Love is in the Air

by Denise O'Hara

  He had immediately turned to his cousin. “Fitzwilliam, will you be so good as to make sure Miss Catherine is never without a partner for the duration of the evening?”

  “Of course,” he immediately said. “Look at our aunt over there looking like we are all players in her game! Well, anyone who goes after Anne will have to live out his days under his mother-in-law’s thumb in that depressing institution she calls Rosings.”

  “Yes, well, thank you for taking on the task of keeping Miss Catherine occupied, Fitzwilliam,” Mr. Darcy replied as he pat his cousin on the back. “This is not the time or place to deal with what looks to be another tricky situation between my nearest relations. Thoughtless woman!”

  “Not to worry, I will take care of Miss Kitty,” said Fitzwilliam before going off to wait and watch from the sidelines, ready to step in if the young lady was ever in need of a partner.

  Mr. Covington danced no more dances that evening and never left the de Bourgh’s side. Kitty became more and more despondent. She never did lack for a partner, most knowing she was a lively companion. The one time her card was blank the Colonel had asked for a dance.

  “Would you mind terribly if I were to take a break for a set?” she had asked.

  “Certainly, you must be quite in need of one after such fine dancing! Shall I get you some refreshments?” he asked.

  “Just something to drink please,” she had replied. He escorted her to a seat while he went to retrieve their beverages. Lizzy came to sit by her in the interval and took her sister’s hand into her own.

  “Please,” said Kitty ever so quietly, removing her hand. “Not now or I shall lose my nerve. I cannot let them see me falter.”

  Lizzy fully comprehended her sister’s emotions were near the breaking point and abided by her wishes. She stayed only until Fitzwilliam returned.

  When the evening turned to morning, others took note of Mr. Covington escorting Lady Catherine and her daughter out of the Ballroom before returning to his carriage. Many had said Lady Catherine looked pleased to have a man with a desire to court Anne, the inferences added were that Lady Catherine was thrilled to have Mr. Covington taking an interest in her daughter because Mr. Darcy had been wrongfully stolen away from her.

  Kitty's heart tore. And the tears she had held back were finally unleashed in the privacy of her bedroom. When Jane and Lizzy soon knocked on her door, she welcomed their comforting embraces and tender compassion more than she ever had before.

  **************

  Anne was more tired than she could ever remember being but lay awake thinking of the evening. While the two were dancing it was like the world had stopped, no one else was in the room and that the music was very soft. No one besides Miss Kitty Bennet, that was. Anne felt the younger woman’s stares as she had danced with Miss Bennet’s preferred partner. She was fully aware of Kitty’s glances in their direction during dinner and afterwards. She had never felt such satisfaction. Elizabeth Darcy’s sister’s hopes were being crushed at Pemberley. What perfect retribution. It could not have gone any better if she had planned it.

  Covington had spoken of his family, his parents lived in London, but he went and saw them as often as possible. Though he came from a very good family, he was not a wealthy man, for he was the youngest of three brothers. He had chosen to go into the law like his second oldest brother but would have preferred to do something which allowed him to be free and enjoy life. He was not sure that was possible however. He had joked that some women like to have their husbands out of the house working while they manage their households. The law was not so bad really, he had said. He just hoped he could find a woman who shared his desire for a place in the country instead of town. Country life suited him very well indeed. Anne thought of looking at his handsome face and form every day as she drifted off to sleep.

  It was the peak of spring blossoms and everyone who had been invited to the Ball was also invited to the estate to celebrate the final burst of color that had graced the trees on the grounds. Kitty tried to avoid Mr. Covington and Miss de Bourgh but it seemed everywhere she went, they were together.

  "I feared that my Anne would never acquire anyone as fine and charming as Mr. Darcy, but her catch is most impressive. Did you know he is from a very fine old English family with royal lineage?" said Lady Catherine.

  The words faded in and out as Kitty made her way through the halls of Pemberley. No one tried to stop her, many of them moving out of her way so that she could get past.

  Lady Catherine was looking around the room when her eyes met Kitty’s. She had then made her way through the hall in Kitty’s direction. She was clearly excited about something. It was not until she was near Kitty that the older woman stopped and loudly told her companion, Lord Harkins, that Mr. Covington had asked to officially court Anne and that her daughter was most pleased. “There is bound to be a wedding within the year,” she said happily.

  Kitty did not realize she was crying until Mr. Joseph placed a hand on the small of her back and ushered her into the library and quickly returned with her sister. Mr. Joseph took out a kerchief and handed it to his lady who used it to dab her sister’s wet cheeks.

  Kitty had sobbed then, crumpling into Mary's arms. Both Mary and Mr. Joseph had heard every word that the older woman had spoken and knew straight away that Covington was not one to be trusted. Kitty apologized profusely to them for almost causing a scene, but they both hushed her. Mr. Joseph told her that she merely was learning what to look for. Sooner or later, she would be able to discern for herself the truth within a man's heart. He helped her to understand they had all been taken in by the gentleman’s false charm. “From this day forward you have my word, Miss Catherine, that Miss Bennet and I shall never again accept another sweet from his hand!” he said with sincerity.

  Kitty looked at his obvious indignation and then at Mary who said with a venom in her tone and expression, “Never!”

  Kitty could not help but give a thankful smile to the pair of them. But for now, the finality of the situation hit her so forcefully and it felt as though her heart had been torn in two.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Mr. Covington arrived at Rosings two weeks after they had all left Pemberley. He was to stay for a fortnight. Anne saw him walking out of his carriage from her window and he looked dashing. She walked downstairs at the right moment, when the butler opened the door and Covington walked in and saw her coming down. She led him to the study where her mother was sitting. Not only did Anne have to like him, but so did her mother or it would be very inconvenient. Most of the afternoon, the three spent together. Covington was charming, telling jokes and of his experiences on his life growing up among the elite of London society. He had also traveled a good deal with his parents and saw things that Anne had never seen. While it was interesting, both Lady Catherine and her daughter were both very pleased when Mr. Covington would infer that nowhere compared to England and in particular the English countryside. He might be prevailed upon to travel again but he did not see himself gallivanting all over the world as some seem to do. When he said this, Lady Catherine’s face brightened into a smile that was rarely seen as she looked at her daughter and gave a nod of her head in agreement with his statement.

  Sometimes the couple would take a simple walk around the garden as they talked, with Mrs. Jenkins following, speaking of the books each had read. Or it would be exciting like the times when she took him for rides in her pony cart. They would sometimes stop and visit outside with the Collins.

  Near the end of his stay, Miss de Bourgh had made arrangements with Mr. Covington, wanting to show him a special place on the property. He told her he would meet her outside. She was surprised when she walked out to find him arriving in her pony cart. He stepped down and helped her in.

  Anne had gotten in but said definitively, “I always drive my pony cart, Mr. Covington.”

  “Do you? Well then, how about showing me what these ponies can do?”

  The two laughed often on
the ride around the park. Anne knew Rosings Park well and made sure she did not miss the sharp turns and kept up a fast pace. Once they arrived at their destination, where they had the most advantageous view of Rosings. The sun was over head just right, making her home seem imposing.

  “This is a favorite place of mine,” Miss de Bourgh said as she looked down at her home.

  “Most impressive!” replied Mr. Covington.

  “I am to inherit it all, so why would I ever want to leave here and move to less than what I am accustomed to? I have decided that I will not do so.”

  “I should be surprised if you did want to leave this place! I certainly would never leave if it were my family home,” he said as he continued to gaze out at the view.

  Anne thought it was just the right answer, his wanting to live in the same home she wanted to. “How did you end up in Meryton? I went there once, several years ago and found it to be nothing compared to Rosings,” she said.

  “I should say not! Nothing that I have seen in Meryton compares to Rosings! To answer your question, I had to choose a profession; I chose the law and wanted to be in the country. The uncle of a friend needed an apprentice and so I went Meryton.”

  “And that is where you met the Bennets?” she asked boldly.

  He chuckled, “Yes, that is where I met the Bennets. Miss de Bourgh, may I tell you about my relationship with Miss Catherine Bennet, for I can easily assume you have caught wind of our friendship.”

  “If you would like to tell me, I am willing to listen, Mr. Covington,” she said.

  “I used to bring a bag of candy around with me and offer it to the townspeople. It was something I saw another do when I was a child and I liked the idea. I became a favorite without having to say hardly a word to those people. Little effort for much in return. It is important to establish oneself as quickly as possible in a small town when new to the law practice. Miss Catherine would commonly stop by my office and that is how our friendship started. We frequented the same parties, for there was not much to be done for amusement, and for lack of variety, we fell into being dancing partners. There was never a serious interest on my part; she really is not my type. But she was I would admit, the best Meryton society had to offer. I would not be the first to settle, as it were, and I was beginning to talk myself into doing just that.”

  “Why was she not your type?” asked Miss de Bourgh.

  “Where to begin? First of all, she is too loud and playful. I enjoy a good time but I would prefer to have some quiet time as well. Both she and even more so, her mother, are so lively, it was irritating at times. Secondly, there are her looks. Though a tall man myself, I do not favor a tall companion. Especially one whose cheekbones could put an eye out,” he said.

  Anne laughed out with delight at this shocking statement. “Mr. Covington! Put an eye out indeed!”

  “But as I said, I would most likely have settled for her because I am ready to be married and she was the best of my options. Until I attended a Ball and saw a vision gracing the room with her presence, that is. I shall never forget the sight of you descending the grand staircase looking like someone from a fairy book,” he said. He reached up to ever so lightly touch the outline of her cheek and softly said, “There is no danger of injury from such a lovely face, I think.”

  The look in his eyes, the way he spoke and to be touched in such a way by a man for the first time in her life produced the effect Mr. Covington had hoped for. Miss de Bourgh had to exert great effort to tear her eyes away from his. She could feel her face coloring and a new sensation came over her. She swallowed and said, “We should be getting back now.” As she reached for the reins, she asked him, “Would you mind driving us back? And not too fast this time.”

  Mr. Covington took the reins from her hands and let his own brush against hers. “It will be my pleasure, Miss de Bourgh.”

  When the day came for him to leave, he told Anne, “Every day I want to see you, even if it’s just for a moment to tell you something new and spend time enjoying your company.” Anne blushed and smiled.

  As his coach took him back toward his home that day, Mr. Covington smiled happily and waved to Mr. Collins in his garden. He silently congratulated himself for a job well done. His mother had encouraged him to find a wealthy woman. She had spoiled him from childhood and it hurt her so to see him have to live where he did not wish and to have to work for his living. He would be very contented living the lazy life at Rosings, riding pony carts and being waited on hand and foot. Furthermore, the more he got to know Anne he found they had more in common than he could have imagined. It was beginning to appear to him that he would have a lazy wife beside him. He hoped Lady Catherine would live a long time and would continue to require little of him but to keep her daughter feeling loved. For that was an occupation he seemed to excel at with little effort. He might have had a career on the stage! No, he thought, too much work. Being the leading man of this long running play was far, far better!

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The weeks turned into a month and then two. Kitty attempted to visit town as often as she could if only to catch a glimpse of Mr. Covington, but he was rarely around anymore and when he was she never saw him for more than a moment. If ever he made eye-contact with her, he would turn away with a blank look on his face. She had hoped that he was thinking of a way to apologize for leaving her alone at Pemberley, but each day he refused to speak to her or approach her made it all the worse.

  Gossip soon went around that Mr. Covington was of the cleverest of men to have set his sights on the extravagantly wealthy Anne de Bourgh and laid on the charm necessary to win her so quickly. Maria Lucas Price shared with her friend that her husband John had overheard Mr. Covington talking to some of the men in town last year. He had been inquiring into the wealth of the Bennet relations after having met the Bingleys. Apparently there was more talk when he soon after began to take an interest in Kitty Bennet. It was repeated that he had said, “It is almost as advantageous to have wealth and influence so closely connected as to marry one who has it. Almost, for I would ideally like to marry wealth itself and spend my days as a lazy man with no responsibilities but to help run an estate. And then, I believe I would have my steward do most of the work.”

  Kitty did not know why the news had not uplifted her. She should have been happy to discover the man was no good. She was not sure if it was the fact that she lost the man she wanted to marry, or if was it because the man she wanted to marry was truly indifferent, that made her so upset and heartbroken.

  Mr. Joseph had been on the lookout for Covington to return. When Covington came back into his office, from Rosings presumably, Mr. Joseph walked over to his shop.

  “Joseph, how are you?” Covington asked with a bright smile. “Would you like a candy?” he asked as he turned to retrieve the bag of sweets from his desk.

  “No, I do not want any of your sweets sir. Or anything else for that matter! Why are you still returning here? No one in this town wants you here.”

  “Why what have I done?” he asked in a nonchalant way, setting the bag of sweets back down again.

  “Do not attempt to deceive me. Everyone saw with their own eyes how you led Miss Catherine on shamelessly. And then to leave her for another you had just met, it was disgraceful and ungentlemanly of you.”

  “I dare you to name one thing I ever did inappropriately with Miss Bennet?”

  “We all saw you begin to walk out to greet her when she came to town.”

  “I needed the exercise.”

  “You were her steady dance partner we all noticed. You sought her out, Covington!”

  “There were few unattached young ladies to choose from.”

  “You began calling on her at her home.”

  “I call on many people's homes. It is called being a good neighbor.”

  Mr. Joseph scowled. “I saw you kiss her hand at the Pemberley Ball! How do you excuse that away?”

  “I was a bit giddy from the wine, I suppose.
Anything else?” asked Mr. Covington smugly.

  “There was plenty. We all saw in your manners, address and looks that led us all to believe you had honorable intentions toward the lady.”

  “Well, you are all mistaken. My intentions were to find a lady of my liking, but I assure you, I had not settled upon Miss Kitty Bennet. Why do you care anyway, Joseph? I do not see you declaring yourself to her sister?”

  “That is not your business!”

  “And this is not yours, Joseph. But I will tell you what, I will be leaving Meryton soon enough anyway and I am getting tired of all the snobbery against me since I began to court Miss de Bourgh. I believe I shall leave here sooner than I had planned. There is an item I need to get from my mother in London anyway.”

  “It will be a welcomed relief to watch you depart!”

  “Before I do there is one more thing I think you should be aware of, Joseph. Miss Kitty, whom you are so quick to violently defend, thinks you are a bore. That is correct; she told me you talk too much. In fact, I understand Mr. Bennet has even compared you to Mr. Collins, the Lucas’ fool of a son-in-law.”

  Mr. Joseph stood there for several seconds without saying anything.

  “I see that surprised you to hear. Well, consider it a parting gift. She is not worth your breath and I would advise you to try for better than her sister.”

  Mr. Joseph smiled. “I am aware I can talk overmuch, Mr. Covington. But I appreciate your reminding me that I should be mindful of the habit. For I should not want to offend anyone as fine as the Bennets whom I consider to be among the kindest family I have ever known! I should much rather be a windbag than a scoundrel any day.” Mr. Joseph turned to leave when Mr. Covington laughed.

  “You must have had very limited association to draw such a ridiculous conclusion. I actually pity you, Joseph. You could do better than that plain faced pauper!”