Hi Guys

Welcome back to

Becoming Catherine

Thank you to the brave souls that took the time to review this story

As promised this chapter is dedicated to NutellaIsMyAddiction who granted this story its 45th review

I own nothing recognisable but you already knew that

Thanks to my beta who will be attending to this story when she gets settled

Now with the formalities concluded I bring you

Chapter 11. A Trick Of Fate

Skydancinghobbit


Hope was over, entirely over


Catherine awoke in her bed and glad took refuge under the warmth of her covers as her tears began in earnest. Her misery at this news was beyond measure, she would have been content to lay abed the rest of the day, hiding from the world and its cruelty Yet even here she was denied for a gentle hand ran down her back soothing the pain as the voice of her eldest sister murmured comfort. Only for her two eldest siblings would she venture out and even then it took some coaxing yet emerge she did, looking a fright she doubted not, with tear-stained skin and a gown so rumpled she had little hope of wearing it longer. Quietly she shifted from the comfort of Elizabeth's arms to select another. Emerging she looked at her reflection with indifference as the cool water had done nothing to sooth her battered heart.

"Oh Catherine, I am so sorry, truly we did not know"

"Our father was in a temper the likes of which I never saw before, he even threw Mr. Collins out of the house"

"I think he had some hope you becoming the mistress of our home when he passes, it is a sore disappointment from him to be proven so badly wrong."

The sisters worked together setting her hair to rights, making no comment whatever on her gown choice, which in all truth was a rather sombre shade of grey, the fact it matched her eyes and the skies above was no matter. Her silence was almost unnatural in so cheerful a young woman, but today she simply could find nothing to say for the time being, it was only when she had risen and made their way to the door to join the others below stairs did she speak.

"I was a fool...yet there a time I thought he might have loved me. For that alone I shall never forget him...yet it is my wish to never see him again, it that cruel?"

"No Catherine, it is not...disappointments in love are common to us all, sad as it is you are not the first in this family to be so treated so take comfort you sisters love you"

"Truly Jane? Who would dare do such a thing to you!"

Her righteous hostility in the matter made her elders smile and Jane laugh aloud paused on the threshold her lips thinning as she chose her words with care.

"He was a young man, newly made a landed gentlemen for a few weeks we were thrown together most often and he I thought fancied himself in love, yet when accident drew him away to town I was forgotten entirely, now I am more cautious...if a man wishes to find me beautiful I let me say so but, watch his eyes most carefully, they are the most honest part of a man and can tell the truth of his heart when you have doubts of his motives"

Then Jane vanished below stairs leaving Lizzy and Catherine alone together.

"This is the first time she has spoken of it Catherine, be honored by her confidence it is a hard-won gift these days, so carefully does gentle Jane guard her heart"

With much to ponder Catherine joined the others, it was not yet noon yet she felt weary. Thankfully the others where rather subdued and chatted quietly of things she could easily ignore as she stood at the window idling tracing the rim around her teacup as she mused. So lost was she that she started at the sound of her mother's voice quite close to her ear. Happily though her tea had gone cold and her mother had not a word of rebuke for in about the matter, on the contrary there was a sad smile that played about her lips as she took the cup and placed it firmly on the table side.

"Come Kitty, I think it's time we two spent some time together, shall we go for a walk?"

This was agreed to immediately and she had gathered her parasol and shawl before anyone else could say a word. She had reached the door before Lydia realized what was to be.

"Why is Kitty to out? It cannot be due to that country rector? He was hardly even worth thinking of"

The door closed on the low threatening rumble of their father's voice though she did not catch the words Catherine was very glad to be on the other side indeed. Only joined a moment later by her mother who sighed deeply the sound of feet running up the stairs greeting her ear before the door closed again

"Lydia is confined her room until she can behave with more sense, your father has even gone for far as to hire a governess I fear I have done you all a great disservice but not seeking one sooner, but things can only improve I only hope we have not acted too late"

Departing the Inn Kitty found herself for the first time in her life with the mother's full attention. There was no Jane to fawn over no Lizzy to scold for being to clever and no Lydia to indulge it was a most peculiar sensation as they began their walk, stopping here or there to admire a smart bonnet or a new bolt of cloth they finally came to rest in one of the cities famous bakeries, for her mother believed firmly that chocolate always helped speed a wounded heart, and Catherine was not one to argue such a notion.

Nibbling on a chocolate tea cake she allowed her eyes to wander the sound of the door bell caught their attention. To her great surprise the familiar figure of Mr. Darcy entered, nether glancing to his right or left as he made his way to the counter to have a quiet discussion with the owner. Much intrigued Catherine watched as a pretty wrapped box was produced and the gentlemen paid his score with a nod of some gratitude in the direction of the counter before departing.

"How extraordinary, the Darcy's are in Bath!"

Her mother seemed as startled as she to find so great a man running errands like a shop boy but Catherine wondered, prehaps she was not the only one finding solace in chocolate today, wealth only meant better quality or amount not that the healing effects where any better. Prehaps he had a sister who had suffered some sort of disappointment? She was jostled from her thought by her mother's words as they gathered up their things.

Come Kitty we must return to tell the others, I do wonder if they will attend the ball at the assembly room next week, he is after all one of the best catch's this season, a clear 10,000 a year without a debt to his name what a catch for one of my girls"


So ends Chapter 11-dodges the thrown tea cakes

So thoughts comments or suggestions?

Whomever grants this story its 50th review shall have chapter 12's dedication

As promised stay tuned for Chapter 12 Mr. Darcy's Dilemma

Skydancinghobbit

P.S. Please take a moment to look over my other stories they need love too you know