Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

8.

Mary went to her library to talk to her papa. She was prepared to plead her case for Kitty. Despite everything Lydia did was against Mary's morals, she knew we should not shun her at least for the sake of Kitty. Earlier, despite Mary's and her father's protest, her mamma welcomed Lydia with open arms. But due to some reason she did not know, her mamma called all her daughters but her favourite one. For this she could conclude that the only reason must be her father and his disapproval. Maybe he did not want Lydia in the presence or Lizzy or not at all, she did not know why, but she was going to find out soon.

"Can I come in?" She asked as her papa was in his spot in the library.

"Lizzy? Oh Mary," he recognised. "Yes dear come in, want another book?" He asked.

"No, I'm still not finished with the last book," she informs. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"By the way, Mr Wright is a very charming young man," he mentions with a smile. "I will not refuse if he persuades you," her father's says.

"No! We do not like each other that way," she tries to explain.

"You seem very smitten by him."

"Papa!"

"What, that's is the truth."

"No," she said embarrassed.

"Alright dear, but he is a good man."

"Yes," she agreed. "Papa I wanted to talk to you about Kitty," she continued.

"What about Kitty?"

"She is very upset that Lydia was not invited," she informs.

"It is for the better," he replied sternly.

"But papa, you know how close Lydia and Kitty are. She has stopped returning letters and now this. She is very sad and we have to understand that," Mary sympathised.

"It wasn't me, it was your mother who invited only Jane and Lizzy. Even if Lydia would come like she did last time, it wouldn't bother me. She is a married woman now, free to do as she feels. On the other hand Kitty is still my responsibility.

"But—

"It's a day of celebration, Lizzy is pregnant. Let's continue tomorrow," he said as he scrabbled his shelf filled with books.

Mary left disappointed but still with hope. She pitied Kitty, who might be the most affected by this predicament. But not being able to do anything she resorted to lie.

"What did papa say? Can Lydia come?" Kitty inquired eagerly.

"They wrote to her, but she and Mr Wickham are travelling," she falsely informed. "Maybe next time," she said to a disappointed Kitty.

"Yes, thank you for trying," Kitty appreciated as she left."

"Girls!" Their mother shouted. "Get Lizzy Jane," she demanded.

"What is it mamma?" Asked Kitty.

"Everyone in the living room!" He ordered.

"Is everything alright mamma?" Elizabeth asked.

"I just want everyone to gather in the living room," she stated.

"Where is Darcy?" Elizabeth inquired.

"He along with your father and uncle have gone to hunt," she informed. "Sit down at once."

"What is it mamma?"Asked Mary.

"I have something very important to discuss with all of you. I am getting old and so are Mary and Kitty. We need to start finding suitable husbands for the two daughters I have left!" She whined. "I want to fulfil the last of my responsibilities before I can die in peace."

"Mamma! Don't say that," Jane reproached.

"Jane I am so lucky to have a daughter like you—and Lizzy I am so happy for both of you," she goes on. "But what about your sisters? Will they ever find half as good as men as you?"

"They will mamma, do not worry," Elizabeth ensures.

"I have a request, a favour to ask you both," Mrs Bennet says.

"Yes."

"I have a plan to get young eligible lords to choose Kitty and Mary," she states. "But this cannot happen if they stay and mingle in Meryton. So I was hoping, they could come stay with their lovely sisters for a month each," she concludes.

"A month to find Lords?" Elizabeth asks puzzled.

"Mary will stay a month with Lizzy in Pemberley while Kitty stays with Jane in London. Later they will twitch," she explained.

"But mamma, why lords?" Elizabeth asked again in astonishment.

"Yes, Mrs Kingsley's daughter is marrying a Lord, so Mamma wants one too," Mary mocked.

"As a mother I just want the best for all my girls," she stated with teary eyes.

"Do not cry mamma," Jane consoled her.

"They care welcome to come stay with me and Darcy at Pemberley, but I cannot guarantee a lord. I will encourage them to socialise with people but it is their decision who they choose," Elizabeth said.

"Alright," Mrs Bennet analysed

"They can also stay with me in London," Jane stated.

"Please try to find titled men for your sisters, at least one of them," their mother pestered.

"Mamma!" Elizabeth called her out on her impoliteness.

"What? I am just telling the truth!" She continued. "It is better Mary marries any guy than become a governess."

"Mamma stop!" Marry says annoyed.

It was decided. Mary was going to Pemberley with Elizabeth and Darcy that summer while Kitty stayed with Jane in London. The next summer, Kitty would go to Pemberley and Mary would go to London near Jane. This was their mamma's master plan to find suitable husbands or lords in some cases. She was emotional when the day arrived where all her daughters were leaving.

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