A BITTERSWEET BEAUTY
Disclaimer: I do not presume to own the characters, wit, intelligent dialogue, writing genius that personify Jane Austen! I merely attempt to satisfy my imagination about some of her characters in Pride & Prejudice!
Chapter 1 – A Motherly Command
It was not long after Elizabeth Darcy and Jane Bingley surrendered the surname Bennet, when Mr. Bennet noticed some improvements in his two unmarried daughters. Two seasons had passed since he had parted with his two eldest daughters, and yet with Kitty and Mary still at Longbourne, Mrs. Bennet's nerves were as unsettled as ever.
"Kitty, Mary, girls what can you be doing in the drawing room? I want you to dress immediately and prepare for a nice walk to Meryton. I do suppose that you will meet some fine gentlemen there. I daresay, very fine soldiers in uniform." Mrs. Bennet commanded the two ladies peacefully lounging in the drawing room in the west wing of Longbourne.
Mary Bennet, a slender woman with deep brown hair, a pale complexion, and somber gray eyes hidden behind spectacles slowly closed the book she had found so comforting and looked up at her mother. She looked over at her sister, Kitty, a friendly faced and well-figured brunette with lively hazel eyes, to see that Kitty's eyes were already dancing with mirth. They both knew there would be no escaping the proposed walk; their mother's nerves would not allow them rest until the two reported back with news of their successful exposure to the eligible bachelors of Meryton.
Mary thought to herself, 'I have no idea why Mama insists upon me, of all her daughters, finding a suitable suitor in Meryton. I have not the gift of easy conversation as Kitty, the smiles and games of Lydia, the grace and beauty of Jane, nor the wit and charm of Lizzy. Plus, there is not a person in Meryton who has engaged me in intelligent conversation since my dear older sisters have left; it pains me to suffer through the monotony of these meaningless conversations. There is just no depth here…'
"MARY, Do you not hear me speaking to you?!" the sound of Mrs. Bennet's shrill voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"Yes, mama. Permit me to get my petticoat and my bonnet." Mary answered in her most subdued voice. 'And perhaps your smelling salts so that my senses are dulled to the torture of exchanging pleasantries with such narrow-minded men!' She thought, while tying her green bonnet and petticoat.