"I woke up this morning at half past six in order to organize my music sheets so I could practice the pianoforte in time for the double wedding..."
Mary went down for breakfast and ate in silence as usual, then was quick to return to her room to seek her music sheets. When she finally found them, she returned downstairs to find Jane reading on the sofa. "Jane, might I practice?"
"Must you play right now, dear sister?" asked Jane, looking up from her book.
"If I want to sound good for yours and Elizabeth's wedding, I do!" Mary exclaimed. Jane sighed and closed her book.
"Oh, all right... I guess I'll embroider my dresses," said Jane, and that was exactly what she did. As Mary started practicing, Elizabeth walked into the parlor, causing Mary to stop.
"Has Mr. Darcy arrived yet?" she asked.
"No, Lizzie. Surely, you would have known by now," said Jane.
"Yes, I suppose you're right..." said Elizabeth. "I'm going to go take a walk, then." Elizabeth left the parlor to take her walk after making a comment about Lydia and Mary turned to Jane.
"Are you excited to see our baby sister today?" she asked Jane.
"It will be good to see her, but I dare say that I enjoyed the peace," said Jane.
"Yes, it was nice... Kitty is so quiet without Lydia, and she is actually attracting young men," said Mary.
"Yes, that is true. Perhaps having Lydia around will chase them away," said Jane.
"I feel bad for Kitty. She is overshadowed by us all in some way," said Mary.
"Yes, but she does put up with it. She's a strong young woman, that is for sure," said Jane. "I must go and check on Mama to make sure she is not losing her head over the menu." After Jane left, Mary pulled out the sheet music for Johann Pachelbel's 'Canon in D', the song that she was working hard to perfect for the wedding, and started to play it. She played until she heard her mother yell something about Mr. Darcy, then went upstairs to try and find the other song she planned on playing for the wedding. She heard Lydia's carriage arrive, but she did not go downstairs to greet her sister, as she was too immersed in finding her sheet music.
She came down next for dinner, seating herself between Jane and Mr. Bingley, as it was the only seat remaining, and ate her dinner in silence. She, too, witnessed the exchange of the cups.
"After that, I sat down right here to play for tonight when I heard Elizabeth announce that she and Mr. Darcy were going for a walk, and then I heard Lydia coughing."
"Well, we can confirm that Miss Elizabeth did, indeed, enter the parlor inquiring about me," said Mr. Darcy, smiling at his fiancée across the room. She smiled at him as well, and Mr. Darcy looked at the people before him. Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Wickham were still hovering over Lydia's lifeless body.
"Miss Kitty, you were mentioned frequently in Miss Mary's story, which matched Miss Bennet's story very little. Do tell your story," said Mr. Darcy. Kitty tensed, clearly afraid of something.
"Kitty, tell Mr. Darcy your story," said Elizabeth, standing and taking Mr. Darcy's arm.
Kitty felt the perspiration starting. "Er... Well..."