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Her plan was in place, and Catherine was happy that it was.

Getting the opportunity to speak with Theodore the night before had been a wonderful opportunity to get the ball rolling so to speak.

Cedric’s death had caused Theodore to change, and she watched as he drifted further and further away from who he used to be.

It had to stop. She was uncertain why watching him flounder hurt her as badly as it did, but she could take it no longer.

She had found her strength on the archery field, and she had thought perhaps he could find his own there too. Thanking her maid for her help in preparing for the day, she left her room to join the others in the morning room for breakfast. “Good morning, everyone.”

“Good morning, Kitty,” came the swift reply from Lydia, who stood by the sideboard collecting her breakfast. “I am so happy you got Theodore to accompany us to archery. Archery is not something I would want to miss if I can help it.”

“I am sorry to not be able to go with you today, but I could not avoid the appointment,” Elizabeth spoke from her spot at the table where she was drinking her morning coffee.

“Apparently, the charity that I am supporting is having some kind of issue. I need to meet with some of the other ladies to oversee some changes.”

“I do not mind in the least. You have responsibilities that you need to see to and besides, I am quite proud of my solution. Two birds with one stone and all that,” Catherine replied on her way to the sideboard to get some toast and marmalade.

Gathering her plate, she put it on the table and went back for some tea.

She noticed how Lydia had so casually said Theodore .

For some reason, even referring to him as Theodore in her mind felt odd to Catherine, but Colonel Fitzwilliam felt too cold now, and Lord Matlock was even worse. She supposed that only left Theodore.

“Whatever do you mean?” The words were somewhat muffled as Lydia spoke while chewing on a piece of toast. Catherine watched as her sister caught the disapproving look on Ansley's face and swallowed hard. Hastily wiping her mouth, Lydia whispered an apology.

Catherine loved her little sister dearly.

In a different world, one without all the individualized attention Elizabeth gave her to counteract her father’s cruelty, she could have been her bolder sister's shadow, imitating Lydia’s every move.

Despite that, Catherine was glad she managed to find the way to be her own person.

“I have been worried about Colonel Theodore and am hoping that by getting him out of the house, we can help him.

Archery has been a source of strength and development for me, and I hope he will also find it to be a positive experience.

I do not know why exactly, but it's painful for me to witness him so disheartened. He was not meant for it.”

“That is very kind of you, Kitty. I think we have all noticed how much Cedric’s death has affected him. I hope you are able to bring some light into his life,” Elizabeth said before looking up to see a maid entering the room with a tray containing the mail. “Oh, thank you, Jemma.”

Mary and Georgiana bid them all good morning as they entered the room moments later, and after they sat down with their own breakfast selections, Elizabeth announced, “We received letters from Mama and Jane this morning.”

“Do read them to us. I hope the babies are doing well. I still find it hard to believe that little Artie got a cousin and an uncle in the same week,” Lydia said, this time making a visible effort to ensure her mouth was entirely free of food before speaking.

“Mama says…”

Catherine settled more comfortably in her chair, happy to hear some positive news from her mother about her baby brother Matthew. Their lives had been shrouded in sadness, but she prayed her mother's words would bring some much-needed light and cheerfulness.

“I am ever so grateful that you were willing to accompany us to archery practice. I think you will enjoy it,” Lydia gushed, her excitement palpable as they rode in the carriage.

“I have watched you ladies practice archery before.” Theodore smiled at Lydia, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm.

Catherine was happy to see Theodore smile. He needed to smile more. “Yes, but this time you will be able to meet Lady Derby. She is the one that convinced Elizabeth to take up archery,” Catherine said.

“Let me get this straight. Your Aunt Gardiner’s cousin is Countess Derby? So the woman who Miss Bingley was so nasty about was really Lady Derby?” Theodore burst out laughing upon hearing the information. “I love it. How is your Aunt Gardiner connected to Lady Derby?”

“You may not know of a man named Baron Wallace, but he has property about a day's journey from Pemberley,” Catherine explained. “He had several sons and many grandsons, but only two granddaughters. His oldest son had a daughter named Amelia and his youngest son had a daughter named Matilda. Amelia married an earl, becoming Countess Derby. The younger son was a vicar in Lambton and his daughter Matilda met, fell in love with and married my Uncle Gardiner. They shared a special bond as the only granddaughters of Baron Wallace and spent much of their childhood together. They are still close friends.” Catherine was fond of her aunt’s cousin.

Her exalted position did not diminish her kindness and strength, qualities which she shared with her beloved Aunt Gardiner.

“It was probably a good thing Miss Bingley did not know who she was insulting.” A warm smile spread across Theodore’s face.

When they arrived, there were already several other ladies gathered, spread out between the various targets. The targets were closer than at Pemberley, but the goal was to hit the center every time with a tight grouping of arrows. Here they focused not on distance, but close-range accuracy.

Lady Derby saw them escorted in by the butler and hurried to greet them.

Giving both the girls a hug, she cheerfully welcomed them.

“I am so happy you could make it. When Elizabeth told me something had come up with one of her charities, I was afraid I would not see you. I see you managed to find someone to bring you instead.”

“Lady Derby, may I present Colonel Theodore Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock. He is Mr. Darcy’s cousin,” Catherine introduced the two. “Colonel Theodore, may I introduce Lady Amelia Stanley, Countess of Derby.”

Colonel Theodore bowed and upon rising said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. You have done remarkable work encouraging the Bennet ladies to learn archery. It has done wonders for them.”

“Oh, I simply enjoy the sport so much I cannot imagine anyone else not benefiting from it.” Turning to the girls, she encouraged them to a spot at the end of the line.

“I saved a target for you at the end there. Go on and start warming up. Maybe later we can show off for the earl if I can steal him away from his duties.”

Lady Derby watched the Bennet girls head to their spot at the end.

They were wonderful girls, and she was proud of the outstanding women they were becoming.

When Madeline had told her that she had inherited five nieces with her marriage to Mr. Gardiner, Lady Darby had wondered about who the girls would be.

Now she hoped that her own two daughters would grow up to be as strong and self-assured as they were proving to be.

Turning to her guest, she looked him over.

He was dressed appropriately but not in any of the foppish styles of the day.

He was a colonel, though, so that would explain some of the simpleness of his attire.

The black arm band showed his mourning status as well as his black cravat.

She was most intrigued, but the grimace that he had displayed when she had called him earl spoke volumes.

“I want to offer my condolences on the loss of your brother. As someone who has lost a sibling myself, I know the agony that you must be experiencing. I can only imagine how hard it must be to take up the mantle of earl unexpectedly while dealing with that grief.”

His eyes widened slightly, as if surprised by her comment. “Thank you. Losing my brother was a shock indeed and it has been a struggle every day since. I was raised for the military, not the earldom.”

Lady Derby considered him, her heart aching for the young man.

“Though it might be presumptuous, I have some hard-earned advice. Take it as you will. Do not let your grief or your need to take up this mantle cut you off from people who care. I know there are people who care for you—the Bennet ladies, for example, and your cousin Mr. Darcy as well. Let them be there for you and, when necessary, seek out advice. When you have estates that need help, ask Mr. Darcy. He can help you there. You have problems figuring out the finances, ask someone for help. By the by, my cousin Mr. Gardiner has extensive experience and expertise in the realm of finance and investments. I am sure he would be willing to help,” she said, offering him a small smile.

“John Donne got it correct when he said, ‘No man is an Island,’ Colonel.”

Theodore looked away for a moment and rubbed his eyebrow before responding. “I must admit that I have been, for lack of a better word, floundering. That is good advice. Thank you.”