“So long as you donottake her to Covent Garden until she is married,” Louisa said primly. “It is not the sort of place for a young maiden.”
“If my vrother has his vay, the only vay I’ll see it is ven I die and come vack as a ghost to haunt it,” Georgiana said with mock petulance, followed by a giggle.
The women joined her merriment, acknowledging that Darcy was more fastidious than most when it came to protecting the women in his life.
Kitty described the grandeur of the opera house, with its opulent chandeliers and gilded balconies, and the thrill of seeing the performers take the stage in their elaborate costumes. “It was like stepping into a fairy tale,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Amidst all the glamor and excitement, Kitty couldn’t resist sharing a funny anecdote from their time in London. “You’ll never believe what happened at one of the society gatherings we attended,” she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Aunt and Uncle Gardiner invited us to a ball that was hosted by one of his business associates. Now, you must understand that this particular host has a penchant for exotic pets, and he had recently acquired a magnificent parrot.”
She described how the parrot, with its brilliant plumage and piercing gaze, had been perched in a gilded cage near the entrance of the ballroom, adding a touch of exotic charm to the festivities.
“But as the evening wore on,” Kitty recounted with a sly grin, “the parrot grew restless. And before we knew it, it had managed to unlatch the door of its cage and take flight!”
Gasps of astonishment filled the room as Kitty painted a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued. “There we were, in the midst of the grand ball—and everyone in their finery, of course—when suddenly, the parrot swooped down from above!”
Elizabeth burst into laughter as Kitty described how the startled guests had scattered in all directions, their elegant gowns and coattails in disarray as they sought refuge from the unexpected intruder. “One large woman attempted to shelter behind a narrow column, but it would have barely hidden me!”
Georgiana’s chuckle turned into a snort, and she blushed red and covered her mouth to keep from doing it again. No one paid her unladylike behavior any mind—not even Mrs. Annesley—as they were too wrapped up in the story to do anything but listen with rapt attention.
“And poor George,” Kitty exclaimed, her laughter bubbling up once more, “he nearly jumped out of his skin when the parrot landed on his shoulder and squawked right into his ear!”
The room erupted into laughter at the image of Wickham’s startled reaction, and Kitty could hardly contain her amusement as she recounted the scene. “Oh, it was simply too funny for words!” she declared, wiping away tears of mirth.
“So it sounds as though you enjoyed yourselves, then,” Elizabeth said. “I’m relieved to hear that you discovered nothing horrible about him in your time alone together.”
“Oh, no, not at all. If anything, George is more perfect than ever.” Kitty’s gaze softened as she spoke of the quiet moments she had shared with Wickham, the stolen glances and tender words exchanged between them.
“It was the most magical time of my life,” she confessed, her voice tinged with emotion. “And I am so grateful to have shared it with George.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana both sighed softly at this clear evidence of true love. For her part, Elizabeth could not help but feel jealous of her younger sister’s good fortune. She was married to the man she loved, and she could spend time with him without violating any rules of propriety or good behavior.
It was most unfair, considering the fact that Elizabeth was a good three years older than Kitty. Why should Kitty suddenly be allowed entry into the secretive group of matrons and hear the gossip that was considered too unfitting for a maiden’s ears? After all, until six months ago, Kitty was just as vain, ignorant, idle, and uncontrolled as Lydia was now.
It simply wasn’t fair.
The only thing that kept Elizabeth from falling into too much despair was the regular letters she received from Darcy and the ones she wrote to him in return. She could share with him all her deepest emotions without fear of how they would be received. In turn, he was beginning to write more about sentiment and not just the events of the day.
Letters were exchanged between Netherfield and Pemberley nearly every single day. Rather than waiting for a letter to arrive and responding to it directly, Elizabeth and Darcy simply wrote to one another about what had occurred in their various lives. They answered one another’s questions—and asked several questions of the other—but not necessarily in sequential, linear order.
Their correspondence made the separation bearable. Being in mourning meant that they were unable to socialize as usual. Kitty, being a new bride, should have been making calls with her mother and receiving calls at her own home to display her new status as a married woman.
Instead, she and Elizabeth went to Longbourn every few days and received the occasional call from the Phillips and Lucas Lodge. As close friends and family, these sorts of visits were allowed, but no more.
It would have been sufficient had it not been for Lydia’s uncontrolled outbursts whenever she saw her next elder sister.
“Mrs. Wickham and Miss Bennet,” Hill announced to Mrs. Bennet and Lydia in the small drawing room, whose windows were full west and therefore perfect for morning visits.
Lydia’s eyes narrowed as she caught sight of Kitty, and her lips curled into a sneer. “Well, well, if it isn’t Kitty Wickham,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Back to grace us with your presence, I see.”
Kitty opened her mouth to reply, but Elizabeth put a hand on her arm in warning and slightly shook her head. There would be no use in arguing with such an obstinate, headstrong girl. Instead, Kitty forced a smile. “Mama, Lydia, it’s good to see you.”
Lydia snorted. “Save your pleasantries, Kitty. I know why you’re here. You’ve come to rub your marriage with Wickham in my face again, haven’t you? I’ll have you know that he was in love withmeuntil you stole him!”
“Lydia, I never meant to hurt you,” Kitty said, her voice breaking. “I love Wickham with all my heart, but that doesn’t mean I want to see you unhappy.”
“Youstolemy chance at happiness! But don’t worry, I’ve come up with a plan for you to make it up to me.”
