For the next week, Kitty's days began to take on a more structured pattern. Millicent made sure to have her up by seven in the morning, and by eight she was with Mrs. Croft, learning how the house was run. She met all of the household staff and became acquainted with the ones she would have the most contact with. At ten, she would have breakfast with her husband. Grandmother often took her breakfast with Mrs. Smith in her rooms. After breakfast, she spent the next several hours learning the other aspects of being the lady of the house. She helped mend clothes, learned the pattern for her husband's shirts, embroidered, and sewed blankets. She wanted to make up some bonnets, but she was told it was now inappropriate for her. It was stressed to her that she must practice self-control and mind what she said and how she acted. She was taught the proper responses to questions that would be aimed in her direction.

She had the suspicion that neither of the women would have approved of her behavior before, and that they might already be aware of it. Her husband had likely told them of it, and it made her a bit angry that she had obviously been discussed without her knowledge or permission. However, with the information she had been receiving she had concluded that her behavior would not have been acceptable outside of the community she had grown up in. Or perhaps it was not so much acceptable as it was expected from her family. It was a thought that had started to bother her.

They had tea at two, and afterwards she would take herself for a walk in the gardens, despite the chill, and then to the library. Sometimes, she took herself straight to the library. In there, she would read or draw. She had even begun thinking about learning to paint. Oliver came for her at five, and by six, he was escorting her to dinner. They would dine, then move to one of the sitting rooms to chat. Grandmother would play the piano, and Kitty would finish some little project she perhaps did not finish earlier that day. Kitty was looking forward to meeting their neighbors. She couldn't think of a time she had been more bored.

Things took a change fifteen days after she had married. She had now been at Dalton only thirteen days. On this day, she received a letter from her mother.

Kitty,

So much has happened since you left and I am not pleased with most of it. Your father's cousin, Mr. Collins, came to stay with us. He took an almost immediate liking to your sister, Lizzy, and I had thought she would appreciate the attention. It would have eased my heart so, to have a daughter settled here after your father passes. But your sister continues to be stubborn and will not have him, and your father supports her in her decision. Now, because your sister is foolish, he has asked Charlotte Lucas for her hand and she has accepted him! To know that I will one day have to stand aside and watch her take my place! The only solace that I have it that you have at least made a good match. I am sure that you shall not forget your poor Mama when the day comes that I am expelled from my own home.

Worse still, Mr. Bingley has left the neighborhood. Only two days ago, we were having a splendid evening at the Netherfield Ball. He showered Jane with his attention, and then today, she receives a letter from Miss Bingley stating that they have all left for Town! I beg you, for your sister's sake, inquire as to if they mean to return or not. Jane is most distraught. The whole house is in an uproar. If you do not send encouraging news, I don't know what we shall do. Perhaps you could sponsor your sisters for a Season in Town. Write as soon as you have news.

Her mother didn't even sign the letter. Kitty's mind was racing. What was she supposed to do with this? There was no possible way she would approach her husband about any of this! She was already sure he didn't hold a high opinion of her family, and she was also sure he would be receiving a letter from one of his friends if he had not already. Knowing her mother, there was more to what had happened than had been written. She and her husband were hosting a party to introduce her to their neighbors in only three days! She didn't need this right now!

Kitty crept to the door and looked out into the hallway. She had excused herself early from tea to read her letter, so she knew Oliver would not be coming for her any time soon. Seeing that the hallway was empty, she crept out of the door and then to the stairs. She flew up them and quickly made her way to her rooms. Millicent was coming out of her closet when she entered the room.

"Mrs. Andrews, did you hear that more of your new things arrived? I have just put them away, but I can bring them back out if you would like to see them."

"No! Uh, no thank you, Millicent. Actually, I have a headache. I was going to lie down. In fact, I am not feeling well at all. If you could pass my regrets to Mr. Andrews. I do not think I will be well for dinner tonight."

"If you wish, Ma'am. Would you like me to help you ready for bed then?"

"Yes, if you please."

Oliver scowled at the letter before him. He had hoped Mr. Bennet would heed his words, but it seemed the man relaxed his hold on his family the moment he and Catherine left; probably to spite him for his comments before their departure. Oliver turned back to the letter, rereading it for the fifth time. Thanks to Bingley's horrible writing, it took a few reads to catch the gist; he'd had the ball and the youngest Bennet's made fools of themselves (though Bingley didn't actually say that; Oliver inferred it by the descriptions he could make out). He had business in Town the next day and his sisters and Darcy followed after him and are now trying to convince him Miss Bennet did not have any particular regard for him. He wanted Oliver's opinion.

It was times like this that he wished people would at least attempt to listen to him. He had told Darcy to let the man decide for himself, but now, it seemed he had bigger problems: Mr. Bennet seemed content to allow his youngest children and relations to ruin them. He had thought better of Miss Mary, but then, playing the piano and singing horribly was hardly the worst thing a young woman could do. Miss Lydia on the other hand… something needed to be done. He needed to speak with his wife.

Oliver left his study and went into the library. It was empty. He was baffled as Catherine was almost always there at this time of day. He walked to the windows and gazed about the gardens. She was not walking the paths. He strode from the room with purpose and headed to his grandmother's favorite salon. He found his grandmother and her companion there, but not his wife.

"Oliver! What are you doing here?" his grandmother asked.

"I am searching for Catherine."

"Is she not in the library?"

"No, and she is not on the grounds either."

"Perhaps she went somewhere more private? She received a letter from her mother today."

Oliver thanked them for the information and continued his search for his wife. He was about to head up to her rooms when her maid approached him.

"Sir, Mrs. Andrews bid me to inform you that she is unwell and will keep to her rooms for the evening."

"Thank you," he said, going up the stairs and to their rooms. He knocked once and entered her chambers.

"Please, Millicent, I need solitude," came her voice from the bed. The drapes had been pulled over the windows so the room was fairly dark.

"Solitude? I thought you were ill, not in need of solitude." He heard an intake of breath and the new bed covers rustle. He walked over to the window to let in some light. "What is the matter?"

"I, uh, have a headache and wish to rest."

"Hmm. And what brought on this sudden headache?"

"Who can know? I have a headache and this conversation is not helping."

"It is thought that headaches are brought on by stress. Grandmother says that you received a letter from your mother. Have you received ill news from your family?" His wife remained quiet. He moved closer to the bed. "Catherine?"

"I do not wish to discuss it."

"I am afraid I cannot give you that luxury right now. What did your mother write?"

"What does it matter?" she snapped. She had sat up in her bed. "Please, just leave me be."

He looked around and saw a letter sitting on her dressing table. Seeing where his eyes had gone, his wife leapt from the bed and made to grab the letter. He got there just before her.

"Give that back! It's mine!"

"Either you will tell me what it says, or I shall read it for myself."

She glared at him. He had secretly wondered what he would have to do to make her angry. Apparently, threatening to read one of her letters would; at least, one she wished to keep hidden. They stared at each other. Oliver finally became aware of the fact that she was in only a night gown, her left shoulder visible due to the wide neck of the garment. He noticed her hair was in a single braid down over the exposed shoulder. He never realized her hair was so long. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, an emotion he was not too familiar with, he brought his attention back to her eyes. She was still glaring.

"Fine, go ahead and read it. I am sure one of your friends will inform you of at least some of its contents anyway!" she exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes. Sitting down at her dressing table, she looked away from him. He sighed deeply and laid the letter down.

"I received a letter from Bingley. He had business in Town, and while he was gone, his sisters and Darcy closed the house and followed. They have convinced him to stay for the winter and have shared with him some concerns they had towards your family. Apparently, they made a spectacle of themselves at the ball."

"What did they do?" He could see the anxiety on her face. He knew his grandmother and Mrs. Smith had been drilling into her how to behave properly in public.

"Your cousin, a Mr. Collins, has for his patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who also happens to be Darcy's aunt. Realizing who Darcy was, Mr. Collins greeted him without first being introduced. At dinner, your sister, Mary, decided to play and serenade the guests." She groaned. "And Miss Lydia behaved brazenly, as usual. Running about with a sword of all things, while a few soldiers chased after her."

She looked like she did when he escorted her to her home after the 'incident': pale and on the verge of hysterics. She sniffled.

"Mama wrote about your friends leaving. Miss Bingley wrote a letter to Jane telling her that they were returning to Town. I do not know what all it entailed, but she wants me to question you about it. Also, my cousin apparently took to my sister, Lizzy, and he eventually asked her to marry him. Lizzy refused him and he then asked our neighbor, Charlotte Lucas, who accepted him. Mama is not very pleased at the moment."

He stood there and thought about the information his wife had given him. His mind was settled. "Write to your mother and tell her to expect us for Christmas. We shall arrive on the 23rd of December."

"We're going back to Longbourn?"

"Yes, I have some business with your father, though I would advise you not to put that in your letter. Providing all goes well, we will be staying until after the New Year. If you still wish it, rest tonight. The next several weeks are likely to be quite trying." He turned and left her room. He did not see her again until breakfast.