Breaking the Silence

This is the story of Mary and Kitty Bennet five years after their sisters have been married. In the course of a summer in London, both Mary and Kitty find love unexpectedly, and realize that love comes in many shapes and sizes. And, when all is said and done, anything is better than sitting all alone in the silence. Please Read and Review!

These characters do not belong to me and I have tried my best to stay true to Jane Austen's original portrayals of them. I hope you enjoy, please let me know what you think. I love Jane Austen and simply love being thrown into the era of gentlemen and ladies

Chapter 1

Five years had gone by since Jane and Elizabeth had been married, and life in the Bennet house had changed. What used to be a loud, exciting house, had become solemn and peaceful. The change in atmosphere was of great pleasure to Mr. Bennet, but Kitty, and even on occasion Mary, found the quiet disconcerting.

Because Kitty missed having people to talk to, she visited her sisters during the summer with Mary. Kitty went for the change in society and beautiful grounds of her sisters estates, Mary, went for the enormous libraries found in both homes.

The summers away had been good for both of the Bennet girls. Kitty had become much more sensible in five years. She still possessed some of her silliness, but that just made her enjoyable to be around. Over the years Kitty had become good friends with Georgiana Darcy who had been a very good influence.

Mary had also changed since her older sisters marriages. Although she did still enjoy books and music more then socializing, she did learn to appreciate life, and everything that came with it. Over the years she learned to appreciate fun a bit more then she used to, and could even find her laughing on occasion.

"I've had a letter from Elizabeth." Mr. Bennet said upon entering the parlor where the three Bennet ladies sat.

"How is dear Lizzy?" Kitty asked, setting down her embroidery.

"It seems she is doing well. She says she is anxious to see her sisters at Georgiana's wedding next week. But she writes mostly to inform us that she is once again expecting." he said as his eyes skimmed the parchment.

"A baby!" Mrs. Bennet screamed from her seat.

"How exciting! Does she say anything about Samuel? I do miss my darling nephew." Kitty asked.

"Samuel is doing well." Mr. Bennet sighed.

"I do hope she has a girl!" Mrs. Bennet sighed from her side of the room.

"I miss Lizzy and Jane, and their families. I am looking forward to seeing them. But Georgiana getting married...it's like losing Lydia all over again." Kitty announced.

"Losing Lydia caused a great deal of improvement on your part. I dare say losing Georgiana will be a bit more detrimental." Mr. Bennet stated in an unaffected tone.

"Mr. Bennet! I do wish you would stop abusing our youngest daughter!" Mrs. Bennet shrieked from her corner. "I do miss my dear Lydia, I haven't had a letter from her in nearly two months."

"No one has mother." Mary added.

"I have no idea why you enjoy reading the silliness of that girl so much. Her constant yammering about her darling Wickham are enough to drive me insane." he said dryly.

"Mr. Bennet! You are very vexing indeed!"

"Yes my dear, I know."

Lydia Wickham had become an almost non-existent member of the Bennet family. Since her marriage she became quite a horrible correspondent. Lydia hardly heard from her and they had been inseparable before her wedding. The only time she wrote was a week or two before one of her children's birthdays, making sure the family knew to send gifts.

"Kitty, would you care to go for a walk in the garden?" Mary asked as she finished reading her book.

"Of course!" Kitty stood and picked out a bonnet and laced her shoes.

Mary and Kitty had become much closer over the five years. Kitty found she had no one else to talk to, and Mary found that she didn't mind listening. With no one else in the house, they found that the only way to keep sane was to make conversation between the two of them.

"Are you excited to go to Jane's?" Kitty asked as they reached the grove.

"There are some books I'm looking forward to reading."

"Is that really all your looking forward to? Don't you enjoy seeing Jane and Charles Jr, and Edward?"

"Of course I love my nephews! Even I am not to somber to enjoy their smiles." Mary laughed.

"Georgiana will be beautiful, she is so lucky, married. I do fear I'll always be single. Mama fears might come true for both of us if Papa dies."

"You'll be married Kitty, your to sweet to be single forever. However my somber face and lack of smiles will be enough for me to forever be a burden." Mary smiled.

"Well, Papa would not call me sweet, he still thinks I'm to silly to recommend myself to anyone."

"I hardly think Papa still finds your disposition to be of a silly nature. You have become quite a bit more mature in these five years. Lydia was the one that was silly and you merely followed her because she was closest to you in age. Since her leaving you have been able to discover your true self." Mary explained in a philosophical tone. Her reading always came out in her lectures.

"Thank you Mary, that was very nice of you to say."

"Perhaps if you speak to Jane when we visit, she might have better advice. I know nothing of matters of the heart. Maybe Jane will have a new prospect for you!"

"I suspect not, I have already exhausted all the prospects of gentlemen in her acquaintance." Kitty laughed, remembering all the gentlemen she had liked in the past.

Jane and Charles Bingley were a very amiable couple. They were exceedingly happily married and had two children, Charles Jr. and Edward. Charles was four years old and Edward had just turned two. Both boys had an extremely easy temperament, which was no surprise considering their parents. They were absolute joys to be around and were Kitty's favorite part of going to Clinton Hall.

"What about you Mary, are you hoping to meet your future husband on this vacation?" Kitty stopped to make sure she saw Mary's face as she finished asking the question. Mary looked forward, expressionless, disappointing her sister.

"You know perfectly well that I have no desire to be married, I much prefer a book."

"Yes Mary, that I know, but I still think you should consider changing your mind, especially after Papa dies. And you know Mary, eventually, you may run out of books." Kitty laughed.

"Run out of books! Kitty, people are always writing books, which means there will always be more books."

The sisters had reached the back door of Longbourne. Kitty decided to write a letter to her dear friend Georgiana, and Mary, went back to reading. They both enjoyed their walks together, which somehow saved them from the insanity quiet brought along with it.

Dearest Georgiana,

How are you my friend? I hope my letter finds you well and excited! Mary sends her regards and hopes all is going well. I can not wait until your wedding, I am so excited to see you. I know you will look absolutely beautiful! You and Mr. Burton are simply perfect together. I am so very excited for you my dear friend. I am however sad that our summers together are finished. Your friendship has meant so much to me, and I hope you will prove to be a more willing married correspondent than my younger sister has been. I am sure you are far to busy to read anymore, so I wish you and Mr. Burton luck in your final preparations, I will see you in a week.

Your friend,

Kitty Bennet