Miss Phillips

A family crisis. A lonely couple. A seemingly simple solution. All of these led to the existence of Catherine Phillips, daughter to Oscar and Edith Phillips. What will happen to Kitty, who surrendered her standing as a gentleman's daughter for the chance at parental love?

AN: Written with respect for Laina Lee, whose story "Most Anything" inspired the idea.

For the purposes of this tale Mrs. Phillips is not the brainless gossip we know and disdain

Unfair Blame and Bitter Denouncements

The cloudy day had descended into a stormy summer downpour when Oscar and Edith Phillips heard something outside followed by the unexpected sound of the knocker. The Phillips were not terribly wealthy, so although they employed a servant, this worthy usually began her work at the crack of dawn and retired in the early evening.

Edith was not as high-strung as her younger sister, Mrs. Bennet. She did not automatically assume that there were highwaymen outside of her door just because of the late hour. In fact she naturally assumed that someone must need to speak with her husband, the only solicitor in the small town. Therefore her expectant glance fell upon him, "Well, dear, should you not go and see who it is?"

Oscar Phillips, who had settled in after dinner to enjoy a good pipe, a glass of port, and a good book, grumbled, "Don't they know that my office is closed for the evening?" Nevertheless, he set down his book, his port, and his pipe and walked resignedly to the door.

He did not expect to find one of his nieces looking bedraggled, soaked, and forlorn on his doorstep. "Goodness! What has happened Kitty! Come in! Come in! Edith!"

Edith, having heard her husband's first startled grunt, had already hurried up behind him to see what was the matter. Immediately upon seeing her niece's sorry state she joined her husband in bustling the poor girl into their home. Then the two of them worked with uncharacteristic speed to gather towels and blankets to see to the comfort of the poor, shivering girl.

Only after the warm fire and a mountain of blankets had stopped the shivering did Edith finally ask again, "What has happened, Kitty? Why are you out in the rain in the middle of the night?"

Snuffling, Kitty explained, "Lydia has run off, has eloped from Brighton with Mr. Wickham! And instead of being angry at Lydia, mother and father are angry at me! Why would they be angry at me? Yes, I knew how Lydia was behaving, but she was only doing exactly what Mama told her to do! And when I tried to speak with Mama about it months ago, Mama told me to hush! That I should follow Lydia's example instead of being a prude like Mary!"

Oscar Phillips shook his head, trying to make sense of the rapid-fire words, "Please slow down. Lydia has eloped? How do they know this and how has your father responded?"

"We found out two nights ago from Colonel Forster. Father left right away to pursue them. He wrote back today that they were seen as far as London, south, not north to Gretna Green. And he doesn't believe that Mr. Wickham had any intentions of marrying Lydia."

"How has this resulted in you being here tonight in the rain?" Edith prompted.

"Before he left, Papa demanded all of my correspondence from Lydia. She told me that she was going to be Mrs. Wickham in the letter just before she eloped, but I didn't tell anybody because she was always writing similar things... even describing some of the things she had done with other officers." Kitty was very red, but continued, "Papa was angry and called me a fool, but Mama was worse, blaming me for everything even though I tried to tell her about what Lydia was doing with different officers. Lydia just said I was jealous because she went into an alley with Mr. Denny, the officer I liked."

"Good Lord," Mr. Phillips said softly with disgust, "Your sister raised up Lydia to be just like her, Edith. I had hoped that marriage would have made her a better person."

Before Edith could respond, Kitty continued, "When Mama read Papa's letter tonight, she started crying and screaming and throwing things. Then she got mad at me, saying that it was all my fault. I shouldn't have answered back, but I didn't think it was fair. I said, 'but Mama, I told you the things that Lydia was doing and you said...' But she slapped me and told me to be quiet, to never say such things again. Then she dragged me to the door and told me to leave... that I wasn't welcome in her home anymore. I pounded on the door and begged her to let me in, but she refused. I heard Jane try to speak with Mama, but she even yelled at Jane. It was her who told me to run here. She spoke to me from an upstairs window and threw me my coat and bonnet."

Sighing, Edith hugged her crying niece, "You are safe here now, Kitty."

Oscar nodded and added, "Actually, you are always welcome here. You know that we care for you like our own daughter. We could not have children, but you five are like our daughters. Tomorrow I will go and have a long talk with your sister, Edith. This will not stand."

"I do not think that I want to go back. I am ignored until they want someone to blame. I am tired of it."

"Then you shall remain here with us, where you are loved."

The following day Jane and Mary came to visit and check on their sister while Oscar Phillips went to Longbourn to speak with his sister-in-law. She would not see reason and blamed everything on Kitty rather than on Lydia or herself." Angry, he instructed Mrs. Hill to gather all of Kitty's belongings and send them to his house. He never came closer to striking a woman then that moment, when Fanny Bennet tried to refuse, stating that Kitty "does not deserve anything from this house!"

Kitty's belongings were loaded despite Mrs. Bennet's angry protests, then he climbed into his rig and headed the horse back home. Jane and Mary were still there and they shared another hour with their sister before departing. Then Oscar Phillips requested a conference.

"I have one offer and two suggestions. The offer first: Edith and I have always loved you like a daughter. As your home has ceased to be a safe place for you, we would like to welcome you as our daughter in fact." This was echoed by Edith enthusiastically and easily accepted by Kitty. The only thing that concerned her was her father's response, but Oscar promised to handle that.

"Now, my first suggestion: A new home and a new family should have a new name. I think that in honor of your age and your place in our family, you should be known now as your true name, Catherine. It is a dignified name for a fine young lady." Kitty, now Catherine, agreed solemnly.

"And the other. I have in my desk a letter offering me the position of solicitor for a grand estate in the south. Someone who I once helped with a major problem has now come into a title and inheritance. I had not intended to take the position, but now I am thinking that a new location far away from your sister's scandal might served us all well. The position is on an estate, with a home provided, and not far from Portsmouth. It will pay better and might grow into something more. What do you both think?"

Catherine looked to Edith, whose opinion was more important. Edith thought for a moment, then nodded, "Yes. I think that a change would be good. And I am frankly tired of hearing how the world has failed my sister. All that I ask is that we keep our doors open for any of our nieces who might need us."

A reply was sent. The family began packing that day. Mr. Bennet returned the following day, having failed to find Lydia. He had no wish to speak with anybody, but a determined Mr. Phillips pushed into his bookroom anyway. His response to Kitty's plight only served to make Oscar more angry, but he did manage to secure a letter ceding responsibility for Kitty to him.

He saw Mary as he was leaving, so was able to inform her of their upcoming departure. That same afternoon Jane and Mary came to exchange tearful goodbyes. Elizabeth and the Gardiners were making their way back from the Peak District, but would not be there in time to see them off.

One weeks later Kitty Bennet was gone forever and Catherine Phillips was living in Hampshire County. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Bennet seemed to care.

Hargood Keep, Hampshire County, 1812

Lady Celia, Lord Hargood's wife and the new mistress of Hargood Keep, loved to ride her new estate. When her husband's much older brother had been master it was a place to avoid. In fact she had turned down an offer of marriage from the elder despite his wealth in favor of the younger, which only served to widen the gap between the brothers. Celia never regretted it. No two brothers were less alike and she could never have imagined placing herself under that man's power. It would take years for Richard, her dear husband, to restore the estates reputation and respect among their tenants and neighbors.

This mid-morning in early August was a perfect day for riding and other pursuits. Celia smiled as she noticed the young lady who had come with Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, Richard's trusted solicitor. Richard had said that the man and wife were without children, so the unexpected addition of the quiet young woman had been a pleasant surprise. Celia had taken a liking to the girl right away even though it had taken half of the meal to draw her out.

Now Celia pulled up her horse and dismounted, saying a cheerful greeting to the girl who was sitting on a boulder overlooking a pretty scene. She was intending to say more, then paused as she spied the charcoal drawing on the girl's board. "Oh my! I was not aware that you were an artist! This is marvelous!"

Kitty... no, she had decided to become Catherine and she must set aside that silly, childish name along with her past... Catherine blushed, but she did not attempt to hide her work as she might have from Lydia or her mother. "Th-thank you. I am more of a sketcher than an artist."

"Nonsense! Who told you such a thing? I have seen other artists and this most definitely compares well. Tell me, do you have other works?"

"I do at the cottage, Lady Celia. I would be happy to show them to you if you wish?"

"Definitely! Oh! No, do not get up now! Finish your work on this and you can show me more when next we meet. Would you mind if I watch? I remember an artist creating a portrait of my mother and father, but he would not tolerate me watching him work."

"I would not mind if you watched, milady."

Lady Celia sat and watched with fascination. She was so silent that Catherine almost forgot that the slightly older lady was there. When she was done, as thanks for Lady Celia's welcoming kindness, Catherine even gifted the landscape to her. It gratified her to be appreciated and treated so well by someone so much higher in consequence. More importantly, the lady made her feel like she was worth knowing. It was a new experience for the often ignored girl.

"You are very good. Tell me, have you ever had a tutor?"

"No. There were not many tutors who would travel to a little place like Meryton, and my parents would not have paid for it anyway." Kitty... CATHERINE... fought back a resurgence of old emotions: hurt, jealousy, loneliness... and finished: and my mother did not see the value in it."

The more Lady Celia spoke with the young lady, the more she was convinced that the Phillips, who she knew were not her real parents, had removed the girl for her own sake, not for any scandal on her part. This was a girl who had not known much affection or guidance at home. She resolved silently to do all that she could to make the girl feel special and to become all that she could be.

It began when the Phillips family were invited to dine a few days later and there was an older man at the table. Lady Celia introduced the gentleman as Mr. Nevis, a well-known artist and art tutor. "I hope you do not mind, Miss Phillips, but I showed him the landscape you sketched. That is also why I asked you specifically to bring your portfolio to dinner with us tonight. Would you be willing to share it with Mr. Nevis as well?"

Catherine was extremely nervous, but she managed to hand over the canvas bag that was her portfolio. It was something that her three older sisters had gone in to purchase for her several Christmases ago. So while Lord Hargood and the Phillips couple talked, the lady of the manor and the tutor perused... and Catherine tried not to fidget. Soon Lady Celia had exclaimed enough times that her husband had risen from his comfortable chair to also wander over. It did nothing for Catherine's nerves that everyone but the true expert was soon remarking on her drawings. He continued to move through her works with only the occasional grunt.

Then he stepped back, looked at her, and smiled, finally allowing her to breath. "You have the natural eye and hand of a true artist, Miss Phillips. Though you lack in technique and proper training, you have the potential to be far above the common. If you are willing, I should enjoy giving you two lessons a week. Know this, though, I have been described as a taskmaster and not kind to those who do not do the exercises that I assign. If you are still willing after that warning, then I shall be your tutor."

Catherine answered with a huge smile, though she displayed none of the silly squealing and hopping that she had often displayed when partnered with her younger sister Lydia. The three men moved away to negotiate wages and materials, while Lady Celia and Mrs. Phillips gave free reign to their compliments on different drawings. Since many of the drawings were of her sisters, Lady Celia gained an even deeper understanding of the girl through anecdotes about those sisters. She could see why the elder two might easily overshadow another girl, since, if Catherine's drawings were accurate, they were both quite striking. Of Lydia there were no words said, which said more than enough for Lady Celia to suspect that the younger sister was the problem.

As if the anecdotes about the sisters had revived the connection, a thicker than normal letter arrived from Longbourn the following day. It was actually a letter each from Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary. It bore been several days in passage than it should have been due to the vagaries of the Post, but it brought unexpected news: Lydia had been found in London with Mr. Wickham and they had been made to marry! Jane's letter was the kindest, though even hers seemed to communicate disgust between the lines. Mary's described how the newlyweds had arrived in splendor and how Lydia had paraded about as if she was to be honored, not reviled. Elizabeth's held an odd note of sadness that Catherine did not quite understand.

Notably absent was any suggestion that their mother wanted Catherine home or that Lydia thought her absence was anything but "a good joke!" The girls each tried to put in a hopeful note that she would be welcomed back, but it was clearly their thoughts, not those of her mother or father. All seemed to communicate the great relief they felt when the newlyweds departed for the far north.

Catherine had been sitting on the same boulder as before as she read. At some point, while she was too deeply buried in her sisters' words to notice, Lady Celia arrived, sat beside her, and put an arm around her. She had been crying without even knowing it. When the letters were folded and put away again, it was such a natural thing for her to spill out the story of her life, her parents' neglect, and her younger sister's unrepentant actions to the lady. She would have been mortified to do so at any other time, but at that very moment she desperately needed a kind and detached listener.

Rather than disgust or withdrawal, Lady Celia rewarded the girl's trust with a gentle hug. "Please tell me that you are not planning to return home? Your elder three sisters seem to care for you, but it still does not seem like a good place for you. And here you have your Uncle and Aunt, my husband and I to look after you... and Mr. Nevis to make you into an even better artist!"

The idea that somebody... several somebodies... truly wanted her to stay was the medicine she needed at that moment to cure her melancholy. That night she wrote her three sisters in a much better spirit, telling them of her installment in Hampshire and of the kindness of Lady Celia.

True to her own resolution, Lady Celia adopted Catherine as a little sister and made it her mission to turn her into a young lady of distinction. When Catherine wasn't taking drawing and painting lessons and working on the exercises, she was most often with Lady Celia learning how to manage a large manor, visiting tenants with the lady, or simply moving about with the lady learning how to walk and talk and even think like a true lady.

The news that her sisters Jane and Elizabeth were soon to wed were a pleasant surprise, though the fact that Elizabeth was to marry Mr. Darcy was something of a shock. Both sisters invited her to attend the wedding, but the pain of her ejection by her mother and her father's indifference were too fresh. The sisters understood when she declined, but promised to visit her when their newly married lives settled.

Catherine had another reason to remain in place. Lady Celia's youngest brother, Sir Wesley Tyndale, had arrived for Christmastide and then remained past the holidays. He was partners in a shipping business with two Oxford mates and they had decided to establish a branch warehouse in Portsmouth, so he would be in the area for the foreseeable future. He was a handsome and affable young man and he took an immediate interest in his sister's young protege.

Lady Celia made certain, in no uncertain terms, that he would always behave like a gentleman to her friend. He had always been well-behaved toward women, but his sister saw the mutual attraction and thought the warning important. Besides, she was full young and, so far as Lady Celia was concerned, not yet ready for matrimony. She intended to shape the girl into something truly noteworthy, if given enough time.

Catherine, though quite taken with Lady Celia's handsome brother, was of a similar mind about her own current worthiness. Though she did not know of her status as Lady Celia's "project," and might not have appreciated the distinction, she was also determined to become something... more. So she appreciated the man with her eyes, tried to school her heart, and forged ahead with learning how to be a lady.

Each night Catherine would return to the cottage that was the Phillips' home and regale her adopted parents with what she learned and saw that day. They gave her all of the attention that she could have wished as they reveled in being the parents that they had always wished to become. They considered themselves amply rewarded for taking their once ignored niece into their home and hearts.

Over the next two years Wesley's branch office grew so rapidly that it almost overtook the partnership's London main office in profits. Meanwhile Lady Celia's effort to improve Catherine and the young lady's own efforts had great results, to the point that those who met the younger and elder woman together would never have guessed the difference in their consequence. Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary each visited at least once, with the elder two making the journey with their husbands and Mary staying for a month full alone.

Mary had found a beau while making an extended stay with the Gardiners. James Hollister had gone north to establish himself in his new living as the rector of a large church near Liverpool before he planned to return, wed Mary, and take her back with him.

Mary's timing was propitious, because she was there when Sir Wesley Tyndale asked for and received Catherine's promise to marry him. Sadly, due to schedules and distance, neither Mary nor Catherine were able to attend the other's weddings, but they bonded as they never had before and became the best of correspondents over the following years. And since they both lived near ports, Sir Walter took her, and later his young family, aboard one of his ships to sail to Liverpool and pay a visit every couple of years.

Jane Bingley and Elizabeth Darcy were able to attend both weddings, along with their husbands. Catherine found Charles Bingley much as she remembered him, but found Mr. Darcy to be a much warmer person than she recalled. The way that he looked at Lizzy and his infant son was enough to melt Catherine's former fear of the man.

Mrs. Bennet often bragged of "Kitty's" husband and his wealth around Meryton, though neither she nor her husband were invited to the wedding, nor did Catherine's blood parents ever see their fourth daughter again. Fanny deigned to write to the daughter she cast out several times, but the letters were dropped, unopened, into the fire and promptly forgotten.

The Phillips were her true parents in her heart and they were thus honored by Sir Wesley as well. When her Uncle Phillips passed away some years later, Edith Phillips found a home with the Tyndales in their sprawling manor. The Tyndale children never knew Edith as anything other than "Grandmama."

Lydia wrote to her sister occasionally after Catherine's marriage. After Catherine read the first letter, which was filled with gossip, intrigue, assignations (some Lydia's own) and requests for money, that letter and all the followed also went into the fire.

Catherine "Kitty" Tyndale, nee Bennet (also Phillips), the once sickly, oft overlooked, and cast out daughter of Longbourn lived longer than all of her sisters. In time her husband's shipping enterprise became an empire and the Tyndales were widely recognized as one of the wealthiest families in Portsmouth and perhaps all of England. Catherine Tyndale's art was never sold for profit, but often given as gifts to friends, family, and notables. It was only after her death that some of those works made it into museums and her name enjoyed a small measure of fame.

Before her passing just shy of one-hundred years old, Catherine had the pleasure of holding her first great, great grandchild. The girl baby was named Celia, after her mother, and her mother before, who was named after the woman who Catherine would always remember as the greatest friend, mentor, and sister in her long life.

AN: There have been many requests for more Mary and/or Kitty stories. I would be happy to oblige when my mind is working, but it would greatly help if these requests also came with suggestions. It is not that I am unwilling to write about the two most forgotten sisters, it is just that I need ideas!

On another note, I am on Chapter Nineteen of Grandma Bennet. This time I do not intend to publish until the story is complete, since I keep having mental hiccups on various parts of the story.

And on yet another note, people keep asking, privately and publicly, for me to expand this story or that. As I wrote before, I am finding it difficult to write long stories now. I invite you or anyone to take any of the short stories I have provided, now in four collections, and expand them yourselves. I would love to read what you write. All I ask, just as I have tried to do with story ideas that I borrowed, is that you give me a short blurb of credit. I have all of my chapter stories on copywrite even though I haven't published them outside of this forum, but my short stories are fair game and can be considered fodder for the imagination. Oh, and if you officially publish them I would love an electronic copy for my own collection. Thanks and happy writing!