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

even could have appealed to the law ourselves to see if we could buy Longbourn and escape the entail. We could do something. Anything.”

“If experiences had allowed us,” Kitty said. “But, when thinking about it, we never had the ability to learn about those sorts of things because we were never allowed to face that sort of problem. No one ever trusted us to deal with it. The freedom from being exposed to life’s harshness is lovely in its own way.”

“But too much of anything is dangerous,” Aunt Gardiner confirmed. “Being exposed to too much tragedy weakens the soul, while never facing it leads to one becoming impotent.”

“Precisely,” I agreed. “A delicate balance must be achieved.”

“The question then becomes,” Jane asked, “what is that delicate balance? Who would be the ones to define it, to explain it, and then who would be the one to put it into practice?”

We all looked around, at each other. For a second, we felt so naked, so very exposed. We lay bare under the ignorance of knowing a problem, but not knowing the solution to it.

After all, it is enough to complain, but not enough to complain and have no solution.

“Did we just face a situation where the problem is real enough, but the answer can never fully be real itself?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

Suddenly, a servant entered and announced that supper was ready.

We all breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ah, thank the lord for that,” I admitted. “I worried that it would never happen.”

When we sat down, we all spoke of mundane and casual subjects.

Anything to remove the disquiet that the previous conversation had on us all.

I was placed next to Kitty, and on the other side of me was my Aunt Gardiner, who was talking to Jane. This seating arrangement suited me fine, for it gave me a moment to speak to Kitty.

“I am glad you are come, Kitty.”

“So am I. Also, if you wish to speak to me of what Jane already mentioned, then there is no need. I heard her already.”

“What did she speak to you about?”

“She was worried that I would be nervous in coming. Which I am. Lizzy, I did not foresee this sort of invitation. Especially at Christmastime. Yet, she also instructed me to try and ease my way into a conversation with no forced flirtation. At first, I was upset at her instruction, but now I see that I perhaps was being a little proud. I feel too nervous to even flirt very much.”

“I am happy that you adhere to her advice very well. However, there is something else which I wish to request of you.”

“More corrections?” Kitty rolled her eyes. “Lizzy, in truth, there is only so much criticism that I can withstand before my confidence is shaken and I will wish to cry.”

“No, it is not that. Kitty, you are a very good sort of girl, who just flirts sometimes. I do not despise you. What I ask for you now is a favor.”

“A favor? You never ask me for one of those.”

“That is good. Since I don’t often ask for favors means that I am due for asking for one now.” I lowered my voice even more. “Kitty, it is about Mr. Darcy.”

Kitty stole a glance at Mr. Darcy, who was sipping his soup.

“Mr. Darcy?” she whispered even lower.

“Yes. His requesting for your presence here is to show you how his disposition has enhanced, and he is now kinder. He is changed, Kitty, very much so. He wants you to see that he is more generous and that he has developed openness to his nature. Therefore, always be kind to him in return. You have done very well so far in how you speak with him. Yet, I just request for you to always be that way. And do not be afraid to ever speak with him. Being strong and silent is just his habit. He is not against making conversation with you.”

“I thought that he hated me, Lizzy. Why has he changed now?”

“He did not hate you. He simply was not used to you and was not accustomed to a nature such as yours. He was sometimes encouraged to despise families such as ours. Kitty, for me, as a favor, always forgive him and give him a second chance.”

Kitty gave me a shrewd look.

“Why?” she asked. “Of course, I will do my best to always try and converse with him. However, why do you ask me this so much in particular? Lizzy, what are you not telling me?”

I bit my lip.

“I cannot say much, for now,” I responded.

“But there is something that you are not telling me.”

I put down my soup spoon. “Oh, all right. Yes, there is more to this story.”

“I knew it.”

Kitty went back to enjoying the delicious meal.

When the meal had ended, it was time for our aunt and uncle to leave.

“I was hoping,” Mr. Darcy requested, “that you both would join us tonight, for there shall be a production of ‘The Way of the World’ at The Covent Garden. I was hoping that you all would desire to see it?”

“We have heard wonderful things about that production,” Uncle Gardiner remarked.

“Oh, I would love to go and see it,” Aunt Gardiner added, “can we attend, dear?”

“I do not believe that we have any fixed engagements, therefore, I see no obstacle to it. We would love to attend.”

“Delightful. We look forward to your company within the next two days. Unless, Mrs. Gardiner, you would be willing to return to Grosvenor Street tomorrow. For my sister comes then, and I know that you wish to visit your nieces often, as a chaperone. Unless that is too soon for me to request your presence?”

“I would love to come tomorrow in the afternoon,” Aunt Gardiner said, “to make certain that I am doing right by their mother. And I would love to meet Miss Darcy. I have heard tales of her talent.”

“Yes, I am proud of her.”

We parted ways, and then