Dearest Family,

We arrived here at Dalton two days ago. The trip was pleasant and the carriage was the finest I have ever had the pleasure of riding in. The house and grounds are even grander than Netherfield. Mr. Andrews has told me that the gardens are breathtaking in the spring and summer months and I believe he is quite right and I look forward to seeing it for myself. He wishes to add a greenhouse, though he is not entirely sure of the placement. There are many rooms and Mr. Andrews has given me leave to decorate as I wish. His grandmother is here and insists that I, too, refer to her as such. She is most kind. I have my own lady's maid. Her name is Millicent and I already wonder how I ever survived without her.

As we have only been here two days, I fear I have nothing much else to write. Today, Grandmother is taking me into the nearby village to be fitted for a new wardrobe. I am so excited. I shall be meeting my new neighbors in a few weeks, and it will be nice to be able to do so in my new clothes. I hope all is well in Hertfordshire. Mr. Andrews told me Mr. Bingley was to hold a ball. Be sure to write and tell me all about it.

Missing you all,

Catherine Andrews

Kitty replaced her quill and reread what she wrote. She knew her mother would want to share anything she could with their neighbors, and hoped she had given her enough to satisfy her needs. She somehow knew that she should be careful about how she worded things. Looking at her signed name, she felt unsure. 'Maybe I should have someone read over it,' she thought.

Grandmother then entered the room.

"Are you nearly ready, Catherine? We need to leave soon if we are to make our appointment on time."

"Yes, Ma'am, I was only finishing a letter to my family. Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive. I know how important it is to write letters while they are on your mind. If not, you might forget what you intended to write, or forget that you were going to write at all!" she smiled.

"I really haven't much to say, but I wanted to get it out with the morning post." Kitty sighed as she looked it over again.

"Is something the matter?"

"Oh, I was just pondering if I wrote too much or, perhaps, not enough."

"May I?" she asked, holding her hand for the letter. Kitty nodded and handed it to her. She smiled again as she handed it back. "I think it is perfect. The letter gives your family something to share with their friends and indicates that you took time out of your busy day to write. I am sure your mother shall be very pleased."

Kitty thanked her and went about sealing it and writing the direction. She handed it to a footman on their way to the carriage. It was smaller than the barouche, but still very comfortable. They arrived at the village and Kitty was led into the dressmaker's shop. Looking around, excitement began to build within her. At Longbourn, they had always made their clothes, only occasionally getting specially made items for birthdays and Christmas. According to Grandmother, she was to have an entire wardrobe commissioned. She was introduced to the dressmaker, a Mrs. Matthews, a woman not much younger than Grandmother. Handing over the measurements Millicent had done, they began to discuss patterns and preferences. They soon moved on to fabric and color choices. Kitty was surprised that her choices were taken so seriously; she had been sure that her husband might have had his grandmother make her choices for her. By the time they were done, she would have seven morning dresses, five evening dresses, two riding habits, several undergarments, two pelisse, two spencers, a cloak, shawls, gloves, and new footwear. Kitty was amazed at the amount she was going to call her own. Her things would begin arriving by the end of the next week.

After they left the dressmaker, they stopped by a few more shops. While shopping, her grandmother laughed at her anxiousness. "Do not worry, Catherine. Oliver said to get anything you needed or wanted. You told me that you used to enjoy drawing, we can gather what you need, as well as supplies for embroidery."

A little later, they were finally on their way back to Dalton.

Kitty sat with Grandmother and her companion as they readied blankets and baby clothes for one of the tenants. It was the couple's first child, and it made her happy to put her skills to use. They had done this a few times at Longbourn, and though she couldn't remember her mother going out and visiting the tenants, they had made blankets and provided clothes at times, for both children and adults. When she thought back, she supposed Mrs. Hill and a couple of the footman were the ones to deliver the goods. Kitty wished she could go with them the next day to deliver their work, but Grandmother insisted that to do so would cause their neighbors to descend upon them, and she wasn't ready for that.

They finished and then it was time for tea. During this time, her companions would always take the time to tell her which topics she should always avoid, and which ones she needed to measure her words to, who to tell what, who to trust in the neighborhood, and who to smile pleasantly at and hope they do not read anything that isn't there or you don't want them to see. In a little over a fortnight, she would begin to host and visit these people, and she was terrified.

After tea, she went to the library to read. She could have gone to her room, but she found she liked the atmosphere the library offered. She read for only a little before she began to wander around the room. She was bored. There was no one to visit, no gossip to share; no one to share anything with. As nervous as she was about meeting her neighbors, she hoped to make friends among them.

Oliver had been caught up in meetings with his steward all day, so she hadn't seen him since breakfast. Kitty couldn't help but wonder if this would be the norm. He had told her he didn't care much for hunting, though he would participate in the activity with friends. She noticed a table covered in maps and decided to investigate them.

"Interesting, are they not?"

Startled, she turned to find Oliver watching her. She hadn't heard him enter.

"Yes," she answered, "I often forget that there is more to the world than England. Have you ever been to any of these places?"

"For obvious reasons, I decided against making the Grand Tour, but I did spend a little time in Scotland and Ireland. I was home within a year. I prefer England to any other place. That particular map I acquired while in Dublin."

"You did not enjoy yourself?"

"I prefer my own home and circle of friends."

Kitty nodded not sure what else to say. They stood in silence for a few moments.

"May I escort you to your room to prepare for dinner?"

"Yes."

And thus, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews began what would become their routine; after most of the day would pass, Kitty would escape to the library or the grounds, and he would come to escort her to ready for dinner.