I got a little distracted this week, so I didn't get this us as fast as I intended to. Some family came into town on a surprise visit and I just enjoyed spending time with them. Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Three days after Kitty had her shut in, Oliver was in a very good mood when he came to claim her from her sisters. It had been an amusing spectacle. Her sisters looked as though they weren't sure if they should be frightened or not. Oliver was no Mr. Darcy, but he had not been so quick to smile since they arrived from Christmas at Longbourn.

"You seem pleased," she said as they made their way towards their rooms.

Looking around to make sure they were alone, he answered, "I received a letter from Bingley. He shall be here on Monday."

Kitty smiled. That was only three days away. They quickly dressed and arrived for dinner. They were dining in and had no company. The family soon seated themselves around the table and discussed plans for the weekend.

"I hope you enjoy your weekend. On Monday, we shall be hosting another guest," Oliver announced.

"I had wondered what had you in such a good mood," his grandmother remarked.

"Indeed. I am most happy to know I shall no longer be the only gentleman in the house. Thomas is much too taken with his wife at present to give me the relief I need."

"You poor thing," sassed Kitty, earning a smirk from her husband.

"Whom shall we be expecting?" inquired his grandmother.

"Bingley."

Kitty saw Jane still for a moment before rushing to act as though all was well within her world. She was sure the opposite was true. Jane looked at Oliver. "He is coming alone?"

"Yes. His sisters will remain in Town. Miss Bingley, especially, has no wish to enter my domain."

Jane remained mostly quiet after that. Lydia prattled on about a small party she was invited to. Despite her annoyance over being excluded from attending assemblies and most parties, she was learning to appreciate what she could take part in. After dinner, the family adjourned to the drawing room, Oliver included since he was the only gentleman and did not wish to indulge in any spirits that night. He began a conversation with his grandmother and Lizzy, Mary took her place at the piano, and Lydia was looking through patterns. Kitty walked over to Jane, who sat a little off from Lizzy.

Taking a seat, she touched her shoulder to gain her attention. "Jane, are you alright?"

"I had expected it, but I never realized until this moment that I do not know my feelings."

"You expected it?"

"Lizzy told me that Mr. Bingley was likely to come, that he had feelings for me, but that others caused him to question my affections. Now, I am not sure how I feel. He left and did not return. He did not take proper leave of the neighborhood. I do not know if I can trust him."

Kitty moved closer to her sister. "Jane, I do not wish for you to be unhappy. If you do not feel you can trust him, or love him, you do not have to accept him. Do not let your kind heart force you into a marriage you do not want, but Jane, he does care for you. He and Oliver have exchanged many letters. His sisters and Mr. Darcy convinced him to stay in Town for the winter, and then you came here. Oliver thought that you would both benefit from a little time apart before allowing him to come to stay with us."

She looked at her husband and leaned in a little more, speaking softer. "Oliver wrote him to move up his visit, which he did happily. His sisters do not know he is coming here. Oliver is taking me to Town next month, but do not think you should rush into a decision. Take your time, Jane. No one will think ill of you if you should find he is not what you want."

Jane smiled sweetly at her. "Thank you, Kitty. Is Mr. Andrews taking you to Town for your birthday?"

"No, I actually informed him of my birthday after he told me about the trip. He is taking me simply because he wishes to make me happy."

Jane's smile brightened. "This pleases you."

"Yes, it does."

"It does my heart good to know that. I worried for you, but Mr. Andrews always seemed like such a kind, if slightly stern, man."

"It has not been easy, but he is trying. We are trying."

Lizzy turned towards them and took over the conversation, asking if Jane wanted to put the finishing touches on her new dress the next day. Jane deliberated and decided she would.

Oliver approached his wife's door and knocked before entering. Catherine was deep in thought. "Does something trouble you?"

"Jane is unsure of her feelings. She realized tonight that she is quite wounded over the manner in which Mr. Bingley left the neighborhood. I told her all that I am aware of, and that she need not make a commitment if she did not wish it. I want my sisters to be happy."

"I agree. It seems that you gave your sister very sound advice. I applaud you."

"Where does that leave us? Do we delay our trip?"

"Whether your sister decides to accept Bingley or not, we are taking our trip to Town."

She smiled at him, relieved. "I am happy to hear it."

Her brighter countenance astounded him. He remembered her flirtatious smiles from Hertfordshire, the faces she made as she would giggle with her younger sister and friends. Thinking on them now, after having seen her truly laugh with Julia and Thomas, they almost seemed fake. His wife was a strange creature, baffling him at every turn. He was sure every man in history had said the same of their wives, or of women in general. Every time he thinks he has a grasp on who she is, something new makes itself known.

He had been raised with the idea that the ladies in the life of a gentleman were to be treated with the utmost respect and care. Often, he had applauded Darcy in his care for his sister, keeping her from all harm. Equally, he had censured the men who had little to no respect for their wives, daughters, sisters, and mothers. Never, however, had he ever equated a lady's behavior to how they were treated by the men in their lives before becoming heavily involved with the Bennets. Oh, he knew that a young woman's behavior mirrored how she had been raised, but the severity of it had never stood out in his mind.

Catherine had been raised in a home where she adapted to receive attention. Her mother was never checked by her husband, and her father was never checked by his wife. Each parent equally allowed the other to act in what manner they chose for themselves. It was unpardonable in his eyes. He would not like his marriage to become like that, and he had great hopes that it would not, if he and Catherine continued on the path they were currently on.

He sat in a nearby chair. "I have decided to buy your sisters a new spring wardrobe. Nowhere near what you will receive, but I thought they might like a few new items."

"Lydia will, I am sure. That is very generous of you."

"Yes, well, your father and I did not discuss an allowance, and I figured it was the least I can do."

"This wouldn't be another way you wish to show yourself the better man to him, is it?"

He grinned wickedly at her. "Certainly not." He hopped up and moved behind her as she began to fiddle with the objects on her dressing table. Unbeknownst to her, he admired the wide neck of her nightgown and wondered at the appealing nature of the garment. He was quickly coming to realize he loved these moments best with her. Up until recently, he had gladly put certain ideas to the back of his mind, but he was finding it increasingly difficult to do so. Leaning down, he did something he had never done before. He kissed the side of her neck and, raising slightly, softly told her good night. He did not look back as he left the room, but he could feel her eyes watching him.

He kissed her. He had actually kissed her! On her neck! Kitty was sure her blush covered her from head to toe. What did it mean, though? She had seen her father press the occasional kiss to her mother's head, but he did that to her and her sisters as well. Struggling, she couldn't recall her father kissing her mother in any other manner. She had seen men in the village steal kisses from some of the women before, and once, she and Lydia caught Betsy pushed up against a wall by one of the stable hands. That was a shock! She had also often heard young ladies talk about stolen kisses, and they had been featured in a few of the novels she had read, but she couldn't recall someone being kissed on the neck.

She had watched him leave her room; his movements were more stiff than usual. Was he embarrassed? Kitty wasn't sure she wanted to know. It had been nice, and she found she hoped he did it again. If he were embarrassed, he might not do it again. She pondered on it as she meandered on to bed and settled in.

Marriage was difficult. Before the incident, she had little thought of what it meant, and after, there had been little thought to how it was between a man and his wife, other than what her mother had tried to tell her. The whole of her marriage to this point was to teach her how to act and run the estate. Did Oliver now believe she was ready for more, or was he the one ready for more?

It was so confusing! And did she want more? She could admit to herself that she found her husband very handsome, and much more so than anyone in a redcoat she had ever seen. No, she had certainly come to appreciate a good blue, grey, or black coat. What should she do?

She would talk to Julia! Yes, Julia would know what it meant and what to do!

With that settled, she closed her eyes and rested peacefully.

Morning came and with it, the routine seemed to continue, but that morning, when Grandmother turned to ask what Jane thought, Kitty decided to put in her thoughts first.

"Actually, Grandmother, I was wanting to focus on the rooms on the North side of the house. I know they are not often as used, and I can't help but think it is the perfect time to do something with them. No one would be in the way, right now, on that side of the house."

Grandmother gave her a pleased smile. "You are absolutely right, Catherine! Now would be a good time. I had thought to recommend putting Mr. Bingley there for his stay, but I don't think any of those rooms have been redone since my son was quite young."

"We can put him down from Oliver's old rooms. I believe that is where Mr. Darcy stays when he comes?"

"Hmm. It is a little too close to your sisters' rooms, for my comfort, but Mr. Bingley has never struck me as the mischievous type, not like Oliver, Thomas, and William. He would have to sneak down the stairs and past my rooms first in any case, and he is far too clumsy for that," she chuckled.

"William?" Lizzy asked. None of them had heard of a William mentioned before.

"Mr. Darcy, dear."

"His name is William?"

"Fitzwilliam," Grandmother smiled. "It is a mouthful, so he always preferred William."

"Mr. Darcy is mischievous?" Lizzy asked, incredulous.

"Don't let his serious demeanor fool you. That young man has been the leader in more than one of their adventures."

Kitty sat there and thought for a moment. She had heard of a William mentioned, but never asked who he was exactly. Suddenly she gasped. "Mr. Darcy was the one who instigated the incident with the horses and the pond!"

"What?!" her sisters exclaimed, while Grandmother laughed.

"Yes, that was him."

"What incident with the horses?" Lizzy demanded.

"Nothing I can say," Kitty chuckled. She didn't think her husband would like her sisters to hear the outcome of that story.

"That is unfair, Kitty."

"I am sorry, Lizzy, but I cannot share it. Oliver doesn't even know that I know. I heard about it from Julia."

"And I doubt he wants you to know," Grandmother replied, knowingly.

Kitty watched Lizzy and tried not to laugh. She knew her sister did not care for Mr. Darcy, so her learning this information was going to eat at her until she knew the whole story. She silently wondered how long Lizzy would keep before she burst.

Poor Lizzy. lol.