Catherine Bennet was elated today; her childhood best friend, John Lucas, had finally asked her for a courtship. While they were conversing during a supper set.
Kitty and John had always liked each other, but as time went on, John noticed that Kitty began behaving more like her younger sister Lydia. He found her manners too wild for his liking. It was hard for him to see his closest friend, his gentle, sweet, and artless Catherine, trying to act like someone she wasn't. As a result of this, their relationship drifted apart. However, recently, since Kitty started spending more time with Maria Lucas, she had returned to her natural self and seemed much happier. Even John had taken notice, noting that she had grown into a beautiful woman. His heart skipped a beat.
That night, as Kitty sat in her bedchamber, she couldn't help but let her thoughts drift to John Lucas. She had always harbored feelings for him, but with his disapproving glances, she never imagined he would see her in a romantic light. Now, here they were, courting each other, and she couldn't be more thrilled.
However, as much as she enjoyed John's company, there was a part of her that was still restless. She wanted something more, something that would make her feel alive. She couldn't help but wonder if John felt the same way.
Their conversation during supper played back in her mind. "We should wait until you turn eighteen before deciding what we both want for a long time," he had said. She wondered what he meant by that. Did he not want to commit to her yet? Was he waiting for her to mature further?
Kitty struggled to push away her worrisome thoughts. Suddenly, something struck the window, and she rushed over to find a stone with a letter attached. It read 'Come down.' She looked outside and saw John grinning up at her; she smiled back in relief.
She sneaked out of her room and met John in the garden. He was holding something behind his back. He bowed before presenting it to her, and she gave him an amused curtsey in return.
"Mr. Lucas! Have you no shame? Throwing stones at unrelated ladies' windows and asking for meetings is highly inappropriate." She said with a teasing tone.
John replied innocently, "I know madam, but I've known you since childhood. How can you be unrelated?"
Kitty laughed, "That doesn't make it appropriate, sir. A proper gentleman would never act like this."
John grinned impishly. "Good Lord… Kitty Bennet talking about proper behavior?"
Her face shifted into a look of annoyance as she replied, "Why not? I am a lady."
John grinned gently. "I'm glad you remember that; I've missed you, my dear lady." He presented her with a small box, puzzling Catherine even more.
John saw Kitty's bafflement and replied timidly, "I bought this to celebrate the renewal of our relationship."
She slowly opened the box, revealing a pair of delicate blue earrings. Her eyes widened in surprise. "These are beautiful," she said, "but they must be expensive; I can't accept something so valuable."
John smiled softly and replied, "Soon all that is mine will be yours. Please don't refuse them; I would love to see you wearing them."
A tear rolled down her cheek as she hugged him, but their moment was interrupted by a distant scream.
Both of them turned toward its source and in the darkness saw a large carriage speeding away, disappearing from view. Kitty thought she glimpsed a skirt fluttering out of its closed door.
