To konarciq, not quite but good guess! Actually, you're getting warmer. And I'm glad to hear you're enjoying so far! I'm enjoying myself too. Hopefully Lydia and Kitty are not driving you all too crazy. One guest reviewer made the remark about Lydia, she should not have borrowed money from a stranger. Absolutely! Marianne Dashwood had to be reminded of that by Elinor in S&S. Whether it's money, a horse, a lock of hair, don't do it. You don't know this guy.

Chapter 6

With each day that passed in following weeks, Lydia's diary entries grew longer and more detailed than they ever had in her life. Something grand and glorious would come in these next months, she was sure of, and determined to not forget any little detail. Having procured her pretty scarlet bonnet, she now enjoyed the compliments and attention of a number of officers. They would come to see her often, haunting the milliner's, the library, the inn, and her aunt's house. While it had been her aim to preserve her cherished hat from sight on common occasion, Lydia began to wear it as proudly as if she herself had donned a regimental uniform. She was easy to distinguish on the streets of Meryton now, only to add to Lizzy's embarrassment.

Kitty couldn't stand to be outdone, and proved her own resourcefulness with impudence, by using her own ribbons and dying her own purchased feather red, and fixing up her plain straw bonnet. It was meant as a direct affront, and hoped to see Lydia's outrage. Instead, and much to Kitty's silent indignation, Lydia said nothing about the newly fashioned ribbon and feather. Perhaps it was an attempt to imitate, to capture like attention while in town. Mr. Bennet saw it all with a roll of the eyes and more denunciation against their high-minded presumptions upon the hearts of the regiment.

Some of this merriment was curtailed upon the arrival and deliberation of a letter from an unexpected quarter, the cousin and heir presumptive, Mr. Collins. All the family listened to Mr. Bennet, at dinner, read with Shakespearean ceremony over the blessings of ordination, the recognition of a Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and his hopes of making amends to the family he shall eventually displace with inheritance. Perhaps the only members of his audience struck by the candor and sincerity of the writer were his wife and Mary. It meant something to Mrs. Bennet that he had a more sympathetic turn of mind than his father. What he might present as a means of amends upon his visit was yet to be seen.

Mary took his words more to heart. The Biblical references used in his letter clearly indicated a mind disposed to loftier thoughts. An olive branch, a gesture of good will and bringing peace between feuding parties, was just what they all needed. Also considering the family history, this was still rather a young man; the eldest son of his father might've chosen any profession. Instead of earning a reputation with men in more aspiring careers, he chose a humbler calling. Remarkable for a man of his middle twenties, to incur the favour of man and God, as Mary deliberated. It spoke much of his character to be newly ordained and receive the patronage of a member of the nobility. For the sum of it, all such unspoken qualities, on paper, Mr. Collins was a man of morality, manners, and good reputation. As to intellect and pursuits and pleasures, yet to be seen. In spite of these details to be determined, Mary was rather silent at that dinner. She hoped to be proven justified in her predisposed good opinions. In fact, she looked forward to observing his character beyond his mere words. Such a man, and in such a profession, was just the sort of man to suit her standards in domestic felicity.

Up until this letter, it was not known that Mr. Collins had taken a wife. For had that event occurred already, the family would've been made aware of it. Realization slowly dawned, giving way to reflections and a scheme before too long. Given the circumstances, Mary now happily anticipated the arrival of their cousin. Of all her sisters, she was the only one to be welcome the news. Mr. Bennet, of course, did no service to him. When Lizzy suspected him an oddity, whose opinion of the style of writing was entirely different, Mr. Bennet declared to hope for the contrary.

"It is difficult to form a proper judgment without first meeting him," defended Mary. "He has feeling and true delicacy, to give consideration of our family situation."

"It is admirable, but I don't see what can be done about the entail," said Jane. "For it's not as if he has the power to alter it."

"It might be… something more informal, perhaps," answered Mrs. Bennet, cheering herself. "Perhaps, perhaps, he might allow us to stay at Longbourn. We might, say, stay on like tenants. After all, Mr. Collins has a home of his own. That wouldn't be such a bad alternative; ensuring at least, that we all could live here in security after your father is dead."

"For an event that you heartily dread, you spend a good deal of time ruminating and planning for, Mrs. Bennet. Might seem to me, you rather look forward to it," Mr. Bennet interjected.

"I've no objection, other than it is dreadfully inconvenient that he'll be coming next Saturday," whined Lydia. "I was to accompany Colonel Forster and his bride to the justice of the peace."

"I was invited too," seconded Kitty. "We'll both miss the wedding!"

"Mr. Collins shall not miss either of us."

"We owe it to our cousin to welcome him," said Jane. "How would you feel if you were going to meet some distant relations for the first time in your life, only to find they had other engagements? It would be very rude to give him such a reception."

"Oh Jane!"

"Lydia, that is enough!" Lizzy silenced her. "We're all obliged to show our cousin hospitality."

"What is Mr. Collins to us?"

"Have some respect for where you stand in relation to him," stated Mr. Bennet. "As it's been said plenty enough, his good graces and kindness may depend on what you have to offer."

Her eyes had fallen to her plate, to her glass of water, half-full and grown tepid. The words unfair were upon her lips, and tears welled to the brim. Mr. Bennet cared not and wisely turned his attention to other matters. Kitty complained, likewise, but borne the injustice in silence and without facial expression. For her father turned a stern eye upon her, half-expecting. Perhaps he wished to make her cry, she imagined. Respect got the better of any hurt. Colonel and the future Mrs. Forster would understand their absence from the wedding. The girl sipped her tepid water.

No complaints were made to their mother in the interim of days up to the arrival of Mr. Collins. Orders were given to the cook and maids as to the spare bedroom, as well as the meals and other necessary arrangements to make their guest comfortable. There was little entertaining at Longbourn in that time. The Lucases kept their visits short, and Mrs. Bennet paid calls rather than waited to be paid the honour of having more people in her house. This served Mary well enough, who made more than usual diligent effort at her music. Compositions hadn't ceased entirely. They'd been put to the side for now. If Mr. Collins should ask her who the composer was she played, that would be a difficult answer, for him and her family. Lizzy and Jane could be trusted. What her mother would say, or worse, what he should say… That is quite a talent. But do you really intend to pursue publication? It is not common practice for ladies to make a living in such a way. It is admirable, but hardly fitting… The thought of her own prospective publishers, who'd sent a number of rejections already, came to mind. Perhaps they snubbed a woman's name as a composer too. That would be a tragedy to find Mr. Collins another one of them.

"Mary, don't strain your eyes and practice too long," warned her mother. "I'm going to town. Order the fish for the dinner on Saturday. Shall I serve it the first night? I want Mr. Collins to have the best first impression; well, he ought to be pleased," somewhat testily. "No matter. I'll think on it along the way. Do you need anything in town? Very well, I'll be off."

In her time alone, another concern to also come to Mary's mind was an unusual one. Would he be a man influenced by beauty? For it's not as though she minded her plain features, her simple, listless style of hair, or homely frocks. Lydia and Kitty mocked her selections of muslin, colours and patterns. It showed the world she could care less for outer beauty. Beauties of mind and intellect and accomplishments earned respect from individuals whose respect was worth earning. Whenever her mother or younger sisters made a point of comparing her looks to others, this was probably her wisest or most witty remark ever made. Getting her into a new frock or purchasing new shoes or gloves was an arduous task.

It did not bother her to be called plain. For she'd have been much more insulted to be called silly, and for all the neighborhood knew, Miss Mary Bennet, did everything she could to preserve her reputation from the word. However, there were not many opportunities to exhibit for an eligible man whom she wished to attract as a mate.

Hill came to the door of the drawing room tapping, begging pardon for disturbance. There was a gentleman come to call, and wondered if the the family were in. Mary pondered whether Mr. Bingley might have stopped in; which if that were the case, the caller should've asked if Miss Bennet were at home. The request seemed rather vague. Her music had been ongoing, so the caller would've heard someone is at home. As much as it proved against her inclination, Mary consented to the admittance of the gentleman. Her next guess would've been correct. It turned out to be an officer.

At first sight of the regimentals, Mary contained a sigh.

"Good morning, I hope I've not intruded," the officer greeted her, a slight bow to it. "You must be one of the Miss Bennets?"

"Yes. Mary Bennet, sir."

"Is your family not at home, Miss Bennet?"

The internal sigh was growing into a groan. Good-looking, a shallow gallantry about his expression: something that caught Lydia and Kitty's eye no doubt. "No sir. My family is rather busy this morning with preparations. I'm afraid you're not the company you were looking for this morning." She expected and wished to disappoint, only to be disappointed herself. There was relief in the smile.

"Well, I had wished to meet the Bennet family. I've heard so much of all of you. Though I will admit, I came to call on a matter regarding your sister, Miss Lydia."

"Of course."

"Of- no surprise, I take it?"

"No indeed. It does not surprise me that my sister's attentions have drawn officers to call. I'm sure she'd be wild with delight, but she is not at home. You might very well find her in Meryton. She's there often enough."

"I've only lately returned and not had opportunity. Perhaps," stepping further into the drawing room, "I should explain my visit. And if you'd be kind enough to relay a message on my behalf. My name's Carter."

"Captain Carter?" Mary echoed, in spite of herself.

"Yes."

Short one, was going to wait until tomorrow but I couldn't wait. My whole inspiration for this story came from a YouTube video by a Dr. Octavia Cox. The particular video entitled: "Did Lydia Bennet always fancy Mr. Wickham?" I was left feeling I want to read P&P again. And what happened? Why did she move on? Why Wickham and not another officer? And who are these officers she had been chasing before Wickham? That fired me up and as a result, R.C.&S.