Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

10.

"Mary!" calls Mr Wright

"What did you want to talk to me about Mr Wright?" she asks staring at his golden hair which looks shiny today.

"I love you.....

"What?"

"I love you, Lily!" he shouted as Lily Kingsley came from behind.

"No! No! How can this happen? I knew this was.....

"Mary!" calls Jane as Mary instantly wakes up. "Are you alright?" she asks with concern.

"Yes yes!"

"I need your help desperately with the ball!" Jane begs.

"Yes, I'll be right there in some time," Mary replies as she goes to change.

Mary had another dream about Mr Wright, only this time he wasn't shirtless. It bother Mary, the way he spoke about Lily Kingsley. Even thought, Mary had had no brothers, or barely had male interaction, she could feel they twinkle in Mr Wright's eyes when he took Lily's name. It was the same twinkle that Mr Bingley had when proposing to Jane; Mr Darcy had when looking at Lizzy. She knew that his eyes twinkled because he liked her, but she didn't want to believe it, she didn't want it to happened. But what right did she have on Mr Wright in such a situation. She could only listen to him as a friend in silence.

"Mary! You look so beautiful!" Jane compliments. Mary who is wearing a simple blue pastel dress that compliments her skin. "Let me fix your hair. But as soon as—do you think these curtains look yellow?" She asks anxiously.

"No...." Mary answers carefully.

"What Color do you think they are?" Jane tests her.

"White—no cream..." Mary tries.

"Yes! Perfect!" Jane gasps in relief. "Now please get ready fast, I do not want any of you to be late." Jane instructs.

"Jane, please calm down! You are doing a great job," Mary says. "And tell me how can I help you?" She offered.

"There is no need for help..." Jane says distracted. "Except maybe you can check on the dinning table once."

"Yes—

"And the kitchen..." Jane adds.

"I will—

"And oh god! Did they plant white roses in the garden like I told them to!" Jane panics.

"Jane!" Mary calls out. "I think you get ready and I will take care of the rest," Mary ensures her sisters as she forces Jane to her room.

It was Jane's first time hosting a Ball, of course she was very nervous. But like typical Jane, she would take all the burden on herself and not trouble anyone. With Elizabeth being pregnant, Mary was the only person she could reply on as Kitty was too self centred to help. Mary knew  that even though Jane would not say it out loud, she needed help and Mary was happy to do it.

As the banquet started, everything was running smoothly. All the guest seem to be enjoying themselves, her family was not doing anything embarrassing and most of all Jane seemed relaxed and happy.

"Oh, Mary I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your help," Jane expressed gratitude.

"That's what sisters are for," Mary said. "Here have some wine and enjoy yourself," Mary handed a glass to Jane who seems to have turned pink from so much attention she received.

Despite everything running smoothly, Mary's eyes still wandered to fine someone, someone in particular, Mr Wright. She had heard from her aunt that Mr Wright would be leaving soon and with Mary going to Pemberley this summer, this banquet might be the only place they would meet for the last time.

"Mary!" Elizabeth calls her. "Come here, join us," she insists as she stands with Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley, her Mamma!

"Yes"

"Please, help me," Elizabeth whispers signalling to their mamma. "Tell us about the new tune you learnt on the piano."

"Yes, I was trying to play Bach, but I do not think I succeeded," she replies with a hint of embarrassment.

"Nonsense! You played very good for someone who hasn't had a formal training," Elizabeth complimented.

"My sister, Georgina also plays. I hope when you come to visit us, you both will learn from each other," Mr Darcy says with chivalry.

"I am no match for Georgina—

"No—

"Mr Darcy! I was hoping that you will help fine suitable matches for Mary rather than encourage this childish hobby of hers," Mrs Bennet interrupted.

"Mamma!" Both her daughters object.

"Suitable matches?" Mr Darcy questions.

"Yes, Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, you wouldn't understand what it is like to be a mother to two unmarried daughters. But both of you have sisters and can to a certain extent understand my predicament," Mrs Bennet went on. "Finding suitable men is already a challenge in this day and age. After having both of you as my sons in law, a mother cannot but hope that the rest of my daughters find someone slightly as good as you both!"

"Oh, do not flatter us Mrs Bennet," says Mr Bingley. "I am certain your daughters will find many suitable men."

"That is kind of you my dear," Mrs Bennet replies.

"Marry for love," Mr Darcy adds. "Marriage is meaningless if both of you are not in love and enjoy each other's company," he says as he looks at Elizabeth with a smile.

"That twinkle in his eyes," Mary thinks as she see Elizabeth and Mr Darcy look at each other in true love.

"Mary!" Jane calls her as she snaps out. "Will you come with me for a minute."

"Are you alright Jane?" Elizabeth asks with concern.

"Yes yes, do not worry Lizzy," Jane ensures as she pulls Mary aside.

"I do not know what to do....l knew something like this was going to happened," Jane begins talking anxiously.

"Jane! Calm—calm—calm," Mary tries to relax Jane. "Now tell me what is the problem?"

"There are not enough glasses for the guest during dinner!" She informs. "The whole arrangement will be ruined...

"What if they take turns to eat. Most of them are anyways going to be dancing all night so..." Mary suggested.

"we can tell them to take turns to eat...we need to let everyone eat at once and with no glasses for everyone... it is ruined! Utterly ruined!"

"No! Wait do not worry," Mary said as she thought of a plan. "Got it! There are the champagne classes!"

"But those are for champagne and it's for people to have before and after dinner not during!" Jane points out.

"Jane! There is no such rule. We will just have to give champagne to guest who we think might prefer alcohol to water and pray no one notices," Mary suggests.

"But what if they ask for water!" Jane questions in panic.

"I am certain they won't. With all the conversation and people around, people will hardly notice," Mary said. "But we need to be clever to choose such people. You know your guest, suggest whose glasses we can swap for champagne classes?"

"I don't know—Mr Samuel!" Jane shouts with excitement. "He loves his alcoholic, to such an extent that he can bathe in it," she says as they laugh.

"Let's also replace Mr Darcy's glass," Mary suggests with a mischievous smile.

"I do not recall Mr Darcy being fond of drinking," Jane as doubtfully.

"He isn't but, trust me on this one," she insists as they figure the situation out.

Mary heads out in the hall once she is done. She sees everyone and everything running smoothly. She sees Kitty under their Papa's surveillance. There mamma under Elizabeth's and smiles to herself on the entire situation.

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