Darcy went to meet Lord Matlock in the billiards room. Meanwhile, the ladies went to a cozy sitting room in which a large fire had been set ablaze and several candle trees lit. Georgiana moved immediately to a pianoforte on the far side of the room to play. Kitty, too overwhelmed from the events of the day to be much good at anything, just picked at the fringe on a chair cushion. Elizabeth as ever, picked up a book.
Darcy and Lord Matlock, were generous with their cups in the billiards room. Darcy never much imbibed anymore. Lord Matlock found that he too was drinking more heavily than the norm, and soon felt a warmth spreading throughout his body. He relaxed some and was open with his cousin about the fears which had surfaced during their meal.
Darcy was glad to hear that Lord Matlock was finally ready to take responsibility of his title, and the pair spoke open and honestly for some time. Darcy was happy to instill some of his knowledge about being a land owner. Lord Matlock felt some of his fears subsiding as he soaked up Darcy's generous understanding. They laid out a plan in which Lord Matlock would accompany Darcy and his steward on the rounds of Pemberley over the next few days. The cousins played two games in this style, and where soon lounging on two large masculine chairs facing the fire, the conversation became less serious, as the pair relaxed together into a close familiarity. They were two very rich and powerful men, who often felt the pressure of their station. It was a rare moment when they could relax together.
It was around this time that Kitty told her sisters' goodnight. Later when she would recount this story in her mind, she remembered being a bit turned around and unable to find the right corridor. But in actuality she was curious about what the males of the party had been doing for so long in the billiards room. When passing the door to that room (which was not exactly on the way to her bedroom) she stopped and listened to their muffled voices.
For a few minutes they only teased one another about their billiards skills. The light-hearted debate ended with a fencing challenge sometime in the next week.
It was quite for a moment, and then Darcy spoke abruptly, "It seems a milkmaid saw you this morning Fitzwilliam."
"Ah, the plump little milkmaid. That explains that strange footman at dinner! I thought there was something in my teeth." He paused before continuing, "Well, there's no turning back now."
"Certainly not," Darcy agreed.
"I wasn't going to cry-off anyways. Although, I certainly didn't expected to find myself leg shackled by noon when I road up this morning!" He chuckled at himself.
Kitty smiled at this from behind the door. She hadn't expected to be "leg shackled" either! Just last night she'd been crying to Elizabeth, wondering when her chance of happiness may come. She sincerely hoped that Lord Matlock's proposal was just that.
It was quiet for a long moment and then she heard a deep sigh before Lord Matlock continued, "I know Elizabeth is the only woman you have truly loved Darcy." There was no response, so Kitty could only assume Darcy had nodded his agreement. "But the problem is she's the only woman I ever saw myself loving either."
Kitty felt a pang in her chest upon hearing this. Lord Matlock loved Elizabeth! She'd unintentionally trapped him into marriage and he was in love with her sister. Her married sister at that. And Lord Matlock was bold enough to tell Darcy! She felt a surge of disappointment. She had always secretly idolized Elizabeth and felt unequal to her. Certainly Lord Matlock would find that to be the case. She had hoped they would grow to love each other. There was no chance of that now. He would always be comparing her to her sister. Her practically perfect sister.
Hearing Georgiana's voice somewhere down the hall Kitty quickly took off toward her room. Hot tears stung her eyes along the way, and she wiped them in frustration. Why was she crying? Who cares if Lord Matlock loved her sister better than her? She would be a countess, not Elizabeth! But this reasoning helped little in easing her distress, and once in bed she cried herself to sleep.