Beginning, Section II

Part I: From Netherfield to Bath

Chapter 1

...We are to remove to Pemberley in a couple of weeks, as my condition is becoming increasingly delicate, and Fitzwilliam is becoming almost stifling in his concern. I cannot pretend to mourn the fact that we shall be missing the end of the Season, though London is so chaotic and interesting. Indeed Jane, I am quite uncertain how I will bear the anticipation of the next six months once my confinement begins...

Jane Bingley looked up from her younger sister's letter with a start as her sister-in-law strode into the drawing room. Caroline Bingley barely gave her a glance as she surveyed her surroundings, a look of displeasure gracing her countenance.

"Caroline?" Jane spoke cautiously; since her marriage, it had always been something of a battle to speak to the older woman, and never more so than on this visit. Caroline had been nothing but coldly polite to her since her arrival at Netherfield with her new "intimate friend" Miss Samantha Avon, little more than a week ago.

"May I help you with something, Caroline?" Jane pressed as Miss Bingley finally met her gaze.

"Have the gentlemen returned?" Miss Bingley demanded.

Jane shook her head apologetically. "I believe they had planned on being gone all afternoon. It has been some time since Charles last organized a hunting party."

Caroline sighed in exasperation. "Could you please send someone to inform me when they return? I need to speak to Charles of an important matter."

"Of course, Caroline...is there a message I could pass on to him for you?"

Caroline gave her a coolly polite smile. "No, this is a private matter, I assure you. Simply tell me when they have returned. I must return to Samantha."

Jane barely suppressed a sigh. "Very well, Caroline."

The other woman turned on her heel and went back the way she came with little more than a gracious nod. This time, Jane did not bother to repress her sigh. It pained her to form a low opinion of anyone, let alone her new sister, but Caroline's behaviour on this particular visit to Netherfield was truly appalling. Jane could not help but feel that Miss Bingley had never fully warmed to her marriage to her brother, yet she usually gave all the appearance of respectful courtesy, and was rarely so openly hostile. Jane could not imagine what might have lowered her even further in Miss Bingley's esteem.

Pushing the matter aside, Jane turned back to Elizabeth's letter. However, she did not get further than one or two sentences before the door to the drawing room burst open once more.

"Charles!" Jane exclaimed with some surprise as her husband's gaze landed on her. Trying to ignore the shiver that ran down her spine as his eyes predictably lit up, as well as the flush along her cheeks as he swept her into her arms, she forgot about Elizabeth's letter and questioned him further. "Is something wrong? Why are you back so early?"

Charles shook his head, continuing to stare at her the way he had since their wedding day. "Nothing is wrong, my love, and the other men are perfectly fine. They're coming up to the house as we speak." He nuzzled his nose against her neck, but she was determined not to be distracted.

"And you are early because..."

Charles pulled back with a boyish pout. "Jane, we so rarely get moments like this, when we're alone," he pointed out.

Jane laughed as she was pulled down onto the settee next to him. "Well yes, but in the middle of the drawing room with Caroline, Miss Avon, and our friends arriving at any moment-"

"They will not be arriving for a while," Charles reassured her, taking note of her particularly joyful expression. "Have you received a letter from Lizzy?"

Jane brightened as she took up the forgotten letter. "Yes. It seems Lizzy is prepared to enter her confinement, as the Darcys are leaving London."

"So soon before the end of the Season?" Charles was surprised.

"Well, it seems Mr. Darcy and Miss Georgiana are becoming rather concerned," Jane informed him with a quick scan of the letter. She giggled. "Oh poor Lizzy, she has never dealt very well with being taken care of. It has always made her feel stifled."

Charles laughed as well. "Looks as though Darcy has his work cut out for him, then." But he watched as Jane fingered the letter and an unconsciously wistful expression came over her face. "My dear, are you missing Lizzy very much?" he asked quietly, taking her hand in both of his.

Jane turned to him in alarm. "Oh Charles, I would not for a moment have you think that I am in any way unhappy. Indeed, you have made me happier than I have ever imagined possible." She rested her head against his shoulder as his arms tightened around her. "I'll own that I am still not used to Lizzy's not being a constant presence in my life, but of course we have always expected such a time to come."

"But we have not seen the Darcys since the winter," Charles mused. He mentally began planning a letter he was going to write to Darcy later tonight. Perhaps nothing could be arranged in the very near future, but surely something could be done to planned to fully complete the happiness of not only his dearest Jane, but of Mrs. Darcy as well.

They had barely gotten comfortable on the settee before the housekeeper entered the room, causing the Bingleys to spring apart. Acting, as usual, as though she had not noticed a thing, Mrs. Ferriweather hid a smile and executed a curtsy. "Miss Bennet, ma'am." She had barely completed the announcement before Kitty, and not Mary as Jane had somehow expected, skipped into the room.

"Kitty," she exclaimed, rising from the settee. "Are you alone? Where is Mama?"

"Mama is at home," said Kitty with supreme nonchalance. "I came from the Lucases. Oh, before I forget, their carriage will have to be sent back. They insisted I use it." She directed this to Mrs. Ferriweather, who, with a nod exited the room.

"But Kitty, how will you get home?" Jane wanted to know.

"On foot of course," Kitty pointed out.

"But 'tis nearly three miles."

Charles chuckled. "This is sounding a bit familiar," he muttered. Both Jane and Kitty ignored him.

"Lizzy did it all the time," said Kitty indignantly.

"Indeed she did," agreed Charles, who had grown quite used to Kitty's fits of petulance and wished to stop one if he possibly could.

In all fairness, however, he had grown quite used to the Bennet family as a whole during their very frequent visits to Netherfield, and was even beginning to grow quite fond of this Bennet in particular. Jane had told him once that she believed much of Kitty's silliness and flirtatiousness had been largely encouraged by the behaviour of their youngest sister, Lydia. Bingley was never very sure of this -- Lydia had been in Newcastle for nearly a twelvemonth, and Mr. Bennet even had reservations in letting Kitty receive all of her letters, but Kitty still seemed to act rather silly and spoiled. Yet even Bingley could see that for all her efforts to fill the void Lydia had left in the Bennets' lives, Kitty suffered from boredom and lack of attention. In comparison to her behaviour when he had first met the Bennets, she really was uncommonly improved, and on visits where the rest of the family was absent, the effects were usually felt all the more keenly. Like Jane, Bingley hoped to see further improvements in time; it was a novel feeling to have a younger sister whom was constantly present and almost seemed to look up to him. Caroline had never done so.

Jane was obviously troubled as she invited Kitty to take a seat. "Is Papa aware that you are here?"

Kitty shrugged uncaringly. "I daresay he will not care, unless you are having a ball, or there are handsome officers who are visiting." She looked at them hopefully. Jane's cheeks went crimson.

"Kitty!"

Kitty sighed despondently. "You do not have to scold me, Jane, I did not say anything so bad. And I did not think there would be, anyway. I saw some of the men coming back to the house, and they all look around Mr. Hurst's age. Not," she added hastily, as though just noticing Mr. Bingley's presence, "that this is a bad thing, just..." she trailed off and looked pleadingly at Jane.

Bingley found it hard to suppress his smile at Jane's faint groan, but decided it would be beneficial to change the subject. "Kitty, what is that you've got in your hand?"

Kitty looked down at her book, and oddly enough began to turn pink. "Um, well...it is a romance..."

Jane took a look at the cover, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Romeo and Juliet?" she questioned, with not a little surprise. Kitty's blush became fully red.

"I am not turning into Mary," she said, as though daring them to contradict this statement. "But I am so bored! Papa is being so unfair, not letting me go out to any gatherings, and there is absolutely nothing for me to occupy myself with. All my bonnets have been made up so many times that I do not recognize any of them, and I have become quite desperate."

"But how do you find it so far?" Jane asked with much interest, partly hoping to deter Kitty from her melodramatic rant, and partly wishing to encourage her into deeper, sensible thinking. Bingley leaned forward as well.

Kitty looked between them suspiciously. "It...it is tolerable, I suppose," she admitted. "Hill insists that it is a romantic play, and Maria Lucas says the same thing, but it is nothing like The Romance of the Forest."

"Well, no doubt it is different," Bingley chimed in, "being written nearly two hundred years earlier."

Kitty owned that she enjoyed the story, which was very romantic, even if the language was hard to understand and some of the characters behaved oddly. "Imagine arranging a wedding for a fourteen-year-old girl who can not even be out yet. Even Mama would look down on that."

"Kitty." Jane chastised her sister for the careless slight to their mother, though she could not hide the glow of satisfaction in her eyes. She was so pleased that Kitty was reading something more substantial than Mrs. Radcliffe's novels.

Mr. Bingley sensed this and beamed. "Miss Kitty, there is no shame in finding pleasure in reading. In fact, if you do enjoy Shakespeare so much, I think I have the perfect play that will be more to your liking."

"Is it another romance?" Kitty asked.

"It is, though it is more widely known as a comedy. I find it to be much more engaging than Romeo and Juliet?, and I believe you may, too." Rising from the settee, he gave Jane a last kiss on the hand and left her to prepare for the arrival of the other guests, while he led Kitty to the infrequently used Netherfield library.

"Is there a particular reason you believe I should like this play more than the one I am already reading?" Kitty asked as she stared curiously around at the rather dusty shelves.

"Well, it is a very funny play, widely received, and many find that they can often equate certain characters with people of their own acquaintance," said Bingley with a rather uncharacteristic smirk. "Though I do not encourage you to do so," he quickly added, remembering whom he was speaking to; Miss Kitty did not need another excuse to behave improperly.

He led her over to the Shakespearean section and pulled a volume from the shelf. A pensive frown crossed his usually jovial countenance. "This is Caroline's copy of the play, but I do not think she will mind, so long as you take care of it." He was all the more hesitant about letting Kitty borrow the play, but seeing the rather indignant set of her expression after his words, decided to hand it over to her.

For her part, Kitty hoped she was hiding her feelings successfully as she studied the volume of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She had, in fact, seen this play in Papa's library, but she knew it was rude to decline when her new brother was offering to help her.

"I think I would do better to finish the one I'm reading first, but I could take care of this play until then," she answered very diplomatically, in her opinion. Judging from Mr. Bingley's approving nod, her opinion was not a wrong one. "I should like to read them both."

"And so you shall, Miss Kitty," Mr. Bingley agreed. "Be sure to tell me what you think of A Midsummer Night's Dream."

"I will," she replied dutifully.

"I think the other guests have returned, we will have to return to Jane."

As Mr. Bingley led her back to the drawing room, propriety demanded that he ask her to stay for dinner. Kitty was tempted, though she knew Papa would never stand for it, especially since he had told her very strictly that she had to be home within the time period he had marked for her. He was infuriatingly strict with her these days, and she had not even done anything! Why be punished for wickedness when she had committed none of it?

"Well, another time then, Kitty," Jane placated, coming out of the drawing room where she had left the other gentlemen (who, just as Kitty had expected, were Mr. Hurst's age). "Give Papa, Mama and Mary my fondest regards."

"And take good care of that book," Mr. Bingley reminded her.

Kitty was about to protest this rather unfair assessment of her capabilities when Miss Bingley came down from the second floor just then, accompanied by a tall, very elegant young woman wearing a similarly haughty expression. Miss Bingley looked supremely annoyed.

"Jane, I asked to be informed as soon as the gentlemen returned, and Charles has been home for quite a while now," she very near snapped, not even sparing Kitty a glance.

Mr. Bingley became agitated at this obvious hostility toward his wife, particularly from one whom had caused so much pain to her already. "Caroline, I am sure that whatever you must discuss-" But just then, Miss Bingley caught sight of A Midsummer Night's Dream in Kitty's grasp.

Kitty herself had never been much acquainted with Miss Bingley, but even she recognized the sneer that Miss Bingley tried so hard to mask in her brother's presence; it was the same sneer that came over her face whenever she was forced to interact with any member of Kitty's family that wasn't Jane (and sometimes even Jane did not escape such treatment).

"Charles, could you please tell me why Miss Kitty is in possession of my copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream?" she asked, with syrup in her voice and daggers in her tone.

"Caroline, you have not read that play in years, and Miss Kitty was hoping to expand her knowledge of Shakespeare." Mr. Bingley explained, sounding oddly defensive.

Miss Bingley looked as though she were prepared to say something cutting, but with a glance at her friend, who was watching Kitty rather curiously, covered it up with a shrill laugh. "Indeed? But what on earth could she plan to do with it?"

Up until this point, Kitty had held her tongue for the sake of Jane, who looked supremely uncomfortable. But above all other things, Kitty detested being spoken of as though she were not present, however intimidating Miss Bingley could be.

"What does one usually do with a book, Miss Bingley?" she piped up innocently. Jane turned pale, but seemed prepared to deflect any blows.

Miss Bingley did not seem to believe that Kitty had even spoken up in her presence, let alone spoken directly to her. "There is nothing about soldiers in there, Miss Kitty," she snapped.

Kitty flushed, but held onto the book even more stubbornly. "I believe I will manage, Miss Bingley," she said with all the dignity of a young girl, pointedly turning her back on Miss Bingley's very put out expression and therefore missing the growing interest with which Miss Bingley's friend was observing her. "Thank you once more, Mr. Bingley. Jane, I really must be going."

"Come, Kitty, I'll walk you to the door." With one uneasy glance at Miss Bingley, Jane propelled Kitty toward the front door. Once out of earshot of the others, she sighed.

"Kitty...I do wish you would learn to control your tongue," she said, trying not to sound as though she were scolding. Kitty had been supremely rude, but even she knew that Miss Bingley had not given her much choice.

"I practice every day, honest!"

Jane frowned teasingly into Kitty's face, made even more childlike than it usually was by the artfully innocent expression she currently wore. "You cannot pull your 'guiltless angel' routine on me, young lady. You should have thanked Miss Bingley for the book, too."

Kitty looked petulant. "I probably should have, but when she is nice to me, then I shall have no problem being nice to her."

There was little point in trying to make Kitty see her faults when she became like this, so with a last hug and a promise to send her greetings back to Longbourn, Jane let Kitty return home.

Chapter 2

Posted on Saturday, 11 June 2005

Meanwhile, Bingley was feeling very uncharitable toward his sister, who still wore a disapproving scowl.

"Caroline, may I please see you in my study?" he asked evenly.

It was a tone that Caroline had come to recognize well, ever since Charles had discovered hers, Louisa's and Mr. Darcy's attempts to sabotage his courtship of Jane. She sighed with open exasperation. "Very well, Charles, I would speak to you about a certain concern of mine, anyway," she said with as much dignity as she could muster while being spoken to like a child.

Miss Avon cleared her throat. "Shall I go wait with the gentlemen in the drawing room?" she asked.

Bingley smiled encouragingly, realizing that the other woman could hardly be very comfortable while a family dispute took place right before her eyes. "Yes, that would be best; my wife will join you in there shortly."

With a small nod, Miss Avon left for the drawing room, and Bingley and Caroline headed for his study in stony silence.

Once there, Charles took a seat behind his desk and bade Caroline to sit before him. She remained standing, not at all liking the feeling that she was about to be judged as though before a court. It was very different from the interactions with her brother that she had grown used to for at least the past ten years.

She opened the conversation herself, in an effort to shake off the feeling. "Charles, I have been meaning to speak to you about this all afternoon, but particularly since Miss Kitty Bennet arrived."

Bingley, who had been about to open the conversation himself, was a bit taken aback. "Well, Caroline, what is this matter that is so urgent?"

"As you know, I have invited Mr. and Miss Avon to visit Netherfield with me in an effort to further cement the relationship I currently have with both."

Bingley blinked. "I realize that Miss Avon is your particular friend, but I was unaware that you had any specific relationship with her brother."

Caroline smiled slyly. "Well, perhaps not yet. But he did agree to join dear Samantha and I on our trip, and I cannot help but believe that this might mean something. He is very endowed, Charles, holds a position in Parliament, has quite a fortune and a very large estate in Gloucestershire."

"Caroline, I thought you were aware that Mr. Avon is an old acquaintance of mine, from a few years back," Bingley pointed out to his sister. "I extended the invitation to him once I was aware that you had invited his sister here."

Caroline huffed. "I was not aware of that, Charles, and am a bit put out that you could not think to inform your own sister."

Bingley sighed. "I apologize-"

"Well, it little matters," Caroline waved off his reply. "It just means that our family has closer connections to them. I had hoped that you would find a way to keep your mother- and sisters-in-law away from the house while we are here. I realize that they are your family now, though not due to lack of trying on my part, but I will not have them ruining my chances to make this match."

Bingley gritted his teeth and for once did not mince words. "Caroline, I realize that you have never been entirely comfortable with my marriage, but as a guest in my house, I must insist that you stop treating both my wife and our extended family so abominably. They are now your family, too, and not only do you demean yourself by treating them in such a manner, but to do so in company!"

Caroline gasped at this unfair (she thought) attack. "I have told you before that I have no problems with Jane, and indeed I have been the picture of civility to her and to her family, so I do not know what you mean by this. When have I ever 'treated them in such a manner'?"

Bingley wondered at Caroline's short memory. "Your behaviour to Miss Kitty just now-"

Caroline reddened, but spoke defensively. "I believe I asked very valid questions."

"You did all but call her stupid!"

"And is she not?" Caroline muttered before she could stop herself. Watching her brother's face go dark with anger, she knew she had gone too far and quickly backtracked. "Charles, I think you are becoming far too upset over a very little thing. You know very well that Miss Kitty has done little but chase officers since we have known her, and if she ever were to pick up a book, I would have fully expected it to be a novel. I was merely surprised. And I do not see why you had to give her my book. Mr. Bennet is a great reader, I am sure he has a copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream somewhere in his library."

Bingley's glare did not lessen. "Miss Kitty has already promised to take good care of the book while it is in her possession. I trust that nothing will happen to it."

Caroline knew there was no point in pursuing her brother to see her side of the argument any longer. She set her jaw as they both descended into an uncomfortable silence. Finally, it became too much to bear. "Will you not consider my request, Charles?"

Bingley inhaled deeply. "The Bennets are Jane's family, and as such will always be welcome to Netherfield," he said slowly.

Caroline glowered. "You cannot pretend to actually enjoy their company; I have seen you become impatient with Mrs. Bennet myself, and were you anyone else you would have said something about it long ago."

"Caroline!" The woman went silent at the very uncharacteristic, sharp tone in her brother's voice. "This discussion is at an end. If you insist on causing trouble, you will have to continue your schemes elsewhere, but I will not allow you to make Jane feel uncomfortable in her own home."

Caroline's face went white with anger, but she said nothing. Bingley studied his sister's face for a minute before speaking again, in a somewhat softer tone.

"Caroline...I cannot pretend to understand you anymore. You seem to be constantly displeased, and never more so than on this particular visit. It is not only disturbing Jane, but myself as well - I promised our father that I would take care of both you and Louisa, and while she seems content enough, you are growing worse than Darcy used to-"

Caroline sharply cut him off. "Thank you for your time, Charles. If that is all, I believe I will be returning to the others now." Not waiting for a response, she whirled on her heel and left the study, all but slamming the door behind her. Bingley sighed hopelessly.

Caroline was in a foul temper as she stalked toward the drawing room where the other guests were being entertained. Stopping just outside the door, she took a moment to compose herself and tried to ignore the sound of Jane's voice coming from just inside the room. She had not lied to her brother; she did not have any personal problems with Jane Bingley nee Bennet. The younger woman was merely a very bitter reminder of all that Caroline had lost.

Mr. Avon was talking rambunctiously with the other men from Charles's hunting party, men whom had been invited from nearby estates in the county. There was little hope of starting up a conversation with Mr. Avon, so Caroline took a seat next to her new intimate friend, who was speaking to Jane on the subject of music.

"I confess, I do not play half so well as my sisters Elizabeth and Mary," Jane was telling the other woman modestly.

"Elizabeth...would that be your sister, Mrs. Darcy?" Miss Samantha exclaimed with great interest. She turned to Caroline. "You have heard the new Mrs. Darcy play before, have you not, Caroline? I beg you would tell me how well she plays!"

Were it possible for Caroline to give her true opinion of both Eliza Bennet (she would never be Mrs. Darcy to her) and her proficiency on the pianoforte, she would do so. But Miss Samantha Avon was an elegant woman of thoroughly gentle breeding, and Louisa had already warned her to tread carefully with this one.

"I trust that Jane would agree with me when I say she is quite pleasant to listen to," she said with as much sincerity as she could muster. Samantha raised an eyebrow, but Jane seemed very pleased with this apparently sincere approval of her favourite sister.

Charles entered the room just then, and was drawn into conversation along with his wife. Samantha leaned closer to Caroline and lowered her voice. "I believe I see why you did not seem to be looking forward to this trip as much as you possibly could have," she said somewhat teasingly. "So Mrs. Bingley truly is the sister of the infamous Mrs. Darcy! I must say, I have never seen Mrs. Darcy myself, but if she is anything like her sister, it may not be so hard to believe that the infallible Darcy was enchanted."

"She is not," said Caroline shortly, narrowing her eyes at the other woman. Miss Samantha Avon was about the same age as herself. She was also quite the illustrious personage in both London and Bath, despite having been out for six seasons and not yet married. Caroline had met her a few months ago at a ball, and had found her to be looking for the same sort of friendship that she herself was; a striking figure to gossip, go shopping, and be seen with. Miss Samantha was an overall pleasant person with very charming manners and was quite adept at nearly all feminine pursuits, such as playing, singing, drawing and embroidery. But she seemed to take an obscene amount of pleasure in the pain of others, which put her among many a lady of the ton, including Caroline herself.

So long as the pain was not hers, of course.

Caroline forgot all her brother had told her about respecting her new family. "Jane is the beauty among her sisters, as well as the only one with manners becoming a true lady. I find Mrs. Eliza to be most impertinent, and I still insist that she is nothing much to look at."

"Regardless of how very fine her eyes are?" Samantha pressed with an deceptively innocent giggle; Caroline had ranted to her about this particular point many times.

Caroline inwardly seethed, but changed the subject to include the rest of the room; she was beginning to think that the advantages of being friends with Miss Avon were not worth the pain of being her object of amusement.

But one must not think that this was an amusement that Samantha Avon had designed individually. In fact, much of the Town had taken a rather malicious pleasure in her downfall, if Caroline could say so.

As the party removed to the dining hall once supper was announced, Miss Avon once again leaned closer to Caroline as she fell into step next to her. "That young girl who was here earlier," she began curiously. "She was Mrs. Bingley's sister?"

"She was."

"Her manners are certainly lacking, especially in comparison to her sister's. And imagine not having read Shakespeare before! Still, I suppose she is very young, perhaps not even out yet. I wonder that she did not stay for supper."

"The boundaries between my brother's new family and Netherfield are rather nonexistent," Caroline informed her with a disgusted shake of her head. "They come and go as they please, by foot or otherwise. And as for the chit being 'so very young', she is the youngest but one in the family, and her youngest sister is already married."

"Indeed!" Samantha looked shocked, but even Caroline knew not to say anymore than she already had. That sort of gossip could wait until more informal, "family" parties, but such information would only reflect badly on her in Samantha's eyes, no matter how distant the connection was.

But she watched as a rather scheming light entered into Miss Avon's dark blue eyes. As with nearly all of her friendships, Caroline and Samantha were only friends on the most superficial level, but Caroline still recognized that look.

"My dear, are you planning something?"

Samantha looked innocently back at Caroline. "Perhaps, Caroline," was all she would reveal, but for some rather odd reason, she continued to press Caroline for information about the Bennet family.

Caroline simply attributed the inquisition to curiosity about the family from whence came the two country girls who had snagged such illustrious men of the ton as her brother and Mr. Darcy. In fact, Caroline had made a whole new collection of acquaintances made up of people who had decided they could get such information from her.

She silently gnashed her teeth.

Chapter 3:

In the past week, Miss Avon had discovered much to satisfy her curiosity about the rest of the Bennet family, and was very little impressed. She was well acquainted with Mrs. Bennet's behaviour, as the woman had visited Netherfield nearly every day in Kitty's absence, and she had spent many hours wondering how such a silly woman had raised a daughter like Jane Bingley. Caroline had warned her that Mary Bennet was quite as silly as her other sisters, for all that she tried to pretend otherwise, and certainly nothing special to look at. Now observing the bushy-haired, bespectacled girl who spoke only to insert moralistic proverbs that she felt suited the current conversation, Samantha could only agree.

She wrinkled her nose in distaste of her present company, not realizing that across from her, Caroline Bingley was wearing an almost identical expression. She did take note of the fact that Miss Kitty, aside from openly huffing and rolling her eyes in exasperation at her elder sister, was much more silent in the presence of her family than she had seemed on her earlier visit. Samantha would have assumed that she felt ashamed of her family's behaviour, had she not been behaving so improperly herself. Imagine slouching in a seat like that; the girl had a rather nice figure, but seemed determined to ruin it.

Bingley finally managed to draw the youngest Bennet present into a discussion about A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Samantha listened with one ear as they expounded on the mischievousness of Puck, the foolishness of Bottom, the inconsistency of Oberon's love, before moving onto Lysander and Hermia.

"The only thing interesting about their story was that their love was forbidden," Miss Catherine was saying bluntly, looking deeply impassioned about the subject of said love. "Lysander became a bit more interesting when he was fighting with Demetrius over Helena, but Hermia was such a drab character. I don't think the story would have changed much had Helena's and Hermia's roles been switched."

Despite her grammar, Mr. Bingley was nodding in agreement and seemed very well pleased. "That is an opinion many others have received from the play, Miss Kitty."

Kitty wrinkled her nose; Samantha supposed she was not very happy with being labeled as 'many others'. "Well, it is what I think. Though personally I could not see the attraction either way. Such gentlemen as Lysander and Demetrius, I cannot imagine what they saw in Hermia, she is such a drab character!"

The silliness of this response dismayed Samantha and led her to agree with what little Miss Bingley had told her about Catherine Bennet, but Mr. Bingley just seemed relieved that she was conversing about Shakespeare and not members of her acquaintance. Miss Kitty, oblivious to all of these considerations, went on.

"And it is only because I know they were under the influence of the love potion that I forgive them for fighting over Helena. I feel sorry for her, though she is so silly."

"Very silly," agreed Caroline, who apparently had also been listening to this discussion in favour of the one between Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Bingley, and Miss Mary. "The kind of silliness that should inspire contempt rather than pity. Imagine chasing brazenly after gentlemen with so little thought for self-respect."

Of all in the room, only Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Bingley seemed not to have heard this comment. Mary Bennet looked appalled at the direct hit to her sister, Mr. Bingley looked as close to furious as Samantha had ever seen him, and Samantha herself blinked in surprise, wondering whether Miss Kitty had even registered the insult. It did not appear as though she had, as she only gave Miss Bingley a brief smile as though to welcome her into the conversation.

"Oh, I suppose it is very easy to hate Helena," she agreed, "though I think it rather mean, and unfortunately, I know too many of my own acquaintance who have behaved similarly-" Cutting herself off abruptly by clamping a hand over her mouth, Miss Kitty stared at Caroline in horror before dropping her eyes to the floor.

Miss Avon had to cover her own mouth to prevent a giggle of mirth. Attack and counterattack! Imagine Caroline Bingley undone by a young chit barely out of the schoolroom!

Caroline's face was red with fury. "Why you little-" she began in a high screech. Mr. Bingley looked most uncomfortable, and poor Mrs. Bingley was clearly mortified.

"Kitty!" she exclaimed.

Miss Kitty leapt to her own defense. "I did not say anything wrong, Jane!" she cried. Pausing for a moment, she then proceeded to dig her own grave. "And even if I did, I do not see why I should apologize for being honest - for I have no intention of being nasty and hypocritical-"

"Kitty, girl, what is the matter with you?" Mrs. Bennet shrilled, glaring at her daughter. "How dare you say such things to our elegant hosts, you are not at home-"

Mrs. Bingley stood up quickly and beckoned to Miss Kitty. "Kitty, may I please talk to you?"

As Samantha watched the proceedings with interest and not a little detached amusement, Caroline Bingley sat back with a very self-satisfied look on her countenance. Kitty Bennet sighed in irritation before getting up and following her eldest sister out of the room.

"I am very sorry, Miss Bingley, I do not know what has gotten into that child lately! She has become so very uncontrollable, though I do think that if Mr. Bennet would only let her go out and meet some nice young gentlemen, she would be in much better humour. Or if even my poor Lydia would write more often and allow her to visit her in Newcastle-"

As Mrs. Bennet rattled on in this manner, Samantha considered the little she knew about Lydia Bennet. Since coming to Hertfordshire, she had only heard snippets of the story from idle Meryton gossips. She was aching to know the full story about the youngest Bennet who had run off with a wastrel (such gossip it would provide in Bath and London! Samantha could only wonder if Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley had known of this event before they had married two Bennet daughters), but she knew it would be the highest degree of impropriety to ask someone outright. And no matter how much she subtly pleaded and wheedled Caroline to tell her the truth, Caroline had been frustratingly close-mouthed on the subject, which was odd considering how much pleasure Miss Bingley seemed to derive from hearing others malign the Bennet name.

So rather than becoming irritated with Mrs. Bennet's rant, she listened, hoping to get one more piece of the whole puzzle; but with a grace that Miss Avon found surprising, Mr. Bingley smoothly managed to change the subject to fashions and the weather.

Samantha sighed, and decided to gain whatever amusement she could from teasing Miss Bingley. The other woman's face was rather pale, for all her hauteur.

"Well, this has been quite the interesting turn of events," she murmured.

"Did I not tell you?" Miss Bingley hissed back. "Insolent brat! It would seem the defect runs through the whole family."

Samantha had heard Caroline rant about Mrs. Darcy's impertinence far too often to have any true desire to hear her do so again. "Oh indeed, it was shocking. She was most improper."

Caroline shook her head in disgust. "I am at a loss to know how Charles could even think of connecting himself to this family. I tried to stop him. The Bennets all seem to have a very inflated sense of their own importance."

Samantha was taken aback. "But what problems could you possibly have with Jane?" she wondered. "Indeed, she may be the dearest girl I have ever met."

Caroline's knuckles turned white as she clutched them within the folds of her skirts. "Must I repeatedly defend myself on this?" she said impatiently. "I have very few problems with Jane, though she did marry above her station..."

Samantha decided it would be best not to refute this here and now, in her host's home. Another time, she might have felt this was a very valid point and agreed with Caroline; but she was well aware that fortunes aside, the Bingley family came from trade, whereas Jane Bingley nee Bennet was a gentleman's daughter, and so the reverse was actually true.

"...But just look at Mrs. Bennet! And then there is that chit, accusing me of-"

Samantha could not hold back her giggles; regardless of the poisonous looks Caroline was now sending her way. "Oh, to be sure, I cannot imagine how she could ever have reached such an assessment of your behaviour," she cooed, all innocence.

Caroline seethed, and Samantha relented slightly.

"Oh dear Caroline, you must admit," she pleaded in her defense. "Anyone who can meet you in such a battle of insults, and come close to winning, must be worthy of making our acquaintance. In fact, I am quite eager to know more of Miss Kitty Bennet, though she is so silly."

It was well worth it to see the fury on Caroline's face, but Miss Avon did not have much time to enjoy it. Not long afterward, Mrs. Bingley and Miss Kitty re-entered the room. Mrs. Bingley looked entirely calm, and even smiled at Miss Kitty, who looked chastised and even a little guilty as she stopped in front of Miss Bingley.

Samantha observed young Miss Bennet as she paused, before quickly folding her hands behind her back, beyond sight of the others. It did not take much to guess that the girl was obviously crossing her fingers, and Samantha hid a smile.

"I am very sorry, Miss Bingley, for any slurs I might have made against your person. Please believe that it was unintentional and I apologize for any pain that I may have caused."

The apology sounded genuine enough. Miss Kitty relaxed her arms at her sides as she turned to Mr. Bingley. "Mr. Bingley, please believe that I am sorry for insulting a guest in your home. I had no right to do so, though it-" she broke off, then sighed. "Sorry."

Mr. Bingley nodded, then turned to Caroline. "Caroline, I believe you have your own apology to make?"

Caroline spluttered for a moment. "You cannot expect me to apologize when I was clearly the injured party?" she gasped. Mr. Bingley was unmoved, so after pressing her lips tightly together for a moment, Caroline stuck her own hand behind her back and mumbled something to the effect of an apology. Samantha could hardly keep her countenance; Caroline was acting just as petulant as Miss Kitty!

Once the apologies had been extended, an oppressive silence descended before Mrs. Bingley suggested that they go walking outdoors. The plan met with approval from all except for Mr. Bingley, who opted to join Mr. Avon in the billiards room, where he had remained all afternoon.

Kitty, in fact, had not been fully aware of the insult that Caroline Bingley had aimed her way; or if she had, she had registered it as a slight to her younger sister Lydia, whose elopement was now infamous in Hertfordshire. Any indignant feelings that may have arisen were on her sister's behalf, but there had truly been little malicious intent in her careless statements. She did not care to have Miss Bingley as an enemy.

Not that it seemed to matter to Miss Bingley either way. As Mama and Jane led the walk around Netherfield's grounds, Kitty could feel the glares against her back from Miss Bingley, who was bringing up the rear with her friend.

So occupied with casting nervous glances over her shoulder, Kitty barely noticed when Mary moved ahead to walk with Jane and their mother. Miss Bingley, on the other hand, pounced on the chance to get Miss Kitty on her own and exact revenge for her earlier humiliation.

"So Miss Kitty," she purred, drawing even with Kitty and smirking as the younger girl nearly jumped in surprise. "I take it from your earlier conversation with my brother that you enjoyed A Midsummer Night's Dream?"

"I did, Miss Bingley," Kitty replied warily, feeling rather cornered as Miss Avon drew up to her other side. "And if you are worried about your copy of the play, let me assure you that I took very good care of it and gave it back to Mr. Bingley earlier."

"Very good, Miss Kitty," Miss Bingley cooed sweetly. "Rather impressive for a silly girl, you know. I see no need to feel either pity or contempt."

Kitty flushed hotly, now left in no doubt of whom Miss Bingley had been aiming her earlier slur at. But she gave no response, partly not wishing to give Miss Bingley the satisfaction of believing that she might actually care about her opinion, and partly because of what Jane had let slip during her earlier lecture.

Surprisingly, Miss Avon changed the subject, though it was not very helpful. "But Miss Catherine, I got the impression that you have never read many of Shakespeare's works. Why is that? I believe that every young lady should read them by the time they are your age."

"Perhaps we have differing opinions, Miss Avon," Kitty said, rather thoughtfully for her. "I admit to having enjoyed the two Shakespeare plays I read, but I was quite happy not having read them until now."

Miss Bingley gave a cool smile. "Those with little education will often say the same thing."

"Yet in some cases, education does not seem to make one any more desirable, or less silly," Kitty snapped back. Miss Avon hastily interjected once more, as it seemed Miss Bingley was ready to slap the girl.

"But if you will forgive me for the observation, Miss Kitty, it does seem as though you suffer a certain ignorance of very important matters." Miss Avon spoke casually, though her sharp eyes hinted at more than just a mere casual interest. "For instance, what do you know about the current fashions?"

Kitty frowned. "Well, my Aunt Phillips knows much about those, and should I wish to know, I could just ask her. Anything else I must know I get from magazines, or wait until my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner come to visit."

"Why wait for such a thing?" Miss Bingley piped up from her other side. "Have you never been to Cheapside yourself?"

"Oh, I should love to go, should my relatives ever take me there," Kitty said brightly. "But no, I have only been to Gracechurch Street once, and that was a long time ago."

Miss Avon snickered at both the girl's naiveté, and the way she had unwittingly put Miss Bingley in her place once more. "You shouldn't pine to go there, anyway," she told Miss Kitty almost kindly. "If you ever do go to London, there are much better places to find the latest fashions." She smiled at Miss Bingley over Kitty's head. "You might even ask Miss Bingley, you know, she is quite the trend-setter in Town."

Kitty's jaw dropped as she stared at the imposing, haughty Miss Bingley. "Are you really?" she exclaimed, not able to squash the tiny feeling of genuine respect.

Miss Bingley preened. "Has it not been obvious all along, Miss Kitty? I am always in the most fashionable outfits at every gathering in this miserable county."

Kitty held her tongue for a moment, before allowing the doubtful expression to slip across her face. "So then, does everyone in Town wear orange?"

Miss Avon gave into actual laughter. Miss Bingley only glowered.

The group circled back to the house before the Bennets took their leave. Just prior to their departure, Miss Avon had run into the house, and exited with a small book in hand. Miss Bingley had given a cry of outrage, to which Samantha had only smiled innocently. She then pressed the book into a very astonished Kitty's hand.

Miss Bingley sighed in defeat, before openly scowling at the younger Miss Bennet. "It would seem that everyone in this household is insistent upon giving you every Shakespearean play I own," she muttered. "This is Hamlet. Should you have any small wish to expand your education even a little more, I recommend you read it, but I insist on having it returned within a fortnight."

Samantha beamed at Caroline. Kitty's mouth worked for a moment before she was finally able to respond with a mumbled thank-you. The Bennets took their leave.

"I like her," Samantha said truthfully as the Bennet carriage departed. "No, listen dear Caroline, I believe we could have quite a bit of fun with her. Would it not be an amusing challenge to see if, between the two of us, we could not give her a bit of polish? I daresay she could be a very sweet girl if she were only more refined."

"Do you have any idea how long such a scheme might take to conduct?" Miss Bingley snapped in annoyance. "The girl has no accomplishments that I have ever seen, and until my brother introduced her to Shakespeare, she had little more than flirtations and redcoats in her head."

"She has a pleasant figure," Samantha went on to herself, ignoring Caroline. "She has more of a childish prettiness to her face than any real beauty, but that can change in time, she is still very young. I agree that her conversation rarely holds much substance, and her manner of speaking is rather atrocious - I've never heard a young girl use so much slang - but she has some very interesting...opinions." She giggled briefly at Caroline's withering glare. "Which she certainly expresses very clearly. There's a touching sort of honesty to her manner, which I like very much. It is so rare."

Caroline chose not to respond to this, already feeling rather sickened at such praise of a Bennet. Samantha went on. "Yes, I believe with a push in the right direction, Miss Catherine Bennet might indeed be quite the charming young girl."

Caroline narrowed her eyes, but it seemed that Miss Samantha was not to be talked out of this scheme. She considered it briefly; the last thing she needed was another charming Bennet girl snatching any possible eligible men from under her nose. But the chit was hardly likely to travel any further than Hertfordshire, seeing how Mr. Bennet seemed to loathe London. Charles seemed to indulge her, but even he knew that with Miss Kitty's reckless behaviour, he would never be able to take her anywhere. And Mr. Darcy, being well acquainted with the silliness of his younger sisters-in-law, was unlikely to welcome Miss Kitty anywhere within his vicinity, even if he was married to Eliza Bennet.

The scheme was safe enough, in Caroline's opinion. Perhaps if Miss Kitty could be straightened up quickly enough, she might catch the eye of one of her uncle's clerks, or some other inconsequential man in the country, and Caroline would see her safely married and out of the way before London's next Season.

"She does have a good sense of fashion," Miss Bingley began hesitantly.

Samantha smiled delightedly. "Oh indeed! Did you hear her say that she made up all of her own bonnets? Her bonnet today was so pretty."

"I suppose it can be done, but I warn you Samantha, I do not intend to put off any of my plans in order for this scheme to work."

"I believe you are only so agreeable because she was in such awe of you after finding out what a fashion figurehead you are with the ton. But give her time, Caroline." Samantha could not stop the laughter. "She is rather naive now, but I think that she might have the makings to become just as catty as yourself."

Chapter 4

Posted on Wednesday, 15 June 2005

Lounging on her bed in her room, Kitty stared contemplatively at her drawing portfolio.

There was little to contemplate within that folder. Kitty had no qualms about boasting over the very few accomplishments she did have (namely bonnet trimming), but she did not pretend to be a great artist, and prior to a couple of months ago had barely even picked up a drawing pencil in years. Lately, she had been bored and listless enough to do anything in addition to sulking, including picking up her old hobby again, but there were few drawings in the folder that did not feature redcoat uniforms or ball gowns she had seen in the fashion plates of various magazines.

No, what Kitty was contemplating lay directly beneath the folder, where she had determinedly placed it so that she would not be tempted to look at it and think about that rather humiliating afternoon at Netherfield.

She liked Shakespeare well enough, the little she had read of him, anyway. His writings were nothing like Mrs. Radcliffe's or Mary Brunton's, but they were interesting, and the dialogue alone was enough to fascinate her. She wondered what it would be like to speak as such. It had taken her nearly three days to complete Romeo and Juliet, and another three days to complete A Midsummer Night's Dream; Mary had flatly refused to help her understand 'writings of such a sinful nature', and Kitty had not even asked her father, as she was loathe to ask him about anything these days. She would not even be in such a situation were it not for him.

It would probably take her another three days to read Hamlet, should she ever choose to remove it from beneath her portfolio. But to do so would be to admit that she was silly, as Miss Bingley had assessed.

Kitty did not think that she was silly, or that it was her fault, if indeed she was. In a family such as hers, where there were not only so many girls, but each girl seemed to possess such a strong personality, Kitty had discovered early on that the best way to be noticed was to copy one of those personalities. As Lydia had been the one who seemed to call the most attention to herself wherever she went (and had later become the only one of her sisters who seemed able to tolerate Kitty's company for more than five minutes), she had been Kitty's closest companion for the majority of their lives.

Papa had been labeling the two of them as 'silly' for as long as Kitty could remember, and never more so than when the regiment had been stationed at Meryton; but Papa was always laughing at someone or something, so Kitty had not let it bother her. Lydia had been completely indifferent to their father's sarcasm, so it could not have signified much. And Mama had approved of them, though she approved of everything Lydia had ever done. Kitty did not think she and Lydia had responded to the regiment any differently than any other girl in Meryton. Half of the girls in the county had flirted with the officers as well, though perhaps not so often, and even Lizzy had nearly thrown herself at Mr. Wickham.

Kitty had dismissed Miss Bingley as anyone of real consequence from nearly the moment she had seen her at the first Meryton assembly. She had been imposing and perhaps the most fashionable woman that the provincial Kitty had ever seen, with the exception of Kitty's Aunt Gardiner, but she had also been disdainful; her nose had appeared permanently stuck in the air and she had been prouder than Mr. Darcy (which Kitty had not even thought was possible). That Miss Bingley had formed a low opinion of her was hardly surprising, but for it to coincide so strongly with her own father's opinion of her...

Kitty set her jaw and flounced out of her bedroom, heading downstairs to her father's study.

She had not been on the best of terms with either of her parents since the winter, and it was now late spring. When not campaigning for her father to release Kitty from her imprisonment, her mother all but ignored her, now that the main attraction of Lydia was gone. As stung as Kitty was by this, it was nothing compared to the irritation of her father, who had never paid much attention to his daughters but was now keeping Kitty under lock and key for Lord only knew how long. She was rarely allowed to leave the grounds of Longbourn; she could only visit Maria at Lucas Lodge once a week, and Maria had to call at Longbourn any other time she wished to see her friend; she had to be back home within a set time interval upon leaving the house; Netherfield and Meryton were strictly off-limits unless she was in the company of her mother or Mary - as Aunt Phillips came to visit Mama far more frequently than the reverse, and Mary never voluntarily moved away from her books, Kitty had not even been to Meryton in months. Had she not sneaked away from Lucas Lodge to visit Netherfield a few weeks ago, Kitty would not have ever been to visit her sister on her own.

Papa was quite insistent that he would not have Kitty running off with any disreputable soldiers, but it rather seemed as though he were trying to keep her from meeting any gentlemen at all, something which greatly vexed not only Kitty, but Mama as well. Mama could often be heard wailing at her husband for this unreasonable treatment, whereas Kitty herself had spent more than a little time crying about how very unfair Papa was being, especially since she had not been wicked by keeping a confidence, and Lydia was clearly happily married to her officer. The few times Mr. Bennet did not immediately retreat to his study following these outbursts, he would only smile and say something rather cryptic (in Kitty's opinion), and then retreat.

It was enough to make Kitty scream, and she had been seething with resentment at both her parents for a long time. Perhaps it was some of this resentment that buoyed her confidence as she sharply knocked on the study door, determined to ask her father why his opinion of her plainly matched that of one who had made herself a determined enemy of the family.

At her father's invitation, she marched into the study and up to the desk.

"Ah, Kitty," said Papa, not a little surprised to see her in his study. "How may I help you? Am I to hear another rendition of your praising my triumphs?"

Kitty's eyebrows drew together. "I do not praise your triumphs, Papa," she replied indignantly, with little thought for respect or propriety. "In fact, I think you unreasonable and unfair. I did not do anything-"

"But then, there you go again," Papa pointed out with dry humour, returning to his book. "Are you not singing my praises after all?"

"Papa-" The half-whine, half-scream was out before Kitty could cut herself off. He was teasing her again; he had taken entirely too much pleasure in the sport after her other sisters had left, but only recently had Kitty been able to recognize when she was being made fun of.

"Am I silly?" she blurted out, turning imploring eyes onto her father.

Mr. Bennet raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Now wherever did you get such an idea?" he asked.

"From Miss Bingley," Kitty replied unthinkingly, fingering the desk. "And she is so disagreeable, so I would not care, only you have often said - oh Papa!!" She ended in a wail upon hearing the humour in his question that she had previously missed, and now seeing his faint laughter.

Mr. Bennet reached over to pat Kitty's hand. "Never mind, Kitty," he said in what she supposed might have been a reassuring tone, had there not been so much laughter present. "Miss Bingley seems to be just as silly as the next young woman, so I daresay you may be in good company."

Not being entirely accustomed to her father's wit, she had followed the conversation tolerably well up to this point. But now she stared blankly, and finally chose to take this as a direct insult.

"Argh!"

Throwing up her hands in exasperation, she whirled on her heel and stomped toward the door, only to be called back by Papa's voice.

"By the way, Kitty, it would seem as though my copies of Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night have mysteriously vanished from my library. You would not know anything about that, would you?"

"I do not know of what you speak, Papa." Kitty was the picture of innocence, not being in well enough humour to enlighten her father.

"Well, I heard Mr. Bingley's Shakespearean play was lent out and returned safely, so perhaps I may hope for my own books to meet the same fate."

"I did not know Mr. Bingley had lent out any of his own Shakespearean plays," Kitty muttered absently before hurrying out of the room. Mr. Bennet chuckled once before returning to his readings.

Kitty went off in search of Mary; her sister was antisocial at best, but perhaps she might give Kitty a straighter answer than she had received from her father.

She found Mary in the parlour, studiously reading from a thick tome of Fordyce, no doubt. Rushing up to her, Kitty slammed both palms over the open page in order to get Mary's attention. Mary jumped at her abrupt appearance.

"Mary, do you think I am silly?" Kitty wondered aloud.

"Wherever did you get an idea like that?" Mary demanded sarcastically, in unconscious imitation of their father. Kitty's responding pout had little effect on her, but the earnest plea in the younger girl's eyes had her grimacing as she attempted to pry Kitty's hands from her page.

"Yes, in fact I think you very silly," she said honestly. "Now, if you would be so kind as to remove your hands from my book... you have already destroyed one of my copies of Fordyce."

Kitty's pout became far more pronounced upon Mary's analysis, and she stamped her foot once. But sensing she would get no more out of her elder sister, she obligingly removed her hands and left the room, feeling miffed rather than any true feelings of pain or disappointment. So there it was then; Papa, Mary, and Miss Bingley had all come to the same conclusion regarding her character. She did not have much interaction with any of the three, but however indifferent she may be to them, she would never have labeled either of them as stupid. She wondered how many other people carried this opinion of her.

With a petulant scowl, she marched back up to her room and stared hard at the portfolio still lying on hers and Lydia's old writing desk. Then with sudden decisiveness, she snatched up both the folder and Hamlet beneath it, and went outside.

Caroline Bingley was in complete disgrace. For the past few days, Charles had been constantly cornering her for purposes of 'quiet words', which were really little more than harsh scoldings for her behaviour on the Bennets' last visit. And while it was the height of humiliation to be reprimanded at her age by her brother, who had never shown much backbone until presently, this was made all the more disturbing by the points he was constantly bringing to her attention.

"In no way are you recommending yourself to the Avons with such callous disdain for your own family, Caroline!"

And absurd as it may have sounded at the time, she could not help but glimpse something in Samantha's coolly amused smiles and frequent extolling of Miss Catherine Bennet's nonexistent (in Caroline's opinion) virtues that bespoke her new scorn for Caroline. She had lowered herself in Miss Avon's esteem.

This revelation had led Caroline to an even more disturbing one; that an uncultured, uneducated child from the country could behave in a more gracious manner than she, Caroline Bingley, well-known lady of the ton. And everyone at Netherfield Park seemed to be aware of the fact.

Caroline had initially put this down to the deceitful charm of widened eyes and dimpled cheeks from a young girl having blinded all to the truth. She had little doubt in the insincerity of Miss Kitty's apology. But even young Miss Bennet, silly as she was, seemed to be aware of what was owed to Caroline, as her sister's new sister-in-law. Her own behaviour, in comparison to Miss Catherine's, was lacking and could be summed up in one word, which mortified her.

Unladylike.

She could not help but wonder how often she had given this impression of herself.

Louisa, and now Charles had pointed out that she had been in a bad mood for quite some time. Caroline had flatly refused to see the truth of their observations, knowing well that they had started sometime after the joint Bingley/Darcy wedding this winter, which she had firmly locked away in some dark corner of her mind. She felt she could hardly been to blame if her mood had been less than charitable, after some upstart country nobody had walked away with the man she had been chasing for four of the seven seasons she had been out.

Yet there had still been countless nights when she had remained awake and wondered why. Why had he chosen her when he might have had Caroline? She knew she was very accomplished, even if she did not play the harp or practice embroidery. She had been told many times that she was very handsome. She knew the Town well, she had a fortune, she was relatively well-connected, and above all she was a lady, she had built her entire life around becoming a true lady, as she had always promised her parents. A true mistress fit for grand places like Pemberley.

She had never asked Darcy why he had not chosen her. For weeks after the engagement, she had raged, screamed, and finally run off to her sister's home in Sussex until the night before the wedding, but she had never asked why. Caroline was quite sure she did not want to know.

Now, she was desperate to know what Mr. Darcy must have thought of her back then, and whether or not it matched what Miss Avon clearly thought of her now.

How long had she been unladylike?

Miss Catherine Bennet and her mother were visiting Netherfield again, after a surprising absence for the past few days. Mrs. Bennet wasted no time telling them all how she had been caught by a sudden fit of nerves, which had made her quite unable to leave her room. Caroline could not help but wonder if her sudden recovery had anything to do with the fact that the Bingleys were hosting a dinner party the next day.

She bit her cheek to keep her face emotionless as Mrs. Bennet's drivel turned to her future new grandchild from Mrs. Darcy, and her hopes that Mrs. Wickham would soon give her one, "not that it would be any sort of disappointment were you the next one to have a child, Jane."

Caroline wondered if Mrs. Bennet could even perceive how she was humiliating both herself and her daughter (Jane, that was; Kitty did not even seem to be paying attention to the conversation). Mr. Avon was watching Mrs. Bennet with an odd sort of fascination, while Miss Avon attempted to keep her countenance.

Caroline had to remind herself of the resolve that her reflections of the past few days had instilled in her. These people were her family now, much as she may wish it were not so. A tiny country chit would not show her up as the chit's upstart of a sister had. This was slightly more important than making a good impression on the Avons. Naturally, Caroline wished to keep herself in Miss Avon's high esteem; while Samantha did not mean as much to Mr. Avon as Georgiana did to her brother, it was widely known that Mr. Avon valued his sister's opinion very highly. But more importantly, this had to do with Caroline's character and how it was perceived. She too could be a gracious lady when it suited her, and if it killed her, she would be gracious to the Bennets.

But it would be easier to start with Miss Kitty. Samantha was being very solicitous in her attentions to the younger Miss Bennet, already putting her schemes into motion. When Kitty returned Hamlet, in surprisingly good condition, to Miss Bingley upon their arrival, Samantha had instantly demanded her perception of the play without giving Mr. Bingley a chance to begin the inquisition himself. They had discussed this for a while, with Miss Avon constantly impressing Kitty with her own opinions with the play, before moving on to a discussion of fashions, which had begun when Samantha had noticed an edition of La Belle Assemblée in Kitty's hand.

Miss Bennet was behaving rather oddly today; more subdued than she normally did. Her responses to Samantha were stilted and carefully measured. She was taking pains to sit up straight in her chair and did not fidget once. Caroline suppressed a chuckle; she presumed this was Miss Catherine's attempt to behave in a more ladylike manner. It was a decent effort, if all too forced. Samantha did not look particularly pleased with this development, but it was Caroline who finally spoke up.

"Miss Bennet, when a lady sits down, she should try to push her shoulders back so that her posture remains intact," she spoke casually. As Miss Kitty looked blankly at her, Caroline smiled faintly. "In case you should ever wish to know."

Kitty looked momentarily torn between taking Miss Bingley's advice and purposely slouching just to defy her. Samantha, seeing the struggle on her face, interjected.

"The way you are seated now is just fine for a casual party, Miss Bennet," she assured the girl, "but pray, do not make yourself uncomfortable for our sakes."

At that invitation, Kitty promptly relaxed - though not as much as she would were she at home. "Thank you," she said to Samantha. "Lord, I am sure I do not know how ladies can sit in such a way for so long."

"If they practice, they get used to it," Miss Bingley told her coolly, before going on to enquire the purpose of the periodical in Miss Catherine's hand. "Surely you are aware that such fashions cannot be found in Meryton."

"No, but perhaps they can be replicated," Kitty responded, turning to Miss Avon; she was by far the more approachable of the two elder woman. "Mama says I may have a ball gown made up, though I doubt I will be able to wear it anytime soon." A note of bitterness entered her tone. Samantha wondered about it, but once again it was Caroline who asked.

"Why not, Miss Catherine? To my recollection, you have always enjoyed balls greatly."

"That's still true, Miss Bingley, but Papa is very careful about the assemblies that I attend lately," said Kitty, not wishing to reply at all but telling a half-truth anyway.

Samantha guessed correctly that this was not a subject Miss Bennet wished to dwell on. "So you are currently studying the latest fashions?"

"Yes, Mama and I are to go to the tailor in Meryton tomorrow, and we hope he may be able to draw inspirations from the fashions I choose."

Samantha wasted no time going through the entire magazine with Miss Kitty, advising her of which fashions were the best, which ones would look best on her, and which ones were sure to be a disaster. Caroline was determined to be just as solicitous to Miss Catherine as Samantha was being, and fashion had always been a favourite subject of hers, as she was such an expert on it. She inserted her own opinions and told the girl of young London debutantes who had made fashion disasters of themselves because no one had ever told them what gowns would look well on them.

Kitty was especially interested in these kinds of stories, and told both women firmly that should she ever go to London, such a thing would never happen to her. Caroline wryly told her that it was almost certain to happen, as the girl had never been away from the country before. On reflection, she thought that it may have been best to hold her tongue, as Samantha was looking disapproving and Mr. Avon, appearing to have tired of Mrs. Bennet's prattle, was now watching the three ladies converse.

But Kitty made a face at her that took Caroline aback and caused Miss Avon to burst into giggles despite herself.

"Your face will get stuck that way," Caroline told the girl severely.

Kitty sniffed. "You sound like Lizzy."

This shocked Caroline enough to silence the conversation, allowing them to hear the other conversation that was taking place in the room, between Mr. and Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet was firing off her instructions on how to prepare for the Netherfield dinner party that was to be held the next day.

"You would do very well to follow this advice, Jane, it is how I have always prepared for my own parties, you know." Jane could not remember Mrs. Bennet ever having been this thorough about dinner preparations before, but then Mama had never been one to allow her daughters help with one of her special dinners. It was the one thing at Longbourn that she insisted on handling all by herself.

"Are you sure you will not need help? In fact, I think I will come over first thing tomorrow afternoon, since I know you will need help."

Jane could not hide her distress. Mr. Bingley looked prepared to object, hating to cause his wife any discomfort but noticing her distress. Mr. Avon seemed befuddled, and there was clear distaste on both Misses Bingley's and Avon's faces, though Miss Bingley attempted to hide hers.

Oddly enough, it was Kitty who spoke up, showing more perception than she ever had in her life. "Mama, you cannot, you promised we would go to the tailor's tomorrow afternoon!" Her voice was as petulant as usual, but something in her tone was strangely even.

"Oh Kitty, I am sure we can go another day!"

"No, Mama, Papa may not let me out of the house another day," Kitty reminded her mother dryly. "And it has taken so long for him to agree to this new ball gown."

Mrs. Bennet pursed her lips, looking displeased. "Yes, your father has been rather hardhearted, has he not? Very well; never mind, Jane, I will not be able to help you, but I will send someone over with written instructions, in case you should forget anything."

Jane tried not to look too relieved. "Thank you, Mama, I am sure everything will go fine."

Shortly after this, the Bennets took their leave. There were no books or plays exchanged between Miss Bingley, Miss Avon, or Kitty; rather, Kitty gave Samantha a very amiable leave-taking, which the lady returned in full. Then Kitty turned to Caroline to give an overtly dignified farewell that was completely at odds with her mischievous countenance. Alarmed, Jane nearly stepped forward to scold Kitty for this borderline insolence, but Miss Bingley chose to take charge of the situation by haughtily shooing Kitty out the door, a smirk on her face.

By the end of the visit, Miss Avon had decided that Miss Bennet was indeed a delightful girl; it would be fun to polish her up a bit, and she would take quite some pleasure in doing so.

Miss Bingley was satisfied that she had portrayed herself as the picture of graciousness in her attitude toward Miss Catherine, and there was little, if anything, that either Mr. or Miss Avon could find fault with. But oddly enough, it had not been as much of a battle as she would have expected. Miss Kitty was not quite the wayward renegade she had been when following her youngest sister around. Rather, she seemed eager to please, and gave the appearance of valuing Caroline's opinion. However, even Caroline was not so vain as to truly believe that Miss Catherine would follow all the advice she had given her on fashion. Perhaps half of the advice.

Miss Bennet herself had made some new discoveries. She had discovered that talk of childbearing was not appropriate drawing room conversation, that her mother really could be as humiliating as Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary had regularly inferred (unknowingly), and that just maybe she was just as humiliating. She had discovered that Mr. Avon was about as interesting as Mr. Hurst (really, he had nearly fallen asleep in the drawing room), and that although Miss Bingley's ideas of good fashion were often garish and outlandish (even for her, who had always admired things like feathers and jewelry), many of her suggestions were actually rather tasteful. Furthermore, she had decided that perhaps Miss Bingley was not so bad, and was more similar to those old maids in novels who appeared bitter and mean, but were really quite kind inside. Perhaps she could ask the lady about that someday. Certainly, she was dying to know why that rather frozen expression had suddenly crossed Miss Bingley's face when Kitty had told her that she reminded her of Elizabeth.

On the whole, all three ladies were quite satisfied with the way this visit had passed.

Charles and Jane Bingley observed this with not a little shock.

Chapter 5

Posted on Thursday, 23 June 2005

As late April melted into May, visits between Netherfield and Longbourn became predictably more frequent. Kitty, having determined at last that perhaps hers and her mother's constant presence at Netherfield was neither required nor particularly wanted, had started refusing to accompany her mother on her near-daily visits to Jane's new home. In compensation, the ladies of Netherfield Park had started calling on Kitty Bennet at Longbourn, though this did not happen very frequently, as Kitty preferred to be away from home as often as her father would allow it.

A friendship of sorts had formed between Misses Bingley, Avon, and Kitty. Miss Avon was growing especially fond of the young girl, who thought Miss Avon was quite a pleasant woman and perhaps the most satisfying companion she had ever had, even above Lydia, though perhaps this did not say very much, as Lydia had never been a very considerate companion. For all the lady's dignity, Kitty had discovered that yes, Samantha could be quite silly too, and had even read a few Gothic novels in her time. "Only, don't you go telling anyone, Kitty," she had whispered with a conspiratorial giggle. Kitty was delighted by such a revelation, and between the two of them, they had teased even Miss Bingley into admitting that she had read perhaps one or two novels in her lifetime.

The friendship between Miss Bingley and Kitty was an odd sort; Miss Bingley was not nearly as amiable as Miss Avon was, and when condescending to give Kitty some "much needed advice", often expressed disapproval with the young girl. In retribution, Kitty would do her best to challenge every single one of Miss Bingley's suggestions, even to her face. As a result, quite a few catty remarks were exchanged between the two.

"Continue on like this, and mark my words, Kitty, you will become just as venomous in your speech as Caroline can be," Samantha often observed, to which Kitty immediately responded with "Oh no" and a horrified look.

"You should only be so lucky," Caroline would respond amidst Samantha's laughter.

And yet there was a similarity of dispositions between Kitty and Caroline, for both tended toward vanity, frivolity, and spoiled behaviour for all one pretended to be more sensible than the other. There was a certain fondness growing between Miss Bingley and young Miss Bennet, aided by the recollection that for better or for worse, they were now sisters. Kitty found herself much admiring Miss Bingley's taste, and even some of her opinions, though she would rarely own this. She concurred to Caroline's views on fashions, books, and various other material subjects, while violently disagreeing with views on other topics, and if she unconsciously began to exhibit some of Miss Bingley's mannerisms, no one said a word. Caroline herself was unsure of whether to be horrified by or fascinated with Kitty Bennet, and told the girl so. She was surprised to discover how much liberty she allowed Miss Bennet to take with her. Even she could no longer deny to herself that she enjoyed Miss Catherine's company - in fact, the feeling reminded her of the initial pleasure of meeting Miss Jane Bennet, and her anticipated delight of teaching the country girl all she knew. This feeling had faded somewhat with regards to Jane Bingley after having met her impertinent younger sister, but here it was again, though Miss Kitty was ten times more impolite than her elder sister Eliza! Caroline did not think she had ever been so frequently insulted to her face, and yet this was the tone of the banter between the two women.

The friendship between the two elder ladies and Kitty was not so close that they would share confidences with each other, unless Kitty would do so indirectly - to which Caroline would promptly respond with a cutting remark. Instead, they found much to converse about on the subject of clothing, books, and tales of London and Bath. To these last subjects, of course, Kitty could not add much, but she was more than happy to listen enraptured, which was really all that Caroline and Samantha required. Though Miss Avon would cheerfully call her 'Kitty', and Caroline had dispensed with her rather disparaging 'Miss Kitty' in favour of 'Catherine', Kitty still found Samantha far too imposing to call her by her first name, and had agreed to call her 'Miss Samantha'. Miss Bingley remained as 'Miss Bingley', as Kitty could not bring herself to call the older woman 'Caroline'.

Under the combined efforts of Miss Avon and Miss Bingley, Kitty worked her way through the entirety of Shakespeare's writings, as well as having read a few other books to broaden her mind -- or so Miss Avon claimed. She had not picked up a novel in months, unless one counted the time Caroline had threatened to tear up the next novel she saw Kitty holding, and Kitty had instantly run to collect Mysteries of Udolpho to see if Caroline would dare (which she hadn't). But Kitty did not feel entirely depraved, as Shakespeare was more than diverting for her, as were many of the other books, poetry, plays, and operas Samantha insisted she read. She had flatly refused to touch Fordyce, however, seeing what it had done to Mary. Miss Avon had not held this against her.

As far as further education for Miss Bennet went, not a great deal could be done, as visits between Longbourn and Netherfield were too short for much teaching to be done, and Kitty did not frequent Netherfield as her mother did. Such restraints frustrated Miss Samantha, but they did not deter her; rather, she insisted on some days that Miss Kitty bring her embroidery to Netherfield so that they may practice in the drawing room. She was pleasantly surprised when Kitty brought her embroidery only for Samantha to discover that Kitty did not really need practice, as she had a very adept hand for the occupation.

"But you already knew that I trim my own bonnets," Kitty reminded her pertly.

Mr. Bingley observed the growing friendship between Caroline and Kitty with delight, and did all he could to encourage it on both sides. He did not hesitate to tell Caroline, perhaps for the first time, that he was quite proud of her, something that simultaneously pleased and annoyed Caroline - as if she truly needed her brother's approval! And she was hardly friends with Miss Bennet, the girl was still a child.

Meanwhile, if Jane was a little surprised after their rocky beginning, and concerned as she remembered how easily Kitty could be led, she was thrilled for the most part. She truly believed that Kitty could benefit materially from this friendship, and if Miss Bingley had faults that Jane had been forced to see, she was sure that the other woman was trying her hardest to rectify them.

Jane was at Charles's desk in the study, doing the household accounts, when her husband came breezing into the room, holding a bundle of letters.

"I was told that you would be in here," he said with a look of fond amusement. "Usurping my desk again, dearest Jane?"

Jane blushed as she returned his smile, a trifle guiltily. "Do you mind very much? It is only because I do not do the accounts so very often, so I have never seen the need to get a desk of my own..."

Charles came around the desk and kissed her softly. "My love, I have no problems whatsoever with your using my desk. Indeed, I will own that I find the intimacy of your using my things rather touching."

Jane chuckled and feigned annoyance as best as she could while blushing. "Well, I am not quite finished using said items, so if you could please tell me why you were looking for me?"

Charles sighed rather despondently. "I see I need yet another reason to seek out my wife," he muttered, chuckling himself when Jane rushed to assure him of the opposite. "No need to worry, my dear; fortunately, I have one." He pulled out the letters he had retrieved from one of the servants. "I have received a letter from Louisa; she and her husband wish to stop by for a visit on their way home to Sussex. They hope to stay at least a fortnight. It would seem that the house is once again to be filled with houseguests. Does this displease you, Jane?"

Jane immediately reassured him that she was more than happy to welcome his sister back to their home. She could not pretend to relish the idea of both Bingley sisters together under one roof - they had proved frequently that they could be quite spiteful as a united team - but she thought well of Louisa. Charles's older sister had been rather attentive and kind since Jane had married her brother, more so than Caroline had been. Jane was still a bit wary of her, but preferred to believe that Mrs. Hurst had the best of intentions.

Charles read all of this in the words Jane did not say, and once again felt the protective fury toward his sisters that had become all too common since the day he had found out about their (and Darcy's) deception. He could not for the life of him understand how anyone could hurt such an angelic creature as Jane, and indeed was still trying to forgive himself for having done so.

Shaking off these dark thoughts, he looked at her carefully, hardly able to believe that she had somehow been able to forgive him enough to love him as much as she did. He prayed that he was doing all he could to deserve it. At the moment, he almost felt as though he was. A smile of anticipation crossed his face as he fingered another letter in his hand, one that was sure to bring her a great deal of pleasure.

"Then I will write to Louisa, and we will settle things further. But never mind that - I also have another letter here..." He laughed aloud at the way her eyes lit up instantly as she practically snatched the letter from his hand.

"Lizzy!"

"Yes, Lizzy," he concurred teasingly. "It is just as well that she is able to write to you so frequently, as Darcy has not seen fit to write me, though I have been waiting an age for his response to a letter I wrote."

Smiling at her husband's sudden aggravation, Jane sought to appease him by ripping open Elizabeth's letter and scanning the pages for Darcy's name. "Ah! 'Charles is to expect a letter from Fitzwilliam in a few days'."

"Finally!"

"Lizzy also writes that 'perhaps I will be able to get some information about "this business" from you, as Mr. Darcy is being infuriatingly mysterious'," Jane continued quoting. "Which business is this, if I may ask?"

Charles suddenly looked too innocent. Jane called him on it.

"I recognize that look, sir; nearly all of my sisters used to wear it just before confessing to having done something terrible!"

Charles laughed again, rather uproariously. "It is nothing to concern yourself, Jane. As far as I know, I have not gotten myself into any trouble. I have merely asked Darcy's opinion on some estate business." He struggled not to feel very guilty; he was telling a half-truth, anyway.

Jane still looked far too suspicious, so he asked her what else Lizzy had written.

"She says that they greatly enjoyed the Gardiners' company this past fortnight, and were very sorry to see them go after so short a visit, though they have agreed to visit again later this year. She also expresses the hope that we might visit Pemberley at the same time."

"I see no reason why we may not," Charles said. "We have not seen the Gardiners since early this winter."

"I do miss my aunt and uncle," Jane told him honestly. "And my cousins have always been such pleasant children."

"I would love to make their acquaintance again," Charles agreed. "So this is settled as well. I will write to Darcy about it, once I get his letter. For now, I should probably search for Caroline, and see whether she has also received a letter from our sister. Do you know where I might find her?"

"I believe she is in the library with Kitty and Miss Avon." Jane bit her lip worriedly. "I am afraid Kitty may have sneaked over here again, for Mama was not with her when she arrived."

Charles groaned, torn between disapproval and guilty relief that Mrs. Bennet had not joined Kitty. "Should we send her back to Longbourn? Your father may displeased with us if we allow her to remain."

"Oh, he would not blame you, Charles," Jane said quickly. "He is well aware that Kitty can be quite..." she searched for a word and failed to come up with one that did not seem insulting to her younger sister.

Charles shrugged. "Well Jane, she has made some uncommon improvements from when I first knew her. Before she used to talk about little more than the militia, your younger sister Lydia, or Newcastle. Now her conversation is more substantial, if centered around the tales my sister and her friend have filled her head with."

Jane beamed up at him; it always touched her to see how good he was to her family. "I have noticed these changes myself, my dear," she murmured. "But if Kitty managed to sneak over here on her own, knowing her as I do I am sure she had a very efficient system, and will have to use it when she attempts to return home on her own."

Charles snickered. "I will ask her if she is in need of a carriage," he decided anyway. "You said she is in the library with Caroline?"

"And Miss Avon. I think you will still find them there."

With one last kiss, Charles took his leave of her. Jane stared adoringly after him for a moment, before remembering the letter in her hand.

Pemberley, nr. Lambton, Derbyshire
12 May, 18-

Dearest Jane,

Fitzwilliam, Georgiana and I are back here at Pemberley and in happy anticipation of an exciting summer as many of the neighbours have started returning from Town. Our aunt and uncle Gardiner arrived with our cousins a fortnight ago, after a long (and finally successful) trip to the Lake District. The children were in raptures when they told us every little detail of the trip. I have it on the best authority that they all had a very good time, though Aunt and Uncle were hardly as excitable.

We greatly enjoyed having the Gardiners stay with us. It was touching to see the bond between them and my new family grow ever stronger, and Georgiana has expressed a wish to refer to our aunt and uncle as we do: 'Aunt' and 'Uncle'. Aunt Gardiner was quick to agree to this, and found it most diverting. Speaking of Georgiana, it would seem that she has found a most ardent admirer in our little cousin Robert. He followed her almost everywhere she went, and she could never do any wrong in his eyes. I do not blame him in the slightest, for Georgiana is everything charming, but I must confess I found guilty pleasure in teasing them both about this.

They were very sorry to go, at least equally as sorry as we were to see them leave, but they were only able to stay with us until the end of the first week of May. They have promised to return later in the year, perhaps at the end of the summer. Dear Jane, I should love it very much if you and Charles were able to come to us at the same time, we would be such a merry party all together. Our aunt tells us that she has not seen you in a very long time, and letters are little comfort for such distance. I do understand her meaning well, for I long to see you. The Gardiners plan to visit Longbourn at the beginning, and I know you will see them then, but I wish you would come to Pemberley. I want you to see it in summertime, as I first did -- the grounds are in full bloom and it is the most beautiful sight I have seen in my life.

Fitzwilliam and Georgiana are excellent company, as always. Georgiana did not seem at all displeased with the early removal from Town, and I am most relieved to have not caused any hard feelings. Fitzwilliam wishes me to inform you that Charles is to expect a letter from him in a few days. Do you have any idea what this secret correspondence might be about, Jane? Would Charles tell you? Fitzwilliam is being infuriatingly quiet, and teases me every time I dare to ask him about it. I am afraid I may have taught him too well. Now I am longing to know. It has become something of a battle of wills between us, and I am certain Georgiana is convinced that we have both taken leave of our senses.

I continue to near my time, and though both Fitzwilliam and Georgiana are so kind and attentive, I cannot help but wish for a familiar face from home. Fitzwilliam and I discussed a possible solution to this problem, and while we have not yet reached a resolution, I am disposed to think it an excellent scheme. Papa has written to tell me that Kitty has been rather listless and irritable at home, and expresses a constant desire to be at Newcastle with Lydia, though he has observed that she is much improved from when Lydia was also at Longbourn. I understand that she has taken to visiting Netherfield frequently along with Mama? You are in a good position to observe her behaviour, Jane, do tell me if she is truly improved or not. I am hesitant to mention my idea in letters home, especially since nothing has yet been confirmed, but I believe it is safe to tell you, as I have rarely kept a secret from you successfully.

Do you think Kitty will be amenable to a visit? She has not yet seen Pemberley, and I believe that she will be happy here, should she agree to visit. It would be wonderful to have one of my sisters keep me company during my confinement, and I think she may gain maturity from the responsibility, but additionally I hope for her and Georgiana to become friends. I am convinced that they can both benefit from the friendship, and I think Georgiana is desperately in need of a female confident her own age. I adore being her sister, and we have shared a great many confidences, but being her brother's wife, there may be things she feels she can reveal to me.

I told you that we met with the de Bourghs in London; Lady Catherine came to examine me in my new position as Mrs. Darcy. It was awkward, and not a little demeaning, but as it was I who insisted on having them call in Town, I cannot complain. I am glad that she has managed to patch things up with my husband, for I know that they mean a great deal to each other. Lady Catherine expressed a wish of coming to visit us while we are at Pemberley, and I am much less alarmed than I might have been at Christmas.

But I digress; Anne de Bourgh was also in London with her mother, and she and Georgiana formed a close friendship. Georgiana has admitted that she has not always been so easy with her cousin de Bourgh, owing to the lady's constant illness. But she was much changed from when I last saw her in Hunsford, and was actually very good company! She was still disposed to bouts of illness during the Season, and coughed sometimes, but Kitty does this often, so I easily became accustomed to it. Anne and Georgiana kept each other company during the winter, but they are of similar dispositions, which proved to be counterproductive when exerting themselves in the society of others. Furthermore, there is a seven-year age difference between them that Georgiana seems to find slightly intimidating. The poor girl is quite the sweetest girl I have ever known, and such a joy to be around, but she is so shy! I fear that others will never be able to see her goodness should she remain so, and she has expressed this sort of fear herself (though phrased quite differently, of course).

Kitty has always been the open sort - between she and Lydia, I doubt there was a single thought that they did not express verbally! I am slightly worried about Kitty's less-polished qualities having an influence on Georgiana, who is just as impressionable as Kitty is; I have always believed that Kitty has great sense and potential when she is apart from Lydia, and know that she was very easily led by our younger sister, but I remember she has always had her own penchant for getting into mischief with or without Lydia's help. On the other hand, I think that Georgiana's own qualities may influence Kitty much the way she was influenced by Lydia, but in order to risk this, I must know her current behaviour, and whether or not she is as silly as she once was.

Is it too much to ask for you to observe her carefully for the next few days, and pass on your observations in your next missive? If all goes well, I will write to Kitty and our father about the idea, and see if she is able to come to us in June. I should greatly enjoy Kitty's society during the coming months, and perhaps this visit may satisfy her desire to travel to Newcastle. Think of me what you will for saying so, but I fully believe that Kitty's being in Newcastle while chaperoned only by Lydia is not a situation that will end much better than the incident at Brighton.

I believe that this is the most important of the news I wished to impart, but I did promise to tell you of all the news here. Fitzwilliam has chosen a rector for the living at the parish, and he has caused a stir among the young ladies of the neighbourhood. His name is Mr. Sampson Alcott, and as is to be expected from all the fuss, he is one of the most handsome men I have ever seen (with the exception of my husband, of course). We invited him for dinner a few nights ago, when my aunt and uncle were with us. He is a very good man, kind and sensible, and my aunt and uncle enjoyed his company very much. I sensed that Georgiana enjoyed his company a great deal as well, and that she may have more than a slight admiration of the man. Fitzwilliam seemed to sense this as well, for he became quite agitated later in the evening, but I was able to convince him that this was little more than a passing fancy. Georgiana has not come to me to talk about him yet, so for now I will believe that this is the case.

There, now you have all the news, my dearest sister, and I beg you will give me all your news from home. Give my love to those at Longbourn, and my best to all our acquaintance in Meryton.

Your devoted sister,
Elizabeth Darcy

Continued in Next Section