Ta da!
To My Reviewers:
Bonbonnett: Well, not exactly a physco killer bitch, but I like where you're going. XD
RafeDurk: ^^ You're getting warm...
can't think: Yeah...I think I might have lost some of the fan base with that move. ^^' But I think that when someone like Mary wants something, she'll get it.
Lacrymosa-light: Heehee, if you thought that was a twist, keep reading for a while...
darzyXbingli4evah: I'm glad that you like it so much. Hope you stay and read...
Jiang Qing: Perhaps you need clarification, dear?
Spanish Sunrise: You would be surprised about people. Especially the quiet ones like her...
Chapter Twelve
Precisely four days passed before Mr. Bennet's body was given to Mrs. Bennet so she could arrange the funeral. The matron was constantly in tears, not because of the sorrow but because of the loss.
She was going to lose Longbourn, the one thing she truly held close to her heart.
The funeral itself could not have happened on a more joyous day. The sky was blue, the sun was golden, and white clouds accompanied the sky. All was well on this day. Mr. Bennet had to be presented in a closed casket due to the un-presentable state his head was in.
There were very few murders in this town and there was none more gruesome than this particular murder.
A random act of violence by a maniac. That was what it had to be.
No one with a sound mind could summon up the strength and depravity as to beat a man's skull into pieces.
And as the funeral went forward, somewhere, Mr. Wickham was on his third bottle of Scotch.
Mary was standing under a large oak tree, watching the funeral proceedings. She pulled on her coat since a winter wind had blown. She had told Mrs. Bennet that she needed to be alone to mourn her father.
Her mother was more than happy to let her go.
Mary then heard a sound. It was the sound of footsteps.
She turned to see Mr. Collins who, like her, was in all black.
"Mr. Collins," Mary greeted as she turned to face him.
He bowed, lowly, before he placed his hand on her shoulder.
And while Mr. Bennet's casket was being lowered in his grave, a kiss was shared under the oak true.
"I missed you," Mary said as the two sat under the tree. She laid her head against his shoulder as the two watched Mr. Bennet's burial.
"And I missed you as well, my dear," Mr. Collins whispered as he ran his fingers down her arm.
Mary smiled at the feel of his fingers on the fabric. She looked up at him and told him, "We don't have much time…"
Mr. Collins told her, "I'll deal with him tonight.." His hand moved to her hand and he stared at her engagement ring. He scoffed, "Is it even real?"
Mary sighed, "I doubt that he could afford it if it had a trace of diamond…"
Mr. Collins smirked as he leaned in for another kiss, "Patience, my pet. In only a few weeks, you will have the best. Nothing less." He pressed his lips against hers.
Mary returned the kiss as her father was finally put in the ground.
Elizabeth was the one most saddened by the events. She had been the one to find her father. She had become so hysterical that she had to be sedated by the family doctor before she could tell the family what had happened.
Her mother and sisters listened intently to what she had found. Elizabeth had then led them to the gory scene. All became hysterical.
Save for Mary who had calmly went to fetch the police.
After the news had been spread, Mr. Collins had gone to London. He had said that as the closest male relative, there were some things of Mr. Bennet's that he needed to look after. He also took a side trip to an Apothecary.
Of course, this was mentioned to no one.
It was late in the afternoon when Jane came downstairs. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
Mary was at her desk, writing constantly. Her eyes darted from one paper to the one she was writing on.
"Hello, Mary, what are you doing?" Jane asked.
"Writing a letter to Charlotte," Mary smiled at her older sister, "We've been exchanging letters since Papa was killed. She's been quite a comfort."
Jane smiled as she went over to her sister. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and sat her chin on her shoulder, "…I miss Papa, too."
Mary looked up at her older sister and smiled. She was about to respond when she heard her mother arguing with Elizabeth.
"This is all your fault?!" Mrs. Bennet screamed as she and Elizabeth came into the room.
"How in the world is this my fault?" Elizabeth asked.
"We are losing Longbourn because you would not marry Mr. Collins!" Mrs. Bennet said, tears streaming down her face.
"We lost Longbourn because our father is dead!" Elizabeth screamed at her mother, "Or are you so self-absorbed that you could not give a damn that your husband is dead?!
Everyone in the room was shocked at this. Elizabeth had never reacted in this manner, especially to her mother.
"I will not be spoken to like this," Mrs. Bennet said, stiffly as she wiped the tears off her face.
She left the room, thinking about what her daughter had said.
Elizabeth looked at her sisters who were staring at her in shock. She went over to her two sisters and wrapped her arms around them.
They returned the hug as two sisters mourned the loss. One sister felt pity for the pain that the family was going through.
However, that sister would do it over again if given the chance.
Mary looked at the grandfather clock and saw that it was near early evening.
It was Mr. Collins' turn.
Bu da chu...