by Sue Barr
“I know you will.”
She prepared to leave and moved slowly toward the door.
“Kitty?”
At his calling she turned to face him.
“Yes, Papa,” she whispered.
“I may not say this to you often – if ever, come to think of it – but I am exceedingly proud of you. Never forget I love you very much and wish I had never taken you with me.”
“It is not your fault, Papa. How could we have known?”
“As your father, I should have taken more care.”
“I do not blame you in any way.”
“No, Kitty. As I once said to Lizzy with regard to Lydia, I need to feel how much I am to blame. I am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression as I am sure it will soon pass but allow me to regret not keeping a closer eye on my daughter.”
Instead of exiting, she impulsively ran to him and before he could move, kissed him briefly on the cheek and almost flew out of the room. Had she looked back, she would have seen a stunned look on her father’s face as he lifted trembling fingers to his cheek. She then ran upstairs to clean the remaining vestiges of her tears away. For the first time since that horrid night she realized Papa carried as much guilt as her, and also for the first time, in some strange way, no longer felt alone.
***
Dinner was a long drawn out affair. Both Sir William Lucas and Kitty’s best friend Maria teased her mercilessly about Lord George. Her heartfelt hope that his brief visit wouldn’t create a stir among the families of Meryton had been wishful thinking.
“I suppose dinners at Lord Kerr’s estate will be much grander than this, Mrs. Bennet. Not that you’d mind if it means your daughter’s future is secure,” Sir William bellowed from his seat. That he was pleased with what he thought was a witty remark was evidenced by jiggling jowls, bright merry eyes and the utterance of ‘Capital’ many times.
Kitty clenched her fists beneath the table, grateful for Mary’s hand briefly touching her elbow, giving silent support. Across the table she noticed Jane purse her lips in displeasure and she even dared to glare down the table at Sir William. For a brief moment Kitty almost let out a chuckle. Her normally placid sister displayed unusual emotions, something she’d heard whispered about by women who’d borne children. How husbands tended to tread carefully, not knowing which way their wife’s emotions could swing from one hour to the next. It seemed Jane was experiencing this same phenomenon.
Dinner finally concluded and the ladies repaired to the sitting room. They hadn’t been separated for more than five minutes when Mrs. Long, seated next to Mama and Lady Lucas, mused out loud, “No need to play dancing music tonight Mary. Your sister’s partner won’t arrive at Longbourn until the morrow.”
Kitty’s cheeks burned with embarrassment, angry Mama did not correct their ill-advised opinions. Mary, seated on the couch opposite, looked at her with quiet pity. Mrs. Long continued with her mean-spirited gossip, adding one sly innuendo on top of another. Mama did nothing to stem the tide until Jane finally stood and faced the three women in the corner.
“Mrs. Long, please stop speculating on Lord George Kerr. He has neither given nor received undue attention to or from Kitty. Other than returning her to Longbourn safe and sound in an unorthodox manner, I have been told he was a perfect gentleman after their unfortunate encounter.” Jane’s voice was quiet, as always, but anyone with an ear to hear knew there was tempered steel beneath the velvet tones. Her eldest sister had laid down the gauntlet of proper behavior and now dared their mother’s friend to pick it up.
Never before had one of her siblings defended her so vigorously, not even Lydia, and they’d been so close at one time. Kitty’s heart swelled with such love for her eldest sister. Jane would not stand meekly by while Mama embarrassed her in such a public venue. Not after her near miss with Charles because of her antics.
“Well said, Jane.” Their father spoke up from the far side of the room where he and the other gentleman had entered. “I spoke at length with Lord George and his intentions are quite honorable, which is refreshing from someone with noble birth.”
Kitty’s cheeks burned at her father’s oblique reference to what they’d spoken about earlier. How grateful she was that no one else knew why he was so embittered. Everyone would think she blushed because of reference to Lord George. It didn’t help that her own mother delighted in fanning the flames of raging gossip. Maybe now with Papa endorsing Lord George’s character, she and Mary could safely travel to London without fear of a marriage announcement appearing in the newspaper.
“Oh, Mr. Bennet,” cried Mama. “You know I want nothing but the best for our dear Kitty and mark my words, that young man likes her. Very much, I believe.”
“Believe what you will, Mrs. Bennet, the banns shall not be read before our daughters leave for London.” Mr. Bennet stood. “Now, let us play some cards. With her bad leg, this is an activity my beautiful daughter can partake of.”
With that announcement, all teasing stopped and soon everybody was involved in several games of whist. Once the shock of hearing her father call her beautiful wore off, Kitty enjoyed the rest of the evening, winning several rounds with Papa as her partner.
Chapter Eight
Kitty awoke at the crack of dawn. Sunlight streamed through the window and prisms of color, reflected off the dressing table mirror, danced across the wall. She rolled onto her side and lay for a full three minutes savoring this moment of quiet, broken only by the cocky little birds who deigned to greet the new day with song.
Her trunk lay open at the end of her bed awaiting her daily toiletries and other sundry items. There was nothing more for her to do other than dress, break her fast and wait for Lord George’s arrival. An express arrived last night, just as guests were starting to leave, informing them he’d arrive at Longbourn no later than eleven a.m. Five hours until he arrived. With a soft groan, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Already the wait was interminable and only five minutes had passed. How would she survive another five hours and more?
Knowing their maid would attend her room to stoke the fires, Kitty sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her ankle and calf still sported a shockingly purple bruise, tinged with hints of green and orange. She was grateful the swelling was all but gone and she could finally put some weight upon her foot. The side of her body also looked like a map she’d once seen in a book Papa kept in his book room. It was of the continent of Africa, with each known country displayed in a different color.
With slow steps she made her way to the water closet and began her morning ablutions. By the time Sarah entered and began poking the coals in her fireplace she was dressed and had begun to braid her hair for the day.
“Oh, Miss Kitty, you’ve got such lovely hair, ‘tis a shame to hide it beneath a bonnet.”
“Thank you, Sarah, but I am traveling to London and do not want to appear like I am a slow-witted country miss who does not know the proper etiquette of a young lady. No respectable woman would be seen with her hair down in public.” Kitty smiled at Sarah through the mirror. “What is allowed at Longbourn will not be borne by the elite of London.”
“I still say ‘tis a shame to hide all them glorious curls, but you’re right about what’s allowed with family.” Sarah finished stoking the fire and hurried behind Kitty. “Allow me to fix your hair, then you can break your fast. Cook prepared all your and Mary’s favorites.”
Kitty murmured a ‘thank you’ and left Sarah to pin up her hair, who happily hummed a popular song while she worked. She’d miss the rhythm of Longbourn. Even when the house was full of girls and the halls practically vibrated from shouts and giggles, and squabbles over ribbons and buttons, there was a certain comfort in what was familiar.
Mary met her at the head of the stairs and walked patiently behind her as they descended to the main floor. The scent of fresh baked bread and cooked ham greeted them when they entered the breakfast room and her stomach rumbled.
“You look lovely, Kitty. Have you done something different with your hair?” Mama asked as she and Mary made their seats.
“Yes, thank you, Mama.”
“And you look as well as you can, Mary.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
Kitty lowered her eyes in attempt to hide a sudden burst of anger. Why must Mama always belittle Mary? Next to Jane, Mary was the only daughter who never gave their parents cause to worry. Did she moralize a little too much at times? Most assuredly but given her new found knowledge of her sister’s psyche, Kitty knew Mary’s heart was in the right place and didn’t mind when her sister shared a bit of God’s word while they’d exercised her ankle these past few days.
Conversely, the more Kitty accepted Mary as she was, the less she proselytized. Indeed, Kitty was convinced the moral platitudes her elder sister had dropped in the middle of conversations over the past year was her way of dealing with Lydia’s behavior. Maybe Mama didn’t like to be reminded how she’d failed in curbing Lydia’s exuberance.
“Here are my erudite daughters,” Papa exclaimed as he entered the breakfast room.
“Erudite, Mr. Bennet?” Mama’s brow furrowed. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I am delighted to report that we have the brightest jewels in all of Hertfordshire within these walls, Mrs. Bennet. Not only did my daughters defeat me in Dictionary, they also managed to lighten my pocket.”
“Lighten you pocket? Whatever are you talking about.”
Kitty raised her eyes to their Papa and silently implored him not to reveal she and Mary each had a one pound note in their reticules. If Mama knew, the money would be sent off to Lydia before they’d even entered the carriage for London.
“I gave them each a treat, my dear. A well earned treat, one they will not receive on our next challenge.”
Mary smiled wide at Kitty. They’d known their father would not let the challenge lapse.
“We will not be back for a few months, Papa. You shall have plenty of time to study.” Mary teased as she dropped a dollop of preserve on her heavily buttered scone.
“Gloat now daughter, for you will not get the chance next time we test our knowledge. You and your sister surprised me last night, but now the advantage is mine.”
“Mr. Bennet. Whatever are you talking about?”
“Mary and I challenged Papa to a game of Dictionary last night, Mama.”
Mama’s mouth fell slightly open, as though she were about to say something and had forgotten what it was. She also had a perplexed air about her. Kitty couldn’t help but smirk. For years their father proclaimed they were the silliest girls in all of England, and by tacit understanding, their mother agreed. Now, Papa praised and teased them the same way he and Lizzy treated each other. Truly, Mama’s world must be tilting just a little.
“You and Mary challenged Mr. Bennet?” Mrs. Bennet turned slightly dazed eyes toward Kitty. “And won?”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Were you ill, Mr. Bennet?”
“No, my dear,” he said with a laugh. “I most certainly was not ill, but I was definitely caught in a sneak attack.”
After that interchange, conversation turned to the weather and how long their trip to London would take.
“Make sure my brother takes you to the best warehouses. Your Aunt Gardiner has an eye for fashion, although I think she uses too little lace, and I won’t be there to supervise. I think you should each have a new pair of boots. You’re both still growing and I’m sure you could use a new pair of dancing slippers−”
“Enough Mrs. Bennet. You shall spend all their dowry money before they have a beau.”
“Mr. Bennet! They have never been to London like Jane and Lizzy, and you never denied them a dress or two.”
“Quite right. How thoughtless of me. One dress each along with a pair of sturdy boots, but no dancing slippers. I do not think your brother and his wife shall be escorting our daughters to many balls.”
“You forget they will also be staying with Lizzy and Mr. Darcy and meeting other rich families who may have single sons in want of a wife.” Mama threw her linen napkin onto her plate and rose to her feet in agitation. “Would you deny your daughters the chance to make a good impression?”
“I forget nothing, Madam.” Papa also stood. “If you want them to have the fripperies a fortune can purchase, then I give you permission to ask your daughter’s rich husbands to provide them with what I cannot.”
With that, Papa strode out of the breakfast room and Mama gaped after him.
“What did I say?” she asked no one in particular and flopped back into her chair.
Kitty waited for almost a half hour before she dared knock on the door to Papa’s book room.
“Enter.”
She pushed open the door and found him in his favorite chair, book in hand, a cup of tea on the side table. He closed the book after inserting a piece of paper to keep his place and then gave her his full attention.
“You have come to chastise me for my outburst.”
He didn’t pose it as a question, but as a statement. She came further in the room and sat on the tufted footstool by his chair.
“Mary and I do not require any new clothing. What we have is sufficient.”
“My child. I would give you all sorts of fripperies if that were possible, but your papa has not managed his money as well as he should. However, your clever brother Mr. Darcy has been writing me most diligently and we are stemming the tide of expenditures and making Longbourn more profitable. If you and Mary would stop growing up, in three years I might be able to provide you with a tidy sum when you marry.”
“Papa!”
“No? You won’t accommodate my request?” He smiled at her. “Then you must continue as you have and find someone who will love you for who you are and not what you bring to the table.”
“I have no plans to marry.”
They both stood and Papa folded her into a warm hug. She felt a feather light kiss touch the top of her forehead.
“Do not let past remembrances stop you from moving forward, my Kitty. Know that you have my blessing to be happy and if that includes a husband, then so be it.” He moved away and sat behind his desk once more. He picked up a sealed letter and handed it to her. “Here is a letter for your Uncle Gardiner. I have been sending him money over the past few months anticipating a time when you or Mary traveled to London and there is enough for you both to buy as many dresses and slippers as you want.”
“Oh, Papa!” Kitty took the letter and leaned over to hug her father.
“There, there.” He patted her arm which was wrapped around his shoulders. “You shall get my favorite coat all wet with tears. There’s a good girl.”
She straightened, but not before dropping a kiss on the top of his head. Before he could tease her for being silly girl, she hurried from the room.
All too soon, the time for Lord George’s arrival approached. Both she and Mary sat in the front parlor where they had an unobstructed view of the road. A clattering of hooves and the unmistakable sound of equipage pulling up had them rush to the window. Mouths slightly open in awe, they watched as four matching grays pulling an opulent carriage turned down their graveled drive. Behind them Lord George cantered on top of Buttons.
For one brief moment, Kitty felt a pinch of regret and turned from the window. Lord George had no intention of riding in the carriage with them. Silently she chastised herself. What made her think he’d lower himself to ride with two country girls with whom he had nothing in common?
“Girls! Lord Kerr has arrived. Come quickly,” Mama called from the vestibule.
Both she and Mary grimaced, knowing how their mother’s voice carried. Kitty hoped the equipage hadn’t come to a complete stop as the sound of crunching gravel would cover the unladylike screeching of their mother.
“Mrs. Bennet. I pray you lower your voice. All of Meryton need not be advised of Lord George’s arrival.”
Papa had emerged from his book
room and stood glaring at Mama. Suitably chastised, she smoothed down her skirts and in a more modulated voice, began again.
“Lord Kerr is here. I’ll advise Hill to have Tom take out your trunks.” With a flounce of her skirts, Mama turned toward the kitchen. To her surprise, Papa laughed and she stopped to glare at him. “You find humor in me, Mr. Bennet?”
“Nay, Mrs. Bennet. It is just that you reminded me of Lydia with your air of righteous indignation, even though you were in the wrong.”
“Oh, how you vex me.”
“Yes, and I take an uncommon delight in vexing you.” He turned his focus onto his daughters. “Let us go greet the young man. He must be in want of a bracing cup of tea after riding all this way from Cambridgeshire.”
Kitty followed Papa outside and watched as Lord George slid off Buttons and handed the reins to Hill’s youngest boy who helped in the stable. Her throat tightened and her heart fluttered in her chest like a trapped bird as she took in his appearance. From his well-cut riding jacket down to his fawn colored breaches tucked into sturdy Hessian boots, he looked every inch the son of a Duke. The only thing which refused to conform was his hair. He’d removed his hat to give them a polite bow and one unruly lock of hair dared to fall across his forehead. It made him seem more human and the tightness in her throat lessened.
“Mr. Bennet. Miss Bennet, Miss Catherine.” He greeted them all. When Mama burst through the door, he also gave her a polite bow. “Mrs. Bennet.”
“Oh, Lord Kerr, how delightful to see you again. Would you like a cup of tea before you continue your journey?”
Mama, in spite of all her nervous fluttering and spasms, was renown by all as a gracious hostess.
“Alas, Mrs. Bennet, we must be away. I have urgent business in London and as such cannot tarry. Please accept my apologies and I promise the next time I am at Longbourn, I shall partake in a cup of tea with you.”
Kitty thought Mama was about to faint dead away. However, she rallied and began directing where the trunks should be placed on the opulent carriage. The bitter side of Kitty wondered if she wanted her and Mary off as quickly as possible so she could visit their aunt in Meryton and gloat how Lord Kerr said he’d return for a visit.