Oliver and Thomas rode behind the carriage carrying his friend's wife. He had been delighted when his friends said they would like to join him on his trip so that they might meet his bride and bear witness to his nuptials. They were very near Meryton. He wanted to ride straight for Longbourn, but Thomas had advised him that his Catherine would likely thank him for refreshing himself after riding for several hours that day. Julia's staunch agreement led to his compliance.

They finally arrived at the house and his mother's limited staff went to work. He rushed in to greet his mother and change.

"Mrs. Andrews, please tell your son he smells like a stable and should bathe before gallivanting off to see his intended."

"Thomas! I didn't know you would be coming! And Julia, it shall be so nice having another lady in the house."

"We couldn't very well miss his wedding when it was so convenient to travel here with Oliver. I am certainly eager to meet the young woman with whom I shall be able to share my woes. It is thrilling to know I will no longer have to reign them in alone," smiled Julia. "Oliver, I know you are eager to see your Catherine, so you might want to hurry and ready yourself."

"Not too quickly," said Thomas, "you want to make sure you're actually clean." Oliver rolled his eyes and dashed up the stairs. Thomas watched carefully and then stepped close to his friend's mother. "Are you prepared to go for a visit?"

"What are you up to Thomas? Shouldn't you seek your own refreshing?"

"A quick change of clothes will have to suffice. I have a matter of great importance to see to."

"What is that?"

"Revenge!"


Oliver laid back in the tub and relaxed. He had dismissed his valet to resettle himself and check to see if all packages had arrived safely. He thought he would have to thank Thomas later. A bath had been a very good idea. In all, he took nearly an hour before he was once more dressed and ready. His things had been brought up, and in his bags was an engagement gift he had selected from his family's jewelry collection. He thought the diamond parure would look perfect on her. It was the first set his grandfather had ever had made for his grandmother. He tucked the box into his coat and reached for the door. He was startled to find it locked.

He pulled and twisted the handle in frustration before banging on the door and shouting for assistance. He heard nothing. Growling in frustration, he stepped back from the door. As he did so, he noticed a sheet of paper that had been slipped under the door. After he read it, he made a note to ask for Julia's pardon for making her a widow.

"THOMAS!"


As she watched Sarah Simms and her mother leave, Kitty found herself hoping that there would be no more visitors for the day. Sarah had been visiting relatives for the past three months and had only just arrived to learn of her engagement. Her response was decidedly cool. Though she was older, Kitty had thought she was her friend.

"She is jealous, Kitty," soothed Lizzy. "She has been out for nearly two years and she has yet to make her own match, despite spending a Season in Town, Bath, and staying with various relatives."

"And she has tried to attract Mr. Andrews attention in the past and embarrassed herself," replied Mary.

"How?" asked Kitty.

Mary seemed to think about it before giving an answer. "I despise gossip, but since she was knowingly rude, I shall tell you. It was last summer, before her trip to Bath. She was attempting to make herself appear more appealing by remarking on how plain Charlotte was. Mr. Andrews replied that he did not find Charlotte plain at all, and that her kindness alone was enough to attract any man who dared to pay attention."

"He did?!" gawked Lizzy and Jane in unison.

"I may not approve of his every manner, but he is far from disagreeable."

"Well, if he has Mary's approval, then he must truly be an outstanding individual," mused Mr. Bennet from behind his paper. He lowered it to wink at his girls. Even Mary smiled.

There was a brief knock at the door and Mrs. Hill entered the room. "Mrs. Andrews, Mr. Bates, and Mrs. Bates."

The family stood as their guests entered the room. "Please forgive us for the unexpected visit, but I am afraid Mr. Bates could not wait to make your acquaintance, Miss Catherine. Allow me to introduce you all to Mr. and Mrs. Bates, Oliver's good friends, and closest neighbors to Dalton. Mr. and Mrs. Bates before you are Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, Miss Catherine, and Miss Lydia."

"Mr. Andrews did not say you would be coming," smiled Catherine, "but I am pleased that you have. Um, where is Mr. Andrews?"

"It was a last minute decision," said Mr. Bates. "And as for Oliver, he has been detained." Looking at the bewildered faced before him, he smiled mischievously. "I locked him in his room."

Kitty didn't know how to respond to this, and neither did the rest of her family, though her father and Lizzy seemed amused by the prospect.

"You see, Miss Catherine, when I brought my own bride home, he took it upon himself to kidnap her when we had not come by to introduce her to him and his mother in what he considered a timely manner. I declared that day that I would have my revenge. Therefore…"

"I am afraid my husband intends to kidnap you, Miss Catherine," said Mrs. Bates. "Have no fear, I shall travel with you. You are much better off than I was. I was scared to death when a handsome, raven haired man climbed through our parlor window and confessed his plan to kidnap me. I left quite a few bruises on him before he revealed his identity."

Though Mrs. Bennet and Mary gapped at the couple, the rest of the Bennet family burst with merriment at the image of it.

"Come now, Miss Catherine," declared Mr. Bates. "We must be off. Your intended will have undoubtedly discovered our plan and has likely shimmied down the side of the house to made haste in order to stop me."

Looking to her father and Mrs. Andrews, who seemed to approve of the scheme, she went with the couple into a waiting carriage.

"Now, which way should we journey, Miss Catherine?"

"Oh, I shall not aid you in your devious plans. You are kidnapping me, therefore, it is up to you to elude your friend."

"Oh, you and I shall be good friends, Miss Catherine," laughed Mrs. Bates.

"Indeed. Mr. Timms, let us take a left at the gate!" called Mr. Bates with a laugh.


As he rode, Oliver berated himself for not seeing this coming. Of course Thomas would do something to get back at him for his own actions after he brought Julia home. Thankful that he had a fresh mount, he spurred the animal on. Once he had entered the estate, he noted the lack of a visiting carriage. He hoped that meant he managed to arrive before his friend, but it could also mean he had already taken Catherine from her home. He jumped from his horse and did not wait for the groom to collect him, only shouting over his shoulder that he would be right back.

The door opened and he went into the house, not giving the housekeeper the chance to announce him. He knew where the family would be. He strode into the room and found the Bennets, minus Catherine, and his mother having tea.

"Ah, Oliver, would you care to join us?" asked his mother. "I doubt you have had time to enjoy a cup since you returned."

"How long?"

"They left here ten minutes ago by carriage," stated Mary. "I believe they took a left at the gate."

"Thank you, Miss Mary. I am in your debt," he called as he rushed from the room.

Once he was gone, Mr. Bennet looked at his remaining daughters. "My dear girls, I do wish you all well in your own journeys into matrimony. However, I fear even you, my dear Lizzy, may find it impossible to find such a man who could replace him as my favorite."


Kitty was enjoying herself. Julia and Thomas had proven to be very good company. During the course of the last half hour, they decided to drop all pretense and addresses. Kitty did not help them on the road, but Thomas had directed a few turns along the way.

"So, now every time Oliver dines with us, Mrs. Anderson sends him home with an entire pie. I could never figure out how he does it. I am much more handsome."

"Of course you are, my dear," giggled Julia. Thomas mockingly glared at her. "Do you hear that?"

Kitty listened closely to the sounds coming outside the carriage. Her smile grew as she heard the hoof beats quickly gaining on them. She leaned out the top of the door. "Oliver!" she yelled and waved to the rider.

"I am slightly disappointed. I had hoped it would take him longer," lamented Thomas. Julia patted his hand in sympathy.

Oliver called for the coach to stop. As they slowed Oliver pulled his mount alongside them.

"Have you come to rescue me?" Kitty laughed.

"Always, Catherine. Thomas, I have some words for you."

"Are they the same I had for you?" he asked as they finally came to a stop.

"Get out of the carriage."

"I don't think I will. I am quite comfortable in here."

Oliver chuckled. "I never would have thought you a coward."

"Oh! You are aiming for a fight!"

"You locked me in my room! Do you have any idea what I had to do to get out?!"

"Please tell me you had climb down the side of the house. I really hope you did, and that someone witnessed it!"

Kitty sat back and watched the men circle one another. Suddenly, Oliver struck out and grabbed Thomas, bending him to lock his head in his arm. He then proceeded to ruffle his hair.

"Oliver! Oliver, stop! Do you have any idea how long it takes to achieve this level of handsomeness?"

"No, I wake up looking this good!"

"I shall have to give Catherine my sympathies then. Ah!"

Kitty blushed at their choice of topic, wondering what Oliver did look like when he woke. She had a vague idea of married life. Oliver finally released him with a laugh and walked to the carriage.

"Ride with me?" he asked.

"Oliver, it wouldn't be appropriate," scolded Julia.

"You enjoy ruining my fun. Fine, for proprieties sake."

"I have never ridden on horseback before, in any case. I would be dreadfully frightened of falling off."

"Have you never cared to learn?"

"No, I never had the opportunity."

"Well, we shall remedy that once we return to Dalton." He handed the reigns to be tied to the back of the carriage. When he returned, Thomas had already climbed aboard. He eagerly took a seat next to Kitty. "Hello."

"Hello," she blushed again.

"Disgusting. Is he even supposed to be sitting next to her?" mocked Thomas.

"Hush," his wife replied. "They are engaged and in the presence of at least one responsible chaperon. They're fine. And you were far worse."

"Thank you, Julia," Oliver laughed. Thomas looked very disgruntled now.

"Fine! Now tell us, Oliver, how did you get out of the house?"

So, what do you think of the Bates?