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

peace and the tranquility of each other’s company, forcing us to converse with them, I feel as if I would mark them as a villain forever. Let no one else speak or feel as if their concerns matched ours. And if I were separated from Mr. Darcy, and even if that separation meant that I was granted into the gates of heaven, I would not go there. I would rail, rebel, and cry out, praying to fall back into the mortal comforts of Grosvenor Street, where I would weep out in happiness and liberty.

Such was how I felt for Mr. Darcy then.

In that moment.

At that time.

Yet dreams are never meant to last forever. Reality, and the world outside would break down the door, insisting on being allowed to enter, and intrude on the very peace that we found—interrupting the very peace that it promoted us humans to always feel for one another.

In that moment, I knew. Despite all my past feelings for him that were anything else or contradictory to my present state, I knew. I knew…that I was now in love with him.

What a blow to my pride and my past of believing in first impressions. I was falling in love with a man who I once vowed to never dance with.

And could Jane and my aunt be correct? Could he really love me as well? I flattered myself that he did. Yet, I had been wrong before. Therefore, I knew that it was not wise to jump towards any conclusions.

I still had time. And time would explain it all to me, by and by.

At noon, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner came by to visit. Yet, we all knew that their true intentions were manifold: they wished to see if Jane and I were being treated well, and to make certain that Kitty arrived safely.

When they came, we were happy to see one another, and we sat down to tea and cakes. Mr. Darcy asked how their children were doing, they asked about his Christmas plans, pleasantries were exchanged, but the true surprise was for our aunt and uncle’s discoveries.

Colonel Fitzwilliam had the entire day available. He was not obligated to return to his duties until the next day, and therefore, he decided to remain with us for the duration. By so doing, he could further his acquaintance with Jane.

And this was the discovery that surprised our aunt and uncle. Very soon into coming, they were able to see that Colonel Fitzwilliam admired Jane enormously, and that he was quite smitten. Yet, the greatest surprise was Jane.

Once, when getting a moment to ourselves as we poured each other some tea, my aunt whispered to me.

“Jane seems different here,” she began.

“Are you referring to her change in spirits, and how they have become enlivened?” I whispered in return.

“Yes. For your sister has always combined, with great fortitude, strength in composure. It was always wise, but it always left her in a state of serenity that never contained liveliness. Yet, here, she is livelier. And I cannot deny noticing what may have sparked this difference.”

She subtly nodded her head in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s direction.

I attempted to cover a smile.

“I promise, when we have the proper time, I shall speak to you about it later,” I assured her. “I am afraid of being overheard here.”

“Very wise.”

We parted ways and I sat down next to Mr. Darcy.

At 1:30 in the afternoon, we awaited Kitty’s arrival, and time was alongside us.

For five minutes before the half hour struck, while we were all sitting in the parlor and the family was forced to listen to me play on the pianoforte, a servant entered and announced that a carriage had arrived.

“It is Kitty,” I professed, happy to be away from the instrument. I jumped up, grabbed Jane’s arm, and pulled her along. “Kitty always likes it when we are the first to see her.”

“Agreed,” Jane said, turning to the others to explain my rashness. “It will make her feel more at home.”

“You must excuse my nieces’ eagerness,” Uncle Gardiner said to the cousins. “Lizzy and Jane are merely affectionate older sisters, and they are always happy to see family again.”

“No explanation is needed, nor an excuse,” Colonel Fitzwilliam responded. “I admire such strength of feeling. Such displays of sentiment indicate that one knows what love is. What do you say, Darcy?”

“You know my feelings on the matter, Richard,” Darcy replied, his tone light and amused.

Jane and I raced out of the door and down the steps just as the footman helped Kitty down from the carriage.

“Kitty,” I called out to her.

“Lizzy!” Kitty gave a giddy cry and stepped down. “And Jane!”

The three of us rushed to each other and embraced.

Kitty’s laugh was gay. “I am here! I am here!”

When we released her, her cheeks were red from the excitement.

“And we are on Grosvenor Street,” she continued, dazed. “And it looks like you are happy to see me.”

“We are,” Jane responded, smiling. “We think you shall be content in your visit.”

“Do I not look it already?” Kitty asked, rhetorically. “For look at us; we are on Grosvenor Street.” She released us, then she turned around, raised her hands, and twirled around.

“Good day, Grosvenor Street!” she cried.

This sudden outburst was startling and made us all instantly embarrassed.

“Kitty!” Jane hissed, and our Aunt Gardiner echoed the reprimand.

Yet, to our surprise, a short distance away, there were three soldiers who were walking along the street. Once Kitty made her declaration, they smiled and bowed to her.

“Good day!” They grinned and continued to walk away. Behind her, there were three men who were also walking. They removed their hats and bowed quickly to her, also merrily said good day, and then continued. A couple of people felt affronted by her cry and continued on, but they were in the minority.

A few chimney sweeps were passing by, dingy and dirty. Being men of mirth, they also smiled at my sister and tipped their hats to her. Afterwards, a family that