Chapter Ten: Kitty is Calm at Last

The society that had centered it self around the great estate of Pemberly was a buzz with excitement and anticipation. The ladies of the house were always in polite company, visiting and having visitors come to them often. The men of the house were busy with summer business, farm expansions and estate organization. Yet they all found time for each other and the evenings were filled with lively parties and captivating performances from all involved.

The truth remained that their time in Derbyshire, was becoming much more than Kitty and Mary had anticipated. Very little time was spent in hiding as Kitty had anticipated and Mary spent remarkably little time reading and alone as she had expected. By the lively conversation and invitation to participate in all things pertaining to life at Pemberly, the girls were left with remarkably little time to, simply, be as they had wanted to be. They were not at all disagreeable to the intention of leaving their past ideas behind to explore what could become.

Mary was blooming; she smiled often and had come to be truly lovely in her appearance. Her eyes sparkled with the interests of estate and high society; she was well exercised and loved her morning rides and her evening conversations in the business. She had become quite tanned with the sun and the activity of the outdoors. Although she did read often, she was exceedingly agreeable to other activities and would lay down her books and often forget them for a good long while. Elizabeth marveled at just how pretty and open her sister had become, and she hoped that soon others would also see the beautiful changes in them. Pemberly had worked its magic on Mary and for the first time in her life she was truly content with being included in everything that was around her. Kitty, in comparison, was becoming more confident and in a way had come to be as calm as Georgiana.

The three girls had become as close as sisters and were never far from one another on their days together at Pemberly. Kitty, though she had always been one to follow, was becoming abundantly confident in her new found freedom and friendship and example of her elder sister, Mary, and her younger sister Georgiana. Together the three of them conversed on the subjects that Kitty would have never entered into in her past life with Lydia and had come to see just how childish and damaging her behavior had been. She was fortunate to have the good connections and sensible friendships that she had now.

The society of Pemberly and the surrounding families had changed Kitty from a foolish young girl to a confident and thoughtful young woman. Mr. Bennett would be very proud to see the changes in his daughters. Mrs. Bennett would be shocked. As days passed and the gentlemen were frequently in the society of the young ladies Georgiana took to watching the developments with Kitty and Walter Spencer. There seemed to be a growing attachment with the two young people but Kitty was calm in her manner and thoughtful in her responses to him. He was a kind and gentlemanly sort of young man and took immense pleasure in being in the company with all of the young ladies, but it had become clear to Georgiana that he seemed more interested in the younger Miss. Bennett.

One afternoon as she walked alone through one of the flowering orchards that had been recently planted at Pemberly, Georgiana stumbled upon Elizabeth and providence had smiled one them, as Georgiana had been longing for a conversation with her sister. "My dear sister," Georgiana said as she came toward Elizabeth, "I hope I am not disturbing you."

"Of course you are not," Elizabeth smiled and taking her sisters arm they began to walk together, "it is nice to be alone when ever one needs a moment to think. We had not been able to talk as we had, in confidence, before our company had come to us." "No that is very true," Georgiana said, "but I am so happy that they have come. I do not think I have ever been happier, and our sisters seem very content as well."

"They are absolutely blooming," Elizabeth said, "I had never seen such dramatic changes in my sisters before. I am quite astonished."

"As am I," Georgiana said, "and I have come to love them very dearly. I thank God that he sent you to my brother and in turn has sent such wonderful gifts to me."

"I am so happy to hear it," Elizabeth said, "and I have something I would like to discuss with you."

"As have I," Georgiana said, "something that I believe concerns you as well."

"And what can that be?" Elizabeth asked.

"I was simply wondering if you had noticed a certain attachment developing," Georgiana said.

"I will admit I am not entire sure of what you are speaking," Elizabeth said.

"Only that I believe an attachment may be forming between Kitty and Walter Spencer, at least I believe that they are very likely falling in love with one another."

"Oh what a happy event," Elizabeth said, "I have noticed that my sisters have become quite the jewels of our society but I did not notice the attachment. Now that you have brought it to my attention I will have to keep and eye on it." "I may be wrong," Georgiana said, "but I am quite sure that they like each other over any others in our society."

"I am sure you are right, as you are with them often enough. You will see the changes in the nuances of the acquaintance," Elizabeth said, "and perhaps they are not quite aware of their affection as of yet. We will not push the subject, but monitor it to see if anything serious may come from it." "Do you think Kitty is likely to marry someone who will leave the continent all together," Georgiana asked.

"That is something to think of in the future, for now, if anything is developing I believe Kitty is being careful and quite sensible of the changes such an acquaintance and perhaps attachment may have on her." Elizabeth said, "I believe she sees that she is still young, and she is only really coming into the proper society of the gentlemanly kind."

"I agree, she had become a very sensible young woman," Georgiana said, "I am perfectly content with allowing such an attachment to form. If it will make Kitty happy then why should it not. He is a very respectable young man with a good fortune to his name. It would be a very good match for them, would it not?" "I do agree, it would be a very good match," Elizabeth said, "but a match is nothing without love and if they are truly in love then all the happiness in the would may come to them."

"Yes, I agree," Georgiana said, "I am perfectly at easy now. I thank you dear sister, and wish to know what new you have."

"It is news pertaining to our family, and though I am trying to be very quite about it as of now, your brother and I feel that you need to know," Elizabeth said.

"What is it?" Georgiana asked feeling worried, "what has happened?"

"Do not be uneasy," Elizabeth smiled, "it is very good news. It is only that I am believed to be with child."

The smile that grew on Georgiana's face brought tears to both women's eyes. The joyous event was something that was wanted by all in the family but not something that Mr. and Mrs. Darcy had planned to rush. It would happen by the graces of God, and when it did they would be contented with whatever the outcome. Elizabeth had lived her life knowing that her father wanted a son and she had known the disappointment of being a girl, but Fitzwilliam was content to let their family bloom and grown. His estate was of the kind that with an heir or without there would always be a comfort no matter what.

"Praise be to God," Georgiana said as she embraced her sister, "this is the best of news."

"We are very happy," Elizabeth said serenely, "but we want to keep things quiet for a little while, I know it can not be for very long, but perhaps once everyone is here to share in our joy. I would like to keep everything calm for now."

"It will be so hard not to tell anyone," Georgiana said, "are you not telling your sisters?"

"Not yet," Elizabeth said, "as I am sure they will write to my mother and she will insist on being here right away."

"Then I will say nothing, as hard as that will be," Georgiana smiled.

Contentment was all around them, and the growth of the family was pleasing to everyone who knew. As far as the others were concerned, joy was the work of great friends, respectable company and much love within the social sphere that centered itself on Pemberly.