Chapter 19
Stephen was surprised when Darcy was shown into his study one mid-April morning. “You never come see me,” he said. “To what do I owe this dubious honor?”
“I thought you should know that Miss Catherine has been called back home rather suddenly. She left this morning, and she asked me to tell you what happened.”
“Is she well?” Stephen asked, suddenly alarmed. He could think of no good reason for her to be required to leave London suddenly.
“Calm down and sit down,” said Darcy. Stephen realized he had leaped from his chair in his concern. He sat back down. “She is well,” his cousin continued. “She was required to return home, because Miss Lydia became engaged. Miss Catherine’s help is needed to prepare for the wedding, which will be held in less than a fortnight. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Miss Mary has also recently become engaged.”
“When is Mary’s wedding?” asked Stephen.
“The end of May,” was the answer.
“Then that will be the last of Kitty’s sisters married. Is that correct?” asked Stephen.
“Yes,” said Darcy. “Does it matter?”
“It matters far more than you can imagine,” said Stephen. “Did you know that the reason Kitty is not married is becauseshe wished to maintain control of her wealth so that she could take care of her sisters when their father dies?”
“I did not know that,” said Darcy. “I simply assumed she hadn’t found anyone she liked well enough.”
“There may be some of that as well, but it was helped along by the fact that she was adamantly avoiding even thinking about love and romance,” said Stephen.
“How do you even know this?” asked Darcy.
“It was one of the first things I learned about her. The very night I first spoke with her, I learned that even at that young age she was determined to never marry. When we met again in Hertfordshire, one of the first things I asked her was why.”
“I see,” said Darcy. His face was blank.
“Darcy, I need your help,” said Stephen. “I need to find a way to convince Kitty to marry me. Now that all of her sisters will be taken care of, she does not need to remain single, but I am uncertain how to change her mind. She has been determined to never marry, never fall in love, since she was thirteen. She may not even realize it is no longer necessary.”
“It seems as though this may be a personal matter between the two of you,” said Darcy. “Why would you need my help?”
“Your wife may be able to talk some sense into her, help her open up to the idea of falling in love or getting married,” said Stephen. “Then, I need you to hold a house party this summer and invite us both. Only, don’t tell her that I will be there. She may not come if she knows.”
Darcy narrowed his eyes. “Did you have an argument?”
“No, nothing like that,” said Stephen. “It’s only that the last time we were in company together, she seemed to be avoiding me. I have a suspicion as to why, but I am uncertain.”
“If Catherine does not wish to see you, wouldn’t it be cruel to force the two of you together at a house party?” asked Darcy.
“If it is truly a problem, I promise I will leave. I do not think it will be, though,” said Stephen.
“I will talk to Elizabeth,” said Darcy. “I can make no promises until I speak with her.”
“That will have to do,” said Stephen. “If she does not agree to help, I will have to find another way. Please do let me know if she is opposed.”
Darcy nodded then said, “To be perfectly frank, the fact that you have affection for Miss Catherine is not much of a surprise. Anyone with eyes in their head could see that you like her. What is surprising is that you wish to marry her. I had thought you would never marry again.”
“I don’t just like her, Darcy,” said Stephen. “I am very much in love with her, and I likely shall be for as long as I live whether she marries me or not.”
Darcy nodded. “I know the feeling well,” he said. “How long has this been going on? It can’t have started when you first met her. She was just a child then, and you were still a bitterly married man.”
“No, it doesn’t go that far back,” said Stephen. “I believe it began at your dinner party last year. That was when I first looked at her as an adult. It has only been within the last few months that my feelings have deepened. She is perfect for me, a calm, patient complement to my selfish, childish, chaos. I make her laugh, and she makes me happy.”
“In that case, I wish you luck,” said Darcy.
~~~~~
