Meanwhile at the other side of the road Fredrick and Julia were getting out of a carriage. Kitty saw them at the same moment Julia looked up and noticed them. She motioned to Fredrick who also looked up and waved frantically. The siblings then hurried at once across the road to meet Elizabeth and Kitty in the park. The girls greeted each other with hearty hugs and pecks on the cheek for it had been an age since they had last seen each other. Fredrick made a formal bow as usual Kitty was very fond of Fredrick, but he often seemed so proper Miss this and Sir that and ma’am the other and bowing and waving. She knew of course that he was just trying to be respectful and polite, but she liked him much more when he relaxed, would dance and chat and play cards as if they were never strangers. “Hello! Oh I’ve missed you! It seems an age since I saw you last!” Julia exclaimed excitedly.
“Oh I’ve missed you too my dear friend.” Kitty responded.
“Miss Westwood, Mr Westwood” greeted Mrs Darcy formerly.
“Afternoon Mrs Darcy, Miss Bennet.” Responded Fredrick in equally as formal a tone but with a hint of sarcasm which made Kitty smirk. ’that’s better’ she thought.
“My sincerest condolences of the news of your father, he was a good man.” Continued Mrs Darcy.
“Aye indeed he was ma’am. I thank you for the support your family has given us.” He responded. After a pause and as if trying to forget the unhappy thought. Julia piped up then asking how Kitty’s playing was coming along.
“Quite well. I’ve finished all songs in your book. Is your brother with you?” she asked eagerly anxious to see Henry again and to ask why he hadn’t called or written or anything. She observed the pause and an awkward silence that made everyone uneasy.
“What is the matter?” Lizzy asked.
“My brother is not in town.”Fredrick said glancing at Julia and hesitated a moment. “He’s a little busy .” There was a tone in his voice that made Kitty feel a bit faint. She couldn’t understand what could keep him away from her so long.
“Is everything all right?” she pressed “for he has not written or anything. Do you know if he’s been to Longbourn yet?” she blurted out panicking slightly. Fredrick hesitated again.
“I’m sure he will write as soon as he can. But for now if you’ll forgive me Miss Bennet I really should get my sister home.” And with that they bowed, and Kitty managed to force a curtsy as Fredrick took Julia’s hand taking her away a little too quickly, something’s not right thought Kitty, ‘why was there such a shift in their attitude as soon as Henry was brought up?’ she wondered a million thoughts suddenly running through her head. Was he sick? Or worse? Was he dead? Had he caught some terrible fever and died? Had he changed his mind, did he not love her? She knew not, and the thoughts left a sinking feeling in her heart and a sickness in the pit of her stomach. She stood for a moment completely still, frozen to the spot watching her friends head off into the distance. “Kitty?” her sister said concerned. She looked towards Elizabeth her expression blank before collapsing.
Chapter twenty-two
Lizzy immediately called to the servant who had accompanied them, and he hurried over to them, lifting Kitty as if she weight no more than a feather and carried her home. She was not injured fortunately as Elizabeth was relieved to hear and she had no fever. ‘A fainting fit’ was what the Doctor described it as, quite common in young females. ‘Not so common in my sister’ though Elizabeth who was quite concerned for her sister’s health. She did , however awaken not long after she had been placed in her chambers and reassured everyone that she was fine. “A little too much excitement” said she. “Oh you will be able to attend the ball tonight wont you?” asked shy Maria Lucas who was anxious now as she knew very few people and was counting on Kitty to protect her as she entered the Darcy’s High Society. Kitty assured her that she would be fine for this evening and was left to rest in her chambers a while. Kitty couldn’t help feeling like something just wasn’t right, but she hardly had time to think about it. The ball was fast approaching, and she barely had time to rest herself, have a little luncheon and some tea before she would need to start getting ready for the evening. There was a lot more going on than even she knew; she would find out the big secret soon enough.
***
Meanwhile in a parlour Alice had specifically asked Mrs Darcy to meet her on an urgent matter. Mr Goude’s presence had unsettled her for it had been his family whom she had been in the service of before the Darcy’s and it was his brother (married to the rich European)that had upset and offended her by breaking her heart and then insulted her further by asking her to become his mistress. Having explained all this and expressing a desire to return to Pemberley, Mrs Darcy cried out “Oh you poor dear. Yes of course, I understand entirely.”
“Thank you ma’am, give my regards to Miss Bennet and I will see you all when you return to the country.” Alice said sincerely.
“Have a safe journey, we will miss you here. You always travel with us.” Her mistress said heartfelt. “Thank you ma’am for understanding. The Goude’s are not a family to be trusted and I hope the master comes to realise that.” Said she.
“Aye so do I, take care.” Replied Lizzy and Alice curtsied. Lizzy rested a hand on her shoulder and raised her head to look at her; she wiped away a tear from Alice’s cheek and she smiled warmly and took her leave.
***
In her room, Kitty was in no mood really for a ball and without Alice she felt even more alone, but she could not let Maria down. Her room was comfortable and there was a bed with high sides and draping curtains, a small dark wood desk with papers on it, a jewellery box, brush and comb on it . Her nightgown was laid out on the bed ready for after the ball as well as various day gowns and evening gowns hanging up . Which dear Alice had sorted out for her before her departure, which she was grateful for as she was hopeless at planning and organising what to wear herself. She had been getting ready now for quite some time and everything was a mess. She sat at the dressing table looking in the mirror; she was in a beautiful evening gown while a different servant was fixing her hair. The new girl was a plump , rosy cheeked girl and she was very good, but she was not Alice. Kitty looked very pretty in her gown but still was very vacant and distressed, which the maid noticed
“What’s wrong miss? Don’t you want to attend the ball?” she asked concerned.
“Not really Claire, my heart is just not in it at the moment. I wish to be miles away” responded the young Miss Bennet.
“That’s a shame miss. But you must go anyway, masters’ expecting it. Do you have friends attending?” the servant asked.
“I do yes I have some very good friends attending” responded Kitty. Elizabeth had reported their meeting with Fredrick and Julia to her husband and an invitation had been sent to their town house inviting all the family that was present in town to the ball. It was quickly accepted stating that Fredrick and Julia would attend but their brothers and sister were otherwise engaged.
“If I may be so bold as to say you look as pretty as Miss Georgiana and I just come from her room and I saw.” Claire was saying “I expect you’ll be engaged for every dance the pair of you. Are you fond of dancing miss?” Claire asked cheerfully.
“I am yes, very fond of dancing, but there is one man I should very much like to dance with that I will not get the chance to” she said with a sigh wondering once again what on earth Henry could be doing and she began to doubt her ever seeing him again. Claire asked why she could not dance with him. “He is sadly unable to make it to town at present.” responded Miss Bennet.
“Maybe you’ll get to dance again in the spring” the girl said.
“I can but hope. I have not seen him for a while now.” She said with a sigh.
“You should take every opportunity at trying to enjoy yourself at least miss, for master’s sake. A ball is the most pleasing thing to distract a young lady in times of sadness and I’m sure your friends will be glad of your company.” Claire said finishing off her hair.
&
nbsp; “Thank you Claire I shall try.” Kitty responded as Maria knocked on the door and entered the room, she too was dressed for the ball, but she looked uncomfortable “Hello Maria, is that what you’re wearing tonight?” asked her friend.
“It is hopefully. Can I talk to you a moment?” Maria said shyly. “But of course. Thank you Claire, please inform Mr Darcy that Miss Lucas and I will be down shortly.” Kitty said dismissing the maid. Claire curtsied and left the room. “You look very pretty.” Maria said.
“Thank you. What can I help you with?” the other asked.
“Georgiana lent me this dress but it’s a little uncomfortable, I think there’s a pin or something in it and there’s this sash thing that I can’t get my head round at all.” Miss Lucas said rather distressed. Kitty laughed as she stood up and went over to Maria.
“Yes Georgiana’s dresses can be a little awkward in parts. Where is this pin?” asked she examining the dress.
“It was pricking somewhere near my left shoulder” responded Maria. Kitty felt around, found it and took it out.
“Aha there it is, no wonder you looked uncomfortable. How do you feel now?” she asked.
“A little better. Now do you know how this sash is supposed to sit?” Kitty looked again and after examining a little figured it out.
“Looks like it attaches here like that” Kitty said attaching it. Maria admired her reflection
“I’ve never looked so pretty.” She mused.
“I’m sure you have my dear and you will be the centre of attention and all the young men will fall at your feet.” laughed her friend.
“I have neither your good humour nor Georgiana’s beauty to recommend me Kitty” responded the other. “Oh nonsense you are just as pretty and just as good humoured as either of us. Let me hear no more of this not good enough talk. Here, I have something for you.” Said Kitty going over to her dressing table and taking out a pretty necklace “I was going to wear it tonight, but it doesn’t go at all with this dress, but it will go with yours.” She unclasped the necklace and placed it around Maria’s neck. “There we go” said she.
“Isn’t this what Lizzy gave you for your birthday a couple of years ago?” Maria asked.
“Yes , look after it won’t you. I’ll come get it back in the morning.” Kitty responded.
“I’ll guard it with my life.” The other responded.
Maria admired her reflection again before noticing Kitty who had gone all quiet again . “You are worried…” she observed.
“What ?... oh, it’s nothing.” Replied the other snapping back into reality.
“You were never a very good liar. Mr Westwood will be all right, he has to be.” Maria said.
“Mr Westwood? I never said a word about Mr Westwood…” said Kitty defensively.
“No, but Georgiana did.” laughed her friend.
“Traitor.” Mumbled Kitty. “ Anyway enough of this nonsense. We have dinner and then a ball to attend.” Said Kitty.
“We do indeed. Come Georgiana will be wondering what has happened to us.” Maria added, and the two girls made their way to the dining hall
Chapter Twenty-Three
At the dinner table in the grand hall before the ball, Darcy, Lizzy, Kitty, Fredrick, Julia, Maria, Goude and Georgiana were seated to dinner. Mr Darcy preferred dinner to be a smaller affair with only a few closer friends before opening the house up to the hundreds of guests which flock to a society ball.
“Is Lady Annabel to attend the ball this evening?” asked Darcy to his friend.
“Aye she is, I gave her your invitation, she has been in town all summer, she does not return to the country much since my uncle passed away.” Responded Goude.
“Indeed? Perhaps she is lonesome.” Fredrick added.
“Perhaps so yes. Though for many years I never really recalled much romance between my aunt and uncle, I do not think it was a love match but rather a financial one.” Replied Mr Goude.
“That’s so sad Mr Goude, marrying for financial security just seems so unromantic.” Said Georgiana.
“Some people are not particularly romantic, I mean look at my sister and Mr Collins” said Maria.
“Aye indeed. Still she is happy I guess.” Elizabeth forced a laugh, but she still felt sorry for her friend Charlotte who had married her cousin a few years ago.
“Aye, that’s what matters. Still if I am ever to marry, Mr Westwood I want it to be for love.” Kitty said.
“Oh I’m sure it will be.” Her friend replied warmly. “As one of many, love is something I dream of but am unlikely to achieve; we cannot all expect Kitty’s good fortune. We all need something to live on.” Said Maria soberly.
“I disagree,” said Georgiana “I think financial security should always come second to romance, you do not need to be rich to be happy. If I loved a poor man I wouldn’t want anything more.” She finished.
“I very much doubt Miss Darcy that you will have any need for marrying for financial security. Your father took extra care to see that you were well provided for did he not Darcy?” asked Goude.
“Indeed he did, our father was an excellent man, trusting too, though sometimes I wonder if that was the problem. Trust can cloud judgment sometimes.” Darcy responded.
“He is of course referring to Mr Wickham is he not my dear?” Lizzy whispered to Kitty.
“Indeed he is; I fear though Mr Darcy has a similarity to his father, Mr Goude is clearly all false. I do not like it one bit.” Her sister responded.
“And what do you two discuss so secretly down there?” asked Julia.
“Julia , don’t be rude.” Fredrick said sternly.
"Oh it’s nothing, Miss Westwood makes an excellent point, and we should not talk quietly amongst ourselves when at dinner.” Replied Kitty.
“We were merely discussing the weather. Tis a nice cool evening is it not?” asked Lizzy.
“Aye indeed, and tomorrow will no doubt be just as fine a day.” Responded Kitty falling into the role.
“Oh indeed yes. We should all go for a stroll tomorrow morning if you’d want to?” Asked Julia.
“I see no reason why not, I would love it.” Kitty responded.
“Come now let us head into the ballroom our guests will be arriving soon.” Said Darcy rising.
“Oh yes the ball!”
“Yes…”
“I was forgetting.” Came a general cry from the young ladies.
“Young ladies can get so distracted. Come now let us go.” Said Lizzy.
“Of course anything to please the young ladies…” said Goude and everyone rose heading into the ball room, where the other guests would be arriving in just a few minutes. The sound of carriages could already be heard coming from the front as guests began to assemble.
***
The ballroom was grand with a large chandelier and a fine wood floor. The walls were high and had large mirrors all along them. There was a small stage where the band had set up ready for the Darcy’s London ball. The room was now crowded with people. Maria and Kitty had only stayed in company for a few moments before retreating to the balcony to discuss something private. They now entered again and began making their way around the hall; Elizabeth was sitting over by the far corner watching while another woman talked to her. Darcy and Goude were talking quietly, Goude then walked over to Georgiana, said something quietly and then led her to the dance floor where they were joined by other couples. Maria and Kitty sat down on some of the side chairs. As the dance began Elizabeth and Kitty glanced at each other and to Goude and Georgiana, disliking what they saw.
“You are very quiet sir, perhaps you are like my brother in the sense you do not care much for dance.” Began Georgiana after they had danced few minutes without saying a word.
“No ma’am indeed, I am very fond of dance, especially when I have such a bewitching partner. No my mind was rather deep thought .” Goude responded.
“Do You frequently have deep meaningful thoughts during a country dance?” enqu
ired the young woman.
“Not usually no, but then you inspire my thoughts Miss Darcy”
“You will make me blush sir.”
“Oh do not do that, your brother will wonder what I’ve been saying to you.”
“And what should I tell him if he asks?”
“Why the truth my dear, tell him, I complimented your beauty, you engaged my thoughts and that I cannot understand that why, out of all the men in this room not one of them engaged you for the first dance.”
“Many of the guests here tonight remember me from when I was a little girl I fear. Between the ages of eleven and sixteen my permanent residence was London. They find it hard to see anything more. But I am eighteen years old now and my brother is anxious to see me wed. I often wonder if that is one of his reasons behind the last few balls at least, though Lizzy has always been fond of dancing. Perhaps they are for her also.”
“Ah yes, the new Mrs Darcy is a fine woman. She was not the favourite choice amongst his relatives I believe.”
“No indeed not, but she is by far the best choice I believe. Things were so quiet at Pemberley; my brother barley spoke a word and spent much of his time away. I am very happy he chose Lizzy.”
“And do you think you will find your husband at one of these balls?”
“One can hardly predict such a thing. But a ball seems like a good a place as any to meet a man. Lizzy and my brother met at a ball, as did Jane and Mr Bingley. So it’s very likely, yes I might.”
“I should probably think about matrimony myself; I can hardly be long out done by my school friends, most of which are happily married now.”
Catherine Bennet Page 12