"Oh Lizzy, thank you for having me, and allowing me to come a bit earlier than the other out of town guests for your anniversary ball."
Elizabeth smiled at her sister's showing of growth and maturity, "Of course Kitty. I hope things haven't been too difficult for you since we all left home."
The sisters, about three years apart in age were seated on the foot of Kitty's bed. Kitty had already dressed for bed. Elizabeth looked at the younger lady intently. She had always been a nice looking girl, but never considered a great beauty like their oldest sister Jane. But, Elizabeth thought, she had much improved since their last meeting. Kitty's hair was down and she wore a long sleeved white nightgown. It was February and still quite chilly. She had fine clear skin, and was similar to Elizabeth in coloring with dark eyes and hair. The fire in the room had turned to hot coals, and Kitty stared at it for a long moment before speaking.
"I've had a lot of time to reflect over the past year Lizzy," she started, "and I see that my actions in aiding Lydia were not honorable."
Lizzy, surprised by her sister's new attitude and abrupt upbringing of their somewhat estranged sister's hasty marriage was not sure how to reply.
"Ah, well that is a great sign of maturity and understanding Kitty. I'm proud of you for seeing the situation for what it was."
Kitty looked down at her hands and began picking her nails, a sign of her slight nervousness, "and Lizzy, I don't want to be at Longbourn anymore."
"You will be here at Pemberley from now through spring Kitty and soon you will miss home again."
"No, Lizzy you don't understand. Mother is driving me absolutely mad!" Kitty's voice into a whine familiar to Lizzy, "I've been upset with Lydia for a while now, I truly felt slighted after she went to Brighton and then ran off with Wickham! Mother is so proud of her and for no good reason! It isn't fair Lizzy! Mother is just like Lydia and I cannot stand it anymore."
Lizzy could see that perhaps Kitty hadn't changed all that much, but was happy that her complaints were finally focused in the proper direction. Elizabeth reached out and touched her sister's shoulder in a calming gesture and said quietly, "Please Kitty, it cannot be that bad,"
Kitty looked up with tears brimming in her eyes. "But it is Lizzy! Mother has gotten much worse since you left! She's always complaining of not getting to see Lydia and Wickham. Some days I'm fearful of father's response. If it's wearing on my nerves is certainly wearing on his."
Elizabeth nodded encouragingly to Kitty so the younger lady continued, "and I must admit I'm a bit selfish about the situation."
"Selfish, how Kitty?"
"I want to get married myself!" She responded with exasperation. "You all escaped Longbourn and left me with Mother and Mary! It's awful." By now the tears had spilled forth, and Kitty gave a slight sniffle.
Elizabeth could see that in all the ways Kitty had come around and matured, there was still some of the old Catherine there. She smiled kindly at her sister "You will sister! You will find a man to love you for who you are. For your beauty, sincerity, and imperfections."
"Oh Lizzy! At this point I don't even care about all that! I just want to get out of Longbourn as soon as possible. If the man if half as kind and a tenth as rich as your Mr. Darcy I will be happy!"
Lizzy gently laughed at her sister, "Kitty, you'd be much better to marry for love than just as an excuse to leave Longbourn. What if your husband turns out to be unamiable? Then you may be just as miserable as you are now. Certainly being home at Longbourn would be a better alternative than an unhappy marriage?"
Kitty did not respond immediately but rather dried her tears which a handkerchief and gathered her thoughts before speaking, "You're probably right Lizzy. I'm just so lonely at Longbourn now. And seeing what you have here at Pemberley and with Mr. Darcy, and what Jane and Mr. Bingley have has just set off my emotions even more."
Elizabeth leaned over and hugged her sister tightly, "You will be just as happy as Jane and I one day sister. I'll make sure of it. Although I'm sorry you may never be as happy as our silly sister Lydia. You have too much sense my dear. A realist cannot ever be as happy as someone out of touch as her." Kitty chuckled in response and Elizabeth kissed her sister on the forehead and stood to move, "Perhaps at my anniversary ball some eligible young man from the neighborhood will sweep you off your feet!"
"Perhaps. And thank you Lizzy."
"You're welcome Kitty," Elizabeth walked to the door as she spoke, "and since the servants will be working so hard next week in preparation for the ball we've given them all the morning off tomorrow. You'll have to manage yourself in the morning I'm afraid."
"All off at once? A big house like this? What shall I do for breakfast Lizzy?"
"Oh I'm sure Cook has readied some cold things," Elizabeth replied as she slipped out the door and shut it quietly behind her.
"Goodnight Lizzy!" Came her sister's muffled response through the door.