Chapter 19:
"May I enter?" said Lizzy, softly knocking on Lydia's door. She heard a grunt, perhaps an affirmative response, so Lizzy opened the door.
"Have you come to gloat, Lizzy?" grunted Lydia, lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling of her small room. There were bonnets thrown on the floor, some ribbons hanging off of her chair, and a small bouquet of flours resting in a simple vase on her armoire.
"Of course, Lydia" said Lizzy, frowning slightly for she was pained for her youngest sister. "I have to come to speak with you" she added, sitting down on the bed.
"La! Whatever for! My life is ruined!" said Lydia, hitting her hand into the pillow, "You do not understand!"
"Your life is not ruined" she said, summoning her inner Jane, "Your life is just beginning" she said, smiling at a smirking Lydia.
"Scotland?!" she screamed, sitting up, "What could he mean by sending me so very far away?!"
"I was surprised at how far you would be going, however, it is possible that was the one he could afford. Regardless, you must know Lydia that you do need to go somewhere" said Lizzy softly, hoping her sister would be open to listening, "The fact that you do not realize it, is what is most disconcerting. Think of Mary King, she ruined her life and you simply mocked it, thinking it would be good fun"
"It would have been—such a handsome husband! La! Just think of everyone's faces!" said Lydia smiling. Lizzy frowned slightly, shaking her head in disbelief.
"How about I make you a deal?" said Lizzy more brightly, realizing she needed another approach. "After one or two years in Scotland, I will ask papa for permission for you to join me in Pemberley or London if your behavior has improved. Now that Jane has married into quite a family and you will have my connections as a Darcy, you will move in different circles Lydia, think of the match you could make!" Lizzy could see Lydia's eyes fluttering thinking of balls, dancing, and riches.
"I do not have a choice, do I?" grumbled Lydia, resentful at her situation.
"I believe you do. You are going regardless, if you choose to learn while there and make it a good experience is up to you my dear" said Lizzy, hoping her sister would heed her advice.
"Hump" said Lydia, sinking back into her bed. Lizzy frowned for the third time realizing her attempt had been futile, but perhaps, something had sunken in.
PNPNPNPNP
The weather had been absolutely inviting to the extent that Catherine Bennet, fondly known as Kitty, had decided to go for a morning walk. She had asked her sisters, Lizzy and Mary if they wanted to accompany her but none had taken her offer. Kitty had not bothering asking Lydia for she was still sulking after their father's announcement a few days before. Lizzy was too busy getting ready for her wedding which was less than a fortnight away and Mary wanted to read some sermon or other that Kitty found, truthfully, too painful to listen to.
She had wandered near the house but the weather was so beautiful that she kept walking—reaching the surrounding fields of Netherfield. She hesitated walking nearer but the grass and trees were so inviting that she treaded on. It had been a few months since the Netherfield ball and so much had changed. Jane was now married to someone other than Mr. Bingley, Lizzy was soon to be married, and though not by plan, Kitty had changed. She reflected back on her behavior at the ball and blushed in embarrassment—what had she been thinking? Her head was full of redcoats and dancing—it was no wonder that her father wanted to send Lydia away.
Kitty bit her lip nervously, thinking her father could have easily sent her too. But she was thankful that she had taken conscience and had begun to rethink her behavior and was working hard to improve it. Catherine was hoping to be able to spend some time with Jane, once her family was out of mourning, and she could join her society. There were sudden opportunities that were now open to her which had never been before. She was thankful to be aware and vowed to not waste those opportunities. She knew her father still thought her a silly girl and perhaps in essence she was, but she wanted to improve. She would never be as lovely as Jane, nor as witty as Lizzy, and most certainly not as serious as Mary, but she hoped she could learn the balance of how to be Catherine.
It was lost in thought that she did not hear a horse coming from afar until it was too late and when turned around, she heard a man shout—and she jumped backwards, falling on the ground.
"Madam, are you alright?" said a voice from somewhere—she was not sure where it was coming from nor where she was. The man got nearer, offering her his hand and to her utter surprise and complete disbelief it was Mr. Bingley!
"Mr. Bingley!" she exclaimed, getting up from the ground too quickly and accidently bumping his head. "Ouch! I am sorry!" she said, rubbing her forehead. She could see that he was rubbing his too.
"It is quite alright, Miss Catherine, allow me" he said, reaching for her hand and helping her sit up. "Should I call for some help?" he inquired, "Are any of your sisters with you?"
"No, I went for a walk by myself. I believe I am quite alright. I just need a few minutes before standing and heading back" she said, still feeling dizzy.
"When you are ready, I will walk you back to Longborn, Miss Catherine"
"Oh that will not be necessary, Mr. Bingley" she said, mortified, for she could only imagine how embarrassing the entire situation would be for him and her family.
"Do not fret Miss Catherine, I am quite able to visit Longbourn and not be affected though if you prefer for the sake of your family, I will walk you as close as you need and leave before making myself known to them" he said, in a voice that was very calm and confident. Kitty looked at him more closely now and realized that something about his air had changed. He had always been very giddy and a bit too jolly but he now seemed more subdued. She was not sure if the change for the better or for the worse.
"I thank you, Mr. Bingley" she said, accepting his offer to walk her home. After a few minutes of resting she found herself able to stand without any feeling of dizziness and they began the walk back to Longbourn. "What are you doing in Netherfield? Pardon, that may have been too forward of a question. I am trying to very hard to better my etiquette" she added, too honestly. Mr. Bingley laughed, at her honesty and her ingenuity.
"I had been meaning to let go of Netherfield but needed to come to Hertfordshire personally and had been avoiding it" he said, finding himself unexpectedly comfortable and unaffected by walking with one of Jane's sisters. He had been avoiding saying her name in his head since he saw Miss Catherine and he hoped saying it now was not visible in his demeanor.
"Are your sisters with you?"
"No" he said, "They are in town. I will be going back tomorrow. The weather was just so beautiful today, I decided to take one last walk before signing the papers and ending my lease"
"Hertfordshire was not to your liking?" she asked, not realizing her question could be understood to imply more than she had in mind. Mr. Bingley looked confused at her question but realized from the expression of her eyes that she had meant no harm.
"I do not recall a happier time, Miss Catherine, if I may be honest, than the time I spent here in Hertfordshire" he said, smiling as he spoke, "It is a wonderful place and very jolly neighbors"
"Oh, I did not mean...I apologize" she said, realizing her mistake.
"Miss Catherine, I am quite alright and believe me when I say I wish your sister, the former Miss Bennet, all the happiness in the world" he said, looking down at Kitty who smiled back at him.
"Thank you" she said, breaking their eye connection and looking forward. "Oh, I see someone there—is that Lizzy?" she asked, squinting her eyes to see who was approaching them from afar.
"Kitty!" she said, running towards her, "Come, you must make haste!" she said, not realizing she was being accompanied by someone.
"I believe I will leave you here—I trust you will return safely to your home with Miss Elizabeth" he said, bowing towards Miss Catherine and saying goodbye.
"I thank you for accompanying me" she said, smiling at him and staring as he walked away.
"Kitty!" said Lizzy again, running towards her. When she finally caught up, she could barely make out who was walking away, "Who was with you?" she asked, clearly out of breath.
"Mr. Bingley but Lizzy, what is ever the matter?" asked Kitty.
"It is Lydia!" said Lizzy, "Come—we must make haste!"