AN: Okay, so this chapter takes a major shift for Mary, and a big surprise. There will be many many more surprises though in the future for her. :) Tell me what you think, please. Hope I didn't keep you all waiting for too long.
9
The ball arrived to everyone's delight, and guests arrived by the handful, lining up outside the Pemberley estate with much enthusiasm and anticipation. Servants had been bustling about for forty-eight hours prior to the event, cooking food and making sure the decorum would be to everyone's particular enjoyment. An orchestra of strings and other various instruments were nestled on the alcove above the ballroom, so that the room might be filled with their music in every corner. Ribbons twirled from the ceiling, long silk drapes and velvet curtains that made it all appear as a fantasy before your very eyes.
"My, look at the hall!" a woman pointed to her husband. "I do wonder how long it takes them to decorate such an estate for an event like this, my dear. I do declare, they must have been planning this for a month, at the least."
"Brother, have you seen Mary?" Georgiana tugged upon her brother's arm as he and Elizabeth Bennet greeted their guests. "I have been off in pursuit of her all evening and she is no where to be found."
"Have you checked the library?" Elizabeth questioned. "I am most certain she is hiding there behind some book of hers and she has lost the time."
"But does she not realize she must be ready?"
"Mary was never one to care for such trifles as balls, Georgiana." Elizabeth informed. "If she has not lost track of time, she is spending her evening there in hopes of missing this event."
"Oh, but I must fetch her!" Georgiana ran off through the crowd, causing Mr. Darcy to chuckle.
"She does try so to win Mary's favor," Mr. Darcy remarked. "I do hope the poor girl is not working towards a lost cause."
"That is my sister you speak of, if I need remind you." Elizabeth responded softly as she shook hands with a family with a smile.
Mary Bennet had been awoken early by the servants, who thought it best to ready her at the crack of dawn, so that they need not be bothered by her the rest of the day. Half asleep, Mary had felt as if she were in a nightmare, being pulled at and prodded and touched so as to turn her into the beauty she had grown to hate. Such a transfiguration seemed not worth the work, and she felt that sleep deprivation need not be a price for a day of beauty.
Upon her freedom, clad in her gown for the night with a borrowed necklace of sapphires from Georgiana, Mary sat in a huge armchair facing the fire in the library. A stack of books rested in front of the great chair, and she sat sideways, with her back resting on one of the arms of the chair, and her legs dangling from the other. A large novel rested in her lap and was held up by her legs like her body was molded into a book holder to display the pages to her.
"Of course you must spend your evening locked about amongst your books, Mary!" Georgiana exclaimed, marching over fervently. "Why, half of the house is filled with people, and you yet here you are, continuing on as if there be no ball to attend. Why, this is all for you, after all, Mary, and it would be immeasurably rude if you did not attend your own ball."
"Is it time for the ball to start?" Mary looked above her book begrudgingly. "There be not enough hours in the day to do as we wish with it."
"Had you all the time in the world, you would still be up here, Mary."
"I never said it would not be the truth."
"Well, you must come along now. I shall not step a foot into the crowd lest you join me."
"Can we not wait a bit longer?" Mary suggested. "I do wish to finish this."
"You are not half through it, and I have not the patience to wait any longer." Georgiana strutted over and pulled Mary up. "Come now, and let us bless them all with our presence."
"I am no Saint to be blessing anyone, I do promise you."
"I meant not a Saint," Georgiana giggled. "More like an angel, do you not think so?"
"Any angel brought about by hours of paint and burnt hair and powder and ribbons and, perhaps, a few pounds of silk." Mary remarked. "I doubt that could constitute as any natural angel."
The ball before them was far too formal for most tastes, but there was no denying that it matched up well to the taste of Mary, who wished for life to be of more order and logic. Men took to the women quite rapidly, and pairs were immediately formed and concentrated in the ballroom. Women alone sat in the next room, chattering endlessly in order to forget the present circumstances and lack of attention from the opposite sex. Occasionally, a man would grow bored of his partner and send her to the room, and there was a girl or two who cried in the corner for a broken heart at being tossed aside so unfeelingly.
No one from before might have identified Mary Bennet as the girl from Derbyshire who carried no beauty about her yet held herself with an air of condescension. Now, she appeared only as a girl of vast wealth, who had reason to hold her head high amongst a crowd. Her dark gown put an emphasis on her in a room of spring colors in light hues, and many men's eyes were fixated upon her, as she sat with Georgiana as an enigma to them all.
"I do wonder why no one is asking you yet, Mary." Georgiana held Mary's hands and giggled ceaselessly. "Perhaps they are to shy to approach you, for fear of rejection. It is a common fear of men, you know, to be rejected by a beautiful lady. They do not like to have their pride so easily demolished, and are no doubt threatened by your very presence."
"You paint me as a monster who might devour all men in her sight," Mary commented. "I think I dislike standing here alone as a beauty far more than I did when I be nothing but a plain girl, for at least then I knew the cause of me standing beside myself."
"You are not alone this time, Mary." Georgiana squeezed her hand. "I am most willing to spend my evening with you."
"Do not deny yourself the joys of this event on account of me," Mary told her. "I will not have it."
"Oh, but I shall not have a sprite of jollity if you sit here alone throughout the night."
Edward Pendleton had stood opposite the two young ladies, talking with a group of men in regards to business. However, as he stared at Georgiana, he came to feel an attachment towards her partner, who sat erect and with an astute air he could perceive even from the distance with which he stood. He could see many a dozen men who stared at her as well, and he smiled to know that such men would only do that the entire evening, for she seemed too beautiful to disturb.
Though he had not exchanged more than a few words with her, he knew already of her intellect. She was a lady who tried hard to present herself in a display of intelligence, and who would not be tolerant of condescending remarks or actions from the opposite sex, or those of her own. Her beauty, as undeniable as it was, seemed to be a trait she was entirely ignorant of, or chose not to acknowledge, for she did not notice the myriad of eyes that were captivated by her very presence in the room. Many a man nodded in approval of her choice of attire, and Edward found himself doing the same, for she seemed a mystery that must be presented in deep colors, and bright, vibrant colors in light hues would not do her the justice in exhibiting herself in all her enigmatic ways.
"If you may excuse me," Edward left his company to smile down at Georgiana and her friend. "Good evening, Miss Georgiana."
"Edward!" Georgiana stood instantaneously and hold out a hand. "I did not know you would attend the ball."
"I thought I might delay my trip a bit longer if it would allow me the opportunity to be in your friendly presence once more," he grinned and bowed. "Unfortunately, my sister did not wish to be prevented any longer and departed soon after our trip to the dressmaker's."
"I do not blame her. I suppose she would not wish to be in the presence of the Darcy family after our first meeting."
"I suppose not," Edward chuckled and looked at Mary. "Good evening, might I introduce myself to you?"
"I see no objection to it," Mary answered coldly, so that Georgiana gave her a look of warning. "Of course, I would be delighted to make your acquaintance."
"I am Edward Pendleton," he bowed to Mary, and looked up with a smile. "I am very closely affiliated with the Darcy bloodline. Lady Catherine De Bourgh herself is of close connection with myself, and I am honored to be able to call her Aunt, upon my visits to Rosings."
"I see," Mary nodded her head, unsure of any other way to respond to his references of himself. "I am Mary Bennet of Derbyshire and little ranking. That is all I have to recommend myself, I suppose."
"Might you delight me with a dance, Miss Bennet?" Edward's smile broadened with her response and he became instantly intrigued by this Bennet.
"I see no objection to it," Mary stood up and joined him in the crowd.
"Might I start by complimenting you on your beauty, Miss Bennet?"
"If it pleases you to compliment me."
"Of course, but does it not please you to be complimented?" Edward inquired.
"I suppose it might, but my vanity does not lie within my looks, Mr. Pendleton."
"Might I recommend you call me Edward, since I desire to become better acquainted with you in the future?" Edward suggested. "I hope I am not presenting myself as far too forward for your tastes."
"It is of no opposition of mine," Mary answered. "If a person has intentions, I suppose it be logical to save themselves the time and worry and be done with the matter as soon as possible."
"You make it seem as love be merely a business," Edward laughed.
"But is love not the business of the heart?" Mary responded, already bored with her fraternization. "Might I inquire your designs of asking me to dance, Mr. Pendleton, or Edward, if you will, when you had no such interest in me prior to this ball? Why, you had not a word to say to me when we first met but to correct my statements in regards to your sister."
"You must understand that I have an obligation to defend my family."
"If there is something to defend," Mary replied. "However, your sister was displaying herself as a supercilious charlatan."
"Miss Bennet! I must say that I cannot tolerate you speaking of my sister in such a manner."
"Than I do not come to understand your designs to ask me to dance, when you are quite aware that my opinions in regards to your sister is far from fond."
"And how might I have been aware?"
"Have you no sense of observation the day we met?"
"Your impertinence is quite unattractive, Miss Bennet."
"Perhaps this dance was a means of insulting me?" Mary suggested. "Your opportunity of revenge to affront and cause injury to me?"
"I am not one, madam, to slight a lady."
"Then I suppose you disregard your unattractive statement?" Mary challenged. "I suppose that in regards to us, all we might allow pass between us is quarrels and disputes?"
"Only if we will it, Miss Bennet."
"Is that not what we will it now as we speak?"
"My, you certainly enjoy to challenge authority."
"You surely are not indicating you hold any authority over me, do you, Mr. Pendleton?" Mary cocked her head and laughed. "I know well your kind."
"My kind?" Edward grew bemused at her response. "Please inform me, Miss Bennet, of what my kind might possibly be."
"You," Mary began, "are one of those men who find the necessity in presenting yourself in some grandiose fashion, in all your wit and good fashions, as a means of influencing others to approve of your very being and character. In all your attempts of displaying sensibility, you find it imprudent to acknowledge the opinions of others if they are of discrepancy with your own, and feel disregard towards all discords, and possibly find them particularly favorable if they provide you with the means to further display some degree of intelligence or superiority. Unfortunate for you, Mr. Pendleton, that I am not a peacock that will be led to a cage like many women in this room. If you wish for a partner who might indulge your ignorance to the truth before your very eyes, you speak with the wrong lady, for I am not one to deny myself the logic and good sense that was bestowed upon me to acquiesce to your absurd claims. If you look for compliance, seek your partners elsewhere, for I am certainly not that lady."
"Miss Bennet!" Edward called after her as she dissolved into the crowd.
10
The ball proceeded as it will, and Georgiana had many a pleasant dance with an agreeable gentleman. Mary, after departing for an hour, returned in fear of Georgiana fetching her once more, at which she was welcomed with a line of suitors desiring her presence in the ballroom. Her previous fervor was gone, and she provided dull company, for her argument with Mr. Pendleton had her tiresome of the company of the opposite sex for the evening, and she wished to be locked up in the library amongst more agreeable company than that which surrounded her.
At the end of the room, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth danced, very much enjoying their company, and enjoying laughs over their first dance at Netherfield Park. Such fond memories of their old relationship provided them with much laughs, and the possibility that before they might not have been together allowed them to savor their wedlock. The Bingley's were all smiles, and departed soon after to walk the grounds, for they wished for an intimate air and only wanted the other as company.
The following day, Mary woke with her hair still half-up, with large curls framing her face once more. She scurried outdoors before the servants might enter and force her to submit into readying herself in the usual display. Though she was still of great beauty, despite the lack of powder and her plain gown from home, her reflection displayed more of her old self that she came to appreciate. Her beauty had painted her to be merely a molding, an empty doll where there be nothing else inside her, and nothing else to her but porcelain, paint, and silk. The surprise of others when she made a cerebral statement caused annoyance to her, and she knew then that no amount of beauty might outweigh her fondness forher intellect, for at least the intellect she possessed was of her own cultivation and hard work, whereas the latter was nothing but a visage of make-up and fabric.
"Soon the dream shall end," Mary sighed, sitting before the great fountain in front of Pemberley. "Mama will wish to present me to Mr. Gallagher, and I suppose I shall eventually find the necessity to submit to one of her demands of marriage, otherwise I shall always be some display to the world, as a dress in the front window, waiting to be bought. I shall be likely to sit and grow dust upon my skin. Rather I be myself and have another desire me in all of my imperfections than deny myself the freedom of my individuality. I shall never be of the crowd."
"Miss Bennet?"
"Mr. Pendleton!" Mary stood abruptly and hurried away.
"Why do you flee from me?"
"Why do I flee?" Mary turned and marched towards him with a ferocity that caused Edward to take a step back. "Perhaps you are able to account the events of the previous night? Do you think them to provide me the means to smile with reluctance upon your presence?"
"I did not mean to insult you, though it ended up so." Edward apologized. "Nor did I come here to insult you further."
"Then might you explain to me the reasons for you visit?"
"To tell you why I asked you to dance the previous night."
"Go on."
"You captivate me, Miss Bennet." Edward told her. "Your very presence in the room at the ball was enough to attract the attention of every man within. From our first meeting, I was able to gather you were a woman of immense intellect, and that is a trait which not many woman possess, nor is the necessity to display such a trait. I do admire your ability to speak openly with others your opinion, for many conform to the wishes and vices of others in order to seek approval, however that was never your design, or at least that is the impression with which I was able to arrive from my acquaintance with you thus far. However, all of these are merely traits to add to your overall enigma, for you are a mystery to me, Miss Bennet. I have come into acquaintance with some of your sisters, and you stand out the most to me. I do fear that I might fall in love with you, Miss Bennet."
"You fear you might fall in love with me?" Mary raised an eyebrow.
"I meant that not as an insult, it is just…" Edward sighed. "I have family who have plans for me already."
"You are engaged?"
"Not yet," Edward shook his head. "But, I suppose that once I arrive in London, I very well will be."
"Then why do you tell me all of this?"
"Because, if I was provided the choice, I would be engaged to you."
"To me?"
"Yes, I am very much enthralled by you, Miss Bennet, and I would be eternally grateful and happy to be in wedlock with you."
"With me?" Mary did not conceal her perplexion. "Sir, I am of no beauty. Prior to today, I have been nothing but given a mask to make me appear agreeable to the opposite sex. Do you not see I am far from my previous image this very morning?"
"All that I see, Miss Bennet, is a beauty." Edward smiled. "You are a beautiful soul."
"You know not what you say."
"I know perfectly wellthe words which I allow to surpass my lips, Miss Bennet, and they are of a developing love that continues to grow with every moment that passes in your presence. I do wish for our own engagement."
"Are you… proposing to me, Mr. Pendleton?"
"Not yet," he shook his head. "No, I must first go to London. But I wish to tell you of my intention prior to my departure this morning. I also wished to clear up our differences from the ball, for I do not wish for such a harsh feeling of resentment towards me from you. I just hope that my meeting with you right now is enough for you to wait for me."
"So you want me to wait for you?" Mary asked slowly.
"Yes, if you would be so kind." Edward nodded. "At this moment, I cannot propose, for my future meetings with family and friends must first be spoken to. But I promise you, that upon my return, I shall come to your house and renew these feelings, for I am most confident they shall be strong as ever."
"So now you depart?"
"I suppose I shall, lest I am left behind by the driver."
"Then I suppose I shall be waiting."
"Thank you, Miss Bennet." Edward bowed. "You have made me eternally grateful for your patience."
"I have waited eighteen years thus far, and I suppose a bit longer shall do no more damage to me."