I cannot say that I am too pleased with this chapter. It is little more than a filler. I really wanted to get something out for y'all. I may have one or two more fillers before the ball. I know I said in my Author's note that they next would be the ball, but I intended for this one to be longer. Thank you for your patience. Things are so much better, though I am very busy.
Kate and Georgiana were sitting in the parlor facing the street. The Bennet family were due to arrive at any moment. Kate was excited and hesitant all at once. She wanted to introduce her friend to her family, but she knew how her family could be, and it wasn't always positive. According to her sisters' letters, both her mother and father had made some changes in their lives, yet were essentially the same. That was hard for her grasp; how could one be the same yet different. She just hoped that Georgiana came away with a positive view of her family and didn't remove herself to her brother's house.
Georgiana, too, was excited and anxious. She hoped her dear friends' family liked her, especially her sister Elizabeth, as her brother seemed to be on his way to giving her his heart. From what she had learned of the Bennet family, they had an entirely different dynamic than she was used to. She had one sibling and a few extended family members. Kate had a mother, father, and sisters. That was another difference; Georgiana had one brother while Kate had four sisters. Georgiana had never been close to either of her female cousins, so she had no idea what having a sister was like. She assumed it would kind of be like the friendship she had with Kate. She couldn't wait to see how the sisters behaved with one another.
"How much longer do you think it shall be?"
"I don't know. It depends on if they were able to leave on time and what delays they had if any. It shouldn't be too much longer."
A few minutes later, Marianne decided it was time to have tea. The ladies were having a lively debate on lace verses satin when the arrival of the Bennets' was announced. Tea was put away and the ladies adjusted themselves accordingly. It was not long before they heard the dulcet tones of Mrs. Bennet.
"Oh, what a lovely house this is! It has been so long since I have been invited to see it. I do believe it has had some work done."
"Indeed it has, Fanny. I had the entire house updated and redecorated near two years ago," said Marianne, as the family entered the room.
The girls all exclaimed after their Aunt and rushed to greet her. Georgiana stood to the side as the family reacquainted themselves, trying not to feel awkward. They were certainly boisterous. After a moment, Kate remembered herself and went to her friend.
"Mama, Papa, Jane, Lizzy, Mary, Lydia, I would like to introduce you to my very good friend, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgie, this is my family."
"Oh! A pleasure it is to finally meet you, dear! My Kitty has written much about you, and your brother…"
"Mama, do not overwhelm her, and it's Kate, not Kitty. Please?"
"Oh, of course dear. I keep forgetting. I fear you shall always be Kitty to me. Well, there is nothing for it, I will do the best I can in company."
Kate was a bit surprised. Normally, her mother would deny all and keep going with her behavior. This was different. A good different, but different. She looked at her father and saw him give her a small smile, which she returned.
"You must be tired after such a trip. Mrs. Williams will see you to your rooms if you like?"
"Thank you, my dear. I believe we shall," said Mr. Bennet.
Kate and Georgiana followed behind her sisters. "Mama and Papa are on the first floor, near Aunt Mari. You, my dear sisters, shall be on the second with Georgie and I. Each floor has its own parlor, but other than that, the first and second floor are all bedrooms. You will find two sitting rooms, Uncle Bertram's old office, the kitchens, dining room, the library, and a small ballroom on the ground floor. It could never hold a party of the likes we shall be attending this Friday night, but Aunt says it is great for smaller ones."
"Do you think Aunt would be alright with me looking through Uncle's books in his study?" asked Mary. "I remember he had quite the collection of culture books. I have been reading a bit about India and I would like to see what he had."
"Books on culture? You really are broadening your reading material. Next, you'll be reading romance novels."
Mary blushed a bit and rushed into a room claiming it as hers. Lizzy chuckled. "She already has."
Kate laughed and showed the sisters their rooms. It did not take them long to settle, so they decided to spend some time together in the second floor parlor. "Miss Darcy, it really is a pleasure to finally meet you," started Lizzy.
"Please call me Georgiana. All of you. I have heard so much about each of you from Kate, and she has shared your letters. I hope you do not mind."
"Not at all. Please, call us by our given names as well. I believe we shall all be fast friends."
Georgiana was very pleased. The young ladies just sat and smiled at each other a few minutes before Jane started a conversation about their travels. They spent the next hour getting to know one another. Lydia was surprised to find she like Georgiana Darcy very much. She was prepared to dislike her, as she was so close to Kate now, and was a little bit jealous that she knew her sister better. Georgiana's sweet disposition made it very difficult. As did the young ladies knack for including everyone in a conversation.
"So," said Lizzy, "I hope you do not think me rude, but I find myself very curious, why have you decided to continue your stay with my sister instead of staying in your brother's townhouse? I would think you would like to spend some time with your brother."
"I do not find it rude. It must seem strange, but I so enjoy being in the company of other young women. Were I to stay with my brother, I would be in a house full of gentlemen, and bored to tears. If I stayed with my Aunt, she would involve me in her party plans, and I would be bored to tears."
"Who is staying with your brother then, if his house shall be full of gentlemen?" asked Lydia.
"Richard and Mr. Bingley."
"Who's Richard?"
"Colonel Fitzwilliam," supplied Kate.
Lydia caught Mary's eye. "So, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and the Colonel are all staying here in Town?"
"How often shall we need to expect them at our doorstep?" asked Mary.
"Mary!" cried Kate. Though she knew her sister was a bit playful now, it still took her by surprise every time she witnessed it. There was no denying her sister retained much of her former, serious disposition, however.
Georgiana chimed in, "I know! I cannot wait until we have them all in the same room together."
"And just how are we going to lend to your entertainment by having gentlemen join us?" asked Lizzy.
"Well, there is Jane and Mr. Bingley, Kate and Richard, and you and my brother."
Lizzy looked a bit shocked. "I am, ah, afraid I have no idea what you are talking about. Your brother and I are friends."
Lizzy looked around for the other girls to lend their support. All she found were the smirking faces of her sisters.
"Lizzy, I thought we were past denying what is there. We all know there is something, though neither of you have said anything to the other," said Jane.
"Fine. There is an attraction. But that is all."
Georgiana gave Kate a significant look. She wanted her friend to share what transpired between herself and Richard. Kate sighed and motioned for Georgiana to share it instead. So, the young woman filled the rest in, with Kate adding a detail here and there.
"He has declared himself!" cried Lydia.
"Not quite," said Kate. "He has made it clear that he likes me, but he wants me to have a Season, to be sure of what I want. He also wants the chance to be his own man. But, he was very clear that he would not be far from me. Above all, we want to get to know each other a little better."
The young ladies couldn't help but giggle. To take the attention off of herself a bit, Kate asked Jane about Mr. Bingley.
"So, has your Bingley given any indication of his feelings for you?"
"Well, he hasn't danced with another lady besides his sisters, our sisters, and myself at the last few gatherings. He always seeks me out, and he has been sharing some of his plans with me. He talked about wanting to settle down soon, make a home."
"Oh, Jane! That is wonderful!"
"A few days ago, he came to talk to Papa. Papa has been giving me odd looks ever since."
This, of course, caused cries of delight. Lizzy obviously already knew, as she look very smug. Marianne chose that moment to enter the room.
"What on earth is going on in here? I believe they were able to hear you on the other side of the Thames."
"Nothing!" the girls cried in unison, trying to stifle their giggles.
"Alright, keep your secrets then. Come on, ladies, it is time for dinner."
I am trying to bring out Mary's newer character a little more. She is still serious and studious, but she has a sense of humor too. I really struggled writing this one. The next should be a little better. The gents shall be making a visit. And because I have replaced the Author's note with this chapter I will add in the end of my note: I have settled on who I want for Charlotte, and Mary will catch the eye of someone at the ball. Just a little teaser. Will Lady Catherine cause a scene? How soon do you think Bingley will make a move? Will Darcy and Elizabeth have a whirlwind romance, or will it be a slow burn? These questions and more shall be answered. Comment and let me know your opinions. I enjoy reading them and they do help to spark ideas.