The world is a strange place. Life after death seems to be even stranger as I can attest to that. I used to be known as Catalina Roppers, a 25 year old army veteran. I had joined the United States Army right after high school, being swayed by their propaganda and their happy lies. Suffice to say that my time in the army was hell, but when I was injured overseas, they decided to end my army career for me. I could say I am grateful, because it let me start to live my life.
I had left at the age of 24 with the intention of living a full life. Yet, it seems as if the universe made that decision for me. It was a normal day, at least, it was suppose to be. I woke up that morning, got ready for my job and was on my way. I'd never thought that I'd be in one of those freak accidents, where the craziest of things happened that ended my life. There was one moment where I was fine, the next I had looked up to see a large black object falling towards my head.
The last of my memories consisted of strangers' voices calling for help and the ringing in my ears. They say when you die, we reach the gates of heaven to meet our creator. Yet the next time I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at unfamiliar ceiling.
Familiar yet foreign voices drifted into my ears. "Mama, Papa! Mary is awake!" Mary, who the hell is that? Sitting up, I looked around to see faces I had never seen before. There were three young ladies staring at me with red rimmed eyes.
"Oh Mary, we were so worried when they brought you in claiming you were in an accident." The one who spoke was a beautiful brunette with dewy brown eyes.
I tried to open my mouth to speak, but I was interrupted by one of the younger girls. Her hair was more of reddish brown, but she had beautiful blue eyes. "You have been unconscious for almost five days now. We thought the Lord had taken you with him." Large tears filled her eyes, making my stomach twist.
For some reason, I want to console her. To pacify all of their worries, but right now, I am only a stranger to them. At that moment, an older couple came running in with a younger woman with blond hair and blue eyes. "My dear Mary is awake!" The older woman sobbed as she came to where I was resting.
My heart seemed to hurt as I opened my mouth to break their happy hearts. "I'm sorry, but who are all of you?" The silence that followed was full of shock and grief, it made my chest feel hollow. I want to recognize their faces, but nothing seems right.
"Do you not recognize any of your family Mary? Your sisters, mother or I?" The older man asked, his eyes full of pain as he looked at me. Guilt settled in the pit of my stomach as I shook my head.
"I'm sorry, I don't know any of you." The tears that fell from the several of their faces made the aching in my chest worse. It seems that they are mistaking me for their daughter, which is strange. I studied their clothing, something hitting me. Why does it look like they all just came out of a Jane Austen novel?
"Oh my word." The brown haired woman gasped, large tears slipping down her cheeks. "It seems she has lost her memories." Memories, but I know who I am. My name is Catalina Roppers, a 25 year old army veteran.
"May I ask who I am then?" I got out, trying to understand what was happening.
I was expecting a lot, but I was not expecting to be called Mary Bennet. Then the people around me introduced themselves. There was Elizabeth, Jane, Kitty, and Lydia. Shock as well as dread filled my stomach. There was no way this was real, but somehow I transmigrated into the classic novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.
"If it's alright, I'd like to be alone right now?" I asked with a shaky breath, watching as they looked at each other hesitantly. Luckily for me, they agreed and left the room. Once the door was closed behind them and I was alone, I shot off the bed. I limped over to the vanity and gasped. I really am in the body of Mary Bennet.
Catalina Ropper was a red-head with a fiery temper and blue eyes. The person staring back into the mirror was the complete opposite. In the mirror, the woman looking back had thick black hair and endless dark brown eyes. She had plump lips and eyebrows that needed a desperate trimming.
I plopped down on to the seat, still staring in disbelief at my reflection. Somehow, the universe has pushed me into the world of a Jane Austen novel. Don't get me wrong, Pride and Prejudice was always my favorite novel. I always fangirled over the love story and the character, yet now I am one of the actual characters. Not only that, I was considered the plainest.
That's how Mary was always described to be, the plainest of the five sisters, but still as silly as her younger sisters. I huffed as I studied my reflection closer. Despite the damage control her eyebrows needed, Mary was a pretty girl. In this time, tall and slender women were the epitome of an English beauty. Mary was the complete opposite of that standard. She had wider hips and a bigger chest than her sisters, of course, she was shorter as well. Mary Bennet was a thick curvy girl who was never given proper credit.
I hummed as I search through her vanity drawers, there were all sort of things in there, but not what I wanted. Reaching the bottom drawer, I opened and sighed in relief when I found a pair of tweezers. Soon enough, I began my damage control.
Plucking your eyebrows is always a pain, but it seems Mary was the type to never do so. I shrugged my shoulders and began my work. If I have to live as Mary Bennet, then I'll have to adapt to my new surroundings. In this time, women used their wits and wiles to seduce men into marrying them as a means of survival.
It's a shame that is their only "real" purpose in life, but I need to adapt. Slowly, my eyebrows looked less like bugs and more neater. Once I was satisfied that they were as even as I could get them, I walked over to the bowl of water. Splashing some on my face, I once more looked in the mirror. Mary now looked even prettier than before. Good job Catalina.
I began to wander about my new room, going through drawers and clothes, my mind thinking on the future. The book never mentioned Mary ever getting into any sort of accident, so something had already changed it seemed. It is a good thing that I entered the body of Mary, as I don't have to deal with any drama from the male leads and the antagonists.
But our reputation would still be on the line, because of the young and foolish Lydia who hooks herself to any man that pays her any attention. Kitty who is just as a young and foolish, follows her sister's every actions. There is not much to worry about with the two eldest, but there is our mother to worry about. From what I can remember, she loves to run her mouth about her prettiest daughters.
In the original story, Mr. Darcy uses that as one of his excuses as to why he belittles Elizabeth. Or, that is how I always interpreted it, at least. I could try to stop Lydia from eloping, but it helps Elizabeth fall in love with him. I've read this story plenty enough to know that their mother is concerned about being thrown to the hedgerows when their father dies eventually. I'm not going to lie, that sounds like it is the worst feeling, but luckily that never happens.
In my old life, I had read many stories where people like me have done the same and found themselves in a story. Oftentimes they will change the story plot all together or they push the story plot along, only changing a few things. For me, I am stuck as a minor character who's story was never given the chance to be told or explored. Of course after reading PP, I had always wanted there to be a second volume by Jane Austen that went into the story of Mary and Catherine Bennet.
I had always wished for their love stories to be told, to be shared, but life is unfair and that never happened by the original author. Although Jane Austen died hundreds of years ago, her works are still so renowned.
Fate works in mysterious ways, even if that means it puts you into the story yourself. i was pulled from my thoughts when my night gown caught on a drawer handle. My body had turned, yanking the poor drawer open with enough force to startle me. As I looked down into the drawer, I found a title-less booked bounded by a black leather cover. Picking the book up, I flipped it open to a random page.
'What is this feeling? Emilee could not fathom what was happening to her body. The way he gazed at her like a man dying of thirst made her knees weak. His countenance begged for her to accept his passion and succumb to his lust. She knows she should not give in to the temptation he gazes at her with, yet the heat between her thighs would not cool down. No matter how much she tried to rub her thighs together to ease the ache, nothing helped. All she wanted was to fall into his arms and let his temptation swallow her whole like an ocean wave.'
I slammed the book shut, blinking my eyes in wide-eyed shock. "Girl! It seems we have something in common, we both secretly enjoy the mature and spicy novels!" I mumbled to myself. Turning around, I hurried and closed the drawer and limped back to the bed.
Pulling the cover over my legs, I opened the book the first page. I let the story pull me away, taking my mind off of the fact that I was in a novel myself. Time started to pass by, my mind was preoccupied by the novel in my hands. That was true until excited chatter from the other Bennet's filled my ears, catching my attention. "...Come... see... Mary! ...Lucky... Mary... handsome...!" I could only make out a few words from what sounded like Lydia. Slipping the book under my pillows, I threw the cover off and limped to the window. Luckily her window overlooked the entrance of the house.
Once at the window, my eyes scanned around until I was looking down at the wide shoulders and blond head of a man from above. He seemed to be talking to one of the servants, who had curtsied and left from view. I stood still in the window, staring down at the gentleman.
From the looks of it, he seemed to be a noble or man of a lot of wealth. His clothes looked to be of the finest quality and the horse that stood grazing in the grass was a beautiful beast with shining black fur. I watched as the horse seemed to sniff the ground before shaking its large head vigorously and stomping at the ground. I couldn't help but giggle to myself, seeing the human like reaction from the beautiful beast.
My eyes went back to the gentleman, I was expecting to see him being led into the house already, but instead, I met a pair of electric green eyes and a smirk on a handsome face. I felt my cheeks flush at being caught staring, quickly retreating out of the window's view.
I could my heart beating in my chest, my cheeks felt very warm. Shaking my head, I limped back to the bed. Just as I pulled the cover over my legs, Lydia and Kitty came bursting into the room.
"Mary, mama said to put on your best dress and come downstairs. The man who ran you over with his horse is here." Lydia giggled obnoxiously with Kitty following.
I sighed and shook my head. "I will be down soon. I do not believe this to be a good idea." I stated, watching the youngest girl roll her eyes at me.
They left, leaving me by myself. I began a search for something to wear, finding a dark blue day dress. After putting on my dress, I decided on braiding my hair and letting it hang over my shoulder.
I looked in the mirror once more to make sure I looked appropriate. Leaving the room, I made my way downstairs. Luckily this body is still familiar with the layout of her childhood home.
I entered the room where everyone was gathered, watching as all eyes turned towards me. Mary Bennet is known for her style as well as never changing it, it seemed to be a shock for the rest of her family.
Still, I looked at the gentleman who had turned to face me fully. "Mary, this gentleman is Maxwell Greene. Mr. Greene, this is my daughter Mary." I curtsied to the man, as propriety states.
"Miss Mary, after what happened the other day, I have been filled with guilt." The genuine concern on his face was enough to tell me that he really meant it. "I hope you are feeling much better. I also want to apologize for putting you in danger." He dropped his head to a bow as he finished speak.
"I thank you sir. Please raise your head." He picked his head up, looking at me still concerned. "I am still alive and well. You do not need to carry anymore guilt with you sir. Unless I become a phantom to haunt your every waking hour, then there is no need for any guilt." I grinned, trying to seem like I am alright.
I could see the surprise on my family's face, they were taken back by the teasing. Maxwell Greene raised a brow before I saw a small smile crack at the side of his mouth. "I thank you for your consideration Miss Mary, but I still feel I must compensate you for your pain and distress." My eyebrows shot up in surprise at his words.
I hadn't thought to ask for compensation, as from the original owner's very little memories showed that he had rode by at the wrong time. This could change the future of the story, so I have to choose wisely. "That is something I cannot choose right now, as I am not sure what I would ask for in compensation at this moment. I suppose some would ask for a large sum of pounds, but I have no real use for such an amount." I looked down. My leg was starting to ache from standing so long.
The blood began to rush to my leg, cause it to feel like it was burning. Hissing to myself, I tried to move to the nearest chair, trying to hide the limp. I took about two steps, before I felt someone grab my hand. I looked up to see Maxwell Greene looking concerned. "Forgive me, my body is still recovering." I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up.
"Tis' alright Miss Mary. I shall help you." I thanked him quietly and limped slowly to a chair.
"Mary are you alright? Do you need any tea or anything?" Jane's concerned voice had me looking over to her.
I smiled gratefully. "Thank you Jane, can you ask someone to bring me a cold compress for my leg. It is starting to hurt." She looked a little confused, but I hurried to rephrase my self. "It's ice wrapped in cloth to help with swelling." She nodded in understanding and went away.
"I really am sorry for causing you this pain-" He started but I waved him off as he helped me into the chair.
"I am alive and well Mr. Greene. Humans are bound to face hardships in life, right now I am blessed to be here with my family." I looked up to see his face near mine. His emerald eyes holding me still. Suddenly he began to move away, bringing me back to reality.
"You are right about that Miss Bennet. Please do consider what you would like. My conscious cannot let accident go fully if I do not." I hummed as I thought about his words. That is very generous. If I can raise my sisters' dowries a little more, perhaps they'll have higher chances of finding decent husbands.
"Very well then Mr. Greene. Then I'll ask for a final sum of 4,000 pounds. I'll use that for my sisters' dowries in compensation sir." He blinked surprised by my answer, as well as my family.
"Mary, you shouldn't have to do that." My father began to say, but my mother seemed ecstatic over my generosity. It was not just her, but Lydia and Kitty both jumped with happiness. Elizabeth looked concerned, her eye
Why only 4,000 if you wish for it to be for your dowries?" Mr. Greene raised a brow.
"Well, I am sure I will never receive a marriage proposal from anyone. There will be no need to raise the amount of my dowry." I shrugged easily, gladly accepting the cold compress Jane had just returned with. "Thank you Jane." I smiled as I slid it over the area where my leg was hurting.
"Mary, you are an amazing girl. Someone will fall in love with you." Elizabeth had walked closer, helping me with the compress. I felt my cheeks flush realizing what I had said. I can't believe I tried to make myself look like the martyr.
"But someone will fall in love with you first, dear Elizabeth. I am not quite ready to get married just yet." I tried to find another excuse, as there is a high probability Mary Bennet will not receive a proposal until later in life.
"Well, if you insist so Miss Mary, I will send you the 4,000 pounds as soon as I return to London." He smiled. The way dimples puckered at his cheeks made him look younger and more boyish. I shook my head mentally, trying to get rid of those thoughts.
"Thank you Mr. Greene. I do very much appreciate it." I smiled kindly, knowing that this extra thousand will help give the girls' a better chance. Soon after he had left, the family surrounded me throwing question after question at me.
I threw up my hands, trying to tell them to be quiet. "I know you have questions. First, I'm starting to remember who you all are. It's my most recent memories that I cannot recall. I would like to know how old I am." I looked at my mother and father but they looked at each other as if asking each other. An awkward silence
"You're eighteen Mary." Kitty filled the silence. I looked over at her to see a sad look on her face. Your birthday is August 23rd." I smiled gratefully to her.
"Thank you Kitty." I looked down at my leg, not wanting to be here at the moment. How could her own parents forget her birthday? Then something popped into my memories. One that isn't mine.
It was almost the afternoon and her parents had not even wished her a happy birthday yet. Lizzy and Lydia seemed to have forgotten her birthday as well as they had not said anything to her. Jane was sewing in her chair, it seemed even she had forgotten her birthday as well. Tears brimmed the edge of her eyes, she wanted to cry. She knew she was always invisible, yet it seemed that even her day of birth should be invisible to their memories too.
She stood from her spot, moving towards the door. Footsteps running up to the sitting room caught her attention as Kitty came running in. She spotted Mary, a smile gracing her lips. "I slept in, sorry I'm late! Happy Birthday Mary, I got you a little something." Mary took the small parcel wrapped with small blue and purple ribbons. Her eyes threatened to release the flood of tears.
She threw her arms around her sister, a sort of clumsy gesture as they had not been close in recent years. "Thank you Kitty." She whispered for her sister to hear, before pulling away and leaving the room quickly.
Tears dripped down her face as she escaped out the back and ran towards Oakham's Mount She sobbed pathetically to herself, with only a shawl on her shoulders. That day she didn't return until it was nearly dark.
The pain of the memory made my chest hurt and my head ache. I hissed as I placed a hand to my head. "I would like to return to my room." She made to stand up and smiled gratefully as Kitty moved to help me immediately.
We left the room, her helping me up the stairs. The climb up was painful, each step causing bolts of pain to go through my leg. The climb up felt like forever, but when I finally made it to the top, I let out a breath of relief. Kitty helped me all the way to my room, once on my bed, I dropped the top half of my body down with a groan. "Thank you for helping me Kitty." I sat up and smiled at her.
"You're welcome, I just hope you'll stay away from danger and moving horses from now on." Her words made me laugh, seeing a small smile touch her lips. "I'll leave you be and let you rest." Kitty left, closing the door behind her. I sighed and threw my day dress off. It was going to be a long recovery. I pulled the book out and got comfortable, pulling the cover over my body.
Oh how life played its tricks on you, she was baffled by the fact she was brought here off all places. She wasn't religious per say, but her favorite novel, seriously? She sighed to herself, feeling exhaustion hit her and she succumbed to sleep.