He still couldn’t believe his luck: admiral welcomed him as a part of the expedition, which could finally open his way to Royal Geographical Society. Not to mention admiral’s daughter found him exceptionally charming (and, frankly speaking, not only that). Mark smiled and returned to shelf, hoping to find something helpful.
And then, lit up with confidence, admiral’s daughter (Barbara) walked into the room.
“I think I’m pregnant” that was the first thing she said.
Mark almost dropped Carry’s Universal Atlas.
“You think?” he chuckled nervously.
“I know!”
His face went white as if he was ready to faint.
“I thought you’ll be happier”.
“Have you told anyone?” he asked quietly, trying to feel his pulse.
“No, but I’m going to”.
“No!” he cried but then immediately cupped his mouth. “No, please, no,” he whispered.
Confused and terrified, he was walking from one shelf to another as if it would give him some kind of instruction.
“Why not?”
“Don’t you understand? Don’t you see?”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“It happens, you know.”
“I’m dead, Barbara! Your father will kill me! Both of us!”
He stooped in the middle of the room and slowly went down on the floor. The expedition, the society were so close and yet so far.
“You’re really overdramatize it,” she looked down at him. “But, regardless, are you going to confront him, lying on the floor?”
“Lying, lying…” he mumbled. “Tell me, Barbara, could you lie to him?”
“What do you mean?!”
“Tell him that the father is someone else. And then when I’ll go to him, asking for your hand, he’ll agree out of despair.”
“That way we may as well be upfront!”
“No, listen- “
“There is no better way around it! You either accept it or not!”
“Barbara, I didn’t mean- “
“Enough!”
“No, Barbara, wait!” he cried but she already slammed the door. Mark hugged his knees, trying to figure things out.
***
Later that day Barbara pour out her heart and soul to her dearest sister Joss. She described her hopes, expectations and unenviable frustration in great detail and with genuine expressiveness. Joss listened closely, stroking her chin.
“What a tool! He would rather have me cover him up then facing the consequences himself. I would never lie to father!”
“And yet,” Joss looked her in the eyes- “you lied about pregnancy.”
“That’s different! I wanted just to see him react, that’s not my fault he appeared to be such a coward.”
“You cannot lie to people and expect them to… Wait, have you tell him you’re not actually pregnant?”
“I was going to but…” she lowered her head.
“Listen, your behavior lately has been thoughtless and, I dare to say, unnecessary. Next time you’d better talk to me first but now go speak with Mark before he makes something stupid.”
Barbara rolled her eyes but ultimately decided to listen to her sister’s advice. In the very end, Joss was older, wiser and more rational. However, when Barbara went upstairs to Mark’s room, there was no trace of him. She couldn’t find him in library either but handmaid told her she saw Mark leaving the house in a rush. “Good grief and alas!” that was the only thing Barbara said.
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