‘The Other Bennet Sister’ May Have a Proposal for Mary
“Mother had told me to prepare myself but nothing could prepare me for what happened next.”
We’re at the halfway point of The Other Bennet Sister, as Mary (Ella Bruccoleri) begins to blossom and enjoy social activities, as well as make new friends. After agreeing to spend the summer with her family at Pemberley, she delayed her departure to attend a ball, some of which she enjoyed – dancing with Mr. Hayward (Dónal Finn, a friend only) and flirting with Mr. Ryder (Laurie Davidson, who may very well mean trouble). The ball was followed a few days later by a supper party at Mr. Ryder’s house, only for Mary to find herself making a sudden departure when she learns her mother has fallen ill.
“Losing one parent had upturned my life. To lose the other was unthinkable. Though my mother’s presence had always loomed large in my live I could not imagine myself with her.”
Arriving at dawn, after a sleepless night of travel, Mary is directed upstairs to her mother’s bedroom, where it turns out it was all a ploy to get Mary to come out there. Mrs. Bennet is very much alive, enjoying snacks and her daughters’ company. She views Mary’s red dress with disdain and criticizes her complexion and hair. Lizzie (Poppy Gilbert) is the only one to greet Mary with any warmth. Nothing has changed. Mary is back where she started, diminished and overlooked.
