[ The reminder that soon the household will be without his frequent presence dims Mary's smile somewhat. Of course it must be so, but she recognizes it as a great loss. Nothing can make her give up her newfound appreciation of playing music for the beautiful sound it produces and she will continue on with this new outlook. That doesn't mean she doesn't feel a bit of sadness at the loss.
As Miss Darcy presses him for his opinion, Mary can already recount memories of things he's said to her during their time together. Little encouragements or honest opinions that he was sure would set her on the right path to success. She can't recall another being who has had the faith in her that he has, and it is a sad reminder that she has no confidantes or deep, sisterly bonds. She has always enjoyed her own company and so it must be so again. It is only unfortunate that for a brief time she knew what that sensation of trust felt like.
Mr. Cartwright's voice draws her from her thoughts and she looks over with a mildly surprised expression. ]
Mr. Collins. Yes, he is but he did not officiate any of theirs. My sisters were married from this house and so our local vicar performed the ceremony. And Lydia- [ There is a moment's hesitation as her marriage is not something the family chooses to discuss. ] -was wed in London.
[ Across from them, Miss Darcy looks down at her dress and picks at one of the flowers embroidered on the muslin. Despite her brother's best efforts, it could not be hidden forever that Elizabeth's sister had married Mr. Wickham. She knows now that he is the worst kind of man, but the betrayal of someone she once thought she could trust still wounds her to this day.
Mary struggles to move the topic away from Lydia and as Mr. Collins has been brought up, she starts to speak of him. ]
Mr. Collins dwells in Kent, and his-
[ A loud voice from the hall stops her and everyone else in the room as it reverberates off the walls in a way that is all too familiar to the Bennets.
"La! I shall go in as I please!" The door bursts open and Lydia Wickham, heavy with child, stands before them as a flustered footman stands awkwardly behind her, having failed in his attempt to get her to stay while he hoped to quietly inform Mr. Bennet. Lydia beams and throws her arms into the air. "Mamma! I am home for Christmas and look at me! I am so fat!"
Mrs Bennet squeals in delight at having her favorite child before her again when she thought it unlikely she would see her for some time. Mr. Darcy has gotten to his feet and moved swiftly to the door in an effort to see if Wickham is in the hall or if she's come alone. He wishes to shield his sister from any unpleasant reunion if he can. The rest of the family's faces are various shades of red or white, depending if they're embarrassed or shocked at Lydia's sudden appearance. Mary is the latter and her eyes widen as she can only imagine what Mr. Cartwright will take away from this display.
Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are both talking rapidly over the other but that doesn't seem to be good enough for Lydia as she quickly turns towards the others in the room, asking them what they think of her huge belly and other inappropriate questions. Kitty looks like she's about to cry at having her moment usurped by her younger sister, Jane looks uncertain what to say, and Elizabeth looks like she can barely restrain herself from pulling Lydia from the room. Mr. Bennet looks close to the same.
And then to Mary's utter embarrassment, Lydia's eyes fall on Mr. Cartwright.
"Oh, who are you in the fancy waistcoat? Are you a gentleman?" ]
no subject
As Miss Darcy presses him for his opinion, Mary can already recount memories of things he's said to her during their time together. Little encouragements or honest opinions that he was sure would set her on the right path to success. She can't recall another being who has had the faith in her that he has, and it is a sad reminder that she has no confidantes or deep, sisterly bonds. She has always enjoyed her own company and so it must be so again. It is only unfortunate that for a brief time she knew what that sensation of trust felt like.
Mr. Cartwright's voice draws her from her thoughts and she looks over with a mildly surprised expression. ]
Mr. Collins. Yes, he is but he did not officiate any of theirs. My sisters were married from this house and so our local vicar performed the ceremony. And Lydia- [ There is a moment's hesitation as her marriage is not something the family chooses to discuss. ] -was wed in London.
[ Across from them, Miss Darcy looks down at her dress and picks at one of the flowers embroidered on the muslin. Despite her brother's best efforts, it could not be hidden forever that Elizabeth's sister had married Mr. Wickham. She knows now that he is the worst kind of man, but the betrayal of someone she once thought she could trust still wounds her to this day.
Mary struggles to move the topic away from Lydia and as Mr. Collins has been brought up, she starts to speak of him. ]
Mr. Collins dwells in Kent, and his-
[ A loud voice from the hall stops her and everyone else in the room as it reverberates off the walls in a way that is all too familiar to the Bennets.
"La! I shall go in as I please!" The door bursts open and Lydia Wickham, heavy with child, stands before them as a flustered footman stands awkwardly behind her, having failed in his attempt to get her to stay while he hoped to quietly inform Mr. Bennet. Lydia beams and throws her arms into the air. "Mamma! I am home for Christmas and look at me! I am so fat!"
Mrs Bennet squeals in delight at having her favorite child before her again when she thought it unlikely she would see her for some time. Mr. Darcy has gotten to his feet and moved swiftly to the door in an effort to see if Wickham is in the hall or if she's come alone. He wishes to shield his sister from any unpleasant reunion if he can. The rest of the family's faces are various shades of red or white, depending if they're embarrassed or shocked at Lydia's sudden appearance. Mary is the latter and her eyes widen as she can only imagine what Mr. Cartwright will take away from this display.
Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are both talking rapidly over the other but that doesn't seem to be good enough for Lydia as she quickly turns towards the others in the room, asking them what they think of her huge belly and other inappropriate questions. Kitty looks like she's about to cry at having her moment usurped by her younger sister, Jane looks uncertain what to say, and Elizabeth looks like she can barely restrain herself from pulling Lydia from the room. Mr. Bennet looks close to the same.
And then to Mary's utter embarrassment, Lydia's eyes fall on Mr. Cartwright.
"Oh, who are you in the fancy waistcoat? Are you a gentleman?" ]