Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

12.

The day had finally come where the Bennet's executed their dear Mamma's scheme. Mary was to go with Elizabeth this summer while Kitty stayed with Jane in London.

"I am both scared and thrilled about this!" Kitty expresses.

"Yes."

"But I am going to miss you Mary," she says with sadness.

"You will find friends, and besides Jane is going to be there."

"Yes, but I am still very nervous!" She expresses. "What if I am not liked there?"

"Do not think too much about what people think of you," Mary advised. "Just be yourself and have a good time."

"Yes, thank you!" Kitty expressed her gratitude. "

"Kitty but— do not— please do not do anything that can jeopardise our family," she said nervously.

"Oh Mary," she sighed. "I would never run away with a man who is poor!" She expressed. "I might consider if he's a lord" she joked.

"Kitty—

"I wouldn't!" She says laughing. "I will only do such things after he asks me to marry him. I am a smart woman and London boys are philanderers!"

"Yes very well! Take care Kitty!"  Both sisters hug one last time as they part ways.

"Mary! Papa is calling you," Elizabeth informs her as she goes to bid farewell to her papa.

"Come in dear!" Mr Bennet gets up from his chair  are goes to fetch something in his shelf as he sees Mary.

"I am leaving now," she informs melancholy.

"I have something for you," he says as he hands over a letter. "It's from Mr Wright," he informs. "It's for you."

As Mary sees the letter she feels confused, which clearly reflexed on her face.

"I do not know what happened between you and Mr Wright. But I do know that he is a very nice man. I have started to admire him greatly and I cannot help but think you have too."

"I do not admire him!" Marry defends herself. "We were friends but now I do not even know what we are...just strangers," she says with a sad tone, recalling the incident at the Netherfield ball.

"The truth is rare and pure and never simple," he quotes.

"Thank you papa," Mary hugs him as she leaves with the letter in her hand.

What must he have written? Mary wonders as she stares at the ink in cursive with her name on it—'To Mary Bennet'. Did he write a letter to apologise? Or was it to part ways? He probably did not want to see her ever again. After all it was the decent thing to do, when he had made his choice that was—Lily Kingsley!

"What is that?" Elizabeth asked pointing to Mr Wright's letter.

"Nothing!" Mary replied startled. "It's—it's just an old letter that I forgot to read," she made up an excuse.

"I am very glad you are coming to Pemberley! It is a beautiful place. You are going to leave it!" Elizabeth says excitedly.

"Yes," Mary replies trying to match her energy.

"I should also thank you for coming with me," she continues. "I am really glad that one of my sisters will be with me during this pregnancy," she expressed. "I do not know how to manage this!"

"Do not worry, you will make a great mother," Mary ensures her. "And besides there is Mr Darcy and Georgina to help you."

"Yes, they are wonderful but I am still at peace that someone of my own will be beside me."

"Get some sleep, it will be a long journey," Mary advices as she pondered in her thoughts.

Mary knew Lizzy would prefer Jane to any other sister, but since Jane had Henry to handle the best alternative was Mary. Besides Lizzy was relieved that their Mamma hadn't offered to join her. She could not handle her mamma in her state of pregnancy, so she was relieved when Mary and Kitty were to be sent instead.

It getting dark, when Lizzy was fast asleep. Mary still holding the letter in her hands opens it to reveal a sheet white paper.

My Dearest Mary Bennet,
I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health.
I am writing to inform you that I will soon be returning to London. I understand that you are still upset with me about the incident at Netherfield. However, I feel it is important to clarify the misunderstandings and share my perspective on the situation.
I was unaware of your close acquaintance with Miss Kingsley, given your proximity. I should have been more mindful of this. While I do not understand the reason for your animosity towards her, it was clear that you both disliked each other. This caught me off guard as I was acquainted with Miss Kingsley and assumed you would be friends. During our conversation, things escalated quickly, and before I knew it, I was dancing with Miss Kingsley. I noticed your upset expression and assumed it was due to my not dancing with you. In hindsight, it was presumptuous of me to think that, but I was caught off guard and simply wanted to comfort you.
When I approached you later, your upset mood intensified when I mentioned the trivial reason for not dancing with you. I apologise for that. While I believe you were rude to Miss Kingsley, I also acknowledge her rudeness towards you. I regret blaming you entirely for the situation. I did not handle the matter appropriately, and I will always regret that night. I apologise for making you feel as though I chose Miss Kingsley over you, as that was never my intention.
I hope we can remain friends and resolve this issue when you visit your sister in London.

Yours faithfully,
ROBERT PERCY WRIGHT

I still felt confused, was it an apology or a justification? This letter did not do anything but make me more confused about the situation. I could not understand my feelings then. I just knew I felt very sad that the minute Mr Wright liked Lily he disregarded me, even as a friend. Just as a friend?

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