Seeing her husband's study door firmly closed, Jane quietly approached and gently tapped her knuckles against the oak woodwork.
"Please come in." Jane carefully turned the door knob and entered the grand room. Seeing it was his angelic wife Mr Bingley stumbled to his feet nearly knocking his chair over. "Oh Jane, it's you! Come in, come in. Don't stand by the door on ceremony! I'm hardly Darcy you know!" Jane smiled sweetly and aquiesed to him. She walked gracefully over to him and took hold of his hands, whilst Mr Bingley looked at his wife joyously.
"We have a visitor from Longbourntoday. She shallbe up in a minute." The colour drained from Bingley's face slightly, and he gulped as though he were intimerdated. His head shot up as he heard a creak outside the door, with his eyes wide.
"Oh." Jane looked quizzically at her dear husband, and rested a hand on his cheek.
"Are you quite well my dear husband, you face is pale and you are quite diverted from our conversation." Jane looked at him with concern. "May she come in my dear, for I am sure Kitty will feel unwelcome being stood outside the door for so long." The colour returned to Bingley's face and he grinned as he grasped his wife's shoulders and kissed her full on. To which Jane looked very shocked and blushed furiously.
"O yes, do, do! Pray come in my dear sister. You are most welcome Kitty!" The said hesitated before opening the door slowly and shuffling into the study. Bingley put a hand on his wife's own. Before bounding up to his sister-in-law and shaking her hand vigourously. "Hello Kitty! What a most unexpected but delightful suprise!" He loooked at her thoughtfully. "I can see that you are well." He smiled happily, as was his way.
"Why yes Sir, I am very well." She looked around the room before looking to her brother in law. "I- I hope I am not intruding on your hospitality," she turned her head. "what with Mama's..er...regular visits and-" she was cut of by Bingley as he kissed her cheek.
"Nonsense! You are always welcome here my dear sister!" Jane walked over and took her husbands arm before remaking to both,
"Though I wouldn't advise walking all the waywhen Caroline is upon us. She was quite alarmed when Lizzy did so last year."Jane then looked at the hem of Kitty's gown, and smiled at a happy memory. "Though I see you had sense enough to pin it up and so have not gathered any mud as Lizzy did." Kitty looked at her feet as though she were being scolded. Jane put a reassuring hand on her arm.
"So is it not, rather a good piece of luck that she is in Bath with Louisa and Mr Hurst at present." Mr Bingley said chirpily. He laughed happily, to which Kitty could not help but look at her sister and brother-in-law and smiled aswell.Kitty then asked Jane a question shyly.
"Jane, have you asked Mr Bingley about Lizzy, Mr Darcy and my visit to town."Kitty looked very eager indeed!
"Not yet, but perhaps..."Jane looked at the clock on the mantlpiece before she and Bingley looked at eachother, "...you could tell usall you know about it over luncheon?" Bingley grinned happily, and nodded enthusiastically.
"O yes, but of course! T'would be my pleasure The three then exited the study and made for the staircase that would lead them to lunch. Mr Bingley then offered his remaining arm to Kitty, as his wife was on the other
"Miss Kitty, would you do me the honour?" Kitty looked to Jane for approval to which the latter smiled encouragingly.
"Erm, yes. I wouldlove to." taking her brother-in-law's arm shyly, they all went down stairs to the smaller dining-room.
Once inside the beautiful room, and seated Mr & Mrs Bingley watched as Kitty nibbled quietly at her food, though longing was in her eyes. The two elder of the company looked at eachother and smiled knowingly. Jane then went on to say.
"Kitty, you don't need to stand on ceremony before Charles and I, we are not going to scold you fore being hungry my dear." Kitty thanked them before eating her lunch hungrily. After chewing a mouthful of his food Bingley swallowed before saying in a happy manner,
"Lord! Has Mrs Bennet taken to not feeding daughters till they are to be married now?" he laughed to himself sheepishly. Kitty and Jane looked at eachother a little alarmed, and with wide eyes. Kitty then replied.
"I am certain my mother is not like that Mr Bingley, she was but in raptures over a letter I had received from the Darcy's. Bingley stopped laughing and blushed slightly.
"O right. Yes, I never meant-, erm well that is to say that I-," He cursed his stupidity inwardly. " should I just tell you the arrangements that have been agreed?" Jane and Kitty nodded in agreement.
"Right, well then. Elizabeth suggested to Jane a couple of weeks before the wedding that you were not likely to make a good match around Mereton so you alternate between staying with us and the Darcys. Then you could also be a companion to Georgiana while Elizabeth and Darcy...while Elizabeth and Darcy," he looked at his wife who was shaking her head head slowly and meaningfully. "um, well." Bingley coughed loudly. "O yes where was I? Ah I remember, being a companion to Georgiana...Also I suppose it is to keep you out of trouble." Bingley winked at her before taking another large mouthful of his food. Jane smiled lovingly at her husband. Kitty looked positively worried. Jane seeing this soothed her sister's alarm.
"Oh, fear not my dear sister, for t'was only a joke. One must expect such an act from Charles." the said grinned merrily, before laying his knife and fork together on the plate and continueing with the previous conversation.
"Aye indeed. I dare say, you'll get plenty of balls in town though." he looked at Jane who nodded in agreement." Not to mention the masses of shopping you'll accumulate, though luckily Darcy's house is of an absolutely unlogical size."Kitty's face lit up at the mention of balls and shopping. Bingley then talked to himself briefly. "I don't know why three young people, such as the Darcy's,could possibly want such an montrous thing for." Jane put her hand on her husband's arm to reawaken him to this world. "Oh, sorry my dear Jane. You will love it Kitty, I am positive on that score even if you do get lost in your sister's new house. I have, on many occasions," he peered at Kitty in ajoking manner, "though I am certain you will want nothing to do with visiting the theatre or court as the Darcy's will be prone to do, so Iinsist on yourcoming stay with us!" Kitty, had a huge childish grin across her pretty face, and didn't say a single word for a whole three minutes, beofre she jumped to her feet and launched herself at Jane, flinging her arms around her neck.
"Oh Thank you! Thank you!" She then turned to Bingley with tears welling up in her eyes, she then put her arm around Bingley's neck and hugged him too.
"Thank you both." Such was the joy that Kitty felt, the day her life changed forever...
2 days later at Lucas Lodge...
"Ah Mr & Mrs Bennet, Miss Bennet and Miss Kitty! Do come in, come, let Dawkins take you coats." Lady Lucas flipped and flapped about trying to get organised. An though she felt disdain for those artful Bennets, it was best to be friendly for maybe Mrs Bennet would reveal how she got a daughter married to possibly the richest man in England, another married into a nouveau riche family and her (just) sixteen year old daughter married off to an officer. The Bennet's then made their way into the drawing room which was garishly decorated and overly furnished. Mr Bennet went off to talk with the other gentlemen and Mrs Bennet bustled of to gossip with her Sister Phillips about the lastest news from Pemberley, Netherfield and Newcastle. Seeing no other young ladies in the room at present Kitty gravely sat next to her sister Mary for over a half hour, listening to her sermons on polished manners and the dangers of the other sex. Then, as Kitty started dozing off she happened to look up at a man stood with his back to her father. Kitty sat up bolt right.
"O Lord!" she hissed at her sister, grabbing her thin arm. Mary frowned and looked at who Kitty was staring at. She pursed her lips before replying,
"Who is it Kitty?" Mary was not at all amused at her speech being interupted.
"It's that man Letts of course!" Mary stood up, and looked very puzzled indeed.
"Who are you talking about?" Kitty also stood up and steered her sister to alcove by the window so they might have a better look.
"There," she pointed towards Elton Letts. "See, him there, stood near Papa." Mary stood on tip-toe to see who Kitty was on about. All she could see was the middle-aged butcher, who was walking in a non-to-straight manner, hiccuping as he went.
"Him...OldMr Salem, you mean?" Kitty coughed, before groaning in annoyance.
"No Silly," she grabbed Mary's arm and dragged her into the corner of the ajourning room. "Do you see that medium-heighted young man walking to Jane and Bingley?" Mary looked where her sister was directing her attention.
"That one in the green jacket, with mousy hair?" Kitty smiled.
"Yes, at last. I wondered when you-" she fell gravely silent as she saw Jane point to where she was hiding. Mary saw the colour drain from her sister's face as the Bingley's and the young man in question approached them. When they were upon them Jane smiled sweetly.
"There you are my dear sisters, I have someone to introduce you to." She turned to the man next to her.
"Mary, Kitty this is Master Elton Letts, an old friend ofMrs Darcy'sand mine." The two sisters curtsied as the manbowed. Jane saw Kitty's peaky cheeks but continued.
"Elton, these are my sisters, Miss Mary Bennet and Miss Kathryn Bennet." Kitty clenched her teeth. Elton Letts smiled. He was about to say something when Sir William Lucases hearty voice sounded throughtout the party.
"Oh tis been an age since we had some music, butwhere is Miss Bennet, I'm sure she would oblige us with singing a few rounds." he spied Mary who was sinking back against the wall and came bounding over to her with an eager expression on his wrinkled face.
"Well Miss Bennet?" Mary looked at Kitty, as Kitty looked at Mary.
"I-er, pray excuse me Sir William, I am only just recovered from a sore throat." She saw Kitty mouth 'liar' at her, and gulped.
"Oh dear, how very grievous." His eyes drooped before falling upon Kitty. "Well how about you Miss Kitty, Surely you will do us the honour seeming how you love such gaeties. And since Miss Bennet is so indisposed..." Kitty's heart was pounding, almost jumping out of her bosom. Kitty looked around the room, which was deadly silent and watching her. So she timidly aqueised and shuffled nervously across to the piano forte. She carefully lifted the lid and looked upon the ivory keys with fear. She saw Elton Letts come closer.
"Pray Miss Kathryn, may I have the homour of being your page-turner?" Kitty's voice caught in her throat seeing the eagerness in his face.
"er...You may." He drew up a chair for her and tucked it in before sitting himself down.
"So what piece are you to delight us with this evening Miss?" Kitty looked through the pieces of music casually strewn acroos the piano top. She rummaged through tem before picking out the only one she vaguely knew. She placed it where she could see it. Master Letts leaned in closer to her to observe what she was playing. "Oh an Allemande! How delightful. Tis a merry dance is it not? If only you were not playing, why! I'd ask you to dance myself."
"I thank you, once again Sir," She started playing slowly and cautiously.
"Though I fear I must be content to site and admire you posture, and the swiftness of your fingers across the keys." Elton Letts said in his deep voice, as Kitty hesitantly began to play, her fingers a bit rusty at first but the tune soon coming back to her.
"Indeed, though I fear you may be sorely dissapointed."Kitty's mouth was dry as the intrduction ended and she began to sing.
Her voice was sweet but not particularly refined or carrying, as she made her way through the difficult passages, more then one lady observed Master Letts particular attentions to her as she sang, and the way he did nothing to conceal his gaze of her. Kitty's fingers stumbled lightly on the staccato beats of the second movement but hid it most admirably. She heard some of the comments around her. Many said they never knew she could play, others said she was quite the superior singer which just made Kitty all the more nervous. Some commented on her improvement. Whilst others said it was quite unrefined and how shocking her behaviour with Eltons Letts was.
Quite soon after the song ended and Kitty quickly got up an made for the door at an accelerated pace, thanking Elton Letts briefly. The room was a little puzzled by her actions but soon recovered. Master Letts got up from his seat and went back towards Jane,
"Well, Mrs Bingley, your sister plays most admirably." he said enthusiastically.
"Yes, she does play quite well though I fear that will be her first and last public performance." Jane said sweetly.
"I dare say, that is a most sorry state of affairs. I shall surely do my utmost to rectify it." He said, though with hidden meaning.
"I am sure you will my old friend." The conversation went quiet as the politely listened to Miss Maria Lucas attempt to play a piece by Handel before returning to the conversation.
"Come, why are you not playing Jane- Mrs Bingley? I am sure you play very well indeed!" Jane blushed furiously.
"Indeed, I have not lifted a piano lid since I was sixteen. But I must thank you for your kind inquiry." Letts nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"Oh I see, but of course." Just at that moment Kitty came back into room, Elton Letts excused himself from Jane and went to talk to her.
"I hope you are feeling better Miss Kathryn, for you looked rather peeky earlier?" Kitty was touched by his kind manner.
"I thank you, yes. Much better." Elton Letts smiled at her. "Pray may I ask if I affended you at our first meeting, for you see I was so eager to be back in the county again that I fear I may have forgotten myself."
"I...er...well that is to say..." Kitty looked into his puppy dog eyes, and her heart went out to him. How wretched he must feel! "...I was a little suprised by your familiarity but perhaps we may start again,as common and indifferent aquaintences?" She smiled at him, and he in return.
"But of course!" The two continued to talk all things that came to mind save the weather and roads. Master Letts even shared some fond memories of the Mrses Bingley and Darcys as children, which made Kitty laugh happily. This went on for another three quaters of an hour until Bingley came over to them.
"Mr Letts." he bowed. "Kitty, your Mother is complaining of an ill head so we shall take her home int the Barouche, though I fear you will not be wanting to leave yet as you have not been here long, but as you cam with us..." Kitty coughed, before being suprised to here Master Letts reply to Bingley.
"I should be happy to escort her home in my carriage Sir, you need not fear for ruining your sister-in-law's evening." Mr Bingley smiled cheerfully.
"Oh good! That's rather sporting of you Letts, old chap! Oh dear, it will be a dreadful bother though." Letts reasured his friend.
"Indeed it is no bother at all. The pleasure is all mine I can assure you." Bingley thanked him once again before going to tell his wife of the arrangements.As he walked away, Letts shot a sidewards glance at Kitty.
"And what think you of the situation Miss Bennet?" Kitty smiled.
"I think it quite agreeable, and I daresay you shall it shan't be too much of a punishment to be escorted by you since you have proved yourselfa charmingand most entertaining companion this evening." Kitty, was teasing him, he could tell.
"Ohyou must be sorely mistaken forI amsilent and reserved and only talk to intimidate people!" Letts said the latter in a deep grave voice which made Kitty burst out laughing, too which several stander-byers looked around to see who was making such a noise.
"I take it, you are aquainted with my brother-in-law Mr Darcy?" Kitty calmed down soon enough.
"Oh to be sure! I cannot, for the life in me wondered what possessed you sister to marry such a proud, dissagreeable...and in my opinion, scary man." Kitty shook her head, smiling to herself.
"Well I daresay his wealth was an inticement, but I think you should know I have it on good authority that my sister took him down a peg or two first!" he laughed.
"I can well believe it of Eliza!" At that moment, he looked up at the grand-father clock which was chiming away. "Though perhaps we should continue this conversation another time, I believe it is time for us to depart." Kitty caught his line of view.
"But of course, though I must say my goodbyes and give my compliments first!" he nodded in aquiestion too which she thanked him and the two went to get their things from the hand-servant before saying farewell to the Lucases.
"Sir William, Lady Lucas! I must thank you for such a pleasant evening!" Elton Letts said in an enthusiastic manner.
"Indeed Youn Master Letts, it has been an honour to have your company! I am sure you will not find such easy and happy gatherings anywhere...even in Sussex Place!"
"I am sure your right Sir," he bowed before turning to Lady Lucas "The decorations were lovely this evening Your Ladyship! I have not had such tasteful auderves for a long time. Thank you for your hospitality!" Lady Lucas smiled and graciously accepted the young man's compliments.
"Your always welcome to come and visit us, at any time. I am sure you will find our company agreeable." She looked towards her daughter Maria at this.
"Thank you! Though I must take my leave now, and escort Miss Bennet home." Lady Lucas looked at the latter.
"Ah, yes...of course! We must not detain you." Elton Letts and Kitty said one last goobye and went out to the carriage where Elton Letts handed Kitty in. The carriage then pulled away. Letts then decided to talk.
"Are you attending the Assembly next week Miss Bennet?" he asked keenly.
"Why yes, we always do!" Letts laughed.
"Excellent, well may I be so bold as to claim the first two dances then, Miss Bennet?" Kitty was a little suprised by that considering the length of their aquaintence but was touched by his sincere tone.
"Of course, I had not even begin to think of it yet, for I have not even bought my gown! Though I daresay I shall take in one of Jane's old ones." he laughed. Though Kitty regretted saying it. "That is not to say we cannot afford new clothes but it's just that Jane's are so..." Letts held his hands up.
"You need not explain to me Miss,for all my cousins are of the fairer sexand soI understand such things, including Muslins!" Kitty laughed.
"Oh." She looked at the window as the hedges flew past. Wanting to change the subject, Kitty asked,"Tell me what brings you to this part of the country? Are you visiting your Aunt perhaps?" Letts laughed out loud.
"No Indeed! My Aunt is touring the Continent at present...I was staying with a friend at his Manor and took the opportunity to look up some old aquaintences since the hunting season is over." satisfied Kitty went back to looking out the window.
The rest of the short journey passed in relative tranquilety and polite chit-chat until they were nearing Longbourn. As soon as the carriage pulled to a halt, the footman jumped down and opened the door. Elton Letts, hastily exited it and went to speak to one of the maids who had just come out the door to see to her young Mistress. Whatever it was that was said, the maid bobbed a quick curtsey before re-entering the house and returned a moment later with Miss Mary Bennet. Elton Letts then went back to the carriage and handed out Kitty, before walking her to her older sister. Mary then spoke.
"Thank you Master Letts for escorting my young sister home at such an hour, you are a true friend indeed. I hope it has not been too much trouble." she said in her usual solomn tone.
"Why, t'was nothing at all, but if you''l excuse me..." he tipped his hat to the ladies. Kitty then spoke,
"But of course Master Letts! Pray do not let us detain you a moment longer!" she said enthusiastically.
"Thank you, but if I am no longer required..." Mary then spoke.
"Yes, you must be wanting to return to where you are staying." Elton Letts nodded graciously.
"But please feel free to call on us when it so pleases you, I'm sure our Mother will be glad to receive you!" Kitty added in quickly. The young man to whom she spoke gave a large smile in return.
"An honour indeed Ma'am, perhaps two days hence?" Kitty looked to Mary who answered.
"We shall be expecting you company Sir." The conversation ended there as a chill in the air became apparent.
"Well till then ladies, I look forward to it!" with that he walked away a few paces, before he entered his carriage he made one last statement. "Miss Bennet," he made a slight bow, "Miss Kathryn." said Elton Letts with all the cordiality in the world.
"Good night Master Letts." Kitty said, and with that Elton quickly got into his carriage and it was drawn away at all speed. Mary and Kitty went back into the house, said goodnight to their father before going upstairs. Kitty entered her chambre and collapsed upon the bed, exhausted. There was then a knock at the door.
"Come in," Kitty said quietly. A maid called Betsey poked her head around the door.
"Excuse me Miss, it's just that' Mistress want's to see you 'fore you go' bed." She came into the room and then started to help the girl get into her nightclothes. Kitty was still unused to having a maid do everything for her.
"Oh yes, I should have kn-" she yawned, "Pray forgive me." Betsey was tugging at the strings of Kitty's shift.
"Ah don't mind me Miss'." She said in her broad accent whilst passing the girl a warm shawl."Come on then lass, best get you to your Mother before all hell's let loose eh?" Kitty laughed meekly.
"I dare say." The two then quited the room...
"AH! My dear Kitty! There you are!" Mrs Bennet schreeched when her daughter's head peered around the door.
"Good Night Mama," Kitty said but before she could run back to the sanctuary of her own room her Mother started up again.
"Nonsense girl! What are you about I wished to talk with you!"
"Yes Mama, pray forgive me." Kitty then entered the room, closed the door quietly and went to sit by her Mother's bed.
"Now, I wanted to talk to you about that Elton Letts you were speaking to this evening," Kitty paled noticeably. "I was talking to Lady Lucas who said that Mrs Long was told by a most particularly reliable source with information on Master Letts!" She squeeled but before Kitty could add that it was not their business to pry into other people's affairs, her mother continued. "I understand that he is a younger son so he will notinherit any landed property and certainly not an estate asgrand as Lizzy's or perhaps even Jane's but he has got his own house inTown, and not to mentiona vast income and large settlement from his mother's marriage license." She squeeled once again making the papers in her hair flap about. Kitty however was uneasy as to where this conversation was leading. "But back to my point, everyone is saying he has an income of four THOUSAND pounds! And the settlement is of no less less then ten times that amount! He is a good catch to be sure, not perhaps as good as Lizzy's Mr Darcy but then again from what I can see he is far more agreeable...That it why I am telling you to keep him to yourself as much as possible! We cannot have the likes of Maria Lucas or the Long girls marrying him. That is another thing, you must set the date for the wedding as soon as maybe! What a fine thing it would be to have FOUR daughters married off within three or four months of each other then all I have to worry about is Mary, and that shouldn't be particularly hard even with her plainess though she is quite accomplished and with such connections as the Darcy's, the Bingley's and Lett's men will be sure to want her..." Mrs Bennet trailed on for a while longer while Kitty just sat their in shock until the room was silence.
"Mama, I- I understand how you- that is to say...There is no question of- Master Letts and I ar- There is nothing between us Mama. He is an aquaintence, pray do not say such things, it might affend him!" Kitty started coughing which only vexed her mother further.
"Nothing between you! What rubbish! I saw his attentions to you this evening as plainly as anyone -AND- he offered you the use of his carriage which is most acute behavior indeed. I insist that you do what is right for your poor Mama and marry him before we are turned out into the hedgerows to starve; by the Collinses!" This shocked Kitty outright.
"Mama! I am sure that it is not right to speak so! Please!" a fit of coughs racked her body, but then it dawned her"also it would be unseemly if we had not been seen out together at balls and parties aswell as him dining here regularly. I have already invited him to dine in two days." Mrs Bennet licked her lips and rubbed her hands together.
"Yes.." she said slowly. "And when you go to town this season be certain to make sure that Mrs Darcy invites him to all her house parties and that he is included in your party when you go out to balls and such...then...no doubt he will introduce you to his brother and siste-"
"His cousin!" Kitty interupted.
"Ah, he has no sisters, now that is a dissapointment, but you must do the best you can." Mrs Bennet said, qhilst trying to come up with another plan.
"Though I understand that they live as one of the imediate family due to something or the other!" Kitty said thoughtfully, making her mother cackle like a banshee.
"Oh that is most excellent child! Why you sly thing, why did you not tell me of course before! But hush there is so much to be done! As I was saying, Master Letts will no doubt introduce to to his brother and...cousins, and you must become intimate with the latter so that they invite you to their estate...which will make everyone see his attatchment to you. Then you must do all in your power to secure him! As soon as possible!" She stopped for breath there before continuing. "I also expect to receive a letter announcing you are to become Mrs Letts before the start of Advent!" Kitty was quite overcome by all of this, but took it in her stride.
"But Mama..." she pleaded.
"What now Kitty?" she said emphatically.
"How can we be expected to love one another when we have scarst met?" she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"LOVE?" Mrs Bennet screeched before ordering Kitty to her chambre, where the girl flung herself upon her bed and cried herself to sleep...
Well that's all for now folks, sorry it took so long to get posted, my uncle died so I had all of 'that' to deal with...but I hope this lenghty chapter makes up for it! As always I love reveiws and I;ll try and post soon!