I have just read the letters sent by you and James. And I must say, I am astonished. Three weeks in Bath and you have secured a proposal. From a young man of education and ambition, no less.
I write to say your brother is quite besides himself. He seems incapable of forming rational thoughts. He will need some time to recover, but I know your heart must be in agonies waiting for his reply. I cannot tell you when it will come. But I will try to convince him to at least hear you out.
James hints at some mischief wrought by you and Kitty. While I would expect nothing less of her, I had not expected it of you. Yet young ladies will be young and not just ladies, so one must make some allowances. Goodness knows that they are made for young gentlemen everyday and twice as generously. Yet I hope there has been no lasting damage to either of you. I fear Kitty may not have learned the lessons she ought from Lydia’s fraught escapades, thanks to your brother's kind endeavors and my mother’s short memory, but we were all on the brink of disaster.”
This addition to the letter brought Kitty up short. Had not learned the lessons she ought! Of all the Bennet sisters, Kitty had perhaps learned them most. Jane was untouched, Kitty had gathered that Lizzy got a fantastically wealthy husband from the ordeal. Mary always considered herself above reproach in all things scandalous, and her parents agreed. Even Lydia had escaped all negative consequences at the time. Only Kitty, stuck at home and associated with Lydia so completely, had felt the sting of the misadventure. In Bath the reputation Lydia had garnered followed her. How she wished to do something childish to her sister, tie her boots together or tangle her embroidery or intentionally remove a bookmark so she lost her place. After all, if she thought Kitty a child, why not be one? But it was she who had kept Georgiana in check during their time in Bath, not the other way around. She reminded herself of just how wrong her family was about her. Then she took a deep breath and kept reading.
“Your brother has just come in. He speaks of sending for you forthwith. I am to send money with this letter and urge you depart at your earliest convenience. Please express our apologies to James and his wife as well as our congratulations on little Thomas. Urge them to visit as soon as it is comfortable to do so. Though it likely goes without saying so, please bring my sister with you.
Kitty handed the letter to Colonel Fitzwilliam who read it in his turn. When he was done he looked up at the girls.
“Now Gigi, don’t look at me like that. I told Fitz about the business with you two so he’d understand that Mr. Muir was a good sort of fellow who hadn’t been after your money. I didn’t do it to get you in trouble. Either of you,” he said, turning to Kitty. “I suppose you can leave in two days? That will give you time to pack and for me to arrange passage. I’ll write to Darcy and tell when to expect you, I’ll send it by post right away. If there is any business left for you to attend to, today is the day for it, for you’ll have to pack tomorrow.”
“Is there any business you need to attend to?” Georgiana asked Kitty. She seemed to understand her friend's fragile state. When Kitty had returned from her ride with Captain Tilghman she had been quiet. The added insult of her sister’s distrust was not helping. But Kitty kept her own council.
“I don’t believe so. Do you?”
“Yes. Will you accompany me to the pump rooms? I’m to meet Mr. Muir there today. I want to tell him of our departure.”
In the pump room both girls signed the book again to indicate their departures. Master Beau tutted over their retreat to the country.
“The whole town is evacuating it would seem. First the Crawfords, then Captain Tilghman just yesterday and now you two.”
Kitty’s head turned at the name, yet she dared not speak. But Georgiana sensed her interest. “Captain Tilghman? He left as well?”
“Indeed,”Master Beau confirmed. “He had been trying for a while you know. But had so much business that needed minding before he could go.”
“Oh, how tiresome,” Georgiana offered, as she must give some response.
“Indeed,” Master Beau excused himself after that.
It was not long before the younger Mr. Muir joined them and they took a turn about the room together. Georgiana informed Arthur that she was being called home. She promised to entreat her brother for an invitation for him as soon as possible so that they might meet. Kitty could see that Georgiana was terrified by the idea, but knew she would never attempt an elopement. Georgiana had only one true aim in life and that was the approval of her elder brother. It was an ambition Kitty could not aspire to. She’d never been approved of by a single elder sister, ever.
The lovers spent as much time together as possible. Kitty fell back to give them some privacy, as much as one could in public rooms. For a moment she stepped into a side room, the same one where Captain Tilghman had first spoken to her. She felt a pain in her chest, like she had been running for too hard, too long. How she longed to stop. She sighed. There would be no rest for a while yet.
The next day was full of packing and repacking. Mr. Muir was invited to dinner and Mrs. Fitzwilliam came down from her rooms to join them at table. Afterwards they retired to the sitting room and everyone worked very hard not to eavesdrop on Georgiana and Mr. Muir’s last evening together. Kitty was very successful without even trying. Neither her book nor the couple could catch her attention. She was elsewhere, wherever she imagined Captain Tilghman to be. Was he in London? In Lime? Or purhaps the country. She wondered if there was a lady who had caught his attention there, if he painted her too.
Enough. She had enough of her misery in company. She excused herself and went to her room to prepare for bed. The next day would be tiring, and she already felt so fatigued.
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