More news!

Two posts in one day - it’s that kind of day!

Mary called tonight! That alone is surprising and worthy of a blog post - Mary never calls me. She had news she had to share, and I’m glad she did because it is very surprising!

Lousia returned to the lodge and Mary went up to visit and discovered that Ben Wick, who was staying with the Harvilles, is with her. They struck up a romance while she was recovering in Lyme and are quite in love!  Those are Mary's words, so take them with a grain of salt, but for all her potential exaggeration, it's clear Ben and Louisa are dating.

Ben was apparently nervous about visiting, but the Musgroves have welcomed him warmly, of course. The fact that having Ben nearby makes Louisa content and happy guarantees him a warm reception from the Musgroves. Their priority is the happiness of their kids.

Mary said she asked Sara Harville how her husband is feeling about this new affection on Ben’s part, and apparently Harvey was more surprised than anyone - thinking that Ben was still very distraught over his sister’s (Ben’s fiancé's) death. But everyone loves Louisa and no one can blame Ben for seizing happiness and light when the opportunity arose.

I quote Mary:
"Charles wonders what Wentworth will say, but I never thought he was interested in Louisa, I never saw anything special in his behaviour to her. Didn't I tell you as much when you were here? I don't know why everyone is so surprised when I've been correcting them for weeks. And this will be an end to the theory that Ben is an admirer of yours, Anne - how could Charles think that? Really."

(Mary seems to have forgotten that she was the one that advanced the Ben-Anne theory, with no help from anyone.)

So that is astonishing, unexpected news!

Louisa and Ben are possibly the last two people I would have predicted to start up a relationship - she is so bubbly and light and he is somber and thoughtful. How strange! I suppose, when one is recovering from a serious accident, it puts you in a different frame of mind; maybe it changes you. It certainly threw Louisa and Ben together for several weeks - provided opportunity for something to happen, I guess.

I’m very happy for them both - being able to find happiness is always good. While everyone else seemed to think Ben would continue on forever in love with his late fiancé, I didn't get that from him. He was still very sad over the loss, but he seemed like a warm, caring guy, someone who would find love again. I only hope Wentworth doesn't feel betrayed. I hope he went away from Lyme because he realized his feelings for Louisa were not that strong. Ben and Wentworth are such close friends; I would hate to see that lost.

I learned this very interesting news and then had dinner with Dad and Beth where I suffered through their complete lack of interest in it all. I wished I was at the Lodge or with someone who cared - the news was so big, so surprising, and here I was with people who thought it merely a piece of country gossip! At least I can share it with you all who will understand!

In conclusion.  !!!