“Miss Catherine,” Manneville acknowledged her as he took his place.

“Mr. Manneville,” she murmured. She shot a glance about the table. Her mother had certainly scrambled the seating arrangement. Poor Mr. Winkler was at the table’s other end between Miss Bingley and Mary. Mr. Grange was seated beside Miss De Bourgh. At her end of the table, she and Georgiana held court: the colonel, her father, Lieutenant Southland, Mr. Manneville, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Bingley made up their supper partners.

“It appears an imbalance in the seating has occurred,” Manneville said sardonically.

Kitty smiled purposely. “I’d not noticed, Mr. Manneville.”

“Had you not, Miss Catherine?” Irony played through his words.

Kitty didn’t appreciate the man’s attitude. She hissed, “If you find the situation disagreeable, Sir, I’m certain that Miss Darcy shall gladly permit you to change with any of her other guests. You’ll find either of my sisters or Mrs. Collins most cooperative.”

“Not your mother, Miss Catherine? Is she not cooperative also?” he insinuated.

Kitty kept her tone light so others wouldn’t see her anger, but her words spoke her true feelings. “I don’t know why, Sir, you believe yourself such a desirable supper partner that you’d imply some manipulation on my part to make your further acquaintance, but you are sadly mistaken. I’d happily relinquish my seat to another. Choose your partner, Mr. Manneville, and I’ll execute the exchange.” She felt a flush of color flood her face.

Manneville leaned closer. “I’m pleased that you possess a backbone, Miss Catherine. I feared a girl of tender years mightn’t express her mind. Tell Mrs. Bennet that I’ll keep you in mind when I make my decision for a wife.”

“You should shorten your list, Mr. Manneville. I assure you that I have no desire to see America.” Kitty turned her head to smile at Mr. Bingley, who sat across from her. Out of the corner of her mouth she murmured, “I hope that makes my position clear.”

“And if I made you an offer? You would turn it down,” he taunted.

Kitty leaned closer to whisper. “We Bennet sisters don’t jump at the first offer. Although my cousin will inherit our family home upon my father’s passing, my sister Elizabeth turned down Mr. Collins. And believe it or not, my father supported Lizzy’s decision. We accept only those offers which most please us.”

“Obviously, your older sister chose the superior offer.” Manneville nodded to the elaborate surroundings.

“Elizabeth did choose the superior man. Yet, her decision had nothing to do with Mr. Darcy’s consequence.” She noted the man’s disbelief. “In fact, despite the possibility of my mother and sisters losing Longbourn, Lizzy refused Mr. Darcy’s first proposal. Only when the man pleased her did Elizabeth change her mind. I have three married sisters, Mr. Manneville, and each has chosen the man she loves.” Kitty immediately thought of poor Lydia, who loved a man who didn’t return Lydia’s devotion, but Kitty hadn’t lied to the American.

Manneville frowned. “We’ll see if you’re a lady who speaks the truth, Miss Catherine.” When the man smiled at her, Kitty experienced a flash of dread shooting up her spine.



“Pardon, Miss Darcy,” Mr. Nathan stepped closer to whisper in Georgiana’s ear. “There’s one of the tenants at the kitchen door. He heard that Mr. Winkler dined with us this evening.”

“Is there a problem?” Edward asked softly.

Mr. Nathan turned his back to the other guests. “Old Mrs. Foxmour, Colonel. The lady is reportedly in a bad way. The doctor gave her but a few days nearly a week ago. The woman has requested to speak to a clergyman, and her son, Artie, asks that Mr. Winkler come and see to his mother’s spiritual needs.”

“How can we get Winkler to the Foxmour cottage safely?” Georgiana asked.

Mr. Nathan gave the girl a look of approval. “I was thinking of one of the sleighs, Miss Darcy.”

“Send Jarvis with Mr. Winkler to help with the horses, and add a basket of staples for the family,” Georgiana instructed. “Tell Mr. Arden to have a groom harness the sleigh.”

“I will see to it, Miss Darcy.” Mr. Nathan bowed out.

Edward briefly squeezed Georgiana’s hand. “I’ll speak privately to Winkler.”

“Thank you, Edward.”

The colonel nodded and crossed the room to where Winkler spoke to Kitty, Mary, and Mr. Bennet. “Excuse me, Winkler.” He asked privately, “Can I have a moment?” With confidence, the colonel stepped away from the others.

Kitty watched with concern as Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke personally to Mr. Winkler. She noted the empathy cross Mr. Winkler’s face. “Something is wrong,” she said to herself.

Georgiana, on the room’s other side, cleared her voice. “I hope you’ll join me and the colonel in some of our favorite parlor games. We thought we might begin with charades, but with a twist.You’ll need a partner for this version of the game.”

Everyone began to pair up, but Kitty’s eyes remained on Winkler and the colonel. When the clergyman hurried toward the drawing room door, she moved also, trailing the man; but before she reached the door, Mr. Manneville blocked her way. “Miss Catherine.” He bowed to her. “Would you do me the honor of partnering me in the game?”

Trying to see past him to where Winkler had gone, Kitty mumbled, “I think not, Sir. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She started around the man only to be confronted by her mother.

“Of course, Kitty shall partner you, Sir. It’s most gracious of you to ask.” Mrs. Bennet turned Kitty’s shoulders to face the man. “Give Mr. Manneville your assent, Kitty,” her mother insisted.

Kitty let out exasperation’s sigh. “Mr. Manneville has my answer, Mama.”

Chapter 11

“What are the sleeping arrangements tonight?” Darcy asked softly. He and Elizabeth tarried in the common room. The Josephs tended their child in the room the couple shared with the Darcys.