By the next afternoon Kitty was cured from the ill-effects of champagne she was not however cured from the heartache she felt. The honeymoon was over for her. She had spent a blissful week with Julian, but he was back to Lord Matlock for her. Went they met for tea she asked him, "When will we go to London?"
"In two days I think. Unless you'd rather stay here longer?" He asked, she thought somewhat hopefully, but she ignored it and responded saying they should leave as soon as possible, citing anxiety over getting clothes made, seeing his mother and meeting his sister in law.
"We'll leave the morning after next then. I look forward to showing you the London house Catherine."
"Is it very grand?"
"Oh, well yes it's very old too. It makes a nice picture. My Sister in law and mother both worked hard to make some of the rooms quite comfortable."
"Will they be living there as well?"
"No, they have chosen to live together in a house that belonged to my grandfather. My mother's father that is. I think they thought it best to allow the newly married couple their space!" He remarked as he gently took Kitty's hand, "I'm glad for it Catherine. You've made me the happiest I've ever been."
Kitty smiled at his proclamation and squeezed his hand back. She could not bring the feelings she had to her lips. He had made her the happiest and most torn woman. She loved him. She loved his kindness and openness, how he smiled and winked at her. She loved dancing with him, and sleeping in his arms. Her heart ached for him, the man that sat only a foot away, but whose love might as well have been a million miles away. Yes, she made him the happy. She filled a void in his life, warmed his bed, stood next to him as his Countess, but how much happier would he be if it were not her sitting here holding his hand, but her sister Elizabeth? Kitty could not help but wonder. And these thoughts tore at her emotions. She resolved to be brave. She was glad to be married to a man she liked and loved. She would carry on and count her blessings.
They shared a nice evening together. They took their meal leisurely. Lord Matlock taught Kitty to play chess after dinner and she found her bond to him growing stronger as he exhibited humor and patience while she learned the complicated game. It was late when they went to bed together. Kitty let Lord Matlock in, as the man she loved. She hoped to give him a son. Perhaps that would turn his admiration for her to something more.
The next morning the couple were sitting together in the library. It was a comfortable room, one which the couple had spent many hours in over their honeymoon. Presently Lord Matlock was working on some correspondence at his traveling desk. The very one Kitty had snooped in at Pemberley. She shuttered when she thought of the memory. Surely Lord Matlock did not take his Aunt's opinion of her into serious consideration.
She sat reading a novel while he wrote. They made a lovely picture of domesticity, but it was interrupted by a footman who knocked before interring on Lord Matlock's command.
"There is a messenger here for you my lord."
"Send him in."
The young messenger came in and handed Lord Matlock a note. Kitty recognized him as one of Mr. Darcy's men. He had wind burned cheeks from riding. Lord Matlock read the note and then looked to the messenger.
"Please go take some refreshment downstairs."
The young man left and Lord Matlock turned to Kitty, she spoke quickly before he could begin, "Is my sister okay? Is everything okay?"
"Elizabeth is fine. It's a message from Georgiana. Edward Smythe's family has been looking for him, and questioning Darcy. She broke down and told him the whole. His very upset with Georgiana and me. She asks I come smooth things over."
"Oh yes! Of course you must," she responded.
"Kitty, I'm sorry. I'll leave at once. I'll ride Wonder. I'll be there in under two hours, smooth things over with Darcy, and be back before dinner."
"Surely you should just stay the night Julian."
"And sacrifice the last night of our honeymoon? Never. I'll see you for dinner," he assured her with an embrace and a kiss.
Not half an hour later Kitty watched Lord Matlock ride away through an upstairs window. She hoped that Darcy would understand Lord Matlock had not been purposely deceitful by concealing from him the scandal with the footman. He had chosen not to tell Darcy because he was busy celebrating his anniversary, and also with the ball and the announcement of Elizabeth's pregnancy.
Kitty never really expected Lord Matlock to be back for the evening meal. She had instructed Cook to prepare something small and simple. Kitty ate alone in the dining room, with a footman standing near. She asked him for a small favor and he responded, "Yes Lady Matlock."
It startled her. Surely she had been called Lady Matlock before, but always in the presence of her husband. It was rather lonely without him tonight. She felt suddenly very young and false. Like an imposter. Who was she to be sitting here ordering about the footman as head of the house the Countess, Lady Matlock?
She retired to her room after dinner. She called for a bath and took her time, luxuriating in the heat of the water. Yes, she may feel a bit false, but there certainly were perks of being Lady Matlock.
There was still no sign of Lord Matlock by the time Kitty was dressed for bed. She figured that he and Darcy had taken longer than expected resolving the issue with Edward Smythe, and that he had chosen to stay at Pemberley. They could postpone going to London another day she supposed. She had rather been looking forward to the last night of their honeymoon. It was with these thoughts that she drifted to sleep, only to be woken at midnight by Mrs. Wells the housekeeper.
"My lady. I'm so sorry to disturb you, but there's a problem."
Kitty felt fear rise through her chest, "Yes, Mrs. Wells?"
"I've just spoken with one of the stable boys. Wonder came back twenty minutes ago in a real fit."
"And where's Lord Matlock?"
"We don't know my lady."
Kitty sat up straight, "Tell me everything Mrs. Wells."
"That's all we know my lady. The stable master has already sent out some of the lads to look for Lord Matlock. Wonder has a gash on his chest. They fear he's been thrown off," Mrs. Wells began to tear up and brought a handkerchief to her nose, "I'm so sorry my lady."
Kitty was by now getting dressed, "Stop sniffling Mrs. Wells! Everything will be fine!" Kitty surprised herself with her authoritative tone, and evidently Mrs. Wells as well because the older lady straightened up immediately and turned saying, "Yes, yes. I'll get you some tea my lady."
"Have a fire lit in the front room," Kitty yelled after her.
Minutes later Kitty was in the drawing room pacing, while a fire was being built up. She'd taken a few sips of tea but was too preoccupied to allow it to soothe her. She was worried. Very worried. She refused to let it overtake her though. She was Lady Matlock and while Lord Matlock was missing she would maintain order in this house! She paced between the tea, the fire, and the window for ages. Each time she reached the window she would look out into the dark and try to find some movement. Some sign that the search party was returned.
After making the circuit twenty or thirty times she was rewarded with seeing a commotion out the window. Moments later the commotion moved into the hall. The stable master and hands had Lord Matlock's limp body, and were carrying him into the house. Mrs. Wells stood near, but Kitty took control.
"Bring him in here, by the fire," she commanded.
The strong males laid their master on large cushioned bench by the fire. Kitty took in the figure of her husband. She had known immediately he was alive. Hurt but alive, unconscious but breathing. There was a gash on his head that bled badly, and a mangled knee under his dirty riding clothes.
"Call the doctor," she told someone, "We need hot water and towels. Hurry!" Then to the stable master, "Where did you find him?"
"On the property my lady, not five minutes from the stable. Seems Wonder missed a fence. We found Lord Matlock laid out 'bout ten foot from one."
"Thank you for your help. Please tend to Wonder, and go get some rest."
"Thank you. Yes, my lady."
Kitty turned to Mrs. Wells who was standing by eager to help, "Please stay with me until the Doctor comes Mrs. Wells. I fear it will be a long night." It was then that Kitty felt a small crack in her emotions, but she breathed through. The doctor would come and set things right. Lord Matlock would be okay. He had to be okay, because she still had not told him she loved him.