A low-hanging branch

Suddenly the only sister still at home, Kitty Bennet finds her days lonely and boring. Wishing to be more like her older sisters, she obtains permission to borrow from her father's library and finds a new interest. Then one day a low-hanging branch causes an accident and leads to a new acquaintance

Longbourn, 1812

Kitty watched the Gardiner's carriage as it pulled away and tried to push down her morose feelings. It was rightfully Mary's turn to sojourn in London with their favorite aunt and uncle. Kitty knew that at an intellectual level... but it still left her there alone in a house with her high-strung mother and a father who was always hidden behind a forbidding door.

"Well, I hope that Madeleine will do a better job finding a man for Mary than she has for Jane and Lizzy. I sent them to London many times, but in the end I had to find them husbands myself right here in Meryton."

Kitty saw her father's amused head shake and had to agree. Mama is taking credit for matches that she had little or nothing to do with. Certainly she threw Jane at Mr. Bingley, but that may be what frightened him away for so long. And she despised the very name of Mr. Darcy until he and Lizzy were suddenly engaged. I hope that Mama does not set her sights on marrying me off now!

Thankfully, the Gardiner's visit with all of their children had exhausted Mrs. Bennet, so she immediately declared that she was for bed. Mr. Bennet, instead of returning to his study, announced, "Well, I have to meet with Sir William about the rock wall his cattle damaged. Would you like to come along and visit with Maria, Kitty?"

Kitty found the courage to follow through with her plan, "Actually, Papa, if I could..."

"Yes?"

"May I please look through your books? I have been corresponding with Lizzy and she recommended several books which might help me to... to broaden my mind... and make me less silly." The last part was said almost in a whisper, but Thomas Bennet became conscious, perhaps for the first time, that his unkind words might have hurt his daughters.

He nodded and gave her a gentle smile, "Of course you may, Kitty... and perhaps, once you've found something which interests you, we will sit together and talk about what you've learned and what you think about it?"

Kitty's sudden smile was answer enough. The two went their own ways, Mr. Bennet to Lucas Lodge and Kitty to that formerly forbidden world which was her father's library.

An hour later Kitty closed another book in a huff and plopped back in her chair in disgust. She had attempted several of the philosophers and theorists which Lizzy had recommended, but found the words dry, boring, and confusing. Maybe I am just a silly girl, she thought sadly. But then she firmed up her expression, returned the book to the shelf, and continued her search. It was when she found a large, illustrated book on archaeology that Kitty finally found a subject which captured her interest.

Thomas Bennet returned from his meeting a half hour later. When he first entered his study, he came to a sudden stop at the image he saw. For just a moment he thought that his dear Lizzy was returned, but then the sun glinted off of golden hair. Kitty was sitting in Lizzy's favorite window seat, a large book open in her lap, completely absorbed. Seeing this, her father resolved that he would do better by his two remaining daughters.

Kitty Bennet's new resolve did much more than just improve her own understanding of the world. Her relationship with her father improved dramatically. Unlike Lizzy, she would never share his own interests in the philosophers and the satirists, but they often sat together and discussed ancient history, the rise and fall of civilizations, architecture, and even politics. Thomas took it slow, but he gently introduced new ideas into Kitty's thoughts and was rewarded with seeing her world open up. She would always be a feminine creature of fashion, and there was nothing wrong with that, but she also had a mind.

As for Mrs. Bennet, out of sight was still out of mind. She had barely taken notice of Kitty when she was always underfoot with Lydia. Now that the girl spent much of her time either in her room or in her father's study, Fanny Bennet gave little thought to involving the child in her daily plans or even marrying her off. Actually, Mrs. Bennet was quite enjoying the freedom of heading off each day either into town to shop or see her sister or to the other estates to pay calls. Most of the time she quite forgot that there was still one more daughter at home.

Kitty was not spending all of her time reading. She still counted Maria as one of her dearest friends and could often be found at Lucas Lodge. She was also still the most gifted with a needle in her family, so she spent time re-designing her dresses or trimming bonnets. But she could just as often be seen reading or walking.

Kitty had discovered walking as a pleasing pastime one day when the sun beckoned and she felt the need to stretch her legs. Her father had mentioned in passing that Beecher's Knoll had the remnants of a keep on it from the far distant past. It was nothing but a stone ring now, but it had once been a round tower. On that fine day Kitty had walked the entire distance.

The ruin was just as her father had said: a stone foundation but little else. The locals had taken the rest of the stones to use in their own homes and walls long ago. Still, Kitty walked around it and imagined what it once was. After her extensive reading on archaeology and her talks with her father, she had a better understanding of what might have been. That day she painted a picture in her mind of what the area must have looked like from the tall keep. Then she walked home, excavated a drawing pad and charcoals that she had put away long ago, and began drawing.

Little did Kitty know, but that day would mark the beginning of an entirely new direction in her life.

~oOo~

On the road between Lucas Lodge and Longbourn, 1813

The weather had been extremely foul for more than a week, with constant rain and heavy winds. Mrs. Bennet, deprived of her daily visits, was full of complaints, remonstrances, and prognostications. One might think that she would be pleased, since Mary was now engaged to a fine man in London and soon to be wed, but that was a part of the problem: The Reverend Michael Conner, third son of a baron, was deeply involved in his duties to the Archbishop and unable to pull away for any extended period. It had been agreed that he and Mary would wed in London, not Meryton.

Thus deprived of both her opportunity to drag the couple around for visits and the chance to plan an elaborate wedding, Fanny Bennet was feeling very ill-used indeed. It was at that point that she finally remembered that she had one more daughter at home. Needless to say, Kitty's life had been miserable for the past week.

So when the rain finally ceased and the sun rose, Kitty was dressed and heading for the door. Fearful that her mother might break with her usual habits to rise early, Kitty tip-toed down the stairs and then hurried through dressing for the outdoors. Then, with a deep sigh of relief, she was out of the door and hurrying out of view of the house.

As much as Kitty would have preferred to take one of the many trails that morning, she was aware that the rains had most likely turned everything into a muddy swamp. She chose to stick to the road instead. It is much to early to visit Maria, but I shall head in that direction, walk as far as my feet take me, and then visit Maria on my return trip.

Thus resolved, Kitty began her trek. She had only traveled half of the distance between the two estates, however, before she encountered a problem. The constant rains had weakened the soil and then the wind had managed to dislodge a large oak. It now lay partially on its side, mostly in Sir William's field, but one large branch was low over the road.

If a carriage should come around the corner... I should alert Papa about this. Resigned that her morning plans were lost, Kitty began trudging back towards Longbourn. She had just turned the next bend when the sounds of an approaching carriage alarmed her. Worse, when it came into view she saw that it was a fast-moving coach and four! She waved frantically to catch the coachman's attention, but the young man only waved back cheerfully and pressed on! She shouted, but there was no possible way that the man could hear her over the sounds of the heavy horse hooves splashing through the mud.

Kitty turned to watch in dismay as the carriage went around the bend, then she ran towards the sound of neighing horses and splintering wood!

Kitty had never ran so fast. Heart raging in her chest, she was terrified for the people in the carriage and also terrified with what she might find. Still, she pressed on. When she did round the final bend it was both worse and not as terrible as she feared. It was worse because she could see the body of the carriage driver lying prone on the road. But except for being mostly roofless, the carriage seemed otherwise intact. Kitty ran immediately to the prone man.

He was already beginning to move when she reached him, rolling on the ground in pain. "Sir! Sir! Where are you hurt?"

The man, seeing the pretty young woman's concerned, solicitous expression, colored. "I... ah yes... well..."

"Did the branch strike you in the chest? Is anything broken, Sir," Kitty pleaded fearfully.

The poor man found his voice, "Actually, Miss, when I saw the branch, it was too late to stop, so I jumped off... and well... but I am fine now. No need to be concern...! Oh Lord! My books!" Kitty suddenly found herself supporting the man by one arm as he struggled to his feet. His face was a picture of dismay as he saw that the trunks which had been mounted on top of his carriage were now shattered, their contents spread across the road and into the ditches. He immediately sprang into action, ignoring his wrecked clothing and focusing on his books.

"Is anyone else injured, Sir?" Kitty demanded, shocked that the man had forgotten his passengers.

"No. You see, my servants became ill while I was paying a visit to a friend's estate; his servants as well. I suspect bad food. I have a speaking engagement tomorrow, so I decided to leave them to recover and take the reins myself. Obviously it was a foolish choice." He went back to collecting his books.

Kitty was still very concerned about his injuries, especially when she heard him groan. But then she saw the man surreptitiously rubbing his backside and she had to fight back a giggle. It is no wonder that he did not wish to speak of his injury. Poor man! She jumped in to help retrieve books, many of which were sadly beyond salvation. She let out an involuntary groan of dismay when she picked up a book she recognized.

"What is it Miss? Are you injured?" The man moved to her side and Kitty was suddenly aware that he was not only taller than her and well-built, but quite handsome despite the mud on his person.

"I am not, but I fear that your Douglas is beyond salvation... what a tragedy!"

The man was startled, then smiling, "You know this work, then?"

"It is one of my favorite. I love to read about Rome and Greece and Mesopotamia, of course, but there is something special about the history of our own island." She sighed again, stepping a little to the side and away from the man. Having him so near was heady and somewhat overwhelming. It was odd because no other man had engendered that feeling in her before. "We should hurry to save what we can."

He did not immediately resume his work, however, instead saying, "I deeply apologize for bending propriety, but might I have your name? I am Stephen Rutherford, at your service." He bowed and Kitty had to stifle another giggle when she saw the clump of mud still in his hair.

She curtsied, "I am Ki... Miss Catherine Bennet. My father is Mister Thomas Bennet, of Longbourn." Suddenly she found that she wanted to be Catherine to this man. She did not want him to see her as a child.

"I am honored to meet you, Miss Bennet." For the next twenty minutes they worked to discover any books which might have been thrown further down the road or into the ditches. While they worked, they spoke of history and archaeology. Kitty was fascinated with everything this handsome man seemed to know and he was equally fascinated with this pretty young woman who had a genuine interest in his favorite subject.

She was in the process of telling Stephen about the ruins on Beecher's Knoll when Mr. Thomas Bennet rode into view on his hunter. "Kitty! What has happened here?"

"Papa! I am glad that you are here! A tree has fallen and a branch fell across the road. I attempted to warn off Mr. Rutherford, but it was too late."

The younger man, a stack of muddy book in his hands, gave the new arrival another bow, "I should have paid heed, but all that I saw was a pretty g... I mean... I did not understand what Miss Bennet was attempting to communicate." Thomas Bennet saw both the young man and his daughter blush at his slip. Interesting.

He dismounted, "Kitty, please ride Arion back to Longbourn and have Hill prepare a bath and the guest room for Mr. Rutherford. And send the stable hands with carts to help recover what we can here." When his daughter looked down at her dress and the pointedly at the saddle, her father chuckled, "Sir, if I may request you to turn your head for a moment? My daughter Kitty was not prepared to ride this morning and modesty dictates..."

"Oh!" Stephen colored and quickly turned.

Kitty cringed at the repeated use of her childhood name and was reluctant to leave, but she allowed her father to lift her into the saddle. It was not a ladies saddle, but she knew how to manage it nonetheless. Once safely seated, she rode away as quickly as the conditions would allow.

She hated to leave, but at least the young man would not be leaving right away... of course that also meant that her mother would latch onto the man and embarrass them all with her effusions. As she rode Arion away from the scene of the accident, she groaned at the thought.

Providence was on her side that morning, however. When Kitty spoke with Mrs. Hill, she learned that the post had delivered a letter and her mother had hurried off to share whatever news was provided. Kitty wanted almost desperately to rush back to help, but instead she passed on all of her father's instructions and then went to change into something less muddy and more presentable. Sally, the upstairs maid, must have suspected something, because she took extra care in styling Kitty's hair. Kitty thanked her with a hug and hurried down to wait.

~oOo~

Back on the road Thomas Bennet and Stephen Rutherford talked. Unlike his daughter, Thomas recognized the man's name. "I fear that more than half of your books are a total loss, My Lord."

Stephen stood straight and looked at the older man. "You recognized my name? I am surprised."

"I have read many of your papers, being also a member of the Royal Society."

Stephen grimaced, "Yes... which also explains why I was on the road this morning attempting to convey myself to London. I am expected to deliver a lecture at Burlington House tomorrow afternoon. Now, however..."

Thomas chuckled as he also looked at the shattered roof of the carriage. "If you would not mind riding in a less comfortable carriage, My Lord, then I would be pleased to convey you. It has been some time since I attended a lecture in the Society and I should like to hear your presentation."

~oOo~

After Mr. Bennet set his men to lopping off the offending tree limb and conveying Lord Rutherford's carriage to the estate, he led the muddy man back to Longbourn. As ordered, a bath was ready for him. While the man cleaned himself, Hill attempted to salvage his clothing. Sadly there was nothing to be done. Thomas provided a pair of his own clothes, which almost fit, and then began preparations for their journey.

Kitty had great difficulty conversing to Mr. Rutherford at first, but as their tea progressed she relaxed and the three shared a pleasant conversation. She was disappointed when her father informed her that he and the man would soon depart for London. Never before had she felt so drawn to a man and now she might never see him again.

~oOo~

The two men conversed easily on the road, but Thomas sensed that the younger man wished to say something. He waited patiently until Rutherford found his courage, "Mr. Bennet... I was quite surprised when Miss Catherine recognized my Nenia Brittanica. She also seems to have quite an interest in history and archaeology...?"

Thomas chuckled ruefully, "That she does. I am afraid that I wrote off her intelligence for years, to my shame. My eldest three are all intelligent. My second is brilliant. But I named the two youngest as 'silly' and paid them no more attention until Kitty... Catherine..." the father had noticed that his daughter wanted this man to know her by her full name, so he determined to honor her wished in this, "stormed my library last year, determined to improve her mind. She showed little interest in philosophy, but when she found Doublas' book she was immediately entranced. Since then I have shared all of my books on the subject and purchased more besides."

He was not a matchmaker, but he could not resist adding, "Those drawings you saw in my office were my Catherine's work."

This impressed the younger man. He had noted several of the drawings pinned to the walls. They were well-rendered and surprisingly accurate. "Mr. Bennet... no... would you be willing to address me by Rutherford... or my title is Waltford?"

"Only if you will call me Bennet. What did you wish to ask me, Rutherford?"

"Had Miss Catherine made her bow yet? Is she out?"

"None of my daughter's made their bow before their marriages. That is my fault because I have no great love for London or the Ton. My eldest two have done so since. Jane is now Mrs. Bingley. Elizabeth is now Mrs. Darcy."

Stephen recognized Darcy's prestigious name, but his focus was on his question, "And is Miss Catherine out, Bennet?"

"She is out in Meryton, but since she had never been anywhere else except for very short visits to her aunt and uncle in London, she is not out elsewhere."

"Sir, I will be blunt. I find your daughter fascinating. She is intelligent and genteel, yet when I was lying on the road she gave no thought to the mud or her clothing when she rushed to my aid. Then, even once she knew that I was well, she had no qualms about helping me with my books. And now I learn that she has more in her head than the silly subjects and accomplishments of society ladies. I would very much like to learn if there might be a future for us... together... I mean..." He had made it through his declaration right up until the end, where his confidence waned in the face of the girl's father.

"But your rank... Are you not expected to marry nobility?" Thomas asked seriously.

"My title is not subsidiary, Bennet. I inherited from my father and have not family extant who might have a say in who I marry. My interest has always been in history and archaeology, not politics, so I do not even participate in Parliament. Finally, after repeated exposure to the creature, I find that I have absolutely no interest in the Ton and its debaucheries or demands. So when I marry, it would have to be to someone who is not a society dame."

"Well said. You did not meet my wife, Rutherford... a blessing for you, I'm sorry to say. If she knew of your interest or your rank, then my daughter would have no peace and no choice. What I propose is a way for you to get to know each other without Mrs. Bennet's input. Will you remain in London for long?"

Stephen smiled, "With the right inducement, I will remain as long as necessary."

"Then I will arrange for Kitty... Catherine, to reside in London. If you decide that she could survive and flourish in your world, and if you can win her heart, then you have my blessing."

~oOo~

Kitty did go to London, ostensibly to attend Mary's wedding with her parents. Yet when the two elder Bennets returned to Longbourn, she remained behind. A quiet courtship followed, though there was no question in either's mind how they felt. Kitty was shocked, even dismayed when she learned that her Stephen was actually the Marquess of Waltford. For a time she withdrew slightly, feeling unworthy. But Stephen Rutherford, the Gardiners, and even Mr. Bennet worked on building her self-confidence until she was ready to hear Stephen's proposal with joy instead of fear.

Mrs. Bennet was overjoyed to marry off her last daughter and overwrought when she was finally told her future son-in-laws true rank. Though she crowed far and wide, neither Stephen nor Catherine were willing to be paraded around Meryton to please the lady. They both gave her respect, but they also chose to marry in London and then promptly disappeared on their wedding trip.

~oOo~

Dover, 1840

Catherine Rutherford, Marchioness Waltford, watched adoringly as her still handsome husband danced as he, their eldest son Thomas, and their compatriots finally unearthed the foundation of an ancient fortress. Stephen had long declared its location, but until this day he had not been able to prove his assertions. Now they were looking at the evidence of a Roman structure which had been lost to history.

Her part would begin once more was uncovered. Over the years she had improved her drawing. For the past three decades she had been her husband's only illustrator for all of his papers and for his five published books. Of course due to the prejudices of some, all of her drawings were simply signed C. Bennet. Until he passed a decade ago, her father had mounted many of her best illustrations in his study. In her adult years she had built a strong relationship with her father, but sadly never with her mother, who only saw her married rank but still could not seem to see her daughter.

"Would you care for some lemonade, Grandmother," a pretty girl who looked like a copy of her own dear sister Jane asked. "Should Grandfather really be using a shovel at his age? He often complains about his aches and pains."

Catherine smiled at her eldest granddaughter and shook her head, "I have followed your grandfather around the world and back, Lydia. He has always had two passions: his archaeology and his family. Let him have his fun. Yes, we shall have to live with his groans later, but if it makes him happy, then I am happy."

Just then Stephen Rutherford looked up with fire in his eyes for his beloved wife of thirty seven years. Kitty returned his look in full. Lydia blushed at the heat she saw, but she did not contradict her grandmother. She knew that her grandfather's greatest passion was and would always be his "Kitty."