Here's the next chapter. Hope it doesn't completely suck. I'm not sure how many chapters until singleton comes back, but it will be quite a few. I hope you can keep your interest. I want her character to grow a little before then and I hope I succeed. ^_^
Minna – I'm glad to her it's just little things and not the whole thing I'm struggling with. I do use a dictionary if I'm not sure on a word. I guess that's the problem, the word seems fine to me sometimes and I don't realize it's the wrong fit. Lol. Funnily, though, I wasn't 100% happy on that sentence you picked either. Like I said, though, there's a point where I just quit fussing and post it. I'm just like "eh…not perfect but oh well." I guess it's partial laziness too. I did like that example that you gave, changing benefit to sake. Anyway, I'll try to do better. now that someone has mentioned my grammar needs a little work I'll try to keep a better eye out. I can't promise to be perfect though, lol. Anyway, thanks again for the review, and I'm glad you like my plot, characters, and relationships. :)
Mary spent the rest of the day in a most disagreeable state of mind. She fretted away in her room and did not notice the others return from their walk. She only emerged when called for supper. Her supper was picked at more than eaten, then forced down her throat at her mother's admonition. She was friendly to no one but it mattered not to anyone; Bingley had himself and Jane in distractions and Darcy, along with Lizzy, seemed to have similar mindsets as well. Her mother had no genius to notice the agitated state of anyone and her father had no interest. Kitty always thought Mary irritable.
After supper Mary went back upstairs and spent her time the same way she did before supper, fussing over the letter. She felt the consequences of her stupidity immensely. She spent all her time begrudging her dear friend without ever allowing him explanation. Now she was paying dearly. She did not know if or when she would ever see him again, much less converse with him. She supposed she deserved it, but she thought it unfair to Mr. Singleton. He probably thought she hated him forever for she never forgave him before he left. The truth was, however, that it was she who needed to be forgiven. He probably thought all acquaintance was over and would spend an unknown amount of time fretting until she was able to speak to him again.
The next morning Mary's thoughts were clearer and she made plans to visit her Aunt Philips. Mr. Philips was sure to be in London and Mrs. Philips would know his whereabouts, thus locating Mr. Singleton. If she could procure an address she would write to him explaining that it was she who needed forgiveness and they were indeed friends if he would have her. Any talk of a deeper relationship would have to wait until his return, and she was sure they would both await it with impatient anticipation.
Mary left early the next morning before Bingley and Darcy arrived and hastened quickly to her aunt's house. Upon her arrival Mrs. Philips expressed her surprise at Mary's visitation.
"Do not worry; I have no news of any sort this time." Mary said, referring to her last solitary visit. "I have only come to Meryton to visit the bookstore and see how you are doing."
"Your sister's are not with you? What of Kitty?"
It took Mary by no surprise that her aunt preferred the company of her other sisters.
"We've had visitors as of late. As you know, Jane is engaged to Mr. Bingley and he comes often with his friend, Mr. Darcy."
"That Mr. Darcy!" Mrs. Philips exclaimed. "He is a most prideful, dreadful fellow!"
Mary sat with her aunt for some time and feigned interest in the gossip she had to share. Normally, Mary would have a word or two on the evils of gossip but she was nervously avoiding the true purpose for her visitation. However, the thought only became worse and, during a lull in the conversation, she finally had to force her inquisition or she would never force it at all.
"And how is my Uncle Philips? Mother mentioned he was in London on business." Mary said fortunate that this was the truth.
"Oh yes, he left just this Tuesday. I do not know what for; I have no interest in such matters."
Mary thought it foolish for a wife to have no interest in how her husband's business was faring, but did not voice her opinion.
"Did he take anyone with him?"
"Yes. Mr. Singleton and that silly friend of his, Mr. Henson."
"Jenson?"
"Yes, child, that is what I said. You must get your head out of those books and pay attention properly."
"Where in London did they go?"
"Oh child, I do not know! I have no interest in such matters as I have already said."
"Uncle Philips did not disclose his whereabouts?"
"Of course he did, silly girl! I wrote them down and put them somewhere about the house. You ask too many questions, girl; it is not becoming of a lady to be so interested in the business of others."
Mary blushed and quietly apologized; she was too embarrassed to ask further and stayed not long afterward. Frustrated, she thought of what to do as she walked from her aunt's house. She decided to go to Mr. Singleton's in hopes that a servant would be of better assistance. Upon her arrival Rascal and Rascal Jr. bounded over to her. Mary stooped down to pet them.
"I am happy to see you two are well fed," she said "though perhaps in want of human companionship."
She played with the cats for a few moments longer until a servant girl came out to tend to her duties.
"Excuse me." Mary called after her and the girl turned around.
"Is your master home?" she asked, knowing the answer.
"No, miss, I am sorry." She said. "He is off to London on business."
"Do you happen to know where?" Mary asked hoping for the servant's cooperation.
"I am sorry, I do not." She said. "Master was not given an address before he left. He ordered us to ask the Philips if we have need to write of a problem."
"You haven't any idea?" Mary asked, jingling her coin purse slightly. Mary, however, was not proficient in the ways of bribing and dropped the aforementioned object. She bent down to pick it up awkwardly. The servant girl pouted as she looked at the coin purse in greed.
"No, I am sorry, I do not." The girl said in disappointment.
Mary sighed at the irresponsibility of her uncle.
"Oh, well, thank you." Mary said and turned to leave. The girl called after her.
"Perhaps you should try the Philipses. Do you know where they live?"
Mary smiled a little.
"Yes, I do." Mary said. "Thank you again."
"You are welcome." The girl said eyeing the purse expectantly. Mary sighed, fished out a coin, and handed it to her.
"Oh, thank you, miss!" the girl said, eyes lighting up.
"You're welcome." Mary said. She began to walk off but stopped and turned around.
"I am sorry, but may I inquire once more?"
The girl nodded happily, peering at the purse.
"Was your master ever visited by a Mr. Collins?" Mary asked.
"A Mr. Collins?"
"It would have been about a year ago. He was tall and a bit heavy with dark hair and fair skin."
The servant thought about this a moment or two then her face lit up.
"Oh yes, I do I think remember him. I did not like him very much. I didn't hear their entire conversation but the things he said about the girl he was to marry weren't very kind. But oh…" the girl giggled. "I should not be telling you my master's business."
Mary wished very much to tell the girl it was her business as much as her master's but did not. In either case, Mary handed another coin to the girl and she had a little more information to share. It wasn't the entirety of Mr. Singleton's letter but the little bit she did remember matched up with it quite well.
"Well, thank you again." Mary said, after the girl finished her story. Mary turned and walked off thinking of how there was no longer any doubt of Mr. Singleton's sincerity. She had not doubted him before but she wanted reinforcement of the fact. She decided, though improper to visit two young men's houses in one day, to try Mr. Jenson's in hope of more information. However, once Mary arrived there she received the same story she had at Mr. Singleton's. Mary, upset and frustrated, had no desire to return home and spent the rest of the day in the bookstore; she returned home when she felt supper would soon be served.
"There you are Mary!" her mother exclaimed at Mary's arrival. "Where have you been all day?"
"Meryton." Mary simply answered.
"Yes, of course; you and your silly bookstore! You are lucky you are not late for supper. Look at you, you are a complete disaster. Go upstairs and change! Straighten yourself out as best you can. Supper is in ten minutes; do not be late!"
The last thing Mary wanted to do was partake in supper but did as her mother bid and ate as quickly as possible. All that she contributed to the conversation were questions about Mr. Philips business in London. Unfortunately, it appeared no one in her household had the desired information either. Once she could do so properly she left and, complaining of a headache, went upstairs for much needed rest. She cried a little out of frustration and exhaustion before falling asleep.
It hadn't been too long, however, before a most obnoxious noise awoken her. It was a sort of high-pitched squealing and persisted stubbornly. Mary, in sleepy alarm, forced herself out of her bed and into the hallway where Kitty was giggling outside her mother's bedroom door. Mary peered into the room to see Mrs. Bennet squealing at Lizzy.
"Mother really needs to cease doing this." She muttered grumpily. She added more audibly, "For heaven's sake, Kitty, what's all this stupid nonsense?"
Kitty turned and giggled at Mary's disheveled appearance and grumpy countenance.
"Mr. Darcy has proposed to Lizzy," Kitty giggled "and she accepted him."
Tired as she was, this information did not set in her brain for a few seconds.
"Oh." Mary finally said. She was surprised, not that it had happened but that it had happened so soon. She had not realized that they were at a point in their acquaintance to become engaged. But it would only be natural for fate to serve happiness to Jane and Lizzy while thrusting despair at herself. Mary sighed, realizing she would now be the least favorite of her mother. As if to reinforce the fact, the woman gasped upon seeing Mary.
"Heavens child, you look terrible! Go get some sleep; perhaps with some beauty rest you may be able catch husband who is half as rich as Lizzy's."
As if they're already married. Mary thought to herself.
"Thank you mother. I hadn't thought of sleep at all." She muttered. Mary forced congratulations to Lizzy and left for her room shortly after. She entered into the dark room illuminated by moonlight and could barely make out a folded paper on her desk. Determining it was Mr. Singleton's letter she picked it up, and, in exhausted frustration, tore it in half with a sob. She threw it in an unknown direction then collapsed on her bed to sleep fretfully.
Mary was very sorry for ripping the letter and was glad that in her anguish had only done a little damage to it. She began the habit of carrying it around in her pocket and sleeping with it under her pillow. The house was in high spirits, which only served to frustrate Mary more. Lizzy and Jane's joy were second only to Mrs. Bennet's while Kitty spent much time giggling and daydreaming about her turn. Mr. Bennet was happy for his dear little Lizzy and the only other daughter he had regard for. He did, however, despair of separating from the only two sensible females of the household. Mary forced herself to appear as happy as she could, but truthfully wanted nothing more than to scream at everyone.
It had reached November when a most dreadful event occurred. Mary had ventured into the sitting room one morning and came across more than its usual occupants. Among them were the two last people Mary ever wanted to see again. Charlotte, perhaps, she did not mind seeing so much; the woman she had condemned the worst a year ago was now one she felt much pity and gratitude towards, for she had taken Mary's place. The disgusting Mr. Collins, however, could vanish without a trace and she would be quite pleased. Mary would have turned to leave if not for the fact that, for once in her happy life, people had noticed her existence. Mary sat as far as she could from the man, which was closer than she desired, and glared angrily at the floor. She did not read. She had not felt like doing so, nor playing the piano, since she read Mr. Singleton's letter; she forced herself to at times but all was futile. Her mother and Mr. Collins both competed in dominating the conversation. Mary began to observe the latter and could do nothing but question her previous infatuation with him. He had nowhere near as much as she once thought to recommend himself. In fact, he was quite despicable. Mary did not know if it were because infatuation no longer blinded her or that her true knowledge of him made everything about him terrible. At the very least, Mary was distressed he was there and about how wrong she had been. However, she was pleased she was now enlightened and no longer despaired about his marriage.
Unfortunately, her mother delighted in hosting many dinner parties for her two daughters' engagements and Mary saw him quite often. It was during one of these that Mary had spotted Maria Lucas across the room and she had a realization.
Maria. Why had she not thought of Maria? She would most likely know Mr. Jenson's location and therefore Mr. Singleton's as well. She did, after all, know many things about Mr. Jenson that he had no idea she knew about. Mary hastened her way over to her.
"Maria?"
Maria looked up at Mary irritably.
"I'm sure you know of Mr. Jenson's trip to London. Do you happen to know where he is located?"
Maria looked scandalized.
"Why of all the nerve!" the silly girl exclaimed. She stood up and walked off. Mary was confused and distressed by Maria's response; however, she had no motivation to add to her problems the actions of a silly girl. Mary retreated upstairs hoping no one would notice her absence; if they did she would merely complain of another headache.
The rest of November went by with plans for the double wedding that Jane and Lizzy desired. Mary had much to do and, exhausting and irritating as it was, was pleased for a diversion. She was, however, becoming irritated; it seemed that whenever something was happening in her life she had to be bothered with the events of others'. She couldn't help but think that if she hadn't so much to deal with before she might have been better able to handle her own situation. She might have forgiven Mr. Singleton sooner and have become friends with him again, or perhaps more, before he had left for London.
It might seem a little odd that Mary would write a letter to Mr. Singleton that could possibly fall into the hands of her uncle. However, she would send it anonymously and make it ambiguous enough to all readers except Mr. Singleton. Something along the lines of "I read your letter and forgive you. I hope we can renew our friendship. As for the wishes you've expressed to me we can discuss those next time we meet." But yeah, it's a bit of a risk Mary is willing to take.