Chapter 2

As usual time goes on often faster than one might think it should. That was the case for our dear Kitty. The time came when both her sisters returned to Longbourn. Jane from London and Elizabeth from Hunsford. Kitty remained melancholy this entire time, but for some unforeseen reason her family remained oblivious to it. Lydia assumed Kitty was alright since she would still laugh along with her in her exploits. This was mainly done so that her family would leave her alone in her grief, as well so she wouldn't have to explain how silly and stupid she had been.

When it came to the officers, she barely paid them any attention anymore. Only speaking with them when they addressed her specifically. One interesting observation Kitty noticed however, was Elizabeth new reserved manner when she spoke with Lieutenant Wickham. She found it interesting how when she talked less and listened to those around her she gained much in the form of observation. In doing so she also noticed how those in their neighborhood looked at her younger sister Lydia and even her herself when she giggled along with her. She became deeply embarrassed and she suddenly realized what Phillip had meant all those months ago. He had responsibilities and expectations from his family, meaning her conduct would be an embarrassment to him. That had to have been why he hadn't been willing to ask for her hand then. She understood now why any elopement would be scandalous, but she had often wondered why he didn't just ask her father formally for her hand. Now she knew...she had needed to mature before he would declare himself to her father. Although it didn't matter anymore since they ended on such harsh terms with one another.

One day Lydia and her two older sisters and mother came back from a visit to their Aunt Phillips house where there had been a card party. Kitty had a headache that day so she begged off of the invitation. The party returned to the house in an uproar for Lydia had been invited to join Colonel Foster and his wife when the regiment left for Brighton. Jane and Elizabeth were trying to reason with her how she shouldn't go, but she declared loudly how their father wouldn't stop her. It was an argument that lasted several days until Mr Bennet decided she should go for she would never calm down until she exposed herself in some way.

Kitty herself had no desire to go or see any of the officers. They only reminded her of her silliness and the man she loved and lost. Before her devastating experience she would have begged to go claiming herself as older and having more of a right to have been invited. Her sisters were slightly surprised by her silence but never commented or even thought about it too much. Not too long later Lydia was set to go off to Brighton and she was constantly bragging about it to Kitty, hoping to make her jealous. Alas it didn't work, for as we have already discovered Kitty had no desire to be there.

Lydia left for her desired trip and the house quieted somewhat. There was still the constant piano playing filling the house with melancholy melodies from Mary and their mother was constantly complaining about how the constant racket bothered her nerves. Some time later Elizabeth left for a tour of Derbyshire. It was suppose to have been a tour of the Lake Districts but their Uncle Gardener had some work that interfered with the trip. So they shortened it to just a trip to Derbyshire. Kitty would have loved to go on this trip, but Elizabeth had been promised that prospect. She also found no desire to complain or beg as was her usual habit. Kitty had quite grown up and no one noticed. Not even Sir Lucas who had been asked to report to Captain Stanford took note of this change in her personality and temperament.

With two of her sisters gone from the house Kitty found some new purposes for her life. She started walking more, and as a result she developed a rosier completion. She started drawing more with no fear of her younger sister declaring how dull she was for doing so. Kitty had always loved drawing, but she usually only worked on it when she was away from Lydia. Her talent was quite good and the more she practiced it improved to enormous bounds. Her drawing and painting took on a very realistic quality and had anyone saw they they would have been very impressed. Lastly she made friends with Miss King whom Lydia despised and claimed was an ugly freckle faced thing. Kitty never agreed with this statement since she herself sported many freckles. Miss King it turned out was very pleasant company and she pushed Kitty to take an interest of music. Within a short time Kitty's voice improved from Miss King's gentle instruction. She also learned why Miss King's engagement to Wickham had been called off, it seemed Wickham was only after her dowry. This hit home for Kitty, for Lieutenant Wickham seemed to be a gentleman. This was the kind of man to be weary of and why a lady could never be too careful.

Lydia would often send Kitty letters while she was away, most of the time exclaiming at all the balls and assemblies she was able to attend. One particular letter however caused Kitty much distress. Lydia claimed in the letter she was going to elope with Lieutenant Wickham. She also explicitly stated how Kitty was to keep this news in confidence and so that she could come visit Longbourn as a married women to share her news to the family. Kitty didn't even give herself a few minutes to finish the whole letter before she ran down the stairs and pounded on her father's library door.

"What on earth is it...come in!" Mr Bennet called out.

Kitty rushed in saying, "Oh Papa, you must read this letter at once and stop her." She then pushed the crumpled letter to him and he stared at her in shock. His daughter Kitty had never been so forceful before. He shook off his shock only to become enraged upon reading Lydia's carelessly written letter.

"How long have you had this letter?" He demanded.

"It has just arrived...I brought it to you before I even finished reading it."

"When will you silly girls ever learn to use some sense and decorum." He harshly spat out. Kitty flinched as if she were slapped and her eyes flooded with tears. She had already learned to use sense and decorum, otherwise she never would have broken Lydia's confidence. Her father continued, "You are not to speak of this to anyone. Not you mother or your sisters is that understood!"

"Yes sir." She replied and at this point her tears were streaming down her cheeks. Mr Bennet dismissed her with a wave of his hand. He would have to leave immediately in order to stop this elopement and he couldn't be bothered by sniffling females.

Kitty ran to her room quickly before any of her family could question her based on her appearance. She decided to claim a headache and retire there for the remainder of the day.

Several days passed after the arrival of the scandalous letter and Mr Bennet had left almost immediately after he read its contents. Mrs Bennet was in an uproar, since she didn't know the reason for her husbands swift departure. She kept claiming they would all be destitute for she knew Mr Bennet would surly get himself killed. Jane was such a dear during these turmoil times and did her best to calm their mother down, not that it did much good. She had thought about writing to Elizabeth about their Fathers unexpected travels but decided against it since there was so little information. Mary played piano like usual for her and Kitty went for long walks to escape all the noise. Being she was the only one who knew why their Father left so suddenly she worried in silence as was instructed of her. She hoped her father would get there before Lydia had a chance to ruin herself and by extension her and all there sisters.

It was on this day as she was walking that she noticed a carriage approaching. As it drew closer she spotted her father and Lydia inside and hoped her sister had been saved. She hastened her walk in order to intercept them and she arrived at the front of the house just as they were exiting.

"Well Kitty, at least I still am getting a husband. No thanks to you." Lydia said the second she seen her. At that moment the rest of the household came out from the manor.

"Whatever could you mean? Are you still marrying Lieutenant Wickham?" Kitty whispered to Lydia.

"No, apparently father didn't think he would make a good husband. Fortunately however, Denny is very much in love with me. When he saw father was visiting he asked for my hand and now we are engaged." Lydia explained as she sidestepped her wide eyed sister. Then she announced to Mrs Bennet, "Oh Mama, I shall be the first daughter married since Captain Denny has asked for my hand."

"Oh...oh...my sweet sweet Lydia this is grand news. We must start planning right away. I knew you would catch one of the militia men's eyes. I am sure he loves your liveliness..." they mother exclaimed in raptures as she lead her youngest soon to be married daughter into the house.

"Papa, how did this happen?" Jane asked before Kitty could formulate her thoughts.

"Well I was alerted to Lydia behaving somewhat wildly, but upon arrival Captain Denny just happened to take a fancy to her and asked for her hand. I was quite astonished I dare say, but while although he doesn't have a large income he can support a wife. And I shall leave it to him to tame down her exuberance." As he was saying this he gave Kitty a firm look that she knew indicated she wasn't to say anything about the planned elopement.

Kitty did as she was told and never mentioned the elopement. As they headed inside the plans for the wedding were discussed. Lydia would be married as soon as the banns were read. Captain Denny had been given leave already for the occasion, but he wouldn't arrive until the night before the wedding. It was all a bit much for Mrs Bennet to plan a wedding so quickly and to say farewell to her youngest and favorite daughter. There was much drama and smelling salts needed in order to make it to the actual day, but arrive it did. Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrived back from their tour of Derbyshire about three days before the date and Lydia got her wish of all her sisters being her bridesmaids as she was the first to marry.

The wedding day arrived and although Lydia ignored Kitty for the most part before the date she did confide at one point she was glad she was marrying Denny and not Wickham. She liked how Denny seemed devoted to her whereas Wickham always seemed to notice other women. Lydia was the jealous sort so she was very content at the turn of events, but she was still mad at Kitty for her not keeping her elopement in confidence. So their relationship remained strained.

The ceremony was rather simple, after all Denny was not a man of a lot of means. Lydia however was happy and paraded her husband around in front of her single sisters. The wedding breakfast was held at Longbourn and it was a very pleasant for all in attendance. Mrs Bennet was a good hostess and so everything went off without a hitch at least on the day. Before hand there was of course lots of drama.

At the end of the breakfast they all gathered to bid their youngest sister farewell. She was now a married women and as such she declared her sisters could write to her, but she would be much to busy for regular corespondents. Then husband and wife entered the carriage and left heading to Brighton where his regiment was. Kitty stared as it rolled away a tear falling down her rosy cheek as she wished it had been her leaving with Captain Stanford as her husband.

Please let me know what you think of the story so far. I am writing FanFictionstories to see if my writing is good enough to eventually publish some of my original short novels on amazon. So any review is much appreciated. (Although this story is not edited, so just so you know there could be a few errors) Thanks for reading!