Chapter 9
"Good morning!" Kitty said cheerfully coming down the steps.
"Your in a good mood this morning." Mary said in a dry tone.
"And your not." Kitty laughed.
"I told you I had a bad evening, I suppose you were to blissful to remember such a conversation?"
"Mary, I told you I was sorry for your misfortune, but you can not expect me to be any less happy about my own prospects can you?" Kitty said innocently. "Besides in all likelihood, you will never have to speak to the gentleman who supposedly slighted you ever again."
"I suppose you do have a point there." Mary smiled.
"Mr. Cadogan should be arriving sometime after lunch, you will both be here for dinner correct?" Georgiana asked coming into the room.
"Of course, we will be very happy to meet him and his sister." Kitty smiled.
They finished their breakfast and the ladies retired to the parlor. After some time, Georgiana and Mr. Burton went out to get a few thins, leaving Mary and Kitty alone. Shortly after they left the door bell was rung. Kitty immediately became excited, thinking Mr Lowell had come to call. But when the butler announced a Mr. Rawlins and a Mr. Dison, her excitement left quickly. Now, Mary was excited, in a dreadful sort of way. She looked to see if there was any possible escape from the room, but grew anxious when she saw there was none.
"Mary, you look positively horrified, whatever is the matter?" Kitty whispered.
"I'll tell you once they leave."
The two gentlemen entered and bowed, and Mr. Rawlins quickly took a seat next to Mary, before anyone else had been introduced, or seated. Kitty looked at him in astonishment, but proceeded with her lady like manners.
"Good afternoon Miss Bennet, I hope you do not mind us coming to call. This is my good friend Mr. Dison." Rawlins said from his seated position.
"Good afternoon, it is a pleasure Mr Dison. This is my younger sister, Miss Kitty Bennet."
Kitty curtsied in introduction. "Please, do be seated." she said awkwardly.
Kitty, Mary and Mr. Dison took their seats around Rawlins. Mr. Rawlins began to speak almost immediately. "Miss Bennet, I wanted to come and apologize for any inappropriate behavior last evening. I in no way meant to offend you."
"Thank you Mr. Rawlins, I appreciate your apology."
"Oh, were you reading before we came? I am sorry to interrupt." he smiled, not allowing a second of silence to come between speakers.
"It is no trouble, she reads all the time, she can spare some time away from her books to enjoy friendly company." Kitty smiled, impressed to see that her sister had an admirer, or so it seemed.
"Reads all the time? You enjoy those romantic novels do you?" he laughed.
Mary felt her blood begin to boil, and did her best to remain calm while responding to his question. "No sir, I do not trouble myself with such utterly pointless, frivolous, poorly written dribble."
Kitty looked at her sister in awe, for though she was trying to hide it, Kitty could tell that she was perturbed. She had never seen her older sister in such a state of agitation.
"Well, you are a strange sort of lady, you don't like to dance, and you don't read romantic novels. Pray if you don't mind me asking, since my first prediction was so terribly wrong, what you are reading?"
"Tartuffe, it is written by Moliere, perhaps you have heard of it?" Mary said in a dignified, snobbish, intellectual tone.
"Why yes, I have actually just finished reading it. Well perhaps it has been over a month since I finished."
"You have read Tartuffe?" Mary said, surprised, but kept her tone quiet and peaceful, pretending as though she was not shocked.
"Yes, I do not want to spoil the ending for you, but how are you enjoying the social commentary that underlies the works plot?"
"I have only reached the third act, but I dare say it is cruelly true that sometimes we allow ourselves to have faith in a person who is quite undeserving and be blind to their flaws."
"Indeed, I am glad I now no one like Tartuffe, at least I do not think I know anyone like him. Or perhaps I am unknowing of their character, which would make me a great deal like Orgon. Are you like Tartuffe Mr Dison, have you been fooling me all this time?" Rawlins laughed.
"I have no idea what you are talking about Rawlins." Dison said, looking quite bored with the current conversation.
Mary was in awe of his knowledge, how could a man so handsome and altogether repulsive have an intellect. She had suspected him to be mindless just like every other gentleman she had come into contact with. For once, her theory was proven wrong, but she could not understand why such a mind was wasted on a gentleman so completely undeserving.
"Well, I have not read Tartuffe, but I do believe he sounds like Mr. Wickham." Kitty said, trying to break the awkward silence Mary had created.
"Quite right Kitty." Mary said composing herself.
"Who is Mr. Wickham?" Mr Dison asked curiously.
"Our brother in law." Kitty answered.
"In whose character we were greatly deceived." Mary added.
"It is so unfortunate to hear of such gentlemen." Mr Dison said.
"Yes indeed, but there are far to many gentlemen who meet that particular characteristic." Kitty sighed.
The gentlemen stayed for quite some time and Kitty enjoyed their company. Although somewhat rude Mr. Rawlins was good humored, and Mr Dison could prove to be very entertaining once he was allowed to speak more than four word together. Mary however, did not enjoy the company of the gentlemen. She was still upset over Mr. Rawlins insults and yet found herself intrigued by his intellect. She had never before met a man who had read any sort of intelligent literature, and Mr. Rawlings had not only read it, but could discuss it as well.
"Mary! What on earth is going on? Who is this Mr. Rawlins? How did you meet him? He is incredibly handsome, why did you not tell me about him?" Kitty said quickly as soon as they left.
"He was the reason for my horrible time at the ball." Mary said quickly.
"Really? I was wondering what caused you to get so irritated. I have never heard you speak to anyone like that before. I have also never heard a person who has already read one of your books."
"He was trying to make me out as a frivolous female, which, I most certainly am not. And, I am puzzled exceedingly by his intellect. I did not think anyone so handsome and rude could have a mind of a scholar."
"Perhaps you were wrong. You know we have very limited acquaintance from where we come from."
"I was not wrong about the rude part. And just because he's smart does not mean I like him, he is absolutely intolerable!"
"Yes Mary, you've already pointed that out." Kitty laughed.
Mary and Kitty went back to their previous occupations for a while and then were once again joined by the Burtons for lunch. Kitty was a bit disappointed that Mr. Lowell had not yet called on her, but she was excited to meet the Cadogans later that afternoon. At half past three the bell was rung, and the Cadogans entered.
"Mr Bradley Cadogan, may I introduce two of my very good friends Miss Mary Bennet, and Miss Kitty Bennet." The gentleman bowed while he ladies curtsied. "May I also introduce Miss Sophia Cadogan and Miss Hannah Cadogan."
"A pleasure to meet you all." Kitty smiled. "How old is Miss Hannah?" she asked peering into the bassinet.
"Five months, isn't she darling?" Sophia smiled.
"She is indeed a very pretty baby."
"Mrs. Burton, might we all go and rest before dinner? It's been quite a long journey." Mr Cadogan asked politely, but without feeling.
"Why of course, follow me. You can all get acquainted at dinner." Georgiana smiled.
Kitty was quite in awe of the family. Mr. Cadogan was so young and handsome and yet looked so weathered and sad. He had dark hair and beautiful green eyes and yet they had no joy in them. Sophia was absolutely beautiful and was quite the opposite of her brother. She had beautiful golden hair and bright blue eyes and seemed to always wear a smile. She seemed to be quite a good humored young woman. And Hannah, she seemed to take after her aunt a bit with wisps of golden hair, or perhaps that was a trait of her mother, no matter, she was very pretty indeed.
"Please, do not ask about his wife, he is still very grieved over it." Mr Burton instructed as the three ladies sat at the table awaiting the newly arrived guests.
"Of course, we will not utter a single word about it." Mary promised.
"Kitty?" Mr. Burton asked.
"Not a word." she swore.
"Ah! Come in, dinner is just about ready to be served." Georgiana smiled.
Mr Cadogan sat beside Mr. Burton and Kitty, while Miss Cadogan sat between Georgiana and Mary.
"Miss Cadogan is this your first time in London?" Kitty asked.
"No, I was here once before, but for such a short time it hardly deserves any type of mention. And please, call me Sophie, everyone else does." she smiled.
"Well you will have to come with us so we can show you the shops." Kitty said excitedly.
"I would love it."
"How about you Mr Cadogan, have you been to London before?"
"Yes, several times in fact." he answered shortly.
The table got quite and a period of awkward silence ensued with only the scraping of silverware to be heard. Georgiana finally broke the silence.
"I'd forgotten to ask, how are your parents?"
"They are doing quite well. Margaret is still at home and she keeps mother and father company." Sophie answered.
"Very glad to hear it. How old is Margaret now?" Georgiana asked.
"She just turned eighteen last week. Bradley and I went home for the celebration, she was very surprised to see us."
"You don't go home often then?" Mary asked.
"No not at all. We spend most of our time at my home. Hannah is a bit to much for my mothers nerves and Sophie has been gracious enough to assist me." Mr Cadogan answered.
"I think a baby would wear on my mothers nerves as well." Kitty laughed.
Mr. Cadogan looked at her dully, as if entirely unamused by her comment. He turned his head sadly back to his food. "Dinner is very good Georgiana."
"Thank you." she smiled.
"Bradley, perhaps you'd like to join me after dinner, I was thinking we might go join Mr. Darcy, I don't believe you have met him yet."
"No, I have not, if you'd like to go, I'd be glad to accompany you."
"And that will give you ladies a chance to become acquainted." Mr. Burton smiled.
"Wonderful idea darling." Georgiana said, looking at him lovingly.
After dinner the ladies retired to the parlor and the gentlemen left for the Darcy's town home. Hanna laid quietly in her cradle while the older women began talking, and Mary took up her reading.
"Miss Kitty, if you don't mind me asking, what is your age?" Sophie asked.
"No not at all, I am two and twenty."
"Oh, then we are the same age! And how old are you Mary?"
"One year Kitty's senior." Mary said from behind her book.
Hannah began to fuss from her cradle and Sophie stood quickly. She looked a bit flustered, as though she was still tired from her journey.
"Please, may I?" Kitty asked, rising slowly.
"Well, she takes very poorly to strangers, but go ahead." Sophie sighed, resting comfortably back in her seat.
Kitty bent down and picked up the baby and cradled her in her arms. Hannah continued to cry more violently and Kitty rocked her gently and began to sing softly in her ear. Hannah quieted almost instantly, and Kitty continued to sing her soft song. Eventually Hannah drifted back off to sleep, and Kitty sat down with her cradling her comfortably, and admiring her beautiful small face.
"That was incredible! I've never seen her quiet down so quickly! You have a lovely voice Kitty." Sophie said in awe.
"Your to kind, I have a mediocre voice at best." Kitty laughed.
"You have a lovely voice Kitty, Sophie is absolutely correct." Georgiana added.
"What will your brother do once your married?" Kitty asked, trying to change the subject.
"For now, we are in no danger of that, I assure you, but I expect he hopes that Margaret will take my place. Then I suppose he will hire a nanny or governess."
"You don't think he'll be re-married?"
"I don't think so, no. He was very much in love with Amelia, his broken heart has completely changed him. He is not the same man I grew up with, and I don't know if that person will ever come back." she said sadly.
They heard the door open and Mr. Cadogan walked in and moved closer to the cradle to check on his daughter.
"Where is she?" he screamed in a sudden panic.
"Shh, I have her Mr. Cadogan." Kitty said quietly.
"Why is she not in her cradle?"
"She was crying and I calmed her. After she fell asleep, she looked so comfortable in my arms and I didn't mind so..."
"You should have put her in the cradle, I don't want her to get used to someone holding her when she's sleeping. May I have her?" he said coldly.
"Yes, of course." Kitty handed the baby over and Mr. Cadogan placed her in the cradle and carried it out of the room without speaking another word.
"I'm sorry Kitty, he should not have spoken to you like that." Sophie apologized.
"No, don't worry, he was afraid something had happened to her. It's fine, really." Kitty smiled. She was a bit hurt that Mr. Cadogan would react in such a way, but understood that he was grieving.
Shortly after Mr. Cadogan went upstairs everyone decided to go to bed as well. Mary and Kitty stayed up for a little while once they reached their room. Mary told Kitty the entire story about Mr. Rawlins at the ball, and Kitty told Mary how truly hurt she was by Mr. Cadogans cold address. After they got out the days emotions, the fell asleep easily.
