Chapter 15

Mrs Owen was worried for Kitty. For a few weeks, she had witnessed her grow into a more confident young lady. That process had started in Longbourn, but being away from her family had removed the pressure of being compared to her siblings, and helped her a lot on her way to adulthood. However, this evolution was still very fragile, and her encounters with the Misses Martin, Taylor, Hayward and Lady Marianne was proof of that. Kitty had started to doubt herself again. Mrs Owen had been reassured at the way her charge had reacted to the carriage accident and what had followed. But seeing her the previous couple of days, doubting herself, even though she was in presence of people who were not judgemental, was worrisome. How was she to instil confidence in the girl? Was it the disappointment at the criticism she had received that had that effect? Was it that the road to maturity was much further along than she had thought? Kitty had seemed to be quite taken with Captain Talbot. Was she in for a big disappointment? The man may be a second son, but his upbringing and Kitty's were worlds apart. It was probably a mild flirtation on his part, but what if Kitty saw more to it than that? She would end up heartbroken, and it may bring her progress go to naught. On the other hand, she may just have been having a pleasant time with a friend. How was she to speak of that with her? She would have to find a way, for the family would probably be there for another few days.

Kitty was having no such qualms. Her thoughts the previous evenings had brought her back to Longbourn, and she was wondering if she may get a letter from her sisters. She still did not know how to handle Miss Martin and Miss Taylor when she would next see them. Miss Barnes who had come to call, had told her to try and forget about it all, and that she would still be her friend. At least she would have one. For now, she would enjoy her time. She liked Lady Julia, who had been very nice to her, and had not been condescending towards her. For a moment, she thought it was because she felt compelled to act that way to her hosts, but after a second-thought, she had come to realize that had it been Lady Marianne, it would have been an entirely different story. Kitty was a gentleman's daughter, but she had never had any contact with the nobility, so her first experience had left her thoughtful. Lady Marianne had been aloof and cold where Lady Julia had been friendly. She had told her that her grandfather was a Duke, so if a Lady could feel herself justified in being above her company, it should be her. Her family had been nothing but kind to her, so it must mean that she was capable of being respected by such people and she could stand on her own merits. Captain Talbot was a handsome and agreeable man, and she liked his company. His teasing and playful ways reminded her a lot of Henry Lucas. Lord Stafford, seemed to be a lot more serious, although he would enjoy a joke too. He had been very kind to her, and she was still smiling at the thought of her gift. That an Earl would be so nice to a country girl like her was astonishing. And that Lady Stafford had invited her to visit her in London was even more startling. She had not thought that they would keep the acquaintance once they left. She was therefore in a completely different state of mind than Mrs Owen when she woke up.

Kitty first went to Lady Julia's room. The lady was still asleep, so Kitty went downstairs and found Lord Stafford and Captain Talbot were already there, having tea with Mrs Owen. When their mother joined them both men suggested to go out for a walk.

"Aunt Owen, please, may I go? I am no longer sick, so I am sure the exercise will do me good" pleaded Kitty.

The older woman relented, so a delighted Kitty went upstairs to get her bonnet and a shawl and came back running. Mrs Owen admonished slightly, saying "A lady does not run." Kitty shrugged and took the arm Captain Talbot had offered. Both gentlemen gave her an amused look "I know I do not behave like a proper lady. But I am a country girl at heart" she laughed.

"You can be a lady in the country, you know" said Lady Stafford indulgently.

"I would have to learn the refined manners of a lady. People of your rank do not come to Meryton very often my lady, so I have not encountered many of them. It does not really bother me, though. I do not think I would ever feel at ease with the ton. Young ladies can be quite spiteful" she replied, thinking of the ones she had recently met.

Lord Stafford looked at her quizzically "Do you have much experience with spiteful young ladies of the ton? I thought you had never been to London".

She hesitated "I have met a few of them not long ago", she paused. "And they think themselves above anyone else".

"And what is your way of dealing with spiteful ladies. I am curious" inquired Captain Talbot.

"I will tell you when I find out," she mused.

"I have been amongst the ton my whole life, so I can tell you the best way to deal with them is to show them you do not care about what they think, and not to hesitate to put them in their place. It really is a question of power. If they feel you are weak, they will attack" advised Lady Stafford.

"Mama, are you sure you are not a secret adviser of Wellington's?" asked Lord Stafford, "You speak more like a military man, than a Countess."

She eyed him carefully "You my dear son, have made it an art to avoid – any - lady of the ton, so you are a better strategist than I am. I had high hopes for you. Whatever happened to…"

"I do not avoid all of them, simply the ones who seem too interested. They are only trying to attach themselves to a peer," he cut.

"Which is all of them," smirked Captain Talbot.

"So, you want to marry a woman who is not interested in you?" asked Kitty, "It would be even worse, would it not? I really do not understand men."

He laughed "I would not go that far, but I still hope I can find someone who is genuinely interested in my person, not simply my title and my estates."

Captain Talbot tilted his head towards Kitty. "His life is so very difficult" he teased.

"But my lord, how will you meet her if you avoid all women of the ton? You have to get to know them if you want to find the right one!" she exclaimed.

Lady Stafford laughed "Thank you Miss Bennet! See I am not unreasonable."

"I never said you were, but even you have to admit that adjusting to my responsibilities has taken much of my time these past months. I will marry eventually, but on my own terms," he stated very seriously.

"That is all I ask of you my dear boy" she said fondly "both of you".

"In the meantime, you can go back to trying to marry off Miss Bennet" he said jokingly.

"She will need to make me into a proper lady before. I would scare off many a gentlemen" she laughed.

"Most gentlemen do not scare that easily, if you except my sons. And I do not think you need that much refining, my dear" she said, patting her on the cheek, and added looking at her older son "Maybe we should practice with them, if you can manage not to scare them off, it will be a miracle. This one usually runs off to God knows where every time a young lady talks to him for more than a minute", she added waving at her older son.

Kitty giggled "But they will know they do not need to be afraid of me, as I do not intend to marry them."

Captain Talbot looked at her in mock-surprise. "I am hurt, I thought I had made quite an impression on you."

"I am sorry Sir, but you and I would not suit. I do not want a man who makes fun of me, it would become tiresome" she smiled ruefully, thinking of her parents' marriage.

"There is a big difference between teasing and mocking. I hope you do not think of me as doing the latter?"

"No, I was only joking. You remind me of my sister Lizzy. She likes to tease, you and her would get along really well" she said thoughtfully.

"I would be happy to meet her then."

"I am sure you would. Most people are usually quite impressed with my sisters" she ended in a tone nobody could quite decipher.

A small silence followed, and Lady Stafford said she would like to go back to the house. They walked in silence for a minute, and then turned the conversation to Kitty's paintings and drawings until they arrived. They were pleasantly surprised to see that Lady Julia had come down for breakfast. The doctor had come in their absence and recommended that she not go outside for another few days, as she was still coughing quite a lot, and tired easily. Lady Julia was sorry, for she had hoped to accompany Kitty if she went out to draw and paint.

"I can always draw inside, I just need a new subject" said Kitty. "Maybe I could do your likeness Lady Julia, I do not promise to do you justice, but I have practiced on my friends in Meryton, and none of them was offended" she assured her happily.

"You have quite earned the right to call me Julia now, that is, if you don't mind our using our Christian names? And I would be happy to have my likeness taken, but I am not sure I can stay still for hours yet."

Kitty smiled "Oh, but you do not need to stay still! I prefer to have people talking and busy, otherwise they are too serious, and my work lacks any emotion. And everyone calls me Kitty, but you can call me Catherine if you prefer it, as Aunt Owen does."

They were interrupted by the arrival of Lady Marianne and Miss Hayward. Mrs Owen and Kitty looked at each other in surprise when the maid announced the two ladies. Mrs Owen welcomed them in the drawing room, and found out no introduction was required as they already knew their guests. In fact, both ladies explained they had come to find out whether Lady Julia had recovered, and offer whatever help they could. She thanked them and told them there was nothing she was in need of. Lady Stafford inquired about the ladies' families' health, and all that was proper was said. Lady Marianne quickly attached herself to Lord Stafford, while Miss Hayward only spoke to Lady Stafford and Lady Julia. Kitty could not help but notice how everyone was very formal. While they were always polite, she had been used to seeing their guests joking and teasing her. This struck her as odd, as she saw the gentlemen become stiffer and uncomfortable. Lady Stafford and Julia's expression was also considerably changed, and they were a lot more reserved in their behaviour. Kitty also noted that she and Mrs Owen were ignored by the whole party, and she wondered for a minute if their guests felt embarrassed to be found in such poor company. She then waved away the idea as stupid, for there was nothing they should be ashamed of. But seeing Lady Marianne and Miss Hayward had brought her back to the picnic and her own insecurities. She then heard Lady Marianne tell Lord Stafford, that they should probably remove their sister from "this house", now that she was feeling better.

"My sister, while feeling better, is in no state to travel, and she has been very well taken care of by Mrs Owen and Miss Bennet" replied Lord Stafford.

"I am sure they did all they could, but you have to admit that this house lacks the comfort you must be accustomed to. Miss Hayward told me she would be happy to host you. Her father's estate is but a few miles from here, so this would not be a taxing journey" suggested Lady Marianne while grabbing his Lordship's arm. He stiffened.

"The doctor said she was not to get outside, so we will have to impose on Mrs Owen's hospitality a bit longer I am afraid" he said looking at the older lady with a smile.

"This is no imposition; we are quite happy to have you here, my lord" said Mrs Owen.

Lady Marianne looked at Kitty "I am sure you are", she said ironically.

"We all are! In fact, Catherine…" said Lady Julia pointedly, "has been a life-saver, and she has been of great company" she said smiling.

Kitty grinned when she heard her friend call her by her Christian name, and took it for what it was, Lady Julia was showing both ladies, that they were on friendly terms. Friendly enough to be on first name basis.

"I was happy to be of service" said Kitty, and turning to Lady Marianne. "But I thought you were on your way to Bath, I would imagine this part of the country does not hold any appeal to you. I was quite surprised to find out you were still in the neighbourhood."

"I could not leave once I knew that my friend was here and may be in need of my help" she said emphatically, looking at Lady Julia.

Captain Talbot gave Kitty a wicked smile and turned to Lady Marianne "Well, you are off the hook now. Julia has her whole family here, so we will make sure she recovers completely."

"Maybe you should head back to Bath once you feel better. The waters are said to be of great benefits to one's health" suggested Miss Hayward. "Have you ever been there, Miss Bennet?" she asked. "I personally wish I could go, but with the wedding approaching there is so much to do here."

"I have never had that chance," replied Kitty curtly.

"You should try to go there, after all, it is more – affordable- than London. You could even have a Season in Bath" Lady Marianne sneered. Kitty remained tight-lipped. "How about you, my lord?" she asked Lord Stafford batting her eyelashes.

"We will head back to Linfield Park at the earliest convenience, I have no wish for the society of Bath at the moment" said Lord Stafford firmly.

"I can understand that" acquiesced Lady Marianne, without losing her countenance "I too enjoy peace and quiet. In fact, Bath can become really tiresome when it is too crowded" she added with a smile directed at both brothers. Kitty smiled, thinking how the lady had contradicted herself in such a short span.

"You understand why it would do no good to Julia then. She seems really tired as a matter-of-fact" Lady Stafford said drily, looking at her daughter.

The ladies took the hint, and said their goodbyes.

Lord Stafford winked at Kitty just as they had left "Spiteful young ladies?" he asked. Mrs Owen and Lady Julia looked at him curiously, but he just laughed. "I too need some peace and quiet" he said "Would you care to join me on a ride Philip?" His brother brightened at the suggestion, and they both left.

Lady Julia, who really was tired, went to lie down. Mrs Owen, Kitty and Lady Stafford went out to call on the Barnes'. Kitty was glad to see her friend, as they did not have the time to discuss the Assembly when Miss Barnes came to call on her. She caught up on all the details of the night, and felt a pang of regret for not attending when young Mr Barnes came in and said he had been disappointed not to see her. Miss Barnes gave Kitty a knowing look that said "I told you so", and invited her brother to join in their conversation. The gentleman laughed and said he would rather go to London on foot that hear another word about the Assembly, so they were happy to oblige and switched the conversation to the delights of London, for Miss Barnes was to have a Season. Her father had finally agreed to let her go and she was very excited at the prospect. Kitty listened to her friend with a longing look, and asked her to write to her and give her a full account of her time in Town. Mrs Barnes reminded them that it would be another few months before the Season started, so they need to think of writing to one another when they could still have time to see each other at length. Lady Stafford soon reminded them that they had left Lady Julia her alone, so they took their leave, and the visit ended.

Lady Julia woke up quite rested. She thought she had been really lucky that Kitty had found them after the accident. She seemed like a really nice girl, quite bubbly, and honest too. Or so she hoped. But her instinct told her she had made an acquaintance she would like to keep. Kitty had not tried to flatter herself or her mother and brothers, and that in itself was not common. She was kind and spoke naturally and she had taken very good care of her during her illness. Mrs Owen had also been extremely kind and helpful. She may not be rich, but she was still a gentlewoman, and she had made all of them as comfortable as possible. Julia had been feeling lonely for the past few months and Kitty's presence had been refreshing. Her mother seemed to like her as well, and so did her brothers, and they had always been very critical of her friends. She would have to keep the acquaintance, and hope it would grow into friendship. She was still daydreaming when she heard voices. She was happy she would have some company and went downstairs.