Chances Come, Ney Mitch [snow like ashes series TXT] 📗

to be viewed as her own person,” I gathered. “Therefore, she has no choice but to mold her life around Lydia’s. What if that is all that she has?”

“I always regarded it as being a part of her age,” Aunt Gardiner surmised, “for she is of the time where being a follower of things is necessary in some circles.”

“That is it,” Darcy confirmed. “I always looked at her as a follower. And, in truth, I placed that judgment on her from the very beginning. And being a follower is never the most attractive title to have. Yet, it was perhaps not her fault.”

“It is often a practice to belittle people who follow others,” Colonel Fitzwilliam augmented. “We scoff and ridicule them. However, if the whole world were leaders, then nothing would ever get done, because there is no one to follow anyone’s lead. It sounds like you sister was convicted of the crime of something that is not entirely evil.”

“Their sister, Lydia, is simply not the best role model for Kitty,” Aunt Gardiner said, “and we have often worried that she would follow in Lydia’s footsteps.”

“But maybe that never would have occurred if we had given Kitty more attention,” I pondered.

“Precisely,” Jane said. “And that is the particular dilemma that we are in. Kitty probably feels like she is not appreciated. And we all need to feel appreciated at some point in our lives. That is why I am soon to return home, so that Kitty can come to Cheapside and take my place.”

“You are leaving London?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, rather pointedly. Too pointedly to not go below anyone’s notice. We all turned and looked at him, for Jane’s news of departure had all the effects of him looking as if someone had slapped him across the face.

“Yes,” Jane answered. “I am to return home by the end of the week. The carriage shall return with my sister, Kitty, to take my place and leave Lizzy company while she remains in London.” Jane had turned to Darcy, to stress that I would remain, and it was a nice gesture of hers. Yet, I was focused on Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Perhaps, I had been reading into his reaction too deeply. Perhaps, I was seeing something that was not there. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps… and yet, what if I was correct?

Soon, we finished dinner and dessert was served.

As we began to eat it, Darcy cleared his throat.

“I do not mean to be presumptuous,” he began, “and forgive me if I am overstepping my rights, but I must offer the option.”

He turned to Jane. “Miss Bennet, while I am certain that your mother would be missing your company, I know that Miss Elizabeth would cherish your company here. Also, if Kitty is to come to London, then the guardianship of you both would be a blessing to her. If you both wish to do right by her, then you both have the right to undertake the task together. And if it is a matter of all three of you being too numerous at Cheapside, then can I offer Grosvenor Street as a residence for yourselves and Miss Kitty when she comes? Or am I being too presumptuous?”

I smiled and then I turned to my aunt and uncle, hoping they would take the offer, but while also knowing that they would not. After all, propriety and cold decorum must prevail!

“We thank you for the offer, Mr. Darcy,” Uncle Gardiner responded, “but we cannot allow our family to be such an imposition on your generous hospitality. We would feel too obliged. But you are correct that all three sisters ought to remain with us. We shall find a way to have all three sisters at Cheapside.”

I knew that three of us sisters there was manageable for my aunt and uncle, but I did not wish to be a burden on them to that extent. Therefore, gathering my courage, I turned to Mr. Darcy. He looked at me swiftly, and I tried to force my expression to send the message: ‘pursue the matter. Please, let us stay with you’. At first, I worried that I had not done it well and that he had not understood.

Yet, in the next second, he turned back to my aunt and uncle.

“In truth, my request was a selfish one,” Mr. Darcy countered. “My sister is coming to London very soon. And I was hoping to have Jane and Lizzy remain here as her companions and to give her company in this house while I sometimes have to see to business. And now that Kitty is coming, it would offer her even more company. Kitty and my sister are near the same age. Therefore, I was hoping you would agree with my scheme because I wanted the Bennet sisters to remain close to her during her stay. I am sorry, but I must ask again. Is there any way that you may allow your nieces to remain here, as my guests? They shall be quite safe, I assure you. And Mrs. Gardiner, if you are ever worried about them, I offer my chaise and four to be at your disposal for whenever you wish to come and see them. I can even keep a room prepared for you here if you ever wish to remain with them.”

“That is a delightful scheme,” Colonel Fitzwilliam supported. “Georgiana would love that.”

I looked to my aunt and uncle again and they both had no more room for objections.

“Well, if that is how the matter truly is,” Uncle Gardiner said, “I can see no objection. What do you say to that, Mrs. Gardiner?”

“I think it would be delightful, and I am honored at the request,” Aunt Gardiner also concurred. “However, Mr. Darcy, I humbly ask that the room you offered me be available as soon as they settle in here. Would you please oblige an old aunt? For, with their mother not being here, I wish to remain with them for a couple of nights a week, to make