Disclaimer: This fanfic is rated 'M' for adult themes. I do not own any of the characters of The Hunger Games or of Pride and Prejudice.


Chapter 6:

"We do not suffer by accident."

- Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice


The next morning, Katniss awoke to a dull yet persistent ache in her back and a stiffness at the base of her neck. No doubt, both were due to a long night of twisting and turning as she desperately searched for a comfortable position atop the feather mattress. As much as her tired body craved sleep, her restless mind had been adamant on keeping her from it.

A twinge of guilt tugged at her conscience when she noticed the slight furrow of Annie's brow on her otherwise angelically sleepy face. Her poor cousin most likely did not rest well either, due to Katniss' constant movements. Her head felt hazy as she wiped the sleep from her eyes and released a tired yawn. As her vision refocused to take in the room, the previous day's events rushed back to the forefront of her mind.

She looked over to the bedside table and frowned. There rested the folded up portrait that Mr. Mellark had sketched, the creases still present from where she had crumpled it up in her hand when her aunt had foolishly stuck her foot in her mouth and asked Mr. Odair to host a ball in Primrose's honor. Regret still lingered from having damaged such a fine work of art, and she reached over in an earnest attempt to smooth out the creases. It was no use; she would have to leave it pressed between two heavy books when they returned home if she was to have any hope of restoring the picture to its original state.

Katniss tossed back the sheets as she slid out of the bed and padded across the room towards the washbasin. The splash of the cold water caused her skin to tighten and tingle, and as she patted her skin dry, she assessed her reflection in the mirror and cringed. Her hair was a mess of tangled waves, and the dark circles present beneath her eyes were evidence of her poor sleep.

Annie finally stirred from beneath the mound of blankets and sat up, resting her chin upon her knee as she watched Katniss work furiously to comb out the knots in her hair. She suppressed a smile when Katniss became irritated, discarding the brush and working her hair into her standard braid before moving to riffle through the trunk full of dresses that had been brought to them from Seamfirth.

"I dare say, Kat, never before have I witnessed the task of dressing yourself give you such grief. I hope all the effort is not to impress a particular someone, that would be very…unlike you."

Kantiss looked up in surprise before a scowl overtook her face. Clutched in one hand was as a plain, pale grey dress that had seen better days and in the other a delicate light blue one that had belonged to Annie not long ago. "Are you certain you are feeling better, dear sweet cousin? I fear your fever may have returned, because why else would you have such a ridiculous notion?" Out of spite, Katniss tossed aside the blue dress, shook out the grey one, and held it up against her petite frame. "I think this one will do."

Annie shook her head but remained silent as she rose from the bed and slipped out of her nightdress. When Katniss had dressed, she sat on the edge of the bed and tapped her foot lightly against the floor as she waited for her cousin. Annie took her time brushing out her hair before twisting it into an intricate bun at the nap of her neck. Katniss drummed her fingers along the wooden frame of the bed, her patience waning as her cousin fluffed the skirt of her floral patterned dress for the fourth time. Katniss was determined to leave Seaforth Park as soon as possible. The thought of having to endure the cold stares of Miss Odair and the mixed signals of Mr. Mellark caused her temples to throb.

"Stop fidgeting," Annie whispered as the two women entered the grand dining room to join their hosts for breakfast. Katniss had not realized she was toying with the edge of her sleeve and ceased the nervous habit when the servant announced their presence.

"Ah, Miss Abernathy, Miss Everdeen! It is so wonderful for you both to join us this morning." Mr. Odair stood from the table and bowed, before gesturing to the empty seats to his right. "Please have a seat and help yourselves."

Katniss exhaled a sigh of relief when she noticed that Mr. Mellark and Miss Odair were already seated next to one another at the opposite side of the table. However, when the contemptible woman leaned over to whisper a few words in confidence to Mr. Mellark, her face stretched in a mischievous grin. Katniss inhaled a sharp breath as her hands curled into tight fists at her sides.

Miss Odair had yet to utter a word, and Katniss was already in the mindset to march over and wipe the smug grin off the silly woman's face. By the condescending look in her eyes, Miss Odair no doubt had a few choice words for Katniss' simple choice of attire and plain braid.

Not wanting to give the woman any further reason to feel superior, Katniss raised her chin and squared her shoulders. As she stepped towards the table, she could not help but notice Mr. Mellark peer over the top of his newspaper, his eyes following her with each step she took. In that moment, she was hit with a slight pang of regret: regret for not choosing the prettier of the two dresses to wear and for giving in to her own stubborn nature.

The memory of the way Mr. Mellark drank her in when she had worn her favorite green dress flooded her memory, causing her skin to prickle and her heart to skip a beat beneath her chest. Oh, how a selfish part of her wished he would look at her like that again, with a reverent gaze that convinced even her that she was the most beautiful woman in the room. It was just her luck that when she let her mind drift for but only a second; her foot caught on the skirt of her dress, and she stumbled forward, reaching out to catch herself on the back of a chair just in time. She could feel the heat creep up the back of her neck and was certain she heard Miss Odair stifle a laugh as she righted herself.

"Miss Everdeen, are you alright?" Mr. Odair questioned as he took a step towards her.

Katniss nodded her head and mumbled her gratitude for his concern under her breath. She chided herself for letting her mind get so easily distracted by Mr. Mellark, who she was sure was mocking her now due to her sudden lack of coordination. She could not bring herself to look up and meet his gaze, although a part of her was tempted to pin him with an icy stare; it was his fault she had tripped. A true gentleman would not stare at a lady as such and most definitely would not stand idle as she almost fell to the ground. A true gentleman would have stepped in to assess that she was indeed alright or at least inquired, as Mr. Odair had.

Katniss shook her head. Even if he had, would she have welcomed his assistance with open arms? No, most likely not. The role of a feeble, distressed woman who could not fend for herself was not one Katniss ever wished to play. She did not want his sympathy, nor did she require saving, and most definitely not by the likes of Mr. Mellark. Then why did she take such offense to his lack of concern? Why did it cause her chest to tighten and every muscle in her body to turn rigid as though he had publicly affronted her a second time?

Perhaps she was better off not pursuing the reason any further. Or rather, perhaps the trepidation of realizing what it might mean was enough to push aside the thought from her mind. All she wished was to survive the meal with no further mishaps and to return to the comfort and safety of Seamfirth.

Still embarrassed beyond belief, Katniss turned to her cousin and offered up the seat next to Mr. Odair in hopes of shifting the attention elsewhere. Annie blushed the moment her eyes met his and smiled shyly when he offered a hand to help her into her seat. A wave of guilt washed over Katniss for her selfish desires to leave this place as soon as possible, especially when Annie had finally begun to feel well enough to spend quality time with Mr. Odair outside of her bedridden state.

Katniss swallowed back her reservations and quietly took her seat, but not before sneaking another glance at Mr. Mellark, who she was certain was hiding an inane smile behind the cover of his newspaper. He lowered it briefly as he reached for his teacup, and as he brought it to his mouth, his lips forming to the rim, Katniss found herself once again caught in his trance. Her eyes followed the column of his neck, fixated on how his throat bobbed when he swallowed, causing her to shift uncomfortably in her chair. But when his tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip, she felt a peculiar heat begin to pool deep in her belly that radiated throughout the rest of her lower body. The clearing of Mr. Odair's throat caused Katniss to blink rapidly as she dropped her gaze to her lap, chiding herself for being caught staring.

Despite the delectable spread of fresh fruit and pastries that adorned the ornately set table, Katniss reached for a slice of dark, hearty bread and spooned a bit of butter onto the edge of her plate.

She remained silent as she ate her meager meal, smiling curtly or nodding when appropriate to make it appear that she was listening to the conversation around her. Miss Odair appeared to be in a much happier mood since yesterday, no doubt due to the excitement of the ball. Her eyes were bright with enthusiasm as she shared with Annie her plans for the flower arrangements and meal choices. It struck a slight nerve with Katniss however that Miss Odair did not once seek Katniss' advice on her sister's preferences. It only seemed proper since Primrose was her sister, and who knew her better? But Katniss held her tongue, not wanting to prolong the meal further past than what was necessary.

Despite her best efforts, Katniss could not keep her eyes from drifting to Mr. Mellark a few more times throughout the meal. A nagging part of her hoped to catch his attention, but his nose remained buried in his newspaper from the Capitol. She tried to make out the headlines from across the table, but the print was too small. Her curiosity had almost gotten the better of her when she entertained the thought of breaking her silence and asking him what news was so intriguing that he did not wish to participate in the discussions. But then again, what interest would a man such as Mr. Mellark have in such a trifling topic as the preparations for a ball?

As the plates were being cleared, a lull in the conversation provided Katniss with her opportunity. "Mr. Odair, it was my aunt's wishes that we return home today, for she and my uncle miss us so." Annie shot her cousin a reproachful look, obviously aware of the lie that was spewing from Katniss' mouth.

From the corner of her eye, she spied Mr. Mellark lower his paper, and his mouth opened and closed as though he wished to speak. The way his eyes narrowed as he tugged at his bottom lip with his teeth caused a flurry of butterflies to take flight in her stomach. Was he upset by the news of their departure? She was unsure, but it was the most attention he had shown her since she practically tripped over her own feet, and so she selfishly reveled in the possibility. She arched an eyebrow in his direction, waiting to see if he indeed intended to say something. Unfortunately to her dismay, he remained silent and dropped his gaze back to his paper.

With pursed lips, she looked over to the master of the house, who had also yet to respond. Mr. Odair's face fell momentarily as he looked to Annie with longing yet sorrowful eyes, however his countenance recovered quickly as his ever present smile reappeared once again and he turned to his manservant. "Pollux, please prepare the coach at once and see to it that Miss Abernathy and Miss Everdeen's belongings are collected from their room."

Katniss was on the verge of protesting that the coach was unnecessary, that they could return on horseback, but then she remembered their trunk and thought better of it. Besides, Annie had recently recovered from her ailment, and the strain of the journey could possibly be too much for her. Instead, she thanked Mr. Odair kindly as he offered her a cup of tea while they waited. Miss Odair once again steered the conversation back to the ball, and Katniss half listened as she and Mr. Odair began to list off names of Capitol socialites that they wished to invite.

The tea did little to settle Katniss' anxiety, and she remained quiet as she idly stirred the amber liquid. Her emotions were torn by her decision to leave; a part of her yearned to indulge in this ridiculous curiosity she had with the insufferable man across the table, but the prudent side of her wanted to retreat home to where she could be alone with her thoughts. Where she could sit in the meadow and sort out the misplaced feelings she was certain were causing her to think and act out of character.

Katniss startled, dropping her spoon to her plate with a loud clatter when Mr. Mellark slammed down his paper abruptly and tossed his napkin down onto the table. His sudden change in demeanor caused Katniss to sit up straight in her chair as he rose to his feet in haste and muttered what she thought to be an apology before storming out of the room.

"Is Mr. Mellark feeling well?" Annie asked, her genuine concern of the man's well being apparent in the tremor of her voice.

"Oh I am sure he is quite fine," Mr. Odair said with a nervous chuckle. "Urgent business to attend to, no doubt. If you ask me, the man works too hard."

Katniss furrowed her brow as she retrieved her spoon, her eyes drawn to the open doorway through which Mr. Mellark had exited not a moment earlier. What had caused him such distress to leave in such haste? Was it something he had read in the paper? She knew it was inappropriate to concern herself with matters pertaining to Mr. Mellark, but she could not help the tinge of sympathy she felt for him, for a man of such standing with unimaginable responsibilities upon his shoulders.

The sudden urge to follow him was overwhelming, but Katniss remained rooted in her seat. What was she thinking? She shook her head, reasoning with herself that the improper thought was due to her inquisitive nature rather than…something more.

Mr. Odair chuckled again nervously before taking a prolonged sip from his cup. The table was quiet for a moment before Katniss noticed Mr. Odair's gaze drift over to the folded up newspaper to his left. He set down his teacup and reached for it, unfolding the paper as his eyes raked over the pages. Katniss watched curiously and pursed her lips when his eyes widened, and he lowered the newspaper to his lap. He stared off into the distance for a brief moment before he cleared his throat.

"I believe I will check on Mr. Mellark after all," he said as he refolded the newspaper and tucked it beneath his arm. "I shall return shortly. Dear sister, please keep our guests entertained as they wait?"

Miss Odair inhaled deeply, as though the task her brother had bestowed upon her was beneath her. "Very well, but do hurry back."

He stood and bowed to the ladies before hastily striding off, the echo of his footsteps growing fainter as he left from the room. Katniss turned to face her cousin, but Annie wore a similar look of confusion, but with a hint of sadness due to Mr. Odair's unexpected departure. "How peculiar," Katniss muttered to herself before returning to stirring her tea.

Within half an hour, the manservant returned with their coats draped over his arm to inform them that their belongings had been packed and that the coach was ready. Kantiss shrugged on her still muddied coat and helped to straighten Annie's bonnet before they exited the dining room where they found Mr. Odair waiting for them in the hallway. Katniss thought it best to remain back a few steps from her cousin and Mr. Odair as they walked down the main hall, which regrettably meant she was left in the company of Miss Odair.

"It was a pleasure having you with us these past few days, Miss Everdeen." The cold civility of Miss Odair's voice held no sincerity for the words she had spoken, and Katniss sighed, trying not to roll her eyes at the woman's forced pleasantries. "I do hope you will call upon us again soon."

"Nothing would please me more than to share in your company again soon, Miss Odair," Katniss responded, her mouth twitching into a wry smile. "Thank you to both you and your brother for your most generous hospitality." They remained silent for the remainder of the way to the main entrance, and Katniss kept her eyes trained ahead of her to watch the interactions between her cousin and Mr. Odair. She suppressed a smile when she spotted Mr. Odair's hand hover dotingly behind Annie's back as they passed through the doorway and descended the front stairs.

Once outside, Katniss's eyes fluttered shut as she breathed in deep the fresh morning air, letting it fill her lungs to rid her of the stuffy, pretentious cloud she was suffocating from whilst cooped up inside the walls of the mansion. When her eyes opened, she was surprised to find Mr. Mellark standing by the carriage where her uncle's horse was tethered to the back, looking just as eager to return home as Katniss.

He stroked the gelding's mane gently as he whispered to him and reached into his pocket to produce an apple that the horse greedily took from his hand. Katniss was certain she spied a smile tug at his lips, a modest yet genuine smile, one that caused his face to lighten handsomely in the morning sunlight and the white blond flecks of his hair to catch the light just right. He caught her off guard when he looked up, his face returning to its almost permanent look of indifference before looking away.

Katniss frowned, hurt and somewhat embarrassed by the obvious snub. She turned to Miss Odair and curtsied, leaving the woman at the front entrance with a terse nod. More out of spite than anything, she leapt down the steps, taking them two at a time in hopes of earning a disapproving glare from Miss Odair.

When she reached the carriage, Mr. Odair had already seen Annie into it, and upon his farewell, brought their clasped hands to his chest to rest over his heart. "I hope to see you again soon, Miss Abernathy, if the fates will allow it." Annie beamed back at him as she retracted her hand and lowered her gaze to her lap, an obvious blush creeping down her cheeks to her neck.

Katniss cleared her throat, and Mr. Odair turned, his handsome face matching the pink hue of her cousin's due to the awkwardness of being caught in such an intimate moment. Out of respect, Katniss looked away and lowered her gaze to her feet to allow the man a moment to compose himself, but when she lifted her head once again, Mr. Odair was no longer there. In his place was Mr. Mellark, his intense, cerulean eyes drawing her in as he extended his hand to help her into the carriage. Shocked by the courteous gesture, Katniss stared down at his hand, frozen in her spot as she considered his sudden change in behavior.

"Allow me, Miss Everdeen."

When Katniss looked up, she was astonished to find the corners of his lips turned upwards, as though he was fighting back a smile. The lightness of his tone was unlike any she had heard before. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers hovering over his open palm before placing her hand in his, mesmerized by the almost perfect fit. His fingers wrapped around hers instantly as he helped her into the carriage, the slightly rough feel of his calloused palm causing her skin to tickle pleasantly.

Once seated across from her cousin, she leaned back to retract her hand, however Mr. Mellark did not let go. She eyed him suspiciously, wondering if there was more he wished to say as she tried to keep from getting lost in the depth of his stare. But all was for naught the moment he lowered his head and pressed his lips firmly to the back of her hand, his crystalline blue eyes never once wavering away from hers.

Her rushed intake of breath set her head spinning as he exhaled, the tingling sensation of his warm breath against her skin radiating up her arm. She was unable to avert her stare, fixated on his impossibly long lashes. Time seemed to stand still in that moment, as she remained unmoving; the only indication of it's passing by the rapid thrumming of her heart inside her chest. She felt as though every fiber of her being had been set ablaze from the thrill of his soft lips, and she was astonished by how startlingly smooth they were…not that she had ever considered the feel of them before. When he finally pulled away, she had to bite her tongue from protesting.

"I wish you a pleasant journey, and it would do me great pleasure to call upon you later in the week, if you will allow it?" The sound of his honeyed voice was enough to break her from the apparent spell he had cast upon her. Dumbfounded by his request, she struggled to find the words to answer him but eventually nodded her approval. The pad of his thumb grazed across the spot where his lips had just been before he finally released her hand, the warmth quickly draining from her skin. She realized at once that she missed it.

As the carriage pulled away, both ladies stared out the window, lost in their thoughts as Seaforth slowly disappeared from view. Katniss nervously twisted the buttons of her coat as she attempted to process what had just transpired between her and Mr. Mellark.

It was the small lapses from his indifferent facade that made her wonder if he was in fact hiding his true nature. But why? The few times he had let his guard down she had been pleasantly surprised by the warmth and sincerity she found. Katniss was so caught up in her thoughts that she did not realize she had unconsciously brought the back of her hand up to rest against her lips. The faint scent of cinnamon still lingered on her skin and she inhaled deeply as her eyes fluttered shut.

"If I am not mistaken," Annie said with a lighthearted lift in her voice that caused Katniss to open her eyes. "I do believe Mr. Mellark appears to have turned over a new leaf. I can't imagine why, can you?" She paused and tapped her finger to her chin. "Hmmm…if only we had stayed a bit longer to find out."

"I haven't the slightest as to what you are speaking of." Katniss rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest like a petulant child. "Besides, I have never been so happy to leave a place in my life."

Annie nodded her head knowingly, but the smirk she was failing to conceal as she returned her gaze out the window was unmistakable. "Denial can be such sweet suffering."


Katniss was never more relieved to see the old weathered stone walls of Seamfirth as the carriage drew nearer to the house and stopped abruptly in front of the door. She was to her feet and out of the carriage before the footman could climb down from his post. The side door to the kitchen was open, and as she approached, the familiar smells of home filled her senses and she could already feel the tension in her tightly wound shoulders begin to unwind. However, Katniss came to an abrupt stop in the doorway when she spotted her uncle seated at the table, his gaze fixated on the wall in front of him while her aunt paced frantically back and forth in front of the fireplace.

Mr. Abernathy turned when the door creaked softly, and his eyes lit up at the sight of his niece and his daughter at her heels, but his joy was short lived. When he opened his mouth to welcome them home, he was interrupted by a loud hiss as his wife tossed her hands up into the air, sending a piece of parchment fluttering to the floor.

"And he is to arrive at the end of the week? Good heavens! How does he expect for us to properly prepare for his stay with such short notice? And where shall he even sleep?" She looked to her husband for an answer, her nose crinkled in irritation, but when she caught sight of Katniss and Annie hovering in the doorway, her mood soured even further. "What are you two doing back so soon? Could you not have stayed another night?"

The cold greeting did little to improve Katniss' own mood and not feeling up to being the target of her Aunt's apparent frustrations, she crossed her arms over her chest and rested her shoulder against the doorframe. "Our stay was long past overdue. It would have been wrong to take further advantage of Mr. Odair's hospitality a moment longer."

"Nonsense!" Mrs. Abernathy shouted as her hands came to rest upon her hips. "Gentleman of his breed live to entertain guests! It is an insult to deny them the opportunity! And how do you expect your cousin to secure a match if she is not—"

"Mamma," Annie interrupted, no doubt eager to shift her mother's meddling mind elsewhere. "Who will be arriving at the end of the week?"

"Mr. Crane, your father's cousin…and a very distant one at that if I might add."

"Mr. Crane?" Katniss repeated as she searched her memory for why else the name seemed vaguely familiar. "The same Mr. Crane who is to inherit Seamfirth?"

"One in the same, and I do not doubt the purpose of his visit will be only to gloat at our misfortune as he appraises the property and all that will one day be his." Mrs. Abernathy bristled at the thought before she continued to trace a rut in front of the hearth.

Katniss did not know much of Mr. Crane, only the bits and pieces she had overheard from her uncle, but even those were enough to paint a harrowing portrait of the man. Besides being her uncle's closest male relative, she knew he was a clergyman, which she thought to be a respectable career that led her to believe he had a good head on his shoulders. He must have, if he succeeded in earning a degree, not to mention a considerable amount of wealth from his family to enter into such a profession. But it wasn't until her uncle informed her that Mr. Crane's choice of career was more a result of his plan to patiently wait out her uncle, that her opinion of the man became tarnished. Mr. Crane's lazy nature had also drawn him to the profession. It was the guarantee of a career and a living—and quite a comfortable one at that if he was to fall into the favor of a wealthy patron or patroness—that caught his interest, a easy way to bide the time until he was to inherit her uncle's estate, and to her dismay, the remains and property she once called home.

"How long will he be visiting?" Annie asked as she removed her bonnet from her head and smoothed out the straps between her fingers.

Mr. Abernathy leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table and steeple his fingers, before resting his forehead against them. "Mr. Crane did not—"

"The inconsiderate man did not say!" his wife finished, her shrill voice causing both Katniss and Annie to wince. She bent over at the waist and snatched the letter back up off the ground, bringing it close to her face as her eyes darted across the page. "Where was the part…oh yes! 'You shall expect me by the end of the week and as to the length of my stay, I cannot say, only that I do not plan to depart until my intended business is complete'." Her hands dropped to her sides as her face twisted in disgust. "His intended business? What could he possibly be speaking of? What an infuriatingly cryptic man!"

Katniss reached for the letter and read over the unrefined script for herself, furrowing her brow at the condescending and pragmatic tone. She looked to her uncle who was still staring down at the table, his face hidden behind his hands. "Uncle, what do you believe his business to be?"

Mr. Abernathy released a prolonged sigh as he narrowed his eyes, causing the worry lines that creased his forehead to become more pronounced. Over the past year, his once handsome face had been replaced by that of a tired and weathered man twice his age. It could not be easy for her uncle, having to entertain the man who would one day take everything from him upon his death bed, leaving his family without a roof over their heads all because of the unfortunate entailment of the estate.

It was then that it dawned on her. Katniss glanced over to Annie, who was watching her curiously before she inhaled deeply and released a labored breath. "His intended business is marriage."

Mrs. Abernathy gasped as her pacing came to a halt. She reached out with one hand to steady herself against the mantle as the other found purchase on her stomach, keeling over slightly as though the realization made her ill.

"Aunt Effie, are you all right?" Katniss stepped forward and pulled a chair from the table, beckoning for her aunt to take a seat. The sudden paleness of her aunt's complexion was alarming; she most certainly did not look well. Katniss poured a cup of water from the pitcher on the table and coaxed it into her aunt's hand.

"Thank you, my dear," she croaked before draining the entire contents of the cup in one gulp. "I…I…oh, Mr. Abernathy, is it true? That the reason for his visit is to claim one of our daughters?"

Mr. Abernathy sat back in his chair and reached for the flask from his waistcoat pocket, hesitating for moment before tipping it back to take a sip. "The thought did cross my mind, and the longer I dwell on the subject, I am afraid it may be true."

A strangled sob echoed throughout the kitchen. "Our poor dears! To be married to such a wretchedly dull man!"

"But Mamma," Annie said as she moved behind her mother and caressed her shoulders, rubbing them soothingly to clam her. "If one of us does marry Mr. Crane, then you can rest assured that the estate shall remain with our family."

Mrs. Abernathy sniffed loudly as Katniss looked to her uncle, his face hard and lips pursed. It was true. If one of her cousins was to marry Mr. Crane, then Seamfirth would indeed remain in the family, and the fear of being turned out if anything was to happen to her uncle would vanish.

"But…but," her aunt managed between dramatic sobs as she wiped her nose with a handkerchief. "I had such high hopes for your sisters. It was my wish for them to marry well beyond their means and live a life of wealth and luxury that your father and I could never provide. But now…to be reduced to this!" She snatched the letter back from Katniss and crumpled it in her hand. "To force one of my precious girls into such a disagreeable union for the sake of the family…" Mrs. Abernathy trailed off as her mouth hung open, her eyes suddenly wide as though she had lost her train of thought. However Katniss recognized the look all too well, the one that meant a plan was brewing in her head. She looked over to her niece, causing an uneasy feeling to crawl up Katniss' spine. "Unless…"

Katniss did not like the look in her aunt's eye and shifted uncomfortably as Mrs. Abernathy rose to her feet. "Unless…what?" Katniss asked cautiously, narrowing her gaze as she tightened her arms to hug her chest.

"My dear child, can you not see? This is your chance! Your chance to save our family!"

"No!" she spat out in horror, completely appalled by the insinuation. "You can not…How can you…you are not serious!"

Katniss could feel the anger burn through her veins as she stared in disbelief at her aunt. Heat rushed to her face as Katniss looked back and forth between Annie and her uncle, hoping for one of them to step in and defend her, but both appeared equally as shocked. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as she tried to keep her temper under control, but the tense silence was eating away at her resolve.

"You honestly cannot expect me to…willingly give my consent to a man that I—" Katniss closed her eyes briefly to compose herself, but it was no use, not when she felt as though she was being forced into a corner against her will and her fury was pushing her to lash out against the injustice set before her. "I have not even met the man! A man you yourself would not see fit for even your own daughters to marry! Is your opinion of me and my future…my happiness…so low? That you would offer me up like a lamb to the slaughter?"

"Watch your temper!" her aunt snapped, crossing her arms and bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. She inhaled a deep breath before continuing in a much more composed tone. "Calm yourself, my dear child, and listen. Please do not see it as such. I am sure the man is not all that bad, and the life as a clergyman's wife is much more than I could have ever hoped for you. A stable and quiet life would do wonders to finally tame that unbridled fire that you possess and—"

"But Aunt Effie!" Katniss interjected, slamming her fists against the tabletop.

"I said listen!" Mrs. Abernathy shouted as she stomped her foot. "When will you learn to control that temper of yours? Where are your manners? After all your uncle and I have done for you and your sister, this is how you repay us? With disrespect?"

Katniss took a step back away from the table, eager to put as much distance between herself and her aunt as possible. She balled up her fists, still in shock from the sting of the words she had heard, as though she had just been slapped in the face. Her body began to shake as she felt hot tears begin to prick the backs of her eyes. She had always wondered what betrayal felt like, but this…this was far worse than anything she had imagined.

How could her aunt do this to her? Make her feel as though this was her chance to pay back the debt for taking her and her sister in during their time of need? How long had her aunt been holding this over her head? Katniss felt sick to her stomach. The walls seemed to be closing in around her with each passing second. She needed fresh air and room to breath…she needed to leave.

The tears had already begun to stream down her cheeks as she turned to face the door. How had this day taken such a turn for the worst? She felt weak for crying and hastily wiped away the wetness with her sleeve. "I was unaware that our presence beneath your roof was of such an inconvenience to you, but if that is what we are, then I thank you for clarifying it. I believe we are done here."

"Wait!" Annie called out, causing her cousin to falter in the doorway. "Mamma, I know that is not what you meant! And you surely do not expect Katniss to go through with this!"

"We all make sacrifices," Mrs. Abernathy said slowly, the bitterness in her voice unmistakable.

"Enough!" Mr. Abernathy shouted, his stern voice startling everyone. "Enough from all of you! This is absurd! Until Mr. Crane arrives, we do no know the true purpose of his visit. Perhaps his visit truly is for proprieties sake; let us hope that is the case. But until then, there will be no more talk of marriage or debts owed."

The chair creaked when it slid across the stone floor as he pushed away from the table and rose to his feet. Katniss heard his footsteps draw near until he was in front of her, but she refused to look at him. Did he too feel that she and Primrose were a burden to him all these years?

He grasped her shoulders and squeezed them gently. When she still did not respond, he dipped his head and lifted her chin to ensure that she looked him in the eyes. In a quiet voice that only she could hear, he said, "My sweet one, mark my words, it would break my heart to see you forced into such an arrangement if you did not desire it. You do not have to marry Mr. Crane if you do not wish to." He brushed a stray tear from her face and shared with her a rare yet comforting smile before he pulled her into his chest.

"Do you swear?" Katniss whispered, her tremulous voice desperate for reassurance.

"On my life."


The days that followed seemed to creep by at a snail's pace while Katniss kept to herself, going out of her way to avoid her aunt at all costs and averting her gaze when forced to be present in the same room. Her initial anger had subsided quickly upon acknowledging her uncle's promise, but the lack of an apology on her aunt's part for her harsh words caused Katniss to hold fast to her resentment. Not wishing to hamper her sister's excitement for the upcoming ball, she kept the heated discussion between her and their aunt to herself, allowing her worry and frustration to stew inside her mind.

It was the worst at night. Each evening, once Primrose's breaths had evened to a shallow, steady rhythm, Katniss would lay awake and stare up at the ceiling, unable to find sleep easily because her mind refused to settle from the many thoughts that raced through her head.

No matter how hard she tried, Katniss could not help but dwell on the matter of Seamfirth and the future of her aunt and uncle and beloved cousins. The possibilities that she was presented with if she was to agree to such an arrangement weighed heavy on her heart, particularly the recognition that if she was to agree to this union, her childhood home would be within her reach. But at what price? Her happiness? Her spirit? It did not help that her guilt and overwhelming sense of duty to pay back her "debts" owed nagged at her conscience every waking moment. Without a penny to her name, how else was she to repay them? Would an opportunity such as this ever present itself again? She would be foolish to think so.

During the day, Katniss spent most of her time out of the house, tending to the kitchen garden with Mrs. Sae or hidden away amongst the tall grass and wildflowers of her outdoor sanctuary in the meadow. On many occasions, she tried to immerse herself in her favorite book, but even it proved to be a disappointing distraction when she caught herself reading the same page over and over again.

The memory of her departure from Seaforth also had a tendency of creeping to the forefront of her mind when she least expected it. Mr. Mellark's parting words echoed through her head as she spent countless hours trying to decipher his motive for wishing to call on her. It was ridiculous to believe that the man held any serious interest in her; if anything, he mostly likely saw her as an amusement to pass the time until the summer's end when he could return home and to his Capitol social life.

However, try as she might, foolish hope that there was more behind his lingering stares and unexpected attentions prevented her from accepting the situation with Mr. Crane as her only option. More often than not, her fingers would curl on their own accord at the edge of the pages of her book until she would eventually give in and flip to the front where she had hidden Mr. Mellark's sketch. The creases had finally begun to fade, and she found herself tracing the pencil lines with her fingertips, vividly recalling the warmth of his lips upon her skin. The way her mind and body had come alive in exhilaration when he stared into her eyes…she longed to feel the thrill of it again.

On the morning of Mr. Crane's arrival, her aunt had hung a pastel floral dress and a dusty rose shawl over the dressing screen, a not-so-subtle hint as to what she was expected to wear for the occasion. Katniss shook her head and sighed as pulled her nightdress over her head. She detested the outfit, but she knew she had no choice in the matter. She would wear the hideous garment, but that did not mean the length of her aunt's control extended to how Katniss behaved.

She smirked to herself at the thought of the crude and unladylike things she could say to disgust the man enough that he would not think twice to consider her as a potential wife. With her new-found confidence, she donned the dress and did not shy away from her aunt all morning, making a point to look her in the eye whenever possible and appearing overly enthusiastic and compliant with the last minute tasks she was assigned.

Per his letter, Mr. Crane's carriage was to arrive promptly at four in the afternoon, but when there was no sign of his showing, Mrs. Abernathy grumbled under her breath with regards to punctuality being a virtue for a man of his profession. It was not until half past five that the sound of horses signaled his arrival.

Annie and Katniss stood at the kitchen window as they watched Mr. Abernathy greet the carriage. At first sight, Katniss was surprised that the man did not fit the image she had of him in her mind. He stood tall and lean and was dressed in black, his dark hair somewhat hidden by the wide brim of his hat. The way he stepped down from the carriage and strode to shake her uncle's hand made both women realize that he carried a certain elegance to his stride.

"He is not at all what I thought to imagine," Annie whispered as she placed a hand her cousin's arm.

"Yes, but as we have both recently come to learn, appearances may be deceiving." Whether she was passively alluding to her aunt's recent behavior or to Mr. Mellark and his slowly changing demeanor, she was unsure.

Annie looked upon her with sympathetic eyes. "Pay Mamma no mind. Do not let her wishes influence your desired course in life."

Katniss nodded and smiled, happy for the reassurance. "Come, let us prepare for dinner, I am famished!"

The woman waited impatiently around the table as Mr. Abernathy conducted the preliminary introductions between Mr. Crane and his family. All the while, Katniss was certain she could feel her aunt's eyes watching her every move. Mr. Crane was cordial with each of them, but the prolonged stare he gave Annie when he was introduced to her did not go unnoticed. Katniss was selfishly grateful he did not linger more than a few seconds when he made her acquaintance, not even meeting her eyes when he bowed before moving on to Portia and Johanna, and then finally Primrose.

Most of the meal passed in awkward silence, the clanking of glasses and scraping of knives against plates filling the room as Mr. Crane regarded everyone with quizzical glances. Although Katniss kept her exterior indifferent, she was elated by the fact that Mr. Crane showed no interest towards her. As Annie had mentioned, the man had no fault in his appearance, but the way his eyes took on a coveting glint as he appraised everything around him led Katniss to believe that despite being a clergyman, he had an ironic weakness for material possessions.

As the main dishes were being cleared away, Mr. Crane sat back in his chair and exhaled loudly. "Mr. Abernathy," he said, as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. "I must say I am quite taken aback by the estate. I was unsure what to expect upon my arrival, but I must confess that I am beyond pleased with the condition of the house and the stables."

Mr. Abernathy stared back at the man quietly as he took a long draw of his wine. He then cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I have done what I can with the upkeep."

Mr. Crane nodded knowingly as Katniss spied his eyes roaming the table. "And I must say the same goes for my dear cousins and your nieces, never before have I beheld such beauty, and such well-mannered young ladies."

The loud snort that escaped Johanna earned her a reproachful glance from her mother, but neither Portia nor Katniss could stifle their laughter when Johanna rolled her eyes and threw back the remainder of her drink in a most unladylike manner.

"Mr. Crane," Annie said with a diminutive smile, shifting the attention to herself, instead of the spectacle her sister was making at the other end of the table. "Do tell us of our position in the clergy."

"Ah, thank you for inquiring, my sweet cousin. I secured my parish through the patronage of the ever generous and equally gracious Sir Coriolanus Snow, a very well respected and amiable gentleman from the Capitol."

Katniss chocked on her roll and coughed violently to clear her throat, causing Annie to slap her back.

"Are you alright, Miss Everdeen?" Mr. Crane asked in earnest.

Katniss nodded her head as she took a sip of her cousin's wine. "Yes, sir, I believe I am. Thank you." What were the odds that Mr. Mellark's uncle would be the very man to fund Mr. Crane's parish? As if their world could not get any smaller.

"As I was saying, upon completing my schooling, my father had informed me of a most desirable opportunity with Sir Snow. The man possesses quite a knowledge for business, and his impeccable taste is to be rivaled by none other. Oh, how I would enjoy taking you all to visit his estate and his renowned rose gardens that surround the property. I assure you that they are like none you have ever seen before and their fragrance…" He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as a smile slowly spread across his face. "Their fragrance is to die for."

They all sat in silence as Mr. Crane continued to share with them every detail of the benefits and privileges that came with having such close connections with a gentleman such as Sir Snow. The fanatical attitude that Mr. Crane exhibited for his patron was obvious to anyone at the table, one of fawning subservience that caused Katniss to wrinkle her nose in disgust.

"After the passing of his late wife, Sir Snow was left alone to care for his only daughter, Miss Clove, the heiress to his estate and expansive properties. She is a bright young woman and the handsomest that I ever saw, having just celebrated her eighteenth birthday recently. She is the envy of every young lady in the Capitol."

Mr. Crane paused to take a sip of his wine before he straightened his posture, pulling his shoulders back. "It was…ahem…of Sir Snow's opinion that it was time for me to take on a wife. And after settling into the rectory, I myself have noticed how lonely it can be with such a space all to myself."

Mrs. Abernathy's fork clattered to the table, sending a shiver of panic to rush through Katniss' body. Both Annie and Katniss frowned while under the scrutiny of Mr. Crane, unimpressed at the way he stared, as though they had been presented to him on a platter for his choosing.

"Oh?" Mr. Abernathy answered, his face void of any emotion or interest with regards to what Mr. Crane was hinting at. "And has Sir Snow provided a wife for you as well?"

Johanna and Portia laughed out loud at their father's underhanded slight. Katniss herself had to stifle the laughter that was threatening to bubble up from her throat. Mr. Crane was either indifferent to what was going on around him, or else he was sincerely daft.

"No, no, he has left the choice up to me, which of course brings me to the purpose of my—"

"Come now, Sir," Mr. Abernathy interrupted before draining the remaining contents of his glass. "Let us not discuss business at the table. Could I interest you in a game of chess in the drawing room?"

The room seemed to exhale a collective sigh of relief when Mr. Crane agreed, and the two men excused themselves from the table and exited the room. Before her aunt could get a word in Katniss excused herself to her room, feigning an oncoming headache to avoid any further interaction with her aunt or Mr. Crane.

Once the door to her bedroom clicked into place, Katniss rushed to the bed and drove headfirst into the pillows, pulling one over her head as she released a muffled groan into the mattress. Her heart was still beating rapidly from when Mr. Crane admitted that the purpose of his visit was indeed to procure a wife. She could only imagine what her aunt was up to in her absence, no doubt making a case for Katniss as a potential prospect.

She closed her eyes but for a moment, in hopes of shutting out the life that she felt she was no longer in control of. To distract her mind, she focused on her breathing in an attempt to regain come control over her heartbeat. Her breaths turned shallow as her pulse slowed; her last conscience thought before unintentionally drifting off to sleep was the memory of the woods that surrounded her childhood home.

Katniss awoke with a startle when she felt the blankets shift around her. As her eyes adjusted to the darkened room, she spotted her sister slipping beneath the covers to join her. "I'm sorry to have woken you. Are you feeling any better?" She nodded her head as Primrose settled herself, feeling somewhat guilty for faking her ailment. "I was unsure if I should stay with Annie tonight as not to bother you, but…"

"But what?" she asked through a yawn, motioning with her hand for her sister to continue.

"Well, I overheard something after dinner that…well…"

Katniss felt a heavy ball begin to form within her stomach. "Out with it, what is it that you heard?" Although a part of her was certain she knew what Primrose was about to say, she swallowed thickly as she gripped the sheets.

"I overheard Aunt Effie speaking with Mr. Crane with regards to his hopes of landing a wife. He openly confessed that he was drawn to Annie's beauty and quiet nature and that she was he settled choice, but Aunt Effie made it clear to him that Annie's affections were pledged elsewhere, and she was to be soon engaged. He appeared upset by the news, for he then mentioned that Johanna and Portia did not capture his attention and that they were far too young for the life of a clergyman's wife. But then Aunt Effie mentioned your name and…and…" she trailed off as she looked to her sister, worry etched up on her angelic face.

Katniss was surprised at how unaffected she felt by the news. She had expected to once again be overcome with anger and disgust for her aunt's blatant disregard for her uncle's promise, for putting her in this now difficult position. But in that moment she had made up her mind. If she was ever to have a chance at a future of her choosing, she would need to start taking matter into her own hands. So she burst out in laughter: a full, deep laugh that caused her cheeks to tighten from her smile and her laughter to echo throughout the bedroom.

"Katniss, are you alright?"

"Yes…yes," she answered between giggles. "Can you imagine? Me? A clergyman's wife?"

Primrose hesitated before the corners of her mouth twitched, and she fought back a smile. "No, I admit that I cannot."

"Neither can I," Katniss said once her laughter had subsided, and she pulled the covers up to her chin, a smug grin upon her face. "And neither will I be."


Author's Note: Wow, so first off, my apologies for the long wait, I blame my hectic life and the release of Catching Fire, hehe. My hopes are that the next chapter won't take so long considering that it's already three quarters written. So, what'd you think?! Things are starting to get interesting if you ask me :P

Fun Facts from Jane Austen's Time:

- The choice of marriage is an interesting one during Jane Austen's time. There was a shift in society from parent arranged marriages between families that were purely based on the convenience of social and financial gain, to that where young ladies began to have a say in who they chose for a life partner, even going against the social norm and their parents wishes with the possibility of a marriage between social classes. This of course fits hand in hand quite nicely with the class divide in The Hunger Games with Peeta, being from the merchant class, having feelings for Katniss who most would see as being below his class being from the Seam.

- This leads to the topic of physical relationships between men and women during this time period, particularly before marriage. It was frowned upon for a respectable lady to interact with a gentleman in a flirtatious manner before marriage. Even the slightest physical contact that could be considered intimate, such as holding hands or touching a woman's body (outside of dancing, of course), would be considered scandalous. Embracing and especially kissing were off limits and considered a huge no-no which is why when Peeta kisses Katniss' hand when she is leaving Seamfirth is well, a pretty big deal.

- I'm going to touch again on the matter of entailment just incase some of you are confused as to why the proposal of marriage to Mr. Crane is of such significance. Even though Mr. Crane is a distant cousin to Mr. Abernathy, he is his closest living male relative which entitles him by contract to the properties that Mr. Abernathy owns, which by extension includes Katniss's childhood home.

Huge thanks to my dear friend and beta Court81981for turning this chapter around so fast and to both her and Streetlightlove1 for their continued support, you girls raise my spirits when my desire to continue writing wanes. If they aren't already, One by One and A Healing Heart should both be on your required reading lists!

This story continues to be a labor of love for me so any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you to those who have been so patient with me and I appreciate all the follows and favorites, they motivate me more than you know. I'm on tumblr (pookieh) if you want to come by and chat, my inbox is always open :)

Thanks again for reading!