Chapter 12

The next morning Kitty and Mr. Cadogan went for their usual walk and Mr. Cadogan told Kitty of his wedding day. He smiled as he remembered the vision of his wife walking toward him on that day. Their walk lasted longer than usual for they managed to find a great deal to talk about. They reached the house just in time for lunch.

Everyone ate lunch together and then set about their different chores. The house needed to be ready for the dinner party that evening. Kitty helped Georgiana and Sophie with the decorations and table setting. Mr. Burton and Mr. Cadogan went out to purchase special wine for the occasion and Mary settled in a corner to finish reading.

After the house was prepared for the evening the girls went up to their rooms and readied themselves. Kitty sat at the mirror and began to twist and twirl her hair while Mary sat and watched.

"Kitty, do you think you might have time to do something with my hair?" Mary asked slowly.

"Did I hear you correctly Miss Bennet?" Kitty said in a shocked, mocking tone.

"Indeed you did."

"Mary Bennet! You want to look special for Mr. Rawlins! I knew you fancied him!" Kitty squealed.

"I do not fancy him, I merely want to look as though I belong. And my dress is so beautiful, I feel as though my hair must match." Mary explained in a philosophical tone.

"But you have to like him. I have never met a man you have been so eager to talk to."

"I do enjoy talking to him, I will admit that. But that does not mean I fancy him, he is merely an acquaintance." Mary insisted.

"Very well, and yes, I can fix your hair."

"Thank you."

The sisters continued getting ready, when they finished they both looked beautiful. Kitty's hair was elaborate looking and sat high upon her head with pieces that flowed down the back of her dress. Kitty decided to wear her cream gown, the simplicity of it allowed for the elegance of her hair. Mary decided on her red gown and her hair was pulled up simply, she looked beautiful, simple, but beautiful.

"Mary, Kitty, people are arriving." Georgiana called through the door.

"We're ready, we'll be right down." Kitty called.

They opened their door and walked down the steps to greet the guests as they arrived. Mr. Cadogan and Sophie were already downstairs and they turned to see the Bennet's come down. Mr. Cadogan stood speechless as Sophie rushed toward them.

"You both look beautiful." she smiled.

"Thank you Sophie, you look wonderful as well." Kitty complimented. "Good evening Mr. Cadogan."

Mr. Cadogan was taken by surprise at Kitty talking to him and quickly stuttered a response. "Ah, uh, yes, good evening Miss Kitty."

Kitty laughed at his awkward response and took her place to greet the entering guests. Lizzy, Darcy and Samuel entered first. Lizzy comment on her sisters appearance and then took her seat. She found herself not being able to stand for long without experiencing pain in her back. The Bingley's arrived soon after and sat next to the Darcy's at the table. After about ten minutes everyone had arrived including Mr. Lowell and Mr. Rawlins. Mr. Dison had also come and an old friend of Georgiana's was introduced, Miss Victoria Willoby.

Miss Willoby was elegant and beautiful. She wore and extravagant green dress and her hair was beautiful. Her skin was pale and almost porcelain like and she had the most amazing deep red hair. Her countenance held all the appearance of a woman full of propriety. She sat next to Mr. Cadogan and Mary and Kitty took seats next to Mr. Rawlins and Mr. Lowell respectively.

"Aunt Kitty, are we having cake?" Samuel asked from her other side.

"Not right now darling." Kitty laughed. "But I think we might be having some later."

"Ok!" he said excitedly. "Mother! We are having cake later!"

"Oh good!" Lizzy said laughing at her young son.

"How are you doing Lizzy?" Mary asked.

"Quite well thank you. I've been a bit tired lately, and my back has really been hurting lately, but that is normal."

"Your tired? Why didn't you tell me?" Darcy asked suddenly. "We could have stayed home if you were tired."

""I'm not tired right now darling, I have been tired lately, and that you knew."

"Oh, oh yes of course. I just thought you meant you were tired right now."

"Dear, even if I were tired right now, tiredness is not going to kill me." she smiled.

"Your right, I'm sorry dear, but you know how I am when it comes to you."

"Yes my dear, and I love you for it."

"You are so good to her." Jane smiled, looking at Mr. Darcy.

"Oh and I suppose I don't treat you well?" Mr. Bingley asked sarcastically.

"That is not at all what I was trying to say." Jane laughed.

"You know, sometimes you four are really sickening to watch." Kitty teased.

"And what is wrong with being so in love Miss Kitty?" Mr. Cadogan asked.

"No..." Kitty started, but was cut off by Miss Willoby.

"There is nothing wrong with being so in love Mr. Cadogan, of course." she smiled.

"So what brings you to London Miss Willoby?" Mary asked, sensing Kittys frustration and trying to change the subject.

"I'm staying with my aunt and Uncle for the rest of the summer. My parents thought it might be fun for me to come to London, since I love it so much."

"Do you come to London very often then?" Mr. Dison asked.

"Yes, quite often."

"It's a wonder we have not met before Miss Willoby." Mr. Rawlins commented.

"And how do you know Georgiana?" Sophie asked.

"We spent a summre together a long time ago, it had to have been more then eight years ago."

"I believe your right." Georgiana laughed. "I saw her when Mr. Burton and I were out and I told her she had to join us this evening so we could catch up."

"I of course, was quite shocked to discover that she was married. I am so happy for you both." Miss Willoby smiled.

Dinner went on and everyone continued to talk, with the exception of Mr. Lowell. He sat practically silent the entire meal. It seemed as though he was completely bored with the conversation, and had no desire to join in on it. No one seemed to notice his silence and it was enough for Kitty that she was sitting next to him.

"Shall we retire to the parlor?" Georgiana offered, noticing that everyone's plates were empty.

"But Aunt Ana! I want my cake!" Samuel yelled in his tiny voice.

"Samuel! Is that how we speak to our aunt?" Darcy scolded.

"Excuse me aunt." Samuel said, ashamed of his behavior.

Georgiana laughed. "We will take our cake in the parlor. Is that alright with you Samuel?"

"Yes, thank you." he smiled.

Everyone got up and moved slowly to the parlor. Miss Willoby rushed to sit beside Mr. Cadogan and Kitty settled comfortably next to Mr. Lowell. Mary and Mr. Rawlins found a somewhat secluded corner and began talking about their book. And Sophie and Mr. Dison ended up next to each other. They got their cake and remained somewhat quiet as they indulged in the sweet dessert.

"So Mr. Lowell, what business brings you to London?" Mr. Cadogan asked.

"The estate of my father. He has had quite a deal of trouble lately and I have come to town in an attempt to increase the value of the estate." Mr. Lowell explained.

"Are you to inherit the estate?" Cadogan grilled.

"Yes sir, but hopefully not for some time."

Kitty shot Mr. Cadogan a look from across the room, trying to tell him to stop with the questions. Mr. Cadogan did not stop, but changed his tone to be a bit less accusatory. "How do you go about increasing the value of the estate?"

"There are ways to raise the value of the property our tenants live on, and legal procedures that can be performed to require our tenants to pay a larger sum of money to my father."

"You are raising the cost of your tenants living?" Mr. Cadogan said in a slightly disgusted tone.

"Only a very small amount. I assure you the families will hardly notice the change. But it will benefit my father and my family greatly."

"How very noble of you Mr. Lowell." Kitty said in a dreamy tone.

Mr. Cadogan rolled his eyes and turned his attentions toward Miss Willoby. Kitty continued speaking to Mr. Lowell and the Bingly's, Darcy's and Burtons were all kept quite entertained by the three young boys. It also seemed as though Sophie found an acquaintance and an admirer in Mr. Dison, they seemed to have quite a lot to talk about.

Mary was absolutely enthraled with her conversation. Talking about the book was absolutely wonderful to her, and she had never had so much fun at a dinner party. She had never met a man who knew so much. She felt as though she could tolerate his rude and obnoxious behaviors for such intellectually invigorating conversation.

"Miss Bennet, I hope yo u do not mind me saying so, but you look quite lovely this evening." Mr. Rawlins complimented.

"You need not say such things, we are just friends. But thank you for the compliment." she blushed.

"I was also wondering Miss Bennet if you might consider accompanying me to the theater in about a month? Perhaps all of your acquaintance here in town would care to join us. I make a habit of attending every year and this year, I thought you might enjoy it as well." he rambled.

"Oh Mr. Rawlins, I'd love it! I've always wanted to go to the theater! Thank you so much for thinking of me." she smiled.

"I will be happy to have someone to discuss it with."

The evening continued on in a similar fashion until the young boys and Lizzy began to grow tired. Darcy scooped Samuel up and placed him in the carriage and then came back to help his wife who was beginning to look very pregnant. The Bingley's left soon after and everyone else left not long after them. Miss Willoby did linger the longest and seemed to be glued to Mr. Cadogans side. He eventually announced that he was going to bed in a drull tone and Miss Willoby finally left, taking the hint. The evening was finally over and Kitty was swooning.

"Miss Kitty." Mr Cadogan said as she was about to go upstairs.

"Yes Mr. Cadogan?" Kitty turned.

"I have some business to attend to in the morning, so I regret to tell you that I will not be able to accompany you on your walk in the morning."

"That's fine Mr. Cadogan." she smiled.

"I am sorry to disappoint you."

"No, no, it's ok Mr. Cadogan. I believe Mr. Lowell is going to call for me tomorrow, perhaps I will be able to persuade him to take me on my walk."

"Oh." he said sounding a bit disappointed.

"Good night Mr. Cadogan." Kitty smiled.

"Oh, Miss Kitty."

"Yes Mr Cadogan?"

"I, uh, I wanted to tel you that you looked absolutely lovely this evening." he smiled.

"Oh, well, thank you." she smiled in return, accepting the compliment graciously. "Good night Mr. Cadogan."

"Good night Miss Kitty, pleasant dreams."

Kitty went upstairs thinking dreamily of Mr. Lowell. She was excited that he had promised to call. Perhaps she really had found her husband. Mary was also thinking as she got ready for bed, but not of Mr. Rawlins. She was wondering about what the theater would be like, if she would enjoy it, what play they would go see. In fact she did not spend a single moment thinking of Mr. Rawlins, she was far to involved in more intellectual thinking.