Kitty's earlier fears were unfounded. Not one hour after her meeting with Elizabeth she was face to face with Lord Matlock, who was preparing to propose. They had been brought together and left alone in a small drawing room. The room was only small in comparison to the others in the house, and in fact was rather bigger than Kitty had been used to rooms being. It was well lit by morning light streaming in several large windows. As she looked out upon the gardens of Pemberley, she thought on the responsibility her sister Elizabeth carried being the wife of the owner of such a large estate. It was a heavy load indeed. One which her sister carried with ease and grace. Kitty was overwhelmingly aware that she had not the first clue what a Countess' responsibilities were, but she was sure they would be much more than Elizabeth's even. She felt she certainly couldn't live up to her sister's ability. She began to feel very nervous. She feared that this man who was being forced to marry her, would not approve of her ignorance.
The man, Lord Matlock, was standing not two feet from her and rather than look out the window he looked directly at her. In his mind he was trying to draw a resemblance between Kitty and Elizabeth. Kitty was taller, and a bit thinner. Her eyes were dark and hair just a shade lighter than Elizabeth's. It was not so much Elizabeth's person that he loved, but her quick wit and fearlessness. He wondered how Kitty matched up to her sister in that regard. If her bold flirtations were any indication, he hoped this Miss Bennet would be a close match. He cleared his throat and began to speak, "What a fine picture you make looking out that window Miss Catherine Bennet. You're ready for your portrait I'd say."
She smiled but could not bring herself to make eye contact or speak.
"Ah, you were not so shy when I met you in the kitchen this morning," he teased.
She blushed at this and looked over to him, this was a language she spoke. A flirt equal to any she teased back, "Hiding behind my maid's costume made me much bolder than normal my lord."
Lord Matlock laughed out loud at this and stepped forward. He grabbed Kitty's left hand, much as he had that morning in the kitchen, and looked into her eyes. He felt a strange calmness surrounding what he was about to do. He had not proposed before, and certainly had not been planning on proposing today, yet he felt not an ounce of nerves about the matter. Looking at Kitty he felt perfectly at home.
"Miss Bennet," he smiled, "will you marry me?"
She could not help but smile back as she replied yes.
"I was not really prepared for this, you'll have to wait on a ring. Until then shall we seal it with a kiss, Miss Bennet?"
It was then Kitty found herself being kissed for the second time that day by Lord Matlock, her newly betrothed.