Portraits of Pemberley: Pemberley Continues, a What If? Continuation Book 3 by Jennifer Lang

Author:Jennifer Lang [Lang, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-23T22:00:00+00:00

When Mrs Bennet joined Mr Bennet later that evening, as they dressed for dinner, she said complacently, ‘What did I tell you, Mr Bennet? Did I not say that this would be a wonderful thing for Kitty?’

‘For Kitty?’ asked Mr Bennet in astonishment.

Even after so many years of marriage, his wife still had the ability to startle him. He knew better than to ask her what she meant, however, for she would tell him soon enough.

‘Yes, Kitty.’

‘I cannot recall you saying so,’ replied Mr Bennet, as he put on his waistcoat.

‘Mr Bennet, how can you be so provoking? I am sure I said so, for I knew how it must be. With the Waddingtons having three sons, I knew this holiday was a wonderful chance for Anne, Maria and Kitty.’

‘Not Georgiana?’ Mr Bennet asked humorously. ‘Is she not to have a chance?’

Mrs Bennet never knew when she was being teased, and so she said seriously, ‘To be sure, I hoped she would take a liking to one of the young men but she sees them all as brothers. It does not signify. She will have her come-out in London next year and she is sure to find a suitable young man there. As long as I can see Anne and Maria betrothed by the end of our visit then I shall be happy, and I am sure it will happen. We still have the ball to look forward to, and there is nothing like dancing to bring these things to fruition.’

‘But how does that help Kitty?’ asked Mr Bennet in bemusement. His wife’s plans would baffle the most Machiavellian mind. ‘She is not even here.’

‘Not yet, but you can be sure there will be other visits. Anne will make a match with William, Maria will marry James and that leaves a spare son for Kitty. One wedding brings on another, you know.’

‘I thought you told me that Kitty would marry Cedric de Bourgh.’

Mrs Bennet had indeed remarked on the likelihood of such an event, ever since Kitty had mentioned Mr de Bourgh in a letter.

Mrs Bennet paused in the middle of arranging her fichu.

‘To be sure, there is something in that,’ she said musingly. ‘But Kitty is young yet. She must not make up her mind too quickly. It will be good for her to have a choice. If I can only see her married before the year is out I will be happy.’

‘And yet I distinctly remember you telling me that she is to come out with Georgiana next year. She cannot do that as a married woman.’

The thought of Kitty having a glittering London come-out had given Mrs Bennet many happy hours of romantic daydreams. Her daughter, to come out with Miss Darcy! A young lady with titled connections! What could be finer? It would give her something to brag about to all her Meryton neighbours. And to think where it might lead. Why, Kitty might marry a duke!

‘It would be good for Kitty,’ said Mrs Bennet consideringly. ‘There will be plenty of eligible young men available on Georgiana’s debut.

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