So many sweet reviews! And I can't even reply to them! Thank y'all! I am not adverse to having people request pairing, however, I cannot promise if or when I would get to them. I do have an idea for a Jane/Darcy and I have actually started writing a Lizzy/Colonel one. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouragements, and even critiques. I like that think my writing is improving from when I started two years ago. I hope you enjoy this chapter. This story is mainly light hearted. I have another Kitty/Oliver that has a bit more angst, for my stories anyway. Not sure when I will start posting it. Anyway, enjoy!
Sitting just outside their garden's secret door, Kitty worked quietly on her drawing. Today she was working on a piece involving one of her father's hounds and a squirrel. The hound was sitting at the base of a tree, staring up into the branches, and the squirrel would toss the shells from his nuts down to the dog. It did not take her long to finish. Once she had, she began to think of the night before.
She had a lovely time at the assembly. She had danced only one other dance, and that was with Mr. Andrews. But before the night was over, everyone had begun to act so oddly. Her mother never harped on her about taking up so much of Mr. Andrews' time. She worried that Jane's discussion with her might have planted the expectations she had feared, but her mother never spoke to her on the subject. Ever her father would stare at her as though he were confused. Jane and Lizzy were positively giddy, there was no other word to describe them. It was odd. She was thankful that Mary and Lydia were not behaving out of character. Even Mr. Andrews had behaved differently. She was never able to muster the courage to find out what made him so unhappy earlier in the evening. Whatever it was, she had concluded it couldn't have been caused by her.
She gathered her things and walked back to the house. As she made to return to her room, she ran into her father, literally.
"Oh, Papa! I am so sorry!"
"It is alright, Kitty. No harm done," he said. He then looked to what she carried in her arms. "Ah, Lizzy told me you had taken back up your talent. Might I see what you are working on?" he asked eagerly.
She nodded her head shyly and began to shuffle through to show him what she thought was her best.
"These are good! Very good, indeed!" he smiled at her. "I am glad to see that the years of no practice have not hindered your natural ability. You have even improved from when you put your implements away. Might I have this one?" he indicated to the one she had just finished.
"Of course, Papa!" she beamed. He handed her back the rest and smiled before he continued on to his study. Kitty felt good. It had been a long while since she had garnered her father's approval. She thought she might show him a few others later, perhaps after dinner. She returned her things to their proper places, fixed a few stray hairs, and left for breakfast.
Breakfast was an interesting affair that morning. There was not much talk going on around the table. She thought her father must be pleased to be able to enjoy his paper in peace. She never understood why he would bring it to the table. He never got to actually read much of it with his wife and daughters constantly biding for his attention. Her mother appeared thoughtful that morning. A very strange sight. Mrs. Bennet was rarely so silent.
"This is ridiculous!" exclaimed Lydia, unable to take the oddness any longer. "Why are you all so dull this morning? There was an assembly last night! Surely someone has something interesting to say!"
"I had a lovely time," put in Kitty, wishing to bring about some kind of normalcy to the table.
Lydia scoffed. "I don't see how! You danced only two dances, and not with anyone I would ever descend to dance with."
"Mr. Bloomberg is a respectable man," said Jane, before being cut off by Lizzy.
"And you are still angry that Mr. Andrews did not dance with you and has yet to ask you since."
"I'd like to see how you would like it for someone to refuse to dance with you!" sneered Lydia.
"I am not so bold as to ask for one, so it is doubtful I shall ever know."
"Girls, girls! Not at the table!" complained Mrs. Bennet. "My nerves cannot handle such disturbances so early in the day!" She took a deep breath and calmed. "Lydia, you are quite pretty enough to attract the attention of any man you choose, but sometimes they are distracted by another and that can cause them to behave strangely," she said with a smile at Kitty. It was unsettling. "All of my daughters are beautiful enough to do so. Well, Mary would be if she would try! Mary, I think it is time to buy you a few new things. Your dresses are entirely too dull."
Mary's utensil was suspended between her plate and her mouth. She looked both surprised and a little frightened to have her mother's attention on her person. It didn't even register that all of the eyes of the table's occupants were upon her. "Pardon?"
"Your clothes! They do not favor you at all! And why must you have your hair fixed so tight?! A few curls will soften your look, as well. Yes. Mary, today you and I shall make a trip into Meryton. They have a better selection than in the village here."
"I do not see a need for new things! Pretty trappings mean nothing to me. I wish to retain my presence of modesty and righteousness."
"You can be just as modest and righteous in prints that favor you and cause your best attributes to stand out. Unfortunately for you, men do not look on your internal attributes as much as the outer ones. If you wish to attract a husband that suits even your tastes, it would behoove you to improve your appearance a little. There is certainly no harm in it." Mrs. Bennet returned to her meal, her mind made up. A full minute went by before she looked up and noticed her family was staring at her with various degrees of shock. "What do you mean by gaping at me as though I have grown two heads? Finish your meals. We have much to accomplish today."
Sure she could not take another moment of this new reality that had presented itself, Kitty set down her fork and stood. "Well, I am quite satisfied. If anyone needs me, I shall be in the drawing room."
She passed Mrs. Hill as she left the room.
Meanwhile…
Oliver rode down the drive to Longbourn. He knew it was early, but he wished to have an audience with Mr. Bennet. He hoped that his early arrival might enable him to hide himself in Mr. Bennet's study until the man could join him, and remain undetected by the others within. He jumped from the saddle and tossed the reigns to the stable hand. Once inside the house, he managed to convince the housekeeper not to announce him, but to instead pass a note to Mr. Bennet, informing him of his presence.
He was not waiting long when Mr. Bennet joined him. The older man closed the door and narrowed his eyes as he took in his guest. Oliver cleared his throat.
"Mr. Bennet, I apologize for calling so early and in such a manner, but I received an urgent message from my steward and I must leave as soon as possible to handle a situation that has arisen at my estate."
Mr. Bennet huffed and moved around his desk to sit. "I must admit that I am quite confused at this point. To which daughter does this concern?"
"Catherine," he smirked, holding back a chuckle at the man's shocked, yet accepting, face.
"Well, it's hard to know from day to day here. My wife's information and attitudes change so frequently, it is hard to really know what is going on. I see no reason to stand on ceremony, so you may get straight to your point."
"I wish to ask for her hand in marriage."
Mr. Bennet considered his words. "Are you sure it is Kitty you want? My daughters do not have a grand inheritance and their connections are far from desirable."
"An uncle in trade may not be ideal, but more and more tradesmen are making the leap into our circles. Those with the money have the power, and let's be honest, many of the nobles and the gentry spend a great deal of money to keep up their lifestyles. More than many of them actually have. The world is changing Mr. Bennet, and I would prefer to change with it, for it will whether I wish it to or not. As for her lack of fortune, it does not matter to me. I have enough wealth to see to it that she and any children she grants me will be taken care of, even in the event of my untimely death." He pulled some papers from his coat. "I wrote these up two days ago. We can adjust anything you find necessary before finalizing and signing them."
Mr. Bennet accepted the papers and began to read through the. The room was silent except for the occasional rustle of paper. "One hundred pounds a year?" he asked with raised brow.
"I thought it an acceptable amount, and no one could claim that she came to me with nothing. Figures need not be discussed in polite society. The mere knowledge will suffice."
He thought for a second that Mr. Bennet was offended, but then he shrugged and continued to read. "It seems you have covered every eventuality. Are you sure you would want to take on the responsibility of the others should I meet my own 'untimely demise'?"
"It is expected. I am sure I can survive it. If not, I am very capable of taking a house for them elsewhere."
Mr. Bennet chuckled. They quickly concluded their business. He would need to be gone for no more than a month. He and Mr. Bennet would see the minister about the reading of the banns. All that remained was his asking the lady herself. Mr. Bennet allowed him the use of his study. He sat upon the settee and tried to relax, but the fear that she still might refuse him lingered.
"Are we really going to do this?" asked Kitty as she gathered her bonnet and spencer.
"Mama is taking Mary shopping. I would never forgive myself if I missed the spectacle," laughed Lizzy, "and you will not wish to hear of it second hand."
"And yet I fear she must."
"Papa!" exclaimed his daughters. They did not hear him approach.
"Mr. Bennet," said Mrs. Bennet, entering the room, "have you decided to join us as well?"
"No, Mrs. Bennet, I have duties I may yet need to perform this morning, but I do require Kitty's presence, so she shall be unable to join you on what I am sure is to be a most amusing trip. Lizzy, do be sure and enlighten Kitty and I on all the details when you return." He turned to Mary, who had joined them as well. "Do not be so downcast. I daresay you shall be able to come up with some very agreeable compromises that will make both you and your mother happy."
"Can we go now?" whined Lydia. "Maria is to come this afternoon and I do not wish to miss her. I do not see why I should go. And why does Kitty get to stay?"
"I would think you would be happy at the prospect of shopping, and Kitty's business is her own" stated Mr. Bennet.
"If we were shopping for me, I would be happy to go," she suggested, her eyes begging.
Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes. "I am sure you could do with a few more ribbons and trinkets."
Lydia squealed and Mrs. Bennet beamed. "Oh, you are good to us, Mr. Bennet."
He ushered them out of the house and into the carriage, waving them off with Kitty glancing at him curiously. Once they were well on their way, Mr. Bennet directed Kitty to the door of his study. He stopped her outside it and turned her to himself. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek, opened the door, and headed towards the drawing room. Feeling very confused, Kitty tentatively entered the study.
"Mr. Andrews!" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"Your father told you nothing?"
"He told me to remain behind while my mother and sisters went into Meryton, and then left me at the door. What is this? Has something happened?"
"Yes, in fact. A problem as arisen between two tenants and it requires my immediate attention. It has caused me to advance my plans."
"You're leaving."
"I am afraid so, but I hope to return in a few weeks, no more than a month, if things work out as I wish."
"I thought you planned to remain at your estate for some time?"
"And I still do. My return here would not be for long."
Kitty was feeling a mix of emotions. Her entire day had been so unfamiliar. She was beginning to wonder if she were still asleep and this all a dream.
"Why are you telling me this?" He looked nervous, but he gestured for her to take a seat on the settee. Once she was comfortable, he too, sat upon the seat. Her body suddenly felt sensitive, as though she could feel the faintest movement in the room.
"From the moment I met you, you have captivated me. I have spent much of the last five weeks thinking of you. The more I learn about you, the deeper my attraction grows. I came here today, for the purpose of seeking your hand. I wish to make you my wife."
Kitty found it difficult to breathe. "This has to be a dream."
He smiled. "No, this is no dream."
She felt tears gathering in her eyes. "You don't want marry me," she croaked. "There are much better choices. I don't even know how to be a wife."
He knelt before her. "Catherine, is there anything other than your disbelief in my feelings and you surety of your being unsuitable that has hindered your reply?" She shook her head. "Then let me ease your mind. I really do desire to make you my wife. I had settled the matter in my mind two days ago, and then your dance with Mr. Bloomberg," he spat, "only further secured it. I only regret that I was not allotted more time to convince you. As to the other; I have at my estate a housekeeper who has been begging me to take a wife. She has been much worse than my own mother. Mrs. Croft would be delighted to assist you in any way you need it. Please, Catherine, will you marry me?"
She was sure that her eyes and nose were puffy, but she smiled widely all the same. "Yes."
He smiled at her as he stood bringing her with him. His looked ask for permission, which she granted. It was fleeting, but Kitty was sure she would never forget the feeling of his lips upon her own. They then went in search of her father.