I am really enjoying the comments this story is receiving. Your feelings on Lizzy and Mr. Bennet especially. It interesting to see other people interpretations of my writings.
The carriage pulled away from Longbourn and Oliver was sure Mrs. Bennet was still likely to be sobbing. The woman had carried on through much of the morning. Now he sat in a full carriage, but given the cool temperatures outside, it actually made things quite comfortable inside. It was the only thing comfortable inside. His wife sat next to him, with Miss Mary on her other side. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Lydia sat across from them, the latter sulking.
"Well," said Catherine, "this will be interesting."
"How long until we get there?" groused Miss Lydia.
"It's a two-day journey in good weather. We should arrive tomorrow evening, barring trouble," answered Oliver.
Miss Lydia groaned. "We have to be in a carriage for that long?! Will we at least get to stop and stretch our legs a bit?"
Catherine snorted. "Unless you are a child or a lady in delicate condition, this carriage only makes stops preapproved by Mr. Andrews."
The sisters all looked at him wide eyes. He stared back.
"Are you afraid of bushes, Mr. Andrews?" asked Miss Elizabeth.
"No, Miss Elizabeth, I merely prefer to avoid any unnecessary altercations. It is not as bad as it sounds. We stop at actual establishments. I have traveled with enough ladies to know that you can wait until we arrive at one." He then laid his head back. He felt his wife shift and her sisters giggled. He opened his eyes and cocked a brow at her. She smiled sweetly while her sisters stifled more giggles, even Miss Lydia and Miss Mary.
"Yes?"
"Oh, nothing."
He silently laughed and laid his head back again. He heard rustling going on about the carriage. About ten minutes later he opened his eyes and looked around. Catherine and Miss Elizabeth were reading, Miss Bennet was embroidering, Miss Lydia looked to be asleep, and Miss Mary was gazing out the window. Perhaps the trip wouldn't be so bad after all.
How had things taken such a turn? The first few hours were alright, but after their first stop, things began to grow uncomfortable. Lydia, unable to sleep any longer, was the worst. She complained of everything. Lizzy was touching her. She was hot. She was cold. Were they going to stop soon? She was bored. And on and on and on. Kitty was ready to leave her at the next stop, and judging by her husband's countenance, so was he. She could tell her elder sisters were all uncomfortable as well; they each kept shifting and adjusting. Mary kept sighing, and that was annoying. They made one other stop before they made it to the inn they were staying in for the night, and that had helped make the last leg of their trip that day much more bearable. Then, when they made it to the inn, there was only one suite available. It didn't occur to her until he led her into their room that they would be sharing. She was positive her face was aflame.
"We are married, Catherine."
"Yes, but… we…"
"The solution is simple: you will sleep under the coverlet, and I shall sleep on top with a separate blanket. Our marriage is no one's business but our own. It will be alright. It is only for one night."
She nodded and freshened up to dine. They found her sisters already sitting at the table to eat. Lydia was once more complaining. Kitty sighed and was about to say something when her husband beat her to it.
"That is quite enough, Miss Lydia. I have had to listen to your complaints all day and I will not hear another word of it. I am not your father; I will not simply ignore it, nor do I have my study to escape to. If you continue to behave in this way, it will be a long time before you are allowed into the society of my neighbors, for I would not want to impose such an annoyance upon them. You do not seem to understand the position you are in; you are now in my care, under my authority. Dalton is not Longbourn and I have higher expectations than your father. Your sisters are able to behave as young women are expected to, so I know that you are capable of the same. If you wish to see outside the boundaries of my estate while you are with us, you will abide by my rules. You are allowed to air your grievances; however, you do not have the right to do so constantly, especially when we are having to suffer the same. Travel is not comfortable, but there is no need in making it any more unbearable than it already is!"
He turned back to his dinner and ate in the silence. Kitty and her sisters soon followed. She glanced around at her sisters to gage their reactions. Mary looked impressed; no one had ever attempted to speak to Lydia in such a manner. Jane and Lizzy both looked to be warring with feeling relief and anger that he would talk to their sister that way; Lydia looked a bit fearful. Oliver finished his meal and said he would return soon. She wanted to go with him.
"Kitty! Kitty, how could you let him talk to me like that?" Lydia whispered harshly, after Oliver had closed the door.
"Why do you have to be so childish about everything?" she countered, defending her husband.
"He has no right…"
"He has every right," put in Mary. "You are under his protection. You will be staying in his house. He is now our brother and he has every right and I am glad he has done it!"
Lydia made a face. Lizzy and Jane had yet to say anything, and it didn't look as though they were going to. Kitty sighed and looked at her younger sister.
"Lydia, my husband can be difficult, but he is kind, and he is patient. You managed to burn through his patience with your constant nagging. You certainly burned through mine. You cannot blame other people for the responses your own actions cause. Stop being so obstinate. If you will excuse me, I would like to retire. When he returns, please tell Mr. Andrews I saw myself to our room."
As she rose and turned towards the door, Lydia spoke. "You're just as bad as Mary! But I suppose that it to be expected when you are married to someone as ridiculous as your Mr. Andrews!"
"Lydia!" growled Lizzy. Kitty turned and looked at her sisters. Even Jane was looking disapprovingly at Lydia.
"That is quite enough. We have heard your complaints all day, it is only right that you hear others," said Jane sternly, a tone Kitty rarely heard from her eldest sister. "Goodnight, Kitty. We will see you in the morning."
Kitty thanked her, and entered her chambers for the night. With little assistance, she readied for bed. She was about to climb into the bed when her husband entered the room.
"Catherine."
"Oliver. Have my sisters retired to their room?"
"Yes," he answered, moving about the room, preparing for bed himself. She got into bed and faced the wall to give him privacy. "You're upset."
Kitty cursed his attention to things. "It's been a long day and Lydia wore on me. I'll be fine in the morning."
"Something has bothered you for weeks."
"Being back in Hertfordshire was difficult, that is all. I'll be fine once we reach home."
"I don't believe you."
"I can't help that."
"I will discover what the matter is."
"I wish you well in your pursuit."
He was silent then. She heard and felt him climb onto the bed, before settling under his own blanket. Though there were several thick layers separating them, it felt awkward. They lay there like that for a long while.
"When will you trust me?" his asked.
"I do trust you."
"You keep things from me."
"Am I to believe that you share all of your thoughts and feelings with me?"
"I do at the right time."
"Then do me the same curtesy and believe that, if there is an issue, I will tell you at the right time. Goodnight."
Morning came too soon for Kitty. As she woke, something felt off. It did not take long to discover what was wrong. There was a weight on her hip, and something warm and solid in front of her. She opened her eyes and saw that she was laying very close to her husband. He was facing her, and the weight on her hip was his arm. She had a moment of panic. What was she supposed to do? Fortunately, (or unfortunately, she wasn't sure which) he opened his eyes. He blinked away the sleep and they stared at each other for a few moments.
"Good morning," he murmured. He turned and got up. She was still in a little shock, and she watched him move about in his shirt and trousers, for that was what he apparently slept in. She caught herself and threw her blanket over her head with a gasp. She heard his deep chuckle, deeper than usual due to sleep.
"How are we to ready for the day?" she said, uncomfortable with the feelings that were stirring within her.
"If you can be patient, I need only a few moments to get ready, then I will step out and send for the maid. You can ready yourself in private then."
It did not take her long, once he had gone, to get ready. When she was finished, she entered the main room of their suite to find her sisters seated around the table, eating. They had a quick breakfast and were once more on their way. Lydia looked around sleepily, but said nothing. They settled into the same seats as before. That day's ride was much more pleasant. Lydia slept the rest of the morning away, Lizzy had started a second book, and Mary and Jane asked about the area surrounding the estate. Oliver seemed content to answer any question, and Kitty as well. After their first stop, Lydia stayed awake and listened to the conversations, occasionally adding her own thoughts and questions. It was almost as though she were testing the water.
Evening was nigh and they were soon to approach Dalton. They passed the Bates' estate, Wendell, and Kitty told them they would likely meet Mrs. Bates within the next two days. They finally made it within sight of Dalton. Kitty mused that her own expression must have matched her sisters when she first laid eyes on the estate. They made it up to the house and everyone began to disembark.
"It is a remarkable home," commented Lizzy.
"Thank you," replied Oliver, "I rather like it myself, though it does not compare to some other houses, such as Darcy's Pemberley, but I do prefer it to any other."
"I supposed one should feel that way about their own home. One would be almost miserable otherwise."
He led them into the house. Kitty was happy to see familiar faces.
"Mrs. Croft. I am so happy to see you. Where is Grandmother?" she said.
"She is getting ready for dinner, Madame. She will be leaving soon."
"She's dining out tonight?" asked Oliver.
"Yes, Oliver, I am. I believe I am still entitled to a social life," his grandmother chuckled, walking into the room.
Oliver and Kitty greeted the older woman and introduced her and her companion to her sisters.
"You usually do not dine out on the nights I return," Oliver pouted.
"Well, the Viscount has just returned to the neighborhood and he decided to throw a dinner party for his old friends. By the time I received the invitation, there was no point in sending a letter to inform you of it."
Kitty laughed at her husband's disgruntled face. She had heard about the Viscount and wondered when she would get the chance to meet the man her new Grandmother held some affection for. Oliver wasn't fond of him.
"I see beauty runs in your family, Catherine. I am sure we shall have a lovely time," her eyes rested on Mary. She looked her up and down, and despite her sister's usual expressionless face, she sensed a little anxiety from her. "Well, I should be on my way. It is rude of me to keep you standing in the foyer when you have only just arrived. I look forward to visiting with you all tomorrow. Oh, and Catherine, Mrs. Bates asked if she might call on you tomorrow; I took the liberty of accepting for you. I hope I have not overstepped myself."
"Not at all. I look forward to seeing her."
Oliver and Kitty allowed Mrs. Croft to see her sisters to their rooms while they went to their own.
"Millicent! I cannot tell you how pleased I am to see you. You have spoiled me. No one works such wonders as you do."
"Thank you, Madame," she laughed.
Oliver knocked on her door as she finished dressing. As usual, he walked her down to the dining room. Her sisters are already there waiting. She almost wanted to laugh at their expressions.
"What do you think of your rooms?"
"The rooms are truly lovely, though I have only seen mine and Lizzy's," said Jane. Lizzy and Mary agreed, while Lydia was too busy gawking about the room.
"Good! I thought you might like them."
They sat and had an enjoyable dinner. 'This might not be so bad,' she thought to herself.
So, I have become enthralled with Bennet Brother fics. The thought of how a brother would affect the story is so intriguing. I am contemplating one of my own, though it would be a while before I post it, if I do. However, I am interested in your takes: make up a whole new character, or turn one of the Bennet sisters into a brother? And if I was to turn one sister into a brother, which one would be best? So interesting!