Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) (8 page)

“What makes you think so lowly of yourself? You are a beautiful and accomplished lady of old lineage,” she turned away, and Georgiana moved to confront her. “It is true Kitty! Would I have anyone less for my most cherished friend? Do not doubt yourself.”

Kitty was blushing fiercely. “But it seems so unlikely! He is so handsome –”

“So you do like him!” Georgiana triumphantly interrupted.

“– and rich too! Don’t you see, no one was surprised when Jane and Elizabeth made great matches, nor would they be should Lydia do the same, I am sure, but I was always meant to be content with the best offer to come my way. I do not know how often Mama has told me so. Besides, he is reckless, as you say, and we barely know one another! What is to say he will not change his mind in a few days time, when a more interesting lady falls in the path? Perhaps he will save a damsel from drowning in the Serpentine, and then he will think of me no more.”

“He is not fickle, Kitty, only a bit daring, which I must say would suit you very well.”

“Do you think so? I do not think I would enjoy fearing for life and limb the rest of my days.”

Georgiana laughed. “He would not intentionally put you or any other lady in harm’s way! No more than would my brother! I only meant that you have always professed a thirst for adventure, have you not? I am sure that is a commodity of which Lady Stratton will never be in want.”

“Lady Stratton!” Kitty marveled aloud, allowing her mind to dwell on the notion for just a moment before exerting command over herself. “No, Georgiana! No it cannot be. I am sure he will tire of me soon enough, and a very good thing it will be, too, for such a grand suitor might intimidate more appropriate prospects. It would be very dreadful to come away from the season without receiving an eligible proposal. I can only imagine what my mother might say.” On this thought Kitty grew pale and rose to her feet, proclaiming forcefully: “My mother! Oh, Georgie, whatever happens, we certainly must make sure that she never hears of Sir James’ nonsense!”

The gentlemen called the next morning, and the ladies were invited to ride in Hyde Park the following day. Kitty accepted the invitation readily enough, knowing that such an outing was just what Georgiana would most enjoy, but the prospect caused her great discomfort. Not only would she have to endure Sir James’ continued gallantries, which remained marked, but she would further have to perform on horseback before him, and he was known to be a most accomplished horseman. Having begun to open her mind to the notion that Sir James might, possibly, be earnest in his intentions (though the idea still caused her such alarm that she could not allow herself to dwell on it for long), she found herself terrified to look a fool before him, but Elizabeth, no horsewoman herself, reassured her that her lack of skill would be no discredit as long as she respected her limitations and did not attempt anything beyond her capabilities. This, and the knowledge that she looked quite attractive in her new habit, did something to sooth Kitty’s anxieties.

Sir James was also feeling nervous, one of many novel sensations Kitty had awakened in him. He had seen Darcy the day before at their club, and received there a thorough interrogation regarding his interest in Miss Bennet. He had not begrudged this brotherly examination, indeed, he had expected it, and promptly delivered a brief recital of his history with Kitty before seizing upon the opportunity to seek his friend’s advice: “She thinks me reckless, Darcy, or some such thing, an impression I take responsibility for creating, though, truth be told, you and your sister have been doing your best to reinforce the notion.”

Darcy raised an eyebrow. “By giving her an honest account of your personality?”

He laughed, “Oh, I never did expect to regret my reputation, though so many people insisted I would! How do I convince her now that I am in all seriousness?”

“Are you certain you are, James? This does seem like a rather rash move you are making, even for you. I think very highly of Miss Bennet –
she is, perhaps my favorite of Elizabeth’s sisters – but you just met her, and she is very young.”

“I have never been more certain of anything, Darcy. Do not ask me how I know this is right, I just do. I never felt anything like this for a woman before.”

Darcy smiled, “Then prove your character to her. Do not just protest your affection: help her to know it through your actions! And for all our sakes, James, please do not press her too hard just yet. You must give her time to get to know you before overwhelming her with your sentiments.”

And so they set forth for the park, only a short distance from the Darcy town home, with Sir James second guessing his every instinctual utterance. He was so concerned with making commonplace small talk that he failed to notice Miss Bennet’s response to his comments on the weather, the passersby, and even a small foray into politics. Kitty, who was on the alert for symptoms of true attachment from her companion, took such pleasantries as a sure confirmation that, as suspected, his interest had already cooled. Feeling far more hurt and angry than she could account for, having always been convinced that he was not in earnest, Kitty forgot her sister’s very sage advice and increased her pace, urging her horse too hard in her anxiety to catch up with Georgiana and Mr. Brooks, who had pulled ahead of their companions. Nearly losing her seat, she gratefully received Sir James’ stabilizing grasp. There was only a moment of danger, but it was all Sir James required to forget to regard Mr. Darcy’s counsel.

“Good God, Miss Bennet!” he cried, “Who mounted you so?” Quickly assessing the situation, he sprang from his horse, adjusted a few straps, and stood back to survey the effect of what he had done. “That mare is too strong for you. Is it Miss Darcy’s?”

“Yes,” replied a befuddled Kitty.

“You should have your own mount,” he insisted.

Unnerved and emotional, Kitty exclaimed, “I do not have my own mount, Sir James, and before you condemn Persephone too fiercely, let me assure you that you would approve even less of the horse I ride at Longbourn, when she can be spared from the farm.”

He looked surprised but not judgmental, “You do not have a horse of your own? Well, we shall have to fix that! I will enjoy choosing a horse or two for you!”

“Sir James!” Kitty exclaimed, shocked, and though she could not admit it, a bit relieved. “You cannot say such things!”

Coming to himself, he looked bashful, heightening the boyishness of his already youthful appearance. “I am sorry, Miss Bennet! I did so mean to be on good behavior today.” This speech seemed so comical to Kitty that she could not contain her laughter. Sir James smiled in return. “I am trying to behave more unexceptionally, I assure you, even if my success has been rather limited. Darcy suggested I take a more cautious approach with you, rather than bombard you with my affection all at once.”

“And so you offer to buy me a horse, perhaps two? You are a strange man, Sir James.”

“Yes. I am afraid there is no denying it, for I can’t seem to help myself. I do so long to share with you my horses. You have a natural seat you know, or will when saddled properly.”

“Do I?” she responded in surprise.

“Of course! You just have never been properly taught.”

Kitty blushed. “I thought I received very good instruction at Pemberley.”

“From Fitzwilliam?” he smirked. “Darcy is a very fine rider, in his way, but he has not made a study of the art as I have. Under my tutelage, you would become a first rate horsewoman, there is no doubt.”

“Jane was the only one my mother thought in need of formal instruction in the subject, for she does look so very beautiful on horseback.”

“You do too, Miss Bennet. That is a very fetching habit.”

“Oh no!” she vehemently denied, choosing to ignore the very compliment she had been waiting all day to receive. “Jane is the beautiful one in the family, and I assure you, I am nothing next to her.”

“I have recently had the pleasure of making Mrs. Bingley’s acquaintance, and while she is a very fine looking woman, she is too ethereal for my taste. I like a lady with sparkle: one whose liveliness shines through, easily eclipsing mere perfections of complexion.”

She blushed again. “You just find me interesting because I was almost a victim of your curricle, Sir James. If you had met me under different circumstances, I doubt you would have given me a second glance.”

“Oh yes I would!” he asserted firmly. “I may not have been as immediately convinced of your superiority under ordinary conditions, but I have no doubt that I would have soon discerned it.”

“You cannot be certain of that!” she insisted.

“Yes I can! I have been waiting all my life to meet a woman interesting enough to marry. I could not possibly have missed you, especially as you are living in Darcy’s house. We were bound to meet.”

“But you are wrong! Elizabeth is the interesting one. You do not know me, Sir James, and you will regret your hasty pronouncements once you do.”

“Can there not be room for two interesting, or for that matter, two beautiful sisters in one family? Is there a strict limit on the distribution of such charms?”

“I do not know how such rules apply generally, but in my family Jane is the beautiful one, Elizabeth has the wit, Mary is the scholar, and Lydia is popular.”

“And which one are you?”

She looked at him blankly. “I am just Kitty. There is nothing particularly notable about me.”

“But that isn’t true!”

“Isn’t it? As you know me so well, Sir James, you are certainly prepared with a litany of my many accomplishments, are you not?” she challenged.

“You play the pianoforte,” he responded confidently. “When we were first formally introduced, you were choosing music for a duet!”

She shook her head vehemently, “My performance is passable, but only thanks to the masters Mrs. Rivers employed. Miss Darcy is a gifted musician, and it is when we play together that I can best hide my deficiency.”

“Then you draw and paint watercolors, I am sure.”

Again she demurred, insisting that while she was reckoned to have a tolerable eye, early neglect prevented her from true proficiency.

“I hope you haven’t any languages!” he declared.

She looked puzzled. “Only a smattering of French and Italian.”

“It is better that way,” he explained. “A tongue is best learned by being immersed in it. You would like to travel, wouldn’t you, Miss Bennet?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “I’ve always longed to see other places, but it is unlikely I shall ever have the opportunity to travel beyond England’s borders.”

“Nonsense! Someday soon, I believe, the war with France will end, and then we shall have the entire continent at our disposal,” he said enthusiastically, a faraway glint in his eye. Kitty allowed herself to envision, for a moment, what traveling abroad with a wealthy and titled husband might be like, but she quickly took command of her imagination and frowned at her companion. This brought him back to reality. “I have done it again, haven’t I? And just when we seemed to be making such progress!” he lamented.

“I do wish you would not tease me so, Sir James,” she replied with a hint of her old severity.

“Again, I find myself assuring you I am quite serious, Miss Bennet,” he said, gazing at her intensely. “What must I do to convince you? Obviously, Darcy’s method is one I cannot adhere to. I must be honest with you regarding my feelings. It is against my nature to pretend that I am anything less than passionately in love with you!”

She looked away, lip quivering. “You must not say so!” she cried, and quickened her pace to catch up with the rest of their party, this time with far greater success than before.

Sir James remained behind for a few minutes, thinking intently on what to do. When he overtook the others, a curiously satisfied lilt graced his smile, but only Mr. Brooks had the insight into his character to know what it implied. Fully aware that there was no preventing his friend from committing whatever outrageous act it was that he had in mind, Simon determined to not even inquire into the matter, hoping to not be implicated by association. Later that day, however, when Sir James announced that he would be leaving town on the morrow, he could not help but inquire into his friend’s destination, such resolutions being amongst the easiest to disregard. The laughing response he received only confirmed his worst fears.

The gentlemen returned the ladies to an apparently empty house. Mr. Darcy was at his club, while Mrs. Darcy was attending to some business in her private quarters and was not to be disturbed. Mr. Brooks and Sir James would have liked to linger, a notion which at least one of the ladies also approved, but without a proper chaperon, it was unthinkable. The foursome, therefore, parted ways, and the ladies settled down to a quiet afternoon.

Kitty opted to make the most of this unforeseen opportunity to attend to a few neglected letters. First she wrote to her mother, describing in detail all her purchases and the Hamilton’s ball (excluding the mention of Sir James), as this was precisely the type of information most likely to be received by her with delight. She then composed a letter to Lydia, the content of which caused her much more difficulty. After sending her regards to all the students and teachers at the school with whom she had developed particular relationships, she was at a loss as to how to proceed. Normally, Lydia would be quite entranced by the descriptions of the finery she had seen, or the elegance of the Darcy town home, but Kitty feared these details would only rouse her jealousy. She ended up with a rather unsatisfactory letter, but as she was fairly certain of Lydia’s lack of interest in any activities that did not immediately concern herself, she sealed the note trusting it would suffice. Abandoning her bedroom, which was pleasantly equipped with a highly serviceable writing desk by the window commanding the best view, Kitty followed the sound of music to where Georgiana sat at the pianoforte, diligently practicing. Not wanting to disturb her, Kitty crept in quietly and sat in a far corner, but the musician was soon interrupted by the sound of Mr. Darcy, who must have just recently returned, parting with an unknown man in the hall. Their voices were hushed, but the unmistakable sound of Mr. Darcy’s laughter penetrated the walls. Soon the door was closed, and the girls could hear the sound of steps being hastily ascended.