Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

18.

Both Mary and Georgiana walk downstairs, Mary in her silver down with pearls, sparkling while Georgiana wears a yellow gown that compliments her hair and makes her look youthful.

"Wow!" Elizabeth gasped

"Both you look very beautiful," Darcy added as the escorted the girls to the carriage.

As they reached the destination Georgiana held Mary's hand tightly. Mary knew exactly why, she was hoping to see Mr Rodley. Mary reciprocated as she was anxious to see Mr Burton who had made his intentions quite clear earlier that day.

Mary had never had such a close companion before. Despite having sisters, she never felt the kind of closeness she felt with Georgiana. Being the middle child it was difficult for her to pair up with the elder sisters or younger ones. But with Georgiana of was only she and her and girlhood, they shared being an around the similar age.

"Remember girls, most importantly, just be yourself!" Elizabeth said with a smile as they entered the Ball.

As they entered the room, everyone's eyes instantly fell upon them. It wouldn't be a surprise as Mr Darcy was one of the wealthiest men there. But soon the two girls drew all the attention with their spectacular fashion and timeless beauty. Elizabeth was pleased as she introduced them, especially Mary to everyone.

"This is Mrs Carter," Elizabeth introduced them to a chubby old lady who was dolled up in pink, in way to preserve her youth.

"Mary!" Georgiana whispered. "Mr Rodley is no where to be seen!" She said worried.

"Do not worry he will be somewhere here," she comforted her.

"Miss Bennet, do you have a dance partner?" She asked curiously.

"No—not yet."

"Oh! Then let my son accompany you," she insisted. "There he is! George! George!" She starts shouting as a young blond handsome looking man walks towards them.

"Yes, mummy?" He obediently asks

"This is Miss Bennet, Mrs Darcy's sister," she introduces. "This is my son, George Carter." She says as he bows with a sweet smile. "Georgie, Miss Bennet has no dance partner, ask her!" She commands.

"Yes, mummy," he says as if listening to her command.

"You do not have to if you don't want to," Mary says feeling uneasy.

"No! No! It's my pleasure," he said as she accompanied her to the dance floor.

They both danced but were constantly surveillance by his mother. Every time he spoke anything he looked at his mother for approval. George was a nice man but his mother's presence made him unbearable.

As soon as she got the chance she escaped him and found Georgiana who was still upset on not finding Mr Rodley.

"Come let's walk around the room, we will find him eventually," Mary suggested

As they walked around the room, neither Mr Rodley nor Mr Burton were in sight.

"Can you ask Elizabeth?" Georgia requested.

"Me? No—

"If I ask my brother or Elizabeth they will suspect something. You are the only person who knows the truth," she begged.

"But why on earth would I ask about Mr Rodley!" Mary explained.

"No ask about Robbie the add Mr Rodley," she suggested.

"But—

"I beg of you!"

"Okay," agreed hesitantly as she pulled her sister aside.

"Lizzy," Mary began. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes, but first tell be how men have you danced with and did anyone in particular caught your eye?" She asked excitedly.

"No! Mr Burton!" She blabbered.

"What? Mr Burton caught your eye?" Elizabeth asked in shock.

"No! No! No!" I was asking where are Mr Burton and Mr Rodley?" She clarified. "Weren't they suppose to come to the ball?"

"Yes, but Darcy had some work to attend to and since he couldn't go he asked Mr Burton to go," she explained.

"Mr Rodley?"

"He might have gone with Mr Burton, I am not sure," she said as someone called for her. "Enjoy yourself dear," she said as she left a confused Mary.

"What about their dance, Mary wondered. Did he just lead her on? No! That does not seem like Mr Burton, he must have not known he couldn't attend.

"So?" Georgiana asked eagerly

"They both had some work to take care of," she says disappointed as they both sit silently disappointed at how the Ball turned out.

"It was love at first sight you know," Georgiana explained. "Robbie introduced us and I was so attracted to his quiet, intellectual personality," she swoons. "He is a perfect gentleman to everybody—and I'm at the same time he is frank about anything that bothers him. For years everyone has been praising my piano playing skills but he was the first to critique it. He does not care of my brother is Darcy or whoever, he is just honest," she says with a sad smile. "Do you think it is possible?"

"You and Mr Rodley?"

"Yes,"

"Of course it is. You are forgetting you are Miss Darcy. Besides your fortune, you have so much more to offer. You are kind, dedicated and most of all beautiful. He would be lucky to get a woman like you," Mary complimented. "If you ask me, you shouldn't wait for him to come to you," she said analysing the situation.

"What do you mean?"

"Despite Mr Rodley being smart and intelligent, he is a foolish man. He doesn't have any clue about how you feel about him, and there is a possible he never might. If you are sure about it, talk to him, convey your feelings, howsoever, silly they maybe."

"But what if he does not feel the same?" Georgiana asked anxiously

"Then move on," Mary says comforting her. "There are only two outcomes. Either he accepts or rejects, but at least you will get the clarity," she suggests as the Georgiana contemplates.

Mary too felt disappointed at Mr Burton not showing up. She did not know she would feel this way about him, but she did. Maybe she wanted to see where it could lead, maybe she had feelings for him, it was hard to tell until they met again.

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