Page 22 of The Heir and Spare
“Come, Kitty, tell us what has happened?”
For a moment she said nothing but then her shoulders dropped, her head bowed further, and she whispered, “It’s all my fault.”
Lizzie hurried to her other side. “Come, Kitty, it cannot be all your fault. Lydia is perfectly capable of making her own choices, Jane too. And Mother, well, Mother is dealing with this the best she knows how.”
But she shook her head and looked away.
The puppy squirmed so much she dropped to the ground. “Oh dear!” Kitty clutched at her dress. But the puppy landed on all four paws. “Wish that happened for people, too.”
“What, dear?” Lizzie tried to tuck a piece of her unruly hair behind an ear.
“When they fall, they always land right.” She sniffed. But then her lip quivered and she lowered her head in her hand.
“Come, Kitty. Talk to me.” Lizzie turned her so that they faced one another. “What happened?”
“Oh, Lizzie! I wish you had been here! I didn’t know. I didn’t know.” She cried into her hands. “Wickham is so handsome, so good to us all. He bought us ribbons. Everyone loves Wickham.” She shook her head. “How could he have done this?”
“Tell me.”
“He told her to meet him after an assembly dance back by the stables.” She sniffed. “We all thought he was having a bit of fun. She talked about a kiss maybe.” Kitty shrugged.
“Which would not have been advisable either.” Mary frowned. “You know that, right?”
“Yes, Mary. We know.” Kitty shook her head.
“Leave Mary be. She’s just trying to help you. And she’s correct. A woman going in the dark to meet a man to kiss him would be nearly as disastrous as leaving with him.”
Kitty considered her a moment and then she nodded. “I see what you mean.”
“People can declare a woman ruined for all manner of things, but mostly for being alone with a man in a compromising situation.” Lizzie shook her head. “I feel it a bit ridiculous myself. But Mary is exactly right.”
“I’m sorry. I know you’re just trying to help.”
“So, I’m assuming Lydia went to meet him?” Perhaps there would be some clue, some hint in the retelling that would help.
“At first, no. But then there was talk of other women going to meet him. There were ladies hoping to be the one with him back behind the barn.” Kitty shook her head. “And when Lydia heardthat, she had to beat them all out. She almost ran out the back door.”
Lizzie pressed her lips together but stayed silent.
“I followed her but as soon as she saw me, she shooed me away. She told me Wickham wouldn’t do anything if she was not alone.” Kitty shook her head. “That’s when I should have known things weren’t right.”
“How could you have? We’ve never met anyone like this.”
“So I stayed back. But I followed in the dark.” She swallowed. “And I should have said something, done something.”
“What happened?” Lizzie’s hands went cold.
“She ran to him and they embraced. And then he kissed her.” Kitty’s mouth twisted in distaste.
“What’s wrong?”
“It didn’t look like a kiss should be.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it was more…forced, harsh or something. I always thought it would be slow and sensitive and romantic.” She closed her eyes. “Lydia must not have liked it either because she pushed away. But he pulled her back and would have kept kissing her. She twisted in his arms. He grabbed her. Then they said something, hushed whispers. She relaxed. She laughed. So I thought everything was fine. But then…” She hiccupped. “Then a carriage pulled around and they both climbed in!” She shuddered. “It all happened so fast.” She wrapped her arms around her own middle. “I should have made a fuss when Lydia didn’t like the kiss, right? That’s when I should have done something?”
Mary pulled her close. “Kitty, I don’t even know. At that point, she was ruined. So any fuss would have done her a lot of damage. She should not have been there in the first place. But that is not your choice or your fault.”
