Hello Folks! Welcome to Kitty Takes a Turn. For those who may or may not be familiar, the name comes from another story, Fate Makes a Change. I have named it so because Kitty takes a turn with my OC, Oliver Andrews. I hope you enjoy this story!

Kitty continued to walk the well-tread path. She knew she shouldn't let Lydia get to her as she did; it was just difficult not to. Kitty had always seemed to follow after her younger sister, but this year was supposed to be different. It had all started on her birthday. This was supposed to have been her year; the year she could attend the assemblies and private parties that her family were invited to. This year, the attention was supposed to be on her, and yet again, Lydia managed to make it about herself.

The youngest Bennet had ranted and raved when she learned that she would be left behind until she came of age. Their father could only take so much of it, and partnered with his wife's badgering agreement with her youngest child, he gave in. She really couldn't blame her father; it had been a horrible time for the whole family. Kitty tried to brush it off and act as though all the world were right, but it hurt. It hurt when her mother made sure Lydia had new dresses, making Kitty have to share what should have been hers alone. It hurt when her father didn't say anything to comfort her. He was not cruel, but he preferred not to be bothered by things. It hurt that they considered Lydia's feelings over her own.

The last few weeks had been exciting, but straining for her. Mr. Bingley arrived with a party of five. He was a friendly soul. She found the Hurst's humorous, but Miss Bingley was hateful. His friends, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Andrews, seemed to be rather serious in nature, however she found Mr. Andrews to be fairly more friendlier than Mr. Darcy. They all seemed taken with Jane, and Lizzy also appeared to be acceptable to their company. They didn't particularly care for the younger Bennets, of this she was sure. Not that she cared. Then came the militia. Kitty was excited at first, but Lydia quickly became the favorite among them. It was so unfair. Thinking about it, she wished she was more like Mary, who seemed to not care what others thought or did.

Kitty wasn't perfect like Jane, nor was she as witty as Lizzy. She was not religious and studious like Mary, and she was certainly not as outgoing as Lydia, though she had been trying for years to be so. She didn't know what she was.

By this time, she was near the road that ran in front of their estate. The area was familiar to her. Mr. Henry Bennet used to bring her and her sisters there for picnics. Smiling, she was taken back to happier times; before her mother insisted it was time that Jane and Lizzy grow up and enter Society, and before her father decided that his youngest children were too rambunctious to handle without his eldest daughters. Her climbing tree still stood where it always had. Feeling a little adventurous, and seeing no one around, Kitty decided to have a go at it one more time. Soon, she found herself cradled safely within the branches, and hopefully, hidden from sight.

Today, her mother and Lydia had decided to go to Netherfield to check on Jane, and undoubtedly find a reason to keep her there longer. Kitty had quarreled with Lydia over her new jacket, and when her mother had once more sided with her younger sister, she decided to stay home. She didn't feel like pretending in front of her neighbors that day. She sat and contemplated her life for a while longer. She was so caught up in her thoughts, she did not hear the rider approaching.

"Miss Catherine, why are you in a tree?"

Oliver Andrews considered himself to be the very definition of a gentleman. He was wealthy, had a fine estate that had been in his family for several generations, and had the best education. He was tolerable of most things, but some things he could be completely unmerciful about. Miss Bingley's attitude and actions towards those she deemed lesser than herself, for example. Bingley was a great friend, but the fact that his wealth was amassed through trade was enough to put off a great many of the Ton. Miss Bingley seemed content to forget this due to the fact that her brother had managed to maintain close ties with himself and Darcy. Since her sister also managed to make a decent match, she thought they were now immune to the censure. What she neglected to remember was that everyone knew Hurst married Miss Louisa Bingley for her fortune. The man had amassed a large amount of debt. He had already been married before and had grown children, but had been desperate enough to make the match. They both seemed content enough now, and Hurst's oldest son had taken over management of the family estate.

Today, tired of hearing his friend's sisters disparaging remarks, and knowing he needed to stop antagonizing Miss Bingley so often, he chose to take an unexpected ride. As he passed the Bennets carriage, carrying Mrs. Bennet and her youngest daughter, he celebrated his decision. Though he had a low tolerance for the degradation of others, that didn't mean he would willingly put himself in the path of those he found, in a word, annoying. Mrs. Bennet's manner grated on his nerves, not unlike many society mothers did, and it didn't help that her voice was always so shrill. The youngest Bennet was no better. It was a shame because he did enjoy the company of the eldest Miss Bennets, and their mother and younger sisters did them no justice.

He turned from the road and urged his horse into a gallop through the fields, going farther than he usually did. He did enjoy the local countryside, as it reminded him of his own home in Nottinghamshire. Dalton was no Pemberly, but it was home. He noticed he was nearing the road when something else caught his attention. Someone was sitting in a tree nearby, and not just someone, but a lady. He moved his mount closer. It was one of the other Miss Bennets; Miss Catherine to be exact. Had something chased her into the tree? There was no evidence of a chase, and she did not seem distressed, but being the gentleman he was, he thought he should check to see that she was alright.

"Miss Catherine, why are you in a tree?" he asked. He saw her startle and thought she was about to lose her balance. This put him on edge.

"Mr. Andrews! What are you doing here?!" she stammered.

"I thought it would be obvious that I was out riding, Miss Catherine. May I enquire as to what are you doing?"

She blushed. "I, uh, was feeling a bit nostalgic, I suppose. I used to climb this tree when I was a child. I am alright," she stated. She shifted and the branches groaned.

He studied the branches, the unease in his gut strengthening. "Miss Catherine, I think you should come down."

"No! No, it's fine. I imagine I am larger than I once was," she cringed, but continued insistently, "you should continue with your ride."

She moved again and the branch cracked. Oliver jumped from his horse and rushed closer to the tree.

"Miss Catherine, you need to come down now!" He raised his arms as if to catch her.

"Please, Mr. Andrews, you are making it worse! I can get myself…" She wasn't able to finish her sentence as the branch broke completely and she fell with a shriek. Her landing wasn't as hard she thought it would be. She opened her eyes to find herself looking into the dark, intense gaze of Mr. Andrews. She squealed and sat up, he with her. It wasn't until they heard the outranged shouts of Lady Lucas that they both realized she was sitting in his lap.