Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

17.

"Wake up Mary!" Lizzy yells while drawing the curtains and letting the sunlight shine right on Mary's face.

"Lizzy!" She shouts as she draws the blanket.

"You need to start getting ready!"

"But the ball is at 7 in the evening and it's the morning!" Mary replies irritated.

"You cannot just treat this ball as any other ball of your life! It is as if you are coming out to the society," Elizabeth emphasised.

"But we are all already out, remember," Mary counters as the sits upright on her bed.

"Yea, but not to Lambton!" She stresses. "And today is the day, everyone will see you not just as any other girl, but a suitable bride to be!" She explains. "So go get changed, I have a whole day planned for you.

Elizabeth was invested now, to get her sister married. She saw the potential Marry had and wanted her to get the best of the best in order to be able to choose who she loves and marry. For this she was going the extra mile.

It began with eating breakfast, where Elizabeth briefed her about everything and everyone.

"Make sure you do not act too friendly, but also not very rude," she said.

"I do not understand Lizzy!" Mary whined

"Mary do not rant, this is for your own good. Now I want you to particularly look out for Mr Irwin and Mr Joseph...." Elizabeth went on.

After breakfast they went to the seamstress to get their new gowns. Mary's was a white silk dress that had pearls all over. While Elizabeth went for a navy blue velvet gown, very elegant and regal.

"It is white!" Mary panicked.

"It is silver!" Elizabeth corrected.

"But under the light it looks white!"

"So?"

"Do I want to make it that obvious I'm looking for a husband?" She said irritated.

"Mary!" Elizabeth held her hand to calm her down. "Many people wear white to a ball. Besides I want you to stand out!"

"I do not want to stand out for the wrong reasons," Mary countered.

"Let's try it on first," Elizabeth said as Mary went to wear it.

As Mary put it on she looked at herself in the mirror she felt surreal. The dress was beautiful, with pearls handing and silver embroidery, she was shinning. It made her hair and eyes look lighter, her skin glowed.

"Mary, you do not have to wear it if you don't want to," Elizabeth said as Mary came back. "How about the pink one there," she pointed.

"No! I will wear the white one," Mary said hesitantly.

"Really?" Elizabeth asked excited.

"Yes! I—

"Do not explain, let's find you some shoes," they both went to see the shoes.

As they reached home, Elizabeth informed Mary that she had arranged dance lessons for her and Georgiana to attend by a Mr Key, a renowned dancer.

"He thought me to dance when I first came to Pemberley," Elizabeth said.

"But I know how to dance, is it necessary?" Mary hesitated.