Page 57 of To Love And To Cherish (Pride And Prejudice Variation #3)
When Kitty returned to the parsonage, cheeks flushed from wind and pleasure, she found both Charlotte and Mary awaiting her in the drawing room with expressions of eager curiosity. Mary looked up from her embroidery and said, “Well, my dear, how did it go?”
Kitty responded by executing a little twirl in the middle of the rug, her smile radiant.
“He brought me home at the request of his mother! She called me a good girl, then rang for Mr. Grant and instructed him to see me safely returned, and he did, in his phaeton. He said not a word the entire drive, but his eyes,” she paused and pressed a hand to her chest, “his eyes were often upon me. Do not ask me how I know, but I believe he might be interested.”
Mary laughed, her eyes warm. “Well done, Kitty! As Mamma always said, though she most often said it of Jane, I knew you could not be that beautiful for nothing.”
Kitty giggled. “She never said it of the rest of us.”
“No, indeed,” Mary agreed, still smiling, “but Papa was right. We each inherited a measure of Mamma’s beauty, and we must all thank him for his excellent nose; it flatters every one of us.”
Kitty’s face turned thoughtful. “Mary, I very nearly gave away our secret. I spoke of a sister living in Derbyshire and almost mentioned Pemberley. I caught myself just in time and recalled that Jane also resides on a Derbyshire estate. I was thinking of a way to change the subject when, providentially, the tea tray was brought in. Do you believe we can keep it quiet, that our sister is married to Mr. Darcy, who was once intended for Miss Anne de Bourgh?”
Mary sat back, her brow furrowed. “It is a troublesome concern. When Lady Catherine learns the truth, she may turn her displeasure on all of us. With any luck, you will be married before the news reaches her. I do not know whether she has the power, but I fear she might attempt to strip my husband of his living out of spite that a Bennet sister married her daughter’s intended. ”
Kitty considered this for a moment. “Sister, Mr. Darcy would intervene if it came to that. He is a good man.”
Mary turned to her friend. “As for you, Charlotte, I have been observing Mr. Bertram.
He does not bring his daughter to church, but he is quite regular in walking her to the stream on Sunday afternoons.
That is the only time I ever see him. He is to dine with us after services, so I suppose he will forgo his usual walk, depending, of course, on how long we can contrive to keep him here.
“But on future Sundays, I think it would be wise for you to find yourself near the stream before he arrives. Perhaps he will speak to you, and you might strike up a friendly acquaintance. Who knows what may grow from that?”
Charlotte asked curiously, “How old is his daughter?”
“Miriam is three. As for his wife,” Mary’s voice softened.
“She contracted scarlet fever as a child and was told by her physician she ought never to bear children, that her heart would not withstand the strain. She did not heed him. Mrs. Bertram wanted a child, and the poor woman did not survive long after the birth.”
“That is dreadful,” Charlotte said, visibly moved. “So it has been three years?”
“Yes. Mr. Bertram has not looked about him for a new wife, but sufficient time has passed. With Mr. Grant being such a catch, none of the young ladies have bothered to pursue an older widower with a child. He has not been hunted as poor Mr. Grant has.”
Charlotte considered this with care. “Perhaps simply by being present, he will begin to take notice. If anything is to come of it, I suppose it must begin there.”
The Sunday service was pleasant. Kitty admired her brother’s reading; his voice was strong, and he spoke with clarity, remaining happily upon the subject without diverging into theological meandering.
She imagined the parishioners must bless his brevity.
Being seated in the rector’s pew at the front of the room, she could see none of the parishioners as they quietly entered the church and filled their pews behind her.
But just as the service was about to commence, Kitty heard footsteps and the murmur of voices; Mr. and Mrs. Grant and their son Daniel had arrived and taken the pew directly behind hers.
A richly attired woman, perhaps Lady Catherine herself, entered with her daughter and another lady who might be a companion.
They seated themselves in the pew directly before the pulpit, opposite their own.
Her ladyship appeared elegant and proud, her gaze fixed ahead, acknowledging no one to the right or left.
Much as Kitty longed to glance over her shoulder, she resisted.
Her eyes remained dutifully cast down upon her gloved hands or fixed upon Mr. Bennet.
When they stood to sing the closing hymn, she dared to glance up.
Mr. Grant was watching her. When they rose to leave, her heart gave a quick flutter as she lowered her eyes and passed down the nave, walking modestly between Mary and Charlotte.
At the church doors, Mary introduced her guests to as many of the parishioners as time would allow. Eventually, the Grants approached them.
Mrs. Grant smiled with civility. “We shall join you shortly, Mrs. Bennet. But first, I will return home to change into a cooler day dress.”
She turned to Kitty with the same pleasant smile. “Catherine, you are in excellent looks this morning. Your hair is streaked with red highlights, and it glitters in the sun. Quite becoming.”
Kitty curtsied slightly and answered with modest gratitude, “You are very kind, ma’am. My papa used to tease me about my hair. He called me ‘Carrots’ when I was a little girl. It was more red then. I am thankful it has darkened.”
Mr. Grant spoke next, his voice low and sincere. “I would not change a thing, Miss Catherine. My mother is correct, your hair is lovely.”
Kitty bowed her head, the heat rising in her cheeks. She could scarcely find her voice to reply.
Mary, standing beside her, caught the subtle smile of triumph on Mrs. Grant’s face, carefully concealed from her son but unmistakable to a sister with matchmaking ambitions of her own.
At that moment, Mary knew she had found an ally in her endeavors and felt very certain that Kitty Bennet would be betrothed before the year’s end.