Chapter 53: Sisters

Darcy sat in his study going over some of his work. He had several emails he needed to respond to and several reports that he needed to look over. He was just about to respond to a business email when another caught his attention. It was an email to him, from his Aunt Catherine. It arrived that morning, and even though he already read it, he wasn't sure what to make of it. He last talked with his Aunt Catherine when they argued about Elizabeth at Rosings, and then all went silent. She had no further contact with him until this morning's email.

Darcy attributed his aunt's change in behavior to his Uncle John. After meeting Elizabeth at the dinner party, his uncle was very taken with her. After spending time with Elizabeth's mother at their engagement party, he told Darcy, it could only be true love that would make a man willingly have Mrs. Bennet as his mother-in-law. After Darcy had told his uncle that a prenuptial agreement was signed, he gave his blessing to the marriage and his full support where his Aunt Catherine was concerned. So, it was very peculiar that his Aunt Catherine would send such an email to him concerning his sister Georgiana one week before he and Elizabeth were to marry. He opened the email and began reading it over again:

Fitzwilliam:

I am writing to inform you that after speaking with Georgiana when she came to see me a few weeks ago, it became very clear to me that Miss Elizabeth Bennet has managed to deceive all of you with her charms. I cannot understand how you of all people, you who were brought up to know what is right and proper would throw it all away for someone so clearly beneath you. It breaks my heart for my poor dead sister, and for myself to see you turn against all that you know and sink to such levels. That you would bring such a woman to pollute Pemberley and defile my sister's home is not to be born. I would try to reason with you, to get you to see the kind of family you are marrying into, but I fear you are lost to me, just as my poor Anne is now lost to me. Georgiana made it abundantly clear she's as deceived as you are. I find myself unable to understand your generation's lack of respect for family relations or tradition.

I have spoken with my brother, your Uncle John, and partly based on his advice I will not be pursuing any legal action at this time against you. This is our family's business and will be handled as such, without the press.

I cannot and will not be attending your wedding, nor will I wish you well. I see nothing but heartache, pain, and regret in your future. Elizabeth Bennet is nothing but a liar and deceiver. Her desire is to lay hold of your wealth and status. You will, of course, one day come to realize I was right, you will undoubtedly see the tragic mistake you have made, and the ruination you have brought upon yourself and your sister, I take solace in that at least.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Darcy closed his laptop and thought about what he read. He wondered what she meant by having spoken to Georgiana; he wasn't aware that the two had talked. He went to look for his sister to speak with her. "Georgiana?" he called out as he went into the library.

Georgiana looked up from her book. "Yes, William."

"I just got the strangest email from Aunt Catherine," he told her.

Georgiana took in a small breath. "Really what about?"

"She said you came to see her a few weeks back," he commented. "She said that after speaking with you, and our Uncle John she no longer plans to pursue any kind of legal challenges to my guardianship over you."

She smiled, "Oh that's good news!" she told him. "Have you told Lizzy yet?"

"No," Darcy said. "I wanted to speak with you first. When did you go, and speak with Aunt Catherine?"

Georgiana shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, it was a few weeks back, she and I had a lovely little chat."

Darcy was astonished. "Well, what did you say to her?"

"It was nothing really," she said to him. "I just stated our side of things in the clearest possible terms that I felt she would understand and I suggested she think about what I said," she got up and walked over to him. "This is such wonderful news, William," she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

Darcy watched as she headed for the door. "Where are you going?"

She smiled, "Well I thought you might like some privacy to call Lizzy and I have a date to get ready for."

Darcy's eyes narrowed. "A date with who?"

"A date with our cousin, Richard. He's taking Kitty and me to a movie and a late dinner. But I promise not to be late," she told him before heading upstairs.

Darcy went back to his study and sat down at his desk. He was just about to call Elizabeth when he saw Richard standing in the doorway. "Richard, did you know that Georgiana went and saw Lady Catherine on her own?"

Richard walked in and sat down. "No," he was surprised by this news. "When did this happen?"

"Apparently, a couple of weeks ago," Darcy told him. "She said she went to see her to persuade her to see our side of things where Elizabeth and I are concerned."

"I had no idea," he said. "Did it work? Have you heard from Aunt Catherine?"

"Yes, I received an email from her just this morning informing me that she's not going to pursue challenging our guardianship of Georgiana. She said it was because of the talk she had with Georgiana and our uncle that she has decided not to do so," he told him. "Of course, she went on to tell me that she will not be attending the wedding and that she still believes I'm making a huge mistake," he said. "She goes on to say she will take great comfort in the fact that one day I will realize how big a mistake I have made and prove her to have been right all along," Darcy explained.

Richard shook his head sadly. "I don't know why I shouldn't be surprised that she would say such things, but I am. That she would actually admit to taking pleasure in something like that says so much about her."

"I feel sorry for her Richard, she's her own worst enemy," he told him. "Now is a time in her life when she could be surrounded by family, but she chooses to separate herself instead. I heard from Anne, did you see the photos she sent?"

Richard smiled, "I did see them. The baby looks very much like Anne, with the dark hair and brown eyes. I thought it was especially meaningful that they named him after her father. I think our uncle would have been very proud of his new grandson, even if his father is an American."

"I think your right about that," Darcy commented then said. "I just can't get over the fact that Georgiana went and saw Aunt Catherine on her own," he said as he thoughts returned to the email.

"Well, she's growing up," Richard commented. "And I think with the help of Elizabeth she has grown in self-confidence as well," he told him.

Darcy smiled, "Elizabeth has been very good for Georgiana. The two of them have become very close."

"You are a lucky man," Richard told him. "Elizabeth is one of a kind," he told him then added, "The Bennet girls are a very captivating bunch."

Darcy's eyes narrowed. "Do be careful Richard. I'm marrying into that bunch very soon. I really don't want my new bride upset because my cousin and best man, is playing Romeo with two of her sisters."

Richard laughed, "I'm hardly playing Romeo with them cousin," he corrected him.

"Georgiana mentioned you are taking her and Kitty to dinner and then to see a movie," he said.

Richard shrugged his shoulders. "I'm merely spending time with my cousin," he told him. "I can't help it if Kitty comes along. She and Georgiana have also become very good friends."

"Elizabeth mentioned that you have been out with Mary as well," Darcy commented.

"Yes, I have," he said to him. "Mary and I have shared a few lunches discussing shared interests."

Darcy leaned back in his chair. "But you're not dating either one of them?" he asked sarcastically.

Richard smiled, "I mean what I said, both Bennet's sisters are very captivating," Richard said. "Mary is smart, perhaps not smart as Elizabeth, but she has a vast understanding of computer technology, and business. She does carry on at times, but it's her enthusiasm that I get caught up in. I enjoy her company; she has become a good friend."

"And what of Kitty?" Darcy asked.

Richard answered. "Kitty is more playful and not so serious. She's creative, and her passion for her work is contagious. She can be adventurous, and sometimes a bit on the wild side, but I like that about her. She takes chances."

"You know this is not going to end well, don't you?" he said feeling just a little frustrated. "Someone is going to end up hurt."

"Darcy I'm offended," Richard said. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt Mary or Kitty." He defended his behavior with them. "I haven't lied to either of them. I haven't been deceitful in any way."

Darcy let out a small sigh. "I'm not saying that you are," he told him. "I'm saying that both girls are vulnerable in their own way."

"Is this you who are talking now or Elizabeth?" Richard asked.

"No Elizabeth and I haven't really discussed this before," he told him, then said. "I just don't want anything to happen that might upset Elizabeth. Our wedding is only a week away, and her mother has been causing enough drama for her to deal with," he said as he thought about how Elizabeth told him her mother was still upset about Kitty designing her dress. "Please do me a favor and just be careful, remember what you told me when I first met Elizabeth. You said I had to think about Georgiana when dealing with her," he told him. "Well I'm asking you to do the same here, think about Elizabeth and Georgiana when you are out with Kitty or Mary."

Richard didn't like feeling as if he was being called out, "Are you asking me not to be friends with them?" he asked his cousin.

Darcy shook his head. "No that's not what I'm saying. I'm only asking you to make sure they both understand that you are only interested in being friends and nothing more," he told him.

Richard grew quiet for a moment. He thought about both Mary and Kitty. He enjoyed being with them both but for varied reasons. "What if I were interested in being more than just friends?" he asked him. "Would that be a problem for you or Elizabeth?"

Darcy knew his cousin well enough to know he wouldn't ask that kind of question unless he was seriously considering it. "I can't speak for Elizabeth, but I can't see an issue with you dating 'one' of her sisters if you truly were interested in doing so," he told him.

Richard laughed, "Darcy you know me well enough to know I'm not a playboy," he told him. "I may joke about my mother always setting me up with different women, but I would never lead anyone on intentionally," he told him.

"I know that Richard," he assured him. "Just think about what I have said," he told him.

Richard got to his feet and headed for the door. "I will, but for now I should probably get ready for my date with Kitty," he teased him. When Darcy didn't laugh, he added, "And Georgiana."

"One of them Richard, it would be all right to date one of them," he called out after his cousin.

Elizabeth sat in her room going through the recent photos she took when she heard a knock at her door. "Come in," she called out.

Mary stood in the doorway. "Lizzy, could you help me choose a dress."

Elizabeth looked over at her sister, her hair was done up, and she was wearing her contacts. "Mary, are you go out this evening?"

She smiled, "I have a date," she said then laughed, "I can't believe I said that. I never thought I would."

Elizabeth followed her sister into her room, "That's wonderful. I had a feeling you and Richard might have hit it off."

Mary stopped in front of her closet. "Oh, my date isn't with Richard."

Elizabeth was surprised. "Who are you going out with then?" she asked as Mary reached into her closet and pulled out three dresses to choose from.

"I have a date with Brandon," she said. "Charles's accountant."

Elizabeth smiled, "I had no idea that you were interested in Charles's accountant. Tell me about him, how did the two of you come to be dating?"

"I will tell you all about him after you help me pick a dress," Mary said

Elizabeth let out a small sigh. "All right what is the occasion?" she asked looking over the dresses Mary pulled from her closet.

Mary took in a deep breath and said, "He's taking me to dinner and the symphony."

Elizabeth knew at once which one would be perfect. "Wear this one," she said pointing to a very cute little black dress. "This is perfect for tonight."

Mary smiled, "That was the one I was thinking of too, but I was afraid I would be wrong, so I didn't say anything. Perhaps listening to Kitty when she talks about fashion is beginning to rub off on me."

Elizabeth smiled, "Perhaps it is," she said then asked. "Now tell me about Brandon."

Mary told her how they met then said, "We have been out to lunch a few times, but those didn't really count as dates. This is our first time out together that will count as a date," she said as she slipped on the dress then turned her back so Elizabeth could help with the zipper. "Lizzy, he's very nice, and I just want this to go well."

"Are you worried that it won't go well?" Elizabeth asked sensing some hesitation from her sister.

Mary grew quiet for a moment. "I do like him, and we share so many things in common."

"That's good, isn't it?" she asked her.

Mary let out a small sigh. "Yes, it's good, I guess I just hope that he likes me too."

"Mary, he asked you out to the symphony I'm pretty sure he likes you," she told her.

Mary hesitated before she said, "It's just that he's very handsome, charming, smart, and well, I'm…me," she mumbled softly.

"Mary, please don't think that way about yourself," she encouraged her. "He asked you out remember?"

"Yes, he asked me out," she repeated what Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth smiled, she got up and walked over to the door. "I'm very happy for you Mary," she said. "I hope you don't mind me asking this but what about Richard? Haven't the two of you been out a few times as well?"

"We have been to lunch a few times," Mary told her. "He's a really nice guy, and we have become really good friends."

Elizabeth let out a small sigh. "So you like both Richard and Brandon?" she asked trying to understand.

Mary laughed, "I do like them, they are both very kind, but don't worry Lizzy, Richard and I haven't really been out together on a date, they were just more casual friendship lunches," she said. "Besides he has been out a lot more with Kitty."

"Really?" Elizabeth was surprised to hear that. "I guess I have been so busy with work and the wedding I didn't realize."

"Oh yes," Mary told her as she slipped on her shoes. "In fact, I think the two of them are going out again tonight. They have been out several times over the past few weeks."

Elizabeth looked over at her sister and smiled. "You look lovely Mary; the dress fits your figure very nicely."

Mary looked at her reflection in the mirror. "Thank you, Lizzy," she told her as she looked down at her watch. "Now I have to hurry, or I will be late. I'm meeting Brandon at the restaurant at six."

"Isn't he coming here to pick you up?" Elizabeth asked her.

Mary laughed, "And have him meet with Mum…" she shook her head. "No thanks, this is only our first date, and I'm kind of hoping there will be others."

"Yes, of course, I forgot about that," Elizabeth told her as she left the room. "Have fun."

Mary picked up her bag and took one last look in the mirror. "I feel completely out of my element here," she whispered softly. She shook off any negative thoughts and looked again in the mirror. The dress did fit nicely. It came to a modest length just at the knee with an empire waist. It was made of a soft crushed black velvet material, with a black lace bodice and shoulder. Mary didn't normally like lace but it this case it was tastefully and sparingly used, so it was ok. She wore her black flat sandals and did her hair the way the stylist showed her in an updo with some wispy strands of hair left down to frame her face. "Well for better or worse here I go," she said as she took one last deep breath and headed out the door.

Elizabeth went to her room and pulled out her phone. "Did you know that Richard and Kitty have been dating?" she texts him.

Darcy looked down at his phone. "He did mention that they were going out this evening with Georgiana," he wrote her.

Elizabeth bit down on her lip. "Oh so it isn't really a date then?" she wrote him.

Darcy's eyes narrowed just a bit. "I don't think so," he responded, then thought about what Richard said. "But would it be a problem if it were a date?"

Elizabeth let out a small sigh; Kitty was still so young, she hesitated before responding then decided maybe it would be better to speak with Kitty before she said anything more. "So, are you still coming out later?"

Darcy let out a heavy sigh; he still had so much work to do. "I want to, but it could be late," he warned her.

"That's ok," she wrote back. "The skies will be clear tonight; we could sit out in the garden and cuddle. I have heard that sharing body heat helps keep you warm on a chilly night," she teased him.

Darcy immediately thought about the night at Rosings when they stayed in the cabin, and he held her close in his arms. "I would very much enjoy cuddling with you," he wrote to her. "I will be there about eight."

"Good because I have been missing you today," she wrote.

"I feel the exact same way," he wrote back.

"Love you," she wrote.

"I love you too," he responded back.

Elizabeth slipped her phone into her pocket and went to speak with Kitty. She found her getting ready for her date. "Kitty may I come in?" she called out through the door.

"Yes, Lizzy," she answered as she came out of her closet and stood before the mirror. "Do you think this looks all right?" she asked pointing to her outfit. "I realize these pants are not technically in style right now, but I'm going for a sort of retro look."

Elizabeth nodded her head. "You look nice. I think the pants look very nice and that red top is a good color for you."

Kitty smiled, "Thank you, Lizzy," she said as she walked over and sat down at her makeup table to put on her makeup.

Elizbeth sat down on the edge of Kitty's bed. "So you are going out tonight with Georgiana and Richard?"

"Yes, we are going to see that musical everyone is talking about. I have heard it's awesome. I know Georgie and I both want to see it, and Richard is tagging along. But I think he will like it too even though he probably wouldn't admit it," Kitty told her then said, "Of course, I did promise to see an action movie with him next."

"You have been spending a lot of time with Richard lately, haven't you?" Elizabeth commented.

"He and Georgiana are very close, so he often comes with us," Kitty told her as she put on the finishing touches to her makeup. "He's so much fun to be around Lizzy. I do like him."

Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Kitty when you say that you like him, do you mean that you like him because he's a nice guy to hang out with, or do you like him, like him?"

Kitty shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I haven't really thought about it. Why do you ask Lizzy?"

"I guess I was just wondering that's all. You know Richard has gone out a few times with Mary too?" Elizabeth said.

Kitty shrugged her shoulders. "Yes, I know, they are friends. He likes talking all that nerdy stuff with Mary."

"So, I guess you're all just friends then?" Elizabeth asked her again.

"I think so," Kitty smiled as she walked over and slipped on her flats. She grabbed her clutch and turned to face her sister, "Well how do I look?" she asked her now that she was fully ready. "I'm going for a sort of retro late fifties, early sixties kind of look."

Elizabeth smiled, "You look wonderful," she told her as she got up and walked over to the door.

Kitty called out to her, "Lizzy, was there something in particular, you wanted to talk to me about?"

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment. "No, not really, I guess I just wanted to make sure you know you can always come talk to me about anything, even about boy stuff."

Kitty smiled, "Of course I know that Lizzy," she assured her as she looked down at her watch. "I should get going. I'm meeting Georgie and Richard at the movie theater, and then we are going for a late dinner."

Elizabeth followed her down the stairs. "Ok then, have fun."

Kitty grabbed her keys and headed over to the door. "Night Lizzy," she said before she left.

Elizabeth let out a small sigh and was just about to go back upstairs and finish proofing her latest wedding photos when she heard Jane calling for her. "Yes, Jane," she answered as she went into the dining room.

Jane sat at the table with several swatches of fabric, and a dozen different tile and paint samples in front of her. She looked up at sister and let out a heavy sigh. "Please help me," she moaned.

Elizabeth laughed, "What is all of this?" she asked her sister as she came in and sat down.

"This is my endeavor to remodel Charles and my master bedroom and bathroom at Netherfield. Now that the sale of the house is complete we decided to begin work on some of the remodeling so that much of that work can be done while we are away on our honeymoon," she explained. "But I'm already regretting taking this on right now. I don't know what I was thinking."

Elizabeth smiled, "Oh Jane don't despair. I will do my best to helps," she said as she picked up a cream color paint sample. "What colors are you thinking of for your room?"

Jane held up two choices. "I rather like the soft blue and Charles likes the pale gray."

"And so it begins, the time for marital compromise," she teased her.

"Compromise is a good thing," Jane told her. "But I really do hate the color gray."

"Well, you could go with this one," Elizabeth said holding up a paint sample that was a soft pale gray with a hint of blue."

"What is that color's name? I don't believe I've seen it before," Jane asked her.

"This is called gray shimmer," Elizabeth laughed. "I have no idea how they came up with the name, but there you have it."

Jane took the sample and looked it over. "It is a rather nice compromise, isn't it? I do think this fabric would go very well with that color as well," she said holding a swatch of dark navy blue fabric with small pale gray specks in it.

"It does go very well," she agreed. "Jane, did you know Mary is dating Charles's accountant, Brandon…"

"Wilson… his last name is Wilson," Jane said. "I know that they have spent some time together working on getting my accounts combined with Charles's, but I didn't know they were dating."

"Tonight is their first 'real' date according to Mary," Elizabeth said. "She has gone out with Richard a few times too, though."

"I knew that she and Richard went out for lunch. She has talked a great deal about him. I thought she liked him?" Jane remarked.

"Yeah, she has talked to me about Richard but hasn't said anything about Brandon," Elizabeth told her.

Jane put down the tiles she was looking at and turned to her sister, "Lizzy is something troubling you about this? You sound concerned for Mary?"

"No, I'm not worried really," Elizabeth told her. "It's just that Mary is just coming out of her shell, she still doesn't have a lot of true self-confidence, and then there is Kitty."

Jane shook her head in confusion. "What is going on with Kitty?"

"Apparently according to Mary, Kitty is dating Richard. She said Richard and Kitty have gone out several times together," Elizabeth said.

Jane looked at her sister intently. "Do you think Richard and Kitty shouldn't be dating?"

"Well, that's just it, when I talked with Kitty she didn't say they were dating. She came across as if they were just friends," Elizabeth told her not knowing what to think. "I guess I'm feeling protective of both Mary and Kitty. Richard is an amazing guy, but he's eight years older than Kitty. She's only eighteen, and he's twenty-seven. I just don't want to see anyone get hurt. Kitty has to finish university and has so much ahead of her. Richard is older and more mature, they are not exactly in the same place in life you know?"

"Well if it concerns you I think you should speak to Kitty and find out what is really going on with the two of them. Perhaps it might not hurt for me to speak with Mary as well," Jane offered.

"I think you are right," Elizabeth said. "Now about your bathroom," she teased her. "I think this lovely shade of passion purple with do wonders for your love life, especially if you put in a large heart-shaped bathtub," she said deliberately sounding like their mother.

Jane made a face. "Oh please, Lizzy that's awful," she laughed.