Hey, everyone. Thanks for coming back and reading.
To My Reviewers:
Bonbonnett: XD I know! It's hard to breakt them. You would have to be angry with strong rage in order to do what she did.
Spanish Sunrise: Then you are going to hate this chapter then. XD Bad Papa Bennet...
can't think: Don't worry, you'll find all about why the abuse started...soon or never...^^
Jiang Quig: Don't worry. I love your constant question, though I cannot answer them...Sorries...
Lacrymosa-light: Well, I am updated. I hope it was worth it.
Chapter Nine
Mary was at the stables. She was leaning against the wall outside the building. She was fighting back tears in her eyes.
That's when she heard the sound of horses and the sound of someone approaching.
She looked up to see her father, leading a beautiful white horse. It was the sort of white, noble horse you only hear about in fairy tales.
The gallant knight on a white horse coming to rescue the princess from an evil dragon.
Mary has heard it all before.
"Hello, Papa," She greeted as she curtsied.
Mr. Bennet smiled to her, "Hello, Mary."
She looked to the white horse and asked, "…Is it new?"
Mr. Bennet nodded, "Yes he is. I bought him today."
Mary looked at the horse, "…A present for Lizzy I assume?"
If Mr. Bennet bought things spur of the moment, that was the reason why. It was something for Elizabeth. Maybe something for Jane. But it usually was for his beloved Elizabeth.
Perfect Elizabeth.
"No," Mr. Bennet said, "It is not for Elizabeth."
"Then who is it for?" Mary asked, impatient.
"You," Mr. Bennet said as he handed the reins to her.
Visibly shocked, she looked up to her father, "For…for me?"
She placed her hand on the horse's neck and stroked it.
Mr. Bennet came up behind her and asked, "Beautiful, isn't he?"
Mary nodded, happy and pleased with this gift. It was one of the best things that her father ever did for her.
Her father put her hand on his daughter's shoulder, slightly grasping it.
Mary felt herself smile as she felt the warmth from her father.
If even her father loved her more than Mr. Collins did, it was a hopeless cause.
"This is too good to be true," Mary whispered softly.
"That is because it is," Mr. Bennet said cruelly as he yanked the reins out of Mary's hand and pushed her out of sight as Elizabeth came by the stables.
Mary had fallen behind a bush before Elizabeth found her father with the horse.
"Papa! He's handsome!" Elizabeth said, excitedly as she went over to look over the horse.
Mary felt her heart break even more if that was possible.
"Of course he is, only the best for my Lizzy," Mr. Bennet said as Elizabeth cooed over the horse.
Mary then felt a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around to find herself face to face with Mr. Wickham.
"What do you want?!" Mary hissed.
Surprised at the hostility coming from the usually passive Mary, Mr. Wickham said, honestly, "I saw what happened. It was cruel…"
Mary asked, "What does it matter to you? I am just Elizabeth's sister, the plain Bennet girl, no one of importance. I am not…I am not worthy of being recognized."
Mr. Wickham placed his hand on her cheek. His white gloves grazed against her pale check.
"What are you-" Mary was cut off by a pair of lips meeting her own.
His lips were soft which surprised Mary since he was a soldier.
Mary found herself kissing back. She did not feel the spark at once, but she started to feel it.
But there was something that was different.
Mr. Wickham then pulled away. He took her hands into his, "Miss Mary, will you marry me?"
Mary looked at him and thought about it.
If she were to marry him, he would bring her out of this house.
No more pain.
No more humiliation.
No more.
And Mr. Wickham was handsome and good-looking and it would be a pleasure to be married to this man.
Lust was not something that was restricted to men.
However, if she married him than she would not be able to see Mr. Collins the way she wanted to.
But what did that matter?! After all, he was marrying Charlotte. He made his feelings clear.
So what if she did not love Mr. Wickham. She could learn to love.
Loving was simple…loving was easy…
"Yes," She whispered to Mr. Wickham.
He smiled at her as he stood up and helped her up, "Shall we tell your father the news?"
"No," Mary said, "Not yet…I have someone else in mind. Let's tell Mr. Collins."
Mr. Wickham smirked at that. He would have pleasure of flaunting her right in front of Mr. Collins.
"Yes, dear," Mr. Wickham said as he took her arm and they walked back to the house. As they entered, they found Mr. Collins.
"Miss Mary, I was looking for you," Mr. Collins said as the couple entered the room. He then saw their arms entwined with each other.
Mary said, staring into Mr. Collins' eyes, "I have come to tell you that Mr. Wickham has proposed to me…." She paused slightly to enjoy the moment of triumph, "And I have accepted."
Mr. Wickham smirked at Mr. Collins as if to say "I have something that you will never have."
Mr. Collins blinked slightly as he stared at the couple in complete and utter disbelief.
Mary was smarter than this. She was far too intelligent to even speak to this man. Much less to become his wife.
And the idea of Mary being with someone other than him on a wedding night made him feel sick to his stomach.
Mary thought that she would receive satisfaction from this.
There was none.
It was like when she had completed an entire notebook of making extracts. It meant nothing. No one cared for her intelligence.
"Well, dear, I will go speak to your father now," Mr. Wickham said as he kissed her hand before he left.
"…"
There was a silence as the two in the room stared at each other.
"…Congratulations," Mr. Collins said, softly.
"You as well," Mary said, her voice shaking slightly.
Mary then curtsied and went over to the staircase, "I must leave. I have to tell my sisters and I am sure Mama would be pleased."
It was then that Mr. Collins went after her. He grabbed her by her arm, spun her around, and kissed her.
Thanks for reading.