tears ran silently down her cheeks.

“And what of Michael?” Lady Lucas demanded. “Do you expect your father and me to diminish what we might do for your younger brother because you refuse an advantageous marriage?”

“Give Michael whatever you please. Better yet, have Michael marry Miss King. She is nearer his age.”

“You may regret saying that.”

Alexander stepped toward his mother. “Go ahead, Mother. Give Michael every pound you intended for me and every advantage that is yours to give. I will not sell my choice of wife for any of it.”

He crossed the room and stopped beside Maria. Her face crumpled as he bent and kissed her forehead.

“Do not cry, little one. All will be well.”

Maria caught his hand and held it for a moment before releasing him.

Alexander went to Charlotte. She kissed his cheek and rested her hand briefly against his.

“Go to Mary.”

He squeezed her hand and left the room.

* * *

Alexander arrived at Longbourn and asked to see Mary.

She found him waiting in the drawing room. He crossed to her immediately and took both her hands.