Oh what a delight, the Knightleys had just left. I was glad to be rid of the walking dirt. We had only just arrived this morning and Katrina had already shoved the common fold upon me. I hadn't minded Hannah so much at first. She seemed educated, especially by the way her French sounded. She had gotten so mad over being called a peasant though. Perchance she thought she was better than that. Their certainly was premise for it, but I wouldn't believe it unless I saw it.
I walked down the stairs to the foyer, Katrina was waiting on me. I sighed as I stopped on the final step, "Before you yell at me, Katrina, I want you to know she brought it upon herself." I tried to defend myself.
"And how exactly did she do that, Darcy?" She tapped her foot upon the floor; I knew I was in real trouble now.
"She spoke perfect French and all I said was something about not thinking peasants could be so educated." I folded my arms.
"Seriously, Darcy? Hannah is one of my best acquaintances. I haven't seen her since I was twelve! I wanted tonight to be perfect." She turned to walk off.
"Look, Katrina, you know I don't enjoy the company of commoners. You should have left me back in London." I stomped after her with a pleading tone in my voice.
"Don't bother to apologize, Darcy. It's no use. And anyways you shouldn't be apologizing to me." She made her way to the living parlor and sat upon the sitting couch.
"Look, Kat', I know that I messed up, but there is no way I'll apologize her." I sat down beside her. I put my arm around her shoulders. I squeezed her to my side gently.
"You better or I'll keep you here in the country until next winter." She swatted at me playfully. We were like brother and sister. We never really could fight for too long before Katrina would crack a joke.
We both sighed as I pulled my arm back to my side. I gently rose to walk away towards the dining room. We hadn't even gotten the chance to eat dinner. I looked hungrily at the roast chicken and the potatoes. I sat down by myself; I didn't think anyone would join me now. That was until Katrina's sister, Evangeline, walked into the room. She had been at the house for weeks now.
She glanced at me, "Did the Knightleys even eat, Darcy?"
"No. Ms. Hannah Knightley got offended by me and dragged her family away." I bit into the chicken drumstick I had in my hand.
"Chasing away guests again?" She was kind-hearted and humor as her way around sticky situations.
"Perchance." I was still stuffing my face as I spoke. I was a quick eater. I didn't like the awkward conversations at the table. Especially with my best-friend's older sister. She had tried to seduce me so many times before, considering I needed a wife. I stood up leaving my dishes for the servants. That was their job anyways.
I walked up the stairs to the library with a sigh, looking amongst the books for something I hadn't read. I found the book that Hannah had left lop-sided upon the shelf. It had been my favorite book. She had good taste in books to say that least. The very least. I wondered if there was anything else surprising about her. I sighed and held the book tightly in my hand as I walked out of the library.
I walked towards the end of the hallway towards my chambers. I usually disappeared at this time to my room to write letters or read. Sometimes I would go to be straight away. I exhausted myself for days on end before I would finally crash. Katrina would nag me about this relentlessly. Telling me I was going to kill myself over this. I had laughed at her. But now, I felt as if I should have been more careful. I glanced towards my bed, now or later? I knew I'd be there eventually.
I sat the book down on the small table beside the bed. I would start reading it tomorrow. I stripped down to my undergarments and crawled into bed, nuzzling down beneath the covers. I wouldn't leave this bed until morning. By morning, I meant at this time the next day. When the sun was already set and there would be no one awake, except me. Then, I could sit along and read the night away, only I couldn't get what Katrina had said out of my head. Something about the Knightleys coming back tomorrow. I just decided to deal with it tomorrow.