finally
Title: Kitty
Fandom: Pride and Prejudice
Word Count: 2501 O_o (I couldn't help it! It mushroomed!)
Comments: for Rachel (azuretherial), at her request of a romance for Kitty. It takes some time unfolding, mind.
Two weeks after her second daughter's invaluable marriage to the inestimable Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet began to think dear Lizzie must be wanting her family to call. One month after the happy event, Mr. Bennet permitted it. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, decisively settled for the present at Netherfield, offered their carriage for the journey, for they meant to go themselves.
“What a happy little family party we shall be!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. And so they were, for the carriage was admirably proportioned for the comfort of six passengers, and every body was in high spirits. Even Mary was animated at the prospect of the libraries of Pemberley. The sun shone, the country was beautiful, and every thing seemed contrived to make the journey as pleasant a one as possible.
When they entered the park surrounding the manor, Bingley remarked on it, saying: “From here on, we are on the grounds of Pemberley. But do not look for the drive to end quickly, for Darcy’s property is quite surpassingly large.” Instantly Mrs. Bennet was all in awe.
“Why, what a pretty park! I never saw such a pretty park! And look, how far we have driven into it, and still we cannot see the house! Look, girls, look at it! Mr. Bennet, how can you be so grave at such a sight!”
“My dear, you have enough excitement for two of us,” her husband replied placidly. Inwardly, however, his heart stirred and was glad that his favourite daughter should have married the man who owned such a park. Mary began a discourse on the various specimens of botanical perfection that were visible; but Catherine’s eyes were fixed upon the passing splendour of flower and greenery, and she never said a word. Then the house came into view, and every body stopped speaking and sat in silent admiration. Even Mrs. Bennet was so overcome that she could not say any thing.
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy met them as they drew up in the dooryard. Mrs. Bennet was first out of the carriage and fell directly into her daughter’s arms, kissing her and exclaiming over the beauty and splendour of all that she saw about her. Her husband followed more decorously, and greeted Elizabeth with greater reserve but no less real warmth than his wife. Then Jane followed, and her husband, and Kitty and Mary, and for a short time there was quite a chaos of greetings, kisses, tears, smiles, and handshakes. When every body had moved into the front hall, Jane asked,
“But where is your sister, Mr. Darcy? Is she no longer living here?” Mr. Darcy laughed; a sight which astonished his mother-in-law.
“O, yes, she lives here still. But she has been staying this last month with some friends in Devon, and will not be returning until next week.”
“And she will be bringing her friends, I believe, will she not, Mr. Darcy?” asked his wife.
“Yes; I hope you do not mind,’ he addressed his visitors, “for their parents were great friends of my father’s, and this visit was planned at Christmas.”
“O! We do not mind at all,” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. “We shall be very happy to meet them, I am sure; will we not, Mr. Bennet?” He acknowledged that they would.
“Splendid. We will show you your rooms, and leave you to refresh yourselves. I know your journey has not been over-short. Supper will be in an hour.”
At Elizabeth’s discretion, Kitty’s room was separate from Mary’s, though they were adjoined by a connecting door. Her trunk was deposited at the foot of the bed, and as the door closed behind the manservant, Kitty turned to the open window. The room was on the western face, and the sun was just now setting in fullest glory. She sat her down by the window, leaning her elbows on the sill, and sat thus for some little time, surrounded by the beauty of the evening.
Presently the sun sank below the trees, and Kitty roused herself to wash her hands and face and hang up her dresses. A few had not been worn since she and Lydia had gone to balls together, and acted very like fools, Kitty admitted, though it cost her pain. She thought that in really good company she might learn from the examples of those about her. At home, it was very difficult not to miss Lydia, or to long for the old days of officers and flirtations. Here, she hoped, it would be easier, with such examples as Jane and Lizzie and their husbands. Then she realized she had better change her dress before supper-time, and rapidly did so. The bell sounded just as she finished, and she left her room and hurried through halls and down stairs to the dining room.
Supper was masterfully executed, consisting of hot soup, cold salad, roast lamb, cold beef, potatoes, gravy, turnip, wine, fruit, and pudding. Jane and Elizabeth, seated opposite one another, were deeply engrossed in conversation, for neither had seen the other in a month, though they had exchanged letters, and they were discovering the new breadth of their capacity for discussing domestic particulars. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were talking with Mr. Bingley, on a variety of topics, determined by Mrs. Bennet, who jumped about from one subject to another, just as she chose. Mr. Darcy, meanwhile, discoursed with Mary on certain volumes of educational essays, until, applying to Kitty for an opinion, and finding she had read none of the books under discussion, he kindly changed the subject, for which consideration she was deeply grateful, and willingly gave an account of the doings of every body back home.
Later in the evening, as she put on her nightgown and prepared to go to bed, Kitty reflected that it might be wise to try and apply herself to some good reading. It appeared to her that a large number of the gentility were vastly well-read, and she wished very much that Miss Darcy and her friends should not be displeased to make her acquaintance. It was certainly true that Mary was as dull a girl as any she had ever met, though she was her sister; still, Lizzy had read a great many books, and was no less sociable and charming for it. Thereupon Kitty resolved she should ask Elizabeth in the morning, what sorts of books she might recommend.
Accordingly, the following morning after breakfast, as Elizabeth prepared to take a walk, Kitty hastily joined her. As they walked, Elizabeth perceived that her sister was troubled, and bade her speak.
“Well, Lizzy,” began Kitty, “I have decided I ought to read more books, but I do not know what sort of books I ought to read. I have tried to read some of Mary’s, and they bore me so that I want to throw something.” Lizzy laughed.
“My dear Kitty, there are few that are not scholars who could read the sort of things she does, and enjoy them. I cannot last three pages, myself.” Here Kitty began to laugh with her.
“Is that really true? Then can you tell me some of the books you like to read? I do not know very much about books, and I cannot tell how I ought to begin.”
“I will tell you,” said Elizabeth, “and when we return to the house I will give you a few, to begin with. I have some I think you will like.”
Elizabeth was very glad to see her sister’s interests thus altered, and resolved to go into the library and seek out some more books for Kitty. A few she had on hand; those she had promised her already, but she thought it likely Kitty might finish them rapidly and be in want of further reading.
She was proven correct. Catherine read three books entire in as many days. Jane laughingly advised her to go outside more or she might strain her eyes. Kitty brought her books out of doors, then, and read in the garden behind the house, where there was a very elegant stone pavilion. Mary commended her sister at length on her new pastime, and Kitty, so engrossed was she in her book, did not even mind.
Three more days passed, and it was Tuesday, the day on which Miss Darcy and her friends were to arrive. So great was Kitty’s agitation that she almost could not eat, and all morning she could not read her book, but paced the garden. She surprized herself, for she had not realized how badly she wished to make a favourable impression upon Miss Darcy and her guests.
Since her separation from Lydia, she had come to understand a number of things, mostly of an uncomfortable nature. A realization had begun to grow in her that real gentility of manner was something greatly to be prized; and for one such as herself, used as she had been to follow Lydia’s example of wilfulness, a thing not easily attained. She actually had a real fear of meeting Miss Darcy, and her friends, now she knew and could admit of her own faults; for, while she desired to improve her character, she knew she had still far to go, and no-one enjoys the experience of being found wanting.
As the reader might have expected, Kitty’s fear was entirely baseless. Miss Darcy was so sweet-natured, that every body must be looked upon favourably, unless a serious reason to do otherwise occurred. In this way she much resembled Mrs. Bingley. Then, too, there was Kitty’s position as the sister of her new sister, and she was as such thrice more warmly welcomed to the acquaintance and friendship of Georgiana Darcy. Such, indeed, was Georgiana’s position in the eyes of the party of friends she had brought home, that they, too, instantly accorded Kitty the same courtesies and esteem as their friend.
They were a party of four: two young ladies, aside from Georgiana; and a gentleman, brother of the ladies. Clara Morris was Georgiana’s age, Anne a year or two younger, and Eliot had just achieved the age of majority. Their father was a gentleman of no insignificant means, and his property entailed upon Eliot, who was to inherit his father’s income of three thousand pounds per annum.
Upon introduction, Kitty, true to her old habits, instantly fell in love. She resolved, however, to resist the inclination, and not succumb to the temptation to flirt. “Surely,” she thought with unwonted severity, “I may have a friendship with a young man that does not revolve around coquetry! If I cannot do at least that much, I am no gentlewoman.”
Their introduction had taken place in the garden. Elizabeth, watching from a sitting-room window, observed with delight Kitty’s composure, for she had foreseen and noted the effect which Mr. Morris had had on her sister, and was very proud of her self-command.
“Jane,” said Elizabeth, later that evening, when the two sisters were out walking and Kitty, Mary and Georgiana were in the west drawing room with the new guests, “I am afraid I cannot help hoping for Kitty what I once hoped for you.” Jane’s charity did not impede her intelligence, and she replied:
“I must confess I have had similar hopes. They have only just met, however, and we must not hope too soon.”
“Ah, but Jane, you have seen how easy they are in one another’s company, and how he looks at her when she is not looking, and she at him, when she thinks he is not. I believe she is trying to exercise self-discipline for perhaps the first time in her life; it may not go ill if she does not entirely succeed.”
Jane was puzzled by this cryptic statement. “Why, Lizzy, what can you mean?” Elizabeth laughed.
“Do not be alarmed; I only mean that I believe they ought to be engaged before a month is over.” Jane was a very little bit shocked by such a blunt speculation.
“O, Lizzy, surely they ought to take more time than that!”
“I do not see why. Did you not notice how eagerly both discussed whatever subject came up between them, this afternoon, after they had known one another for a matter of hours? He is not too intellectual for her, nor is she likely to do anything but improve in his company. His family has long had esteemed connexions with that of my husband, who has himself assured me of young Mr. Morris’ worth and character.”
“What, already?” Jane was amazed. “When had you even spoken alone, to-day?”
“Just after tea. Darling Jane, the attachment is as plain as the day. I know you see it, for you are no more a simpleton than I am. I know you must recall how it was with you and Mr. Bingley; that is what I saw to-day. If so much is apparent in a single day, do not wonder at my prediction.” Jane began to laugh, and Elizabeth could not keep from it herself.
The Morrises were to have staid a full month at Pemberley, but after a fortnight a letter was brought, saying that their father had fallen ill. The danger was uncertain, but it appeared serious. Clara, Anne, and Eliot, therefore, returned to their home, the girls entreating letters from Georgiana and Kitty, and even Mary, and promising to keep their friends informed of their father’s condition. It came as something of a surprize to every body, therefore, when the first letter sent or received was from Eliot Morris, to Catherine Bennet. He wrote to say that his father’s condition, though poor, did not appear alarming, but he had not really begun to recover yet. Hopefully, he wrote, he would be able to convey better news before too long. It was a rather short note, and Catherine was much puzzled by it. But she answered, thanking him for his kindness, and assuring him that all those he had left at Pemberley were continuing in good health.
The next letter she received from him contained the news that Mr. Morris had begun to mend; the third, that he was mending nicely. The fourth regretted that Catherine and her family were to return to Hertfordshire, before the Morrises were able to come again to Pemberley. He wrote:
Please excuse me if I am too forward, but I enjoyed your company very much whilst we were there together, and should like to see you again.
Kitty, reading this last, went white, then scarlet, and, scarlet-faced, rushed to ask her sisters’ advice.
“Well,” began Mrs. Bingley.
“Have Papa invite him to dinner while he is staying at Netherfield,” finished Mrs. Darcy. Mrs. Bingley gave no audible reproach, for they had discussed the strategy between themselves; but she lifted her eyebrows, gently, at the interruption. “I am sorry, Jane; I did not mean to appropriate your advice.” Jane only smiled.
Kitty, meanwhile, was experiencing the joy that comes of having two thoughtful, generous and match-making older sisters.
Fandom: Pride and Prejudice
Word Count: 2501 O_o (I couldn't help it! It mushroomed!)
Comments: for Rachel (azuretherial), at her request of a romance for Kitty. It takes some time unfolding, mind.
Two weeks after her second daughter's invaluable marriage to the inestimable Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet began to think dear Lizzie must be wanting her family to call. One month after the happy event, Mr. Bennet permitted it. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, decisively settled for the present at Netherfield, offered their carriage for the journey, for they meant to go themselves.
“What a happy little family party we shall be!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. And so they were, for the carriage was admirably proportioned for the comfort of six passengers, and every body was in high spirits. Even Mary was animated at the prospect of the libraries of Pemberley. The sun shone, the country was beautiful, and every thing seemed contrived to make the journey as pleasant a one as possible.
When they entered the park surrounding the manor, Bingley remarked on it, saying: “From here on, we are on the grounds of Pemberley. But do not look for the drive to end quickly, for Darcy’s property is quite surpassingly large.” Instantly Mrs. Bennet was all in awe.
“Why, what a pretty park! I never saw such a pretty park! And look, how far we have driven into it, and still we cannot see the house! Look, girls, look at it! Mr. Bennet, how can you be so grave at such a sight!”
“My dear, you have enough excitement for two of us,” her husband replied placidly. Inwardly, however, his heart stirred and was glad that his favourite daughter should have married the man who owned such a park. Mary began a discourse on the various specimens of botanical perfection that were visible; but Catherine’s eyes were fixed upon the passing splendour of flower and greenery, and she never said a word. Then the house came into view, and every body stopped speaking and sat in silent admiration. Even Mrs. Bennet was so overcome that she could not say any thing.
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy met them as they drew up in the dooryard. Mrs. Bennet was first out of the carriage and fell directly into her daughter’s arms, kissing her and exclaiming over the beauty and splendour of all that she saw about her. Her husband followed more decorously, and greeted Elizabeth with greater reserve but no less real warmth than his wife. Then Jane followed, and her husband, and Kitty and Mary, and for a short time there was quite a chaos of greetings, kisses, tears, smiles, and handshakes. When every body had moved into the front hall, Jane asked,
“But where is your sister, Mr. Darcy? Is she no longer living here?” Mr. Darcy laughed; a sight which astonished his mother-in-law.
“O, yes, she lives here still. But she has been staying this last month with some friends in Devon, and will not be returning until next week.”
“And she will be bringing her friends, I believe, will she not, Mr. Darcy?” asked his wife.
“Yes; I hope you do not mind,’ he addressed his visitors, “for their parents were great friends of my father’s, and this visit was planned at Christmas.”
“O! We do not mind at all,” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. “We shall be very happy to meet them, I am sure; will we not, Mr. Bennet?” He acknowledged that they would.
“Splendid. We will show you your rooms, and leave you to refresh yourselves. I know your journey has not been over-short. Supper will be in an hour.”
At Elizabeth’s discretion, Kitty’s room was separate from Mary’s, though they were adjoined by a connecting door. Her trunk was deposited at the foot of the bed, and as the door closed behind the manservant, Kitty turned to the open window. The room was on the western face, and the sun was just now setting in fullest glory. She sat her down by the window, leaning her elbows on the sill, and sat thus for some little time, surrounded by the beauty of the evening.
Presently the sun sank below the trees, and Kitty roused herself to wash her hands and face and hang up her dresses. A few had not been worn since she and Lydia had gone to balls together, and acted very like fools, Kitty admitted, though it cost her pain. She thought that in really good company she might learn from the examples of those about her. At home, it was very difficult not to miss Lydia, or to long for the old days of officers and flirtations. Here, she hoped, it would be easier, with such examples as Jane and Lizzie and their husbands. Then she realized she had better change her dress before supper-time, and rapidly did so. The bell sounded just as she finished, and she left her room and hurried through halls and down stairs to the dining room.
Supper was masterfully executed, consisting of hot soup, cold salad, roast lamb, cold beef, potatoes, gravy, turnip, wine, fruit, and pudding. Jane and Elizabeth, seated opposite one another, were deeply engrossed in conversation, for neither had seen the other in a month, though they had exchanged letters, and they were discovering the new breadth of their capacity for discussing domestic particulars. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were talking with Mr. Bingley, on a variety of topics, determined by Mrs. Bennet, who jumped about from one subject to another, just as she chose. Mr. Darcy, meanwhile, discoursed with Mary on certain volumes of educational essays, until, applying to Kitty for an opinion, and finding she had read none of the books under discussion, he kindly changed the subject, for which consideration she was deeply grateful, and willingly gave an account of the doings of every body back home.
Later in the evening, as she put on her nightgown and prepared to go to bed, Kitty reflected that it might be wise to try and apply herself to some good reading. It appeared to her that a large number of the gentility were vastly well-read, and she wished very much that Miss Darcy and her friends should not be displeased to make her acquaintance. It was certainly true that Mary was as dull a girl as any she had ever met, though she was her sister; still, Lizzy had read a great many books, and was no less sociable and charming for it. Thereupon Kitty resolved she should ask Elizabeth in the morning, what sorts of books she might recommend.
Accordingly, the following morning after breakfast, as Elizabeth prepared to take a walk, Kitty hastily joined her. As they walked, Elizabeth perceived that her sister was troubled, and bade her speak.
“Well, Lizzy,” began Kitty, “I have decided I ought to read more books, but I do not know what sort of books I ought to read. I have tried to read some of Mary’s, and they bore me so that I want to throw something.” Lizzy laughed.
“My dear Kitty, there are few that are not scholars who could read the sort of things she does, and enjoy them. I cannot last three pages, myself.” Here Kitty began to laugh with her.
“Is that really true? Then can you tell me some of the books you like to read? I do not know very much about books, and I cannot tell how I ought to begin.”
“I will tell you,” said Elizabeth, “and when we return to the house I will give you a few, to begin with. I have some I think you will like.”
Elizabeth was very glad to see her sister’s interests thus altered, and resolved to go into the library and seek out some more books for Kitty. A few she had on hand; those she had promised her already, but she thought it likely Kitty might finish them rapidly and be in want of further reading.
She was proven correct. Catherine read three books entire in as many days. Jane laughingly advised her to go outside more or she might strain her eyes. Kitty brought her books out of doors, then, and read in the garden behind the house, where there was a very elegant stone pavilion. Mary commended her sister at length on her new pastime, and Kitty, so engrossed was she in her book, did not even mind.
Three more days passed, and it was Tuesday, the day on which Miss Darcy and her friends were to arrive. So great was Kitty’s agitation that she almost could not eat, and all morning she could not read her book, but paced the garden. She surprized herself, for she had not realized how badly she wished to make a favourable impression upon Miss Darcy and her guests.
Since her separation from Lydia, she had come to understand a number of things, mostly of an uncomfortable nature. A realization had begun to grow in her that real gentility of manner was something greatly to be prized; and for one such as herself, used as she had been to follow Lydia’s example of wilfulness, a thing not easily attained. She actually had a real fear of meeting Miss Darcy, and her friends, now she knew and could admit of her own faults; for, while she desired to improve her character, she knew she had still far to go, and no-one enjoys the experience of being found wanting.
As the reader might have expected, Kitty’s fear was entirely baseless. Miss Darcy was so sweet-natured, that every body must be looked upon favourably, unless a serious reason to do otherwise occurred. In this way she much resembled Mrs. Bingley. Then, too, there was Kitty’s position as the sister of her new sister, and she was as such thrice more warmly welcomed to the acquaintance and friendship of Georgiana Darcy. Such, indeed, was Georgiana’s position in the eyes of the party of friends she had brought home, that they, too, instantly accorded Kitty the same courtesies and esteem as their friend.
They were a party of four: two young ladies, aside from Georgiana; and a gentleman, brother of the ladies. Clara Morris was Georgiana’s age, Anne a year or two younger, and Eliot had just achieved the age of majority. Their father was a gentleman of no insignificant means, and his property entailed upon Eliot, who was to inherit his father’s income of three thousand pounds per annum.
Upon introduction, Kitty, true to her old habits, instantly fell in love. She resolved, however, to resist the inclination, and not succumb to the temptation to flirt. “Surely,” she thought with unwonted severity, “I may have a friendship with a young man that does not revolve around coquetry! If I cannot do at least that much, I am no gentlewoman.”
Their introduction had taken place in the garden. Elizabeth, watching from a sitting-room window, observed with delight Kitty’s composure, for she had foreseen and noted the effect which Mr. Morris had had on her sister, and was very proud of her self-command.
“Jane,” said Elizabeth, later that evening, when the two sisters were out walking and Kitty, Mary and Georgiana were in the west drawing room with the new guests, “I am afraid I cannot help hoping for Kitty what I once hoped for you.” Jane’s charity did not impede her intelligence, and she replied:
“I must confess I have had similar hopes. They have only just met, however, and we must not hope too soon.”
“Ah, but Jane, you have seen how easy they are in one another’s company, and how he looks at her when she is not looking, and she at him, when she thinks he is not. I believe she is trying to exercise self-discipline for perhaps the first time in her life; it may not go ill if she does not entirely succeed.”
Jane was puzzled by this cryptic statement. “Why, Lizzy, what can you mean?” Elizabeth laughed.
“Do not be alarmed; I only mean that I believe they ought to be engaged before a month is over.” Jane was a very little bit shocked by such a blunt speculation.
“O, Lizzy, surely they ought to take more time than that!”
“I do not see why. Did you not notice how eagerly both discussed whatever subject came up between them, this afternoon, after they had known one another for a matter of hours? He is not too intellectual for her, nor is she likely to do anything but improve in his company. His family has long had esteemed connexions with that of my husband, who has himself assured me of young Mr. Morris’ worth and character.”
“What, already?” Jane was amazed. “When had you even spoken alone, to-day?”
“Just after tea. Darling Jane, the attachment is as plain as the day. I know you see it, for you are no more a simpleton than I am. I know you must recall how it was with you and Mr. Bingley; that is what I saw to-day. If so much is apparent in a single day, do not wonder at my prediction.” Jane began to laugh, and Elizabeth could not keep from it herself.
The Morrises were to have staid a full month at Pemberley, but after a fortnight a letter was brought, saying that their father had fallen ill. The danger was uncertain, but it appeared serious. Clara, Anne, and Eliot, therefore, returned to their home, the girls entreating letters from Georgiana and Kitty, and even Mary, and promising to keep their friends informed of their father’s condition. It came as something of a surprize to every body, therefore, when the first letter sent or received was from Eliot Morris, to Catherine Bennet. He wrote to say that his father’s condition, though poor, did not appear alarming, but he had not really begun to recover yet. Hopefully, he wrote, he would be able to convey better news before too long. It was a rather short note, and Catherine was much puzzled by it. But she answered, thanking him for his kindness, and assuring him that all those he had left at Pemberley were continuing in good health.
The next letter she received from him contained the news that Mr. Morris had begun to mend; the third, that he was mending nicely. The fourth regretted that Catherine and her family were to return to Hertfordshire, before the Morrises were able to come again to Pemberley. He wrote:
Please excuse me if I am too forward, but I enjoyed your company very much whilst we were there together, and should like to see you again.
Kitty, reading this last, went white, then scarlet, and, scarlet-faced, rushed to ask her sisters’ advice.
“Well,” began Mrs. Bingley.
“Have Papa invite him to dinner while he is staying at Netherfield,” finished Mrs. Darcy. Mrs. Bingley gave no audible reproach, for they had discussed the strategy between themselves; but she lifted her eyebrows, gently, at the interruption. “I am sorry, Jane; I did not mean to appropriate your advice.” Jane only smiled.
Kitty, meanwhile, was experiencing the joy that comes of having two thoughtful, generous and match-making older sisters.