Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

20.

The next few days Mary tried her best to avoid any of Mr Bingley's sisters, until she couldn't.

"Mary come sit with us," they demanded.

"Have you met my husband Mr Hurst,"

"No, how are you Mr Hurst," Mary greeted an old, chubby looking man.

"Do you play cards Miss Bennet?" He enquired.

"Not again dear!" His wife warned in a passive aggressive tone.

"I do not," Mary replied. According to her gambling was immoral and created a lot of problems. Despite seeing her sisters play she kept away for such activities, instead she occupied herself with books or piano, which she found much more soothing.

"That's a shame!" He sighed with disappointment.

"I reckon you came here form Pemberley?" Carolina asked.

"Yes, I did."

"Oh! How wonderful! How is Georgiana?" She enquired excited.

"She is very well."

"I last saw her years ago," she says. "We never seem to be in the same place. When I'm in London she's in Pemberley. When she's in London I'm in Bath or some place else," she analysed. "That is sad."

"Indeed," Mary sympathises. "She has grown up to be a very beautiful and intelligent woman now," Mary informs.

"She was always beautiful and intelligent. It's just some people couldn't see it," she bitterly remarks.

"Pardon?"

"Charles—

"Caroline!" Her sister warns.

"Charles couldn't see it, since your sister came into his life."

"Oh," Mary reacts confused.

"Do not mind dear, your sister has her own good qualities," she tries to pacify. "She is perfect for Charles!" She says insincerely.

"Why don't you play for us Mary!" Mrs Hurst interrupts trying to deviate the subject.

"I am not very good," Mary says ashamed after the incident at the first Netherfield ball.

"I insist," the sister says as Mary is forced to play. Mary is nervous. She chooses to play a tune that is more melodious than technical. Silence ensues, and Mary is lost in her own music that she is not aware when Jane and Mr Bingley joined them.

"Marvellous!" Mr Bingley stands up and claps. "I did not know you played so well!" He compliments.

"Very good Mary!" Her sister adds.

"Yes, very melodious," one of the sister adds with less enthusiasm.

"Did you learn it from Georgiana?" Another sister asks sceptically.

"No, I am self taught. With the exception of few classes when I was at Pemberley," Mary added.

"No wonder you are good then" Caroline replied condescendingly. "You've had training from Pemberley!"

"Few classes—

"Regardless!" Bingley interjects. "We have a Piano protégé with us," he exaggerates.

"Oh Charles, she is good but definitely not a protege!" His sister remarks.

"Yes, there are people far better trained than me," Mary humbles herself.

"Well, none of the people in this room can play. Therefore I do consider you a protégé, at least here!" He explains.

"If it's here, then I will humbly accept," Mary says.

"I bet I could play just as well!" Caroline says. "Remember how we had a Mr Sebastian?"

"The French teacher?"

"He said he was French but I am sure he was Spanish," the two sister converse as the other two sisters sit there silently hoping time passes faster.

When Jane and Mary were finally alone, Jane informed her, "we are going to attend a soiree next week,"

"Jane, do not take it the wrong way, but I do not have any interest in finding a man now. I have already disappointed Lizzy, now I cannot give you falls hope!"

"Oh Mary! Do not worry appoint disappointing any one. Whatever has happened in Pemberley or Longbourn does not matter," she said as Mary sighted in relief. "I cannot fine the perfect man for you. But what I can do is introduce you to several and let you make your own decision."

"But you do not—

"Mary! I know the struggle women go through finding a man, I have faced it," she explained

"But you got the perfect man! Mr Bingley!"

"Yes, but initially I have personally experienced the marriage market and how hard it is for a woman like us to find a suitable man. Despite mamma's behaviour affecting our marriage, she in a way tried her best to get all her daughters well settled. And now that I am well settled, it's only fair I help my sisters in any way I can."

"Jane you are so kinda but—

"I am not forcing you to marry anyone," she ensured. "I will merely just introduce."

"Thank you!" Mary expressed her gratitude. "Jane another thing...." Mary hesitated.

"Yes."

"Do you know..."

"Know what?" Jane asked confused.

"Mr Wright!" She said in desperation. "I mean, he also lives in London," she said awkwardly.

"Do you have feelings for Mr Wright?" Jane asked concerned.

"No! Of course not!," she aggressively denied. "I just wanted to know if you met him. He had told he would visit you back in Longbourn," she explained.

"He has not called upon me, but I have seen him once."

"Where?"

"Mary," Jane sighed. "I do not think you should meet him."

"I wasn't going to," she defends.

"Good, because I saw him with a woman, and I do not know the relation they have but they seemed close," she informs as Mary's face dulls.

"Lily?"

"Lily?" Jane asks confused.

"Was it Lily Kingsley?" She demands.

"No, it wasn't," she informs.

Mary did not know how to feel. He wasn't wrong for moving on. He is a handsome, educated, humorous man and could charm a woman in no time. But Mary could not let go yet. Despite making the decision of not returning his letter and letting go of their friendship, since she came to London, she became more and more desperate to know Mr Wrights whereabouts. After reading Kitty's letter she faintly hoped that they would meet. But after listening to Jane, the chances were bleak. He was probably married or engaged and she did not want to interrupt his life in any way now. She did not want to put him in the same position, of choosing her or his wife, cause she knew the outcome, it was never going to be her.

With this in mind Mary finally made peace with herself and Mr Wright. She burnt the letter that Mr Wright wrote to her. Symbolising the end of any relationship with him.

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