AN: What kinda nonsense is this, only being able to have 15 docs. what a load of hooey!!! I hope deleting the first document of this doesn't actually delete the first chap. argh! oh, Hey there, here's the next chapter. Err, you might find Mary to be a bit bratty and irritating this chapter and next chapter too. But be patient, she might actually come to her senses.
This has a bunch of random things going on in it. I hope it doesn't completely suck, but I'm tired of proof-reading.
The next day was Sunday and it was the first Sunday she missed church in years, but perhaps it was for the best. He was there. Mr. Gardiner left to assist Mr. Bennet in tracking down Lydia and days went by without them hearing word of her being found. If there was any consolation from Lydia's situation coinciding with Mary's enlightenment of Mr. Singleton it was that the chaos of the house occasionally reverted her mind away from him. Though it was always present in her subconscious thoughts it was relief to have it not always on the forefront on her mind. On the whole, however, one situation only caused more emotion for the other. Mary's grief over Mr. Singleton caused her anxiety for Lydia to increase while her anxiety for Lydia caused her grief for Mr. Singleton to increase. She could keep a solemn appearance during the day by hiding behind her stoic, pedantic nature but at night her emotions got the better of her. Hiding it was perhaps futile, however, for even if she had shown emotion it would have gone unnoticed by a family such as hers and even more so at such a time.
Saturday arrived with Mr. Bennet's return and Mrs. Gardiner retreated with the children to their home in London. Mary was pleased that the house was returning to normal as well as it could. It was all Mary could do not to burst into tears when she first saw her father that day. When he announced to Kitty her newfound confinement to the house Mary could not verbally express her platitude of agreement.
The days circulated back to Sunday and Mary decided it was time to appear back at church. Partially because it was her Christian duty to do so, partially to escape the house, but mostly to prove to Mr. Singleton he had no lasting effect on her, in spite of how true, or false, that may have actually been. It was with hesitation that morning that Mary entered her father's study.
"Papa?" Mary said, walking uncertainly into the room. Mr. Bennet looked up in wordless unconcern.
"Is it alright if I attend church this morning?" she asked.
Mr. Bennet laughed.
"Alright to go to church? In light of our situation why would I deny such a refreshingly wholesome request? By all means go, and please, take Kitty with you."
Mary, of course, hadn't intended it to be so stupid a question; she wanted to be sure that leaving the house would be alright and that she wouldn't be needed for anything.
Mary had to practically drag her younger, lazy sister to church, but at the promise of young men being there her labor decreased. Upon their arrival Mary wished they stayed home and realized the benefits of having her faith not depend on fellow believers. Some people were perfectly fine, but a few whispers and judgmental glances greeted the two Bennet sisters. It didn't help that some young men gave both Kitty and Mary ungentlemanly looks; Kitty merely made it better with her naive giggles.
"Please, as if I were ever anything like Lydia." Mary muttered. Mary and Kitty quickly settled into a pew as the service started. Mary despised the fact that her eyes wandered through the sanctuary, looking for whom she denied herself to admit. Finally after a few moments of searching she spotted him three pews ahead and off to the right. By mere coincide, or perhaps he had been stealing glances, he happened to turn just then and their eyes met. Mary sharply turned her head, but not without noticing the tattered state he appeared to be in. But that would serve him right, she thought.
After service Kitty ventured across the sanctuary to speak with Maria Lucas but Mary wished she hadn't. She hoped to get out there as quickly as possible and it didn't help that an occasional judgmental glance was cast their way. When Kitty and Mary finally turned to leave Mr. Singleton stood behind them looking nervous and apologetic.
"Hello Miss Mary…oh, and Miss Kitty…" he said.
Kitty, unfortunately, burst into a fit of giggles. To make matters worse two ladies walked past and one exclaimed "Shameful!" to the other. The three young people simply ignored her.
"I-I just wanted to offer my condolences about your sister. I do hope all will be well." He said. "If there's anything I can do-"
"Sir, I do believe you have done quite enough meddling in my affairs; thank you and good day!" Mary exclaimed and marched past him. Kitty's broad grin fell into an open-mouthed gape as she watched her sister walk off. Giving an apologetic smile to the distraught young man, she hurried after her older sister.
"Mary!" she chided. "What was that all about? You were quite rude to Mr. Singleton."
"Mark my words Kitty, stay away from him. He's a cad just like the rest of male society."
"What do you mean?" Kitty said irritably. "Mr. Singleton is one of the nicest young men we know. Do not be an idiot and treat him so rudely."
Mary swerved sharply toward her sister.
"Kitty, I do not care how interested in him you may be. That man is the most conniving, scheming individual I have ever been in acquaintance with and you would do well never to associate with him ever again!"
Kitty stared at her sister in astonishment.
"Whatever are you talking about?" Kitty exclaimed. Mary did not respond.
"I cannot believe you Mary; you are a complete idiot!" Kitty said. The two walked home in tense silence. Never had there been a more companionable pair; Kitty refused to speak to Mary and Mary lacked all desire to listen to her.
The next day brought forth a change in the household atmosphere, for good news had arrived. Mary and Kitty, still irritated with each other, had been silently sitting with their mother pretending to listen to her fortnight old wailings of life's injustice. She was outlining the evils of Wickham when Lizzy and Jane suddenly entered the room with more felicity than they had had in the past two weeks. An express from Mr. Gardiner had come. The contents revealed that not only had Lydia been discovered but she and Wickham were to marry.
Never had anyone seen someone so terribly weak and distraught jump up with rapturous alacrity as the four girls witnessed their mother do. Mrs. Bennet began immediately in the praise and adoration of her dear little Lydia and the delightful young man she was to marry, the exact same one she had previously condemned. A trifle thing such a Jane and Lizzy's suspicion of Mr. Gardiner paying Wickham a generous sum could have no effect on the miraculously healed woman.
Mary couldn't help but think Lydia had no good fate, for Wickham could never prove to be a good husband. At the very least, however, Lydia would be settled in marriage and it all might have turned out worse. The house atmosphere became a little happier, but it was more of a solemn gratitude amongst all but Kitty and Mrs. Bennet. Kitty, though she understood the folly of Lydia's actions, couldn't help but be both jealous and happy for her younger sister. Mrs. Bennet's rapturous joy was as irritating as her illness had been, and perhaps even more so.
The house began to settle down a little and for this Mary was grateful. She wasn't completely comfortable about Lydia's situation but she could accept it and move on. She had one less thing to distress over but now she felt the full brunt of Mr. Singleton's betrayal in the lack of distractions. That week Mary found solace in her room with less need to retreat from it as the household duties lessened. It was here that she made the odd request of having the piano moved to her room and the family happily agreed, not wanting to have to put up with it any longer. Mary was mostly past tears at this point, though an occasional outburst would occur. She was glad to be able to do so during the day, with her piano-playing camouflaging the noise, and save her nights for much needed rest.
Sunday came around again as well as another approach from Mr. Singleton. He had congratulations for her sister and a request to speak with her. Mary made her previous wish clear to never see him again. That week she turned a new leaf. All grief and depression were gone and she harbored anger and resentment. Finally on Saturday night she stubbed her toe on a certain book and decided a conversation with a particular young man was in order.
Mary entered the church early Sunday morning; she was pleased to see Mr. Jenson sitting in a pew speaking with the very person she wanted him to be speaking with. Mary walked over to them with unconcern. Mr. Singleton looked up and smiled hopefully but Mary's attention was not for him.
"Hello there Mr. Jenson." She said cheerfully and Mr. Singleton's face fell.
"Oh...hello Miss Mary." Mr. Jenson said, glancing at Mr. Singleton in discomfort.
"Could you do me a big favor Mr. Jenson?" she pleaded. "I do not want to soil my hands."
"Um…I suppose so." He said, shifting in his seat.
Mary handed him the music book Mr. Singleton had given her.
"Could you please be so kind as to give this to the empty sack of air sitting next to you?" she asked sweetly; with a graver tone she added "I do not want it anymore."
Mr. Singleton's features saddened further.
"Um…alright." Mr. Jenson said, taking the book.
"Oh thank you Mr. Jenson. You are truly a gentleman who knows how to treat a lady." Mary said with awkward, undeniable flirtation; she allowed a meaningful glance in Mr. Singleton's direction. She was pleased to see him in shock and despair.
"Oh, well…thank you Miss Mary." Mr. Jenson said uncertainly. "And, um, you're welcome."
"And you are most welcome Mr. Jenson. I do hope to see you around."
"Yes…alright."
Mary feigned an uncharacteristic giggle and then turned on her heal with a satisfied smirk.
"Well…here you go you empty sack of air." Mr. Jenson said, handing Richard the book.
The last day of August brought forth Lydia's wedding day and she and her dear husband visited Longbourn for ten days. There was tension in the air as the Bennets awaited their arrival; Mary tried to avoid this with her nose in a book. Soon the boisterous Lydia flung herself into the room and was embraced by her happy mother. Lydia did not seem ashamed at all but rather proud of herself. Wickham entered the room easy and unaffected with the same amount of shame, or lack thereof, as Lydia. Mr. Bennet seemed irritated, Lizzy disgusted, and Jane shocked. Kitty giggled nervously and Mary watched her youngest sister in disapproval. Lydia demanded congratulations from each sister and as she turned to Mary said:
"And you Mary! Won't you congratulate me? I must allow you to feel my happiness for you may never feel such happiness at all."
At this Mary smiled.
"Dear Lydia, I don't think I've ever seen a couple so deserving of each other in all my life. I admire your ability at making such a perfectly suited match."
Lydia was satisfied this answer and most members of the family missed the true meaning of this statement. Her father, however, gave her a look of warning but both he and Lizzy seemed surprised at her clever response. They soon sat down and listened to the utter nonsense that poured forth from Lydia's mouth, most of which served to exasperate the sensible members of the family. Lizzy had even fled the room at one point and Mary wished very much to join her. Lydia continued in such a manner, detailing the virtues of her husband. Finally when they moved to the breakfast room, she switched to the topic of finding husbands for her sisters. At this point Mary tried hard not to listen and attempted to focus on her book, but her effort was futile. Lydia's chatter could bring down the Great Wall itself, and Mary could not avoid hearing how Lydia might even find a husband for her. At this point, Mary began to count the blessings of Lydia's marriage and soon departure to New Castle…all for the mere sake of optimism of course.
The rest of the Wickham's stay continued with Lydia's verbal nonsense and Wickham's vain attempts to charm his new family. Wickham had started a conversation or two with Mary, and Mary merely put up her usual wall of self-righteousness. This, however, wasn't so much natural as was normal, for she had forced it in hopes to discourage close acquaintance. It seemed to be victorious and for once was she was glad for her repellent nature.
Mrs. Bennet hosted a few house parties for her dear Lydia; perhaps four or five, Mary had lost count. Mr. Singleton had attended the first two but, after Mary's refusal to be in close proximity with him, couldn't find the availability to attend the rest. Mary spent the rest of these dully witnessing Maria Lucas' pointless attempts to secure the ever-reluctant Mr. Jenson. This was, perhaps, the times she missed Mr. Singleton the most for they had spent many social gatherings witnessing such amusing entertainment together. But Mary reminded herself that she mustn't regret the end of such a deceitful friendship. If Lydia's return had any consolation, it was the fact that Mary found herself to be less depressed as usual since annoyance seemed to rule her emotions.
The blessed day of Lydia's departure finally arrived and Mary found herself to be at peace once more, until the tranquility reminded her of her distressed state. About a week and a half after this Mr. Singleton approached Mary again at church.
"Miss Mary." She heard the familiar voice speak; she was sitting alone while her family greeted acquaintances. Mary didn't even bother to lift her head.
"Please, Miss Mary, I really need to speak with you." He said desperately.
Mary still did not respond.
"Mary, come on…Can't I at least explain what had happened?"
Mary's attention snapped towards him.
"I beg of you, sir, to address me properly, for we have no acquaintance whatsoever with each other and you have no right to address me as such. In fact, I would be most grateful if you would not address me at all. I have nothing to say to you and you can't have anything to say to me that I care to hear!"
Mr. Singleton's face fell further; Mary turned her attention to a hymnal and hummed the first song she fell upon which was, of all things, Joy to the World. Mary could sense Mr. Singleton's presence still there studying her and he said one last thing which Mary heard not a word of. Mr. Singleton stared at her a few more minutes and finally quietly took his leave.
I hope people weren't too thrown off with Mary flirting with Jenson, I thought it was funny. Anyway, blah blah blah...I didn't have any quotes in this chapter, did I?