Chapter 11

The next few days were spent exploring the countryside, painting, reading, playing the pianoforte and meeting the new neighbours. Kitty had thus settled into a quiet life when Mary and Richard left, and though she was sad to see them go, she had her new friendship with Miss Barnes to look forward to. She had met some of her friends, but they had seemed quite distant, so she had no hope of a real friendship there. Miss Martin and Miss Taylor were a bit older than her, and had had two London Seasons already. Both seemed intent on making a good match, and thought themselves very fashionable young ladies. They explained what kind of dresses were at the height of fashion in London, but Kitty was not convinced. While shopping with Miss Barnes, she had bought some fabric to try and sew herself a dress for the Assembly. Her friend had suggested they go to the modiste, but Kitty preferred to make it herself so as to choose the cut by herself and not have to follow the young ladies' advice. She was also hoping to save on her allowance to buy everyone in Longbourn a gift, before going home. Being quite good with a needle, she managed to make quite a convincing outfit, although it took her the better part of several afternoons to complete it.

She also spent quite a lot of time with Mrs Owen, who had introduced her to many acquaintances. Most of them were met when they went to Church, and Mrs Owen had suggested they gave some of their time to helping those less fortunate. This was a new endeavour for Kitty, but one she quickly enjoyed, as she found she liked spending time with new people, and most particularly with the children. Mrs Owen appreciated the company of the young lady. There were many things Kitty had not learned at home about being in society, so the widow had taken to explaining what constituted appropriate behaviour and decorum. These lessons had been eye-opening to Kitty, and she was grateful they had not been imparted in a condescending way. She felt she could ask questions to the older woman without being scorned, and had had the same feeling every time she had encountered the young Mrs Owen. This allowed her to grow without losing her happy and open personality.

As the Assembly grew near, Kitty began practicing her steps. Mr Owen had promised her, at his wife's insistence, that he would dance with her, so she knew she would not have to sit out the entire evening. Miss Barnes had also said her brothers would probably ask her, so she had some hope on that front as well. But she was still very nervous and really hoped she would be asked to dance by local gentlemen. She had said as much in front of Miss Barnes' friends, and they had giggled and said they would try to find her some partners, while giving each other knowing looks. Kitty did not quite know what to make of it at first. The girls quickly deflected and talked about a picnic they had been organizing. They were especially delighted by the prospect, as Miss Martin and Miss Taylor had explained that they had sent out an invitation to a Miss Hayward, which had been readily accepted. Even better, she would be coming with a friend. Kitty was soon to find out that Miss Hayward was everything they all aspired to be. She was rich, pretty, a confirmed member of the ton, and she was engaged to be married to the son of a baronet.

Miss Hayward came to the picnic with her friend Lady Marianne, the daughter of the Earl of Sussex. Lady Marianne had come to visit Miss Hayward for a few days, before heading to Bath, so the girls were delighted to have such company. The whole picnic was quite fancy, and not really what Kitty had in mind when it had been suggested. Two carriages had brought the young ladies to a nice spot near a stream, and the maids had already prepared everything, so they just had to sit and enjoy themselves. The food was far more refined that what would be expected for such an outing. Miss Martin and Miss Taylor clearly wanted to impress Lady Marianne and Miss Hayward, that much was clear to Kitty. She soon realized she was to be the object of the young ladies' mockery during the entire picnic. She had talked about her home in Hertfordshire quite openly, without imagining that her lack of fortune would make her an easy target. Her never having been to London before, was judged unbelievable. Lady Marianne had dismissed her entirely for it, and Kitty thought it would have been better if the Misses Taylor and Martin had done the same. Miss Hayward was horrified to find out that the Bennet girls had ties to trade via her connection to her Uncle Gardiner. That he was a successful and genteel-like businessman was irrelevant.

Seeing her new friend becoming rather uneasy, Miss Barnes suggested they all go for a stroll to stretch their legs for a bit. It was agreed upon, and she linked arms with Kitty, offering to walk towards the woods. They talked about the dance, which was to take place two days later, and Kitty soon went back to her cheerful self. They did not go very far, and after a few minutes, they young ladies decided to walk back in the direction of the picnic as they had lost track of their companions. They soon heard voices, and Kitty's name was mentioned.

"Do not worry too much, Mr Barnes dined with her family once, and he said she was one of the most boring creatures he had ever seen, so you can guess how successful she will be! Miss Bennet will probably sit out the entire night. There is no way any of us would let our brothers dance with that country fortune hunter. And they will undoubtedly warn their friends about her. Were she a beauty, we would have had to watch out for her, but…" laughter followed. Miss Barnes wanted to speak up, but seeing Kitty's eyes already full of tears, she grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"And to think that she has family in trade! She pretty much said she wanted to meet gentlemen here, so she is not even being discreet about it."

"Well, you know their kind, vulgar and brash. She makes herself out to be a gentlewoman, but have you seen how she dresses?"

"She has no taste, no refinement. Without a dowry, I guess she will try and trick someone into marrying her. But we have seen what she is like so there is no danger."

"I almost wish I could come tomorrow and witness it. I dare say it will be an entertaining night for you ladies."

"Oh, but do come! Do you really have to leave for Bath now? You could stay another couple of days."

"Me, at a country Assembly? Come, you have seen what a London ball is like! This is going to be dreadful. And there will be no gentleman worth seeing."

"The point is to dance and have a merry time, we will look for a husband in London. Or you will do that in Bath, but two days are not going to make much of a difference."

"I will think about it."

Kitty then heard some giggling. She was mortified. Miss Barnes was looking at her apologetically.

"I think I need to be alone" she struggled to voice a single word.

"Please, do not go, I do not know what came over them, they are not usually this mean" she said trying not to raise her voice.

"Can I ask you a favour? I do not want them to know I heard them. Can you tell them I am feeling ill and want to go home?"

"Are you sure?"

Kitty nodded. "I will ask for the carriage then" replied her friend.

"Do not trouble yourself, I would rather walk anyway" she said unable to keep the tears to fall on her cheeks.

"No, that won't do, you will not walk several miles on you own. Who knows what might happen to you?" she paused. "I am sure they are afraid the gentlemen will like you the most. Nothing they said was true. I know my brother said you were pretty, you know - Jessica, that is, Miss Taylor, I believe she likes him, now that I think of it. Oh, I am so sorry!"

"You have nothing to be sorry for, and it is kind of you to say, but it does not matter now."

"I will accompany you to the carriage."

Kitty kept thinking about what she had eavesdropped on. To think that she had been trying to improve herself only to be labelled vulgar and a fortune-hunter! She clearly had a lot to learn.

Miss Barnes had the carriage bring Kitty home. Mrs Owen was surprised to see her come so early, but she quickly saw how distressed the young lady was, for her eyes were still red with tears. She told her what happened. Mrs Owen listened to her, not saying a word until the she was finished, and held her in her arms. At last, she said "My poor dear, do not distress yourself so. Miss Barnes is most likely right; they were just probably jealous. It is a sentiment that makes people lose reason, you know."

"Jealous of what? I do not have anything to recommend myself! I have been trying to improve, I promise, I try very hard to be better, but… it is hopeless" she sighed.

"Catherine Bennet, I forbid you to say such a thing! You are a very good person, and those who do not recognize it are not worthy of your time."

"That is not a very Christian thing to say," she said half laughing, half crying.

"Well, what can I say? I will keep the scripture for another time!"

"Aunt Owen…Do I have to go to the dance? I would much rather stay here," Kitty said after a while, her head still resting on Mrs Owen's shoulder.

"You do not have to go, if you do not want to. But I would not make a decision now, if I were you. Not everyone will be as unkind as the young Misses you were with today. You have spent your whole life in a place where you knew everyone, so of course they are more benevolent towards you. It can be different when you meet new people, as some of them are prejudiced. But not all of them are."

Kitty pondered this for a little while "I will think about it, but I don't believe I will change my mind."

"In that case, we will spend the night here. I for one enjoy your company" she said smiling.

She was grateful for Mrs Owen's presence. She had had a motherly behaviour towards her, and Kitty realized that she had missed it. She gave her a wan smile "I think I should go rest a little. I also wish to write to my family."