Chapter 12

Kitty wrote to Jane, as she was in great need of her gentle and kind reassurances. She did not sleep well that night. She kept replaying in her head the words she had heard, and no matter how much she tried to remind herself that they were not true, she was not entirely convinced. She had hoped her coming to Wiltshire would be the start of a new life, a more fulfilling and confident life. Kitty had always thought that being compared to her sisters was the reason why she had always been overlooked. She now wondered if it was because she was not worthy of people's good opinion. If she was being honest with herself, she had to admit that it was easier to think that she was not to blame, but maybe she was. She certainly needed to be more guarded. She was an open book. Lydia had always played on that, as it was so easy for her to know exactly what she was thinking, what would annoy or please her. Miss Barnes' friends had behaved exactly as Lydia would have with her. It had been far too easy for them, and she should have known it, for her first impressions of the young ladies had left her quite wary of them. There would always be those who would try to rise by diminishing others, so she had to protect herself from them. Her self-reflection had enabled her to come to terms with human nature, and with her own shortcomings. It helped her confirm that she would not go to the dance. Part of her wanted to go, to show that she was not afraid of them. But upon thinking about it, she had also come to the conclusion that going was like being fed to the wolves. They would try to humiliate her, and she did not have the means to counter them. Not yet anyway.

Kitty woke up in better spirits. She explained her decision to Mrs Owen, who accepted it unsurprised. They kept to their usual schedule, and started the day on the pianoforte. Kitty had made good progress on the instrument and in her singing as it was an activity she enjoyed. After breakfast, they both went to visit one of Mr Owen's tenant, a Mr Stuart. Or rather, they went to visit his wife, Mrs Stuart, as she was in her confinement. She already had two children, and her husband was kept busy farming, so her mother had come to help her, but the older woman was finding it increasingly difficult to do so, for she was herself in poor health. Mrs Owen's daughter-in-law was already there when they arrived. The ladies helped with the cleaning, mending, and took care of the children. Mrs Owen promised they would come again the next day, as Mrs Stuart was due to give birth any day now. Once home, Kitty decided to draw, then took up a book and spent a quiet afternoon in the company of Shakespeare. The day ended quickly enough, and she thought but little about the previous day.

On the day of the Assembly, Kitty after coming back from her visit to Mrs Stuart's, decided to go paint outside. She liked drawing and painting in equal measures, and depending on the subject, she would favour one over the other. She also found they complemented each other, and she was talented at both, though her technique was a little lacking in some aspects. She had found a spot at a nearby stream where the light would be perfect for painting. She had started with a drawing a few days before, and was now ready to move to painting it over. Mrs Owen decided to come with her to help her carry her brushes, watercolours and the easel, as it was almost a mile from the house. Not thirty minutes after they arrived, the maid came to inform them that Mrs Stuart was having her baby. Kitty, as an unmarried girl, could not go, but Mrs Owen quickly went to help. She told Kitty she may be spending the night there, so she should not worry if she did not see her before she went to bed. Kitty decided to keep painting and said she could very well manage on her own. Mrs Owen agreed to let her stay, but still asked the maid to keep an eye out in case she did not come home before supper. It was a very peaceful spot, and Kitty found herself entranced by its beauty. So much so, that she did not even notice dark clouds approaching. She only became aware of them, when the first drop of rain fell upon her painting. She quickly gathered her things and started to head back towards the house. But carrying it all while running was nearly impossible. She would be drenched, she lamented. Shortly after, as she was nearing the main road, she saw a fancy carriage approach in a very unsteady manner, and feared for the passengers' safety. The horses were wild, and Kitty thought they had been spooked by something. She then saw with horror the horses stop and the carriage being overturned. She dropped her painting kit and ran towards them. As she neared the carriage, she saw one man was lying on the side of the road, while the other was trying to calm the horses. "Are you well?" she cried.

The coachman replied, "My arm is hurt, but I don't know how the lady is faring inside." There was no sign of the passengers outside. The other man was trying to move, but he was obviously injured and could not get up. Wary of the horses, Kitty climbed on the side of the carriage and tried to open the door. It was stuck, but she could see two women inside, both seemed unhurt, though quite scared. "Are you all right?" she asked. "Yes" replied a lady "Can you help us get out?"

She tried again, struggling to balance herself on the slippery door. The coachman, having calmed the horses came to her aid, and he with one arm, she with both, managed to open the door and let the two women climb out. One was obviously a fine lady, and the other one must be the maid, Kitty thought. "I will go get help" she said "You should take shelter below that big tree."

"I should be the one to go miss. Where is the nearest place, we can find a carriage? For Greenfield here is injured and he won't be able to walk" he said his head turned to the man who was lying down"

"Oh my" cried the lady "Greenfield, are you well?". "I'm all right, my lady, but I 'm afraid I cannot get up. Me leg seems be broken" he replied.

She then turned to the coachman "If you go, I will go with you. Let us first help get Greenfield below that tree."

"I cannot have you run in the rain like this. It would not be safe. You should stay here, my lady" he said in an anxious tone.

The maid then spoke up, obviously very scared "We cannot stay here unprotected, what would happen to Lady Julia if someone attacked us?"

Kitty thought about going back to the house, but dismissed the idea a few seconds later, Mrs Owen must have taken the carriage to go to the Stuarts. She looked at her surroundings, trying to think of the closest neighbour, and said with a confidence in her voice that surprised her "I will go and I will try to be quick. The parsonage is but half-a-mile from here, so you stay here, and I will get help"

"Are you sure, it is not…?" asked the man uncertainly. Kitty did not let him finish.

"Yes, yes, but go find shelter under the tree. That way you can make sure your horses are all right."

"Be careful, Miss…?" asked the lady

"Miss Bennet. Do not worry about me, I will be back in no time" she said and moved to running.

Kitty was already soaked. She ran as fast as she could, but the ground was uneven, and she feared she would fall. She needed to get to the parsonage quickly for everything had turned dark and she could barely see in front of her. She was halfway through when she was startled by a clap of thunder. She had no time to think and hurried to the parsonage arriving there quite breathless. She saw the front door opening, and was relieved, for she had feared for a moment that nobody would be there. Someone must have spotted her arriving, as the very man she was looking for and his wife had come out of the door.

"Miss Bennet! What are you doing here?" he cried "Are you well?"

"Mr Turner! There has been a carriage accident. A man got hurt, we must carry him to safety and bring a surgeon." She explained quickly.

He did lose any time and left with Kitty at once to fetch his carriage. He asked a bit worried "Are you alone?"

"I was painting by the stream when it started raining, so I was on my way home when the carriage fell over. Aunt Owen went to the Stuarts; Mrs Stuart is having her baby" she explained.

"You are drenched Miss Bennet. We will need to get you home quickly before you fall ill" he said kindly.

They quickly arrived on the scene of the accident and retrieved the injured man, the two ladies and the coachman. They recovered the horses as well, and headed back to the parsonage. Once there, everyone was properly introduced. The young woman, Kitty had already surmised was called Lady Julia, she was the daughter of the late Earl of Stafford. Their companions were her maid, the coachman, and the injured man was a footman. They all sat by the fire awaiting the surgeon, while Mrs Turner called for tea. Mr Turner believed the footman had broken his leg, and would be unable to walk for weeks. After a half-hour, Kitty wondered if she could go back home, for the rain had eased a little, and the servants would worry if they did not see her. To Kitty's surprise, Lady Julia asked if she could go with her.

"Between us and your children, this place will be very crowded with all of us here, and Greenfield will not be able to walk for a while if your suspicions are right, Mr Turner. Maybe it would more convenient if we stayed at two different places? I am not in the habit of inviting myself to people's homes" she said trying to excuse herself. The parson's wife reassured her that they would make do, but the young lady insisted.

Kitty was hesitant "You seem frozen, surely, you do not want to get out again now?" she said.

"You are one to talk Miss Bennet" she smiled, "You are as soaked as I am"

"If you are sure" she said sceptically.

Mr Turner returned Kitty to Mrs Owen's house, bringing Lady Julia and her maid along. Upon arriving, they thanked him profusely for his help. They changed into dry clothes, and Mrs Owen's maid prepared a room for Lady Julia, and brought them a light supper. Mrs Owen's prediction had been accurate, for she did not come home that night. Kitty felt reassured to have some company, even though she knew the servants were here, as she was not used to being on her own. She had been curious at seeing Lady Julia travel on her own, apart from her maid that is, so she asked her about it.

"Oh, that is because my former governess is getting married of all things!" She added quickly "I am happy for her, mind you, and I had told her I would go to London to help her prepare for the ceremony. I was in Bath at the time" she added, "and we had the accident on our way down to London. I should probably write to her to explain why I am late. Do you have any paper that I may use?". Kitty nodded and went to fetch paper and ink. The young ladies chatted a little, but they were still affected by the day's events, and it seemed they were stifling a cold as well. They retired early, hoping they would feel better in the morning.