Page 42 of I Thee Wed
Richard laughed at her. Kitty continued. “But I always provide a scripture reading first, and we pray, and then if they tell me they are lonely, I pull out my novel and read the next chapter.”
Richard grinned. “Then you are already indispensable, and you will have every member of the parish in your pocket before long.”
Darcy spoke again to Elizabeth and asked in a low voice, “Have you yet discovered the grove, Miss Bennet? It affords many pleasant walks.”
Her eyes turned to him. “Yes, I walk every morning, and the groves are my favorite part of Rosings.”
“Then perhaps,” he said, lowering his voice, “I may join you there, if you permit.”
Elizabeth inclined her head, striving to mask her surprise, and said, “As you wish, sir.”
Outside, Lady Catherine’s carriage rattled past the parsonage window, bound for her morning round of surveillance. Richard leaned toward Kitty and whispered, “Our reprieve will not last. Let us enjoy it while we may.”
The visit lasted nearly an hour. As the gentlemen departed, Kitty whispered to Elizabeth, “Did you see how Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled at me? And how Mr. Darcy never stopped watching you?”
Elizabeth gave her sister’s hand a gentle squeeze. “You imagine far too much, Kitty. The Colonel smiles upon everyone; it is his way, and as for Mr. Darcy, he has long made a practice of watching rather than speaking. It means nothing. He finds it easier to observe than to converse.”
Kitty teased. “Nonsense, Lizzy. His eyes followed you as though you were the only creature in the room worth his notice.”
Elizabeth shook her head but could not prevent a faint color from rising in her cheeks.
Chapter 29: Mr. Warwick
In the fifth week of their visit, while Mary and Elizabeth were abroad in the gig, a boy came breathlessly to the parsonage.
“Is Mrs. Collins at home?” he asked.
Kitty shook her head. “She is out with my sister. Can I be of use?”
“My mistress is troubled with nerves,” the boy explained. “She begs Mistress Mary to come and pray with her, for her prayers always bring comfort.”
Kitty fetched a Bible at once and accompanied him to the cottage of Mrs. McDonnell, a gentlewoman of seventy-two. She read aloud, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you,” and then prayed with her. With her pretty voice, Kitty sang from the hymn book until the old lady’s trembling eased.
Then she turned to the maid. “Prepare lavender tea in warm milk with honey at bedtime. It will soothe her and bring sleep.”
When she left the cottage drive and entered the road, Kitty was met by the sudden appearance of a horseman. He dismounted and bowed.
“Good afternoon, madam. Forgive me. I did not see you, and my pace was too fast. This lane is rarely used.”
Kitty smiled. “Not at all, sir. I see you have leisure for riding, while I must content myself with errands for the parish.”
He laughed. “So, you judge me idle, and yourself a lady of consequence?”
She teased him. “I think you a gentleman with nothing more pressing than to kick his heels, while I am a lady of purpose.”
“Then I stand rebuked. May I introduce myself? Stephen Warwick, at your service.”
Kitty curtsied. “Catherine Bennet, though most call me Kitty. I am the sister of Mrs. Collins, the rector’s wife.”
“Ah. I heard the rector was lately married. You are but visiting?”
“For a few months, sir. Then I return to Hertfordshire.”
He regarded her with interest. “Then perhaps I shall see you at church on Sunday?”
“Indeed. Do you attend, Mr. Warwick? I have not seen you there, sir.”
“Not as often as I ought,” he said with a grin. “But I may be persuaded this week just to see you.”
