Hi Guys
Welcome back to
Becoming Catherine
Wow you guys are quick! As promised this Chapter is dedicated to Janashe who granted this story its 5th review
Still No Beta for this story yet so you have my gratitude for tolerating all my spelling and grammar issues
I own nothing but as I am not Austin that shouldn't surprise anyone lol
Now with the formalities concluded I bring you
Chapter 2 The Ball and Bingley
Skydancinghobbit
Her report was highly favorable. Sir Williams had been delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meant to be at the next assembly with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful! To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively hopes of Mr. Bingley's heart were entertained.
P&P Volume 1 Chapter 2
Kitty stood gazing into the full-length mirror of her mother's room with an expression of quiet dismay.
Lydia was quite wrong she decided yellow did not favor her complexion in the least. With a final twirl she passed through the hall making quiet progress to the room she shared with the youngest Miss Bennet. Rifling through the closet she smiled pulling from the back a new gown a present from her good Aunt, who in a quiet conversation with her this winter was amazed to discover the changes that had taken place in her and had rewarded this behavior accordingly. Pulling off the protective covering Kitty beamed. The fabric was a soft blue very light in color and even sported the new lace coverings that were the talk of Meryton. Summoning the maid was the work of a moment and as their mother called out from the bottom of the stairs Kitty felt a rush of pride as Hill finished her hair.
For once she would not be ashamed to draw attention in attending a ball. Happily making her way below stairs she was pleased by the surprised gasps that greeted her ears, as even Lydia could find nothing to complain of. Then at once they all crowed about offering compliments.
"Why Kitty that frock is lovely!"
"The shade compliments your skin"
"La…. where on earth did you get such a thing!
Her mood was so high not even the jealous murmurs of Lydia could dampen her mood as she fell into line behind Mary as they all piled into the carriage, the drive was nothing to speak of beyond conjectures of a man called Bingley and his supposed good humor. Guesses were passed at a quick pace between the ladies right until the carriage came to a gentle stop in front of the Red Lion. A waiting porter handed the ladies down warning them good naturedly to watch their step as the carriages had been arriving frequently. Gratefully the ladies took this advice to heart, arriving at the ball in good fashion and with no evidence of the horses on their person.
Chatter was flying about the room, young ladies comparing fashion notes from the city and their latest desires concerning frocks and bonnet ribbons, their elders conversing gently about the differences between town and country and the gentlemen to be found in either location. Mothers seated a bit apart happily swapped household remedies and gossip while sipping tea and nibbling dainties. Kitty inhaled deeply, the floors had recently been replaced giving the room a lovely pine scent that she found quite pleasing. Her eyes sweeping the room smiling at the few young ladies she knew well.
"Oh come Kitty we must dance!"
"I am sure we shall Lydia, but we must wait to be asked first"
"La how stiff and formal you have becoming, no one gives a wit for such these here, as you well know!"
Low as they were the response to this reasonable statement was enough to cause a flush of warmth to cover her cheeks leaving her to stare at her sister with mortification plain as the paper on the wall. Several months ago Kitty would have laughed the silly comment off and added one of her own now she bit her lip tears springing to the corner of her eyes as she suddenly rose and moved across the room making her way to the side of Jane chatting gently with Miss Charlotte. Both ladies immediately noticed the change in her manner and gentle inquires followed. Sniffling Kitty soon confessed all accepting the handkerchief offered quietly.
"Oh Lydia just said the most horrid thing, it wounded me"
Jane frowned all too aware of the growing difference between her two youngest sisters. Some time ago Kitty and Lydia had grown apart, it started last winter when their good Uncle and Aunt had invited the second youngest to spent a week in their company as a small recompense for missing her birthday some months before due to a tedious business matter that had them in London for the better part of a month. Kitty had left them silly flighty and nearly as wild as her sister. She had returned almost a different creature, quiet and withdrawn spending a vast amount of time simply listening to the comings and goings of the household before she would add a comment of her own.
The family heartily approved of this change in manners, all but Lydia bathed her in encouragement and good will as Kitty discovered that in her composure she was welcomed heartily into conversations and even a few late night teas in her fathers library, a hither to unheard of treat normally reserved for her elder sisters alone. Nibbling a sweet and musing on these things Kitty calmed again speaking quietly with Charlotte and Jane as they debated the best way to use lace. What Lydia had not understood, nor was it likely she ever could, was the way to get noticed properly by a gentleman of merit was quiet sense not the blatant flirtations she threw about with reckless abandon.
The debate was brought to an abrupt end as the musicians lively cords suddenly fell silent and the dance floor couples parted like the red sea. One and sundry turning to gaze on a party that had just entered the ballroom, Charlotte immediately filling in her companions like the good natured creature she was, Bingley was tall, stately and yet had the most personable expression that marked him as a lively soul, Kitty threw him into the category of hunting dog, eager to please and always willing to make the best of every situation. His sisters Kitty considered carefully, classic beauties both ladies were garbed in the best London had to offer. Sir Lucas was swift to introduce himself and make them welcome. Music resumed and chatter once again filled the air.
The younger of the two moved with a well-calculated grace, head bobbing in time. The other was married quiet and with the airs of town Kitty sniffed in instinctive distaste as Jane smiled welcoming, summoning Elizabeth to their little circle, the second Bennet happily greeted them in turn before whispering to Kitty.
"Quite the group, what say you Kitty?"
Tapping the handle of her fan against her palm Kitty smiled nodding to show she was ready before Lizzy leaned in eagerly followed by the other ladies who knew well her preference for likening each new acquaintance to the animal that seemed to best suit their mind and manners.
"My guess, Bingley is a dog, let us say, a spaniel His sister is a crow her other sister is a sparrow and the husband, a lizard"
All the ladies burst into giggles quickly hidden behind their fans as they debated these observations. The last member of the party had not enough to decide on his animal. This game was a great favorite of the elder Bennets and Kitty was delighted to discover her talent nearly rivaled Lizzy's in guessing the tempers of those around her. Glancing around the room she caught sight of her youngest sister gaily dancing with the Millers son laughing most heartily at something he had said.
"Mr. Darcy is more difficult, I leave him to you Lizzy"
Flattered her sister squeezed her hand gently before the Bennet girls were called to heel by their mother, moving together they were presented to the Netherfield company in order of birth along with Miss Charlotte Lucas who curtsied with the rest smiling good naturedly. Turning in a gentlemanly fashion Bingley was kind in acknowledging each introduction as it came with a gentle smile and nod of his head. When at last they were completed he stepped forward to bow to Jane before speaking.
"Miss Bennet if you are not otherwise engaged might I request the honor of next two dances?"
Kitty smiled, dressed in pale creamy yellow Jane was the picture of angelic beauty. Her blush only adding to the image as she responded gently in the affirmative, one dance was in good social order, two was uncommon attention and the second youngest Bennet cheered quietly behind her fan, if she was not careful Bingley would easily become yet another of Jane's unknown list of conquests. First begun in amusement of a rainy day to fill the hours it had become quite lengthy until at last Kitty had thrown it into the crackling flames before their mother could catch wind of what her daughter was up to, knowing full well the lecture and fit of nerves that was sure to follow.
"I am not engaged Sir"
Tactfully here Kitty withdrew to the refreshment table, the room though quite large for an Inn was stifling with press of numbers. Ladling a glass of punch Kitty sipped mindful of the Blacksmiths son who had been hovering in a suspicious manner near the bowl for a good part of the evening. She would have bet her fan he had finally accomplished his mission and thus only drank a little before switching to water. No need to add to the throng who were currently feeling the effects. Talk grew louder as the evening wore on. Happily she had no more time for thought that evening as she was much occupied with dancing from the moment she had set her glass down. First there was the ribbon shop boy who shyly requested her hand. Then there was the blacksmiths son and to her shock even Mr. Bingley!
As it struck midnight the party concluded and families returned to their dwellings happy well fed and humming a favorite air that had been playing that evening, The Bennets were no exception barely had they entered the parlor when Mrs. Bennet began a rather rapid retelling of the entertainment to her husband. Kitty though weary listened good naturedly starting in her chair as she repeated Mr. Darcy's words.
"Good heavens! Lizzy did he really say such a cruel thing?"
Her comment ended the debate of her parents on the matter of lace on the gown of Mrs. Hurst. Jane gently took her hand to reassure her silently she had not been rude or misspoken as all the eyes in the room turned to her. For which Kitty was grateful. Lizzy too smiled reassuringly before she responded to the inquiry
"He did Kitty; you were dancing with Mr. Gibbs at the time"
"Another time I would not dance with him if I were you Lizzy!"
This happily ended the evening as her sister responded most directly that she could almost promise to never dance with him before their father gently shooed them all to bed as the clock struck 2. Eagerly Kitty complied stumbling up the stairs to her room and changing into her nightdress with the habit of years before sliding into bed. Lydia had turned her back sullenly still it seemed holding a grudge for her sensible comment early in the evening. Ignoring this Kitty began to slip into slumber with a smile on her lips. Happy to have been mentioned in a conversation between the wealthy parties in positive terms.
It was a good step in the right direction
So ends Chapter 2. –Hands out tea and scones-
Thoughts and Suggestions are welcome, I have strayed a bit for the original tale but I hope you can forgive a bit of license.
No Beta as of yet so thank you one and all for your tolerance of my errors
Whoever grants this story its 10th review shall have Chapter 3 dedicated to them
Stay tuned for Chapter 3. Invitations and Illness
Skydancinghobbit
P.S. Please take a moment to look over my other fanfics they need love too you know ^_^