Page 94 of Twice Chosen

One afternoon Kitty came to Elizabeth's room carrying a sketchbook and said, "May I sit here?"

Elizabeth looked up. "Of course."

Kitty sat near the window.

After several minutes Elizabeth asked, "Are you hiding?"

Kitty sighed. "Lydia wants me to go to Meryton."

"And you do not?"

"Not today."

"Then don't."

Kitty stared. "She'll be angry."

"Probably."

"You say that as if it does not matter."

Elizabeth closed her book. "It matters. It simply does not decide for you."

Kitty looked down at the sketchbook. "I don't always know what I like if Lydia likes something first."

The confession hurt more than Elizabeth expected.

"Then perhaps spend some time finding out."

Kitty smiled faintly. "Miss Harcourt says the same."

"She is becoming inconveniently useful."

Kitty laughed.

Later Lydia complained bitterly that Kitty had become dull.

Elizabeth did not defend Kitty by attacking Lydia. Instead she said, "You like company when you go into town. Kitty likes quiet sometimes. Neither preference is an insult to the other."

Lydia rolled her eyes but went with Maria Lucas instead.

Small choices.

Kitty stayed home and finished a drawing of the orchard that Mr. Bennet later placed in his library.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mrs. Bennet Ascends

Mrs. Bennet's reaction to Elizabeth's engagement exceeded history.

"Ten thousand a year!"

"Mama."

"Pemberley!"

"Mama."