Everyone have a Merry Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa.
To My Reviewers:
Bonbonnett: Thanks for your critism. I've been thinking that I wasn't really capturing Mr. Collins.
Spanish Sunrise: Well, that's what fanfiction is all about, taking something and making it your own and exploring characters and circumstances. All sides of character needs to be shown.
Jiang Quig: Thank you. I put some thought into the flowers analogy. I'm glad that it paid off.
can't think: Thanks for reading, as for finding out about Mr. Bennet, you will find out.
Chapter Five
Mary was wondering about something when she was rudely interrupted by Kitty and Lydia.
What she was wondering about was why Mr. Collins was acting so strangely.
It was the day of the ball at the Lucases. Mr. Collins had said nothing to her from three o'clock yesterday until now.
He had barely looked at her at the dining room table.
Mary had tried to start a conversation with the man, but he barely bothered to say anything back.
Now, Mary was in the palor room, writing her extracts when she heard Kitty and Lydia giggling.
The two bounced into the room, talking about their gowns.
Mary glared at them in irritation. She closed her book and was about to leave the room when youngest Bennet girl addressed her.
"Mary, why aren't you getting your hair fixed for the ball?" Lydia asked.
Mary turned to her, "What, exactly, is wrong with my hair?"
Kitty giggled at that, "What is right would be a better question?"
Lydia lightly slapped Kitty's shoulder, "Don't be so mean, Kitty. I like Mary's hair. It's good-looking, unless she wears it in a tight bun."
Mary rubbed the top of her bun, subconsciously, "It's…it's sensible."
Lydia nodded, "Yes, but we are going to a ball tonight, not a library opening. Come, Kitty and I will fix your hair."
Lydia took Mary's hand and pulled her out of the chair, "After all, we all know you want to look nice for Mr. Collins."
Mary blushed at that statement, "Lydia, what do you know about this?"
Lydia said, "I can see the way he looks at you. "
Kitty added, "Mr. Wickham looks at Lydia the same way."
Mary muttered, "Like I am a piece of meat?"
Lydia rolled her eyes, "No, like he is fond of you."
She took Mary up the stairs with Kitty following, faithfully.
"I'll let you borrow my green ball dress," Lydia said as she opened the door to her room.
Kitty added, "Mary looks so pleasing in green."
Lydia pulled out a green dress out of her dresser. It was emerald green with a pastel green trim. The sleeves were long and sort of loose. The dress opened up slightly around the chest area. That was what concerned Mary.
"It seems a little…unguarded," Mary commented.
Lydia giggled, "It's not unguarded. It is like letting the watchdog sleep at the foot of your bed, but still keeping a lock on the door." She handed the dress to Mary.
Mary said, dryly, "I'll go change in my room."
Lydia complained, "But my ribbons and brushes are in here."
Mary said, "I'll change in my room, meet me there in twenty minutes."
She left the room and went into her own to change.
Lydia knew nothing of what went on. Kitty didn't either. That was why Mary wasn't angry with her sister. Kitty was like a stupid puppy that chewed up a prized piece of furniture. She didn't know what she did was very wrong.
Jane had no idea, either. She was so sweet, so kind. She always saw the best in everyone, including her beloved Papa. And Elizabeth would rather find fault with her sister than with her father, so even thought suspicions crossed her mind, she always knew that her papa was a good and kind man.
Mrs. Bennet didn't know, though there were more than a few situations where she had walked into an awkward situation. But her small and frivolous mind never comprehended the clues.
Mary got the green dress on, disliking the itch of the material on her skin. She glanced in the mirror and smiled softly. She did look pretty nice.
Lydia and Kitty came into the room with a basket of ribbons, bonnets, scissors, brushes, and other hair care products. Kitty set Mary down in a chair as Lydia took the pins out of Mary's hair, releasing the bun. Lydia started brushing her hair and putting hard objects in the hair. To do what, Mary did not know.
When the youngest Bennet sister was finished, she showed Mary to the mirror, "My greatest masterpiece."
Mary looked in the mirror to see herself, "O…Oh…" It was so different. Her hair was up in a bun, but it was looser. Curls were dangling from the bun. Mary had no idea that she had this much hair to have this elegant and elaborate style. "It's…it's pretty," Mary admitted.
"Stand up," Kitty giggled as she helped Mary up. Lydia looked her over, "Wow, you're just as handsome as Jane." Mary blushed, "I wouldn't go that far."
Lydia said, smiling, "I would. Come on, let's show everyone. They should be getting ready to go right now."
The three Bennet sisters made their way back to the palor room where everyone else was. They were talking amongst themselves and primping themselves and their clothing. Everything was silent when Mary came down the stairs.
Mr. Collins' eyes widened to the size of plates. He instantly looked to her partly exposed bosom and bit his lower lip. He held on to one of the end tables and looked like he was going to collapse.
"Are you okay, Mr. Collins?" Mary asked, concerned.
"Fine," Mr. Collins squeaked out.
Mr. Bennet looked at Mary, his eyes filled with shock, "You…you look decent, Mary."
Smiling at what was perhaps one of the best compliments that she was ever given by her father, Mary looked over at Lydia, "It was Lydia and Kitty's idea."
Mrs. Bennet went to hug her middle daughter, "Oh, Mary, you look so beautiful. I knew that you could be beautiful. If you would just apply yourself."
Mary looked over Mrs. Bennet's shoulder to see Mr. Collins who appear to be suffering from some sort of heat stroke. He was turning red and he was breathing heavily.
And it was Mary that made him this way.
Thanks for reading and please review.