Thank you for your continued support. I enjoy each and every review I get, even the ones I am sure are intended to rile me up. If there is one thing I have gained since posting my stories here, it is learning to accept the opinion of others, and to even not let a hateful person affect me or how I write my story. Anyone who writes anything knows how easy it can be to write the wrong form of a word. I know that when I write I don't want to lose my thoughts, so I just keep moving forward. This is why I appreciate it when things are pointed out to me. I go back over it two, sometimes three, times before I post, so you can imagine the mistakes I have if there are still some after I actually post it. I rework sentences and change my wording often, which is why some sentences may read a little strange, especially if I changed the sentence only midway.
I have rediscovered my muse for this story. For now, I will stay at posting only every Tuesday, I might bump it up to twice a week again if I can get far enough ahead, and when I do finish, I will be kind and post once a day until it is finished. I have a goal to have this one finished by the end of April. I want to start posting some of my other stories, but I don't want to over due myself. I have been writing about 20,000 words a week on various stories combined. I am also moving forward with my Hobbit story, only I am trying to get a few chapters ahead on that one, too, before I post. I am not sure how you will like the turn Bingley and his sisters have gone, but it is what it is.
Kitty scowled at her notes. She had found nothing of significance surrounding herself. The frustration of not knowing was becoming almost too much for her. It had only been five days since Mary had accused her of being oblivious to anything regarding herself. She was beginning to think Mary was right, or that she had said it only to drive her mad. She shrieked her frustration.
"Is everything alright?"
Kitty startled and turned to find Benjamin staring at her, half in amusement and half wary. "Mary! She has accused me of being oblivious to my surroundings, and even after days of searching, I am no closer to knowing what she was talking about!"
She had looked down at her notes once more and missed the curious look that crossed his face. "Did she give any indication as to what it was that you were missing?"
"No, only that I may be good at noticing and discovering things about other people, but not myself."
"Perhaps there is a clue in the topic you were discussing beforehand?"
"I…uh… cannot discuss that, but there is nothing to link it. Not truly. Ooh! How dare she say I am oblivious to anything involving myself!"
"Yes, well, I have learned first-hand that Mary is the most devious of the lot of you."
"When did this happen?"
"Not too long ago, but I have a deep appreciation for her efforts. I hope you do as well, one day."
She looked at him, her curiosity peeked. Before she had a chance to question him further, he spoke up once more. "I was hoping I could convince you to take a stroll with me in the garden. Despite the chill, it looks lovely in the snow. Then I thought that I might tempt you with a trip to the book store."
"I'd love to!"
"And I shall accompany you?" said Mary, as she entered the room.
"Why?" asked Kitty
Her sister looked at her with pity. Kitty was really getting tired of that look. She looked to Benjamin and saw that he was amused by the situation. Deciding not to let either of them goad her, and with a determination to enjoy her time with the gentleman, Kitty turned to collect her spencer.
The afternoon had been wonderful. First the invigorating walk in the small garden at the townhouse, a sudden snow fight, a refreshing tea, and now their small party was perusing the shelves at Benjamin's favorite bookstore. Kitty found she quite agreed that it was the perfect little shop. She and Mary were going to look for their escort when a rather annoying voice reached her ears.
"Mama and I managed to convince Father that I needed a Season in Town. I am so very pleased to see that you will be participating as well," simpered Miss Appleton, standing too close to Benjamin in Kitty's opinion.
"Who is that?" whispered Mary.
"Sophie Appleton. One of our neighbors. Last I heard, her father and brother were determined to stay home. I wonder if they dragged them here as well. Excuse me as I rescue Benjamin."
Kitty briskly made her to the couple and slipped her arm into the crook of an annoyed Benjamin's arm.
"Mary and I are ready if you are," she beamed. "Oh, Miss Appleton! This is a surprise."
"I shall take yours and Miss Mary's purchases to the front. Good day, Miss Appleton."
Benjamin walked away and Kitty introduced her sister, as Society dictated, but Miss Appleton purposely ignored it. "You call him Benjamin. How quaint. I suppose you are cousins after all," she smirked.
"He is no more my cousin that he is yours."
"So, another of your sisters has joined you in Town."
"Two actually, Mary you see here with me, and Elizabeth, who has remained with my eldest sister. If you are attending the assembly tonight, you shall undoubtedly meet her."
"My mother had planned on it."
"Catherine, Miss Mary, I am ready to return you to my cousin's care when you are."
"Good day, Miss Appleton," said Kitty, taking Benjamin's extended arm.
Later that evening, Kitty began to wonder at her anger at Miss Appleton's flirting with Benjamin. He was more than capable of fending for himself, in fact, he was quite adept at keeping Miss Appleton at arm's length. Why should it matter if anyone flirted with him? He was an eligible man and would one day find a wife. She marveled that she did not like the thought. Mary happened to wonder in at that point.
"Mary, why do I care that Miss Appleton flirted with Benjamin today?"
Mary looked at her pityingly. "Do I really need to explain it to you?"
"But why should I care? He is nothing to me, other than my friend."
Mary continued to stare at her. Finally, she left the room shaking her head. She had just reached the bottom of the stairs when Benjamin walk into the hall.
"Mr. Richards, I would advise you to make yourself abundantly clear to my sister. Otherwise, I fear there is no hope."
"What brought this around?"
"I just left her in the library after she asked my why she cared that Miss Appleton flirted with you. Please, Mr. Richards, do not leave her wondering long."
Benjamin merely smiled at her and offered her his arm to escort her to the gathering guests ready for dinner.
Bingley looked down at his niece who had fallen asleep in his arms. She resembled Louisa quite a bit. Besides her darker hair, he saw nothing of her father. He smiled at the child. His sister was far more content than he had seen her in a long time. He wished Caroline could find such contentment. She was still angry with him over the events at Pemberley, even though Louisa had agreed that she had done it to herself. He hadn't seen much of either of his sisters in the past few days, which suited him just fine. He wanted to spend a little more time with his niece before he and Caroline left for Payton Park. He was looking forward to returning to his home.
He smiled at the thought. Home. In the short time he had lived there, it had become just that. He already knew that he liked the neighborhood and his neighbors. Caroline had told him they were only kind because he was a single man with a large fortune and wanted him to marry one of their local girls. He didn't care, and if one caught his eye, he would not let anything but his own mind pull him away.
The butler came and informed him that he had a visitor. He called for the nurse and handed over the child, but not before he placed a kiss on her crown. Relieved of his charge, he made his way to his brother-in-law's study. On his way, he encountered Caroline and Louisa.
"Brother, this is my choice," said Caroline, before marching off to the nearby sitting room. He turned to Louisa in question.
"I tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't hear it. I didn't even know she had spent any amount of time with him."
"Who?"
"Mr. Huntington."
"Arthur Huntington?!"
"I am afraid so."
"But he's…"
"I know. Caroline is not blind to the fact, but they have apparently worked out their own agreement. He will explain further."
Bingley closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Of all the men his sister would accept, it would have to be one of the few people he held a strong dislike for. Feeling thankful that Louisa had warned him ahead of time, he opened the door and walked confidently into the room.
"Huntington."
"Bingley," he smirked.
"I understand this is simply a formality, but I will have my say. I don't like you, I never have. You made my life miserable at university. You drink too much and have no idea how to manage your life, let alone your estate. You would rather gamble it all away. You're worse than Hurst. At least he can be a pleasant fellow. I do not give you my blessing, but I will allow Caroline to make her own choices, though surely you know she is doing this to spite me."
"And I am marrying her for her fortune. Twenty thousand pounds will settle my debts and improve my holdings. Your sister is not stupid. She has… stipulations that I must meet before we wed, one being that she chooses a new steward and all transactions must be approved by her, but we will both, at least, be able to continue with our personal lifestyles. She will be the mistress to a decent estate in the country, and she will have a nice home in Town in a coveted area, and I will be able to have my fun."
Bingley shook his head in disgust. He wondered if his sister was aware of what his fun would entail. He felt sick. "I will still speak with Caroline about this."
"By all means. I shall be by tomorrow with a contract. Good day, Bingley."
He did not wish the man the same. He waited only long enough to ensure Huntington had left the house before calling for Caroline. She entered the room with a smug look on her face and took a seat.
"What are you thinking, Caroline?! The man is a villain!"
"I know very well what he is, Charles. As you so happily pointed out to me not long ago, I don't have many choices anymore. He drinks, gambles, and enjoys the company of lesser women, but he is manageable. He is not what one would call handsome, but he at least keeps up his appearance. His debts are not too extensive, and I won't be able to do more that appear to be living in a manner that I am accustomed to, but it will be temporary."
"And how have you figured all of this?"
"Mr. Hurst's son recommended a man as a steward. When Mr. Huntington approached me, I began to look into seeing if his situation was viable for me. It is. He is not ruined, merely off track."
"What about your own health and safety?"
"That is my concern, not yours."
"You're my sister, it is my concern!"
"Yet you are not my concern when you are trying to make a questionable match?"
"My situation was different, Caroline! Miss Bennet didn't have a bad reputation. All she had against her was her family connections and a lack of fortune. Huntington is a cad who cares about nothing but himself. He lies, cheats, and has nearly run his estate into the ground!"
"I shall not be moved."
"You will end up miserable."
"Perhaps. Happiness in marriage is by chance. I have found a situation that suits me. He may be all you say, but he is still a favorite in Town. I shall be quite the socialite."
"Caroline…"
"If there is nothing else, I wish to rest before dinner tonight. He shall bring the contract tomorrow and you will sign it." She swept from the room and Bingley felt like the air had been sucked from his body. Never would he have thought his sister would tie herself to such a man.
He went in search of Louisa. He found her in the nursery. He stopped for a moment and smiled at her as she rocked her daughter. Louisa finally looked at him and sighed. "She will only run off with him if you try and prevent it. She is determined."
"But why? I thought she didn't like him?"
"A few reasons. You despise the man."
"He lied to me and used me."
"She has discovered that you were right: her choices have dwindled. Our family comes from trade and that further hurt our chances. He is not entirely respectable, but he is not all bad either."
"Louisa,"
"He's not, Charles. He is only a little worse than most of the men of the ton. I would say he is no worse, but he hides it poorly. Sign the contract. If something bad befalls her, it will be on her own head."
"What brought about this change? At one time, you would have fought her over it."
"I have my own child to worry about now. I can't corral Caroline. I fed into her ideas for too long and I just do not have it in me to care anymore. From the moment she has walked through that door, she has only complained about the circumstances she created for herself. I simply realized I could no longer handle it anymore. Let her do as she will."
Bingley wouldn't fathom how she could simply give up, but then he looked at Hope and found he could somewhat understand. Louisa didn't have the time or energy to fight their sister anymore, and she was right. Caroline would run off with him regardless if he tried to stop her. He took one more deep breath and walk towards his sister. They spent the next hour cooing and playing with the infant.
Coming up, Georgiana's party!