Beginning, Previous Section, Section III
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Part XX
"I think I shall read this aloud, that would be agreeable to all I think." Darcy asked as he opened the letter, as no one contradicted him he read the letter.
I have just received word that Horrie is back in London. Do you know from whom I received this information? My butler of all people who heard it from his daughter, who is in service at Horrie's house. What is the world coming to when I find out third hand of my heir's movements! At least the paper informs me of the army's movements otherwise I think I would be completely in the dark regarding my son's whereabouts.
Back to the point, I mentioned the arrival to Richard this morning and he was not in the least bit surprised, I have reason to believe that he had prior knowledge. Last night he was out somewhere for a extended period of time. I may mention that I only know this because I overheard one of the footmen complaining of being woken up to let him back in. (It doesn't seem to occur to Richard that it is MY house!)
Darcy, I have lost my sons, they will not come to me for help. If it is Horrie who is in trouble, depend upon it I will hear nothing of the affair from either his or Richard's lips. If it is Richard, he may come to me being the younger and more dependent son. How I wish I had never cut those lads from my purse strings.
Visit him Darcy, please, I know you won't be able to tell me what the problem is, I know all about your camaraderie but I know that you will be able to help extract my son from what ever he has entangled himself in. I place my trust in you Darcy.
A Concerned Father and your Uncle Fitzwilliam
Earl of Matlock
"Dear Darcy
How the deuce did Ash make it to Scotland and back, in that time?" exclaimed Darcy!
Viscount Matlock
Baron Fitzwilliam
Darcy hurriedly rose, throwing the letter to the table. He begged forgiveness but he must go. He raced from the house calling for his horse.
"I hope it isn't anything serious," said Lizzy looking worried. "Fitzwilliam is very close to his cousins."
"Yes, he is. Ash, Fitzwilliam and the Colonel were always very close. They used to play at being Musketeers, my mother and father would tell me tales of their 'adventures'. They had this pact, a friendship pact which they would never share with me. Fitzwilliam met Charles at Eton and well, since then the four of them have been fairly inseparable, though Charles is more Fitzwiliam's particular friend." Georgiana sighed obviously lost in the throws of recollecting happier times.
"I hope it isn't debts or anything of that nature." Replied Lizzy, the entire table had stopped eating and were looking melancholy.
"It wouldn't be debts." I said quietly. Thus the time passed us all being silent for about several minutes, Lizzy was the first to make some attempt at brightening up.
"Well, we shall soon hear what is the matter, when Fitzwilliam returns." Lizzy then left the room.
Georgiana turned even paler at this comment and I was very concerned about her.
"I'm fine Kitty, I am well but I cannot help thinking that Lizzy expects Fitzwilliam to tell her what happens and I know he won't. Ash trusts Fitzwilliam to keep any secret to the grave with not a word mentioned to ANYONE. Not even Lizzy. That is why Uncle wrote that he wasn't expecting to be told anything."
"Don't worry, Georgie Lizzy will understand I am sure."
Georgie left the room, looking really unwell. Next time I see Ash I feel like slapping him, he has turned this entire household upside down. Georgie is worried about Ash, but also about Lizzy and Darcy. Darcy is very worried about his cousin. Lizzy is worried about Ash, and once she sees Georgie like this she will be worried about her. And I'm worried about everyone else.
Our day was very solemn, I practised the piano a lot as Georgie wasn't feeling up to practising. I read to Georgie trying to divert her mind, but it did not work. I even trimmed a bonnet, something I have not done for ages. Georgie particularly admired my work, so I showed her how I did it. I believe that was the only time she wasn't consciously thinking of the whole Ash saga.
So on Darcy's arrival back at the townhouse, very late that evening, he had three women assail him.
"Oh Fitzwilliam is Ash all right? And Richard? Oh tell me everything is all right."
"Yes, Georgie everything is fine."
"Fine? But my dear surely something must be wrong, or else you would not be there all day." Replied Lizzy.
"No dearest, nothing was wrong, Ash just needed a piece of advice."
"Oh, about His Grace's land?" I asked, for Georgie looked ill at the way Lizzy and Darcy were conversing, she was sure that 'the secret' would drive a wedge between them.
"Yes Kitty, something like that." Darcy then after hugging Georgie and Lizzy, looked at me kissed me on the forehead and said "You're a good girl, Kitty" and went to his study.
You know how I said oddness might run in the Fitzwilliam family? I am sure of it now. Since none of us ladies were any more the wiser by Darcy's return, we gave up trying to work out what was wrong and went to bed.
I woke up extraordinarily early the next morning, I did not think that anyone else would be up yet, so I was going to go and fetch a book from the library. I was descending the stairs when I heard Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam's voices. Why am I always in the position to eavesdrop?
"So yes, your joke about his horse matching his mood, did not go down well, I'm afraid." Said Col. Fitzwilliam
"Oh dear, last thing I heard......he was all for pistols at dawn wasn't he?" Came Darcy's voice.
"God yes." Sighed Col. Fitzwilliam, "I explained to him that what had occurred didn't really require pistols at dawn and if it did, it wouldn't be up to him."
"And he was swayed by your thoroughly reasonable arguments?"
"Good heavens no! But a large glass of whiskey, however, did the trick!"
"And he is better then when I saw him?"
"Oh yes! Naturally upset but consoling himself with the acquisition of a very elegant, simple but on the whole expensive cravat pin."
At this Darcy laughed, "Ah well, I'm glad to see everything is right in the world once more!!"
The two gentlemen laughed together as Darcy showed Col. Fitzwilliam out.
The conversation left me at an utter loss. But as Darcy seemed to be going back to his chamber I had to leave my thoughts and flee back to my room. I didn't understand it at all.
Thus, when later that day I was confronted by a jig-saw puzzle, everything didn't become clearer but at least I realised I wasn't stupid. Everything that I haven't understood in the past has been a piece of a puzzle. I couldn't possibly understand it all until I had the joining pieces and even then it might not make sense. I was beginning to feel less silly and stupid.
Part XXI
I spent the next 10 minutes or so, placing the pieces down. Suddenly the picture was complete, what do you suppose it was? A tedious fireplace with ashes in it. The picture flew me into a rage, I sprang up and started flinging pieces of it into the fire.
"Kitty, what are you doing??" Cried Lizzy, looking at me as though I had completely gone mad.
"Kitty? I haven't done that puzzle yet!!!" said Georgie looking rather upset.
I ignored both of them finally the last puzzle piece was burning merrily in the fire. I felt utmost satisfaction though I have no idea why, I think I have just been bored, and doing anything satisfies me. The footman opened the door and Mr. Darcy entered the room.
"Ladies, look who comes to pay us a call?...........ASH." with this welcome, Ash marched into the room, expecting a great welcome from us women. What he got was me, screaming, pushing past him and stomping up the stairs.
OOOH STOMP OOOH STOMP OOOH STOMP. I was so mad, for no particular reason that I stomped up the stairs and then down the stairs, up and down, up and down, interrupted only by a voice from the bottom of the stairs.
"Don't tell me you find my company that tedious?" I continued stomping.
"Boredom? Lizzy says you have been cooped up here for about 10 days, I think it must be boredom." I continued stomping.
"What if I told you, my Mama is giving a soiree on Saturday?"
I stopped stomping and raced down the stairs, and threw my arms around Ash.
"That would be the most welcome news I had in an AGE."
Ash laughed at me. "You're easy to please aren't you?" Ash had his hands on my waist and was smiling at me. Oooh! It wasn't my fault I was so bored! He shouldn't be laughing at me!
"Don't be silly!" I dragged Ash back into the parlour, and forced him onto a sofa. Darcy was peering into the fire trying to see what was burning there. I raced over and pulled him away from the fire.
"Don't look in there!!" Darcy sat next to Lizzy and they started talking. So I sat next to Ash, and we had a long conversation about his mother's soiree, well that is what the conversation started as, it went on to many other subjects. Scotland, his friends, the theatre, politics!! I never thought I could understand half of those topics, but somehow when he spoke them they made more sense. I just hope my answers weren't stupid, ignorant ones.
On Friday we, or should I say Lizzy and Georgie, received a call from Lady Matlock and The Duchess of Whitfield. Lady Matlock immediately started a conversation with Lizzy and Georgie about her son and his strange behaviour. The Duchess decided to talk to me, I must admit I was rather uncomfortable, how does one talk to a Duchess?? But if all Duchesses are like her I think I can manage talking to them.
"Miss Bennet, I believe I did not have the chance to ask you how you liked our ball? Harriet tells me you simply adore balls and go to as many as you can. So I think your opinion would be a knowledgeable one."
With an opening like that, I could not go wrong. So I gave her my opinion on everything. I was very truthful and I am glad that I did not have to fake my enthusiasm over the ball, for it was a wonderful ball. So it was a while before the conversation changed direction.
"I believe, Miss Bennet that you are invited to Harriet's Soiree tomorrow?"
"Yes, your grace, I am much looking forward to it."
"As am I. I must introduce you to Miss Sophia Chestier, I think you will get on famously with her. She is about your age, though I think a little older." The Duchess patted my hand in a rather motherly fashion.
She then began to talk about how one needs lots of friends, especially ones close to your own age. We talked about the subject of friends until the visit was concluded. Once the ladies had been shown out, Lizzy burst out with,
"I must say Ash is being uncommonly mean to his poor mother."
"Lizzy?"
"She knows nothing, and is very worried about him flying across the country and not just that, reports have filtered through town that he has seen leaving Waiter's completely foxed on more then one occasion even though he has only been back in London for............. "
"But Ash said he did not like gaming!" I interjected.
"No, but he does participate on occasions, but not to excess plus all his friends are members of Waiters." Answered Georgie.
"Well, his mother is still very worried."
Georgie and I were thinking along the same lines, I think. Lizzy is rather annoyed at Darcy for withholding what is the matter with Ash. I really hope it does not affect their relationship.
The preparations for the soiree kept me completely occupied for the next day and at length we drove up to the Matlock's door. Lady Matlock greeted us, the party was a small one, besides us there was Ash, Col. Fitzwilliam, Miss Sophia Chestier, her father Viscount Tenby, the Matlocks, the Duke and Duchess of Whitfield and oh dread Miss Bingley and the Hursts.
The Duchess was true to her word and as soon as possible had Miss Chestier and myself stationed on a sofa to get acquainted. Miss Chestier was one of those ladies who everyone who is anyone describes as 'stunningly beautiful'. She had blond hair, with piercing blue eyes, a perfect lady in all looks but as I was to learn not in manners. Though I must assure you that I liked her exceedingly it is just she reminded me slightly of Lydia, although Miss Chestier's behaviour was tolerated because she was the daughter of a Viscount.
Part XXII
"Well Miss.....Sophy, I suppose you must call me Kitty."
"Kitty! What a darling name! Seriously though aren't these soiree's a little dull?"
"I wouldn't know, I have never been to one before and besides I haven't done anything in over a week so this is quite acceptable."
"Nothing in over a week, that is abominable!! Yes, this would be a welcome change! But let us review the guests, The Darcys, the Matlocks, the Duchess and my father, no amusement there! Miss Darcy, she is so shy!!! Miss Bingley, well let us just say no unmarried man is safe! The Hursts well, amusement from watching him get foxed and her get miffed but otherwise I say pass. Col. Fitzwilliam is a charming man along with his brother Ash, but talking to them means being near Miss Bingley and the Dear Duke of Whitfield well maybe I should say nothing about him."
Sophy then looked down at her shoes. So the rumour that she and the Duke have an attachment is true, how sweet! I looked around at the guests, Sophy was right! The married and older persons were all seated in earnest discussion, Miss Darcy sat near Lizzy looking lost and shy. Miss Bingley was hovering around the rest of the gentlemen. The Duke was constantly looking at Sophy, while Hurst was tucking into the alcohol while Mrs. Hurst buzzed around with her sister.
"Very Astute Sophy!!"
In fact, Sophy and I spent the entire evening in conversation. We had very similar taste in clothing and bonnets, plays, books, our views coincided on almost every view. We even had a predilection for regimentals. However she was slightly wild like Lydia, she suggested a ride through Hyde Park on a Perch Phaeton, I thought no. She suggested we try to enter some of the men's clubs, I thought not. She suggested that we convince a few persons to dress up as women and try and fool other friends, I thought not. You see now why I think her a lot like Lydia. One exception though, I find myself unable to succumb to her lead, which I think is a good thing.
So the evening passed very quickly. At the end of the night, Ash handed me into the carriage and asked me how I liked Sophy.
"Oh, she is a delightful person, we have plans to go shopping soon!"
"Shopping! That must endear her to any female." Replied Ash with a smirk shutting the carriage door, rendering me unable to make a cutting remark. But it was a nice evening, and I do like Sophy.
Our shopping expedition turned out to be sooner then I had expected, Monday morning to be precise. Sophy took me along Bond Street and we did have such fun. Sophy did most of the buying, I settled for a particularly nice fan and some ribbons suitable to trim a dress with and do up a bonnet.
We were just finishing our expedition when Sophy mused whether to buy a hat. It was a frightful hat, it towered above her head and was this garish orange colour and had giant orange feathers sticking out at all angles.
"Do you not simply adore it Kitty? I believe I should wear it when the Duke comes to call on me." I did not know whether she was seriously considering it or whether it was a joke. So I decided to be diplomatic and pretended to cough.
"Is it that bad Kitty?" Sophy removed the hat and looked at it closely, "I think it has much to recommend it." Ack! Much to recommend it! What do I say to that?? Sophy looked inquiringly at me so I replied with the first thing that came to mind.
"It would have much to recommend itself to Miss Bingley." There was no time to be diplomatic.
Sophy looked at me with horror and shuddered, she thrust the hat at the woman who was attending us.
"Teach me to try and play a joke on you Kitty. You have thoroughly spoiled my day by mentioning that woman."
With that Sophy marched out onto the street. I hurried after her, and the footman who was carrying all of Sophy's new acquisitions had to practically run after us.
"Sophy, Sophy, stop walking so fast!!" Sophy slowed down and we linked arms. The footman breathed a sigh of relief behind us.
"Well Kitty, now that our shopping has been done we had better repair to Darcy's townhouse to gossip."
"Gossip? What on earth could we gossip about."
"Plenty of things, you might for example make mention of a certain duke that has been calling on me very frequently. I should wonder that it hasn't made the scandal sheet."
"But that is fact, I believe you called for gossip."
"Fine, some gossip, well maybe we should start with our acquaintance at the soiree on Saturday."
"Certainly, we must pass over the Darcys, Matlocks, the Duchess of Whitfield and your father."
"Of course, that leaves the Hursts, what shall we say of them? There is nothing we can say of Mr. Hurst, because it would all be fact, and the only gossip we can lay at Mrs. Hurst's door is that she is really a very charming lady." Replied Sophy with laughing scorn in her voice.
"You are forgetting Miss Bingley though I believe you cannot separate the sisters especially when one talks of gossip."
"Well that leaves, Lord Ashbourne and his brother, does it not?"
"We, that is to say, I can not think of any gossip about them."
"Of the Colonel no, but of Ash, yes. I will tell you something in the strictest confidence, it is not really gossip for I think there some fact to it, but it cannot be proven, and I hope to dear god that it isn't proven."
Sophy had quite alarmed me at this stage and I stopped and turned to her in shock.
"Perhaps I better not say anything here in the street, let us wait until we are back at the townhouse."
Part 23
"No, do not say such a thing and then make me wait. I will not stand to be made feel wretched all the way home, tell me now."
We continued to walk, albeit a lot closer together and much slower.
"If indeed you cannot wait, I will tell you. You are aware that I am deeply attached to the dear Duke of Whitfield? And that I and if I may say the whole of society believe that he is sincerely attached to me?"
I murmured that I had heard of it.
"Well he may not ask me for my hand, until I am reached my majority, that is what society says anyway and I am only 20. My dear Papa, might if another man should offer for me, impel me to accept him and I could not disobey my papa."
Sophy fell silent, I could not understand what she meant. What had any of that got to do with Ash? Then it struck me.
"Good God! You do not mean to say.................."
"Yes, a great deal of my acquaintance believe Ash.............I mean, Lord Ashbourne to be very partial to me. Did you not see the Duke and Lord Ashbourne's cold reception of each other at the Whitfield ball? What else can account for it?"
"You are mistaken there, Sophy, I overheard that reception and the reason for it was an that Lord Ashbourne had driven his grace to invite someone for whom his grace did not care."
"Oh that is a relief, I just hope it is all gossip, for I would have to marry him and my heart would not be in it."
Sophy brightened up considerably, at my revelation and quicken our pace. I on the other hand felt suddenly very tired. Why should the idea that Ash would like a young lady, depress me so? No, it must be that I have walked too far today.
"Oh look Kitty, it is who we have just been talking about!" I looked up to see Sophy pointing down the street, at Lord Ashbourne and The Duke of Whitfield. "Oh they are together Kitty! This must mean that it was all a scandalous falsehood!!" She squeezed my hand quickly, then tried to arrange her gown and person into the most demure posture.
On their approach Sophy and I curtsied. I did the necessary bob but Sophy prolonged her curtsey so she could add the demure raising of her head and fluttering of eyelashes. In response they bowed and turned to walk with us.
"Been on a shopping expedition have you Miss Chestier?" asked the Duke jovially.
"Yes, your grace we have, we were just on our way back to Berkeley Square."
"Let me offer my carriage to you..............and Miss Bennet, of course." Said the Duke. I had to stifle a laugh there for it was so obvious that the Duke was in his own little world, that consisted of him and Sophy.
"Oh that will not be necessary, Kitty and I are just fine. Aren't we Kitty?"
"Oh yes!" I exclaimed trying to look at Ash to see if he was showing signs of peculiar attention to Sophy.
"I'm sure you ladies are fine, but the footman isn't" Said Ash. We turned and found that indeed the poor man, though struggling valiantly, was losing the battle with Sophy's purchases.
The Duke's carriage pulled up and our boxes were loaded into it, the footman took his station. The Duke then handed Sophy into the carriage and it was determined all of the party would not fit not if we brought all of Sophy's belongings with us. Ash drew the unlucky straw for the Duke dived into his own carriage, leaving Ash to hand me in.
"Spencer!" Exclaimed Ash crossly, the Duke just grinned out of the carriage window, he looked quite happy with his seat next to Sophy. Why was Ash so upset, surely he wasn't angry that he could not sit next to Sophy? But he was glaring at the Duke in a funny way.
"Oh don't look like that old boy, it isn't me you know who has a pocket full of your vowels!!"
Ash didn't reply to that simply handed me in and closed the carriage door, impulsively I grabbed his hand through the carriage window.
"Call on me soon Ash, won't you?"
"Anything you say Miss Bennet." He brought my hand to his lips and I noticed that signet ring, it had a black stone in it just like I thought it did. What on earth had flashed green that night at the theatre? Ash must have noticed my puzzled expression and the object of it. He leaned up to the carriage window and whispered in my ear.
"Black Emerald, pretty isn't it?" He then moved away from the carriage and bowed to us all. The carriage moved off.
Sophy looked at me with raised eyebrows, the Duke however looked composed. I coloured, then a thought struck me, was Ash behaving like that because of Sophy? Try to upset the Duke and Sophy? Prove that they weren't worth his time? I don't know, but I had this feeling that Ash was using me, for some horrid pleasure of his own.
"I believe you mentioned vowels?" Sophy directed this at the Duke.
"Yes of all the rotten luck!"
"I thought that Lord Ashbourne gambled but rarely?" I asked.
"Oh yes Miss Bennet, he hasn't the taste of it, but he succumbs to our persuasion every so often." Smiled the Duke.
"I would think then that he would not be very good at the tables?" Sophy asked looking a bit surprised.
"Yes, one would think so wouldn't one, but he can be a devil at the tables, was having a run of bad luck but now he is in top form. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he practices on his men servants," replied the Duke ruefully obviously still feeling the blow of having just lost money to an unlikely source.
Part 24
The conversation then turned to the Duke's form on the tables which didn't interest me at all. It was not long before the carriage deposited me at the townhouse.
"Sophy? You are not coming in?'
"Oh no! His grace is being kind enough to accompany me home."
I was a little doubtful of letting Sophy and the Duke go off together, but before I could press her they were off.
Six weeks passed with little to distinguish it but two balls. One held by the Matlocks and the other by Lord Tenby. Lord Tenby's ball was held because like any other doting Papa he was getting worried that his Sophy would be left on the shelf.
The ball did not go according to poor Lord Tenby's plans though, every bachelor in the ton knew that Sophy was intended for the Duke of Whitfield. Though the Duke had made a pact with his dear club friends that he would not marry a child (this was apparently made after one of their friends married a 15 year old girl). So being a man not to go back on his word, he and Sophy had to wait those few months until legally she was no longer a 'child' in the sense of the word.
However his grace was of a tall stature, and was well known in the boxing and fencing circles for his prowess, so no man dared to cross him. No man it seemed but Ash. Stupid man that he was!! He seemed to pay a great deal of attention to Sophy and I could see the gleam in her fathers eye, for he was like all fathers unable to see what was under his nose. Sophy lamented to me how her father could see plainly affection from Ash but not love from the Duke. So Sophy bid me to keep Ash away from herself and his grace.
Surprisingly Ash didn't seem to mind and for the six weeks I did everything in my power to keep him out of Sophy's way. I though that it would be a pain to have to talk to him constantly and that I would soon tire of his company. However this was not the case, I thoroughly enjoyed his company and It was like I wanted to keep his attentions away from Sophy.
However Ash did constantly look at the Duke and Sophy. So we (Sophy and I) were convinced that the rumours must be true. Sophy was very distressed because I was going to Pemberley and she was to stay in London for some time without my protection. Oh and if you are wondering what ever became of Mr Wasop, I believe he departed for the continent soon after my rejection, odious man!
On the morning of my departure, Ash came to call. This surprised me because he had formally taken leave of us the night before. Lizzy and Georgie were packing so he was greeted by only me.
"Lord Ashbourne! What do you do here?"
"I've come to see you, Kitty." Really? Ash had come to see me?
"I have something to give you, Kitty" Something to give me? What on earth could he want to give to me?
He came to sit on the couch next to me and commanded that I close my eyes. I obeyed.
"Hold out your hand." Again I obeyed.
Part XXV
I felt something drape across my outstretched hand.
"Open your eyes." I opened them to see a necklace on my hand. It was a choker with a drop pendant. It was gorgeous, the choker part was three rows of alternate black and clear crystals. The pendant was small, with what looked like diamonds surrounding a black jewel. It looked like the same kind of jewel, Ash had on his signet ring. But on looking closer I realised it wasn't really black but a very deep shade of green.
"Oh Ash, it's gorgeous!"
"It's a black emerald Kitty."
"But it isn't black!"
"No, but it looks it, beautiful isn't it? Mined in Egypt." I took Ash's hand to compare the two stones and I realised that Ash's stone was really green but it was so deep!
"I thought you could wear it at Pemberley in case they have a ball or something." Ash put his hand on my hand and smiled at me. I don't think I realised how stunning his smile is and his eyes. I couldn't help but look down and I think I was blushing. Me! Kitty Bennet, Blushing!
"Thank you, so much, you don't know how much this means to me, you are a true friend." I looked up at him and leant forward. I was so expecting him to kiss me, and he did, on my cheek. He then quickly stood up and took his leave shaking his hand from mine.
I was so confused, why did I expect him to kiss me? Did I want him to kiss me? Was that it? Why didn't he kiss me? To give me such a gift and then to give me a small peck on the cheek! Infuriating!!!
I marched up stairs. The maid who had been waiting on me during my stay was packing some of my gowns into trunks. I sat before the vanity and tried on Ash's present. I couldn't do up the clasp, Susan, came up behind me and fastened it for me.
"That is a pretty necklace, miss."
"Yes Susan, it is isn't it."
"Is it new? I haven't seen it before."
"Someone gave it to me just now."
"A man miss?"
"Yes."
"Your sweetheart?"
"No...............at least I do not think so."
"Take care, Miss."
"What do you mean by that, Susan?"
"I beg your pardon Miss but I should think carefully about why the gentleman gave you this necklace. Do you want me to unfasten it?"
I nodded and Susan released the clasp and went back to packing my trunk. Susan was about 26 I would say and I suppose she would know a great deal more about men then I would.
I looked at the necklace trying to understand why Ash would give it to me. It was not for love, obviously because he had not kissed me. Any fool could have seen that I wanted him to kiss me. But he had missed it, maybe that wasn't such a bad thing he would have thought me terribly loose. But I couldn't think of any other reason why he would give it to me. Except could he have given it to me because of Sophy?
"Susan?"
"Yes Miss?"
"Do you know of any instances when a gentleman would give a lady for whom he cares nothing a present to make a lady for who he does care jealous?"
Susan stopped packing up my trunks and came once more to stand beside me.
"I have heard of gentlemen doing just that, but not normally with such an exquisite and expensive gift such as this, Miss. Are you sure that.....that is what happened?"
"Yes, I can think of no other reason. Oh, Susan what shall I do! I shall have to give it back to him."
"We depart for Pemberley very shortly Miss."
"Oh! Yes, I shall have to mail it back to him."
"You can not post such an item!"
I looked down at the necklace, I played with it in my hands the black jewel in the middle flashed green. No, I could not send this by post.
"Courier?"
"Yes, Miss, I suppose Mr. Darcy would....."
"Oh no! I cannot tell Mr. Darcy or my sister." I interjected. Susan looked thoughtful.
"Well Miss, if I can suggest..." she held out her hand for the necklace which I placed in her hand, " I will wrap it up in linen and on arrival to Pemberley I shall take it out of your trunk myself and we shall find somewhere to hide it until you can return it to the gentleman. If that is agreeable Miss."
"Oh thank you Susan"
The journey to Pemberley was uneventful, I suppose I should have looked at the scenery because it is supposed to be very beautiful, but I did not. I suppose I should have talked and entertained Georgie who seemed ill from the carriage motion, but I did not. I suppose I should not have frowned and looked sad, on the verge of tears all the way to Derbyshire, but I did. Lizzy and Georgie were concerned for me but Darcy seemed happy that I was upset at being parted from London. Have I mentioned that oddness runs in the Fitzwilliam family?
However, as we approached Pemberley itself, my spirits seemed to lift. The park was beautiful and the house was situated very nicely. The whole scene really exuded easy, charm and affability. Inside the house it was so elegant, there was taste and decorum, there was no flashy, showy pretensions at Pemberley. I instantly thought I could spend all my days at Pemberley.
Part XXVI
"Kitty, you grew very close to Miss Chestier in London, did you not?" asked Georgie rather shyly.
"Sophy? Yes, I suppose I did."
"I do not think Miss Chestier liked me a great deal. I think I am too shy for her."
"Oh, do not say that, Georgie! Sophy doesn't have an opinion of you."
"Oh," said Georgie rather quietly.
"No! I meant to say, Sophy does not know you. Therefore, she cannot have an opinion about you and consequently she can neither like you or dislike you."
"We were thrown together much in London, yet she ignored me. The only reason I am telling you this Kitty is because I shall be out soon and I want so much too...........make a good.............." Georgie trailed off, looking rather sad.
"Silly girl! Sophy did not ignore you! Let me tell you a truth, yes, I am determined to tell you this, no matter how much it hurts you!" I said rather briskly. Georgie looked up at me in a frightened manner.
"Yes Kitty? I am ready to hear what you have you say." Georgie promptly looked at her shoes. I put my hands on her shoulders and made her look directly in my eyes. I put on my gravest voice.
"Georgie, Sophy did not pay you much attention in London because, I am afraid to say," I paused a great deal here, and then the next bit came out in a rush, " You are not as attractive as the Duke."
This elicited laughter from Georgie, and I soon burst into giggles. Presently Georgie came to her senses and said, "Is that true Kitty?"
"Of course it is! Did you not noticed that she paid less and less attention to me also?"
"I would like to be in love, like she is with his Grace."
"So would I, so would I."
Georgie finally showed me to my chambers and left me to prepare for dinner. Susan was in the chamber unpacking my trunks. Upon entering she turned to me with something in her hand.
"Miss, where do you want to put this?" She gave me the roll of linen, which on inspection revealed Ash's necklace. It was like a weight had suddenly descended on me. I sunk onto the bed.
"In the dresser, Susan." I replied handing the necklace to her. She showed me exactly where she was putting it, but I did not care. Suddenly I felt extremely ill.
The ill feeling did not abate, however, after the first few days I think I managed to push it down into the pit of wherever bad feelings go and I could function normally. But it still felt like I had the world on my shoulders. Life at Pemberley could not be compared to London, it would be like comparing rapids to a lake. They are both made of water but one is dangerous and fast, the other placid and still.
There were several families in the vicinity, but none had either females or unattached males my age. The most thrilling of our neighbours was apparently Mrs. Duboise, a widow of some 30 years, who in her spare time was daring enough to sew samplers. I do not see how Lizzy could stand it, living in the most beautiful place imaginable, but situated in the dullest surroundings.
If Georgie were not here, I think I should go mad. But after 2 months, in the middle of hot August weather, I think we had talked about every subject it was possible to talk about. I had read practically every book I would care to read from Darcy's Library, walked through every part of the park, to put it plainly I had grown sick of Derbyshire!!!! To think I thought I could live here the rest of my life! Though, I think those thoughts were confined to the house, not the surrounds.
I had not misspent those two months though! I had kept up a most energetic correspondence with Sophy, a pleasant correspondence with Jane, a dutiful one to Mama, and a one sided one to Lydia.
Sophy's letters contained all the news of London, of the ton, of fashion, of basically the world! Her letters were always filled with news of his Grace and invariably, Ash. Ash it seemed was still paying her attentions, much to her discomfort. I could hardly read those parts of the letters without feeling ill.
Jane's letters, were filled of Meryton gossip, of Netherfield news and of her dear Charles. Mama's letters were filled with much the same thing, but overblown beyond all belief that you could sometimes suppose Jane and Mama to be talking of two completely different places. Mama's letters also talked of Mary, Papa and her nerves.
Lydia.....what can one say, she was never a good correspondent but she was steadily declining. She sent letters but rarely I think I received one during the time I was at Pemberley though I sent her several (franked of course!). And the letter she sent back made no reference to anything I had said previously. It was all filled of HER. Sometimes I wonder that she even reads my letters.
Apart from correspondence, I practised the piano, improved my sewing skills and did I know not what, anything to keep my mind and hands occupied. Though I can tell you, I did not look, not even once, into the dresser drawer.
One morning, around the middle of August, I was sent by Georgie to locate her brother. I went at once to his study but as I was about to knock I overheard Lizzy and Darcy speaking. I was going to enter anyway, but I heard my name mentioned so I stopped.
"Well, Fitzwilliam?"
"Yes, I agree, Kitty is much changed, though I cannot say it is for the better."
"Perhaps, this melancholy attitude she has adopted isn't the best but she is no longer as giddy and silly as she once was, surely you must say that is an improvement."
"I grant you that is an improvement."
"Bringing her to Pemberley, I was worried for a time there in London, but now that she is here, there must be something in the air here, that causes people to be so refined and cultured."
"I do not think Pemberley has exacted this change in Kitty."
"Fitzwilliam? What do you mean?" Darcy made no reply but from the next words Lizzy spoke, I think he made some kind of 'I'm bound to secrecy' motion."
"Fitzwilliam! You are being so secretive! I did not marry you so that you could keep things from me!"
Oh no! I did not like the sound of where this was going.
"Lizzy! You will find out everything soon enough I dare say! Do not be angry at me, I can not stand it when you look at me like that! Come here." Some rather amorous noises came from within the study, so I think I can be certain that Lizzy decided she was no longer angry with him. However, I was not impressed with what he said, for I have no idea what he was talking about and I am not as forgiving. So I knocked very loud, waited a moment and then barged in.
Several days later, I received a most welcome letter from Sophy, it had come express so I retired to my chamber to read it in privacy for I was sure it was urgent. I sat upon my bed and broke open the seal. Out of the letter fell a part of a newspaper which I read in confusion, then I read Sophy's letter.
Part XXVII
Oh, how could it be so?? How could he do this to me? What am I to do? It must be untrue. Oh, I could not think, all I could do was cry. I curled up on the bed, hugging my pillow and cried.
The next noise that I could distinguish was Susan's voice.
"Miss! Miss what is the matter! Miss! Are you all right Miss?" She sounded very concerned, so I exerted myself into handing her the letter and clipping.
"What is this Miss? It is just part of the gossip column? And a letter from your friend?" Susan sounded more confused then ever.
"Read it Susan, read it."
"Yes Miss!" Susan sat down on the bed, and started to read out loud, she started with the clipping first.
"Yesterday, The Duke of Whitfield and Lord Ashbourne engaged in a very public disagreement outside 'Easting's Jewellers'. The argument apparently started inside the establishment but soon fell onto the street." Susan paused for a moment before adding, "What is there to upset you in this Miss? Are they to fight a duel??"
"Read the letter Susan."
"Miss, I could not do that it is your personal........."
"Read it!" I interrupted tersely. Susan sighed before starting on the letter.
I am all in uproar! You have no doubt read the clipping. Can you believe it?? The gossip is that they were both looking at engagement rings when they found out they were looking because of the SAME woman. ME!!!! Oh, I have not seen Spencer since! Or Lord Ashbourne. Do you mean to suppose they are to fight a duel? Why couldn't this have happened in two months? Then, I would be 21, Spencer would not have to worry about his stupid pact and I could marry him. Worse still Papa is even more determined that I shall marry the first respectable man who asks for me. Thankfully, I think both Spencer and Ash have left London for a short time. But what will stop Ash from proposing when he returns? Nothing, unless dear Kitty you help me. Write to your Mama and Papa to invite me to visit Longbourn! Arrange that I will arrive the day after you do! Please dearest, if I ever needed your help it is now. Send me back word express.
Your very, very agitated friend
Sophy Chestier.Dearest Kitty,
As Susan stopped speaking, she quietly folder up the letter. Hearing the dreadful words out loud made me even more distressed. If I didn't know for certain that Lizzy, Darcy and Georgie were out walking I would be frightened of them hearing me.
"Miss, which one is it?"
"What ever do you mean Susan?" I asked pulling myself into an upright position so I could see the maid.
"Are you in love with one of these gentlemen?"
What? In love? No, that is not why I am upset. Heavens!!! It is why I am upset. Of course, why did I not think of that before!!! How stupid and wretched I must be not to even know when I am in love? All that feeling ill! Oh, how stupid am I!! Not liking him paying attention to Sophy! Hating him went he went away so suddenly! Finding his company more than agreeable, liking his smile! Wanting him to kiss me! Oh how stupid can I be, I LOVE him!!! The realisation was akin to someone slapping me, I felt so dazed.
Suddenly I realised, Susan was still looking at me, she was looking rather fearful, I think she thought she may have over stepped the mark.
I swallowed slowly, "It's all right Susan, your suspicion is founded, it is Lord Ashbourne."
"Oh Miss! If he is anything like his cousin!" She then forgot herself as much as to throw her arms around me. Having a hug cheered me immensely, though something in her sentence confused me. So when released from her embrace, I looked at her questioningly.
"If he is anything like his cousin? Have you not met Lord Ashbourne? Surely you must, he stayed in London..........."
"Well yes Miss, but that was the first time I saw him, I do not judge on first impressions."
"The first time you saw him!" I exclaimed. " Surely he as been to Pemberley, did you not say you have been in service here for many years!??!"
"Yes, but he never visited Miss, we only heard of him, he was on the Peninsula. He was a Colonel in the regulars, was so until about two years ago when he was shot in the foot. Lord Matlock apparently dragged him home saying 'that he was of no use to anyone dead.' Didn't you know Miss?"
Oh! Oh, This revelation did not ease my nerves at all, instead It made me burst into fresh hysteria. Oh, Oh, he probably has a red coat! He was in the army. Oh now I know he is the perfect man for me. And he loves Sophy! How could he do this to me!!!
Susan tried her hardest to console me but it was no use, finally she stood up and said rather sharply, "Stop it Miss! Go quickly write to your Papa and then to Miss Chestier. She does not love him. She does not want to marry him! All is not lost!."
No! No! all is not lost, Sophy loves the Duke! That statement of Susan's spurred me into action! I dashed off two expresses, one to Papa and one to Sophy. No, all is not lost, if Sophy comes to Hertfordshire, Ash will not be able to propose. She will be safe, if she is at Longbourn!! These thoughts did comfort me, but not enough to make me feel up to going down to dinner. Instead I went to the dresser and pulled out the roll of linen secreted there. I ended up crying myself to sleep holding the necklace.
The next morning I felt so ill that I could not move. Instead of getting up I found myself thinking of Ash. He saved me when I was lost in the forest, he saved me again during that ball and he had always been concerned about me if only as a friend. How had I treated him? I laughed at him, found amusement in mortifying him, believed gossip about him and then accused him of being the basest of creatures. No wonder he did not love me. I had screamed in his ear, laughed at him, ignored him and more. How could I ever have thought him old? True he is a fair deal older than me but when did age ever matter. Oh his smile...............
These thoughts occupied my mind for quite some time. Susan had been in and out of my chamber packing some of my trunks. Expresses from Papa and Sophy arrived. Papa had consented to having Sophy to say, so there was a reply to be sent to Sophy. I had asked Susan not to pack the necklace and that she may leave it in the dresser drawer. I never wanted to see it again for all the money in England.
It was quite some time before I made a decision, but I did make one. I resolved that I would go home to Longbourn and not stir from there ever. It would be too painful to go to London again or Pemberley, I would be reminded. So I decided that I would forget him and move on with the rest of my life. Though I did know that if I ever married it would not be for love. I will only marry for materialistic reasons and probably not until I was an old maid, like Charlotte Lucas had been. The thought of marrying a Mr Collins repulsed me, but I knew I could do no better. Lizzy's words of almost a year ago rung in my head. "You haven't any money, you are pretty but not beautiful, you aren't accomplished at anything and you have an empty head. What in that would seriously attract a man?" How true they turned out to be. But I must look on the bright side in marrying a Mr Collins, I would be assured of something to laugh at! I must have unconsciously smiled at the thought of Mr Collins as Bottom. For Susan started up from the trunks.
"That is what I like to see Miss! A smile."
"Yes, a smile. Do you know whether the carriage is ready?"
"No Miss, but I am sure it will be very soon." Susan paused, then closed the trunk, she turned to me, "Kitty, I am going to miss you."
I was going to miss Susan too, so I embraced her. Then, very determinedly I composed myself and walked out of the chamber to say my goodbyes. I was halfway down the staircase when Susan called after me.
"Miss! I hope the smile reaches your eyes one day." Susan was not fooled, I just hope I can fool everyone else.
While the trunks were being packed into the carriage, I took my leave of the household. Georgie cried and did not seem to see anything wrong in my appearance, excepting she thought I was very sad to go away. Lizzy looked concerned.
'Kitty are you sure you are all right to travel? I am going to miss you a great deal."
"I am fine, Lizzy. I am looking forward to going home, I confess, I have been a little homesick. But that is not to say I won't miss you."
Lizzy gave me such a hug, that I was sure she would break my ribs. "Perhaps you can come visit us for Christmas?"
"Maybe Lizzy."
Darcy stood by the carriage to hand me in. We were far enough away from the others to speak with out being heard.
"I'm going to miss you Puck, I will only have one silly female to contend with! But seriously, what is the matter?"
"Nothing, homesickness maybe? But nothing more serious than that."
"Really?" He raised his eyebrows at me, "Are you sure? You look a great deal like I did when I returned from my aunt's last year." He handed me into the carriage and then shut the door. He started to walk away, but he turned back and spoke through the window.
"I hope dear Kitty, that you will not have to fall into a pond to make your wish come true." He smiled at that, and waved the carriage on. Leaving me to be rather confused. Fall into a pond? What on earth is he talking about, I really think somewhere in the Fitzwilliam past there was an incumbent of Bedlam. Fitzwilliam........................Horatio Fitzwilliam.............NO! I am not to think of such things! So I didn't. The carriage passed through many nice quaint villages, the scenery was very interesting and the weather continued fine. I most certainly did not feel lonely. How could I?
Part XXVIII
The carriage pulled up outside of Longbourn, Mary, Mama, Papa and even Jane were outside awaiting my arrival. The footman handed me down from the carriage. Mama rushed towards me, holding a handkerchief that fluttered in the wind. It took all my strength to try and return her smile and match her enthusiasm.
"Oh my darling Kitty! Six months! I thought I could not stand being parted from you for so long" So absence does make the heart fonder. "But here you are, and looking quite the Lady" Lady Ashbourne I should have been...no I shall be strong. "Is this a new gown! And travelling cloak! Oh look at your hair!"
Mama continued rambling as I made my greetings to the rest of the household. Mary was quite shocked at my sisterly embrace, but since she was likely to be my only companion for quite some time, I feel I should be on good terms with her. Jane received a similar embrace; she did not look the old married woman quite yet. Oh, but I don't think I could stand looking at her marital felicity too long without growing bitter. Papa got a kiss on the cheek, and for my pains I was rewarded with a "I'm glad you have come back Kitty."
I could not satisfy Mama's questions about my new clothes, for they were presents from Lizzy, well, also from Darcy but he would never admit to buying gowns. In fact, when I paraded them around at Pemberley asking whether I looked nice and did he notice any great change he would feign naivete and reply, "Oh, have you done something with your hair?" Susan, who I deeply missed already, being my only confidante in a matter most...No, I said I would not talk about it. Susan was an excellent hairdresser and taught me how to instruct someone into doing the most becoming styles. Again, whenever I showed them off at Pemberley, Lizzy and Georgie would be in raptures and Darcy would say "Oh, is that a new reticule Kitty?" I thought I would not miss them, but I do, my sister, a new friendship and a dreadful older brother.
But back to the steps of Longbourn. Since Mama would not accept my knowledge of the presents I invited her, and Mary and Jane, to come up and unpack my trunks. Mama seized upon this and raced up the stairs, leaving me little time to bid hello to Hill, Sarah and our butler. I could hear Mama from down the stairs saying rather loudly to Mary who had followed her up. "You see I told you what a fine thing it would be for your sister! 10,000 a year, surely she must have been thrown in the path of other rich men. Mary you must be her confidante."
Dear Mama, I'm sure she could not know how her words hurt me. I can not believe I am thinking fondly of my Mama, almost 6 months separation but have strengthen my filial love for her. Jane smiled at me, her goodness making me feel a little better, we linked arms and together we went to brave Mama's raptures.
I found that all I had to do on entering my chambers, was to sit on one of the chairs and make remarks over things Mama seized from the trunks. ?"Oh look at this bonnet! Oh and this gown, you must have been the belle of the ball....but why are you not married? Ooh this cream gown is so fine!" My sisters were like wise engaged but their comments were compliments, mine were facts.
"Kitty, did you know that Charles and I were thinking of removing to London for Christmas? Mr. Darcy wrote to Charles a little while ago saying that you might not find that scheme unwelcome. Would you like to come to London with us? We will leave in October. We would be very happy to have you."
London! Go to London! I can't go to London! But I could not think of an excuse, oh, why could I not think of an excuse. Suddenly I saw that Mary had turned away in her chair and an idea struck me. If I could not be happy, I could make my sister so.
"Me go to London! I have already been and dear Darcy is fooling with you, there is nothing in London for me. He is playing some monstrous trick on the both of us and he must be stopped. Though the concerts, the plays and the balls would not be unwelcome.....to Mary, I think. Take her to London, I think you shall find her a much more agreeable companion. And I do believe I can remember some words of mine that might strengthen Mary's claim. "I have just as much right to be asked as she has, and more too, for I am two years older." Although there is only a little over one years gap between us I think the sentiment can be claimed to be the same."
Jane looked at me with such goodwill, I do not know why but her next words showed her meaning. She leaned over to kiss me.
"You are too good Kitty. I see you have not just grown better in appearance." Jane drew back and looked at Mary who looked overjoyed.
"Mary would you like to go?"
"Oh! Yes I would. Thank you Kitty."
"There is no reason to thank me Mary! I have had six months of fun, why should you not have some too?" Another sisterly embrace gave me time to recollect that not all of that time had been fun, in fact the last two months have been very painful.
But Mama broke the sisterly bond, suddenly shrieking!
"Oh Kitty!!!!!!!! Oh, Oh you must wear this to the Lucas's! I dare say Lady Lucas will die when she sees this around your neck!! Oh I knew Lizzy ought not marry Mr. Collins, she is better off where she is."
"What are you talking of Mama?" I rose rather alarmed at Mama's sudden outburst, then I saw what I had hoped never to clasp eyes on again, Ash's necklace. I could throttle Susan for packing it, I sunk back into the chair. I hoped no one had seen how pale I must be now but Jane and Mary were over by the bed admiring the necklace.
Jane returned to me first, "Oh, Mr. Darcy must be very kind to give you such a gift or perhaps Lizzy gave it to you?"
Luckily, I did not have to make any reply. Mama had already decreed that her dear, wonderful, good, charming, lovely, obliging, virtuous son-in-law must have given me such a present. With such force on Mama's side, who was I to tell her otherwise?
Mama bade me to put it on immediately and I obliged her by putting the hated thing around my neck. Mama lead me to the vanity and I sat down and looked into the mirror. I suppose I hadn't really looked at myself since Lydia went away. Before that we were always in front of a mirror, trying on bonnets, dresses talking of men and talking of everything. So instead of that silly, little, prettyish, insignificant girl I was expecting to see, I saw someone I did not even know. I looked very well, London or something must have agreed with me. I no longer saw the fretful, sickly look that sometimes clouded my features. My hair was pulled back up high, but instead of a bun, the hair fell down the back of my head in ringlets. The new gown was a deep green colour and matched with Ash's necklace seemed to set off something in my brown eyes. I always thought my eyes dull, but they seemed bright today even if it was from pain.
Part XXIX
"A Viscount's daughter, but what a pity she should not have a title, it would have sounded so well to introduce her as 'Kitty's friend Lady Sophia!' La! but never mind, when all our neighbours see Kitty like this, oh they will be jealous. Oh but this is nonsense about Mary going to London. Kitty must go, for looking like this she will be married in a trice!"
"It is not nonsense Mama. I have no wish to go to London. Mary will have such fun and I would have none."
"No Kitty, I will speak to your father. You will go to London for there are no gentlemen for you here. Mary had better stay here and meet Mr. Phillip's new clerk. That will do very well for her."
"NO Mama. I will not go to London. How can you speak of your own daughter like that, I am ashamed of you. Mary has many talents that London will appreciate. It is I who have none."
Mama turned a deep shade of purple and hurried out of the room shouting, "Mr. Bennet! Mr. Bennet!" Mary gave me a thankful look and Jane looked at me as though I had grown a third head. But I did not care, there was no one in the world who could persuade me to go to London again. Well perhaps there was a person but.......we shall not speak of him.
That night at the dinner table, Papa congratulated Mary on her upcoming trip to London. Mama had such a look on her face she did not speak a word to anyone. The whole thing turned out to be a blessing in disguise for now I would not be hounded about who I met in London and why I wasn't married. Instead I had a conversation with Papa, of course this was when Mama was not in hearing distance.
"You are a good girl Kitty you have made your sister very happy."
"I deserve no such words, Papa. I would have despised going to London and I know Mary will enjoy it."
"Still, to give up a chance to escape your mother?"
"Mary has had six months of it! I think I owe it to Mary to help her escape."
"Well, well, my dear, just don't say I didn't warn you when she tries to foist you onto Mr. Phillip's new clerk."
"Not a word of protest shall cross my lips, Papa." Papa looked at me strangely when I said that but he seemed to let the comment pass. The conversation then turned to books.
The next day Sophy arrived. Mama who was still not talking to me, sent Hill to tell me that she requested that I wear the necklace, since I am destined to be at Longbourn for a very long time I thought it best to try and appease Mama.
So that is how I came to be sitting in our parlour facing Sophy wearing what felt to me like a noose around my neck. Mama and Mary after meeting my guest scurried off to be annoyed and to practise the pianoforte respectively. Sophy looked a bit more haggard than I remembered her.
"Oh Kitty! I am so glad to see you!" Sophy crossed the parlour to sit with me on the sofa.
'I'm happy to see you too Sophy! But you look so pale, I hope travelling has not made you unwell."
"No, it is Spencer. Since you went away I continually told him to forget his silly pact but he wouldn't. He said there was no hurry and if there was any danger he would propose. How can he not see that Lord Ashbourne......."
"Maybe the gossips have been mistaken? Stranger things have happened." I replied not believing a word of it.
"Maybe. But Spencer and Lord Ashbourne left London after that public disagreement. What am I to do?"
"Nothing Sophy. There is nothing you can do but enjoy our very simple but Ash free society." This elicited a smile from Sophy.
"Yes, I am determined to enjoy myself. But Kitty, that necklace... your Mama said the Darcys gave it to you??" A frown of thought crossed Sophy's face. I knew in a minute she would say something like 'But they never gave you such a gift while you were in London?' or 'But you never wrote of it.' So, I swiftly stood up and told her that a nice walk around the gardens would do her good. Sophy did not bring up the subject again and that night I buried the necklace deep into one of my drawers.
The country air did most definitely agree with Sophy. She lost her worried and haggard looks. Everyone in Meryton was delighted with her, the attentions they bestowed on her were to the extreme. I would hate to think what they would have done if they knew they were entertaining a future duchess. Sophy made my life so much more enjoyable and I was sad that she was only to stay for five weeks so that she could be in London in time for her October birthday.
In the first two weeks, there was a Meryton Assembly to attend, a party at the Phillip's, a party at the Lucas' and a Bennet dinner to help organise. Sophy took delight in all of them, though I think her enjoyment would have been much less if she had not been the guest of honour at all. The Miss Longs and the Miss Gouldings were quite jealous of her, but at the same time they were scrambling over each other to become her most intimate friend. Sophy did encourage their society, though I do not blame her for I think she found me a great deal colder and more melancholy than when I left London. Often I found myself on the outskirts of the party, where Sophy was reigning queen.
"Kitty! Where have you been?" admonished Sophy at the Lucas' party. I had been out on a little balcony with stairs down to one of the gardens close to the house. Sophy pulled me back inside the house. "I have been very worried about you."
"Surely you have been having too much of a good time!" Sophy led me to a secluded part of the room because she obviously wished to talk to me in private.
"Nonsense Kitty! Now you act cheerful, you look cheerful but I know you aren't. Will you not tell me, your dearest friend, what the matter is?"
"Sincerely I thank you for your concern, but it is really nothing. Getting used to quiet country life after almost 4 months in London, is quite difficult. Losing society, amusement, friendships and a wonderful shopping district is hard upon a girl." It was not lying, really it wasn't, I was missing all these things and I was mostly upset over losing friendships and I don't have to tell her whose friendship I'm missing do I?
"Oh, I am relieved. But Kitty your mother said Mrs. Bingley offered to take you to London. They are to leave when I leave, but you refused to go!"
I blushed. I should have known Mama would mention that Jane offered to take me. I can see her now, "Oh Miss Chestier she is such an ungrateful girl! To refuse to go to London! She will never marry now!"
"Sophy, I can't go to London again!" I burst out.
"Why ever not Kitty?" she replied sounding alarmed.
"Because it would be terribly unfair to poor Mary." I breathed deeply trying to look cool, calm and collected.
"Well, if you say so Kitty. Though, I did think our friendship meant more to you." Sophy stood up rather haughtily.
"Oh no Sophy! Think about it, you will turn 21 meaning a very happy event will occur! Do you want to have to entertain me, when you could be spending all your time with a certain gentleman?"
Sophy sat down again but she still looked upset.
"So who did you really get that necklace from Kitty? Was it that Mr. Wasop you told me about?"
"NO!" I exclaimed, perhaps I little too loudly for some members of the party turned to look at us. I lowered my voice, "No! Mr. Wasop did not give me the necklace."
Sophy looked archly at me, obviously thinking it was a case of "I think the lady doth protest too much." ss
"Well, if you can be comfortable with a gift from such a man. Though, I thought a man who was practically given a dishonourable discharge for cowardice was beneath you. Obviously I thought wrongly."
"Dishonourable discharge??"
"Yes, didn't you know he was Lord Ashbourne's Lieutenant in the regulars??"
"No, I didn't." That would explain why Wasop made up those stories about Ash and their dislike of each other. I still cannot believe that I was taken in by those stories of his. Then to find out he was lying about getting medals in the army. My silence was misconstrued by Sophy because she rose quickly and left me but not before hissing.
"Kitty, you are lying to me, I know it. I don't know what about but until you decide you really want to be friends with me I take my leave of you."
Part XXX
A sorry state of affairs. Mama would not talk to me. Sophy would not talk to me. Mary would only talk of morality and London, both topics which pained me. Jane represented all that I wanted and could not have. And Papa, he was thoroughly insensible of the goings on because he had a lock on the library door, so he gained my envy.
Though Sophy received a letter two days after the Lucas party and the morning after our dinner party. This letter made her forget her promise and she came running up to my chamber calling out my name.
She burst through the door. "Kitty! Kitty What am I to do!! Lord Ashbourne is coming HERE!"
'WHAT!"
"He is coming to 'visit Mr. Bingley' but that can not be his real reason." She flung the letter at me and fell upon my bed.
I scanned quickly through the letter, which was from Sophy's Aunt Mrs. Byrnes.
I will put the news that will excite you greatly first so as to appease your curiosity which I know will be great.
Lord Ashbourne has suddenly decided to visit his dear friend Mr. Bingley at Netherfield. Which is as I understand it three miles from where you are residing at Longbourn. This visit was hastily proposed, the reason being given that he was called quickly away last time he visited, however you must know that the Bingley's are coming away to London very shortly, making his reason seem very fantastic. In fact he should be arriving hard on the heels of this letter!
He must as you have well guessed, have a different motive for going into the country. Now, dear niece, you know your papa's concern for your well-being and I know you are a good dutiful girl. If you choose not to understand my meaning because of a sense of modesty and propriety I shall say no more. However, the additional news that Lord Ashbourne was seen buying a ring recently in town may strengthen your ideas on the subject.
Now on to...............
Much love your,
Aunt Byrne.Dearest Niece,
{Cut family details, advice on gowns, details on new fashion disasters, which you will be surprised made gratuitous mention of Miss Bingley, though it must be said she is not a NEW fashion disaster.}
I read the entire letter hoping against hope that Mrs. Byrne would write somewhere that the opening was a joke and that it was not true.
"Kitty! Well, what shall I do! He has most probably already got my Papa's permission to pay addresses to me. He will not have left London without them."
"Surely your father.............."
"He is blind! He does not see that I am madly in love with Spencer!"
"You could refuse to................"
"I can't disobey Papa! He is the dearest thing in the world to me!"
"Perhaps you could............................"
"I shall be not at home to him when he calls! That is it, I will not see him! You can convince your mother that we will ALL not be at home to him."
Hmmmmmm, the likelihood that Mama will agree to refuse seeing the heir apparent to an earldom who is also single, good-natured and excessively wealthy. It rates up there with the likelihood that the sky will fall on my head or that orange is the best colour for Miss Bingley's complexion.
"Ummm........I do not think that my Mama..........."
"No! you are right I could not ask your mother to be so rude. I will feign illness."
"For the next three ..............................."
"Oh! And I will contrive to be in company all the time. I'm sure dear Alice and Sarah will oblige."
I couldn't help thinking that Alice and Sarah Long will be after Ash for themselves.
"Well, that is a good..........................."
"But, they might not realise that I do not want his attentions, or will think I'm only being modest and contrive a way for us to be alone."
"Do you not think....................."
"Perhaps it would be better for me to go back to London."
"Wouldn't that seem rather........................."
"Yes, or perhaps I could go somewhere else where he could not.............."
"Sophy! You have interrupted everything I have been trying to say! You obviously do not really want to hear my opinions so why don't you talk to the mirror, you'll get a better response!!" With that I grabbed my bonnet and coat and quitted the house.
Insufferable!!! As much as I love Sophy, she was getting on my nerves and I need to be out of that house. I could not think.............. Ash was coming to Longbourn.............To propose to Sophy..............Sophy would have to accept him.............Sophy would be Lady Ashbourne................His grace would be so hurt................I would die an old maid.....................unless I married that clerk.........................but he is so dull....................Ash is so...............tall.......................handsome......................was in the army....................I don't even love him for that!.............even if he hadn't been a colonel............so inferior to Mr. Wasop.......................that necklace........green, now my favourite colour............am I envious? .............of course I am.............................. Lady Catherine Ashbourne .............Viscountess............................ Countess Matlock.............Lady Matlock.........................this Mama is my husband, Viscount Ashbourne......I would always have that necklace.....................treasure it for always..........I refused to take a carriage ride with him..................I accused him of the most dreadful things....................How can I expect love..............I am so stupid..........................oh what am I to do now!!!!
On that last thought the heavens opened. A veritable torrent poured down on me.
"Why Me? Why must you do this to me!" I screamed to no one in particular. Then I looked around. I had no idea where I was, I was lost, I had been walking all the time I have been thinking. Then a chilling thought struck me. Deja Vu. I have been here before. I picked up my skirts and ran how far and in which direction did not matter, I just had to run.
Part XXXI and Epilogue
I was soaked to the bone in a matter of minutes so the rain did not affect me. The wind whipped up by the storm, tore my bonnet from my head. With the rain beating down upon my unprotected head, the already loose hairstyle came tumbling down. Hair fell in my eyes I could not see. My foot felt something soft and slippery. Down I fell, into a heap at the bottom of a bank. I was sitting in a pool of muddy water. I struggled to stand up but I managed to. Feeling frightfully cold and lonely I realised I was on a road.
Through my daze I thought I could hear horse hooves. I must be dreaming, but I wasn't, I looked up and saw a familiar livery approaching. I pinched myself for I thought I must be going mad. It could not be..................
"Kitty!!" A figure leapt from the carriage and practically ran towards me. Just as he reached me I felt my legs give way. The figure caught me up in his arms and strode towards the carriage. He climbed inside.
"Hurry James to Netherfield"
The next thing I was definitely sure of was being inside the carriage. I was actually in Ash's lap with my arms around his neck and he didn't seem to be making any move to dislodge me.
"You stupid, stupid girl! What were you thinking?" He pushed back the hair from my face looking intently into my eyes. Cupping my face in his hand, he leant forward.
What! Doesn't he love Sophy after all? No! you stupid girl he is kissing you! Maybe he thinks I am Sophy? Do you look like Sophy? Well..............Then he does know he kissing you. Maybe he is drunk? Well you are the one kissing him, does it taste as though he is drunk? No...perhaps I should push him away that would be proper. Are you out of your tree? Are you running a temperature? Are you ill.? LISTEN TO ME KITTY BENNET DO NOT PUSH HIM AWAY NOW! YOU HAVE HIM RIGHT WHERE YOU WANT HIM!
Ash pulled away, I looked up at him with what would have to be the most shocked and surprised expression ever in the history of the universe.
"I'm sorry Miss Bennet, forgive me.............I should have................" He started to stutter, he is so cute when agitated.
"No, don't be sorry" That's right use the nice demure voice that always gets them!
I reached up and brushed Ash's jaw and then pulled it towards me. Yipee I knew you were a smart cookie Kitty Bennet! You see you aren't so silly after all!! The voice then subsided obviously content to continue watching the events rather then prod them along. I wondered what it was, I can only assume it is my inner self.
We broke away from each other once more. "So you don't love Sophy?" I said conversationally, well I wanted to know and we were in danger of being in an awkward situation. What could be more awkward then sitting in the lap of a man, kissing him and dripping wet? I thought you were just going to be a spectator! Fine, fine, just don't come running to me.......................
"Sophy?? Why on earth would you think that!"
"Well you did pay her a lot of attention..........."
"That was because one of my dearest friends is head over heels in love with her! I wished to know her better before Spence completely monopolises her!"
"Oh! Well, there was all sorts of gossip going around!" Ash looked severely at me, "But I did not really believe it until the bit where you and his grace were seen arguing!"
Ash started to chuckle.
"What! What is so funny?" I demanded, frowning at him.
"Just that whole event, if you want to know the truth, you shall hear it. Spence and I met in Easting's Jewellers, which has a reputation of setting very unique jewellery. We both were after cufflinks. Easting's is the best place to buy them because they make two pairs, you can buy both pairs and then if you lose a cufflink you have a pair to fall back on..........."
"What has this got to do with the argument?"
"Patience is a virtue..........." I hit him good-natured on the shoulder.
"You sound like Mary!"
"Sorry, Sorry! But back to the tale. It turned out that we were after the same cufflinks. I had had my eye on them for weeks and Spence claimed the same. Mr. Easting's suggested we split the pair and have one set each but we would not hear of it. I exclaimed I wanted to wear them to my wedding and it would not do to have someone else with the same cufflinks. Matter of pride you know! But the deuce thing was Spence claimed the same thing! He then decided to pull precedence on me. 'I'm a Duke, a Duke has a responsibility for these kind of things!' That never worked with me, even at Eton! Mr. Easting shooed us out of the shop because for some reason our heated argument was distracting customers. Spence assumed he had got the better of me, so I pulled rank on him. You see I was a colonel in the army, he only ever made major. Anyway to cut a long story short,"
"Too late" I whispered under my breath.
"We both stormed off and left London in a miff with each other. I repented and sent directions that those cufflinks be bought and sent to Spence. So imagine my surprise when a pair turned up at the house I was staying at! It turned out Spence had the exact same idea. So that is the whole story, a pointless turn of affairs all it did was get our names in the Scandal sheets and make us the proud owners of identical cufflinks which we will never wear."
I really couldn't help laughing. It was too funny.
"Why are you laughing?" Exclaimed Ash sounding a bit hurt.
"Men! You are too much sometimes!" Thankfully Ash appreciated the joke.
"Ash can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, you can ask me anything," replied Ash pushing back the errant strands of hair that kept falling into my face.
"Why didn't you want to tell me about the Army? About being wounded and being Mr. Wasop's colonel?"
"A little bird told me that you had quite a 'thing' for anything to do with the army, I didn't want you to like me because of that. Also I didn't want your pity. As for Wasop, he isn't such a bad guy, I don't dislike him in fact I tried my hardest to keep him out of trouble and I get him invitations to places. Though he did for a while have my envy."
"Why does he dislike you then?" Envy! He was envious of Mr. Wasop, how simply adorable!!!!
"I don't know! There are some men who hate you for helping them."
"Oh, well remind me to punish your 'little bird' when I next go into Derbyshire." I replied.
"How did you know it was Darce?"
"He never was a very good matchmaker, he should leave these things to his offsider." Yes, he should have left the whole thing up to me
"His offsider? Who would that be?" replied Ash sounding rather confused.
"I tell you some other time," I replied playfully. I settled back into his arms. It seemed like I was made to fit there, the carriage motion was so steady and the rain was so rhythmic my eye lids started to close. Ash talked about London for some time but I was not hearing most of it.
"Yes, so I was going to ask you to marry me then....................."
"What!" I sprung up out of my daze.
"When you were leaving for Pemberley, I was going to give you that necklace and ask you to marry me, but then you said that I was a true friend and ...............my courage gave way."
Arrgh! I could have saved myself all this hassle! But no! Hey but wait he hasn't asked me to marry him yet!
"Well who says I will marry you?" I asked archly.
"What?!" Now it was his turn to jump.
"Well you haven't actually asked me yet."
"Oh!" Ash visibly relaxed, "Well Miss Bennet, may I call you Kitty? Kitty, will you do me the greatest honour and condescend to become my wife?"
"Yes sir I will" I tightened my hold around his neck and we engaged in a rather passionate embrace that neither of us realised the carriage had stopped. That is to say we did not realise until the footman gave a rather embarrassed cough as he stood by the open carriage door trying to look every other direction but at us.
REACTIONS:
MR BENNET
Mr Bennet turned from the brandy, putting his glass down on the table. "Kitty? As in my daughter Kitty? About so high, chestnut hair, excessively silly?" He said waving his hand around at about the height his fourth daughter was.
"Yes Sir, Kitty.' Ash nodded his head.
"You sure about that?..........................You didn't..." Mr. Bennet's eyes narrowed. Cogs turned in his head, sure Kitty had grown rather striking and a trifle less silly but could this man really want to marry her? And if so, was there any other motivation?
"No sir! I'm a gentlemen."
"Ok...................so let me get this straight...............YOU, Lord Ashbourne want to marry my daughter Catherine. Yes?" Mr. Bennet grabbed his glass and gulped down the brandy.
"Yes, sir, for the last time, I love your daughter and I want to marry her." Ash was growing tired of this banter, it had taken him twenty minutes to get the courage to inform Mr. Bennet of his intentions, now the blasted man was not understanding him.
"You love her do you? Well then, I guess you better marry her." Well, well thought Mr. Bennet, didn't I say that a man might want a stupid wife! But perhaps that is not wholly fair on Kitty, he mused
"Thank you, sir" replied Ash. Finally! He thought!
MRS BENNET
Mrs. Bennet ran into her daughter Kitty's chamber. Mrs. Bennet was very flustered, this was not the first time her daughter had been found wandering around in the rain. The Lucas's, artful people that they are, were bound to start gossiping about it and then there was the fact that her daughters were not married. At 19 and 18 respectively! Why, could they not be like her dearest younger daughter! Married at 16!
"Lost in the rain! Kitty, what will become of you! No one will wish to marry you, traipsing across the countryside, like a country heathen! You are a very silly child. Refusing to go to London! When your father is dead in his grave and we are turned out by the Collinses, I will not be able to keep you. And then what will become of you! Think of that!" Mrs. Bennet was very proud of this statement maybe Kitty would now accept the addresses of Mr. Phillip's clerk!
Kitty sighed from her place upon the bed. "Mama, Lord Ashbourne asked me to marry him."
Mrs. Bennet gasped and sunk down into a nearby chair. She could not breathe, she could not think. As one would say the lights were on but no one was at home.
"Lord..................................30, 000........................Viscountess" Mrs. Bennet mumbled, causing Kitty to become most distressed
"Jane! Jane! Get up here!" Kitty shrieked. Her sisters Jane and Mary replied to her call and came running to their sister's chamber.
"Kitty! What is the matter.................................Mama!" cried Jane. Mary and Jane rushed to assist Mrs. Bennet. They flapped handkerchiefs, loosened clothing and waved smelling salts but to no avail. Mrs. Bennet was still insensible, though many would say this was her natural state.
Kitty was distraught, What had she done? She had sent her own mother into an apoplexy!!! But suddenly Mrs. Bennet revived, leapt up from her chair and rushed over to the bed.
"Oh! I knew you weren't my favourite child for nothing! And never to tell us what a good joke! Oh you darling little girl!" Mrs. Bennet raved, like no one had ever raved before, she was ecstatically happy, perhaps not for Kitty and perhaps not even for Lord Ashbourne but she was happy that she could now triumph over Lady Lucas and perhaps her middle child would accept the addresses of Mr. Phillip's clerk.
"Jane, you sly thing, you knew didn't you?" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed
"Know of what Mama?" Jane asked looking confused.
"Of Lord Ashbourne and Kitty!"
Jane and Mary's eyes widened to the size of saucers. Immediately well-wishing and congratulations fell at Kitty's door. Jane's were heart felt and so were Mary's, if you regard quotes from well known sermon books, heart felt.
"Kitty!................................." Ash and Charles walked into the room. Ash stopping suddenly when he saw his prospective mother-in-law. Mrs. Bennet was thrilled, mentally she was adding up how much the articles of clothing he was wearing must of cost. The sum, impressed Mrs. Bennet in to giving Ash her most charming welcoming smile.
Ash rather afraid of this terror in front of him (he had heard stories! And those few days he had spent under the same roof with her had inspired this terror.) Ash grabbed the nearest thing, which happened to be Charles and used him as a shield.
"I see you're busy, we will come back later.............won't we Charles." The latter part was partially hissed because Charles seemed to want to give his congratulations to Kitty. Ash, a man who, as a Colonel had faced many a vicious enemy without showing any signs of fear or ever retreating from the face of battle, ran. He propelled Charles out of the room with him, however our dashing hero rather under-estimated the strength and power of this particular enemy.
Mrs. Bennet was in hot pursuit, with her frightening battle cries echoing through out Netherfield. "Oh Lord Ashbourne!!!!!..............what is your favourite dish? You must tell me......................and where precisely is your town house??????????????????"
MISS CHESTIER
Miss Chestier had the wonderful good fortune to run into Mrs. Bennet, who after cornering her enemy and extracting the top secret information, had hastened off to find Lady Lucas.
So, Miss Chestier having ventured out of Longbourn for a quick walk, saw Mrs. Bennet and went to ask if Kitty was well.
"Miss Chestier have you heard the news! Kitty is engaged, though he has not given her a ring yet. Engaged!"
"Kitty? Engaged?" Miss Chestier was excessively surprised. Her first thought was that it might be that clerk that Mrs. Bennet seemed to be foisting on one or the other of her daughters. Miss Chestier hoped this was not the case, because Kitty deserved better.
"Yes engaged! I dare say you know the gentleman. Kitty always was my favourite! Lady Ashbourne! Oh, how well that sounds and only eighteen!"
"Lady Ashbourne!" exclaimed Miss Chestier. But Mrs. Bennet was off, she had espied her next quarry, in the shape of Mrs. Long. "Yooo Hoooo!! Mrs. Long!!! Have you heard the news!!! "
Miss Chestier realising that gaining knowledge and sense from the quarter of Mrs. Bennet was futile, so not caring what the country nobodies thought of her, she picked up her skirt and ran.
She burst into her friend's room at Netherfield.
"Your Mama just told me! How could I be so wrong?"
"How could I be so wrong?" Kitty exclaimed as Miss Chestier leapt upon the bed, laughing.
"I'm so sorry for everything Kitty!"
"It doesn't matter anymore!" The two girls laughed and giggled and talked at once in the way that only silly young girls can do
"We can have a double wedding!" exclaimed Miss Chestier, who although not yet engaged to the Duke of Whitfield felt it to be as close to certainty as possible.
"With identical cufflinks!" Laughed Kitty. Miss Chestier was greatly confused by this statement, until Kitty informed her of the fateful tale.
"Men!.................though I think I can understand...................no I can't!" replied Miss Chestier, who decided that indeed that men must come from a different planet (and if she was born about 200 years later she most definitely would have thought it to be Mars.)
MRS DARCY (and Miss Darcy)
Miss Darcy and Mrs. Darcy both received expresses from the depth of Hertforshire. The news that it contained sent both of them scurrying to their writing desks. Broken pen nibs, ink stains, no paper were obstacles that meant nothing to them.
Dearest Kitty!
Oh! I cannot express my shock! I didn't know! Oh, how cruel we were to take you away from London! Mama has sent me a letter, though I do not think I need to repeat what she wrote! Oh, I so hope you will be happy! Matlock is very close to Pemberley! And has Jane told you that they are buying an estate up here! Oh, we shall be all very close! We must have Mary to stay with us! Oh, I am rambling! And I have written oh five times! No, make that six! I shall soon sound like Mama! I depend on seeing you soon! Oh, here is Georgie.
{8 sides of rapturous writing stemmed from Miss Darcy's pen! Basically one can assume she was very happy by the news.}
MR DARCY
Darcy heard the news from his wife and sister and also from an express from his cousin. Darcy was not at all surprised by the news, he felt it coming, though we will not attribute this to a supernatural power rather from the fact that men are weak creatures and spill their troubles to all and sundry. Practically everyone who belonged to Ash's clubs knew he was head over heels for some girl, although Darcy was one of the very few who knew the lady's name or indeed the lady herself. He sat down and composed a note to send to his future cousin, he took care to find words of more than 4 syllables but soon his enthusiasm to write made him give up and he wrote normally. (Or as normally as an education from Eton and Cambridge will allow).
Dear Puck.
If you have used some trick, to secure my cousin I shall be most seriously displeased.
But, if you did, I must ask you what took you so long? He was well under your spell in April! May I inquire if he has told you the pistols at dawn story? Or the story where he staked quite a number of guineas on the sun NOT rising the next morning? You may rest assure that Lord Worth did not take him up on that wager, instead suffered to try and deliver him safely home. I will note that he is not the only man to have suffered while my dear cousin was suffering under this infliction which hopefully you have cured.
On a more serious note, you will, I hope, cure him of his one bad habit. That being to flee to Scotland anytime something doesn't go his way?
If you have surmised that I did have previous knowledge of my dear cousins attachment, you will live up to my expectations of your intelligence. My only joy is that I can now tell Lizzy all those secrets she thought I was keeping from her.
My sister has informed me, in much the way silly women do that she is delighted! Eight sides of paper! Gosh! I only got four! Perhaps that was because I was only marrying an angel while you are marrying a over-grown adolescent who still takes delight in annoying his younger brother and cousin. I hope you are writing your sincere apologies to the Colonel at this very moment. I managed to escape to Pemberley, he unfortunately was not allowed to cut short his leave. The General forbade it, instead he had to put up (for a second time I might add) with the ranting of a crazed man in love! No wonder the poor man is a confirmed bachelor.
Much love and well wishing
Oberon.
(that's King of the Fairies to you!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LORD AND LADY MATLOCK
Lord Matlock reclined in his easy chair in front of the fire. His wife, Lady Matlock sat upon the settee, embroidering a handkerchief. They were discussing, as parents do, their children, occasionally the topic swayed to other people's children, but it was always children.
"How you do think Georgiana finds Pemberley with her new sister?" asked Lady Matlock?
"Very well I think, Elizabeth is a charming woman, just the type to draw out our dear niece."
"Yes, Elizabeth is the dearest person I have ever known! What my dear did you think of her sisters?"
"Sisters? You mean Miss Catherine?"
"My dea,r you met Mrs. Bingley at the wedding and the other Bennet girl, Mary as well!"
"Oh but only briefly!"
"Still some opinion must have been formed!"
"Well, Mrs. Bingley seemed a very complaisant, compassionate woman, Bingley's equal in every regard I dare say! Miss Bennet.........well........she is certainly well read!!" smiled Lord Matlock.
"Now, you have gone and left out Kitty!"
"Oh, Miss Catherine!! You know I like her excessively, did I tell you she almost spilt tea all over me! Charming little thing, she grew very pretty over her time in London!"
"I'm glad you like her as much as I do, my lord!" replied Lady Matlock, giving Lord Matlock a small smile.
"What ever do you mean by that Harriet!"
"Only, I think I may have discovered Horrie's trouble."
"Horrie's trouble?..............oh MISS BENNET!" exclaimed Lord Matlock slapping his thigh, "Why did I not think of that?"
"Because you are a man, men never think of these things!"
"Harriet! I'm very perceptive............normally, but tell me how certain are you!"
"Oh excessively!"
"Women's intuition, no doubt!" scorned Lord Matlock, "I will wait until my boy has written a letter, or come to see me personally. Then, we shall see if you can triumph over me in the perceptive stakes!"
Lady Matlock smirked at her husband, before tossing a letter into his lap, "I think we can safely say I am the more perceptive!"
"That isn't fair! You had prior knowledge!" laughed Lord Matlock after reading his son's meagre lines.
"Very little! Why could you not teach your son to write longer letters! We shall have to wait till they come to London to find out more! Oh, isn't this the happiest thing for our family" sighed Lady Matlock.
The word 'family' started off various cogs in Lord Matlock's brain, he shuddered.
"Catherine!" he spat out the dreaded name with difficulty
"Surely you do not disapprove!!" cried his wife fearfully.
"Not THAT ONE!" swallowed Lord Matlock. Both pairs of eyes swung to the Fitzwilliam Family Portrait. Their eyes wandered past the old Earl and countess, across Lady Anne's fine features, over the present Earl's more youthful countenance, down past another young man's face which twigged at the Earl's heart and on to the face that inspired such a range of emotions, Lady Catherine.
"How 'bout you tell her, my dear" coaxed Lord Matlock.
"How 'bout I do.........................when the sky turns orange!"
Thus the argument continued.
COLONEL RICHARD FITZWILLIAM
Col. Fitzwilliam sat in the officers mess, technically he was still on leave but on his brother's dash to Hertfordshire, Col. Fitzwilliam had fled. He did so for two reasons, one: if his brother's suit was not accepted he did not wish to be around when he returned and two: if his brother's suit was accepted he did not wish to be around.
He was sure that both events would require a great deal of drinks to be imbibed, causing the intoxication of several or possibly all of the Bay Window set. That set were frightfully awful sober, but the lot of them foxed was something no grown man should have to see...........................twice.
Col. Fitzwilliam was a bachelor and was seriously considering becoming a confirmed one. He had watched his cousin through the torments of love and then his brother, being a spectator to such events caused him to seriously consider his future. The amount of brain cells one had to have to be in love was extraordinary! You had to have a jolly large amount in the first place because you killed most of them off during the courtship, for various reasons, banging your head against a wall, alcohol, from listening to various new relations sing............the list went on.
So he was in hiding in the officers mess tent, where thankfully no women seemed to be allowed. His Lieutenant joined him and sat down on the other side of the table, he put a white letter on the table and pushed it over to the Colonel.
Col. Fitzwilliam groaned as he recognised the handwriting. He closed his eyes as he opened the letter, it was no use he could just not read it. So he threw it back to the Lieutenant.
"Cowper, you read it!"
If Lieutenant Cowper was surprised he did not show it, instead he did what his superior requested. He started to read it aloud but was cut off by the Colonel.
"No! No! You read it to yourself then tell me the main thrust of the communication."
Cowper shrugged and read the letter, at the conclusion he put the letter back on the table and looked his superior.
"Well................." asked the Colonel leaning forward.
"Your brother, Lord Ashbourne appears to be getting married."
"And is he coming to London..................................??" Queried the Colonel, for that was the crucial question.
"He appears to be, sir, with the young lady..........well she is coming to stay with a sister but he is coming too....................Fitz! What is this all about?"
The Colonel sighed with relief, if Kitty was coming to London too there would be no foxed brother turning up on his doorstep along with his friends, neither would there be uproarious singing in his parent's home, nor would he be upbraided by London finest on the state of his apparel, nor would Lord Worth decided that his rarely used snuff was pathetic and try to tip it out upon the housekeepers head. Free was the Colonel from these eventualities, he could now go and write a sincere letter of congratulations to his brother.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Caroline Ann Bingley was seated in her parlour, along with her sister and a two close personal enemies (oh correction that should read friends).
"Well, Tricia, have I told you about dear Lord Ashbourne?" asked Miss Bingley, who was all sugar and spice and all things hideous.
"No, you haven't Caroline," replied Lady Tricia, in tones of deep and rich hue accompanied with all the charm of a frozen mongoose.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hurst and the Dowager Viscountess Thwaite, eyed each other down over the last chocolate eclair.
"Well, he has left town rather unexpectedly to pay a call to my brother. Isn't that odd considering he just happens to be my guardian, the one who is entitled to know all my concerns and to give me away at the necessary juncture." Replied Miss Bingley knowing all too well that she had just scored a point in the game of society.
Lady Tricia arched her eyebrows and struck below the belt. "Surely, Caroline you are well past your majority but Lord Ashbourne always was a stickler for etiquette. But if you are to become Lady Ashbourne, I am glad for it, congratulations."
Miss Bingley smiled, glad that she had at last put Lady Tricia in her place, but she would well do to remember that it is necessary to get behind someone before you can stab them in the back.
"Yes, I am heartily glad, he deserves someone his own age." Smiled Lady Tricia. Miss Bingley fumed. Both ladies raised their glasses to their lips. Both hoping the other's contained poison. They eyed each other, orange feathers and peacock tails aquiver.
Mrs. Hurst meanwhile had managed to swipe the last eclair forcing the Dowager Viscountess to actually pay attention to the conversation.
"Lord Ashbourne? You mean the Earl of Matlock's son? The one who has just got engaged to that pretty little Miss Bennet?"
The servants had quite a bit to clean up when the ladies departed. If they were expecting blood and flesh they did not show their surprise when it turned out to be spilled wine and disgorged eclair.
AUNT & UNCLE GARDINER
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were enjoying a quiet time with their dear friends the Harringtons. They had just been talking of a subject on which both parties had much to say, dear Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Darcy.
Mrs. Gardiner was just saying how glad she would be when the Bingleys came to town, when a servant entered the room with several letters.
"Oh, look here is a letter from Elizabeth and Jane, oh and dear Fanny. Oh, this is surprising Kitty has sent us a letter my dear" Mrs. Gardiner said to her husband.
"Oh, what can dear Mrs. Darcy have to say? I wonder if it is some desirable news of the kind only a married woman can impart?" queried Mrs. Harrington.
Mrs. Gardiner opened Mrs. Darcy's letter and on reading the content she became the more surprised. She quickly took up the letter from Kitty, then the letter from Mrs. Bennet and then lastly Mrs. Bingleys.
The entire company looked expectantly at her.
"My dear! I hope it is not bad news!" exclaimed Mr. Gardiner growing quite alarmed at his wife's conduct.
"I do not know! It would be considered good news but I do not know!" replied Mrs. Gardiner in quite fretful tones for Mrs. Gardiner.
"What is it?" replied Mr. Gardiner sitting forward in his chair.
"Kitty is engaged............to Lord Ashbourne, Mr. Darcy's cousin."
"Engaged? I didn't know there was an attachment there!" replied Mr. Gardiner grabbing the letters and scanning them.
"Neither did I my dear, Neither did I,.........that is what I'm worried about. If it was Lizzy or Jane I would not be thinking what I am thinking but it is Kitty!"
"You don't think............................??" asked Mrs. Harrington aghast.
"Oh no! Not anything improper, just that she might be accepting him on grounds of less than love," replied Mrs. Gardiner.
"Oh well, what is wrong with that?" asked Mrs. Harrington, for if the truth be known she did not love her husband when she accepted him and she was perfectly happy now.
"The disparity in wealth..................."
"There was nothing wrong with Jane and Bingley or Lizzy and Charles," said Mr. Gardiner.
"But there was love in their cases! Oh, I do hope Fanny hasn't compelled Kitty to do anything silly, or that Kitty herself hasn't decided to do something silly."
"Well my dear, she is coming to London with Jane you shall soon see if there is any love in the case," said Mr. Gardiner.
And so the matter was closed in the Gardiner home, but poor Aunt Gardiner did have her doubts no matter how hard she was trying not to the doubts still flooded in. For if her niece was being mercenary, her marriage would not be a success.
MRS WICKHAM
"George! George! The housekeeper wants her money! Where is it? George!" cried Mrs. Wickham.
"Oh shut up!" groaned Mr. Wickham lying in bed, with the after effects of a good night on the town.
"George! George! Guess what! Mary thinks my green frock is out-dated I really must buy a new one!!"
"Whatever!! Just go away!" Mr. Wickham swept his arm around, knocking over the small bed side table. The newly arrived letters that were placed on it were knocked under the bed, unread.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WHITFIELD (and his mother and the Fifth Earl of Worth)
Lord Worth placed a snuff box on the table for the Duchess's inspection.
"Oh, it look like one dear Matthew had," sighed the Duchess.
Lord Worth sat back in his chair, "I take it that it is acceptable then?"
"Yes, indubitably!" replied the Duchess, "Spencer what are you doing over by the window?"
"Yes man, do not tell me you have decided to end it all?" Lord Worth joked.
The Duke spun around, having previously been intently staring out of a window. His face was pure confusion.
"Are you going to jump? Or have you developed the Fitzwilliam family trait?" quipped Lord Worth, still languidly loafing in his chair.
"The Fitzwilliam family trait?" replied the Duke rather vaguely.
Lord Worth sighed, but he was not one to exert himself except just enough to stay ahead of everyone else. "Staring moodily out of windows.............you know Ash does it so does his brother and Darcy. So I reiterate are you going to jump?"
"No, I'm not blasted well going to jump" snapped the Duke.
"Spencer!" admonished the Duchess.
"Oh don't Spencer me, mother, why don't you Spencer, Worth here," replied the Duke.
Lord Worth raised his eye brows and looked questioningly at the Duke.
"Oh, you know what I mean." Replied the Duke crossly, as he stalked away from the window and sat down in a chair. He rose again quickly and started to pace.
The Duchess watched his progress concerned, she turned questioningly back to Lord Worth, who was inhaling some snuff. Lord Worth mouthed "Sophia Chestier" back at the Duchess.
"I saw that Worth!"
"Sorry, Spence, but why don't you tell us what is going on."
The Duke opened his mouth to speak as the door swung open admitting a servant carrying the mail.
"Ah, finally" exclaimed the Duke, practically grabbing the letters off the alarmed servants tray. He quickly rifled through the letters, not noticing one that dropped to the floor where it was retrieved by Lord Worth.
"Blast him!" cried the Duke throwing the rest of the letters across the table.
"Is this the one you were looking for Spence?" Lord Worth causally inquired, throwing the letter down in front of the Duke.
The Duke swept it up and practically tore it in half trying to open it, while walking across to window.
"Oh, he can go to the devil!" bellowed the Duke. The Duchess looked up surprised and shocked, Lord Worth looked more amused then anything else. The Duke turned to face the rooms occupants.
"Ash has gone and got engaged to that little Miss Bennet, you know the sweet one." said the Duke in response to his guest's looks. The Duchess opened her mouth to speak but her son cut her off.
"That's all very well and I'm very happy for him, he has been pining over the girl for weeks, nay months. But when he went to Hertfordshire I specifically asked him to find out why Sop.........Miss Chestier went away so quickly. And does he even mention her name once? No? What can that mean? Does it mean he has been too busy with the little Miss Bennet or what?" The Duke turned back towards the window.
"Going to jump now Spence?" replied Lord Worth, languidly holding his snuff box.
The Duke gave Lord Worth on of his award wining glares, guaranteed at 100 paces, but Lord Worth just laughed.
MR COLLINS (otherwise known as BOTTOM)
Mr. Collins sat at his breakfast table with his wife. Mr. Collins had a hard time choosing what dish to eat, so he scooped a helping of each one onto his plate. Then he had a hard time choosing which one to eat first, so he tried to fit a bit of each into his mouth at once.
His dear and long suffering wife, wisely chose to ignore this she instead focused on opening the days mail. (She always found she had no appetite until Mr. Collins had left the table.)
The first letter was from her mother, Lady Lucas of Hertfordshire. Her mother's writing was excessively rushed and was in parts almost impossible to read. But Mrs. Collins being a dependable and resourceful kind of women managed to understand the gist of it.
"My dear!" she exclaimed, turning to Mr. Collins.
"Mumphf?" replied Mr. Collins
"Kitty Bennet is engaged to Lord Ashbourne!!"
"Blergh??!!! MUMPSHDSFFFFFFFF" It is best not to describe here what happened to Mr. Collins, or the contents of his mouth, I do not wish to disgust you.
Mr. Collins finally after some coughing and a swig of wine managed to talk. "It must be falsehood, it must!"
"Oh no, my dear, it shall soon appear in the papers!!"
"I must go at once to my Lady Catherine De Bourgh! She will of course wish to go to Hertfordshire and counsel my cousin on the licentious, avaricious and preposterous nature of her engagement!!!" declared Mr. Collins, departing the room.
Leaving Mrs. Collins to wonder if indeed her missing dictionary had in fact made it's way into Mr. Collin's breakfast plate.
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH
No one wrote to Lady Catherine De Bourgh instead her dear brother and his wife decided to travel to Rosings, (as no one had won the argument they decided to go together) to deliver the wonderful news personally. They were in the parlour with Lady Catherine De Bourgh when there was a knock at the door.
"Pray enter!" called out the Lady.
Mr. Collins, humble clergyman extraordinare, gulped on the other side of the door, why, oh why did those sounds rearrange themselves to 'Prey, enter'? His former resolve had weakened in the walk to Rosings, he still remembered Lady Catherine's reaction last time he gave her such horrendous news.
"Ah Mr. Collins!" cried Lady Catherine, "Let me present you to Lord and Lady Matlock." Mr. Collins practically dropped to his knees at the feet of the most noble lady and lord. Lady Catherine lowered her voice and spoke to her brother, "A most respectable and proper clergyman, despite his unfortunate relations."
Mr. Collins rose to his feet and sat down on a sofa, hoping against hope that the noble lord and lady would deliver the wretched news. Alas, Lady Catherine wished to know what brought him here.
"Begging the pardon of my most estimable and deserving lord and lady, I wished to tell you news I had received from Hertfordshire. Miss Catherine Bennet, and it is on her head I lay the blame not on your nephew, has very cunningly contrived to catch your nephew in an engagement!! Your most affable and condescending personage will understand how I feel about my cousins at the moment. I will write a strongly worded letter of protest, the very minute I quit this house!!" Mr. Collins then threw himself upon the feet of his much beloved patroness, who had turned a very attractive shade of scarlet.
"GO THEN!" she hissed at the fallen figure, who with much joy leapt up and ran from the room, cursing the day he ever decided to journey into Hertfordshire.
Lady Catherine then turned to Lady and Lord Matlock, with less rage than one might suppose. The reason being that Lady Matlock had very cunningly previously spoken about Miss Bennet, using all the words that Lady Catherine liked. Young, unpretending, pretty, pliable, accomplished, the list went on.
"So brother, you have come for my assistance have you? You wish to know how to extradite Ashbourne, for I assume it to be he, from this mess?" asked Lady Catherine.
Lord Matlock who had no patience for his sister, replied, "No Catherine we are very happy with the match. We will welcome her into the family."
"This shall not be borne! Is a BENNET to be the next Countess! Our Father is turning in his grave! I tell you this will not be borne, I will never speak to any of those poor, imprudent upstarts! They think they can do what they like without any respect to their elders! This shall not be borne! Our Father would be most horrified in you Edwin!"
Lord Matlock rose out of his seat, his eyes blazing! "Father is to be left out of this Catherine! It is a well known fact he married mother despite her lack of fortune and title, compared to his!"
Lady Catherine rose to the challenge, "Mother did have SOME fortune, comparing her to this fortune hunting little trollop! Her connections Edwin!"
Lord Matlock whirled around guns blazing, this time he was going to let his sister have what for! But his wife cut him off.
"Catherine! think of it like this, Horrie is getting on, we do need to secure a succession!!"
"What about Anne!" exclaimed Lady Catherine, waving her arm at her very alarmed daughter. Lady Matlock looked at her niece and leant closer to Lady Catherine.
"Anne is very delicate, do you really think..........................?" she inquired carefully.
Lady Catherine looked at her daughter and then back at her sister-in-law, she had to concede Lady Matlock had a point.
Lady Catherine breathed in deeply, "Is she anything like THAT Miss Elizabeth?" she demanded. Lord Matlock snorted angrily and was about to retort that it was MRS DARCY now, when again his wife cut him off.
"A little bit, she is very young but not shy, very lively but more easily persuaded then her elder sister, she thinks very well of people."
"But will she be able to run a household? I think not!"
"No, I think she will be in need of a great deal of HELP" Lady Matlock stressed that point particularly
Lady Catherine's eyes gleamed, just maybe she would be able to deal with this upstart of a girl. Lady Catherine just adored telling people what to do and she found this to be a great opportunity. Besides, contrary to popular opinion she did love her nephews and she did not wish to lose another one like she had lost Darcy.
"Well, well I suppose if you, his parents will not stop it what is an aunt pray? Though when the whole thing falls on it's head, I shall not be one to say I told you so!"
There was a pause, Lady Catherine sniffed, "And I hope that this will be the last time I shall receive such news! I have no wish of this becoming an annual event!"
For calendar buffs will realise it was around this time last year that Mr. Darcy had got engaged.
Lord and Lady Matlock sighed in relief.
THE HAPPY EVENT
The happy event dawned bright. Mrs. Bennet went about scaring her daughter to death about the wedding night, Mr. Bennet locked himself in the library. Miss Chestier had great hopes that she would see her Spencer. Mrs. Darcy and Miss Darcy, were thrilled beyond all belief. Mr. Darcy was searching the vases for those certain red flowers and muttering lines from Shakespeare. Lord and Lady Matlock were hoping that nothing would go wrong and that Lady Catherine would stay at home. Col. Fitzwilliam was unconsciously removing all traces of alcohol from the sight of various ton members. Miss Bingley looked as though she had swallowed an orange. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were quite sure of Ash's affections but of the lady's they were unsure (they were feeling a sense of deja vu). Mrs. Wickham was buying a new green frock, completely obliviously to the great event occurring in the south. His Grace the Duke of Whitfield was hoping that his Sophy would be at the wedding. His dear friend Worth was still vaguely wondering if his grace was intending to jump. Mr. Collins was making his way to Rosings, hoping that his gracious patroness would not shoot him on sight. Lady Catherine De Bourgh however was not at home, instead she decided to attend the wedding, and to bless it with not one but THREE dead birds in her hat.
And what of the happy couple? Well that is another story!!