A/N- Seriously folks? Just three reviews? Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate those three reviewers, but I would appreciate it even more if you left approval or disapproval, whatever comes to mind after reading this.
The night of the ball had been a satisfactory one for the Bennets. Kitty and Lydia had the good fortune of dancing with Mr Wickham and many other officers as well. Mary dreamt that she would one day be the mistress of her childhood home and Mr Collins was very hopeful that when he asked her the fateful question, her answer would be a yes. Jane and Lizzy had had a very pleasant night, for after explaining himself to her, Mr Darcy had returned to his old self, and been very attentive to her. It was when he had first confessed his faults to her that he had realised that she was the right woman for him. There had been a moment when he had felt that they both understood each other perfectly well, with all their faults and virtues, and accepted each other. He was at that moment, when Elizabeth smiled up at him, suddenly endowed with the knowledge that he loved her. He spent the rest of the evening wondering whether she returned his feelings, but was unsure. Feeling a bit hesitant in asking his mother or even a friend, he simply decided to wait. It was just as well, for had he asked her then, Lizzy would have replied politely but firmly that she did not love him, and did not wish to enter a loveless marriage. It would be time before she developed any affection for him, and their story would not be as short as Jane and Charles's, or even like Mary and Mr Collins'.
The day after the ball, when the Bennets had reached the end of their breakfast, Mr Collins decided to propose to Mary and requested for a private audience with her. The family complied, not even bothering to listen at the door, so sure were they about the contents of the conversation. As soon as they left the room, Mr Collins began rather nervously.
'Ms Mary, I have long admired you.'
'Thank you, Mr Collins.', replied Mary nervously.
'You would make me the happiest of men, if you were to consent to become my wife.'
Before Mary could reply, he continued.
'I would not in the least be offended if you were to refuse me, for indeed, I know your younger sisters believe me toad like, and your elders find me dull. I should not be surprised if you agreed with them. I came to Longbourn in order to find a suitable wife, but never expected to find a woman I would love, and never before has any man been so glad to have fallen in love as I am.'
At the end of his speech, Mr Collins looked at Mary on so hopeful and loving a way that even if such had not been her intention, Mary would have accepted.
'I care not for appearances, sir, and you could not truly think you were dull. I do love you, I truly do! Surely you could hardly doubt it? I would be very fortunate if you wanted me for a wife.'
And it was this way that Ms Mary Bennet came to be engaged to Mr William Collins, much to the delight of Mrs Fanny Bennet, and general approval of her sisters. Though Kitty and Lydia simply could not understand why she chose to marry a man who so resembled a toad, and would not understand that she did not appreciate them moaning over her ill fortune, they were very excited with the prospect of a wedding, and even more with the idea of shopping for it.
With their persistence, combined with Mrs Bennet's insistence, they did manage to drag Mary on a shopping trip and made her buy some very lovely gowns that she probably never would have chosen for herself, and made her promise to submit to their will at the next social occasion as far as the dressing up was concerned. Before, Mrs Bennet would have considered it indulgence for Mary to buy so many pretty things, she herself being not a great beauty, but since she managed to entrap a man before any of her sisters, and that too the future heir of Longbourn, her mother, for the first time, seemed to have a great affection for her third daughter.
Though flattered by the attention, Mary Bennet was no fool and she realized that this affection would be short lived. The only person she was certain would truly be happy for her, apart from Mr Collins, was Lizzy. Mary remembered the numerous times Lizzy had shown her support in little ways that made a great difference, and was very grateful. She knew that Jane cared a lot too, but somehow being the favorite daughter made it harder for her to understand how much being sidelined hurt.
But all other thing aside, Mary was very happy to have found her match, and was the happiest woman in the country when she announced that she and Mr Collins intended to marry within a month, and was happy as she helped her sisters chose their dresses, steadfastly refusing to have anything too fancy for herself.
A/N- I think that will be all the updating this month, since I need to work on my other story, A Meeting, but keep reviewing and I might consider changing my mind and sneaking in an extra chapter. Trust me, the things will start getting exciting soon.