Marriage for Love: A Tale of Kitty Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam
Summary: Colonel Geoffrey Fitzwilliam always knew that he must marry a woman of fortune since he was not to inherit a large fortune like his cousin, Fitzwilliam Darcy. That is, until he meets Miss Catherine 'Kitty' Bennet. Companion story to Double Trouble at Pemberley.
"Oh, Kitty, you shall meet some of the highest gentlemen in society! Make sure you always look your best! Give our love to Lizzie and Mr. Darcy!!" called Mrs. Bennet as Kitty boarded the coach that would take her to Lambton to meet the Darcy's carriage.
"Bye, Mama, bye Papa, bye Mary!" she called, waving as the coachmen loaded her trunk in the boot, "I'll write you when I arrive!"
"Goodbye, Kitty, dear, behave yourself," said Mr. Bennet as he kissed his daughter's brow, "I'll look forward to your letter."
"Oh, Papa, you needn't worry! I'm not as much like Lydia as everyone thinks, and Lizzie and Mr. Darcy will keep an eye on me," she said smiling as she boarded the coach.
"I'm sure they will," he said with a smile.
"All aboard?" called the Coachman, "Next stop, Bedfordshire!" he called as the coach lurched forward.
Kitty sighed as the rolling countryside of her childhood rolled past the windows of the coach. She had spent nearly her entire life under the influence of Lydia, and much as she loved her sister, she was glad that Lydia was gone and she could become her own person. Lydia had been her closest companion for a long time. Mary was always reading or playing the piano, and Jane and Lizzie were older and much more mature. However, at eighteen, Kitty realized that Lydia had been foolish to run away with Wickham. She still loved her sister and still flirted with officers, but she wasn't looking for her future spouse among the militia anymore. She didn't want a man to fall for her because she was pretty and silly. She realized that she couldn't be silly, little Kitty forever.
"Lizzie, when can we expect the arrival of your sister?" asked Georgiana at supper that night. She'd just arrived from London the day before.
"Kitty should be here by the end of the week," replied Lizzie.
"Oh. She is eighteen, correct?" asked Georgiana.
"Yes, I believe so. She's two years younger than Mary, who is twenty, and two years older than Lydia, who is sixteen," Elizabeth replied.
"Does she play?" asked Georgiana inquisitively.
"No, I don't believe so. Mary does, but not well, though she won't admit that," Lizzie replied.
"Does Kitty draw or paint?"
"Again, I don't believe so. She and Lydia spent most of their time fawning over the militia in Meryton, dancing, and buying ribbons," Lizzie replied with a sigh, "Although I hope that with the removal of Lydia's influence, Kitty has grown up a bit. Papa said she has been spending more time in the garden rather than in Meryton with the officers."
Georgiana was puzzled. She had never in her life met any young lady who couldn't at least play the pianoforte. She had a sudden realization that her questions were very much like something Lady Catherine would ask. She could tell that her brother was a little taken aback at this sudden drilling by his sister on his new wife.
"Oh," said Georgiana quietly, "Maybe I'll show Miss Bennet the gardens of Pemberley when she arrives," she offered.
"I'm sure Kitty would enjoy that," said Elizabeth slightly relieved, "She loves taking walks." She gave her new sister a reassuring smile. Georgiana was still very shy around her.
"Well," said Mr. Darcy, "Shall we retire to the drawing room for the evening?"
"Oh, I was hoping Georgiana would play for us," replied Elizabeth.
"Oh, Georgiana, would you oblige us with you lovely music?" has asked kindly.
"Of course brother, if Elizabeth will accompany me with her lovely voice," replied Georgiana.
"Of course, Georgiana. I would be happy to," replied Elizabeth as she rose from the table.
With that, they spent the evening in the music room with Georgiana playing and Elizabeth singing. Eventually, Georgiana excused herself to go to bed, and Mr. Darcy offered his wife his arm for them to retire for the night.
"Shall we retire to bed, Elizabeth?" has asked offering his arm.
"Yes, I am ready to retire for the night," she replied sleepily.
With that he led her to their private quarters where her maid, Sarah, was waiting to help her mistress out of her attire. Once in her nightgown, Lizzie made her way to their bed room and settled herself in the warm bed. Darcy soon joined her.
"Elizabeth," he said with a sigh, "I apologize for my sister's behavior at supper. It was inappropriate of her to ask such questions of your sister.
"Oh, Fitzwilliam," she replied using his Christian name, "You needn't apologize. It's understandable that she would be curious about her new relatives. Most of the ladies she knows must be quite accomplished."
"I was just worried about Lady Catherine's influence on her," he answered bringing up a touchy subject at the mention of his aunt.
"I think Georgiana cares about you too much to take anything that old hag says seriously," Lizzie replied with a laugh.
"I do hope so. I do hope so," he said as he stroked Elizabeth's hair and drifted of to sleep. She soon followed him into dream land.
A/N: So? Like it so far? I'm hoping to make Kitty less like a carbon copy of Lydia and more her own character. Poor Georgiana. I promise she'll become all sweetness and light in the next chapters. She sounded more like Lady Catherine or Caroline Bingley back there. BTW, does anyone know if Kitty is Catherine or Katherine?
