Chapter 5
Miss Darcy's come out ball was to be in three days and thankfully the dressmaker had been true to her word and Kitty had two ball dresses to chose from for the event. As a result Jane had taken Kitty shopping for a few accessories, namely ribbons and hair combs. The hair comb was to be a gift from Jane. She wanted to do something to help her sister find a match. And since Kitty's gowns were rather simple compared to the ton, she found a pearl hair comb that she purchased for her. She also planned on letting Kitty borrow a set of her pearl jewelry.
On this specific day however Jane and Kitty were to Join Elizabeth and Miss Darcy for tea. Kitty knew it was unfortunately during visiting hours that they were heading over to the Darcy town house. She hoped no one else was present during the visit.
The carriage ride to the Darcy house was rather short since Kitty's two elder sisters lived in the wealthy district of London. It was rather close to Mayfair or so Kitty thought. Mayfair tended to be where the titled gentry lived. As they arrived Kitty noticed two carriages were already in front of Darcy house. So her hope of a quiet tea with her sisters was dashed. So far Kitty had not met anyone other than her family in town, since her wardrobe had not been ready. Now however she had received not only the two ball gowns, but also a few day dresses and a dinner gown. Her opera gown was still not done but as of yet they had no plans for the opera.
Jane and Kitty made their way into the parlor, as they followed the housekeeper Mrs Kelly. Mrs Kelly knocked and introduced them. "Mrs Bingley and Miss Bennet ma'am."
"Oh...I am so glad you are here Jane. Let me introduce you to our guests. Of course Georgiana is with us and may I introduce His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Cavendish Earl of Langly, and his sister Lady Hastings Countess of Pembroke. You Grace Duke of Devonshire, Lord Cavendish and Lady Hastings may I present my sisters Mrs Bingley and Miss Bennet."
Kitty curtsied acknowledging the introduction. As she looked up she observed her new acquaintances. She first looked upon Lord Cavendish and then Lady Hastings, he was hansom to be sure and she remembered from their dinner the other night that these two gentlemen must be Miss Darcy's suitors. Lastly she looked at the Duke of Devonshire and her heart stopped. Staring back at her were the hazel eyes that have been haunting her dreams as well as her daydreams. This was her Philip….but this man was a Duke! As well as the other suitor Miss Darcy had mentioned. She suddenly felt faint and she didn't hear Elizabeth inviting her guests to sit down. They all stared expectantly at her….
The Duke of Devonshire noticed how pale Kitty had become so he made his way over to her swiftly and reached out to steady her. Before he could even touch her arm and steady her, she slowly started falling.
"Kat….M-iss Catherine…" he exclaimed as he swiftly caught her unconscious body before she could hit the floor. In the moment no one noticed him address her incorrectly. As the only unmarried sister left she owned the title of Miss Bennet, and a new acquaintance would not have known her forename. Her two elder sisters also did not recognize the Duke with the Captain Stanford from the past. He had after all spent the majority of his time around the Bennet family talking with Kitty, and therefore little time with either of them.
Elizabeth could not believe what was happening in her own parlor, she had hoped that the embarrassment caused by her family was in the past. But here she stood as her younger sister stared at and then fainted to gain the attention of a Duke. She took pity on the man and directed him to place her on the divan. Elizabeth then exchanged a look with Jane who looked more concerned than embarrassed by their younger sister. Elizabeth on the other hand was mortified. How could Kitty try to steal the attention of Georgiana's admirer. Although if she would have thought about it Georgiana had recently just meet the Duke and he had not as of yet made any preference of his own known.
While she was silently looking at Jane The Duke gently placed Kitty on the offered divan. Inside he was a nervous wreak, from having just seen her consciousness slip away from her. She looked so pale next to the color of the divan, it was a dark maroon to match some of the window coverings along the outer wall of the room. He wanted to place his hand on her forehead to make sure she wasn't feverish when Elizabeth quickly walked over. Even though the Duke didn't want to he moved out of her way.
Elizabeth felt Kitty's head and as she had suspected she did not have a fever. Jane by this point joined her sisters and she also placed her hand on Kitty's forehead. The room was deathly quiet as all the occupants of the room watched and waited for the young women to gain her senses. Elizabeth moved to a side table and pulled out a bottle of smelling salts, she herself never used them, but with a mother such as she had she developed the habit of always having them on hand.
She placed it under Kitty's nose and Kitty startled awake. The mixture of smelling salts that their mother used however never agreed with Kitty and as a result she started coughing. In the past year Kitty had had less fits of coughing, probably a result of her singing and the walking she had grown accustom to. Certain things however set her off, and this particular smelling salt was one of them.
Her coughing fit continued on for a while until Miss Darcy had pity on her and brought her a glass of water. Kitty drank the cool liquid gratefully until the tickle in her throat subsided enough so that she could contain her coughs. That's when she noticed everyone staring at her.
"Pray forgive me….I don't know what came over me." she stated in embarrassment.
"Well I dare say your color is returning." Lord Cavendish observed. He was a rather jolly fellow and always liked to point out the most positive perspective in any given scenario.
The Duke on the other hand was worried about Kitty so he asked, "Should we come back perhaps another day, so that Miss Catherine has time to fully recover." This time Kitty's sisters did notice his incorrect address of her. Elizabeth did however remember that the man had asked quite a lot about her family on their first introduction, she assumed he was seeing if he did want to marry Georgiana that the family she was connected to was acceptable. She also may have mentioned that her sisters were coming. She just couldn't remember if she mentioned their names. But she must have for how in the world would Kitty have ever met a Duke.
"Actually Your Grace...its Miss Bennet. I am the last of my sisters that is unmarried." Kitty corrected quietly. The man looked surprised at that revelation. Kitty added, "I am much improved now...I think after a cup a tea I shall be right as rain, and then you need not cut your visit short."
Jane fussed for a while making sure her sister was indeed alright, but in the mean time Elizabeth had a servant fetch some tea for them all. The visit continued on and other than a glance here or there at Kitty it seemed as if nothing had happened. Kitty for her part didn't say too much, she was in a way still processing that the Duke of Devonshire was her long lost love. And if what Georgiana said the other night was true, than he was vying for her hand. That was not something that Kitty could compete with. She had no fortune, very few accomplishments. Although her latest improvements in singing and drawing were excellent she did not think herself as better than any other average gentlewomen.
At one point in the conversation over tea, Lord Cavendish asked if Miss Darcy would dance with him the first two sets she had available at her come out ball in a few days.
"Yes sir, I could grant you the second and third set if that is your wish." she replied shyly all the while withholding a giggle. It gave her a very youthful appearance.
"Marvelous..." He said and was slightly cut off by The Duke of Devonshire. "Miss Bennet… would you do me the honor of granting me your first two sets?"
Kitty was shocked, could he still have affection for her? But one look at her sister Elizabeth and that thought quickly dissipated. Her sister although wearing a look of surprise also glanced her way with a look of pity. Her heart sank with the understanding that he must have felt bad for her with her fainting spell, as well as making sure she didn't feel left out when both men sought Miss Darcy out.
"Thank you Your Grace, I would like that very much." she replied softly. He then proceeded to ask Miss Darcy to dance, and all of Kitty's hope came crumbling down around her. Before Jane and Kitty left for the Bingley townhouse, Lord Cavendish asked Kitty to dance the sets after her sets with The Duke of Devonshire. She accepted and decided it was a good thing that she would not be a wallflower for the evening.
The ride back to the Bingley townhouse was rather quiet after Jane confirmed that Kitty was still feeling alright. Kitty was glad that Jane was more reserved in nature, for she was sure Elizabeth would have had much more to say to her. Upon arriving back at the house, Kitty excused herself to her room and also decided to have a tray of dinner brought up to her. Her emotions were in turmoil. She tried not to cry, after all she had cried over Philip so much in the last year that you think she could move on… But she couldn't help it. Her heart started breaking all over again. What was she to do if Philip married Miss Darcy? She could not even imagine having to watch the ceremony...which would be expected if indeed he did ask for her hand.
That night Kitty gave way to her tears once again and cried herself to sleep.
The next morning Kitty felt the need to have a friend to confide in. She couldn't confide in Jane because her and Elizabeth were too close and she didn't want them to team up against her for the silliness of her youth. Plus they might think she was trying to take a suitor away from the impeccable Miss Darcy. So she decided to call on her friend Mrs Addington who moved to London three months ago after her marriage.
She brought up the idea to Jane over the breakfast table. Jane was concerned for her as she had fainted only the previous day. But Kitty assured her she would be fine. After a while Jane consented and chose a maid to accompany her. She herself had to stay home as Elizabeth was coming to discuss some other upcoming excursions the two families were going to do together. To Kitty this was perfect and would allow her more time to talk privately with her friend.
She left not long after having broken her fast. The drive was a little further away than Darcy house, but it was still in a very fashionable district of town. Kitty thought it was absolutely perfect and was happy for her dear friend. She made her way inside and the housekeeper led her into the drawing room.
"Miss Bennet to see you ma'am." The two women didn't even curtsy but rather ran into each others arms. Their friendship after all was very strong even though it was shorter in duration than most strong friendships.
"Oh Kitty. I was hoping you would call soon. But I knew you were busy with shopping and settling into town hours."
"I couldn't stay away any longer. I needed my good friend. Things have been rather difficult for me."
Mary looked surprised and asked. "Why whatever is the matter?"
"Do you remember the soldier I told you about?"
"The one your in love with?"
"Yes….." Kitty could feel the tears coming again. Mary grasped Kitty's hand in a silent way of supporting her friends inner turmoil. "Apparently he is one of the men who has been showing an interest in Miss Darcy."
"One of them? From what I have heard only a Lord Cavendish has been seeking her out."
"How do you know about him? Although he is not my Captain Stanford. He is the other gentleman that I saw visiting the Darcy town house yesterday."
"I do keep in touch with the latest gossips Kitty, although my uncle would scold me if he knew... Brut there has only been comments about a Lord Cavendish. I have heard nothing about a Captain Stanford."
"Perhaps that is because he is now The Duke of Devonshire, remember I told you he had received an inheritance before he left the militia. I guess the inheritance included a Dukedom."
Mary was flabbergasted and remained silent for a little while before she said. "Well that is very interesting…...but I am even more convinced now that he is not vying for Miss Darcy's attention. All the young debutantes would love to catch his eye, and so far no one has. Plus my dear Kitty, if he was interested in someone it would be the talk of town. After all he is a duke, and they can barley make a move without everyone knowing about it."
"Oh Ria,..." Kitty started saying using her nickname for Mary Addington. She could not call her Mary for it used to get awful confusing when her sister Mary was present. "If only that were true, but I saw for myself him visiting Miss Darcy just yesterday along with a Lady Hastings and Lord Cavendish."
"Well I think he was supporting his friend Lord Cavendish, they are great friends or so I have heard. And Lady Hastings is Lord Cavendish's sister. So to me it still seems that the Duke Devonshire is very much available."
"I don't know Ria, we had parted on such bad terms with one another…. I can't help but to think he is glad he escaped from me. Plus I was rather silly back then, I am sure he would not forget that."
Ria smiled wickedly saying, "Then we shall have to show him how much you have grown. Lets start by showcasing your voice. Are you to attend the musical next week that Mrs Pennington is hosting?"
"My sister is still making our plans for the season, but I believe that I heard her mention attending the musical at tea yesterday."
"Great...you will be an incomparable when I am done with you..." She stopped talking as she seen the horror on Kitty's face. "Well I am only kidding, I don't think I could make anyone an incomparable. There is only one a season after all and they are usually heiresses. But… I shall make sure your voice is showcased. I will play the pianoforte for you and that way you shall only focus on singing."
Kitty agreed to the plan although she didn't feel that it would really help make a difference in the Duke of Devonshire's view of her. Hope however is a trait that lingers in a person, and for the first time in over a year Kitty had the starting of hope building within her. She just kept it hidden so that if the Duke of Devonshire did marry Miss Darcy, she hopefully would not be crushed for the rest of her life.
Please review and let me know what you think. I have had this story in my head for a couple of years and am finally trying to write it all down. Plus the reviews help me keep motivated to keep going with the story. So Please review and also let me know if you like my writing style since I am hoping to someday put some stories on Amazon.