Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

4.

It was the morning of the Meryton Ball, the Bennet household was in a hustle bustle. Mrs Bennet was stressed about getting her daughter ready, for she wanted them to outshine every other girl in the room. Not having the advantage of conventional beauty like her elder daughter Jane, she resorted to material beauty for both. She invested a fortune on both their gowns, and adorned them with jewellery. She made their hair in the latest French style putting feathers in them. Once they were done, she finally had a look at her masterpiece and presented them to Mr Bennet.

"What have you done," Mr Bennet looked in shock.

"Don't they look beautiful? They will catch every man's attention in the room," Mrs Bennet said proudly.

"Yes they will indeed catch every man's attention for their peculiarity," he said and began laughing.

"I told you mamma it is too much," Mary whined.

"Don't listen to your papa, he doesn't know anything about the latest French fashion," Mrs Bennet defended her creation.

"We look like clowns!" Mary remarked.

"I think I look beautiful," Kitty said as she say herself through the reflection in the glass. Mrs Bennets latest French creation did look better on Kitty than Mary. Kitty had shape feature that could handle anything and still look good, whereas Mary's soft unconventional features needed extra attention and detail.

"I am going to remove this, my head already hurts," Mary complained as she removed all over her makeup and hair and settled for a natural look.

The Bennet's reached the Meryton ball. Kitty ran inside immediately overjoyed to mingle. Mary took her time and stayed with her father as her mother went to socialise.

"You can go my dear, I will be alright here on my own," Mr Bennet assured.

"I do not pity you papa, I just need to prepare myself," she explains. Mary had to prepare for Mr Wright. She had thought about it all night and was considering confessing her feeling to Mr Wright. She was still not sure though. She knew she liked talking to him but love was a menstrual  Finally, she made her way through the crowd to find Mr Wright.

"Mary!" Maria Lucas approached her. "You look beautiful!" She compliment.

"You too," Mary returns the compliment.

"Where is Kitty?"

"She must be somewhere here," Mary says.

"Has anyone asked you to dance yet?

"No, I just arrived."

"I have already been asked by two soldier," she informs excitedly.

"I am so happy for you," Mary replies as she catches a glimpse of Mr Wright.

"Let's go find Kitty and tell her about this" Maria suggests.

"Why don't you go and I'll join you both later," Mary says as she makes her way towards Mr Wright. But as she goes near, she realises he is surrounded by women. He seems to be having a good time, laughing and talking to them. This annoyed her, making her realise that she never considered his feelings towards her? He might not have any feelings towards her like she did towards him. Was it unrequited love from her side?

Kitty on the other had seem to be enjoying herself. She along with her wingman Maria, started flirting with the soldiers. She was herself like she was back in the day with Lydia, except now she was leading and Maria followed. Both did not remain without a partner and dances every dance with joy and happiness.

"Miss Bennet," Mr Wright called Kitty. "You look very pretty," he compliments.

"Thank you Mr Wright," Kitty replies.

"Where is your sister?" He inquires.

"She must be around here somewhere."

"I cannot find her anywhere, she did come here with you right?" He asked dubiously.

"Yes, she is here. But you know how she despises Ball. She must be in some comer find her quiet," Kitty says.

"Got it! Thank you," Mr Wright left leaving Kitty confused.

Mary, settled herself behind the curtains, where no one was there. She was still upset about Mr Wrights situation. The feeling she felt were anew and she did not know how to deal with them. All she could do is avoid everyone and everything.

"Miss Bennet!" Suddenly Mr Wright appeared out of nowhere.

"Mr Wright! What are you doing here?" Mary asked startled.

"I was looking to you."

"Why? You seem to be having a perfectly good time without me," she suppressing her feelings.

"I was, but then I needed some intellectual talk with a haughty woman, so I came looking for you," he teased.

"I'm not in the mood," she replied dryly.

"Fair enough," he said as he took a seat next to her.

"What are you doing?" He asked as he sat beside her.

"I am keeping you company."

"It is inappropriate for us to sit alone here without a chauffeur," she says virtuously.

"Do you have feelings for me?" He asks as Mary panics.

"What feelings?" She tries to deviate.

"Any romantic feelings."

"No!" She blabbers without thinking clearly.

"Me neither, so I don't see any problem with just two friends sitting alone hovering each other company," he stated.

"When did we become friends?" Mary asked confused.

"I'm not sure... now?"

"But how?" She asked confused at this revelation.

"We like talking to each other and we respect each other, right?"

"Yes..."

"So is there anything more needed to become friends?" He asked.

"That means we are acquaintances," she said.

"Why, do you not want to be my friend?" He asked with a pout.

"Fine, we can be friends," She agreed.

"Thank you for such an honour Miss Bennet," he replies sarcastically.

"Sure Mr Wright," she replied as they started laughing .

"Have you dance?"

"No, I rather just sit,"

"Don't be silly, you must dance," he insists.

"Alright, but I haven't been asked."

"Dance with me," he says as he grabs her hand as they go to the platform and began dancing. Mary seems to be happy, enjoying the dance with Mr Wright. Her feelings of doubt and uncertainty towards him, seem to have gone. She did like to talk to him and spend time with him, but that doesn't mean she liked him in a romantic way. To have formed a friendship with him seemed more practical and beneficial. She was secured now in what they are, that is just friends.

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