Chapter 16

A week had gone by since Kitty learned the truth about Mr. Lowell. She was doing fairly well with the news, but didn't want to speak to him at all. When he came to call, Georgiana and Mr. Burton made excuses for her. Kitty knew she would have to talk to him at some point, but she wasn't ready yet.

"Are you sure you want to go to the ball tonight Miss Kitty. You know Mr. Lowell will probably be there. I'd be happy to stay home with you." Mr. Cadogan asked at lunch.

"I am quite sure. I love balls, I am not going to miss one on account of him."

"Alright, if you insist. But we will all keep a close eye, to make sure he stays away from you."

"Thank you, I would appreciate that." she smiled.

"You can dance with Mr. Dison if you need to Kitty." Sophie offered.

"I hardly think you should be promising gentlemen's dances to me." Kitty laughed.

"I suppose your correct."

"Although, I could always sit in a corner with Mary and look sullen all evening." Everyone laughed at Kitty's statement, everyone except Mary.

"You must admit, I smile more than I used to." she said in her defense.

"You have been. In fact you've been in much better spirits lately, perhaps we should come to London more often." Kitty laughed.

They sat and talked merrily for another hour or so. The ladies then decided it was time to go and ready themselves. Kitty took her blue dress out of the closet and laid it out on her bed. Mary got her white gown out and sat at the end of the bed.

"Will you do my hair again Kitty?"

"Of course, I really don't know what has happened to you Mary. Your always happy and you let me fix your hair."

"I guess London just agrees with me." Mary laughed. "I just like to look like I fit in at the balls." she admitted.

"I'm glad you let me do your hair, reminds me a bit of Lydia." Kitty said, beginning to work on her sisters hair.

"Don't worry, I will not turn into Lydia, I just like my hair done." Mary smiled. "And I will never give up my books, something Lydia would never touch."

Kitty continued on Mary's hair, without making it big, she managed to make it even more elegant then the last time she did it. And because of the white gown Mary was planning on wearing, Kitty wove white flowers into her hair. When she had finally finished, Mary was speechless.

"You like it?" Kitty asked, unsure what her sister was thinking.

"Yes! It's magnificent, thank you!" Mary said, not taking her eyes off of the mirror.

"Oh I'm glad, I know how picky you are."

"You did a wonderful job, thanks Kitty."

Kitty set to doing her own hair. It took her quite a while to complete all the intricacies she attempted. Kitty finally finished and slipped into her beautiful blue gown. They finished just as Mr. Burton called for them and walked down to the foyer.

"Well Miss Kitty, you will certainly make Mr. Lowell jealous this evening." Mr. Burton commented. "And I dare say you will be forced to dance more than one dance this evening."

"You both look very beautiful." Georgiana smiled.

"Thank you, you look wonderful as always Georgiana. Shall we go?"

"Of course."

The Bennets rode in a carriage with the Burtons. The Cadogans had already left for the ball. When they arrived they quickly found the Darcy's and the Bingley's and went to talk to them. Kitty was trying her hardest to avoid Mr. Lowell and kept her back turned toward the crowd.

"Miss Kitty." her heart leapt, she was afraid Mr. Lowell had found her. She was relieved to find Mr. Cadogan standing there when she turned around.

"Oh! Hello Mr. Cadogan. I'm sorry I thought you were Mr. Lowell." she laughed.

"No, I'm not." he smiled. "I was wondering if I might solicit your hand for the first dance. I know how fond you are of dancing, I wouldn't want you to miss out on your fun because of your avoiding Mr. Lowell."

"Thank you Mr. Cadogan, I would be very happy to dance with you. Are you sure Miss Willoby won't be jealous." Kitty teased.

"It doesn't matter if she is, she doesn't have a scoundrel after her. And if she did, I would spend my evening guarding her."

"You plan on spending your whole evening with me?"

"Yes, if that's alright with you, I wanted to make sure you would not be bothered."

"Oh yes, that is fine, I think I shall quite enjoy your company. You know Mr. Cadogan, you are becoming like an elder brother to me." she laughed.

His face turned a light shade of pink and adopted a rather odd expression. He quickly changed the subject. "I believe the first dance is beginning." he offered his arm and lead her to the floor.

They stood beside Sophie and Mr Dison as the dance began. She was all smiles and he looked enormously happy. He didn't seem to be capable of taking his eyes off her. Kitty continued to look down the row and saw Mary dancing with a gentleman she didn't recognize. Eventually Kitty's eyes fell on Mr. Lowell, who was dancing with some young lady, she turned her head quickly to avoid his eyes.

"I think he just saw me." she whispered as Mr. Cadogan danced past her.

"Don't worry Miss Kitty, I will keep you away from him."

"Thank you Mr. Cadogan, you are too good." she smiled. He really had become a good friend. She was so very glad that she had met him. As they danced she noticed Miss Willoby looking on with jealousy. Kitty wondered if Mr. Cadogan would marry her, despite his decision about marriage. She was beautiful and rich to be sure, but would he be happy?"

The song ended and Mr. Cadogan lead Kitty to where her sisters were standing. Mary left her partner and took up her seat where she could observe the room. After sitting for a moment or two, Mr. Rawlins came and sat down with her.

"I have discovered your secret." he said quietly.

"I had no idea I had a secret, please tell me what it is." she said sarcastically.

"You, Miss Mary Bennet, are quite good dancer for someone who dislikes the activity so much. I am beginning to think that you enjoy dancing but are to embarrassed to look for a partner."

Once again Mr. Rawlins had turned off his gentleman like manners. He had hurt Mary again and she found herself frustrated by his newest theory. She turned her head away from him and refused to speak to him.

"Miss Bennet?"

"What!" her voice was raised in frustration.

"Well," he spoke softly, not understanding her anger, "I was wondering, since I have discovered your secret, if I might have the next dance."

"Mr. Rawlins, you have the strangest manners, but I suppose you may." she answered. She suddenly realized that he was not trying to be rude, but he was socially awkward.

They sat, awkwardly silent as the current music continued to play. Mary thought it odd that Mr. Rawlins asked her to dance. But she was remembering her talk with Jane and knew she had to dance. She was trying to prove to her family that she was not quite as boring as they all thought.

The music ended and Mary stood dutifully. She allowed Mr. Rawlins to lead her to the floor and the music began. Mr. Rawlins wore a strange smile as he began dancing gracefully around Mary. His facial expression made her laugh as she began to dance as well.

"How did you come to be such a good dancer?" Mr. Rawlins asked.

"I should ask you the same question." she laughed

"You certainly are in a good mood."

"It's the look on your face, I can't manage to stop laughing."

As she said this, he wrinkled his face into another strange pose. Mary fell into a new fit of laughter. She had no idea why she found this so funny, it really was very childish, which simply wasn't like her. Mary had never laughed this hard in her entire life. They continued laughing through the dance, but managed to keep up with the step. As the music ended, Mary stifled her giggling and curtseyed politely.

"Shall we dance the next?" Mr. Rawlins asked.

"Oh, but that wouldn't be proper, what would people say?"

"Since when do I put any value on being proper or on what people say?"

"True, well, alright then." she smiled.

Kitty looked on her sister in utter surprise. She could not believe she was dancing and the laughing on top of it left Kitty utterly puzzled. While Kitty stood thinking, Mr. Lowell came upon her. Mr. Cadogan was talking to a gentleman and noticed Mr. Lowells movement. He rushed to Kitty's side and began to ask Mr. Lowell to leave.

"It's alright Mr. Cadogan, I will speak with Mr. Lowell." she smiled.

"Thank you Miss Kitty, I appreciate you speaking with me. But quite honestly I am rather surprised to see you here. I have been calling on you all week and have been told that you had taken ill."

"Well I only found myself falling ill when you were announced, so coming to the ball was not a problem." she said curtly.

"And might I ask why I cause you to feel so ill?"

"Because Mr. Lowell, I have recently been informed of some very shocking information regarding you."

"Really? And what information was that?" he asked, getting noticeably nervous.

"The information that you are a lying scoundrel. And I must say I was greatly disturbed by the act you put on."

"I am no scoundrel." he said defending himself.

"Well, what do you call charging extra money from your fathers tenants and then gambling it all away?"

"I have done not such thing, you are being lied to Miss Kitty, where did you get this information?"

"From Mr. Cadogan, whom I am much more apt to believe." Mr. Lowells mouth dropped. "Aha, it seems that you have been discovered. Now, please hear this, I do not want to see you again. Do not waste your time trying to call on me, I will not come. Also, I do not wish to speak to you in public, I in no way want to be associated with your kind. Go and find a new young lady to grace with your unamusing personality." Kitty gave her speech gracefully and managed to keep her temper.

"Very well then." he turned quickly and disappeared into the crowd.

"Well done Miss Kitty." Mr. Cadogan smiled.

"Thank you, I am glad to be rid of him." she sighed in relief.

Kitty enjoyed the ball much more after she had spoken her mind to Mr. Lowell. She danced with several gentlemen, none of which sparked any interest in her. The most fun she had during the night were her conversations with her sisters and Mr. Cadogan, it was a most enjoyable evening.

Even Mary had a good time. This was the first ball that she had ever attended in which she enjoyed herself. She was exhausted by the end of the evening, she danced six dances with Mr. Rawlins and two with other gentlemen. This was more dancing then she had ever done in her lifetime.

The ball ended and the Burtons and houseguests rode home. Mary was bombarded with questions as they went. Kitty asked over and over if Mary loved Mr. Rawlins and Mary continually responded with a no. They were all amazed at how much Mary had danced. Her behavior got more attention than Kitty's confrontation with Mr. Lowell