Chapter 2
The week passed quickly and the two remaining Bennet's were excited to begin their vacation. Kitty felt badly for her parents and that they would have to endure being at Longbourne alone. But, her excitement for seeing her sisters, nephews and Georgiana quickly drove those feelings away. They would stay at Pemberley for a week and visit with the Darcy's and then go home with the Bingley's for the rest of the summer.
The ride went rather slowly, but they finally reached the grand estate of Pemberley. Lizzy stood at the door with her handsome three year old son and waved as the carriage came to a halt.
"Kitty! Mary! How wonderful to see you both!" she said kissing each of them in turn. "Did you have a pleasant trip?"
"A bit long, but there were no mishaps on the way." Mary answered quickly.
"Samuel, come here and say hello to your Aunts." Lizzy said, coaxing the toddler forward.
"Hello Samuel!" Kitty smiled.
Samuel quickly hid himself behind his mothers dress. "It has been a long time we've seen each other. Perhaps we can go get re-acquainted over some cake?" Kitty asked expectantly. Samuel immediately jumped from behind his mothers leg and grabbed Kitty's hand.
"You do love to spoil him don't you." Lizzy sighed. "I suppose one piece of cake won't hurt anyone, suppose we all go have a piece."
Kitty picked Samuel up and ran into the house. They went through the entranceway quickly and nearly collided with her brother in law, Mr. Darcy.
"Sorry sir! Please excuse my exuberance, you see Samuel and I were excessively excited over the promise of a piece of cake." Kitty's chest heaved as she explained.
"Cake is it? Well then, carry on! Don't allow me to stand in the way of such a delicious treat, in fact, I think I will join you." he smiled, ruffling his son's hair.
Mr. Darcy had become a great deal more relaxed when he married Elizabeth and even more so when Samuel was born. He loved his son and was always looking for ways to afford him pleasure. But when the need arose, was also willing to punish him soundly. The makings of a truly wonderful father.
They reached the dinning hall and rang for the servant and ordered five of the best pieces of cake in the kitchen.
"How are you Kitty? It has been some time since we have had the pleasure of seeing you." he asked, while pulling Samuel onto his lap.
"I am quite well, very excited for the wedding."
"We are all excited indeed, but I shall miss having Georgiana around."
"Indeed." As Kitty finished speaking, Lizzy and Mary entered the dinning hall.
"There you are my dear! I was looking for you when the carriage arrived, but I couldn't find you."
"I was in the stable, I came as soon as I heard the carriage, but I didn't make it in time. I ran into Kitty and Sam as they were running in here for some cake, and decided to join them." Darcy smiled.
"Cake! Cake!" Sam screamed with so much excitement he nearly jumped off his fathers lap.
"Yes Sammy, here it comes." Kitty laughed.
"How are things in Hertfordshire Mary?" Lizzy asked as she got her cake.
"Very well, but it has been so quiet. Sometimes the quiet is good for reading, but it does get a bit tiresome."
"Mariah Lucas was just married, so there is no one our age to call on. I suppose there is always Meryton, but that walk can be quite a ways in the cold." Kitty helped Sam with his cake as she explained the silence to Lizzy.
"Yes, I had heard from Charlotte that her sister was married. I hear her husband is not very attractive though." Lizzy laughed. "Quite a shame for Mariah is quite a pretty girl."
"Who told you he was unattractive? Charlotte Collins! She is certainly one to talk considering who she is married to." Kitty laughed.
Mr Darcy cleared his throat to interrupt the gossip. "And how are your parents doing?"
"They were quite well when we left, and very excited about Lizzy's news." Mary answered.
"Lizzy's news?" he questioned, handing Samuel to Kitty. "Darling what is your sister talking about?"
"You haven't told him? Oh Lizzy, I am sorry, I didn't realize." Mary said, her cheeks turning bright red.
"Tell me what?" Darcy said, growing impatient for the news.
"That, that I'm with child." she said shyly, avoiding her husbands eyes.
Darcy pulled her from her chair, embraced her tightly and lifted her off the ground in excitement. "Expecting! Darling that's wonderful! But," he said setting her back down on the ground, "why would you not tell me?" his eyes saddened as he sat down next to her.
"I have only known for a week, and there has been so much excitement what with Georgiana's wedding. I was writing to my father and knew that I would not be writing again for some time, so I told him. I was going to wait and tell you after Georgiana's wedding because I knew you were saddened by the prospect of her leaving. I also didn't want to take away from Georgiana's big day. I know it's no excuse, but I didn't think an extra week would do any harm." Lizzy explained slowly.
"Well, I wish you had told me right away, but I understand your reasoning, and I am so very happy!" he said looking lovingly at his wife.
"I'm so glad." Lizzy smiled happily as she continued eating.
"I am so very sorry, I figured you had already informed your husband." Mary apologized again.
"I should have, it's no problem, really Mary, do not beat yourself up about it." Lizzy smiled.
They suddenly heard a carriage coming up the cobblestone drive. "That must be Georgiana!" Lizzy announced.
"Auntie Ana!" Sam screamed as he ran toward he door.
Everyone followed Samuel to the door where they saw Georgiana's carriage coming to a halt. Samuel ran out to greet her and she smiled brightly as she embraced him. She looked up and saw Kitty and Mary and made her way quickly to the door.
"Kitty! I am so very happy to see you again!" she smiled as she hugged her. "And Mary, it is a pleasure to see you as well."
"Are you excited?" Kitty asked in a high pitched tone.
"Oh yes, and a bit nervous, standing in front of all those people." Georgiana twisted her glove as she spoke, almost anticipating the anxiety of the next day.
"You will be fine Georgiana! Not to mention the handsome Mr. Burton will be standing right next to you!"
"I must go put Samuel down for his nap, and I think I might take one myself." Lizzy announced.
"I'll come with you my dear, I'd like to speak with you about our new development."
"Oh of course, dinner is at 6 o'clock girls, I've ordered your favorite Georgiana, for your last evening with us."
"Thank you Lizzy." Georgiana smiled. "She is so good to me, you have a wonderful sister."
"She is your sister as well." Mary said.
The Darcy's headed to their room and the girls were left to re-acquaint themselves with one another. Georgiana and Kitty headed to the parlor and Mary headed to the library to catch up on her reading.
"Would you like to see the grand hall? That is where the ceremony will be tomorrow, it's decorated wonderfully. My mother and fathers portraits are there so I figure it will be as if they are there watching if I get married there."
"I'd love to see it, and then, your dress."
"Mary? Would you like to come?" Georgiana asked.
"Well, that sort of thing isn't really my thing. I think I'll just sit here and read a book."
"Alright Mary, we'll be down for dinner."
They walked through the grand house and reached the wedding hall, it looked beautiful. After examining the hall, they made their way to georgiana's elaborate bedroom, they looked at the dress, and Kitty persuaded Georgiana to try it on.
"Ana, why did it take you so long to get married?" Kitty asked as she fell on Georgiana's large bed.
"That is a strange question Kitty Bennet, I only met Mr. Burton one year ago, would you expect us to have gotten married sooner?"
"No, not to Mr. Burton. So many men have fancied you in the past, you could have married any one of them."
"Kitty, most of them only cared for me because I am to inherit 30,000 pounds. The others, I didn't love them. I've come to discover there are two kinds of marriage. Marriage for security, or love. From living with your sister and my brother I have realized that I want love and security, not merely security."
"But I'm sure you could have fallen in love with any one of those men, except the fortune hunters." Kitty laughed.
"No, I couldn't have. I tried to like them, but there was something missing. Mr. Burton is so very different from any of the others. Kitty, I do hope there is such a man for you." she played with the ribbons on her dress as she explained to Kitty.
"Ana, I just turned twenty two and I'm beginning to doubt that I will even get the opportunity to marry for security."
"Kitty, you must stop thinking that way. You are a wonderful girl, trust me, I would not be your friend if you weren't." Georgiana laughed.
Kitty threw a pillow at Georgiana and laughed heartily. "I'm going to miss spending time with you once your married."
"We will still spend time together!"
"But you'll be so busy, and soon enough you'll have children."
"Kitty, you're my dearest friend, there will always be time for you."
"I know your different then Lydia. But I was her dearest friend and sister when she was married and I barely hear from her twice a year. I can't help but think that the same is going to be true of you."
"Never." Georgiana smiled.
They continued talking for another hour or so and then went downstairs for dinner. The rest of the family was already seated. Samuel had left the chairs on either side of him for his two aunts. Despite Samuel being frightened of Kitty earlier, he had warmed up to her again and remembered why he liked her.
"Georgiana, there is something we'd like to tell you." Darcy smiled from the end of the table. "Lizzy is expecting."
"Really? Oh I am so excited for you both!" Georgiana smiled.
"Now Ana, we aren't going to tell anyone tomorrow, tomorrow is your day, but we wanted you to know before you left." Lizzy explained. She was absolutely glowing.
"Please, don't be silly, tell whomever you wish. I am so happy for you both. Perhaps it will be a girl this time, I would love to have a niece."
"As would I!" Kitty exclaimed.
"And you know that's what Mother wants." Mary laughed.
"Perhaps I shall tell Jane then if you are sure you don't mind."
"Of course, you must tell Jane."
"Lizzy, when is Jane arriving?" Mary asked.
"They should be here shortly, they hoped to be here after the dinner hour and before the boys bedtime."
They continued eating and shortly after they finished the butler came in to announce the Bingley's arrival. Samuel was the first out of his chair and he rushed to the door. An eruption of laughter came from the three young boys as the adults finally saw each other.
"It is so good to see you all!" Jane said as she smiled brightly at her sisters.
"Perhaps we should go play some billiards while the ladies have their fun." Darcy offered to his good friend.
"Yes please." Bingley answered.
The gentlemen went quickly and left the women to their fun. The house erupted in volume and life as the boys played and the women caught up. The noise eventually died down when the boys were told it was bed time. Lizzy and Jane put their sons to sleep and rejoined their sisters for a final cup of tea, but everyone was quite tired from their day of travel and extra excitement.
Kitty sat in awe of her sisters. She had truly missed them. The life of the house made her happier then she had been in a long time. The excitement had even gotten Mary to begin chatting like a usual female. Eventually the women turned in as well, they all wanted to be well rested for the next day, especially Georgiana.
