[ There has been so much news from the north that Mary has sat and listened for quite some time without contributing anything to the conversation. In days past she may have tried to interject something wise or alluded to a moral lesson, but tonight she finds herself far less stressed than she had once been in the presence of her family. Every conversation had felt like a competition that she had to win. If she couldn't leave everyone thinking how intelligent she was, than she would be forgotten once more. But now she has discovered a sort of calm that allows her to relax around them. Of course there is a bit of nervousness in the pit of her stomach about the duet later this evening, but that is more not wishing to disappoint Mr. Cartwright than hoping to impress her family.
Occasionally Mr. Bingley or Jane will remember her and say a kind word, or ask for her opinion. Instead of sitting on the edge of her seat, eager to grasp at any little scrap of attention, she offers a faint smile and answers without haughtiness or desperation. It's enough of a change that they all take notice, but it is also unsurprising that the moment is quickly forgotten until the next instance where she is addressed.
The arrival of Mr. Cartwright brings more nervous feelings, but the way his eyes seek her out and he shares that secret smile with her immediately puts her at ease. His visits have made him such a familiar sight within these walls and she can't help but relax. ]
A Cornish bush is a lovely gift, sir. Thank you for it.
[ Mr. Bennet had thanked Atticus too, but Mrs. Bennet had not. Who was he to dictate what decorations to display in her house? As they all sit, she looks decidedly out of sorts and Georgiana gives Kitty a worried glance, but Kitty merely waves it away silently. Her mother is just like this when she feels affronted. It's actually a blessing she's not making snide remarks right now.
Conversation begins but is swiftly interrupted by the dinner bell. Mrs. Bennet leaps up, quick to arrange them into the order she wishes, as if they all have titles from the peerage as opposed to various levels of wealth. As the hostess, she must lead the way, and so Mr. Darcy will escort her in. That leaves Mrs. Darcy to go in with her father, but then Miss Darcy of course needs a male escort too! (Thirty thousand pounds inheritance is nothing to sniff at.) Mr. Bingley is chosen for that role rather than Mr. Cartwright as Mrs. Bennet doesn't trust the unsavory "gentleman" with the young lady even as far as the dining room. This leaves Jane to be led in by Mr. Cartwright and Kitty links arms with Mary at the rear of the line and smiles. It's so odd to have such a look directed her way, but Mary accepts it and in they all go, finding their seats. Mr. Bennet sits at the head on one end with Lizzie on his left and Mr. Darcy on his right. He insisted on it because he wished for intelligent conversation at dinner. Sadly, that pushed Mr. Cartwright closer to Mrs. Bennet, who wished for Jane at her left and Mr. Bingley at her right, and leaves Mr. Cartwright to Jane's left and Mary to his. Across from him sits Georgiana with Kitty to her right - a fact that had nearly made Mrs. Bennet invite more men because of the uneven genders. But this is a family with five daughters and Mr. Bennet felt the less people in his house, the better. So here they all are, taking their seats and being served the first course. ]
I hope the ride here was not taxing, Mr. Cartwright.
[ It's asked in a quiet tone as the rest of the table starts their conversations. ]
no subject
Occasionally Mr. Bingley or Jane will remember her and say a kind word, or ask for her opinion. Instead of sitting on the edge of her seat, eager to grasp at any little scrap of attention, she offers a faint smile and answers without haughtiness or desperation. It's enough of a change that they all take notice, but it is also unsurprising that the moment is quickly forgotten until the next instance where she is addressed.
The arrival of Mr. Cartwright brings more nervous feelings, but the way his eyes seek her out and he shares that secret smile with her immediately puts her at ease. His visits have made him such a familiar sight within these walls and she can't help but relax. ]
A Cornish bush is a lovely gift, sir. Thank you for it.
[ Mr. Bennet had thanked Atticus too, but Mrs. Bennet had not. Who was he to dictate what decorations to display in her house? As they all sit, she looks decidedly out of sorts and Georgiana gives Kitty a worried glance, but Kitty merely waves it away silently. Her mother is just like this when she feels affronted. It's actually a blessing she's not making snide remarks right now.
Conversation begins but is swiftly interrupted by the dinner bell. Mrs. Bennet leaps up, quick to arrange them into the order she wishes, as if they all have titles from the peerage as opposed to various levels of wealth. As the hostess, she must lead the way, and so Mr. Darcy will escort her in. That leaves Mrs. Darcy to go in with her father, but then Miss Darcy of course needs a male escort too! (Thirty thousand pounds inheritance is nothing to sniff at.) Mr. Bingley is chosen for that role rather than Mr. Cartwright as Mrs. Bennet doesn't trust the unsavory "gentleman" with the young lady even as far as the dining room. This leaves Jane to be led in by Mr. Cartwright and Kitty links arms with Mary at the rear of the line and smiles. It's so odd to have such a look directed her way, but Mary accepts it and in they all go, finding their seats. Mr. Bennet sits at the head on one end with Lizzie on his left and Mr. Darcy on his right. He insisted on it because he wished for intelligent conversation at dinner. Sadly, that pushed Mr. Cartwright closer to Mrs. Bennet, who wished for Jane at her left and Mr. Bingley at her right, and leaves Mr. Cartwright to Jane's left and Mary to his. Across from him sits Georgiana with Kitty to her right - a fact that had nearly made Mrs. Bennet invite more men because of the uneven genders. But this is a family with five daughters and Mr. Bennet felt the less people in his house, the better. So here they all are, taking their seats and being served the first course. ]
I hope the ride here was not taxing, Mr. Cartwright.
[ It's asked in a quiet tone as the rest of the table starts their conversations. ]