[ Mary had suggested the gated area knowing that if her mother caught wind of a dog being in the house that she would fall into fits of hysteria and might even pass out and require her salts to rally. As Mary's lips purse in consternation at letting the dog in and wondering how to keep Mrs. Bennet in the parlor all day, Mr. Cartwright hands her the parcel, places his hat on her head, and with a rather intense look, takes off.
She's left rather stunned and her skin prickles with goosebumps on feeling the residual heat inside his hat now against her head. For a moment her feet seem unable to carry her as she stands in place on the neatly manicured lawn. Soon enough the breeze against her body and the letter she still holds shake loose her mind and she walks back towards the house. However, she stops before the doors and instead seats herself on a stone bench that lies just outside. The cold of the stone sends a shock through her, but she doesn't wish to be caught by her mother wearing a man's hat or carrying a gift. It's so puzzling to be given something like this. Of course she's been given gifts on appropriate occasions, but there is no real occasion here despite the day. It's almost like Mr. Cartwright was thinking of her specifically.
Heat rushes to her face as that all too familiar desire to be noticed feels sated. She carefully unwraps the parcel and reads the note. Simple, but containing all the information she needs. Her eyes light up as she looks over the pieces, her fingers already itching to take them up to her apartment where her pianoforte lies. When she turns to the final piece her eyebrows twitch in confusion until she looks closer and a hand lifts to press over her lips as a wholly foreign feeling of giddiness comes over her. A duet? No one has ever wished to play music alongside her before. The feeling of elation is quickly marred by doubts that she could learn it, but she has taught herself more difficult pieces before. Her success is somewhat greater in her mind that those of the town, but there is nothing wrong with confidence.
Standing, she moves to enter the house as quietly as possible, quickly removing his hat lest one of the servants spy her in it. Moving to the round table in the front hall where visitors' cards and the post is left, she lays his hat there and then positively tiptoes up the stairs, minding every spot she knows to cause a creak. Once safely in her room, she hurries to the pianoforte and starts to study No. 26. Mr. Bennet's library is positioned in such a part of the house that her music can't be heard and so she keeps at it until a servant enters to help Mary dress for the evening's festivities. Her stockings are swapped with warmer ones and her morning dress with a walking dress. This time she doesn't omit her bonnet and with the addition of kid boots and gloves she descends the stairs while hearing her mother carry on in her room that she has nothing to wear. ]
no subject
She's left rather stunned and her skin prickles with goosebumps on feeling the residual heat inside his hat now against her head. For a moment her feet seem unable to carry her as she stands in place on the neatly manicured lawn. Soon enough the breeze against her body and the letter she still holds shake loose her mind and she walks back towards the house. However, she stops before the doors and instead seats herself on a stone bench that lies just outside. The cold of the stone sends a shock through her, but she doesn't wish to be caught by her mother wearing a man's hat or carrying a gift. It's so puzzling to be given something like this. Of course she's been given gifts on appropriate occasions, but there is no real occasion here despite the day. It's almost like Mr. Cartwright was thinking of her specifically.
Heat rushes to her face as that all too familiar desire to be noticed feels sated. She carefully unwraps the parcel and reads the note. Simple, but containing all the information she needs. Her eyes light up as she looks over the pieces, her fingers already itching to take them up to her apartment where her pianoforte lies. When she turns to the final piece her eyebrows twitch in confusion until she looks closer and a hand lifts to press over her lips as a wholly foreign feeling of giddiness comes over her. A duet? No one has ever wished to play music alongside her before. The feeling of elation is quickly marred by doubts that she could learn it, but she has taught herself more difficult pieces before. Her success is somewhat greater in her mind that those of the town, but there is nothing wrong with confidence.
Standing, she moves to enter the house as quietly as possible, quickly removing his hat lest one of the servants spy her in it. Moving to the round table in the front hall where visitors' cards and the post is left, she lays his hat there and then positively tiptoes up the stairs, minding every spot she knows to cause a creak. Once safely in her room, she hurries to the pianoforte and starts to study No. 26. Mr. Bennet's library is positioned in such a part of the house that her music can't be heard and so she keeps at it until a servant enters to help Mary dress for the evening's festivities. Her stockings are swapped with warmer ones and her morning dress with a walking dress. This time she doesn't omit her bonnet and with the addition of kid boots and gloves she descends the stairs while hearing her mother carry on in her room that she has nothing to wear. ]