Kitty nodded as she forked into potato salad. “I think I’m like Jane.”
“Jane?” Riva blinked. “Why Jane?” She held back from pointing out how Jane was a shy, kindhearted, sensitive person.
“Jane was the beauty of the house and the whole neighborhood.”
Riva sighed. “That’s true.”
“But I think Jane should go for Mr. Darcy instead of Mr. Bingley.”
“Why’s that?”
“Mr. Darcy is a better catch. He comes across as a smug know-it-all, but he’s handsome and rich. More exciting than Bingley.”
“Right...” Riva considered informing her that Jane does end up with Bingley and Elizabeth gets Mr. Darcy, but she didn’t want to spoil the ending. “What do you think of Lydia?”
Kitty chuckled. “What a little airhead.”
“A pretty airhead,” Riva said. “Remember how I told you she was a jerk magnet.”
“But she hooked George Wickham, and he seems like a pretty good catch too. He’s not rich like the other guys, but he’s fun. I could go for him.”
“And you probably have too.”
“Huh?” Kitty paused her fork in midair.
“I guess you’ll find out as you continue to read.” Riva decided to change the subject and asked about Kitty’s ankle. “Is it still hurting a lot?”
Kitty shrugged. “It’s okay until I bump it trying to get around on those things.” She nodded to the crutches leaning against her bed. “Just getting back and forth to the bathroom is a real pain. I told Laurel she should switch rooms with me so I could have a bathroom nearby.”
“How’d that go for you?”
Kitty rolled her eyes. “How do ya think it went?”
“Pretty sure she declined.”
“I know I’m not popular here.” Kitty bit into a roll. “But I’m used to it.”
“Used to it?”
“Oh, you know. Women always resent beautiful women. I’ve seen it all my life. No big deal.”
“Do you have any women friends, Kitty?”
Kitty looked down at her plate. “I have friends.”
“We haven’t noticed you getting any visitors.” Riva cut off a piece of chicken.
“My friends aren’t like that.” Kitty made what looked like a forced smile. “They’re more into having fun than visiting someone stuck in bed, but that’s okay.”
“I guess it’s okay if you don’t mind.” Riva bit her lip. “But I’ve discovered, especially as I get older, I like having friends I can count on. Although I’ll admit I didn’t really figure this out until Paul got sick. He’d always been my best friend, but losing him showed me how much I needed good dependable friends.”
“Good for you.”
Riva pointed to the book lying open on the bed. “One thing I like about that story is how the sisters, especially Jane and Elizabeth, are also such good friends. Loyal and devoted.”
“Not to Lydia. They treat her like the black sheep of the family.”
“I think it’s because they can’t relate to her. When they try to help her or advise her, Lydia doesn’t listen. She just wants to go her own way and have fun.”
