This is a story about Cathrine Bennet taking place during and after the events of Pride and Prejudice. I have always liked Kitty's character, probably because I can feel her desire for attention. In this story it is about how she falls in love, meets with heartbreak at a young age and by chance meets her lost love in the future after all her sisters are married.

Chapter 1

It was a gloomy day with snow flurries mixed with rain shooting down like pellets from the sky. It was a perfect representation of how Kitty was feeling. She continued to gaze out the window of the room she shared with her younger sister Lydia. Her tears had not let up for the past two hours, for that's when her heart shattered like a delicate wine glass thrown at a brick wall. In most ways she blamed herself for this unfortunate outcome, and she realized how right her father had been all along. She was by far the silliest girl in all of England, and she had ruined her future happiness.

She cried all the harder as she remembered the first time she saw the man she would fall in love with. It was at a party the Lucases had hosted, and they had included the militia in on the invitations. Both Kitty and Lydia were ecstatic, for that meant there would be plenty of young men to dance with. And dance they did, to every single set. It was about midway through the evening when she met him, and he was by far the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was in his regimentals with the title of Captain Stanford. He was of average height for a man, although he seemed tall to Kitty for she was the shortest of her sister. His eyes were hazel and Kitty loved how they seemed to twinkle with mischief. Captain Stanford's hair was a light brown with curls that had a mind of there own, but he kept them in check so that his hair did not look unruly. The attraction Kitty had felt seemed mutual for he immediately asked her for a dance set after their introduction.

Most of the time Kitty felt as if she couldn't carry a conversation with a handsome gentleman, and when that happened usually Lydia was there to fill in the silence. But when she talked with Captain Stanford it never felt awkward, even if there was a moment of silence. They had discussed books they both liked, and he told her of some of the places he had traveled to. Kitty was amazed by what he said and she longed to see the world outside of Hertfordshire. She had never even been to London to visit her relatives, somehow her and Mary were the only two of the sisters who never had that opportunity. None of the sisters had a London season, but the ones who went did have the opportunity to see some of the sights on their short visits.

After their dance set was done and Captain Stanford returned her to her mother's side he met Lydia. Kitty was terrified he would fall for her younger sister since she was so much prettier than herself. At least that is always what Mrs Bennet would say. Captain Stanford however seemed very little impressed upon meeting Lydia. Lydia batted her eyes and practically pushed him into asking her to dance, but he never did dance with her. He seemed immune to her charms and Kitty hoped that meant he was enamored with her.

As time passed it seemed very likely that he did like her quite a lot. Somehow the only one who noticed their attachment was Lydia. Their mother was distracted with pushing Jane towards Mr Bingley and everyone else was either distracted with there own interest or trying to curb Lydia's exuberance. Lydia would always try and steal Captain Stanford's attention away from Kitty and the girls quarreled more than normal as a result. Though Lydia still confided in Kitty whereas she didn't trust her other sisters, and that is how Kitty knew that Lydia really liked Lieutenant Wickham. She only tried to flirt with Captain Stanford when Lieutenant Wickham was paying more attention to Elizabeth or Miss King.

As the months past Kitty knew she was in love. At every party she would spend the vast majority of her time with Captain Stanford, and she confided in him all her hopes and dreams. She even expressed her desire to be called Kate instead of Kitty, but how her family laughed at the idea a few years ago and she continued to be Kitty. Captain Stanford reassured her he would find it a privilege to call her Kate. After that they seemed to have an unspoken understanding and once in a while he would slip up when they were speaking out of earshot and call her Kate, and likewise she would call him Phillip.

Kitty's thought turned grey in devastation when she recalled their last conversation. He had come to call with a few other of the officers including Captain Cater and Lieutenant Wickham. The rain and snow had not started yet so the gentleman suggested a walk to the three ladies. Jane was currently in London and Elizabeth was is Kent visiting Charolette Collins. So it was Kitty, Lydia and Mary who left for the walk with the officers. It wasn't long and all of them had paired up and the lady held the gentleman's hand as he escorted her. Mary didn't particularly like any of the officers but she did go along for the walk as she was pushed to by their mother.

Once they were at a bit of distance from the other couples walking Captain Stanford brought up a painful subject. "Kate...I have to go away from here... I am not sure if I shall be able to come back."

Kitty was shocked and exclaimed, "Whatever for, is the militia moving already?"

"No, I have sold my commission...I..I have received an inheritance of late...and I am expected to meet with some of my family to go over the details. I hope to come back and ask you father for your hand."

"But you just said you didn't know if you'd be able to come back. Do you have to truly leave right away?" Kitty asked with concern. She had a sudden burst of fear she would never see him again.

"I shall have a lot of new responsibilities and a lot expected of me. It would be hard to get away... but Kate I will come for you when I can."

"Oh Phillip... I don't like the sound of this at all. Please say you won't leave me...what of an elopement? Then I could go anywhere with you."

Captain Stanford brow turned into frustration and anger and he burst fort with admonition, "wherever would you get an idea like that. Thinking like that could ruin you. Promise me right now you will never attempt such a feat?"

Kitty wasn't a stupid person, she was unfortunately poorly educated resulting in ignorance. "But Phillip... I would never want to elope with just anyone... only you. Besides it could be very romantic."

"Kate, anytime a women accompanies a man without a chaperone she could be in ruin...and no man would marry her."

"I know you to be honorable. I would be safe with you." She countered.

"No. This is not the proper way Kate. We must wait till I can return."

Kitty could see the reluctance in his eyes, after all he was a man in love. He didn't want to leave her either, but his responsibilities could not wait. He also hoped with time Kate would mature and develop more decorum. His new standing in society would demand it.

"Can you promise me, that you will come back within a year?"

Captain Stanford wanted to say yes, but he was still unsure what was expected of him from his new position. He wished his cousin hadn't died so early. Then he could have married Kate right away, and not had to worry about her immaturity, her flighty demeanor or her vulgar mother. He was sure her mother would be an embarrassment, possibly even causing the ton to dismiss Kate, unless she grew up some. So he planned on coming back as soon as his friend Sir William Lucas had a good report about her for him. He hoped it to be within a year, but with her mother and naughty younger sister he doubted it. Some would find it surprising he could fall in love with such a young immature lady. But Phillip could see that inside she was a true gem, she just needed time to develop. Unfortunately he didn't have the time to watch and wait for it.

"Kate, unfortunately I cannot. But ..."

She cut him off quickly, "Then the only option is elopement. I cannot wait around for who knows how long waiting for if you come back. You could meet someone prettier than me and marry her and I would still be waiting in the dark. No it is either we elope or... or... we never see each other again."

Phillip couldn't fault her reasoning, but he could not stand by and not counsel her against such hasty decisions. "You need to grow up Kate! Do you understand how an elopement could ruin you and your sisters chance at marriage? Stop being silly and imagine what bad outcomes could befall you..."

Kate tried to interrupt his lecture a few times, but he wouldn't let her. He went on and described all kinds of horrible results that could befall a women who agrees to an elopement. Perhaps the man wouldn't truly marry her and she would be ruined. Perhaps her family would disown her from shame. Or that she would always be a source of gossip and never have the respect of her associates. He went in great detail, probably even saying more than he should have to an unmarried women, but he needed her to stay safe from unsavory men while he was away.

"Kate, I know you can grow and be better than this. Stop being like your younger sister and her silliness. Be your own woman I know you can be."

All Kitty could hear was the line about how silly she was. She had heard it often enough from her father for as long as she could remember. She had even told Phillip how hurtful she found it. She felt her heart shatter, and she felt stupider than ever. Elopements always sounded so romantic and now she knew the truth. It was a horribly dangerous endeavor for any lady. She wished she had never brought it up and she felt for sure that Phillip could never love or respect her after such a childish display. He was always in order and disciplined and here she was embarrassing him with her childish behavior.

So she gave him what he must be hoping for...release from any obligation he might feel. "I can understand how much of a embarrassment I would be to you. And I am sorry I have little understanding of the world around me. So I give you leave to move on with your life. I will not hold you to any hopes that may have risen from our friendship. I just hope the lady you eventually marry is smart and pretty. Everything I am not!" Kitty immediately ran off back to her home, despite Phillips pleas and her breaking heart.