by Alexa Adams
A determined twinkle shot from his eye as he smiled broadly (his apparent humor acted as an additional insult to the vexed Kitty, who found herself infuriatingly inclined to smile back), before he replied, “Oh yes. I can see you are perfectly capable of navigating a street all upon your own.”
“I do not know what you can possibly find amusing!” she declared in perplexity, straightening her disordered pelisse.
“Do you not? Please accept my humblest apologies, not only for my own reckless driving, but also that of all the other carriages hereabouts, as they all seem determined to get in your way.”
“Oh!” cried an indignant Kitty as she turned her back upon the gentleman, gathered her companions, and proceeded on her way, now taking the utmost care to avoid any further potential mishaps. As she once again reclaimed the pavement, she turned round to see the man directly behind them, gathering his reins and smiling at her, laughter in his eyes as he waved goodbye. Kitty thrust her chin into the air and continued up the street, Lydia and Miss Burke’s questions echoing behind her.
Chapter 2
“Aunt Augusta!” Sir James kissed the widow’s hand in greeting. “How nice to be here at last!”
“Was it a terrible journey? We expected you a few hours ago.”
“Not at all. I come only from Bristol, where I spent last evening.”
“Bristol? A strange stop over, seven hours out of your way.”
“I was seeing to some shipping interests.”
“Really, Sir James! I wish you would leave such matters to your man of business.”
“Mine is a maritime land, dear Aunt. I cannot neglect its needs.”
“Humph!” she replied. “Neither your father, nor mine before him, ever saw the need to go to Bristol on business.”
“We live in changing times, my dear Aunt, but let us speak of other matters. I believe you have found a bevy of eligible ladies for me to fall in love with, am I right?”
“Surely not so many! I have merely invited a few unexceptional members of the fairer sex, who may or may not entrance you, I could not say. I know I wrote you a sharp letter, James, but were I not distraught to learn of your accident, I would never have taken such a tone.”
“Certainly not,” he smiled.
“I will not engage in matchmaking, if that is what you are thinking. Such matters I leave between Cupid and you.”
“Of course you do,” he laughed, “and a good thing it is, too, for an arrow has pierced my heart this very day, as I passed through Bath. I am quite undone, I assure you.”
Mrs. Westingham’s still youthful eyes sparkled with interest, “Do tell me your tale!”
“I was riding quite recklessly, as you well know, (Bristol is only five hours out of the way, dear Aunt, at the rate I drive), when a young lady stepped into my path, very nearly losing her life in the process.“
His aunt looked shocked. “What kind of behavior is this? Will you not even conduct yourself properly in Bath itself? Someone surely recognized you.”
“That I do not know, but a great many people certainly saw me, and the likelihood of your being acquainted with at least one of the many spectators is quite good. The lady gave me the scolding of my life.”
“I have no doubt you deserved it. She might have been killed! Quite frankly, it’s about time you saw the consequences of your shenanigans.”
“My gratitude for her safety is a more effective lesson to me, Aunt Augusta, than any lecture you can possibly deliver.”
“So it was love at first sight! Who is the lady?”
“I haven’t the slightest notion. A schoolgirl, I would imagine, though certainly not for much longer. One of her companions called her Miss Bennet, I believe.”
“Bennet? I believe that is the name of Darcy’s new wife, is it not? Perhaps there is a relation. Regardless, you have little time to waste waiting on school girl misses to come out.”
“I have no intention of doing anything of the sort, but she has set a new bar for any perspective wives.”
“Too bad, really, for the lady who could like you despite being nearly run over by you would be particularly suited to be your wife, as she will surely have to accustom herself to all sorts of wild stunts.”
“It is a sad loss. I feel it acutely,” he assented, adding bemusedly, “I wonder if she is a relation of Darcy’s?”
“Perhaps I shall warn my young guests that you respond well to a sharp tongue.”
“To the great chagrin of their careful mamas! Besides, Aunt Augusta, you said you would not engage in matchmaking!”
--
“Mr. Bennet! Mr. Bennet!”
“Yes, my dear?”
“How can this be? Lydia writes that Kitty is leaving school, to go frolicking through London as Miss Darcy’s chosen companion, but Lizzy has not included her in the invitation! That seems most unfair, does it not?”
“Not in the slightest. Kitty is older and has applied herself far more than Lydia. She has become a most unexceptional companion for Miss Darcy, while all my youngest daughter has proven with her education, I am afraid, is that she is an incurable romp.”
“I do not see what age has to do with the matter, and Lydia is just as much Lizzy’s sister as Kitty. There is no reason to betray such favoritism. Lydia must feel dreadfully, and rightly so, to be so left out. Lizzy must not be so disagreeable. I will write to her at once to tell her how much my sister Phillips thinks London would be just the thing for Lydia. She was saying, only yesterday, how time in town adds an unmistakable refinement to a young lady’s demeanor. Mary King returned so very much improved from her time there. One scarcely notices her freckles at all.”
“You may write all you like, but it will make not the slightest difference, not even with the benefit of Mrs. Phillips’ sanction or the evidence of Miss King’s complexion. Neither Lizzy nor Mr. Darcy will consent to bringing Lydia out at this time, and even if they were so foolish as to agree to such a proposal, I would not allow it, having lost count of the number of missives I’ve received from Mrs. Rivers regarding Lydia’s bad behavior. Poor woman! If it wasn’t for the peace her suffering buys me, I would sincerely pity her.”
“Nonsense, Mr. Bennet! How can you say such things of your own daughter?”
“I can say them, Mrs. Bennet, because they are undeniably true.”
“Oh! You have no pity on my poor nerves!”
“I had thought that seeing so many of your daughters properly disposed of would have cured your famous nerves, but instead they find new sources of worry with which to plague me.”
She grew red with indignation. “Mr. Bennet!”
“And for that matter,” he continued, “do I not have claim to nerves of my own? Yours have played such a decided role in our lives, I believe it is time that mine might be considered, lest they feel neglected.”
“Oh, do not talk such nonsense when important matters are at hand. I insist you write to Mr. Darcy. He will persuade Lizzy to include Lydia in the invitation.”
“I am sorry to inform you that I have already discussed the matter with Mr. Darcy, and we both agree Lydia is not ready to leave Mrs. Rivers.”
Mrs. Bennet narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her husband. “How long have you known of this, Mr. Bennet?”
“Oh, at least a fortnight, if not more.”
“I would think that, as a mother, I might be consulted in such arrangements.”
“You are perfectly right, my dear. What do you think of the notion of Kitty spending the season in London with the Darcys?”
“I think it a splendid notion, especially if Lydia might join them.”
“Then we are in agreement that it is a very nice thing for Kitty. Lydia will have her turn next year.” Mrs. Bennet looked disgruntled, and her husband offered the following balm to her ruffled sensibilities: “Oh do think of the great men Kitty is sure to meet. She may very well have an Earl falling desperately in love with her. How can that irritate your nerves?”
Mrs. Bennet
took a moment to consider. “She should do very well, as all her sisters before her made excellent matches, and without the benefit of a London season. Of course, they had my guidance, which Kitty will be without. If she should attract a very great man – someone with a title – I hope she isn’t fool enough to let him slip away. I always thought it would be Lizzy who would cause us trouble, but never did I see two people fall more furiously in love than she and Mr. Darcy when they first met. There certainly was no question of her ever rejecting him. And, of course, Jane could never have considered such a thing, nor Mary, not when Mr. Collins was so good as to ask for her!”
“Must a lady accept every offer that comes her way?”
“It depends a great deal on the lady, Mr. Bennet! Or the offer, I suppose. I hope a daughter of mine knows better than to say no when an unexceptional man proposes, unless she is secure of a better one. What a notion!” and she shuffled off to regale Hill, a far more receptive party, with her thoughts on Lydia’s exclusion and Kitty’s prospects. Mr. Bennet was left alone to reflect on his wife’s current state of temper.
Mrs. Bennet, ever since learning it was key to Mr. Darcy’s happiness, had become very good at containing her over exuberant behavior in public, but in private she had grown steadily more frenzied. Mr. Bennet had first attributed the change to the lack of other ladies in the house, especially as the situation seemed to have worsened since the Bingley’s left Netherfield. It was perfectly understandable that she should be lonely, having been used to always have her daughters at hand, and he, by way of a cure, encouraged her to visit any hospitable relations as often as possible. But every happy event seemed to upset her, giving her more cares and worries to dwell upon than joy. The birth of their first grandchild had exposed Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of all people, to a fit of nerves that Mr. Bennet blushed, as far as he was able, to remember, particularly as Lady Catherine chose to remind him of it so often.
However nonsensical Mrs. Bennet might behave, her husband never ceased to be amazed by the depth of her perception, though revealed only thoughtlessly. Her last words on this occasion caused him pause, forcing him to take greater regard of his forth daughter. He feared he knew her character the least of his brood, as her former tendency to follow Lydia in everything led him to pay little attention to her. It was a mistake; he knew that now. Since falling into Miss Darcy’s sphere of influence and leaving Longbourn for Mrs. Rivers’ establishment, Kitty had distinguished herself as a young lady of far more depth than he had formerly suspected, excelling in all her subjects and making the most of her opportunities. All this reflected very well, as did the affection she had earned from the Darcys. He sincerely hoped that Kitty never was forced to reject a gentleman deemed worthy by her mother, for it was a trial under which he knew not how the sensitive Kitty would fare, and he had no desire to find out. One thing was certain: the uproar incurred by such circumstances would be a horrid disruption to the peace and serenity he was so stridently trying to grow accustomed.
Chapter 3
Mr. Simon Brooks had only been in town for a week when he ventured forth for an evening at Covent Gardens. He had expected the play to be his main source of entertainment, not being the sort of gentleman who enjoyed the theater only for the sport of socializing with and gossiping about the other members of the audience, but upon entrance of a blonde vision of loveliness, his interest in the drama was entirely overthrown.
“Who is that?” he inquired of his companion.
“Miss Georgiana Darcy. Quite a beauty, is she not? The man who claims her hand will be a lucky one, that I promise.”
“How come?”
“Why, my dear Simon, she has a fortune of no less than thirty thousand pounds, let alone a bevy of accomplishments.”
“I’m not sure I care much for the fortune, but she is scholarly,
you say?”
His friend laughed. “Not so much of a blue stocking to interest you, I’m afraid, but by all means, go introduce yourself! Never any harm in testing the waters, you know!”
So it was that at intermission Mr. Brooks presented himself in Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s box, the Darcy ladies’ hostess for the evening. He presented his card and was gratified by a warm welcome.
“Mr. Brooks! Of course, you are Cordelia Fitzroy’s son. There are few among the dead whom I miss so much!” declared the forthright Lady Catherine, who numbered her own late husband amongst those less mourned.
“It is good of you to remember me, Lady Catherine. Surely it has been at least fifteen years.”
“If not twenty, but you are the precise image of your father. I would know you anywhere. This is Mrs. Darcy, Fitzwilliam’s wife, of course, and I do not believe you would have ever met Miss Darcy.”
“No, I have never before had that pleasure,” he said with a deep, particular bow. In some, such behavior might seem the practiced arts of the rogue, but Simon Brooks’ every action spoke to his sincerity. Georgiana blushed deeply, while Elizabeth Darcy’s eyes sparkled with amused delight, quite aware that she was witness to the possibility of romance.
“You are Sir James Stratton’s neighbor, are you not?” Georgiana queried.
“Yes! Sir James is my very dearest friend,” he enthusiastically replied.
Georgiana laughed, feeling far more at ease than she expected to, Elizabeth’s approving nod giving her courage. “I remember hearing him speak of you fondly, Mr. Brooks, though it has been some time since we last saw him. Your boyhood must have always been most exciting together.”
“He never could abide a dull moment,” he nodded in agreement. “Did you ever hear tell of the time he thought he had discovered how to fly?”
“No!” she giggled. “But I am not surprised.”
“We were quite young – he was maybe seven, so I would have been five – and had just learned the story of Icarus flying too close to the sun. James said he had better have used plaster rather than wax, and we went right to work on his own version of the wings. It took us two months before they were ready. I was to be the first to try them – James said he had to make observations – and we were on the roof of Teggington, ready to take off, when our tutor discovered us. Never was I so incensed with someone for saving my neck!”
“Oh my! Your poor tutor. When Sir James would visit Pemberley, I recall him being quite the bane of our governess.”
Lady Catherine and Elizabeth exchanged knowing glances as they observed Mr. Brooks and Georgiana fall into such easy conversation, stationing themselves at the far end of the box where they could discuss the matter unheard. “He is very handsome and seems perfectly agreeable,” declared Elizabeth. “Who is he?”
“Owner of Turnley – not the greatest estate in the county, as it is right next to Teggington, but his family is one of the oldest in Cornwall. The house was remodeled not thirty years ago and is quite comfortable. I believe Cordelia’s entire dowry went into it. He must have five thousand a year, perhaps a bit more if he has been an attentive landlord.”
“So he is perfectly unexceptional!” Elizabeth said with a smile, knowing that such a statement would provoke a contradiction from her companion, who obligingly frowned in response.
“It is not a great match for Georgiana. There would be those who would say she could do far better.”
“But you would not be amongst them, would you, Aunt Catherine?”
“Certainly not,” the grand lady bristled. “It would be a perfectly acceptable connection.”
“Excellent, for they do seem to like one another, do they not?”
“It is too early to say, but never mind about them, Elizabeth. I have something rather important to discuss with you, and I will not lose this opportunity while Georgiana is distracted,” she dictated, leveling an appraising eye at Elizabeth. “How are you feeling, my dear?”
Elizabeth, who was the picture of health, was a bit taken aback at the inquiry. “Perfectly well, I assure you. Do I seem ill?”
“No, Elizabeth. You are more plump and
rosy than ever. Have you experienced a change in appetite?”
“I may have put on a few pounds,” she admitted, “but it is certainly due to Cook’s chocolate soufflé, which he has quite perfected.”
“My dear, must I be more explicit?” Lady Catherine whispered, bemused that the quick Bennet wit, which she so enjoyed, was proving so obtuse. “Is it possible that you are increasing?”
Elizabeth listened to the question in shock. For a moment or two she said nothing, considering her response. “I suppose it is possible, but I had not imagined it until now,” she blushed.
“So I see! You had best speak with Mr. Messling, if you are unsure.”
“I think that might be premature. I will wait a few weeks, and if the doubt remains I will seek his advice.”
“My dear, if I can tell, than it certainly cannot be premature,” Lady Catherine declared. “I am particularly observant of such matters. It was I who spotted your sister’s condition, you know, and correctly predicted the delivery month, but even I cannot see what is not there.”
“Oh! May it only be true!” she said excitedly, the notion of having a child beginning to take hold. “Fitzwilliam would be so delighted!”
Lady Catherine smiled benignly, quite delighted in her own right. “Yet you mustn’t say a word to him until you are quite certain. There are some things gentlemen need not know. When does he return from Bath?”
“We expect him Saturday. It just gives us enough time to refresh Kitty’s wardrobe before the Hamilton’s ball.”
“I still do not know why he must go away, just when I am in town,” Lady Catherine grumbled. “A servant could have conducted Miss Bennet, and I will be gone before he returns! I think it vey inconsiderate of Darcy to not have considered that this was just the time I was likely to come to town.”
Elizabeth concealed her amusement. “Kitty and Fitzwilliam have developed quite the close friendship. He cares for her just as he would Georgiana,” she explained.
