After her cry and a good rest, Kitty called for her maid who came and helped her dress for the afternoon. Elizabeth had planned a tea for all the overnight guests, most of who would be leaving the next morning. Kitty was a few minutes early but the door to the assigned room was ajar and she heard her sister Lizzy's laughter coming from within. Kitty quietly entered expecting a small crowd, but was surprised to see only Lord Matlock and Elizabeth. She was sitting close to the fire in a fine high backed chair. He was leaned over next to her, smiling and admiring something on her hand.
The pair abruptly looked up when Kitty entered the room.
"Oh Kitty, come look at my new ring!" Elizabeth called out.
Kitty halted. The ring! Her heart skipped a beat and then sank to the bottom of her stomach. After their earlier discussion about the wedding Kitty was feeling more confident than ever in her relationship with Lord Matlock. She hoped and assumed after the past week that the admiration he had for Elizabeth was subsiding, and his admiration for her was growing. She thought surely him asking her to help with Georgiana's situation had meant he respected and highly regarded her. Kitty, who had already spent part of the day crying did not know how to react.
"I just came to say I'm feeling rather ill. I have a headache, I think the sun this morning was too much. Please excuse me from tea and dinner." She did not wait for a reply, only turned and left.
Elizabeth did not concern herself with Kitty's headache. She figured her sister drank too much wine at the ball the night before, and would be better by the morrow. Lord Matlock, not quite understanding that many times a lady's headache was more emotional than physical thought nothing of the exchange at all.
Kitty did in fact feel a bit better by the morning. She had taken her meal in her room, and spent many hours pondering over her predicament. Lord Matlock was kind, and good natured. He was pleasant and although not the most handsome man, his countenance made him very attractive. He was titled. He was rich. She counted herself very lucky to be engaged to him. She who a week earlier had cried to Elizabeth about getting away from Longbourn at any cost, now had a clear path to do just that. She thought of her friend Charlotte Collins. She had married the most tiresome man around, and was still very happy. Kitty realized her situation could be much worse. She had told her sister she did not care if she married for love, and she was determined to have that remain true.
Elizabeth came to Kitty's room in the morning to check on her recovery.
"How are you feeling Kitty? Are you improved?"
"Yes thank you. It was only a headache, I feel much better now. But how are you feeling sister? We've had hardly a moment alone. Congratulations on your pregnancy Lizzy. I'm so excited to be an aunt two times this year."
"Thank you. I'm feeling well. The first few weeks were difficult. Now I tire easily but have no serious symptoms beyond that."
"The ball must have worn you out!"
"Yes, Darcy was so concerned. All evening he kept telling me to sit and rest. He was fetching me food and drink! He's never been one to really wait on anyone. I found it quite entertaining!" Elizabeth laughed, and Kitty with her too. "He's been quite concerned about me. His mother died when Georgiana was a baby you see."
"I didn't know."
"He's determined I'll have the best doctors, the best medicine, the best everything!" Elizabeth said.
"You're lucky to have a man who loves you so much Lizzy," Kitty said feelingly.
"I am. Look at this beautiful anniversary gift he gave me," Elizabeth said. Kitty peered at her sister's outstretched hand. There was a beautiful emerald ring on her middle finger.
Kitty gasped, "Lizzy, it's BEAUTIFUL!"
Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you."
"Was this the ring you wanted me to see yesterday?"
"Ah yes. Lord Matlock was admiring it when you came to tell me you were ill."
Kitty chided herself internally. She had spent half of yesterday in admiration of the man, and the other half lamenting over his love for her sister. She resolved again and finally to just be happy with her situation and move forward. She tried to convince herself that the mystery of the ruby ring may never be solved and that it truly did not matter.
Elizabeth spoke again, "Kitty I've been wanting to talk with you about your engagement."
"Oh?" Kitty asked.
"Yes, as your older sister I think it my responsibility to point out the importance of the position you are going to hold. You will be looked up to, and you will be very accountable to many. Kitty, you will need to represent your family and Lord Matlock's in a mature and responsible manner. Do you understand?"
Kitty found herself rather annoyed at Elizabeth. Of course she knew the responsibility she was about to take on. She was terrified of it! But rather than pick a fight with her sister and prove that this conversation was necessary she assented.
"Darcy and Lord Matlock's Aunt is not pleased with the engagement Kitty. I fear she may try and make things difficult for you. But I want you to know that Darcy and myself especially will support you in your marriage. Lady Catherine has tried to scare me many times and to no avail. You need not fear her either."
"Thank you Elizabeth. I confess she does give me nightmares! But Lord Matlock has promised to protect me from her as well."
"Has he?" Elizabeth asked, "Well he is very kind. He admires you a great deal Kitty."
"Do you think?"
"I know. I see him looking at you. Also, Darcy and he have spoken some. Darcy is open with me, and has told me that he believes Lord Matlock has much improved since arriving at Pemberley. He had been grieving this past year and was being somewhat neglectful of his responsibilities. He was doing anything he could to distract himself from his obligation."
"Which explains why he was kissing a maid in the kitchen of his cousin's home," Kitty halfheartedly joked.
"I think so. Lord Matlock is not generally that kind of man. I think this shift in attitude is part of why he left this morning."
Kitty's heart sunk a little. She had hoped to see him once more before he left, "Oh he's gone already?"
"Yes. He said he needed to take care of some things before the wedding. I suspect he has quite a bit of business with his steward. Darcy is persuaded that Lord Matlock is ready to be a good and true Earl."
"And you've come to warn me that I need to prepare to be a good and true Countess."
"You understand me exactly Kitty."
The rest of the day went by quickly. All of the guests left other than Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Mary who would be staying another few days. Kitty said her goodbyes to all. There were a few she was sad to see leave like her sister Jane and Mr. Bingley, and others she was not sad in the least about saying farewell to such Mrs. Thomas and her aged husband. She fought to not roll her eyes as her cousin Mr. Collins said his farewells; which were laden with compliments, congratulations and apologies to Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and in the most well-meaning manner told the Darcy's that as clergyman if they found they needed their counsel in restoring the balance in their relationship with Lady Catherine to call on him at any time day or night.
Over the next few days, Lord Matlock's absence was felt the most at meals. He was an excellent conversationalist and would have carried this family party well. As it were, Georgiana was more reserved than usual which came from a fear of outing herself to her brother. Mr. Bennet hardly ever spoke at meals or otherwise. Mary did speak but no one heard her, and so Kitty was left to converse with her mother which had her thanking the heavens Lord Matlock was not there, because much of the conversation consisted of Mrs. Bennet guessing at the size of his estate and what Kitty's pin money would amount to each year. Mr. Darcy, who knew the answers to these ponderings, but only abided his mother-in-law with the thinnest veil of patience rooted only in his love for his wife, made absolutely no conversation other than to Elizabeth. To her he asked every few seconds if she were comfortable, if her meal was satisfactory, if she needed more drink, and would she like a cushion. Finally Elizabeth turned to her loving husband and told him if he were going to act like a nurse maid for the next six months she would lose her sanity. This quieted him until the next course came, when he could not help but ask her if she could abide the smell, because had not roast mutton made her ill six weeks ago?
The next few days passed uneventfully until Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Mary were to depart. Mrs. Bennet was particularly emotional when taking her leave of her middle daughter, "Oh Kitty, my dear favorite daughter. I am so happy. The next time we meet shall be your wedding. I am so blessed. All my daughters are well settled. Except Mary of course, but no matter."
Kitty was left with very little distraction while awaiting the return of Lord Matlock. During that time Mr. Darcy had one correspondence from his cousin. The letter was very thick and Kitty hoped to hear a long report on her fiancé but had to settle with Mr. Darcy telling her that "Lord Matlock was well and his mother and sister-in-law look forward to meeting you."
This information was just enough fuel for Kitty's imagination. She had spent this down time at Pemberley reading novels, and thus began make up stories in her mind that ranged from a horrid mother-in-law who hated her for trapping her beloved and only living son into marriage; to an invalid for a sister, who had broken her back falling down some stairs and insisted that Kitty wait on her hand and foot. It was in this manner which Kitty passed the time before Lord Matlock's return. Of course none of her imaginings came close to the truth, which was that both women were very kind and truly did look forward to meeting her, as they credited her with the recent positive change in Lord Matlock.