PP AU
BONDS OF DUTY
A Union of Hearts
Ch. 3
Kitty sat on the plush, floral-patterned sofa in the parlor, giggling at Elizabeth's remark about her upcoming marriage. The parlor was a cozy room filled with sunlight streaming through plain-white curtains, casting a warm glow on the antique furniture and family portraits adorning the walls. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, adding to the charming ambiance.
"Admit it." Elizabeth grinned wide. "It is funny."
"It is hilarious," roared Kitty. "Truly."
"However, what I want to know is how Richard pulled this all off. He is a colonel in the army and not related to Collins. How is he now going to inherit Longbourn from Father?"
"I have no idea."
Kitty saw her father walking past the parlor, and due to the look on his face, she excused herself and followed him down the hallway to his library, ignoring the family's portraits and knick-knacks on the walls as she did so. The hallway was long and dimly lit, with rich wood paneling and an array of family heirlooms. Kitty reached the library, her father's sanctuary away from the daily grind of life. The walls were lined with towering bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, and the scent of aged paper and polished wood filled the room. The soft glow of a desk lamp illuminated her father's face full of deep lines as he now sat behind the large mahogany desk.
Asking permission to enter, Kitty was allowed to do so. Sitting down on one of the overstuffed chairs, she asked the question on her mind.
"What is wrong, Father? I thought you approved of Colonel Fitzwilliam and found it amusing that I will not only be Lizzie's sister but her cousin as well; we sure do. His commitment to the army will soon be over, and he wishes to be a landowner, though I confess I am confused as to how he will be the landowner of Longbourn instead of Mr. Collins or any of the other Collins."
"I am not bothered by Richard, and I do find it amusing about the relation you and Lizzie will have." He could not explain the Longbourn situation, for neither William nor Richard were talking. However, if you asked him, he believed William made the foolish mistake of spouting something off in public up in London the last time the two men were there, or made the mistake of joining on some military bet which got him into hot water. And the only way to get out of it was to hand over his inheritance to the Colonel. Unfortunately, no one in London was speaking either.
"So, why the long face?"
"Because I am the one who should have been wiser. You should not have to step up to bat like this. Jane did not end up marrying Charles, thank heavens. He is an amiable enough fellow, but with no real backbone and handles money just as badly as I have done throughout my life. And I do not know if anyone will ever see what she is really worth with her being so quiet. Mary may or may not catch someone's eye after Lydia's stunt. And now it is Richard and you who are saving Longbourn and not I."
"So, you are human and made serious mistakes." Kitty lifted her hand and set it back down. "You are working on changing. As far as I am concerned, that should count for something."
"Maybe, but that does not change the money end of things. And I have been hearing what people have been saying lately, it cuts deep."
"Maybe not as to your funds, but I say, those people can go hang. A union of hearts is all that counts." Kitty stood up and walked around the desk. "I still get a dance with you at my wedding."
A week later, Colonel Fitzwilliam danced with Kitty—his bride—at their wedding. After she had danced with her father, who she refused to let feel guilty for having made unwise choices but was now doing what he could to make it up to his daughters—even if they were not in any big, gigantic way.