Thanks for all the new reviews, follows, and favorites! I do greatly appreciate them. There will be no more updates until closer to New Years. I have a lot going on for the next week and a half. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Mr. Bennet and Mr. Andrews ironed out a few more details. Kitty was so happy, she wasn't sure what to do with herself. Both gentlemen went through the contract with her. She was in awe of the entire ordeal. Her intended was very kind. She giggled at the title. Her intended. She liked how it sounded. Mr. Andrews had decided to delay his trip by a few hours, enough time to be able to share the news with her family. He would be making the trip on horseback, so he would still make excellent time, or so he said. Finally, her mother and sisters arrived.
"Oh, Mary, stop complaining! I am not forcing you to throw out your old dresses, I am ensuring you have nicer choices when we attend parties and assemblies. I do not see why you wish to be so ungrateful!"
Kitty could hear Mary's huff and couldn't help but smile.
"The new patterns are very modest Mary," came Jane's gentle tone. "They will not be much different from the dresses you wear now."
"You will look lovely, Mary," said Lizzy, Lydia's giggle following her statement. "Papa! Kitty!"
"We are in the drawing room, Lizzy. Bring your mother and sisters," her father called back. Kitty was practically bouncing in her seat. Mr. Andrews grinned beside her.
Mrs. Bennet was the first one through the door, the rest following closely after. "Mr. Bennet, your secretive manner is not helping my… Mr. Andrews!"
Her mother and sisters stared wide-eyed at the man, who was sitting very close to Kitty and smiling at them. Kitty was almost certain her smile could not get any wider.
"Now, Mrs. Bennet, is this any way to greet the man whom you shall soon be calling your son-in-law? And in only a few short weeks too."
"Mr. Bennet!"
"Calm yourself, dearest. I assure you this is not a joke devised by myself. Mr. Andrews came early today to ask my permission to marry your fourth daughter. In fact, he was so eager, he had to wait in my study while I finished my breakfast."
"Oh, ho ho! A daughter married!" She rushed at her daughter and pulled her into a crushing embrace.
"Mama!" she laughed. Kitty managed to glance at her sisters to see Jane, Lizzy, and even Mary smiling at her happiness. Lydia stood, mouth gaping.
All talk of the shopping trip was put on hold, much to Mary's pleasure. Mr. Andrews explained his visit that day and his need to make haste to his estate in Nottinghamshire.
"Oh, that is so far away! It is hard to think of my Kitty being so far from me!" Her mother's outburst nearly caused a scoff from herself. She was pleased with her mother's reaction, but she had never paid too much attention to Kitty before now.
"Fear not, Madame. My own mother resides in the neighborhood, and looks to do so for some time. We will have ample reason to come and visit at least once a year." He sent a wink to Kitty when her mother began to exclaim over how good he was.
Lydia finally spoke up for the first time. "Well, I shall expect a present from you still, and a good one at that, when my birthday passes in June. And of course, I am sure you will have me come to stay with you for a Season."
Kitty frowned and was about to have her say when Mr. Andrews broke in. "I am sure we would be happy to, if the circumstances allow it, once you are seventeen." Lydia opened her mouth to rebuttal, and Kitty was sure her mother was wanting to have her say as well, but Mr. Andrews quickly continued. "Your neighbors are very permissive, but London Society is not so forgiving."
"But I'll be near eighteen before the opportunity arrives!" she whined.
He shrugged, unconcerned. "There is always Bath."
Lydia quieted for a moment, and then nodded. She liked the idea of Bath. Mrs. Bennet once more gushed over him. Kitty was amused to see her father looking pleased, as well. Undoubtedly, it was her intended's ability to handle their family. Kitty knew she already adored him for that fact alone. He didn't seem bothered by them at all. Soon, it was time for him to take his leave. He promised to return as soon as he could, but said that they should expect his mother to call upon them a great deal in the meantime.
The couple were not granted another moment alone, his eyes spoke of his happiness and also his annoyance for the journey he must make. He rode away, and had barely made the gate when her mother was upon her again.
"Oh, Kitty! You have saved us all! Oh, and he is such a good man, and handsome too!"
They had turned to return to the house when Lydia called out for their attention. "Look! Here comes Lady Lucas, Charlotte, and Maria!"
Mrs. Bennet's gleeful smile was almost frightening.
That evening, they dined with the Phillips. Mrs. Bennet glowed as she moved about the room, sharing her family's good fortune. Kitty had been happy to learn that Mrs. Andrews was also present.
"Miss Catherine, I am so pleased to see you, and even more so as I shall soon be able to call you daughter."
Kitty and Mrs. Andrews were sitting together in the drawing room. They had not been able to say much to one another until that moment, having been seated so far apart and Mrs. Andrews having arrived a little later than the Bennets.
"I trust Mr. Andrews journey was delayed no longer than it already was."
"No, he came rushing in, happy as I ever saw him, shouted that you had accepted him, and then dashed off to collect his things and left with only his valet as company. That son of mine!" she laughed.
"Will he be alright?"
"Yes. He has done it before. I do not like it, but if he feels it will get him there quicker…, well, we can hope he handles the matter quickly and returns."
"Do you know what the matter was? Or can you not discuss it?"
"I do not know the particulars, but I know those involved. Two families that have lived on the estate for a few generations now, and have feuded just as long. I do not think even they know why they are quarreling anymore, only that they are taught from the cradle to despise one another. The Hopkins and the Sawyers. Both good, hard working families. If it weren't for the feud, I would say they were the ideal tenants. There hasn't been more than the occasional brawl between them for a long time, which is why we haven't bothered with it. Attempts at helping them to mend the quarrel between them have been made, but it always ended badly. My Jamieson's father warned them that the next time a major incident occurred, the offending family would have to go. I imagine this is why Oliver had to see to the problem in person."
"That's horrible!"
"Hate is horrible, especially hate that exists for no real reason at all."
May
Dearest Catherine,
I hated to have to leave in the manner I did, but it puts my mind at ease that we were able to settle the details in the short time we had. The one good consequence of this whole ordeal, is that I shall not have to wait near as long to make you my wife. Not many understand just how unpleasant some of the expectations of being the Master of an estate can be. For several generations, two families have feuded on my family's land. Perhaps those who came before me should have made sure the matter was settled before now, but it was always put off and the occasional threat tossed around. This time, there could be no threat.
My grandfather had warned them that there would be grievous consequences should one of the families go too far, and they finally did. Though some might think a woman too delicate to hear the details, I do not believe you are so delicate that you should not know what has taken place at the estate you shall very soon call your home. Mr. Sawyer was angry that Mr. Hopkins managed to purchase a plow horse he had had his eye on before he could make arrangements for the purchase himself. In his anger, and with the aid of a large amount of drink, he thought that burning down the Hopkins' barn was an appropriate reaction. He very nearly killed the Hopkins youngest child along with the two milk cows, seven chickens, and saddle horse that did perish in the fire. While Mr. Sawyer is very regretful for his actions, and disgusted with himself for nearly causing the death of a child, what is done is done. He was handed over to the magistrate and his family are now required to leave the estate. I have managed to find his family a home at the estate of a friend, farther north.
It is my hope that I shall be able to return by the end of next week, bringing me back into your presence a week before we wed, and giving our mothers the chance to parade us around together for all of Hertfordshire to see. My good friends and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Bates look forward to meeting you. Mrs. Bates is still new to the area herself, having married Thomas only last summer. Her family's estate is located near Bath. I believe Mrs. Bates and yourself will get along very well. You have the same delightful disposition. Besides allowing visits from Thomas and Julia, I have made it known to my neighbors that I am much too engaged with my estate to allow for calls. I am told daily that many of my neighbors are speculative as to why, and even more so as to why I shall be leaving again so soon.
Mrs. Croft is extremely pleased that I shall soon be bringing her home a mistress for the estate. I am almost certain I mean absolutely nothing to her anymore. I am only a means to an end. She said she would be more than happy to assist you should you still feel you need the extra tutelage.
Only yours,
Oliver.
Kitty smiled as she reread the first letter for the third time that day. She had received five others, but this one was her favorite, if only because it was the first. She had only to wait until the end of the week and he would be back. They had been so busy at Longbourn with preparing for the wedding, her trousseau, and packing the items she wished to take with her. Her mother flowed between being triumphant over having a daughter about to marry, and heartbroken over 'losing one of her babies.'
Kitty had finally accepted that her mother was who she was. Jane had confided that their mother realized at the assembly that Mr. Andrews did favor her fourth daughter over her 'more beautiful' firstborn. Since then, she has not underestimated any of her daughters, hence her seeking to improve Mary's appearance. It seemed to finally occur to her that all of her daughters were capable of attracting a husband. Mary was not impressed with her mother's revelation. Since Kitty's engagement, her mother had given little attention to her middle daughter, but Mary knew it wouldn't last. She lamented that on the day her younger sister left on the arm of her new husband, she would become a focal point for their mother, for Mary needed the most assistance in that woman's opinion.
Already balancing so many things, Kitty managed to spend a good deal of time with Oliver's mother. Often, the lady would call upon them at Longbourn, or Kitty and at least one of her sisters would wait on her at her house just outside of Meryton. It was very well situated. While it was not as large as a manor, it was certainly not what one would term a cottage either. It perfectly fit the gentle born woman. She had been considered a godsend while discussing plans with her own mother, knowing the exact thing to say to both dissuade and encourage Mrs. Bennet in a direction she knew would please her son as well as Kitty. So now, all they had need to do was wait. Wait for her intended. Wait for her wedding day.
She looked back over the most recent letter. He had asked her to call him Oliver when in private. The thought made her blush. Besides childhood playmates, she had never referred to a gentleman by his Christian name. She supposed she should not be surprised. Though she knew her parents did not, she saw no reason why a wife should not call her husband by his name, and him hers. Jane and Lizzy had asked her how she honestly felt about marrying Oliver. She ended up confessing her first encounter with him, and many other things, such as the fact that she liked that he referred to her as Catherine instead of Kitty. She had never liked her name so well until he spoke it. Her sisters proclaimed her truly in love and laughed with her.
Knowing her family would be waiting for her, Kitty straightened her appearance and made her way downstairs. They were dining at home that night, a rare occurrence as of late. Not even Mrs. Andrews would be joining them. She was dining with her brother's family who, at best, were accepting of Oliver's choice of a wife. Kitty had surprised herself by understanding their opinion on the matter. They had obviously hoped for a more advantageous match for their nephew and cousin, but there had never been any bad blood between the Richards and Bennets, and there wouldn't be now. Mrs. Bennet was blissfully unaware that they could have ever had an opinion that was not in full support of the match.
Their dinner this evening was informal. Kitty was glad for it. She and her family sat down and conversation soon filled the room.
"Kitty, may I have your blue spencer?"
"I already gave you the grey, Lydia."
"But the blue flatters me better than you. And you are having three news ones made, anyway, among other things. I doubt you'll wear it anymore."
"Fine."
"Lizzy, Mrs. Whitman informed me today that her nephew was quite enamored with you!"
"Mr. Markham is a respectable gentleman, Mama, but I am afraid he holds no interest for me."
"But Lizzy! He has three thousand a year! You would not have as much as Kitty, but you would be very well settled."
"I wouldn't care if he had ten thousand a year. Money does not sway me, Mama. Unless I am lucky enough to find a man who loves me as well as Mr. Andrews does Kitty, I shall remain an old maid."
"Oh! Why was I bestowed with such an insupportable daughter?! Mr. Bennet, say something!"
"What would you have me do, Mrs. Bennet? Lizzy has decided to be fastidious over choosing a husband, and I cannot help but lend my full support on the matter. Indeed, I should not force any of my girls into marriages they do not want. However, you are free to offer up as many gentlemen for their choosing as you like."
"Mr. Bennet!"
"Let us dwell on a happier thought. You are about to have one of your daughters married. You have only one week more before you will no longer be boasting over her engagement, you will be victorious in having her married."
Her mother pouted, but was accepting. "Kitty, did you receive a new letter from Mr. Andrews today?"
"Yes. Things are going well and he still expects to return no later than Friday. Though, Mrs. Andrews said he may return a day or two earlier and not think twice about surprising us all."
"How inconsiderate. One should always be as precise as possible so as to not inconvenience their friends."
"Tis all in good fun, Mary. He has told me he and his closest neighbor are friends and spent much of their childhood pulling tricks on one another."
"And his mother has often lamented the fact, Kitty."
"It does not bother me in any case."
"Well, dear child," said Mr. Bennet, "it is good that you are accepting of every faucet of your intended's personality, and that you are aware of them. Not all are as fortunate."
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!