Chapter 14

Kitty

A week later, I decided to go and see my dear friend Mariah. It had been far too long and we had much to catch up on. I wore a black partiss women bowknot stand collar Victorian dress. After I dressed up, I walked into a carriage that drove me to Mariah's house.

Mariah: I'm so glad you stopped by to visit. I feel as if it's been ages.

I smoothed my skirts out as I listened to my friend talk. I'd arrived ten minutes prior to her happy yelps of joy, before being led into the parlor.

Kitty: Well, it wouldn't have done to not stop by. I'd have been here sooner but Mama has been pestering me with wedding questions.

Mariah: Oh, never mind all that! I've missed you, naturally, but you're here now and that's all that matters.

Kitty: I've missed you too. I would have brought you with me had I known I'd end up there for days.

Mariah: I don't think Lord Radcliffe would have agreed to that. He probably enjoyed having you to himself for a bit.

Kitty: But he didn't have me to himself. His sister was there.

Mariah: You met his sister?

Kitty: Yes?

Mariah: You really are a part of the family!

Kitty: Oh, hush.

Mariah: No one sees Delilah Radcliffe. You've practically met a unicorn.

Kitty: I don't think I'd go that far.

Mariah: You wouldn't? I would. You're like two hugs away from a spot on the family tree.

Kitty: Where did you even hear that saying?

Mariah: I made it up. You're not the only imaginative one, Katherine. Enough talk of Lord Radcliffe, though. Would you like to come and paint? I need a distraction and you've always had an eye for art.

Kitty: You wont join me?

Mariah: Oh, goodness no! I cant work with paints to save my life!

It was not long before the two of us were standing outside, overlooking the river by Mariah's house, with an easel beside us.

Mariah: What are you going to paint me?

Kitty: I was thinking a landscape of some kind.

Mariah: Oh, that will be nice.

I turned towards the canvas and started working, trying to come up with a fabulous idea. I finally decided to paint a snowy landscape. As I painted; the snowy landscape started to come to life. I almost missed it, the beauty of freshly fallen snow. I stepped back to get a better view of my work. I stared in admiration.

Mariah: Oh, it is so beautiful!

Kitty: It was quite therapeutic to create it.

Mariah: You must let me hang it in the parlor. It would really add to the aesthetic.

Kitty: Of course you may. I doubt Mama would want it in our house anyway.

Mariah: Don't be so negative! Maybe she'd enjoy it.

Kitty: Maybe. But I think I'd rather you have it.

Mariah: Awwww. I'll hang it up proudly in the parlor!

After my visit with Mariah I cut through the village in order to return home. I took my time, thinking I'd get some more fresh air before being trapped in the house for the rest of the evening.

Kitty: Good day, Mrs. James.

Mrs. James: Oh, good day, Miss Hawthorne. I trust you are well?

Kitty: Yes, very well.

Mrs. James: And how is your fiancé?

Kitty: Oh, Lord Radcliffe is well I believe.

Mrs. James: I'm glad to hear it. The two of you should come for dinner sometime. My cook makes an excellent brisket.

Kitty: Oh, that would be nice...

Mrs. James: I think so too. Talk to your Lord Radcliffe about it and we can try to settle on a date.

Kitty: Alright.

Mrs. James: Well, good day, Miss Hawthorne.

After my rather interesting run in with Mrs. James I moved to the outer edges if the village, hoping to get home soon when two small figures came towards me.

Lorna: Miss Hawthorne!

Louise: Miss Hawthorne!!

Lorna: We're glad to see you.

Louise: Very glad to see you.

Lorna: Perhaps the gladdest we've ever been.

I hid a giggle behind my hands as I listened to them.

Kitty: Oh?

Lorna: Oh yes. We have to know how the plan went.

Kitty: What plan?

Louise: The one to get carried by Lord Radcliffe. Duh!!!

Lorna: Duh.

Kitty: Oh that plan. No, I'm afraid I haven't been able to.

Louise: But why not?!

Kitty: Lord Radcliffe is away on business.

Lorna: And you didn't go with him?

Louise: He probably would have liked your female company.

Kitty: It wouldn't have been proper, girls.

Lorna: Why not?

Kitty: Well, it's not proper for unmarried ladies to travel with unmarried men...

Louise: But he's your fiancé.

Lorna: Yes, that's tight next to marriage.

I felt my cheeks heat up as I listened to them.

Kitty: I'm afraid it doesn't quite work like that, girls.

Louise: What a shame.

Lorna: The biggest shame.

Louise: We should go drown our sorrows with cake!

Lorna: What a good idea! Bye, Miss Hawthorne!

~~~

Kitty: Angelica? What's wrong?

Angelica: No one has heard from Lord Radcliffe since he left for London.

Kitty: Alright?

Angelica: Gerard told me he hasn't heard from him at all, Kitty!

Kitty: He didn't take him with him?

Angelica: No, Gerard has asked off to spend time with family so Lord Radcliffe respected that.

Kitty: Perhaps the post is just slow.

Angelica: The post is never slow, Katherine! And by all accounts Lord Radcliffe is a dutiful correspondent. I think we should be worried.

Kitty: I'm telling you, I don't think it's anything to fret over. He's either written a letter explaining that's gotten lost or he's busy womanizing and forgot.

Angelica: Suit yourself then. If you wont care then I suppose I don't know you after all.

She turned on her heel as if to leave.

Kitty: Wait. I just don't see the point in worrying so much. It's just Lord Radcliffe.

Angelica: It's just the man who's treated you nothing but good since you both got engaged and all you can offer him is sorrow when he could very well be hurt. If it was you he'd be all over England right now.

I watched as she stormed out, crossing my arms over my chest awkwardly as I did so.