Thank you, Dalia Lelo. I've found it and I've already started reading it! Awesome!

Thank you liysyl. One of the most loyal followers. Yes, I'm excited to bring the Bennet sisters back together for the end of the story!

Thank you all for having hung in there. Your patience, I hope, shall be rewarded in these final chapters.

Chapter 36

Beyond the door, the entire auditorium turned to a hive of bees. For Kitty, people and bees made just about the same level of noise. She eagerly combed the faces of all in passing, searching for the elusive admirer. Being slightly taller, Jane had a better vantage, and Kitty frequently, discreetly turned to her. Did she see him? No, not yet. There was something delicious about seeing him, to see the look on his face when he saw their sister. That may not be so natural a possibility. The Darcy clan kept close together, with Mary at their side. Mr. Darcy maneuvered between bodies, making a clearer path for all the ladies following behind.

"He's the big fish, to help all the little fish," joked Georgiana.

"I'm not a fish," her brother dryly replied.

"I've called us all a bunch of fishes. That shouldn't offend you."

"I don't see how that's inappropriate. I feel like a fish right now," Lizzy agreed. "I suppose we shouldn't be surprised by this large number. It's a full house. No seats will be empty."

"Oh, stop!" called Mary. Before they moved too far, they paused to allow her to take a program from one of the attendants. Mr. Darcy edged them all closer to the wall, where Mary had better lighting. Several strangers bumped shoulders and jostled them in the attempt. Once she had her spectacles on, the program was perused.

"Is everything in order?" asked Jane.

"Nothing appears to be changed. Of course, yes, no more duet… Oh no…"

"What is it?" echoed between them. Only Georgiana had a view over Mary's shoulder. "It doesn't look like you've been moved. You and Miss Sothern are still in your original slots."

"It's not that. Look at Miss Sothern's selection."

Georgiana paled, looked at the Bennet sisters. "She's changed her selection!"

"What does it say now?" demanded Lizzy.

"Unpublished."

"What!"

"She can't do that! When is her slot?" cried Kitty.

"She's first, opening the exhibition," answered Mary. Lizzy could hardly believe it, and took the program in hand herself. Mr. Darcy bid Mary look up, nodding across the room, where the tall plume and dark curls of Lady Herncastle quivered with the wind of her pink silk fan.

"I'll see if I can fetch her… Oh!" Mary didn't get far before a twinge forced her to stand in place and wait for a fiery spasm to pass.

Mr. Darcy offered his arm. "Are you alright?"

"Just a twinge, that's all. It's nothing."

"Would you like me to go with you? In case you cannot get through and reach her, I'll try to corner her. If it helps, I will invite her to call tomorrow. Let's make it sound like a friendly social call."

"Thank you." Lending his arm, brother and sister-in-law took on the rough, high waters.

"I cannot believe that woman," grumbled Kitty. "This Lady Herncastle must be her puppet. She'll change whatever and do whatever she pleases."

Lizzy took on the position of big fish, wrapping an arm with Jane, and keeping a hand behind her for Kitty to hold. "Let's try and get to our seats first."

"This is maddening! Where is Captain Carter? I wanted to at least see him before we go to our seats."

"Have you both met before?" inquired Georgiana.

"Our whole family have met him, back when the militia were quartered in Meryton. He and Mary were so fond of each other, even if she did not like to admit it."

All of them were halted in the doorway, when Lizzy turned back in much quieter tones than her mother ever learned. "Upon my honour, I swear, if Mary gives him any more grief in future, she's forevermore banned from the pianoforte!"

"I heartily agree!" The ladies proceeded when three more stout and less observant gentlemen were cleared out by an attendant, ushering them and others behind into the main auditorium. Where the musicians normally sat in the pit, all the Starlight Circle were being directed to their seats to await their turn. Any seats just above this area had been laid claimed to already, and latecomers, upon realizing, sought anything available higher up. According to the report of the butler, who procured the tickets, the audience topped out at five hundred. And by a suggestion passed from attendants to a ticket master or a master, the more desired seating was that on the second tier. Lizzy made no attempt to seek out places in the first, advancing up the stairs to the balcony. An entire row, second from the balcony rail, had been left spare. Seats were counted and claimed, a place saved for all except Mary.

Having all sat down, Jane turned asking Lizzy: "How are you faring?"

"Just."

"Well, how does it feel to be out of the house again?"

"Very unusual," she admitted, heaving an exhausted sigh. "I'm very glad, but at the same time, I feel like I need to get up in five minutes and go check on Rose."

Between the two mothers, Lizzy's new state of being was discussed, and little Rose and all her elder cousins. Georgiana and Kitty were leaning close, still filtering every male face. Also, with their previous acquaintance, Georgiana scoured through couples—any man with a blond woman on his arm. Was that the Carters? No. Is that him? It looked like him, but his beard was too full or the woman too tall for his sister. After a few minutes, Georgiana spied, on the other side, standing in the first tier, her brother and Mary speaking with Lady Herncastle. Her ladyship was finally caught away from her friends, leaving them plenty opportunity.

"Do you suppose that Mary will tell her ladyship about the theft?"

Kitty's head shook. "I can't say. When I spoke to Mary earlier, she didn't say for certain she would tell. I don't know why, unless this ladyship dotes on Miss Sothern so much that she doesn't care."

"My brother has, up until recently, always thought kindly of her. But judging from the results, the nature of the contracts and the nature of the musical society, he thinks she turns a blind eye."

"Willfully?"

"Kitty, Kitty, look!" Jane interrupted. "Is that her? I think… yes. She's wearing the same dress from the ball."

All four women glared down near the pit, clustered among a half circle of gentlemen in continental fashion, a figure in white and red. A golden silk fan fluttered delicately by her face, playing so softly with her raven curls. She laughed at something said, using her fan as a weapon upon the gentleman's shoulder, and teased him in return. All his neighbours were playfully abused in her native tongue, no doubt.

"You suppose she's brought Mary's copy with her?" wondered Kitty.

Lizzy surmised: "If she's brought it with her, it's probably on her person. She knows its value. She wouldn't chance someone stealing it back."

"They haven't seen her yet," worried Jane. "Perhaps I should try and go down."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. The program is to about to start in five minutes."

"If anybody has the power to stop this, it's Lady Herncastle, and she's all the way across the hall."

"And we can't stall the program. She's the opening performer."

"Lizzy, did Mary say she would speak to Rietta?" asked Kitty.

"She hadn't decided. She told me if she happened to meet her—Oh, I believe, they've seen each other." Across the auditorium, their eyes connected. Mr. Darcy and Mary had already disengaged from her ladyship. More spectators had taken their seat, and now, both women had clear view of one another.

"What if she doesn't get her music back? It will all be for naught."

Georgiana abruptly rose from her seat. "I think I could use a glass of wine. It's getting a little close in here," she said, quickly tripping between them. "Forgive me, Lizzy."

"Would you like me to come with you?"

"No. I'm alright."

Just as Miss Darcy started up the steps, Kitty's eyes narrowed. "You're perfectly alright… Excuse me. Pardon me, Jane. I'll just be a moment… Georgiana, what are you doing?"

"Perhaps this is best by myself."

"What are you going to do?"

"One thing I've learned from my brother, Kitty. If you want something done, you've got to do it yourself. She's used my friend abominably. Knowing Mary, she will give that woman a scathing sermon. It might make her feel better, but it will cost Miss Sothern nothing. No, I intend to see that she pays for this. So, I'm going to stall this myself."

Kitty could hardly keep up with Miss Darcy, as she deftly and hastily maneuvered round stairs, people, and floral arrangements. They only paused when they approached the backstage area.

"I don't know what you're doing, but I will help you in any way."

"That may be foolish, Kitty."

"I've never known you to do a foolish thing in your life."

"But of course I have. I know I'm not the most social of persons. I'm not afraid to say, that I can be rather dull company. But not foolish? You're very much mistaken."

"We will be good company to each other then. Come now! Tell me, what do we do?"

That much said, the two instantly allied. "We'll need a reason to get backstage."

"Understood."

"… Flowers. We'll need a bouquet!"

Kitty turned a half circle. Discreetly, strolling up to the nearest vase, waiting until the nearest attendant was distracted, she plucked the bushel of lilies and dashed. "We have flowers."

"Perfect! Follow me."

Why did it suddenly feel like the old days with Lydia? Kitty and Georgiana joined arms. One usher that guarded the stage area for the musicians stopped them but excused them as it was explained:

"We have a message and a floral arrangement, to be presented to Miss Rietta Sothern."

They were waved on through, with Kitty trying to suffocate the laughter welling strongly within, which Georgiana worsened by her own sugary smile. How could the usher say no to Miss Darcy and that face? As they passed a serving table, loaded with trays and waiting for an attendant to take them, Georgiana procured her glass of wine.

"Mr. Darcy, may I have a moment alone?"

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"It's now or never." He, too, wished very much to know, but there was no point in asking Mary. What could be gained by it? Only Mary could gain her point. With a brief nod of a bow, he departed. Lydia's pointed suggestion could not have been more accurate. Even the red rose pinned in back of her hair, meant to add a touch of softness to her face, did nothing to quell the simmer to eye or smooth the sharp edge of the lips. Rietta took leave of her companions, and made her way behind the stage. Mary followed on the opposite side, with the attendant waving her by. In between the small corridor separating stage left and right, vases of flowers crowded for free space, much like the spectators still maneuvering for seats. Their conversation and laughter were still audible. Some fluttering about the dressing room produced a small uproar between the Jacoby duo, arguing about their particular stage arrangement. Lady Herncastle was intolerable and inattentive to their wishes, and it was not the other's fault. They took themselves towards and past Mary, ignoring them both, leaving her alone in the muted light of the corridor. The ladies met in the middle.

"I did not know if you would come. I'm glad of it," she began. With every pretense of friendship done with and dead, the eyes took a slant that had never been present before. To watch her advance closer gave Mary a chill that ran the length of the blood in her body. Miss Quinn's warning, come too late, like a burning ember in the heart; and Miss Longbury's candid observation breathed: you are her greatest threat. And that voice, always low and cool, so perfectly composed, like a cat's purr. That had never changed, but now, it better matched her disposition.

"I intend to go through one more night. After tonight, I will have Lady Herncastle make no more engagements for me."

"Are you ready to go through with it? You know what it will mean."

"I do."

"Very good then. I must say, Mary, you look absolutely bewitching. I've never seen this gown before. It's quite striking, like someone else entirely. I do love the red."

"It's not my nature, but it suits the occasion. If you're going to meet the devil, why not meet the devil wearing red."

Rietta laughed. For the first time ever, her eyebrows actually arched high and her eyes widened more than their halfway default. "Devil?"

"I don't think I need explain my feelings, do I? I know you stole my music."

"Well, half of it is mine."

"None of it is yours. You can take credit, sign your name to it, but it will never be yours."

"If you wanted any share in it, I gave you a chance. It could've been ours."

"I came here tonight with one purpose. It's been my only intention these last few days to take back what's mine—"

With narrowed eyes, she scorned. "If you think for a moment that I'll be persuaded into our previous arrangement with the duet, that time has passed."

"So quick to expect," snarled Mary, "everyone groveling at your feet… No. If you want it so badly, Rietta, it's yours."

"Oh? You're not here to shame me out of it? You came out this evening, just to perform, go about your night, without asking for it back? I don't believe that."

"For some time, yes, that was true, but now, seeing you, I've changed my mind. At least, with your performance, my music will continue to be heard and you'll probably get it published. Very well. I can't prove it's mine now. But know this, and you probably know it already, it's the only composition you'll ever have to your name. When your sponsors and adoring public expect divinity and genius, you have your voice and your skill on the piano and one measly little aria without an opera to offer them. And that is all… You'll get away with it tonight. Maybe you'll get out of your contract, and you'll break forth into Europe. But as time goes by, you won't be able to rest on your laurels. They will expect something new, something better and more impressive than the last. And what will you have to show for it? Nothing… I do not envy what lays ahead of you."

"It's hard to believe. You're not even going to tell Lady Herncastle?"

"I don't need her help. She didn't protect me from you, nor protect other members of the society from each other. I also let you go free because there are more important matters on hand than simply grasping for my claim. You are not important. My music is not important. A person's free will and right to choose, preserving the naive one from the wicked and from one's own poor choices, is far more worthy a cause to fight for; one way or another, Lady Herncastle will be made to see that."

This gave pause to the next sentence. It seemed to have died on her lips, whatever she intended to say. She tried to revive somehow, and with a slow couple of blinks, her eyes returned to their normal size, halfway. "I'm sorry," she confessed. "I really misjudged you, Mary Bennet."

"Sorry?"

"Underestimated you… Just a country girl, bright-eyed and full of her own dreams, of fame and fortune, finding love, having all the great things in life—thinking all the while you need to stop this sleepwalking. The sooner you know the ways of the world, all the better for you… You're going to fight yourself out of your contract?"

"And set a precedent, for the benefit of all the society members and any talented young women after me."

"Mary, you never should've been a member of the Starlight Circle. You never needed it. Your gift, the art of composing is a rare talent in the world, even more rare among women. For that, despite what I've done, I say without irony: I really do respect you."

"Pardon me, if I do not return the compliment. Theft is a gross disrespect."

"Nevertheless," she shrugged. "I never wished you ill."

Difficult to say whether she had tired of the subject or grown uncomfortable talking about it, but Rietta brushed by Mary, with all politeness, no shoving or brusqueness. Rietta just reached the doorway back to the auditorium when Mary caught up with her.

"Is that why you encouraged my suit with Mr. Cummings? I must ask. Everything else makes perfect sense, except that."

"Getting your competition happily married is a perfect way of putting them out to pasture."

"Is that all? You went to a lot of trouble. Most girls I know would have too much pride to pass on a fine match if they had any chance of getting it themselves."

"I prefer my own countrymen. I was glad to introduce you both. He was a good match for you, or so I thought. Not the first time I've been mistaken," she chuckled. The crowds were beginning to quiet, as the program would begin in minutes. Rietta glanced out and caught her eye on the lower tier. Mary's look followed. Captain Carter and Miss Carter were seated towards the top row, looking out, waiting. He seemed pleased, until Mary felt his eyes upon her alone. "Before the program begins, I should tell you, Mary. I'm glad now you turned him down. When I took the original, I only meant to take that and that alone, but I happened to take along a few extras: some scribbling and old drafts, nothing much, and in among them, bound with your original sonata score, one letter… The letter you wrote Captain Carter three years ago."

"No."

"It's clear it never reached the recipient. So, I took it upon myself to see that it finally reached its destination."

"What made you presume it your right to do so?"

"Foolishness, on my part. I owe you nothing, but as I said, my respect is deeper than rivalry. Captain Carter received my complimentary ticket, here as my guest. He does not know that; it was sent to him anonymously. I waited a day, then forwarded on your old letter."

"Why would you do that?"

Leaning a step closer, Rietta eyed her with intensity and true feeling. "You were right to turn Cummings down. But Carter—Mary, if you throw him over again, for another man or for your career, it will be the biggest mistake of your life. An admirer of your music is nothing to the one who inspires its creation… You are shocked, I understand. But I do not hate you. I do not wish your failure. I hope that you will continue to compose and wish you happiness, including a companion that answers the desires of your heart."

"You know," sighed Mary. "I can't say that I hate you either."

"Goodbye Mary."

Looking back towards the Carters, Mary found that he had moved, got up, and advanced down the side stairs towards her. All the breath in her body had been deprived, long enough to suffocate, then put back in and revived. A mist came to her eyes, still full of Rietta's last words. Hateful woman, so thoroughly deserving of contempt but at the same time, her enemy yet friend? Had she ever been a true friend? All previous notions overturned, and now with the evidence before her, Mary approached Captain Carter. Both of them bowed.

"I didn't send it."

"Mary—" "I didn't intend to send it. It was a long time ago." "Mary, did you write it?"

"Yes, I did, but it's an old letter. It was sent to Brighton, but the regiment had already decamped."

"If you didn't send it, how did you know?"

"Miss Sothern just told me so. She was the one that sent it. You remember her from the park concert? I thought all this time she'd been a friend, and she's betrayed my confidence. Yet, for some reason, she found my old letter and… perhaps, she felt guilt. I don't know how else to describe it. She stole my music."

"She what?"

"Yes, the score that she'll be performing, the opening, it's really mine. Well, we worked on it together. The words of the aria came from some poor poet, which means she did the same to him as to me. She's a heartless creature, and yet, by the end of it, I almost pitied her."

It was all a lot to be informed of in less than a minute. How to answer? "Did you get your music back?"

"If I demanded, I knew she wouldn't give it back. She'd have ridiculed the attempt, and my patroness, I know now, will not lift a finger when it comes down between Rietta and myself."

"And you accept that?"

"It's a loss. I do feel it, in spite of my proud speeches."

"Mary, you may not feel like it, but you are the real victor here. That was cruel and heartless of her, without question. Still, she must have been moved by the goodness you've shown to her, enough to evoke a kind gesture in return."

"If anything, I despise my actions more than hers. For she actually took the initiative that I should've done myself. I know this is not the time or the place. Captain Carter, I wish you had received that letter three years ago. That sonata, my first published, it was enclosed in that letter, meant for you… I love you."

Of course, that moment, the master of ceremonies had to call attention to the spectators, bid everyone take their seats. It ought to have been in the parlour or on a stroll in the park, to have conducted the practice of confessing love. Mary's inexperience blushed deeply enough to match the dress.

"I see you're wearing my roses."

She smiled. "Yes."

"Don't let me keep you, Mary. Go and take your seat. Please, come find me afterwards if you can, will you?"

"I promise."

With that same smile, like that first day the Longbourn drawing room, he started to walk away reluctantly, backwards. Remembering her less known talent, he mouthed in return: I love you too.

Whatever happened this evening, despite all that had taken place, now, the musical exhibition could not end soon enough. Love! Stupid, stupid, that she had not tried to inquire and ascertain the movements of the regiment—because she'd be silly and desperate to try running after an officer. She might have done so, and been rewarded for it, as she was rewarded now. By the time she had found her seat down in the pit, the hush had fallen upon the concert hall. Maybe she could not sing, but inside, an orchestra was on a crescendo. Surroundings did not immediately make an impression, being so distracted. Mary never observed the frowns and scowls in the pit with her; neither did she hear the furtive whispers circulating. It wasn't until three minutes of absolute silence that anyone noticed anything out of the ordinary. By then, Lady Herncastle appeared from the right and center stage.

"My apologies for the delay, ladies and gentlemen! We've experienced some minor difficulties, and as a result, I'm afraid your evening's entertainment will be only minutely shortened. Since our opening performer Miss Sothern is unable to proceed, I shall therefore ask the second in our program, Miss Bella Quinn, open the exhibition for us tonight!"

With that announcement, the unlikely and shocked Miss Quinn rose to her feet during their applause, recovered her senses, and hastened round and up to the stage. None of them of the Starlight were as shocked as Mary. Everything had been arranged to Rietta's advantage. A philosopher and social observer as herself would speculate, moralize, and conclude to herself that Rietta had been a better person after all. Jane and Lizzy would've assumed something similar, if not for Georgiana and Kitty. With beaming pride and some muffled laughter, their feigned attempt at innocence was in vain.

"Is everything alright?" whispered Mr. Darcy, who leaned forward. "Georgiana?"

"Perfectly alright, brother."

"Where have you two been?" asked Lizzy.

"You'll all be proud of us," replied Kitty. "We stalled the program."

"I'd say better," declared Georgiana, "that we've taken Miss Rietta Sothern out of commission."

"Good God," uttered Jane.

"Georgiana, what did you do?" her brother insisted.

"Oh dear, you don't want to know… But it's probably only fair that I warn you…" The girls began to giggle. "That you might be receiving a bill from the dressmakers, tomorrow."

Jane's and Lizzy's jaw dropped aghast, but not unhappily shocked. Before long, they too struggled to suppress the feelings unbidden by their own imagination. "Good Lord, you're right. I don't want to know," declared Mr. Darcy.

His wife leaned towards them. "Later, when we're alone, I demand a whole account of this."

That was an evening in life, for both girls, to live forever in memory. A night of happy recollection when all rules of decorum, propriety, grace, and dignity were thrown out with the same force that Georgiana greeted Miss Sothern and emptied the merlot all down the ivory front of her dress. What a treasure to watch instinctive indignation overcome skilled composure. They did not expect her to be holding the musical score in hand. It took damage along with the gown, borne the same fatal stain. All the Andreozzi family would've been proud to witness their sweet Katerina, snatching the score from Rietta's hand and rending it down the middle. "Spero che tu l'abbia imparato a memoria. Peccato che tu non abbia fatto più pratica!" And with a flourish, Kitty whisked the pages back in her face. Miss Sothern did encourage her, after all. Kitty took the original advice given her, as she translated back to Georgiana later: I hope you've memorized it. Shame you did not practice more! Should their sister ever learn of it, a note of apology might have followed Rietta, and for fear of it, with no apology entitled to her, it was agreed that Mary would be kept in the dark of her friend and sister's dirty deed.

It made their evening all the more enjoyable. Miss Sothern never made her appearance for the musical exhibition, for her opening or finale. Everyone was bumped up in their place, and the end abbreviated. Kitty spied the Carters, and anticipated running into all of them afterward. How to tease Lydia about it would require some creativity. When the time came for Mary to take the stage, Kitty did not miss the excited whispers between brother and sister in the first tier. She played marvelously, and now free of her thief's prior claim, Mary claimed the advantage and played the aria herself, without a sheet before her. It had undergone some minute alterations, according to Lizzy's information. Even if Miss Sothern had rebounded and reappeared in fresh attire, any attempt to claim it back would not be met with any admiration from the public. That was their victory. Mary's conquest, however, struck a false note. Even the untrained ears in her family felt it. She proceeded a few more notes, a few more bars, then her quarter rest had quadrupled in time. Her poised posture began to curve forward.

"Something's wrong," muttered Lizzy.

From their seating, they had no visual of her face. The Carters had a better view. Kitty's heart dropped to her stomach, watching his joyful expression darken by the seconds. Mary got a few more notes in before the piano forte was outmatched by her own scream of agony. Gasps and murmuring were forthcoming. Nobody had a chance to react before Mary, attempting to stand from the bench, dropped heavily to the stage. In attempt to catch herself, the hand struck the lowest octaves in the fall. All her fellow society members turned deadly white. Several ladies across the auditorium shrieked and gasped. Several men stood up. Two young ushers rushed to her, one of whom which cried out.

"Gentlemen! Is there a doctor in the house?"

The family was not waiting for any reply. Mr. Darcy already leapt to his feet, with the ladies following after, with some whispers about bringing the carriage at once. Only Kitty turned round on the steps to observe Captain Carter, out of his seat before the usher's plea, running for the stage and to her unconscious body.