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Chapter 19, Part 1

Posted on Friday, 2 March 2001, at 10 : 09 p.m.

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. ~ Walter Winchell.

Jane ambled along the Steyne, its red-bricked pavement beneath her feet. They had just been to Donaldson's Circulating Library, and picked up a range of books. Brighton didn't really suit Jane. It was too busy and bustling for her, an elegant woman like Jane needed peace quiet and solitude. Well perhaps not solitude...

The teeming streets meant that the party had to walk closer together in order not to lose one another. Kitty was trying to take advantage of the crowd, and lose Mr Collins, but it was not quite as easy as she thought it would be. Instead on several occasions it looked dangerously like she was going to detach both Mr Collins and herself from the party - to be alone with Mr Collins was NOT her objective.

"Miss Bennet!" came a call. The four Miss Bennets present stopped and searched the crowd.

"Miss Bennet!" the call was eager and obviously male. The crowds parted to reveal...Mr Bingley.

"Mr Bingley!" said Jane beaming.

"Miss Bennet." Repeated Bingley.

"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, Miss Catherine, Miss Lucas, Miss Maria and Mr Collins." Said Darcy looming up behind his friend. Darcy was very happy to see Elizabeth, but he wasn't so lost as to forget the presence of the other ladies...and toad. He knew there were other person's present because if there were no people present, Elizabeth's feet would not still be on the ground and her lips wouldn't be now opening to speak, they'd be doing something entirely more agreeable.

"Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy what a pleasure to see you again." Said Lizzy trying not to stare at Darcy.

"Are you enjoying Brighton?" said Bingley staring at his angel.

"Very much Mr Bingley. I received your sisters very pretty letter. Pray thank her for it." Said Jane, with a hint of a smile.

"Er...yes...I will thank her for you.... did you think it was a very pretty letter?"

"Very pretty." Asserted Jane.

"Yes Mr Bingley your sister writes uncommonly well," added Lizzy with a devilish little smile.

Bingley turned bright red and did not seem to be able to speak. So Darcy was forced to step into the breach.

"And what have you been doing in Brighton?"

"We have been sea-bathing." Answered Mary quickly, glancing at her older sister.

Darcy's jaw dropped. Now it was he who was bereft of speech. The idea of Elizabeth all wet.... appealed to him.... it shouldn't appeal to him...at least not yet...but it did. Oh dear...

This lack of speech from either gentlemen, allowed Mr Collins to utter some words.

"It is indeed a pleasure to meet such refined gentlemen again. You may feel it odd that I am the only male protector of this fine bevy of ladies. But well you cannot be ignorant of the nearness of my connection to these young ladies. I am of course not referring to my cousinship! My little oak, Kitty, has consented to become my other half. You will of course wish to offer your congratulations. And I am so enamoured of Brighton...I went sea bathing also...and I found it most refreshing...though I was nowhere near the young ladies...my attire made that impossible. Or should I say my lack of attire. Heh heh heh heh! I think I am quite willing to be married in Brighton.'

Kitty's face paled.

"Sir...no...I....no..." she whispered.

Darcy felt ill at this speech from the little greasy toad, he should offer his congratulations, it was only proper, but he felt no happiness at this news.

"Er...of course Mr Collins, I wish you and your future wife every happiness."

"Yes, Mr Collins, I as well wish you every imaginable happiness." Added Bingley.

Mr Collins grabbed Kitty's hand in his slimy paw, and drooled all over it. Kitty gulped, she wanted to run away, but in all conscience she couldn't' make a scene in the middle of Brighton's busiest thoroughfare, so she bore it with nerves of steel. But at the first opportunity she escaped with Mary into a bookstore.

Mary looked at her sister, who had immediately gone to the most secluded area of the shop to have a cry. Mary wanted to comfort her and say that perhaps this trial...was to prepare her for better things. But somehow Mary had a feeling that Kitty wouldn't take the comforting the right way.

Mary felt someone breathing behind her. She was aware of someone's presence, yet she still jumped when that someone spoke.

"Miss Bennet, looking for some more shocking books?"

Mary turned on her heel and faced Sir Christian.

"I am not looking for any shocking books. Not that it is any of your concern." Said Mary slightly unnerved. Every since she had had the misfortune (or the fortune which ever way you looked at it), of meeting this infuriating man, she hadn't really stopped thinking about him, which was not Mary's style at all.

"You aren't looking for shocking books. I always look for shocking books. I think this is a very shocking book." He said brandishing a book in front of Mary's face. Mary resolutely looked away; she wasn't going to be tainted with filth!

But he kept moving the book into her line of sight; impatiently she took it out of his hands.

"I warn you, I only read Fordyce and similar improving works." A look of distaste crossed Sir Christian's face. "Mary Wollstonecraft, The Vindication of Women."

Mary looked confused, she opened the book and started to read a bit of it, she became more confused and looking up to inquire why he had given her such a book, she found he was gone and she noticed that Kitty had disappeared too.

Part Two

Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. ~ Franklin P. Jones.

The rest of the party had continued back towards the Bennet's hired house. They had talked of commonplaces and nothings. Lizzy had tried to catch Darcy's eye and failed several times. Darcy tried to catch Elizabeth's eye and had failed several times.

Lizzy was painfully aware of her need from some solitude, Mr Collins was grating upon her nerves, and even the ease in which Mr Bingley and Jane seemed to be able to converse was nothing but a source of annoyance. So she fell back a little from the group and ducked into a side-alley.

She was very aware that she was being bold ...if not fast, by shaking off her companions and continuing by herself. But they were not so very far from the house, and there was no body around to see her indulging in a conceited independence!

Lizzy looked at her new boots peeping out from beneath her skirts and watching them, as she tried to walk along one row of cobbles.

"Elizabeth." Came a rather harsh voice in front of her. She looked up, and found that at the end of the little alley, Darcy was standing. He looked angry, but Lizzy didn't see that. All she saw was her beloved Darcy, her darling Da{blot}, and they were alone. She succumbed to childish actions, she shrieked and ran down the little incline to where he was before casting herself into his arms.

She was received, how could any man not receive a lady running to embrace him? But he set her upon her feet almost within seconds.

"Darcy?" said Lizzy a crease appearing in her brow.

"You must never walk about alone!" he said, now that he remembered his source of anger and alarm.

Lizzy stepped away from him. "I must never walk alone? Why?" she said glaring at him. If there was one thing Lizzy liked it was her independence.

"Not in Brighton, you do not know the area, it is a town, it's not the countryside that you know so well, and there is much harm you could come to."

Lizzy arched her eyebrows and folded her arms, anger enveloping her. "I will do exactly what I like, thank you ever so much Mr Darcy."

Lizzy made to walk by him, her independent spirit much wounded. But a hand kept a hold of her upper arm, and stopped her from walking away.

"Elizabeth."

She refused to look at him, she felt she was being childish, but she would not be dictated to.

"Elizabeth." He didn't sound at all remorseful or repentant.

"You will let me by Mr Darcy, and I will walk home, alone. I shall not let, you or anyone dictate to me." But even as she said it Lizzy knew she had been wrong. Walking alone in a city was very different to walking alone in the countryside, which she knew so well.

Darcy released her, and Lizzy true to her stubborn temperament kept walking.

"I can't even worry about you Elizabeth?"

Lizzy stopped, and turned. It was no use.

"You have no right to worry about me, or dictate to me Mr Darcy." Why did he make her feel this way?

He crossed the space that was between them. "No right?"

"No right!" she asserted, resolutely looking at the ground, she didn't trust herself to look up.

His hand came under her chin, and forced her to look up. It was simply not fair, those dark eyes that looked at her so adoringly, melted any vestige of anger she still held.

Almost in the same moment, his lips descended upon hers, their second kiss was much longer than that brief first one, those months ago, but it was no sweeter, even though it seemed to have more significance.

Lizzy's head found a comfortable hollow nestled in his shoulder.

"Don't tell me I have no right, please." Darcy whispered into her ear.

Lizzy looked up at him. "I'm sorry, I just can't bear to be told what to do."

Darcy's arms around her stiffened, "But you must understand that to walk around all alone, you might be in danger...you are certainly in danger of some very impertinent remarks from passers-by or your friends."

"I don't care for society and their opinion." Said Lizzy forcefully. "But I do care for yours."

Darcy pulled her closer and squeezed her, her curls were intoxicating, "Whatever you do, you will always be perfect to me, but can't you allow me to worry about you?"

Lizzy gave a sly smile that was directed at his lapel. "But I do assert, you have no proper right to worry about be thus, what would people say if you a bachelor, worried so much about me, an unmarried lady."

Darcy gave a quick smile. "I don't know what they would say, and I don't particularly care."

Lizzy frowned into Darcy's lapel. That wasn't the way it was supposed to go! That was supposed to be a hint for him to propose. She pulled away and looked him directly in the eye, with a frown on her lips that was quickly kissed away.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are adorable?"

"Yes." Replied Lizzy quickly.

"Really? Who?" said Darcy just as quickly.

"Oh a very improper gentlemen, who I think was about to ask me a certain question."

'Then I better beat him to it."

"Yes you better."

"Will you, Elizabeth 'Adorable' Bennet, relieve my suffering and consent to become my wife."

Lizzy paused, biting her lip, as though she was considering the matter very carefully. A Frown flittered across Darcy's face as he gave her face a searching look.

"Elizabeth?" he said concerned.

She laughed. "Of course I will you silly man, now kiss me."

He obliged.

Part Three.

People will sometimes forgive you the good you have done them, but seldom the harm they have done you. ~ Somerset Maugham.

Lady Annabelle twirled her parasol as she walked along the Marine Parade. Her brother accompanied her along with several of her more persistent admirers, which she had acquired in Brighton.

"So Ricky, what do you think of Brighton, and all it's bright and cheeriness?" she said addressing her brother who was looking bored at playing the chaperone.

"Oh I'm sure it is very charming to you, Belle, especially this." By this he of course meant all the attention that Belle was receiving. Belle gave him a knowing smile at his statement, but turned her attention to whom else she could spot walking along.

"Oh look there is that horrible woman who lives near Matlock...oh pray let us keep walking before she spots us, oh dear it's Mrs Jennings...no let us walk this way...oh it's Lord Upton!"

The exclamation burst forth from her mouth, before she had time to check it. Lord Upton was indeed walking towards them, with a young lady on his arm. Annabelle did not regard the young lady or the matronly like woman following behind. She only saw Lord Upton and her opportunity to show him how sorry she was for her previous actions. She would receive him most politely and cordially.

"Lord Upton." She said in a cooing voice, stepping in his path as he approached. As she held her hand out to him, he could not help but take it, but he did so very briefly and quickly dropped it.

Annabelle frowned but persevered. "And how have you been? It has been too long since I saw you."

"Indeed." He said coldly, no emotion showing in his eyes. " I believe you do not know Miss Smart and Lady Rockhaven." He said motioning to his companions.

"Oh I am sorry. Miss Smart, Lady Rockhaven." Said Annabelle, dropping a curtsey, before realising that Lord Upton had not introduced her to them. She flushed; she looked at Lord Upton confused, but read nothing in his face. Instead he exchanged a quick commonplace with her brother, asked after Ash, and took his leave.

Annabelle watched as he led his lady friend and her mother away.

"Well I never..." she said, looking at Colonel Fitzwilliam for enlightenment.

"I told you not to play him for a fool, Belle," was the only reply that Ricky ventured.

Annabelle just smiled weakly and told herself that it was simply because he had been escorting that commonplace, unattractive girl, no doubt some friend of his mothers, that he had not shown her any courtesy. He did not want to slight Miss Smart. Yes that was it. But that did not quite explain his not introducing her to his friends...

Annabelle walked around Donaldson's Library, not finding anyone of worth to talk to. She had left her brother talking to some chance met military acquaintance. The rest of her 'court' had been left arguing over which of them was best suited to choosing a book for Annabelle to borrow.

Annabelle chanced to look out the window and she espied Lord Upton leaving the library and alone. Here was her chance. She raced to pick up her coat and parasol and tripped down the steps, calling out to him.

"Lord Upton!"

He turned on hearing her voice, and it must have been Annabelle's imagination because he seemed to flinch upon seeing her.

"Oh Lord Upton, how good it is to see you! My brother, the horrible man, that he is has fallen in with some military friends, and well as you see, I have no one to walk me home! I am only staying on the parade, you will walk me home won't you?" This artless little speech was said in Annabelle's most coaxing tones. The sort of tones that never failed to let her twist someone around her little finger.

"You need me to walk you home." He said sardonically.

"Yes." Said Annabelle, wondering what had gotten into Lord Upton, he was normally so obliging and. ...Well...puppyish.

"Well I'm afraid Lady Annabelle, that I will have to forgo that pleasure ."

Annabelle felt stung. "But I have no one else...."

"Oh I'm sure you will find someone else to walk you home, you never fail for admirers that you can use for your own devices. Good day Lady Annabelle."

Annabelle impulsively held out her hand. "Wait...you would leave me here in distress??" She turned her violet eyes upon him imploringly, trying to cajole him without words.

He stepped closer to her, and Annabelle beamed. Ah he was not angry with her. Then she heard his harsh tone.

"Don't play any of those coquettish tricks off on me, I won't be fooled again." He then turned and resolutely walked away.

Annabelle blinked back tears, she couldn't speak, she wanted to call him back and make him take back all those horrible words. It wasn't fair, nobody had ever spoken to her like that before.... but she couldn't speak...all she could do was raise a small whisper which the retreating earl had no chance of hearing.

"Miles....Miles...come back."

Thus did Colonel Fitzwilliam find Annabelle.

"I warned you Belle. You can't be so unfeeling to a man one minute and then be kind and appealing to him, without something going wrong. And after that horrible display last season I'm surprised he would even speak to you. You can't reduce a man to nothing in front of the entire haut ton and then expect him to be at your beck and call the next minute. Not even you Annabelle are worth the humiliation. "

But I am sorry! I want to be friends...I....I....

Annabelle couldn't find the words, instead she just looked at Colonel Fitzwilliam and said "I want to go home Ricky, I have the headache."

She really just wanted to cry.

Part Four

If there is a 50-50 chance that something can go wrong, then 9 times out of ten it will. ~ Paul Harvey

Kitty wanted to kick something. She was lost. How much more stupid could she get?? As soon as she had seen Mary talking to that man from the ball, she had escaped out of the bookshop and ran for her life. She hadn't known where she was going she just wanted to be alone and as far away from Mr Collins as possible.

Now she had no idea where she was. She had found her way to the beach, but she had no idea what part of the beach she was on, or how to get back to where they were staying.

Exhausted she slumped down into the sand and indulged in a hearty bout of crying. Why wasn't life worth living???

"Sometimes I feel like that too." Came a voice. Kitty looked up through tearful lashes, at an elderly woman in a turban. Turbans to Kitty meant well.... wealth and consequence, or at least the wish to appear wealthy and with consequence, so she quickly stood up, but she was waved down again.

"No I will come to you. Though you might just have to help me up later." The grandmotherly lady chuckled as she as she sank down next to Kitty.

"Now why are you crying?" she said patting Kitty's hand.

"I have to marry a toad." Gulped Kitty.

"A Toad?" exclaimed the woman, who now that Kitty had a chance to look at her, had rather a haughty and angular countenance.

"Well not actually a toad.... but a parson."

"A parson...." Said the woman obviously thinking this over, "Dull? Boring?"

"Slimy." Said Kitty frankly. She didn't know what it was about this woman but she felt she could tell her anything.

"Gracious. You know I was going to marry a parson, but he was too dull for me, and didn't like me managing him. Men never do like women managing them, unless they are clever or stupid.... trust my parents to pick the only clever man in the world." She gave Kitty a piercing look, and squeezed her hand.

Kitty giggled. "Who did you end up marrying?"

"A Duke...I think it was an admirable trade."

Kitty gave another impulsive giggle.

"Now may I ask your name?"

"Of course I'm Miss Catherine Bennet.:"

"And where are you from Miss Bennet."

"Hertfordshire."

"Been to Brighton before?"

"No I have never really been away from home before."

"Really. Well it should be an enjoyable experience, rather than a jaded one as it is for me."

"You've been here before?" said Kitty curiously.

"Oh yes, my late husband was a great admirer of Brighton...i think that was because everyone was a great admirer of Brighton. Though I was here in my much younger days, with him when it was still Brighthelmstone, we used to throw stones into the water. I always used to win.....he used to say he let me. But Henry was such a shocking liar...." The Duchess trailed off, seeming lost in her own thoughts. She suddenly shook herself out of it, and smiled at Kitty.

"That would be my most, how do I put it...indelible... memories of Brighton, what do you think yours will be?"

"Causing a General to fall into his soup." Said Kitty, trying not to give a little sob at the resurgence of the image of everyone looking at her.

The Duchess looked at Kitty, with an astonished expression. "You did what?"

"I threw punch on my partner, the toad, who was trying to be improper...and he stumbled back...into a dowager, who bumped into the General...... who then yelled at me."

"Do you regret it?" Asked the Duchess.

Kitty opened her mouth to say 'yes' almost immediately, but then stopped. She didn't regret throwing her punch on Mr Collins, and she certainly didn't regret the classic looks on either the dowager or the General's faces.

"No I don't think I do!" she finally replied with a laugh. "I mean I didn't like being yelled at, but. ...when you think about it....it was very funny!"

"Which General was it?"

Kitty gave a shy smile before answering, "I don't know his name, but he was fat, with a huge, huge moustache, he kept saying: "I...I" and coughing. I think his name might have started with a Q. "

The Duchess almost had a conniption. "I think I know the one you mean! He was another of my disappointed suitors...! I thought he was ddeeaadd!" The last word was almost a wail, as the Duchess went off in a peal off laughter.

Kitty felt kind of uncomfortable...not sure whether it would be construed as offensive if she laugh with the Duchess or not, but her laughing was too infectious not to join in. One got the impression that the Duchess didn't laugh much.

The Duchess tried to control her giggles, she hadn't giggled since she was schoolgirl. Dearie me! The Duchess looked keenly at Miss Bennet. Any girl who caused General Quincy to make a fool of himself was quite exceptional in her books.

"Now Miss Bennet...or can I call you Catherine?"

"You can call me Kitty."

"And you know my dear you can call me Cassie."

"Cassie?"

"Short for Cassandra, which was a too long name for any of my children to get their heads around...or my husband for that matter."

Kitty laughed. The Duchess, rose to her feet. Kitty felt sorry that her new friend was going away. But the Duchess poked her with her walking stick.

"What are you still doing down there? Get up!" and pulled Kitty up.

The Duchess, Cassie, wasn't at all what Kitty would have pictured a Duchess as; she was not all haughtiness and coldness. She was very forthright, and didn't hold back on her opinions, as Kitty found as she followed her up the beach.

She made Kitty laugh, and forget her troubles. As they walked, she drew Kitty's arm through hers.

"Now Kitty, you do realise that traipsing around by yourself is simply not acceptable.'" Kitty nodded, realising that she had committee a second social solecism in as many days. "And you will never do it again?" Kitty nodded again. " I of course will drop you back at your establishment. By the way I'm the Duchess of Hollingbury."

Kitty meekly followed the Duchess up the steps leading from the beach, merely wondering where she had heard the name Hollingbury before.

She was lead up to a barouche, with a large crest on the side, with a female of uncertain age sitting in it, opposite a young man with a very handsome countenance.

"Oh your Grace. We were very worried about you, weren't we Lord Holling." Simpered the female of uncertain age.

"Pooh Maria. Now move over, for Miss Bennet."

"Miss Bennet?" said Maria with some confusion, and then she spotted Kitty and turned a trifle pale.

"Oh your Grace...do you think...."

"Yes I do think Maria, now please don't entertain me with your qualms and concerns, you may address them to my unworthy grandson here if you want. Theodore help Miss Bennet into the carriage.

Theodore, or Lord Holling, jumped readily out of the coach, smiled at Kitty and handed her into the barouche.

"I'm glad you are useful for something Theodore. " replied the Duchess caustically.

"Miss Bennet, my grandson Lord Holling. Theodore, Miss Bennet."

"Miss Bennet" Smiled Lord Holling. He had a dreamy smile thought Kitty as she shyly looked back. He reminded her of someone.

The Duchess coughed loudly suddenly recalling Kitty to where she was.

"Miss Bennet, my companion Miss Maria Fullam. Maria, Miss Bennet. Now Now Miss Bennet, if you will direct us as to where you are staying, I will direct the coachman."

Kitty told the Duchess where she was staying. The Duchess stood up and thrust her parasol into the back of her coachman, and barked at him the address. The carriage pulled away sharply and set off towards the Bennet's house.

"This is very kind of you." Said Kitty, smiling nervously at the Duchess, especially as she was being glared at by Maria, and being appraised by Lord Holling

"I will see you again Miss Bennet." Said the Duchess as Kitty alighted from the carriage.

Chapter 20, Part 1

Posted on Friday, 9 March 2001, at 5 : 26 a.m.

Nothing is interesting if you aren't interested ~ Helen MacInness

The Duchess of Hollingbury eyed her footman.

"Is that dust?"

"No your grace."

"No your grace?' replied the Duchess with a raised eyebrow.

"I mean, yes it is dust your grace and I will instantly repair it." Replied the footman woodenly.

The Duchess smiled, he would be a creditable footman.

The Duchess swept up the staircase to her drawing room, where her paid companion, Cousin Maria and her grandson the Marquis of Holling greeted her very warmly

"Oh your grace, we were quite despairing of you, we thought you may have got lost, or succumbed to the heat." Tittered Maria, until quelled by a look from the Duchess.

"So you think I'm such a paltry thing as to succumb to a little heat?" said the Duchess, levelling a look at her nephew. Her grandson laughed.

"I couldn't think such a think Grandmamma, I know very well that you could out do myself, in any circumstance."

The Duchess tried not to be flattered. "Oh tosh."

"But your grace, where have you been?" Intervened the tireless Maria.

"I went shopping. I believe I informed you of this fact Maria, is your memory or hearing failing you?" the Duchess replied tartly.

"But you were gone so long..." Maria trailed off.

"If you must know Maria, and goodness knows why you think it any of your concern, I happened to meet Miss Bennet. So I took a little stroll with her, are you satisfied now?"

'No your grace, your grace should not walk with a young lady of whom you know so little......." Maria gave what she hoped was an informing sort of look. She hoped she didn't need to spell out the risk, to her poor Grace's health and comfort, if this young lady was not all that she seemed.

"Really it is quite odd of your grace, I mean you don't normally pick up waiflike girls...."

"Maria?"

"Yes your grace." Maria simpered.

"Do I pay you for your opinions? Do I ask you for your opinions? No I do not, so kindly refrain from airing them, vulgar rude and shabby-genteel ones that they are."

Maria turned beet red, and bobbed a little curtsey before leaving the room.

"Bravo Grandmamma, I was wondering when you would lose your temper with her - really I think from what I saw Miss Bennet looks like a very charming young la-"

"I didn't ask for your opinion either Theodore, now why don't you make yourself useful." Glared the Duchess.

Her grandson looked very recalcitrant but he quitted the room anyway, knowing better than most, not to anger his grandmother too much.

The Duchess fumed for a little while before turning her mind to other things. Why she continued to put up with Maria was a question, but well Maria was poor, and had nowhere else to go...and well she could be depended not to fly up in a miff too much. No doubt this hostility of Miss Bennet, was due to some jealously, The Duchess, did not usually immediately take to people, but Miss Bennet.... Had something.

It wasn't that she was very beautiful...or very well informed...or...well The Duchess couldn't quite pick it, but it was something.

She had seen the way her grandson had looked at her.... suddenly an idea sprung upon her. A project, Miss Bennet would be her protégé. The second meeting quite by chance shopping, had no less diminished this first liking...it had certainly improved it.

The Duchess liked having young people around her, especially girls, she only had one granddaughter, and that granddaughter was in disgrace. Well at least not in the Duchess's good books anyway. And all her other grandchildren were males, and grown males at that.

Yes...Miss Bennet would be her protégé...and the first thing that she would do, would be to invite her to that little ball...and take her shopping...and oh The Duchess thought of the many things...yes life might become interesting.

And life hadn't been interesting since dear Henry passed away.

Part Two.

In a lover's heart, there will always be the hope that felicity remains as pure and supreme as it was when that happiness was first acknowledged. ~ Erin H.

Jane sat on the couch smiling at Charles. She wished very much that they were alone. Lizzy had confided to her, that Mr Darcy had proposed to her, and although they had not asked Papa's permission yet, they felt themselves engaged. If Mr Darcy could propose surely Charles could thought Jane.

Perhaps I haven't given him enough encouragement?

Jane couldn't really give Charles any more encouragement; it was not quite in her nature to wear her heart on her sleeve or to be anything less than serene. But she was trying very hard to radiate the sort of 'vibes' that said 'yes I love you, ask me to marry you!' But it did not appear to be working.

"Kitty how could you! Just walk off like that??"

"I didn't mean to..........I met a friend and well I lost track of the time."

"Well, what if you had been robbed, or drowned, or if Mr Collins had wanted you?" shrieked Mrs Bennet

Kitty glared at her mother, and Jane came close to glaring at her mother.

Kitty caught Jane's glare, and decided to quit the room. Mrs Bennet was a little slow on the uptake (which was very unusual for her, in matters of marriage) but once she realised that it was she who stood between an unmarried Jane and a married one, she quickly ran out of the room.

Alone at last. Thought Jane, smiling at Charles.

"Er....Miss Bennet....er Jane....no Miss Bennet." Said Bingley smiling.

"Yes Mr Bingley?" said Jane sweetly, being quite incapable of saying his real name just in case she rolled it a little too much...as she was wont to do in her fantasies.

"I was er....you....er....you are a goddess."

Jane blinked at Charles. A Goddess? Really?

"Yes....a goddess...I mean an angel."

"An Angel..." repeated Jane.

"Yes an angel, and Miss Bennet, I know I'm not worthy of you but I hope that well you could possibly consider to become my wife.... only if you want to...you see from the first second I saw you I loved you...and I know you might not feel the same way but I hope that you could possibly think about it, because I think that I could make you very happy, and that is all I want to do...is make you happy. And well if what makes you happy is not to marry me, but to marry some other chap, well then I hope I can deal with it but you see-"

Bingley didn't manage to finish the sentence, it was very hard to speak he found, when your angel/goddess had their rather nice mobile mass of muscular tissue located in the oral cavity, down your throat.

"Miss Bennet.........I say!" exclaimed Bingley when he finally could speak.

"Yes Mr Bingley?" said Jane very innocently.

"Oh nothing". Said Bingley before claiming another kiss from his angel.

Jane was very pleased. She had no idea what Lizzy had been talking about when she said Kisses were very confusing. Jane wasn't confused. Not by a long shot.

Part Three

With clothes the new are best, with friends the old are best. ~ Anonymous

Lord Miles Upton, set his face in a determined grin, as he paced his way towards his rented house.

He was starting to realise that Miss Smart...was not so smart, and that her mother Lady Rockhaven...was just a little too shrewd.

He had already in all politeness, taken Miss Smart to the theatre, to a ball, to a picnic, on a walk along the beach. He had learned nothing of her, beside her fascination with poodles and her annoying habit of parroting everything either he or her mother said. The thing was he couldn't in all honesty rebuff the daughter of his mother's friend.

Next time I see Mamma......... thought Miles viciously.

"But Miles, my child. You cannot choose a wife for yourself! I told you how it would be with the Fitzwilliam chit - she is too flighty. Yet you had to go and make a cake of yourself over her. I was never more embarrassed when my dear friend Lady Rockhaven, dropped a hint that you were actually sitting in her pocket! But well it does not do to refine too much on your past foolishness Miles. Now Miss Smart is a very well spoken young lady...."

Well spoken on what? Thought Miles as he started to ascend his stairs. And was it entirely by chance, that Miss Smart was the direct opposite of Bel - Lady Annabelle?

With a flourish, Miles swept off his coat and gloves and deposited them in the care of his faithful butler. His cane clattered down on the small table. Miles didn't notice the rather stony face of his butler who looked like he was trying not to tell Miles something. Instead he started to straighten his cravat, while trying to order his thoughts.

He really shouldn't have gone home to Carlon Place after that disastrous ball, his mother had been just a little too eager to crow over his disappointment. Apparently she had always said Lady Annabelle was flighty and spoiled. And now obviously Miles was over trying to attach beautiful heartless girls, so now obviously Miles would want to offer for her dearest god-daughter Miss Smart........ Bah.

Miles dropped his hands from his cravat, he had just ended up messing it up, it was though he was instilling his disturbed thoughts into his cravat. With a shake of his head, Miles took the stairs to his study two at a time.

The door was already open, which struck Miles as a little odd, but what was more odd was the arrangement of objects (for objects read inspired mess) on his desk. No one moved the things on his desk...it was a long known rule that his servants abided by.

Miles frowned and started to rearrange the objects back into their proper place. (Well the proper place according to him) He sat down in his chair and pulled the ink and pen towards him. He had to write an acceptance note to Lady Rockhaven's ball, not that he wanted to go to Lady Rockhaven's ball, but it was something to do, and it would be very impolite not to go, unless he caught some life-threatening disease, an option that was looking more and more attractive every time he actually met Miss Smart.

He tried to find a suitable piece of paper, and then he began.

"Boo!" yelled a voice just behind his ear.

"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!" yelped Miles, scratching his pen wildly across the paper, and narrowly missing spilling his ink all over his papers.

He turned in his chair and glared at the interloper.

"Did you have to do that Ash...."

Lord Ashbourne seated himself on the edge of the desk and frowned for a second, as though deliberating. "Yes I think I did."

"When did you get to Brighton?"

'Today. Training...boring...etc." said Ash with a bored wave of his hand.

"So when are you going to sell out?" said Miles.

Another frown. "I don't know really. I guess I will have to at some point, I mean the military isn't precisely for me...but well......."

"Yes I know." Said Miles, understanding immediately what Ash was trying to say. Their friendship had been strong for many years, formed at Eton, and time and separation for varying reasons had not lessened it.

Ash swept up the ruined note and read it.

"Lady Rockhaven? You are going to her ball?"

"Yes." Replied Miles as he searched under a large pile of paper, for an actually blank piece of paper.

"Perhaps I should warn you that a certain young lady will be there."

Miles froze mid sort and almost immediately continued sorting the paper, not many people would have noticed it, but Ash picked up on it instantly.

"You don't need to warn me if your sister is going to be there Ash. "

"You sure about that? Ricky told me it was almost like a declaration of war, when you met recently."

"Ricky is prone to exaggerate." Said Miles sardonically. "Damn it, why isn't there any paper? If I can't find any paper I will have to accept her invitation in person...and there is no way known to man that I am spending one minute more than necessary in that woman's company."

"Not to your taste huh?"

"Lady Rockhaven???" said Miles confused, as he unearthed a Newmarket racing guide.

"No you fool, Miss Smart."

'Ash you know she isn't to my taste, you know what my taste is." Said Miles suddenly finding some whip points. He realised a little too late, that Ash did indeed know his taste. He paused and looked up into his friends face.

"What I'm not saying a word Miles...not a word.... if you find women that are spoiled to your taste! Especially ones that are vipers, wildcats, and veritable curses! "

Miles frowned at this. "She isn't that bad Ash."

"I know she isn't that bad, but she is my sister! You haven't had to live with her for 20-odd years."

Miles rolled his eyes, and pulled out a twisted melted candle from under the 'organised chaos' that was his desk. Why didn't he have any writing paper?

"You having any bachelor parties, while in Brighton?' asked Ash, fiddling with something he randomly picked up from Mile's desk. What it was, who knew.

"I was thinking about it, as long as Ricky promises not to bring his horse."

Ash gave Miles a startled look. "His horse?"

"Yes...horse...stairs.... drunk.... dare...you getting the idea?"

Ash gave a crack of laughter. "Oh dear."

"Oh dear is an understatement...oh I was wondering where that was." Miles pulled out a snuffbox that had been personally presented to him by Lord Petersham, particularly for summer use. Miles had always thought Lord Petersham odd, but well he was a nice enough person...if a little eccentric.

"Speaking of things...what on earth is this?" asked Ash showing Miles the item he had been playing with.

"Who knows? I call it "Ancient Mysterious thing from India." My grandfather gave it to me."

"It's a good name." Agreed Ash, poking it. Ash then threw it back down on the desk. Miles glared at him, picked it up dusted it off put it carefully down, and promptly dumped a pile of paper on top of it.

He just looked at what he had found. Ash glanced down at it, and then looked worriedly at his friend.

It was a long stitch. It was very shakily done. It was a lot of flowers, with the words 'Happy Birthday Miles' written across the top.

Miles reached out for it. He breathed heavily out. How long had this been on his desk in Brighton? He recalled being given it, on his 23rd birthday. A 10-year-old Annabelle had very proudly presented it to him.

Annabelle had always been the little sister he didn't have, she went away to school and he didn't see her again until her coming out ball where he had almost tripped over his feet. He had been lost on sight. For two seasons' he had followed her around like a lost sheep. For the first season she treated him like her elder brother's friend...but in her second season.... He tried not to think of Annabelle, but he was best friends with her brother and a lot of his memories had a horrible, bratty, little Annabelle attached. Like the long stitch...or the time they had to fish her out of a pond...

"You alright Miles?"

Miles shook his head. "Huh? No Ash I'm fine...mind on other things. Here give this back to your sister, I'm sure she would appreciate it more than me."

Ash took the long stitch, without a word.

Miles continued looking under all his paper, then suddenly his mouth dropped open, as he discovered a half eaten...something...

Ash stared at it, inspected it with his quizzing glass, shuddered then looked at his friend. "You know I think I am beginning to see why your mother wants you to get married."

Annabelle swept up the steps to Lady Rockhaven's ball. She was wearing a dress that looked white, but had a touch of violet to it. Her eyes flashed, shown off to their best advantage by such a dress. Her dark locks were swept up, and one curl cascaded over her shoulder.

Entering the ballroom she realised that everyone had turned to look at her, she was well aware of her natural beauty, but even so she blushed prettily and tried to ignore the attention.

She searched the room with her eyes, until she saw who she was looking for...Miles. Now she would corner him, and make him forgive her. But perhaps she wouldn't have to; Miles was coming towards her, with the most beaming smile on his face, hands out stretched.

Annabelle gave a demure smile, now this was more like it. She made a welcoming gesture with her hands, but Miles walked right past her. In shock Annabelle turned to see who he was greeting. With a sinking feeling in her stomach she saw it was Miss Smart. Miles had taken both her hands and kissed them, and was jovially talking to her.

Annabelle took a faltering step in search of a chair; she could feel the gaze of the entire ball on her.

"Serves her right, for having treated poor Lord Upton in such a callous way."

"Oh and not to mention all those other suitors!"

"Such a flighty chit. Too fast for my liking."

"Don't dear Upton and my darling Rosamund make a good couple?"

"Oh yes Lady Rockhaven, a much more stable choice than the flirty Fitzwilliam chit."

Annabelle swallowed, wildly looking around for someone to talk to...anyone...she couldn't just stand all alone, everyone was talking about her, she felt her cheeks go red, and she felt the walls start to close in around her....

"No!" Annabelle gasped, waking up in a cold sweat. She stopped shaking, and resumed breathing normally. It was just a dream...it was just a dream...no it was a nightmare.

Annabelle lay back on her pillow, trying to order her thoughts.... it was impossible, her pulse was racing...she was drenched in sweat...it had seemed so real. She turned her head to see her dresser, lying on the top of it was her old long stitch, she still remembered making it.... and he had given it back to her.

Annabelle clutched her pillow and tried not to cry. Why was he being so mean??

Part Four.

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun. Katherine Hepburn

Kitty sighed happily as she got into the Bennet carriage, that was going to transport her to the Duchess's house, from whence she was going to attend a ball with the Duchess. Kitty clasped her dress for the evening on her lap, and was surrounded by other paraphernalia absolutely essential for any ball.

Kitty had received the invitation to the ball; right at the time Jane and Lizzy were announcing their engagements, which meant that finding time to ask her mamma if she could go, was difficult. As it was the conversation ran something like this.

"Mamma, my friend, invited me to this ball, can I go?"

"Oh lord I don't know Kitty! Oh go, you might meet some handsome man. Oh Lord I shall go quite distracted, £10 000 a year. Oh lardy di! Oh don't stand there Kitty off you go, be useful."

Mrs Bennet hadn't even inquired as to who the friend was; she just assumed it was Mrs Forster. Why she assumed it was Mrs Forster, who knew, but that is whom she assumed Kitty was going off to a ball with.

Mr Bennet, was in a state of catatonic shock, over the prospect of losing his two most sensible daughters and if he was aware that he had a daughter named Kitty, he wasn't at all aware that she was going to absent herself from the house.

Jane and Lizzy were too wrapped up in trying to stop Mrs Bennet from insulting their prospective husbands, that all they did was give Kitty a faint wave from the upper floor.

Mary had her nose stuck in some book, that she had refused to tell anyone where she got, and well Lydia was out...with some officers.

So Kitty could have been eloping, stealing, turning into a giant sea anemone and well frankly the Bennet household wouldn't have cared. Except of course for Mr Collins.

"My gracious little Elm...where are you going!" called out Mr Collins from the top floor, as Kitty's carriage prepared to pull away from the house.

Kitty looked up, and promptly closed her eyes. Mr Collins had not been wearing any clothes...he had obviously been taking a bath, and well although she could only see the top half of his person, it did not bear thinking about.

Kitty shuddered and wrestled with the horrible Mr Collins thoughts insinuating themselves into her brain, until the arrival at the Duchess's home, which made any thoughts flee her brain.

"My dear Kitty." Smiled the Duchess pulling her into the house. "Now come upstairs, now what is that, your dress? Oh no you can't possibly wear that!"

"But But what will I wear?" said Kitty confused. She hadn't brought any other clothes.

The Duchess pulled Kitty into her chambers and bid her maid to bring her something. The something turned out to be a very pretty ball gown.

"Now you see that was made for...now who was it made for.... well someone, but I think it will fit you, and it certainly is your colour. Do you like it?"

The Duchess looked at Kitty sharply, because Kitty was just staring at the dress.

"It's beautiful...."

It was indeed a very gorgeous dress, with deep warm green trimmings that brought out the warmth in Kitty's otherwise very alabaster complexion.

Kitty watched alarmed as The Duchess started fussing over her hair and arrangements.

"I must say you are a very patient young lady." Commented the Duchess, trying to arrange a Shawl around Kitty's shoulders. "My granddaughter would have been fidgeting away within seconds."

"But if I fidgeted...you'd poke me." Said Kitty.

The Duchess snorted. "How very true. Now sit up straight, really so many girls today don't sit up straight and they look as though they have grown humps..."

The Duchess, poked Kitty in the small of the back. "See look how much prettier you look."

Kitty privately thought that if looking a little bit more pretty involved contorting her back into weird shapes, she could do without it.

The Duchess smoothed down her own hair and looked approvingly at Kitty.

"Ready to go meet the wolves - I mean - society?"

Kitty laughed. "Of course."

Kitty stood and gave herself one more look in the mirror. She did look pretty and what made it better was not one of her family knew she was at this ball, she could be herself, she didn't have to be 'Mr Collins so-called fiancée' she didn't have to be silly Miss Kitty, or any of those other preconceived notions. She was free.

Chapter 21, Part 1

Posted on Friday, 16 March 2001, at 9 : 58 p.m.

The next dreadful thing to a battle lost is a battle won ~ Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington

Annabelle was practically shaking in the carriage on the way to Lady Rockhaven's ball. What if it was like her dream?

Annabelle hadn't attended many grand functions since her rather 'embarrassing' incident last season. (As her mother referred to it)

Lady Matlock sat opposite her daughter, and regarded her keenly.

"Belle, my dear, are you quite well?"

"Yes Mamma, I'm fine, I just have a little bit of the headache. " Annabelle paused, then quickly added "But I want to go to this ball, I hear there will be waltzing!"

Annabelle had been quite taken with the idea of waltzing, so she hoped her supposed enthusiasm for it now, would distract her mother from her rather haggard state.

"My dear, you can hardly expect Lady Rockhaven to strike up a waltz," laughed Lord Matlock.

"Why not Papa!" exclaimed Annabelle.

Lord Matlock opened his mouth and was about to tell his daughter, exactly why dowdy, pretentious, snobby women like Lady Rockhaven didn't strike up waltzes when their own daughter could hardly put one foot in front of the other without falling over, but he was cut off by his wife.

"It's very fast!"

"The dance? But I thought it was slow?" said Annabelle. She was feeling tired after her interrupted night of sleep.

"Belle! I mean it's altogether too shocking to dance."

"Oh so if it is struck up, I won't be able to dance it?" said Annabelle.

"Well, perhaps, you shall see what other young ladies are doing." Said Lady Matlock with a little misgiving. But she had long known that Annabelle would do just as she liked.

Annabelle slowly trailed up the stairs to the Rockhaven's after her parents. She was wearing the light violet dress, and her hair was dressed with one curl falling over her shoulder. But Annabelle was not going to make a fool of herself, no she wasn't.

Annabelle, greeted Lady Rockhaven, with her most charming smile, and got nothing but a glare in return. She noticed some coldness amongst the other dowagers, and some of the young ladies were reluctant to talk to her, lest association taint them. But there was nothing like the reaction in the dream. Annabelle started to breathe more easily, as she circulated the room, collecting as she always did, parcels of admirers.

Thus, it was from the advantage of having at least a dozen men surrounding her, that she first perceived Lord Upton. He was walking her way. Annabelle smiled, flirtatiously, and flattened down her skirts.

"Lord Upton." She called out from her seated position in a clear voice that she had often been told was lilting.

Miles turned at the sound of her voice, and Annabelle smiled. She motioned him to come over, and he obeyed her directives and walked over towards her.

Annabelle smiled. "Lord Upton. Are you enjoying this ball?"

"Very much so." Replied Miles.

"Oh I knew you would enjoy a ball such as this. It is so like you." Said Annabelle.

Miles pursed his lips. "Indeed Lady Annabelle."

Annabelle smiled knowingly at Lord Upton; she was intending to let him know that she did indeed know all about him.

"Perhaps you would like to procure me a cup of punch Lord Upton."

Miles looked at the lovelorn men surrounding Annabelle and leaned a little closer.

"Perhaps I would not Lady Annabelle." He replied softly before walking off in the direction of the punch.

Annabelle's brow creased together. Why wouldn't he just forgive her and go back to being nice dependable Miles. But he is going to the punch! Oh he does mean to get me some punch.

But some niggling thought made her look over in the direction from whence Lord Upton had come. She saw Miss Smart, positively beaming towards Lord Upton, making 'oh a little more, no a little less' signs at him.

He was getting punch for her? Annabelle's jaw dropped, without her brain ordering them to, she found herself standing and her legs directing her to the punch.

"You are awfully friendly with Miss Smart." Said Annabelle.

Miles jumped at the sound of her voice and turned very slowly, looking down at the angry (was it anger?) face below him.

"Awfully friendly?" he echoed. "What do you mean by awfully friendly."

Annabelle glared at him, and then stopped; she was being irrational. "Nothing, I just think you make a very nice couple that is all." She said airily.

Miles thanked the lord that he was looking down at the punch; otherwise she would have seen him blanch at her comment.

He decided it was probably best not to make a reply instead he studiously ignored her.

Annabelle's jaw dropped, not only was she losing suitors to Miss Smart, he was ignoring her! Insufferable man! She was trying to be nice to him, and make up for her behaviour, but was he being cooperative?? ... nooooooooooooo.

"Well fine If you want to be childish!"

Annabelle turned on her heel and petulantly stamped away. It took about 15 sonnets dedicated to her, composed on the spot by one of her very youthful admirers before she felt any semblance of composure.

It took all of Miles inner strength not to retort or turn to look at Annabelle. If he wanted to be childish! Bah!

Miles just wanted to take Annabelle in his arms and give her a strong shake.... she was really the most, tiresome, silly, spoiled, good intentioned, sweet natured, adorable...no, no, no! Miles shook his head, internally telling himself that he was not going to put himself in that situation again. To be one poorly used admirer among many, no, that wasn't what he wanted. But then again.... he sure as hell didn't want Miss Smart.

Miles turned, with his carefully filled glass of punch, and walked back towards Miss Smart. Now Miss Smart wouldn't simply take the glass from him with no word of thanks, Miss Smart wouldn't just look at him and say 'oh but I don't want it now.', Miss Smart wouldn't groan and say 'but well I don't like those things floating in the top, couldn't you have removed them?' and Miss Smart wouldn't completely humiliate him in front of a ball of people, causing him to try and challenge a man to a duel.

Miles handed the drink to Miss Smart, and received her pretty, if laboriously formed, words of thanks.

But then again, he wouldn't care enough about Miss Smart to want to do anything of the sort for her.

Chapter 21, Part 2

"Procrastination is the thief of time ~ John Dos Pasos."

"Stop fidgeting." Exclaimed the Duchess.

"Sorry." Said Kitty meekly, "But we are going to be late for the ball."

"Late for the ball?" echoed the Duchess. "Why care if we are late for this paltry little ball! It is much better to turn up late and create an entrance. It's only Almacks that you can't be late for."

"But if you aren't early you don't get to talk to the officers." Kitty exclaimed impulsively, before biting

"The officers!" exclaimed Maria, before looking pointedly at The Duchess.

"Well I must say I do like a man in uniform, three of my grandson's are in the military service. But Kitty, there is more to balls, indeed life than officers."

Kitty bit her lip and looked into her lap.

"But well, if you are so set on meeting officers, why on earth do you think you won't speak to them if you don't arrive early."

"Well, it's because my sister, well all the officers pay her attention and if I am not there first they ignore me." Replied Kitty truthfully.

The Duchess had an odd expression on her face. "Well therein lies your problem. You never go to men, my dear child, men must be made to come to you. Really, what do they teach at these schools."

"I didn't go to school."

"Didn't go to school!" practically shrieked Maria, grabbing for her smelling salts.

"Maria, you didn't go to school either, however I see now that you would have made a perfect candidate for the stage." Replied the Duchess dryly. Maria was so shocked at the idea that her dear Grace, could possibly be connecting her with... actresses ...that for the rest of the journey she hid behind her shawl, sniffing her salts.

Kitty contained her giggles admirably.

"Didn't go to school?'

"No I didn't' have a governess either and well Mamma just well let us do as we liked."

"Can you play the pianoforte?"

"Oh yes...well...sort of..."

"Can you draw?"

"No."

"Longstitch, Cross-stitch..."

"Oh yes...well I can do it, and I can do all other manner of things, like dress bonnets and well lots of things." Said Kitty.

"Really...that's good, because I can't. Never had the patience to learn any of those things.." Replied the Duchess.

Kitty gave a giggle of laughter.

Kitty smiled and curtseyed as she was introduced to Lady Rockhaven.

"Miss Bennet." Said Lady Rockhaven appraisingly. Lady Rockhaven eyed Kitty up and down and came to the conclusion that Kitty was only a potential threat, to her darling Rosamund.

The Duchess led her away, hissing under her breath "Abominable woman, don't ever talk to her alone, and don't ever talk to her daughter if you can help it. - Dead bores."

Kitty smiled. But the smile faded as she was brought up to a party of young gentlemen, rich young gentlemen it looked like, all gentlemen who would pay no attention to her at all.

"Miss Bennet." Said one of them, making Kitty jump a little in nervousness. He stepped out of the group, and Kitty recognised him as Lord Holling.

"Lord Holling" she managed to articulate.

"Theodore!" said the Duchess sharply, rapping Lord Holling's outstretched hands with her fan. "Where are your manners?"

"Oh - what? Oh Grandmamma, it is very nice to see you too."

"I'll bet." The Duchess muttered.

Kitty's head swam as she was introduced quickly to a large group of new people, largely men, then she turned and the Duchess was introducing her to another group of more mixed people. Kitty tried to keep all the names straight with the faces in her head, but was starting to become very confused. There were too many people! And what if she made a fool of herself and called someone by the wrong name - oh it didn't bear thinking about.

"Miss Bennet, would you like me to procure you a glass of something? Ratfia?" said Lord Holling solicitously

"Lemonade." Injected the Duchess. "Trust me you would not enjoy Ratfia."

Kitty nodded in agreement and Lord Holling went off to fetch some lemonade.

"Obliging boy is my grandson," winked the Duchess. "Never seen him soooo obliging."

"Oh no!" exclaimed Kitty, following the Duchess's train of thought, "He is just being nice."

"You are modest." Laughed the Duchess, who was surprised, most girls would have simply blushed and not disclaimed it at all.

"My dear Cassie." Came a piercing voice.

"My dear Catherine." Replied the Duchess. "What ever brings you to Brighton."

"Anne's health of course, what else would bring me to such a place, I do swear that you have to bring your own sheets everywhere, and your own cutlery, I had to go down to the kitchen this morning and instruct the silly scullery maid how to CLEAN the knives and forks!" finished the matronly like lady who had accosted the Duchess. The lady then turned her eye onto Kitty, who for the second time that evening, shifted uncomfortably under scrutiny.

"Oh, my apologies. Lady Catherine, this is my newest friend Miss Bennet. Miss Bennet, a dear friend Lady Catherine De Bourgh."

Both parties started at the introduction.

"You are Miss Bennet? Which Miss Bennet?" queried Lady Catherine.

"Miss Catherine Bennet." Replied Kitty.

"Good heavens! You are going to marry my parson?"

"The Toad!" exclaimed The Duchess looking backwards and forwards between the two.

Kitty was not sure what to answer to Lady Catherine's question, so she simply curtseyed.

"Oh, he isn't here is he?" said Lady Catherine anxiously.

"Oh no Mr Collins is at home...taking a bath..." Kitty finished her sentence rather unstably.

There was a look of horror on Lady Catherine's face. "Oh dear."

Then she looked at the Duchess. "This will not do. She cannot marry my parson."

"Why not Catherine?" Said The Duchess imperiously hoping no slight was being directed at her darling Kitty, for darling she had become.

"Look at her...she is.... young...and pretty...and he is...well...er...do you remember Officious Gordon?"

The Duchess shuddered.

"Well think several Officious Gordon's all in a row." Replied Lady Catherine.

The Duchess looked at Kitty.

"Why didn't you tell me how terrible he really was?"

"Well no one ever believes me when I tell them that I simply will not marry Mr Collins. ...No I tell a lie, my two elder sisters believe me, but they are in love themselves...so what can they do."

"Well you are not marrying Mr Collins...in fact I don't think anyone should Marry Mr Collins.... no I think someone should marry Mr Collins, because if someone doesn't marry the dratted man, he will ensconce himself in my parlour for the rest of eternity and the stains he leaves behind are too taxing on my housekeepers nerves."

Kitty looked at Lady Catherine and then at the Duchess and was unsure of how a giggling fit would go down.

Part Three.

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack. ~ Winston Churchill, Sir (1874-1965)

Kitty was quite a success. The ball was an insufferable crush, so it was nigh impossible to meet and talk to everyone at the ball, but those who did meet Kitty, thought she looked a pretty little thing. It was obvious she wasn't an heiress so there were no threats there and she wasn't so beautiful as to attract all the young men's attention. So even the mother's of females of marriageable age thought she looked a nice young lady. The fact she seemed to be The Duchess of Hollingbury's protégé also weighed very highly in her favour.

Kitty smiled shyly as another new friend left her side. She had been dancing practically all night, and she had almost forgotten entirely about Mr Collins. Kitty espied a sofa nestled into the corner of the room and went to sit on it.

"Miss Bennet may I join you?" came a male voice.

Kitty turned and saw Lord Holling. Now if only she could remember who he reminded her of.

"Of course you may Lord Holling." Said Kitty shuffling over a little.

"May I inquire Miss Bennet, as to why you continue to give me strange looks."

Kitty blushed. "Well, my lord, it is just that you remind me of someone."

"Who pray tell?" asked Lord Holling.

Kitty laughed. "If I knew that my lord, I wouldn't be giving you strange looks trying to figure it out!"

"Ah, I see, stupid question on my behalf."

"Very stupid - I mean - I didn't mean that...I"

"It's alright Miss Bennet, I know what you meant."

Kitty didn't quite know what to say next so she was very glad that the Duchess approached.

"Kitty are you quite right here...with my reprobate grandson."

"Grandmamma you will be giving Miss Bennet all sorts of wrong idea's about me!" protested Lord Holling.

The Duchess levelled a look at her grandson. "I don't believe I told her that you were a pattern-card of respectability, or that you were intelligent or thoughtful."

Lord Holling glared at his grandmother, but sensibly stood up to allow her to sit on the sofa next to Kitty.

"Now Kitty, the next dances are apparently going to be Waltz's, how shocking!" The Duchess said this in a stage whisper, raising her eyebrows most comically.

The Duchess then really dropped her voice. "I of course had to say that, it's some continental dance that well is rather shocking, but well we are talking about a country that really doesn't know what to do with new things. I mean we did try and smoke the potato for heaven's sake. But anyway don't stand up for it; it would label you as rather fast. I dare say some of the older girls will, but don't you do so okay. Not even if Theodore asks you."

Kitty dropped her voice to match the Duchess's "Well Cassie, it would be of no use to Lord Holling even if he did ask me, for I can't dance the Waltz."

The Duchess gave a laugh. "Well perhaps you should learn, because I dare say it will be all the rage in a given time."

Kitty leaned back in the sofa and watched the dancers about to take the set, for the shocking waltz, what she saw made her sit straight back up again. Lady Annabelle!!!

"Oh Cassie, look there is one of my particular friends!"

"Who dear?"

"Lady Annabelle!"

The Duchess looked over to where Lady Annabelle was dancing and her jaw dropped when she saw whom she was dancing with.

Annabelle had received the sanction of her mother to waltz, if she had to but only with a very respectable young man. And who could be more respectable than Lord Upton? Plus it had the added bonus that Annabelle could corner him into talking to her, and talking to her properly.

She watched distastefully as Sophronia Olsen, who had the misfortune to be Caroline Bingley's best friend but the added satisfaction of teaching Caroline Bingley all she knew, cornered him.

She walked close to them so she could hear their conversation.

"I think waltz's are charming don't you Miles darling."

Miles darling? Thought Annabelle with a snort.

"Waltzing, you have done much of it Miss Olsen ?"

"Oh yes...I'm very proficient at waltzing, I'm proficient at many other things too, Mmmmmmiles." Purred Sophronia Olsen.

Annabelle's bottom jaw almost fell to the ground. She was torn between cringing and laughing, now she felt a lot better about what she was about to do.

She heard the waltz begin to strike up.

"Lord Upton, the waltz is about to start." She said in her loudest clearest voice, holding her hand out in Miles direction, and directing her eyes upon him.

Miles turned, with a crease in his forehead, to be confronted with Lady Annabelle, coolly holding out her hand to him. He realised that all eyes were on them; briefly his brain flittered across the options opened to him. He was painfully aware of the presence of Miss Olsen to his right.

It only took a second or two to decide. He took Lady Annabelle's hand and bowed stiffly.

"Lady Annabelle. I do apologise I had forgotten about our dance."

Annabelle tried not to frown at this, but was glad when he politely took his leave of Sophronia Olsen and led her to the floor.

She was less glad a second or so later, for though he danced superbly his grip was strong... excessively strong in her opinion.

They were silent for a few minutes, Annabelle expected him to say something, but he didn't.

"Lord Upton you aren't going to say anything?" she asked archly.

"I don't talk to females who force me onto the dance floor." He replied rather maliciously.

"Force you my foot, it was me or Sophronia." Replied Annabelle hotly. "I was saving you."

Annabelle squirmed under Lord Upton's sudden rather sarcastic gaze.

"Oh were you? I do apologise then. I was quite sure that you had decided I shouldn't ignore you any longer and you were quite determined to force my hand, to make me notice you, in front of society."

Annabelle blushed. "I just wanted to talk to you." She huffed.

"Really? What about, I assure you, you do have my undivided attention." Replied Miles, but in a tone that did not prompt Annabelle to disclose anything.

"Well, you cannot deny you have been insufferably rude and unlike your self lately."

"I can deny that. And I do, with vehemence."

Annabelle breathed heavily. "How can you deny that? You have been and you know it." She cursed herself for sounding so unbelievably childish.

"What have I done to offend you? I thought I was complying to your request?" Miles noticed the furrowing of her brow, had she forgotten, she had... the little .... well he would remind her of it.

"What was it you said? Oh yes...I remember now. "Don't you think you have anything to do with me, Lord Upton? You have absolutely no right to concern yourself with me, and I would beg you to leave me alone, your presence is insufferable."

Annabelle bit her lip. She knew she had wounded him, but to be able to quote her words ad verbatim?

Miles looked at her discomfort, and felt some childish elation that it was now his turn to make her uncomfortable. He tried to tell himself this was entirely ungentlemanlylike, but he couldn't stop himself blurting out.

"What is it Ma'am, have I misquoted you?' he said viciously. "Should I try and recollect more of your speech to me?"

Annabelle felt tears in her eyes. She pulled away from Lord Upton's grip, but it was too strong, and only the end of the dance released her, and it could not have come too soon.

Miles watched her hurry, wildly off after the waltz had concluded and wanted to kick himself. It was his little devil, she had goaded him and it had awoken and he had hurt her. But, not as much as she had hurt him.

Miles walked towards the refreshment table, but he found an unwelcome sight awaited him. His mother inexplicably was there.

"Miles darling, you look surprised to see me."

"Yes Mamma I am very surprised to see you, I thought you were at Worthing."

Miles dutifully kissed her cheek.

"Oh you thought I could miss my dear Lady Rockhaven's ball? And have you danced often with Miss Smart?"

"My first dance was with her Mamma - as you seem to had already organised." Miles was still surprised, after 33 years that his mother could still manage to try and organise his life, even from a considerable distance.

"Oh don't be so tetchy Miles. You are going to marry the girl."

"I don't believe I have said anything of the kind." Said Miles shortly.

"Oh Miles, please don't tell me you still have a tendre for that forward Fitzwilliam girl."

"Mamma please I really don't think this is the time...or the place. I'm going to get some air."

Miles escaped to the terrace, while his mother went and complained to Lady Rockhaven about undutiful sons.

Part Four.

"Say If you want to call me baby/ Just go head now/ And if you want to tell me maybe/ Just go ahead now/, and if you wanna buy me flowers, /Just go ahead now /and if you like to talk for hours /Just go ahead now." ~ The Spin Doctors "Two Princes"

Annabelle lurched towards a seat, was held up by an aspiring poet, who she tried to be polite too, but was really wishing him at Jericho. When he finally went away, he revealed an even more shocking sight - her Grandmother who was sitting with some girl she couldn't see properly.

The last thing Annabelle needed was a lecture from her Grandmother, her head was already spinning, so Annabelle dived through an open doorway onto the Terrace.

The first thing she saw was Lord Upton, he turned on hearing her footsteps.

"I'm not following you if that is what you think. I'm just going for a breath of fresh air." She explained hurriedly before dashing down the stairs before he could reply.

The Rockhaven's place was a little out of Brighton and consequently they had some ground attached to the house. Not very much, but quite enough to lose yourself in if you didn't have a sense of direction, but luckily Annabelle did.

She practically ran down the main avenue and did not slow down until she reached a nice secluded sheltered pathway to take.

She walked close to the hedges, breathing in the night air and the smell of nature.

She sighed. She hadn't know how much she had hurt Lord Up - Miles.... It had just been a game to her, and she hadn't realised...oh she was so stupid.

And to think that her just showing him attention, in her flirtatious way, would be enough to just solve everything. It was true though she hadn't apologised for what she had done. But what if she apologised and he threw it back in her face? He had thrown that long stitch back in her face and she had given it to him ten years ago.

Annabelle sighed. She didn't know what to do...or what to think. I mean she had been cruel to some of her suitors before, but well they were either very well aware of the fact that she didn't like them, or they were after her money, or they had been rakes.

Annabelle kicked the ground viciously. Why did she care? Because Miles had been friends with her brothers for years? She supposed that had to be the reason. She had always thought he just thought of her as a sister, well that was her theory all through her first season. Miles was just being brotherly. It had only dawned on her, after her enlightenment in her second season as to her desirability, that well Miles acted completely unlike her brothers....

Annabelle tried to fathom why she had treated him so badly, but the reason wouldn't come. Why had Miles's constant attention and presence vexed her so badly? It couldn't have been because she wanted his absence, because here she was trying to bring their friendship back. Then what was the reason?

Annabelle was so confused. Miles wasn't helping, he was just being angry and hurt and well vicious. Annabelle hadn't really ever seen that side of him before...and for some strange reason she thought she liked it. She hadn't liked doormat Miles, but she did remember when she was much younger that she had always received the impression of a strong-willed, adventurous, dangerous young man. She wondered where that Miles had gone.

Annabelle was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps behind her.

Miles leaned on the railing. He was trying to think, but the only thing that was staying on his mind was the running figure in front of him. The only think he could think was, how her running showed off her figure to best advantage. Miles quickly shut his eyes.

He was hopeless. He really was. It was almost laughable.

Miles put his head in his hands. He still couldn't believe he had snapped at her the way he had. It wasn't her fault that he was a complete idiot and that she felt absolutely nothing for him.

Although no matter how many times he repeated this to himself he still felt very angry with her. No matter her feelings she had hurt him in an impossible way, he had been absolutely mortified. Not only did she very frankly tell him her opinion of him, but also when he had tried to protect her, she created the very scandal he was trying to stop her becoming entangled in.

He had never made such a cake of himself before. He had run all over town one day trying to find some blasted flowers that she liked that weren't even in season. Then she hadn't even wanted them. He had been so stupid not to see that she was consciously or unconsciously stringing him along.

Well he knew it now, though it had cost him much pride, mortification, money, time and effort to discover it.

Miles rubbed his face and turned to go back in the ballroom. But not before he cast a look over the grounds for a last look at La- Belle. He might as well call her by the way he thought of her.

She wasn't there. He tried to pick out her figure in the darkness, but he couldn't. Suddenly a kind of irrational fear crept into his heart and he flung himself down the stairs.

Annabelle looked at the newcomer curiously. He looked like a gentlemen from the ball.

"Hello Lady Annabelle." Said the gentleman.

"Hello, I'm sorry do I know you?"

"Probably not, but well I know you. Well everyone knows the beauty of the ton."

Annabelle laughed. " The beauty of the ton. !!! I think you might be exaggerating there sir!"

"Oh I never exaggerate!" laughed the personable young man, coming closer.

Annabelle liked personable young men, especially those who flattered her, so was unalarmed at his coming closer. She wasn't at all alarmed at him taking her arm either.

They walked a little way together, the young man telling her all sorts of interesting stories. Annabelle noticed they were walking back towards the house, but it did not signify to her, this young man had calmed her mind down.

However alarm bells started ringing when he suddenly clasped her in his arms.

"Let go of me!" she squealed trying to kick him, but he seemed oblivious to her struggling. She tried to scream but he forced himself upon her, making it impossible to do anything. She was too shocked to say anything when he finally disengaged from her mouth.

She finally managed to whisper. "If you don't let go of me I'll scream."

"But that is what I want!" replied the young man. "You scream, and then you are found in a compromising position with me, and well you and I are forced to marry and I get your money."

"You are holding me against my will, its hardly compromising me." Annabelle tried to retort, still with a semblance of her wits about her.

"But well Annabelle sweetie, you do know your reputation as a flirt. And by the way, even if you don't scream I've arranged for a few people to well come and accidentally find us.

Annabelle paled. What had she gotten herself into??

Miles hurried into the secluded walk, in time to witness a tryst. His mouth twisted into a horrid shape and he made to quickly walk away, cursing himself for making him decide to search out such a sight - he should have guessed. He was turned to walk away when he head Belle moan. He turned around and saw that it wasn't a tryst...not by a long shot.

Now that his masculine-jumping-to-conclusions part of his brain had been subdued, he noticed the way the man, whoever he was, was clutching her tightly and the way she was struggling against his grip.

Being rational suddenly flew out the window as Miles was struck by a blind rage.

Annabelle was terrified. She had no idea that someone existed on this planet that could behave like this. She could practically hear the clock counting down the seconds till her doom. No one would believe she hadn't orchestrated a secluded walk with a young man...well her family and friends would, but their opinion would be nothing against the weight of society. She had last felt this terrified when she was nine and she had fallen into a pond...Miles had saved her that time. Annabelle couldn't imagine what had suddenly brought him to mind. She should be thinking of ways to get out of this mess, not think of Miles.

Suddenly she was released the man fell reeling backwards. It took a second for Annabelle to realise he had been knocked down. Miles unceremoniously pushed Annabelle aside, as the man stood up again.

Annabelle didn't think she could watch. Miles was the taller of the gentlemen, but the horrid man was stockier and looked much stronger. She didn't think she could bear seeing Miles hurt trying to help her. The horrid man, jumped but and balled up his fists. He swung a punch at Miles that Miles easily ducked. He then launched himself upon Miles, who managed to throw him off, with relative ease. Annabelle watched as he rolled himself over and then jumped up, ready to have another go. He ran full charge at Miles, intent on knocking him over, but Miles sidestepped him with ease. Then when the horrid man reeled around, it took only seconds for Miles to completely send the villain to dirt. No matter his apparent lack of muscles, Miles was not a member of Jackson's saloon for nothing. All it took was a flush hit - and down the man went.

Annabelle looked at the inert heap and started breathing normally again.

"He...He...He...was. ...Trying...to...to...to...trap...me...into...marr-marriage." She stuttered out in way of explanation to the question in Miles eyes.

Annabelle felt like she was about to cry, it was all too horrible, but she had no time to cry.

Miles took one look at Annabelle and felt that a crying Annabelle, in the dark, at a ball where he was supposed to (according to his mother) be courting the daughter of the house, was just too much for him to bear. He grabbed her hand, and very swiftly and roughly dragged her back to the house.

Annabelle almost stumbled up the terrace steps, and Miles had to practically drag her to her feet again.

"Stop crying." He commanded.

Annabelle tried to stop, and admirably succeeded.

"You caused that entire mess yourself. Never, Never, Never go out by yourself, you should know that! And In the dark, at a strange household? What complete and utter folly!!"

Annabelle just nodded dumbly.

"I think you know what could have happened. So I'm not saying anything more. I highly doubt that man, who ever he was, is likely to say anything of tonight's affair and I won't either. So just go inside and pretend you were there all along."

Miles knew he was snapping at her, but he was still so angry, he wanted to put his fist through something.

Annabelle didn't quite like the fact that Miles was ordering her around, so she opened her mouth to argue with him then changed her mind. She saw the anger in his eyes, and shrank back. That such anger could be turned upon her, quite frightened her, she had never seen Miles so angry.

She moved towards the door, but she turned back and steeled herself to open her mouth and try to form the right phrases.

"Don't. Don't even bother Belle, don't even bother." Replied Miles sharply before turning back to look at the sky.

Annabelle dropped her shoulders in a sigh and walked back into the ballroom, it only dawning on her half way across the room that he had called her Belle.

Kitty smiled as Mr Gergen led her into a dance. Mr Gergen was a rather old man, but well Kitty didn't mind dancing with him, for he was lively enough in conversation, and he amused her.

Kitty had started to realise that looks were not as important as minds. Officers weren't the be all and end all of men. There were plenty of nice, intelligent men out there who weren't officers. But as the Duchess said, she shouldn't take this new theory too far; she should always remember that there were plenty of nice, intelligent men out there who were officers.

The dance required some conversation, as there was much swapping of partners. Kitty danced with a clergyman, a man who looked like he had been dredged up out of the sea, but whom Kitty was told, was very fashionable and a very callow youth.

Kitty ducked under the dance, deciding the thrill of this particular dance was whom you would end up with. Kitty did her required turn and faced her last partner and almost swallowed her tongue.

" Colonel Lord Ashbourne."

" Miss Kitty Bennet."

"Er -"

"Ah-"

The evident confusion stemming from their meeting had to be quickly brushed aside as they kept up with the dance. But Kitty felt she was about to fall over with happiness, as for Ash, he was trying desperately to subdue rather alarming feelings that were starting to well up inside of him.

Continued in Next Section