Kitty Bennet's Diary (Pride and Prejudice Chronicles) by Elliott Anna

Author:Elliott, Anna [Elliott, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wilton Press
Published: 2013-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Saturday 27 January 1816

Mr. Dalton called at the house today. Not to see me. He came to speak with my aunt about another charity fete—this one organised by themselves, to benefit the children’s hospital my aunt supports. This was the first I had heard of the event, but it appears to have been in the planning stages for some time, for it takes place in just four days’ time.

Mr. Dalton was accompanied by a girl—a very pretty girl perhaps a year or two older than I am, whom he introduced as his sister, Miss Gwenevere Dalton. She is as pretty as Mr. Dalton is handsome, even though she is nothing like Mr. Dalton at all to look at: small and dark where Mr. Dalton is tall and fair. She still wears mourning colours, of course, for her brother. Half mourning, since his death was six months ago. But beneath the pale lavender coloured roses on her bonnet, her face was vivid and vivacious, with lively-looking dark eyes and a slightly pointed chin.

Save for greeting me politely, Mr. Dalton spoke very little to me. Not that I expected or wished him to.

No, that is not true. As long as I am holding myself to a policy of strict honesty with others, I suppose that ought to include a ban on lying to myself, as well.

A part of me did wish that I could have spoken with Mr. Dalton more. I had not seen or spoken to him since the night of the masquerade at Vauxhall.

However. He and Aunt Gardiner were occupied in discussing details of the fete, so it fell to me to speak with his sister. I liked her at once, very much. I was also entertaining baby Susanna, and Miss Dalton crouched down and made silly faces at her and laughed delightedly when Susanna chuckled and reached out her chubby arms to be picked up. And when Susanna was unmannerly enough to slightly dampen Miss Dalton’s (very expensive-looking) grey satin walking dress, Miss Dalton only laughed and said, “Never mind. It’s supposed to be good luck, didn’t you know?” and kissed Susanna’s rosy little cheeks.

She told me about the fete—which she has been involved in planning, as well. It is to take place at the hospital, so that those who come may see the children whom they are supporting. And so that the children—those able to leave their beds, at least—may also take part in the festivities. There are to be games and prizes to be won and dancing—and of course sweets and presents for the children.

“I had wanted to have a fortune-telling booth, as well,” Miss Dalton said with a sigh. “You know—have someone dress up in a gypsy’s costume and offer to read tea leaves and tell people’s futures if they crossed her palm with silver. It would be a perfect scheme for raising extra money, I think. But I cannot find anyone to play the part of the gypsy.”

It is odd—for the last days, ever since encountering Mrs.

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