A/N: Alright, well here's the next chapter. Sorry it took FOREVER but, though I had it written for a long time I nitpicked over it not sure how I felt about it. I think this is as good as it's going to get. But hopefully you all will like it. Hopefully the beginning isn't too slow, but keep reading because it has the Netherfield ball and Mr. Singleton. :) It's another long chapter, but I don't think all chapters will be this long as this and the last one. I debated whether or not to make this 1 or 2 chapters, because I felt as if the story might be rushing a little too much towards the main twist in the plot. But I finally settled with making it one.
I'm not sure when I'll post the next chapter, these next few chaps are giving me a bit of trouble. I have the plot for them, I'm just not happy with the flow so far.
The five sisters and their very charming cousin set off for the dinner with the Philips' the next evening. Mary was very pleased to see that Kitty and Lydia had situated themselves next to Jane in the carriage to avoid sitting next to Mr. Collins. Mary happily took the seat next to him, but was disconcerted when Elizabeth entered the carriage. Mr. Collins politely asked Mary to move over to "make room for Cousin Elizabeth."
A few minutes into the ride Mary decided to try once more. She finally asked Mr. Collins his opinion on a sermon from Fordyce. This, of course, led to a lengthy speech from the clergyman that Mary salivated over. Upon a pause, Mary asked him another question, but Elizabeth, annoyed at being caught in the middle of the dreadful discourse, asked him something else at the same moment to, at the very least, change the subject. Unfortunately for poor Mary, Mr. Collins chose to continue his oration on the topic Eliza presented instead. Mary was highly disappointed in the course of events that took place in that carriage. She had been dreading that her cousin had perhaps taken an interest in Elizabeth and her worries were proving to be valid. Mary mentally replaced Lydia with Elizabeth as her least favorite sister.
The dinner was rather dull. That awful and odious Mr. Wickham was there and spent much of the evening talking with Elizabeth. Mary had told Elizabeth she did not trust that Wickham, but her older sister merely laughed at her and said she was prejudice against charming, young men thinking they were all cads. Elizabeth didn't even pay attention when Mary claimed a few coins had been missing from her purse after she ran into him in Meryton. That was the usual case however. No one ever gave much heed to Mary, and the dinner was no exception. Mary felt ignored by everyone, especially Mr. Collins who she had a hard time initiating a conversation with after what had happened in the carriage. She spent her time listening to his monologues to her aunt and watching him play whist. Mary wished that the Philips' had a piano so she could impress Mr. Collins with her playing abilities. He mostly just heard her practicing at home, never actually performing. She made a mental decision to ask him if he'd like her to play for him sometime at home.
The ride home was a little better. Elizabeth and Jane sat next to each other and Lydia shoved Kitty out of the way to sit next to them. This left Kitty on the same side as Mr. Collins, but squishing herself as far away from him as possible. Mary happily took the seat between them and, ignoring Lydia's nattering, listened as Mr. Collins talked about this and that. She sat a little close to him until he mentioned for the forth time he felt he was crowding his cousins and gave her a pointed look.
"M-Mr. Collins, would you like me to play a song for you?"
Mary was standing in front of Mr. Collins, who was in the sitting room reading. Her two younger sisters, who were doing more gossiping than needle working, were present as well. They looked over at Mary and Mr. Collins and exchanged a look with eachother. Lydia snorted.
"Oh please, Mary. He's heard you play before!" She exclaimed.
"He's heard me practice, but not perform."
"This, I believe, will be agreeable." Mr. Collins said. "For, as a clergyman, I have no objection to music..."
Thus he continued to speak for a good minute about the virtues of the musical arts. Once he finished, Mary gave him a smile and sat at the pianoforte. She played a romantic melody, not something she was accustomed to but something she found appropriate for the occasion. Halfway through her performance she was interrupted by a loud snore. Looking up, she saw Mr. Collins asleep and her two younger sisters laughing.
"E-even Mr. Collins, of all people, finds her dull," Lydia snickered to Kitty.
Mary frowned and slowly lowered her hands. She wanted to get up and leave, but a knock on the door sounded. Several seconds later, Mr. Bingley and his sisters were announced and they entered the room. Shortly after, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their two eldest daughters entered into the room as well.
Mr. Bingley had come to officially and formally invite them to the ball he was to have at Netherfield the following Tuesday. The Bingley siblings left shortly after and the house broke out into a chorus of excited voices, especially from Mary's mother and two younger sisters. Mary, when her mother insisted that she was to go, took the opportunity to say:
"While I can have my mornings to myself it is enough. I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for everybody." Mary added in thought "Especially with Mr. Collins in attendance. Oh, I do hope he dances with me."
Her comment was mostly disregarded, but her secret thoughts were answered a few moments later. Lizzy asked if Mr. Collins planned to attend and he, unsurprisingly, gave a lengthy answer that included:
"I hope to be honored with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening;" at this Mary smiled. Mr. Collins continued "and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the first two dances especially." Mary's smile was quickly replaced with a frown. She should have known. Leave it to Lizzy to mess everything up.
The next few days went by and Monday arrived, the ball was to be the next day. Mary was, for once, considering how she should look the following evening. She didn't like the idea of spending too much time on her looks, but she figured there were a few things that could be improved. She wanted to be more noticeable to Mr. Collins. She picked out a lovely white dress. It was simple, but it was the nicest one she owned. It was one her mother forced her to buy and she wore only once at last Christmas. She considered wearing a little powder, having her hair done a little more nicely than usual, and going without her reading glasses. She didn't want to fuss over it too much, but a simple change she didn't necessarily oppose either. There was still one more thing she needed to take care of.
Sometime after lunch Mary knocked tentatively on Jane and Lizzy's bedroom door. She heard a voice inside inviting her to enter. Mary bit her lip, slowly opened the door, and peeked in to see Jane sitting at her vanity. Mary opened the door wider and let herself in, shutting the door behind her.
"Hello Mary." Jane said, smiling.
"Hello. Where is Lizzy?" Mary asked.
"Oh, she just recently left to take a walk." Jane answered. "Did you need to discuss something with her?"
Mary shook her head.
"Actually, I was hoping to speak with you."
Mary was most jealous of Jane for being the handsomest girl in all of Hertfordshire, while Mary was stuck being the plain one in the family. Or perhaps she was most jealous of Lizzy. Lizzy was not only pretty, but also earned more respect from others, especially from their father, for her intelligence and piano playing than Mary did for her hard labored achievements. In either case, in spite of Mary's jealousy, Jane was perhaps Mary's favorite sister because she was the kindest. She wasn't rude like Lydia, annoying like Kitty, or impatient with less-than-perfect beings such as Lizzy was. Therefore, on the rare occasions that Mary confided in a sister or asked one for a favor, she was most likely to turn to Jane.
Jane put her hairbrush down.
"How may I help you, Mary? Is everything alright?"
Mary bit her lip and stared at her hands. Jane smiled. She, always having a good opinion of others, always felt that her middle sister's stiff behavior was a result of shyness and not conceit.
Mary looked up and her cheeks colored.
"I was hoping you could, well...help me to tweeze my eyebrows." she muttered.
Jane smiled again.
"But you can't tell the others!" Mary added quickly.
"Alright." Jane said, chuckling. She motioned for Mary to sit down next to her. "Now, this will hurt a little bit so don't be startled."
Jane picked up her tweezers and Mary bit her lip, shutting her eyes tight.
"Don't shut your eyes too tight, it scrunches up your face." Jane instructed. Mary reluctantly obeyed.
One second later Mary felt a horrid sensation as if her face were being pulled off. She let out a blood-curdling scream and pulled away, looking accusingly at her eldest sister.
"That hurt!" she cried, holding a hand over the afflicted spot, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I told you it would hurt."
"You said a little! You didn't tell me my face would feel as if a hundred plows just ran over it!"
Jane had to bite her lip to avoid laughing.
"We can stop if you want to."
Mary almost agreed, but at the moment heard Mr. Collins tramping through the house looking for Elizabeth.
"No, no. I was just surprised, that is all."
Kitty suddenly burst through the door. Mary and Jane looked up at their startled sister.
"Is everything alright in here?" Kitty asked, breathless.
"Oh, yes, I-I just stubbed my toe." Mary lied.
"Oh! I thought someone died!" Kitty said. Mary and Jane looked at Kitty as she just stood there, looking from one sister to the other.
"So what are you two up to?" She asked cheerfully.
Jane looked at Mary.
"Nothing." Mary said and glared at Kitty wanting her to would go away.
"Oh, please do tell! Is it a secret?" Kitty asked excitedly. Mary scowled.
"Kitty! I just heard the latest gossip about one of the officers!" They heard Lydia yell from somewhere in the house.
"Ooh!" Kitty squealed. She turned to her older sisters. "Well, goodbye then!"
Kitty darted out of the room. Mary rolled her eyes and Jane giggled.
"Perhaps you should try it yourself." she said to Mary. "It might hurt less."
And so, Mary, under Jane's instruction, tweezed her own brow. Though she whimpered and cried as she did she did not scream bloody murder like her initial response to the torture.
After she finished Mary looked at her red forehead.
"That was the most horrid torture I ever went through. Why do women put themselves through this for despicable creatures such as men?"
Jane, trying not to laugh, wondered why Mary put her own self through it but decided not to voice her thought.
"I think you did a very nice job. You look very lovely." she said instead.
Mary looked in the mirror again and was a bit surprised. It did improve the way she looked, and her face looked fairly decent after all.
"Oh...I suppose that looks alright." Mary said, looking down out her hands. She looked up at Jane. "Well, thank you."
Jane smiled.
"You're welcome."
Mary gave a little smile and exited the room, passing Lizzy in the process. Lizzy gave her sister a questioning look. Mary looked slightly different in a pretty way, and Lizzy was not able to place it.
Mary entered into the Netherfield ballroom feeling intimidated and overwhelmed. It was the grandest, most elegant building she had ever entered in all her life and it was full of many people. She was quite disconcerted to think she would spend the entire evening hiding in a corner, lost from her entire family, while everyone ignored her or snickered about her. Presently, she was shoved over by someone impatient to join acquaintances, oh yes, Lydia, and crashed into a young man.
"Well, hello there Miss Mary."
Mary looked up to see that, fortunately, the young man she was smashed into was Mr. Singleton, who smiled warmly down at her.
"Hello, Mr. Singleton. I'm awfully sorry about that."
"That's quite alright" Mr. Singleton's said face flushing. Mary looked very pretty tonight. She was wearing a nice white dress, much nicer than he was accustomed to seeing her in, and she looked even prettier than usual.
"Mr. Singleton, are you alright?"
Mr. Singleton cleared his throat.
"I'm fine. I must say you look lovely this evening."
Mary blushed a little.
"Thank you, Mr. Singleton." She said. Then she exclaimed. "Oh! Mr. Singleton, you must meet Mr. Collins!"
Richard's face fell. Mary led him toward Mr. Collins who was standing a few feet off.
"M-Mr. Collins." Mary said. Mr. Collins looked up at Mary disinterestedly. Mary continued "This is Mr. Singleton; he's a friend of the family and works for my uncle, Mr. Philips."
Richard shook Mr. Collins hand with a competitive look in his eye.
"Oh yes, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Philips. Quite the lovely couple I do say." Mr. Collins said. He then went on to exclaim in lengthy detail the amiability of the two adults. After this he made a remark about Richard's occupation, ("I see you work in the law then, a most honorable occupation.") and began pompously discussing about his own ("I work in the clergy, for I find it to be the most honorable occupation one can partake in, even for someone as humble as I"). He only ended when the music picked up and excused himself to find a dance partner in Lizzy. Mary turned to Mr. Singleton.
"Mr. Singleton, isn't he just wonderful?" Mary said. "He's the most amiable creature I've ever met."
Mr. Singleton stared after Mr. Collins' retreating figure in shock. That was Mr. Collins?! The "angelic" being that Mary praised so?! The amiable, humble, wonderful young man she described?! How did Mary see anything in that pompous, overbearing windbag? This was the young man who had stolen Mary's heart? This was his comp-
"Hello Richard, Miss Mary."
Richard and Mary turned to see Mr. Jenson standing next to them and greeted him. Mr. Jenson raised his eyebrows as he looked at Mary.
"Why Miss Mary! I do say you look quite lovely this evening!" He said and Mary expressed her gratitude. Mr. Jenson turned to Richard. "Richard, don't you think that Miss Mary looks very lovely this evening? I'm sure you do."
Mr. Singleton, blushing, glared at his friend irritably.
"Yes, she is very lovely."
Mary blushed at the attention from the two young men.
"So..." Mr. Jenson trailed off, looking at Mr. Singleton meaningfully.
"What?" Richard said through gritted teeth.
"Well?"
"I've told you, it's not the right time. Now leave me alone on the subject!" Richard said, annoyed.
"Only until you leave me alone on it."
"I don't think this is either the time or the place to discuss it!" Richard said, gritting his teeth again.
"Oh don't you? Because I think this happens to be the perfect time and place," Mr. Jenson said matter-of-factly, smirking.
Mary looked in confusion from one man to the other. Richard grunted and turned towards the crowd.
"Oh Miss Maria!" Richard called. Maria Lucas, giggling with a few acquaintances several feet off, turned around. She smiled at Mr. Jenson.
"Miss Maria, Mr. Jenson would love to share a few dances with you!" Richard continued. "But he is too shy too ask!"
Mr. Jenson looked at Mr. Singleton, mortified. Maria pranced over to them.
"Oh Mr. Jenson, there is no reason to be shy! Of course I'll dance with you," she said giggling and grabbing him by the hand. Mr. Jenson gave Richard a look of loathing as he was dragged off to his demise.
Mary laughed.
"That wasn't very nice of you," she scolded Mr. Singleton.
"Yes, well, he's quite irritating."
"But what was that all about?"
Richard blushed.
"Oh, nothing. Just work related nonsense."
Mary's face scrunched up in confusion. It didn't sound as if it was work related, but she decided to drop the subject. She looked over to see Mr. Collins dancing with Elizabeth.
"Oh Mr. Singleton, do not stand by me so." she said. "I fear perhaps Mr. Collins might think we are attached if we hang about together all evening."
"Oh." Richard said with a frown on his face. "I apologize. I was thinking you might have wanted a discussion partner for the evening."
Mary gave him a smile.
"Thank you Mr. Singleton. Perhaps later. I am hoping Mr. Collins will dance with me, but I'm afraid he'll think otherwise if sees me talking to you all evening."
Richard sighed.
"Alright. Well, I suppose I should allow your wishes to be fulfilled." He said frowning, and then left.
Mary stood about in Mr. Collins vicinity for a good hour and not once did he offer the honor of dancing with himself. Mary sighed sadly and sat down.
"Miss Mary, is everything alright?"
Mary looked up to see Mr. Singleton who was looking at her with concern.
"Oh, I'm alright I suppose." she said. "Mr. Collins has yet to ask for my hand in a dance however."
"Oh." Richard said, frowning. He blushed. "W-well, how about you share a dance with me?"
"Oh I don't know. I'm waiting for Mr. Collins to ask."
Richard frowned. Then a grin spread across his face as a plan formulated in his mind.
"How about I help you to dance? I know you don't feel comfortable with your abilities. I could teach you and then you will be able to sweep Mr. Collins off his feet!"
Mary snickered at her friend's dramatics.
"Oh alright! I suppose I should reward your persistence of the past couple of years." Mary said. "But let's practice over there in that unattended corner where no one is watching."
Mr. Singleton smiled as if he were a child in a candy store. They went over to the corner and waited for the next song to play. Upon it's starting he began to lead her into the dance steps.
On most occasions this would perhaps be a romantic scene to most bystanders. However, poor Mary was not one accustomed to dancing and made about as many mistakes as she did at her first assembly. Poor Richard's feet had been stepped on countless times. The few bystanders who had been watching found this to be a comical sight, and snickered at the scene. Mary, noticing this, stopped and went to sit down. Richard shot a glare to the handful of people that had been amused and sat down by her.
"See Mr. Singleton, I make a fool of myself when I dance." Mary said, slightly upset.
"You're not a fool Mary." Richard said. "I'm sure you can learn to dance well if you give yourself a chance."
"Perhaps, but I detest the laughter." Mary said. "And I've probably injured you beyond relief."
"Oh no, no!" Richard lied, for his feet were throbbing in agony. "I'm quite alright."
"If you say so." Mary sighed. They sat about until supper started.
After supper, singing was requested and Mary stood up eagerly, offering her performance. She didn't notice the regretful looks from most guests, for she was too busy blushing at Mr. Collins hoping he would be impressed. Once she started singing, however, she averted her nervous gaze elsewhere.
Mary was by no means a talented singer. Richard, though knowing this, enjoyed listening to her. There was something innocent and hopeful in her voice as she sang. Mary, encouraged by the polite thanks of many people, and Richard's genuine applause, sung a second song. At the close of it she was approached by her father who hinted it was time to allow others to perform.
Mary looked about the room. Many looked relieved and a few were snickering. Others appeared mortified, including her sisters with the exception Jane who hadn't been paying attention. Even Mr. Collins' face appeared as if he just ate a lemon. This was quickly erased, however, when others were applied to for singing. He now had opportunity to give a speech about how he would sing if ability allowed it. Mary almost felt as if this were directed toward her, even though it probably wasn't, and decided to head outside to the balcony.
She turned around as she heard someone approach her from behind. Mr. Singleton looked at her in concern.
"Are you alright?" He asked for the second time that evening.
"I'll be fine." Mary said, wiping her few silent tears. "I just wish I didn't make a complete fool of myself yet again."
"You didn't make a complete fool of yourself."
"Thank you, Mr. Singleton, but I'm afraid I did. I sang horribly. Even my family thinks I'm pathetic."
"They don't think you're pathetic."
"Oh, please. They were all horrified by my performance. It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't so displeased with everything else I do."
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is none of them appreciate my accomplishments. My parents, however, can find appreciation for their other daughters. Lizzy's intelligence is all my father ever brags about and he has no regard for mine. He doesn't even think I'm intelligent and doesn't appreciate my effort to be so. He even finds Jane intelligent to a degree as well. Oh yes! Jane! My mother is so proud of her for being the most handsome girl in Hertfordshire, even though it took no effort for her to be so. And she favors Lydia for being lively and sociable, and she's pleased with Kitty for being similar and for her taste in fashion. Neither mother nor father give a second thought to my accomplishments. I know I'm not the best at the pianoforte but I'm not horrible either. I just wish they were proud of me for something."
Mary sat down on a bench and Richard sat next to her.
"Well Miss Mary, I'm proud of you for pursuing your desires even if other people don't give them a second thought."
Mary smiled and blushed slightly.
"Thank you Mr. Singleton. I just wish I didn't make a fool of myself in front of Mr. Collins."
"Well, if he isn't interested in you because of the way you sing then he doesn't deserve you." Richard said irritably.
Mary smiled sadly.
"I don't think he's not interested in me because of my singing." Mary said sadly. She sighed. "I think he's interested in Lizzy. I think he's planning on proposing to her."
Richard looked over at Mary.
"Of course! Everybody loves Lizzy!" She said, spitefully. "She's pretty and intelligent! Who wouldn't? I'm obviously neither! So why would Mr. Collins notice me instead?"
Mr. Singleton blushed and cleared his throat.
"You are intelligent and p-pretty. If Mr. Collins doesn't notice that than he's a fool."
Mary smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Singleton, but don't lie. But I guess you're supposed to say that."
"I am?"
"Yes. You are like a brother to me after all."
Richard winced.
"A brother?"
"Yes." Mary giggled. She teased, "Or perhaps a sister, the way I confide in you about Mr. Collins."
Mr. Singleton face expressed mortification.
"A sister!" Mr. Singleton exclaimed incredulously. "I am by no means womanly!"
Mary laughed.
"Alright, a brother," she said, smiling at him. She then added, "Thank you, Mr. Singleton, for being a friend and bothering to talk to me."
"Of course, Mary. It is my pleasure." He said, smiling at her.
They decided to head back to the ballroom and spent the rest of the evening talking to each other. Talking to Richard always cheered her up, and tonight was no exception. After some time they were interrupted by Mr. Jenson.
"Richard, I want to go home now." He whined. Mr. Jenson looked worse for wear. His hair was frazzled, he had bags under his eyes, and his shoulders were slumped.
"Right now?" Richard asked.
"Yes, right now!" Mr. Jenson snapped. "I'm tired, I have a blister, and my head is pounding from Maria Lucas' constant nattering, no thanks to you!"
Richard rolled his eyes.
"Hold on a moment, Mary," He said, and dragged Mr. Jenson to an unattended corner a little ways off.
Even though Mary couldn't hear them, she chuckled at the animated conversation of the two young men. Mr. Singleton started off pleading to Mr. Jenson. Mr. Jenson responded and raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and smirked. Mr. Singleton shook his head and replied. Then Mr. Jenson huffed and said something else. Mr. Singleton pleaded some more. To this, Mr. Jenson whined and then looked as if he were scolding Mr. Singleton, wagging his finger like a mother to a naughty child. Mr. Singleton dropped his shoulders, sighed, and muttered something. He trudged back to Mary.
"Well Mary, I suppose I have to go." he said "The Misses is tired."
Mary chuckled
"That's awfully sweet; you came to the ball together." she said.
"Har har. My carriage wheel is still loose." Richard said. "I needed a ride."
Mary rolled her eyes.
"How long is it going to take you to get it fixed?"
"I keep forgetting. I didn't remember it needed fixing until this afternoon."
Mary snickered.
"Mr. Singleton, what am I going to do with you?" Mary sighed, shaking her head. "Well, I suppose I'll see you on Sunday then, if not before. You're awfully lucky though. I wish I could leave. I'm sure I have at least two more hours of this pointless torture."
Mr. Singleton chuckled.
"'Til Sunday then, Miss Mary. I shall count the hours until I am blessed with your presence." he said dramatically, giving a bow and kissing her hand.
Mary snorted.
"Just go on. Your Misses is getting impatient."
Richard laughed heartily and then left.
Mary was correct. She had about two more hours left to sit there forcing herself not to nod off, for the Bennets and Mr. Collins were the last to leave. By the time they did leave, Mary was too tired to pay attention to Mr. Collins' nattering. When she arrived home, however, she had a hard time falling asleep, contemplating all the events of the evening.
I think Mr. Jenson steals this chapter for me, lol. And yes, I don't let Mr. Collins talk that much. I'm not really sure what to have him say sometimes and I don't have the patience to write something he would say. Anyway, I hope you like it. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but let me know what you liked or what needs improvement or whatever. Thanks.
Quotes used from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
"While I can have my mornings to myself it is enough. I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for every body." Chapter 17, Volume I
"I hope to be honored with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening; and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the first two dances especially" Chapter 17, Volume II