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As Mary arrives at Pemberley, with Mr Wrights letter still on her mind, she cannot help but admire the long trees and the archers of green land in the middle of which there is a big white mansion. It was beautiful, lively and calm at the same time. Mary was happy she could enjoy her time in such an environment and hopefully get Mr Wright out of her mind.

As soon as they entered, they were greeted by Georgiana surrounded by the help.

"I am so happy you are back!" She hugged her brother. "And you are pregnant!" She hugged Elizabeth excitedly.

"This is Mary, my sister. She will be staying with us this summer," Elizabeth introduces.

"So nice to meet you!" She greets her warmly.

"Come I will give you a grand tour," Elizabeth offers.

"No, Lizzy you need to rest," Mary advices.

"I think we all need to rest," Mr Darcy adds. "It was a long journey".

"I will show Mary around, that is if she is not tired," Georgiana offers.

"That would be wonderful," Elizabeth replies.

"I would like that," Mary takes the offer as Elizabeth and Darcy leave.

Georgiana was a beautiful girl, with light blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fortune to back her up she was considered a great catch.

"Do you play any instruments?" Georgiana asked hesitantly.

"Yes I play a little piano," Mary replied.

"Even I do!" She said excitedly. "I will show you the piano first," she said as they both hurried towards the music room.

Both Georgiana and Mary bonded over their love for music. They took turns showing each other skills and music. Mary herself was surprised at her skills, even though they could not match Georgiana's she was managing to keep up with her and not embarrass herself like she did in first Netherfield ball.

"Georgie!" A voice calls o it as Mary is in the middle of her play.

"Robbie!" Georgiana replies as she hugs this man, with brown curly hair and light blue eyes.

"Who is your friend?" He asks as he stares at Mary.

"This is Mary Bennet, Elizabeth's sister," she introduces as Mary curtsy's. "This is Robert Burton, my cousin," she says.

"Mr Burton," Mary acknowledges as he stares intently at her. His blue eyes intimidating Mary.

"Please continue playing," he says still holding the look of intimidation.

Mary obliged and played nervously with her mediocre piano skills.

Georgiana and Mr Burton just sat there listening to Mary till she finished.

"I apologise for my playing was not up to par—

"Absolutely not Miss Bennett" he replied. "I think you played beautifully.

"But I missed  few notes—

"It does not matter, the song was beautiful and that's all that matters." He said wisely. "It is the bigger picture that you should focus on not the tedious small details."

"Yes," Mary replied smitten.

Mr Burton was about 30-35 years old. He was handsome and wise, which Mary liked. The few minutes that she spent with him she was amazed by his chivalry and the way he carried himself with confidence.

"Mr Peter Rodley! He will be teaching piano to you along with Georgiana," Mr Darcy informed her as they both sat in the garden.

"There is no need for the trouble, Mr Darcy," she expressed. "Georgiana can continue her lessons. I do not want to be an obstacle."

"Georgiana has heard you play and from what she says me you are very talented," he states. "I am happy to provide you with a teacher till you stay with us. It is no inconvenience."

"Thank you Mr Darcy!" Mary expressed her gratitude.

She barely spoke or knew Mr Darcy. But from what she could tell with their small interaction was that he was a righteous man, who only cared for people he loved and did not want to show off his wealth in front of others. He was shy and awkward sometimes but Elizabeth's lively nature compensated for that. She admired their relationship and wished for such an understanding relationship for herself.

"Is Elizabeth still sleeping?" Mary enquired.

"Yes she must be tired from the long journey," he says.

"Georgiana?"

"She is not a morning person," he replied. As they observe the foggy view as silence sinked in.

"Mr Darcy, have you ever had a friend?" She asked.

"Yes a few," he answered. "Let's see, I had one in school, couple in university and some now."

"Who would you consider you friend now?"

"Charles—Charles Bingley maybe."

"Who would you choose between Mr Bingley and Lizzy?" Mary asked wanting Mr Darcy's input on her dilemma.

"Hmm...elaborate on choose? As a life partner—Elizabeth; but as a riding partner, Bingley," he says as they share a laugh.

"What if they did not like each other and you had to choose one?"

"Well..." Mr Darcy pondered deeply. "Charles chose Jane over me, so I would choose your sister over him," he said in with a smirk.

"But would you?"

"I just said, Elizabeth."

"Despite Mr Bingley not choosing Jane over you?"

"I think friendship can only go till a certain extent, after which it stops or remains static. But love goes beyond everything, boundaries, people, place. There is more literature, songs, books on Love than friendship. Therefore logically I must choose love over friendship if I had to.

"But as seen, in books, literature, songs, just like you said, there is more chance of love betraying you than friendship," Mary counters.

"That's the beauty of it. Love is risky, while friendship is comforting. But still smart people will always be willing to take that risk, even if that means their heart might break in the process."

Mary couldn't argue with Mr Darcy's logic. He was right, what Mr Wright did was right. He chose Lily Kingsley over her, her friendship. That was the right thing to do. Maybe their friendship was bound to break eventually. He would go back to London, eventually it would end. Mary just hoped it wouldn't end on such strained terms. But alas, she had made sense and peace with it.

Once this dilemma solved, she was caught in another dilemma. Should she write to Mr Wright and revive her non revivable friendship or should she just let it be and not try at all?

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Mary Bennet : Pride and PrejudiceWhere stories live. Discover now