[ "It has been many months since I left Longbourn to stay in the north, and in that time a great deal has changed." For a moment, Kitty shares a secret smile with Lizzie. Of course everyone who came down from the North knows her news already. This is an announcement to her parents and Mary... and Mr. Cartwright, she supposes. Lifting her chin proudly, she continues: "And more will change quite soon, as I am engaged to be married." The statement is punctuated by a giddy smile before Mrs. Bennet positively squeals in delight. Immediately a million questions spring forth as to who he is, what is his fortune, what does he look like, and on and on. Kitty barely has enough time to answer each question before everyone's ears are assaulted with the next. In the meantime, Mr. Darcy moves to Mr. Bennet's side to assure him of the man's character as he's been known to him for years. For his part, Mr. Bennet looks surprised but not overly bothered. As long as the wedding doesn't cost him much, he's quite content to let another of his daughters go.
Amidst all the squeals and chatter, a shadow has fallen over Mary. Of course she had been aware that her mother wanted Kitty to find a dashing, rich husband in Derbyshire, but she hadn't seriously thought it would occur. Now she sits in stunned silence as the grim realization that she will be the only unmarried sister is becoming a reality. It was always something that hung over her head ever since she first bloomed into a young lady and her mother would tell the neighbors "It is such a pity my Mary is not handsome, but that means I will have someone to take care of me in my old age!" Her dinner seems to churn in her stomach. Another younger sister becoming a married woman and having a home of her own. Just as her emotions threaten to make her dizzy, Miss Darcy's soft voice breaks through from beside her.
"Is it not wonderful? He is a friend of the family and very kind. He dotes on her so. Miss Bennet? Is everything all right?" Mary forces down her feelings and swallows hard before offering an unnatural smile. Thankfully Miss Darcy is not familiar enough with Mary to know what her true smiles look like, though the same could be said of any of her family as well. ]
Yes, quite well. She never spoke of him in her letters home.
[ Her voice sounds foreign to her own ears, like she's breathless, choking on air. Everyone has found someone to share their lives with but for her. Is she truly so terrible to be around? Is she such terrible company? She will speak of books and human nature and other intelligent subjects. Does no man desire such a thing in a wife? Her throat feels tight but thankfully Miss Darcy is explaining the courtship and how hesitant Kitty was to rush into anything. Mary is only half-listening, but she's glad the young lady doesn't seem to notice. Her fingers are laced together in her lap, knuckles white from the way she squeezes her hands tight to force down any strong emotion from spilling over. It's the work of several moments and slow breaths, but eventually a mask in set in place over her features and she's the familiar, slightly aloof Mary her family recognizes.
By the time Kitty can extricate herself from her mother to come over to Mary and get her opinion, Mary has rehearsed what to say in her head several times already. ]
I wish you joy, sister. May you find felicity in your marriage and future life with your intended.
[ It's a good enough reaction for Kitty, who thanks her sister and has learnt enough tact to not make a joke about Mary now being a spinster. It's something Lydia would have said, or goaded Kitty to say, and she wants to be better than that. Of course she still recognizes that she had the thought in the first place so she still has a way to go.
Mr. Bennet rests an arm on the mantle opposite Mr. Cartwright and with his characteristic wit says: "Well, I am rid of another of them. Let us hope her betrothed is the patient sort and has an even temper. Or a rather large library in which to retreat." Yes, Mr. Bennet will not be swayed from the way he speaks of his daughters, even on an occasion such as this. ]
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Amidst all the squeals and chatter, a shadow has fallen over Mary. Of course she had been aware that her mother wanted Kitty to find a dashing, rich husband in Derbyshire, but she hadn't seriously thought it would occur. Now she sits in stunned silence as the grim realization that she will be the only unmarried sister is becoming a reality. It was always something that hung over her head ever since she first bloomed into a young lady and her mother would tell the neighbors "It is such a pity my Mary is not handsome, but that means I will have someone to take care of me in my old age!" Her dinner seems to churn in her stomach. Another younger sister becoming a married woman and having a home of her own. Just as her emotions threaten to make her dizzy, Miss Darcy's soft voice breaks through from beside her.
"Is it not wonderful? He is a friend of the family and very kind. He dotes on her so. Miss Bennet? Is everything all right?" Mary forces down her feelings and swallows hard before offering an unnatural smile. Thankfully Miss Darcy is not familiar enough with Mary to know what her true smiles look like, though the same could be said of any of her family as well. ]
Yes, quite well. She never spoke of him in her letters home.
[ Her voice sounds foreign to her own ears, like she's breathless, choking on air. Everyone has found someone to share their lives with but for her. Is she truly so terrible to be around? Is she such terrible company? She will speak of books and human nature and other intelligent subjects. Does no man desire such a thing in a wife? Her throat feels tight but thankfully Miss Darcy is explaining the courtship and how hesitant Kitty was to rush into anything. Mary is only half-listening, but she's glad the young lady doesn't seem to notice. Her fingers are laced together in her lap, knuckles white from the way she squeezes her hands tight to force down any strong emotion from spilling over. It's the work of several moments and slow breaths, but eventually a mask in set in place over her features and she's the familiar, slightly aloof Mary her family recognizes.
By the time Kitty can extricate herself from her mother to come over to Mary and get her opinion, Mary has rehearsed what to say in her head several times already. ]
I wish you joy, sister. May you find felicity in your marriage and future life with your intended.
[ It's a good enough reaction for Kitty, who thanks her sister and has learnt enough tact to not make a joke about Mary now being a spinster. It's something Lydia would have said, or goaded Kitty to say, and she wants to be better than that. Of course she still recognizes that she had the thought in the first place so she still has a way to go.
Mr. Bennet rests an arm on the mantle opposite Mr. Cartwright and with his characteristic wit says: "Well, I am rid of another of them. Let us hope her betrothed is the patient sort and has an even temper. Or a rather large library in which to retreat." Yes, Mr. Bennet will not be swayed from the way he speaks of his daughters, even on an occasion such as this. ]