Catherine Bennet

by Jessica McLean

  “My brother, at our town house tomorrow week.” Replied Georgiana.

  “You and Sir William are both invited. It will be quite a grand affair, Darcy is inviting many of our London friends and it should be a pleasant evening.” Said Lizzy.

  “Tomorrow week?” Maria said suddenly disheartened. “Thank you, we should have been happy to attend but we return to Meryton on Friday please accept my apologies.” She answered,

  “Oh really? That is a shame I should have been grateful of your company. I have little acquaintances in London.” Said Kitty miserable again. Georgiana looked at her and then to Lizzy.

  “Could we not ask my brother if Miss Lucas could stay with us while we are in Town?” she asked. “As Catherine stated she knows no one. I think Miss Lucas would be a great help to her.” she said, she hated seeing her friend upset and knew too well that Kitty would feel very unsure of herself surrounded by London Society strangers.

  “I see no reason why not, I shall ask him as soon as we return. Would you like that Maria?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Will Mr Darcy approve of that?” asked the young woman warily, she was still quite terrified of the imposing gentleman.

  “I do hope so, I’d so appreciate it.” Said Kitty.

  “Then let us hope” said Maria. “and we shall stick together. Now, what is your plan for the morning? Shall we not all head to the shops quickly for it threatens to snow later and I wish to purchase a new bonnet before it does for mine is quite damaged now for I got caught in the downpour yesterday.” Maria stated.

  “That did come out of nowhere didn’t it? We were planning on going to the park while it was clear, suffice to say we didn’t in the end, we sat in the parlour and played cards.” Replied Lizzy.

  “A wise decision. I shall just get my cloak and we’ll be off.” Said Maria as she hurried out of the room.

  ***

  Late one night a few days later Georgiana was sitting on her bed reading and re-reading a letter she had received when Kitty knocked on the door and came in. There was a short silence and then Kitty ran over to Georgiana who proceeded to break down in noisy sobs , burying her face in Kitty’s shoulder. “Oh Kitty! Is there any hope now? Thomas Westwood has been both in town and in Derbyshire for goodness knows how long and he never proceeded to call and now this happens. Will I never see him again?” she wailed.

  “Georgiana , are you crying because you are worried you will not see Mr Westwood again or of the news of his father’s passing?” asked Kitty.

  “Oh I know it’s selfish of me and I will mourn the late Sir Thomas greatly, but with Tom now in charge of the estate and all its affairs I cannot help but fear that he is lost to me forever.” She sobbed.

  “It is true he is likely to be, somewhat busier than usual my dear but all cannot be lost. You are young and pretty and you are of an honourable family. Even as far as a gentleman of 12,000 a year goes , it is an eligible match. You must be patient dear. No one who has met you can possible forget you.” Kitty said reassuringly.

  “Oh Kitty...you are too good. You are invaluable to me in such times as these. I don’t know what I would do without your company.” Her friend said.

  “Will there be a big funeral?” asked the other girl.

  “Not at all. Julia writes that it will be a family affair. I wish it would not be for then I might at least see him again.” Georgiana said with a sigh.

  “My dear a funeral is hardly the best place to rekindle a romance” laughed Kitty. “Perhaps a quiet family affair will be better, at least then when he does call there will be no difficulties or awkward silences.... anyway, I will bid you goodnight. I promised to go and see Maria before bed. She’s been very shy and quiet. I think staying here makes her nervous.” She finished.

  “Yes, my brother can have that affect on people.” Georgiana laughed wiping her eyes. “Of course go to her. Goodnight Kitty” she said with a smile and hugged her friend.

  Kitty bid her goodnight and made her way to Maria Lucas’s room, knocking on the door. “Kitty?” a meek voice asked.

  “Aye it is” replied she going into the room. Maria Lucas was sat at the desk a candle flickering softly. “Are you all right ?” Her friend asked. Maria put the charcoal down and turned to her friend.

  “Oh hello Kitty.” She replied getting up. “I’m all right yes, I was just sketching you know, passing the time” replied she as Kitty crossed over to the desk and looked at what the young girl had been working on.

  “…Maria, this is really good.” She said examining the drawing , it was a very detailed drawing of the music box that sat on the desk, a very beautiful antique in a dark wood colour with carvings along the sides and on the lid. “I didn’t know you liked drawing.” She added. Maria shrugged.

  “It’s a recent thing. My father brings me to town an awful lot, I don’t have many friends here and he’s often at conferences and things and so I have a lot of time to myself.” She sat down on the bed and Kitty joined her.

  “Julia likes drawing as well, so does Georgiana. Personally my artistic skills are somewhat lacking” Kitty said with a laugh.

  “If it’s something you’d be interested in, I’m sure I could teach you. It’ll be nice to have a drawing companion, no one at home is that interested in it.” Maria offered.

  “That’d be nice” Kitty replied. “So are you looking forward to the ball on Friday?” she added.

  “I don’t know. I don’t have many friends in town at the moment” Maria said with concern.

  “Neither do I” Kitty responded, “We’ll be awkward together” she laughed.

  “Aye indeed” Maria added. Kitty was grateful to have her near and with Elizabeth and Georgiana as well it felt a bit more like home and she began to feel a lot better.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty

  The Darcy’s were very popular in town and both Kitty and Maria being small town girls found the society a little tiring at times. There was nearly always a guest to dinner or cards. Many names and faces they were introduced to, very little they could remember. One face they did remember was that of Mr James Goude, Darcy’s ‘school friend.’ He had called upon him that first morning in town and he was frequently on the guest list. His family were from Hampshire and his father was some sort of Baron. There were a lot of people most of the time and it wasn’t until one evening mid week shortly before the ball that they got a chance to properly observe him. It was in a parlour (for there was many), Mr Darcy and Elizabeth were sitting on sofas, Maria on another chair, Kitty was at the piano with Georgiana turning the pages. Mr Goude was sat across the room. He had an unfriendly, proud air and looked about him with a self importance and arrogance that reminded Kitty an awful lot of how she had first perceived Mr Darcy. He was rather handsome on the rare occasions she saw him smile but he had very dark eyes that Kitty found quite un-nerving and he wore dark colours and looked down his nose at most things. He was prone to talking quietly in corners with Mr Darcy rather than engaging with the whole party, unless Georgiana or Maria happened to walk past at which point his eyes would follow them in a lecherous way that made Kitty shudder, she did not care for him at all. She had always been observant of people and emotions and there was something quite dark and sinister about him, like he knew more than he was letting on and thought a lot more than he should when Maria or Georgiana entered the room.

  As she finished the piece she was playing there was a general round of applause. Her sister smiled and mentioned how she was improving. She had been playing the book that Julia had lent her before they had departed earlier in the year. “Thank you, Miss Westwood’s music is quite easy to play, I think if I tried anything harder I’d stumble. Even with this I make a lot of mistakes. I sometimes wonder if I’ll ever be any good, perhaps I’ve left it too late to start practicing.” said the young woman contemplatively. “Nonsense you are never too old to learn new skills and you are getting very good so don’t talk such nonsense.” Georgiana said.

  “Won�
��t you play another Kitty?” her sister urged but she was tired now and denied the offer stating how she would not wish to disturb them any longer.

  “Play if you want to Catherine.” Mr Darcy spoke.

  “Oh yes do. It sounds really good. Does it not?” Maria asked.

  “Aye indeed, do play on.” Georgiana added.

  “What say you Mr Goude? Should my sister play on?” Lizzy asked directly to the guest who had not spoken yet.

  “I hardly think he cares, do you Goude? Music is seldom heard down in Hampshire.” Darcy said adopting his own slightly proud tone that still sometimes irritated his wife.

  “Perhaps this is a rare treat for him then. Miss Bennet plays exceptionally well these days.” Lizzy added with a smirk.

  “Miss Bennet, plays tolerably well for someone who has only started playing recently. But perhaps we should listen to Miss Darcy for a bit and let Miss Bennet rest her voice and hands” was the gentleman’s response.

  “I thank you sir. Georgiana plays a thousand times better than me.” Kitty added.

  “How charming, I suspected she might. Miss Darcy had the rare blessing of being taught from a very early age by one of the best music masters.” The gentleman responded.

  “To be honest I didn’t really start until I was 12 or 13.” Georgiana stammered, praise always made her shy.

  “And you are still much better than I, come dear” Kitty said getting up and swapping places with Georgiana “We haven’t heard you play at all since we arrived in town.” Georgiana blushed

  “I shall play, but do not make me sing.” The girl said shyly.

  “No need to be nervous Miss Darcy. I am sure you play and sing as beautifully. I long to hear you…” Goude gushed. He regarded her deeply, there was something in his eyes that Kitty noticed like some plan was scheming in his mind and it gave her the chills. He had a shark like air to him and his words seemed to be dripping with fake charm something of which her sister Elizabeth had also noticed. Georgiana blushed again and turned her attention to the piano, she played beautifully; all the while he watched her.

  ***

  Chapter twenty-one

  It was the morning before the ball and as Kitty had been selecting what gown she ought to wear, she had found a tear in her favourite one and in a panic had instantly called for Alice’s assistance. The young servant had come instantly and taken the dress to be mended. Kitty thanked her and requested she not tell Lizzy she was playing with her dress before the ball. “Your secret’s safe with me Miss” the young woman promised as she began making her way towards the sewing room . As she was passing Mr Goude came out of his room and he looked incredibly shocked when he heard Alice’s voice and as she turned and walked down the corridor, they notice d each other and there was an awkward silence , more on Alice’s part , and she looked vaguely frightened. Goude moved aside as Alice curtsied quickly and hurried past anxious to get away. Glancing back she saw Goude was watching her surprised, Kitty noticed this little exchange, before he turned his attention to her and bowed coldly. Feeling very unsettled now , Kitty just turned and walked back into her room shutting the door . There was something very odd about what had just happened, and she hated seeing her devoted maid in such distress . She wondered what could have been wrong, her thoughts flicking back to the conversation she had, had with Alice a while ago.

  ***

  Lizzy and Kitty would often take a walk together around the park when weather permitted, just the two of them. As part of a family of 5 sisters that were currently split up across the country , the only people that had regular contact with was each other and they had bonded more than anyone would ever have imagined had they met them a few years ago. This was understood by Darcy and their friends and they were left to it. Lizzy opened the conversation by mentioning a letter she had received from their sister Jane. They hadn’t heard anything for a while and so Kitty was quite concerned. “Good or bad news?” asked she.

  “Good, very good indeed. The baby is developing quite nicely. No real problems yet. She talks about being bored though, she has stopped appearing in company now.” responded her sister.

  “Poor Jane. And with only Caroline Bingley for company.” thought Catherine aloud.

  “Indeed, poor Jane. Still perhaps this time together will strengthen their friendship again.” Lizzy responded.

  “Their friendship didn’t last past that time when she went to our Aunt Gardener’s for the winter and I think it was well and truly severed when she married Charles Bingley.” expressed Catherine bitterly.

  “Aye indeed, spiteful woman.” Her sister added , as they continued along the path for a while Kitty remarked upon Miss Bingley's behaviour.

  “Thank goodness we haven’t seen her since the winter. Some of the comments she made I found quite offensive. Both she and Miss Westwood would often go over to a private corner and I could feel their eyes on me scrutinizing every little thing about me. I dislike feeling that way.” She grumbled. Her sister smiled and patted her hand reassuringly.

  “Josephine Westwood and Caroline Bingley are just two of those women who think far too highly of themselves and take delight in the misfortunes of others. You really shouldn’t let Caroline’s sharp tongue and cold eyes bother you Kitty. She’s just angry.” Her sister answered. Kitty couldn’t understand why two women who had everything could possibly find anything to be angry about. She enquired thus. Elizabeth stopped on a bench. “Oh everything. She’s angry that Jane married her brother and she’s angry that I married Mr Darcy. I’m sure it was just as apparent to you as it was to me that she had plans for him. And she’s angry that Henry Westwood paid more attention to you during his stay at Pemberley than to her.” Kitty thought this was quite petty and her sister agreed, thinking it was quite despicable.

  “Speaking of despicable. ” Kitty mused “What do you make of Mr Goude? I found him quite unpleasant didn’t you?” she said.

  “Aye indeed. I did not like him at all, there is something very false in his air and the way he looked at Georgiana…” Kitty remarked that she had noticed this as well and wondered what he could mean by it.

  “Georgiana is a very young and pretty sort of girl” answered Lizzy “she has a certain innocence and charm that a man like Mr Goude likes.” Her sister answered. Kitty Wrinkled her nose

  “but he’s old! He’s much older than her. Why he must be thirty at least. And she’s barley eighteen” Exclaimed she.

  “It’s not his age that is so much of a problem to me, sometimes older men can be better for girls. Mr Darcy is older than me and Mr Westwood is older than you.” Her sister replied severely.

  “I guess so.…” thought Kitty after much consideration although she still thought it rather odd.

  “It’s his manner all together I cannot stand. His air, the way he moves and the way his eyes shift over everyone and everything. He reminds me very much of Mr Wickham. All politeness on the outside but something else on the inside. I cannot trust him Kitty.” Her sister remarked, and Kitty remembered what she’d witnessed earlier.

  “Aye indeed and Alice is quite scared of him. I saw them pass each other in the corridor this morning and he seemed to recognise her. What could that mean?” she asked.

  “I do not know for sure. Mrs Reynolds said Alice came to us from a family in the south, perhaps they met down there…” responded her sister. Kitty paused for a moment remembering again what Alice said before “I was in the service of a family in the south. Their name is inconsequential. The master of the house was an elderly gentleman, he had 3 children 2 sons and a daughter…” and a cold chill ran through her. “Does he have a brother?” she asked.

  “Hmm , I’m not sure I think he does. My husband mentioned it once, in fact yes , a younger brother. He is married I think, he lives over in Europe, his wife I understand is very wealthy...” she responded.

  “Oh...” thought Kitty changing the subject. “Have you expressed your thoughts about him to Mr Darcy?” she asked.

&nbs
p; “He would have none of it. Mr Goude is his friend and until he does something that compromises that, it is hopeless to bring such matters up.” Lizzy answered. Kitty then enquired as to what they could do about it. “Keep our thoughts to ourselves and see what we can find out on our own?” her sister suggested.

  “You mean spy?” asked the younger girl.

  “In a way yes. That is exactly what I mean. At the ball we shall observe him, discreetly of course.” Lizzy said. “Now Kitty dear please tell me what you heard from Lydia. Do not think I did not recognise her hand writing on the secret letter Alice brought you.” She said severely, and Kitty gave a start, she had forgotten how observant Lizzy could be. Lydia had sworn her to secrecy, but she could not lie to Lizzy she’d see right through it.

  “Oh, very well but you must promise not to tell anyone for she swore me to secrecy.” Said Kitty.

  “I will keep it if I feel I can my dear.” Advised Lizzy. “I trust she is remaining faithful, Wickham is a cad and regrettably their marriage was a necessity and as a family we cannot afford anymore scandals.” She finished.

  Kitty reassured her that to her knowledge Lydia has been completely faithful to Wickham, that, that in fact was the problem. She explained to her of Lydia’s financial situation, of how much she’d been struggling, of Wickham’s debts and the most distressing news Lydia had discovered recently. Like Jane she too was with child. Not long after she’d returned from her Pemberly visit Wickham had struck lucky in a game, not so lucky that all their problems were resolved but rather than saving it to help them out they’d spent it on a trip to London where they’d gotten very merry and a little carried away and the result was a child to be born in the winter. Lizzy listened without speaking, Poor Lydia, alone nowhere near her family and a child to be born at such a bad time in the North as well. She assured Kitty of her secrecy for now but strongly suggested that they try and figure out something to be done, someone to help. Kitty agreed but had no immediate answers and the girls continued along their way in silence a while.