I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has reviewed my story. I am sorry it has taken this long to update, but I've been inundated with work and I am suffering from writers block, so I am sorry if this chapter isn't any good. If anyone has any ideas for future plots then please email me! Well I better get on with the story! Ntoe to readers: When I say 'embrace' I mean hug, not kiss. If you read previous chapters and this one bearing that in mind it will make a lot more sense.
Elizabeth tried to stifle her mirth to no avail, and burst out laughing. Tears coming to her eyes. Fitzwilliam merely averted his gaze in disgust wheres poor Georgiana looked quite horrified and hurried over in concern. Jane, who wassat close by, leaned over andrested the back of her hand on her mother's brow.
"Is your mother going to be quite alright Mrs Bingley?" Georgiana asked, in a keen voice. Jane stood up and went over to comfort her.
"Oh yes my dear, quite alright." She then walked over to Elizabeth and lightly scolded her for findin humor in the situation before addressing Kitty, "I might suggest you get your trunk together and get organised before Mama comes around." Kitty nodded but kept looking at their Mother whilst Janethe other occuants of the room quit the room in a wave of hushed voices.
"Um, shouldn't we wait until she does regain conciousness?" Kitty asked, not sure what to do. Elizabeth, who was halfway out of the room strode over to her and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Am I to understand you really want Mama fussing and slapping all around you while you try and see if you've remembered everything for your first season in town?" Elizabeth had a micheaveous glint in her eyes and a impish smile on her face.
"No of course not!" Kitty returned sharply.
"Good." The two sisters then made for the door but Elizabeth noticed that Kitty gave their Mother one last look beforecarefully closing the door. "Do not fear child, we would hardly leave her unattended in such a state." Kitty gave a sigh of releif as Mrs Hill came bustling past with a box of smelling salts and a cup of hot tea.
OnceElizabeth and Kitty hadentered the hallway they saw Colonel Fitzwilliam making his way down the stairs carrying a trunk, with the initials K.B on the front, on his shoulder. They suddenly heard Harriette's comanding voice from above stairs.
"Montgomery Fitzwilliam, you will surely fall to your death!" The said placed the trunk by the doorand rolled his eyes and Elizabeth, who rolled hers in return. Lady Harriette then started up again her voice getting louder as she herself came down the stairs. "And if you do, you can hardly expect me to mourn the death of such annoying, irritating, pig-headed, insuffe-" She stopped as she saw her brotherbeing shielded from herbehind Elizabeth, who had her arms crossed and was tapping her foot. At the same time she saw Miss Kitty backing off into the shadow sof the Still Room doorway.She then came the remainder of the way mumbling to herself. "If anyone wants me I shall be in the barouche. Not to be disturbed." She grabbed her pelisse and walked of in a sulk. Once his sister was out of earshot Montgomery turned to Elizabeth.
"Thankyou. My darling Lizzy." the said grinned happily at him, and laughed in her musical voice. They clearly were not aware of Kitty's presence close by, eavesdropping on them.
"But of course! My dear sweet Monty, what use is it having a formidable reputation if one does not use it to the the people one loves." Montgomery kissed her hand.
"Indeed, how silly of me not to have guessed." Elizabeth played with large, rough fingers. Montgomery was touched by the act. Kitty however was shocked, and ringed her shawl between her hands in frustration."Pray what are your plans for Miss Bennet, Harrietteand the Bingleys whilst in town?" Elizabeth mused on that though for a moment.
"Hm...Well Kitty has been invited to live with us for the duration of her stay, and I intend to force- I mean invite the Bingleys on the way." Elizabeth flashed him a playful grin at her deliberate mistake, as he winked and walked away to collect his hat.
"What a delightful party Lizzy, and were I invited, I would accept immediately." Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"Yes Monty, you are invited." Montgomery grinned, raced up to his cousin-in-law, and embraced her enthusiastically. Elizabeth grinned and told him to release her lest she call her husband. She straightened her dress before looking at him questioningly. "Well?" The Colonel stroked his chin in mock reverie before dropping his hand to retake his fair relations.
"I accept immediately." He squeezed her hand before releasing it. Elizabeth clapped her hands together, her eyes lighting up in delight.
"Good!" The two stood in slience for a few minutes, listening to the rumpuss that was taking place up stairs. Elizabeth laughed, to which Montgomery raised his eyesbrows and shook his head. Seeing an opportune moment, Elizabeth address her new cousin very seriously. "Tell me, what sort of man is your brother Edward, for I have only had the pleasure of talking with him thrice since my entree into your family?" A crease appeared between Montgomery's brows as he thought.
"Well being the eldest son, he is a very rich sort of man with no proffesion and a high-born spoilt wife who cares only for fine satins and french-lace. And takes great delight in spending all his time in Bath with his wife or in Town. He is well known for his lack of skill at cards and at hte races and looses vastly." he tilted his head and laughed quietly. "Though I dare say he can afford to" Montgomery sighed before looking at Elizabeth. "Why do you wish to know?"
"Oh for no particular reason, I was merely curious. But pray continue." She said, looking at him through her lashes.
"Very well, Edward cares more for his horses than he does for his family I think, though he does do whatever Harriette tells him, but I believe that is only because she has the whit-band over him though I do believe he does care a great deal for her. What brother doesn't care for his only sister?"
"It's too long ago for me to remember what the love of a brother feels like." Elizabeth dropped her eyes. Montgomery took her hand his his much larger one
"Then I shall do my best to help you remember." He looked up as there was a collosal thud coming from the ceiling. "How odd, but moving swiftly on, is there anything else you require to know for your wish is my command?" Elizabeth laughed and playfully pushed him away.
"Monty!" he held his arms out.
"What? I'm being serious dearest Lizzy! I am at your disposal!" Elizabeth waved him off, but then it suddenly cacme to her.
"I see...Then pray you must tell me what is thehistory between Darcy and Edward? For I noticed his cold demeanour towards his cousin and Edwards overly gregarious attempts at civilty." Montgomery shook his head.
"For though I am at your behest, it is not for me to reveal that which my cousin undoubtedly would wish to tell you himself. I am truly sorry." Elizabeth looked quite vexed and pouted. Montgomery put a hand on her arm.
"I think your should talk to him when you are alone tonight." Kitty shifted ever closer to get a better look at the contact between them.
"That was my initial intention but I did not wish to cause him any more pain then I have done already since meeting him." Montgomery grabbed bothof her arms tightly and pulled her close till they were staring into each other's eyes.
"My dearest Lizzy! It breaks my heart in two to hear you speak such words! I have never seen anyone give Darcy such happiness as you have! It is true you may have caused him pain, but if anything it gave his pride the knock it needed! Now let me not hear anything further or I shall have to get Harriette to punish you! That sort of talk should be pronounced as blasphemy!" Elizabeth laughed soughety before flinging her arms around Montgomery's neck and kissing his cheek.
"Thank you, sweetest Monty! I do not know what I should do without you to comfort me." She then released her grasp of him. "You are a true brother to me." Montgomery blushed every so slightly and put his long, muscular arm around her shoulders.
"You really think so?" Elizabeth in turn replied in equal assurance.
"Aye! I could not imagine a better or a kinder one!" At that point Fitzwilliam Darcy and Georgiana appeared from the study shortly followed by Charles Bingley and Mr Bennet.
"Are there you two are! Jane is just upstairs preparing Kitty's toilette, for the child seems to a dissapeared!" Charles said in his usual gracious manner. Kitty then came tumbling into view.
"I'm here!" she burst out. Elizabeth frowned and pursed her lips.
"And how long have you been hiding there Miss Kitty?" Mr Bennet smiled at Elizabeth's mothering of Kitty. Kitty looked quite petrified.
"Um, I haven't been standing here, I've er...been in the still room! Yes, that's right the still room." Elizabeth looked at her husband who had his usual proud demeanour before looking back at her sister.
"How strange, considering it is the wrong time of year for tieing up herbs." Mr Bennet was thoroughly enjoying the situation whereas Kitty suddenly had a burst of coughing before looking at the clock.
"Oh, er yes...well. O lord! Is that the time, I must give Jane a hand with my things." She then made for the stairs, but she was beaten to it by seeing Jane gracefully walking down the stairs, shortly followed by a maid carrying a small trunk.
"There is no need Kitty, I have done it already." Jane smiled sweetly at her younger sister, before going over toElizabeth, who upon all these people entering the hallway had hastily removed herself from Montgomery's side. "Mama has regained herself, and Hill is still attending her in the upstairs Sitting Room. Elizabeth merely nodded.
"How is she?" Jane picked up Elizabeth's pelisse and passed it too her, and whilst doing up her own replied.
"Oh, she is quite well really, though she says her head is far to ill for her to bid you all farewell." Elizabeth screwed up her nose before walking over to the stairway and peering up. She then walked back towards her husband and did the buttons of his over coat up.
"It is cold out, I do not wish you cathing your death." She whispered, Fitzwilliam gazed lovingly at her.
"Lizzy?" Jane asked questioningly. Elizabeth sighed.
"If she thinks I am going to delay any further on her account she is most grevously mistaken. As much as I love her Jane, we cannot risk leaving the onslaught of the weather any later." Jane nodded and ushered everyone towards the Barouche, before kissing Mr Bennet on the cheek. Soon enough, Elizabeth and her father were alone.
"Well, well Lizzy, on pleasure boat again. Though this time I do not have your return to look forward to..."
"Papa."
"No, no. Pray do not say anything. At least I still have Mary's ignorance and silliness to tide me over till Kitty returns.Though I fear very much your Mother will drive me to an early grave with all her talk of french lace." He kissed her cheek before sending her away...
All too soon they had set off from Longbourn and before the day was out had arrived to the mayhem which was London...
Please review...I'll try to update soon!
She has the whit-band over him means that she has something on him that he doesn't want anyone to know about.
