Hello everyone, long time no chapter I know and this one isn't particularly long, but I have had some bad writing spells as of late, so this will have to do, for now.

I don't know how to thank you for the support you've shown to this story and the wonderful reviews and comments so once again many many thanks, you've been very kind, especially since this is such a tricky story :) I am really happy you haven't forgotten about it.

So, I hope you enjoy:)

Kitty Bennet was ambling happily through the gardens with Mr. Cosgrove by her side the following day, when a vision arrested them both. Miss Mary Bennet had come out of her room unbeknownst to anyone and was walking animatedly towards the stables. Kitty felt Phillip detach himself from her warm, soft arm and walk towards her sister, but not before pressing the skin of her waist with the tip of his fingers, as a small sign that he would return to her later.

'Miss Bennet, you should not be out by yourself in your state!' he exclaimed at the pale-looking figure that had stopped briefly in front of a flight of marble steps.

She was holding a large green shawl over her shoulders in such a dignified manner that when he approached her, he felt he must not touch her or make any other movement.

'My state is no business of yours and I am free to walk as I please,' she replied crisply and stared at horizon.

'Of course, it is no business of mine how you feel at the moment but I do not think you could walk as freely as you said you would, for you are very frail and I believe you would not be very successful in freeing yourself from any incarceration.'

'Is that an allusion? Because I do not believe Netherfield Hall is a prison.'

'No, of course not, but the situation obliges you to pay heed to my advice.'

'You might think I am obliged by my trespassing over your kindness to behave in a certain manner, but as you have no kindness to speak of, I can safely feel no remorse in being my very worst around you.'

'How very well said and what marvelous phrases you employ. You are a poetess of the highest order, your words are cynical, but not pompous, they are very simple and crude. I am mystified by your anonymity in this county.'

'I am well-known in this county for being a good person. And I intend to keep that title.'

'I wish you would give that title up and become a writer, because you have the same genuine, charming naiveté of a romantic. Your unsteady mind and coarse way of thinking would only serve to enhance your artistic abilities,' Mr. Cosgrove commented.

'Mock me as you please. You are unable to speak to me in other terms. And you are not someone I would ever pay heed to,' Mary replied coldly and walked towards her sister.

Phillip Cosgrove felt a little insect bite one of his fingers. He pressed his finger against his coat. The small pain was enhanced by a general feeling of frustration. He was growing tired. Had she been a Countess or some woman of great intelligence he could have forgiven her this immense perverseness of character, but as it was, he could not make allowances for a young girl of little talent and consequence, who still found it in her to be as cantankerous and spiteful as she could.

Kitty Bennet meanwhile, had taken her sister's hand and was applying pressure to it while she was reprimanding her for her mistake.

'Why on Earth would you get out of bed? You are still with fever, I can sense it,' she was telling her. 'Were you afraid? Or did you feel alone?'

'Both I suppose,' Mary said staring at the large leaves spread on the ground. 'I wanted to see if you were alright.'

'You do not need to watch over me. I was walking with Mr. Cosgrove,' she replied, her voice taking a secretive tone. 'He was telling me about his childhood. It is a very interesting story. He was telling me about his father as well. I believe he feels at ease talking to me about these matters.'

Mary looked back at him over her shoulder. He was smoking a cigarette.

'Whatever he tells you, remember this Kitty, we are not to stay here for too long. Please do not grow very attached to him. He will soon leave and you should not think of him as more than an acquaintance.'

'I can very well think of him as I choose, Mary. Please stop being so fretful all the time. You worry so much about me! My feelings are my own and if you think I shall be hurt, I believe it is Mr. Cosgrove who is in more danger of that because I care little for him as it is. Well, not more than I would care for Denny, or someone the like.'

'Then if you care so little for him, abandon your walk and come read with me in the library,' Mary said sweetly.

'Pshaw! It is too beautiful outside to stay inside. I would not like that at all. You'd better go inside though, because you need to rest. I will come back soon,' Kitty said, kissing her cheek.

'I will stay on the terrace for a while, watching you,' Mary replied.

Kitty did not like this answer at all. She was never at ease when Mary watched her. Even at home she felt Mary always had her eye on her which made it very difficult for her to do as she pleased. Mary was aware of this inconvenience and was glad she had found a way to keep watch of her sister without having to exert herself too much.

At length, Kitty and Mr. Cosgrove had to resume their walk, seeing as Mary was bent on reading on the terrace.

It was not only her sister who felt her watchful eye. Mr. Cosgrove felt the need to look around him from time to time. He was also a lot more careful not to let Kitty see his anger. He pressed his fingers over those she held over his elbow.

'I wish you would come and visit me, Miss Bennet, after I leave. But I know that to be very difficult since my dwellings are so far from here. If there was a way I could take you with me. I believe your father would be very mad. But I would return you in one piece.'

Kitty blushed deeply.

'I am sure I could visit, somehow. I would like that very much.'

'Tell me now and satisfy my curiosity, if you will, have you ever had a suitor?'

'There were some who I believed would be, but there was no one who made his intentions clear,' she spoke softly.

'I see. Forgive my direct manner of speaking, but I was expecting to hear you had several, in which case I was curious to see how you dispatched of so many young men.'

This indirect compliment made Kitty giggle happily.

'You think me a vixen!'

'Not at all.'

'Then you think me very crafty.'

'No, I just think you beautiful and charming and women like you in these parts of the country have no trouble in securing many hearts,' he replied.

This indirect insult was taken once more as a compliment.

'I bet you tell this to all young ladies,' she said playfully.

'I must confess no, since not all of them are beautiful or charming,' he said, coating his words in naiveté. 'But to those who deserve it, surely I do.'

Kitty thought it odd of him not to assure her of her singularity. Most young men, when asked this question, replied in the absolute negative.

His deliberate honesty attracted her to him and made her think he was genuine and artless. She did not take into account honesty as a useful device for beguiling.

'You speak so honestly, without any artifice, I must confess I am surprised.'

'I was hoping you would be something else as well,' he said, smiling warmly.

She knew the reply must have some relation to her feelings for him but the riddle was too difficult. What could he mean?

Two large bushels hid them from Mary's eye. It was then that Mr. Cosgrove decided to act. He felt a bit lighter without the elder sister's hawk-like watch.

He pulled Kitty to him swiftly, lifted her chin with the tip of his fingers and kissed her lips hastily. His eyes were open so he could better enjoy the look on Kitty's face. She was shocked and utterly happy at the same time.

But it was over as soon as it began. He let go of her quickly and drew away from her, coughing. Kitty took this as bashfulness and fear. He saw him look away nervously. She imagined he was regretting his passionate impulse. Her heart jumped in glee and she suppressed a smile. However, Mr. Cosgrove was only making sure no one had seen him. And he hid his face from her to hide his spitting on the ground.

However, when he turned to look at her, his eyes were glossy with lust. Or so she imagined. And her breath stopped. Mr. Cosgrove was actually contemplating shooting birds again. He could hear the gunshot in his ears. And he smiled ruefully.

Then he looked down quickly. His boots were soiled.

'I apologize profusely, Miss Bennet. I do not know what came over me,' he said quietly. 'Please, accept my apologies. And know it shall never happen again.'

'Oh…Sir, there is no harm…I accept your apology. It was…a very pleasant kiss,' she confessed.

'Was it your first?' he asked, squinting at her.

Kitty almost giggled, but she instantly hid her mirth.

'I'm afraid not, Sir.'

Mr. Cosgrove nodded his head. 'I thought so. Your lips are too skillful.'

Kitty blushed again, feeling very much admired.

'Well, Miss Bennet, I must confess then that this was the first time I kissed a woman on her lips,' he said suddenly.

She stared at him confused.

'That cannot be!' she shrieked.

He laughed. It was shockingly true. He had kissed any other parts of a woman, but never the lips. The lips of a woman were to him the most dreaded piece of their anatomy.

'It is my awful secret,' he said, wincing.

Kitty was reminded of what Lydia had once told him. Men never kiss harlots. She shook her head. No, this was not Mr. Cosgrove.

'Well, I am honoured to be your first then,' she said, laughing. 'Although you took me by surprise greatly.'

'I would have never had the chance or courage to do it, had we not been alone,' he said, alluding to her sister.

'Oh, yes, Mary would have not allowed this,' Kitty said, her tone mischievous.

'Yes, I believe she must be more severe than your own mother,' he remarked.

'Oh, mama is never really severe. Mary is much worse. It is one of the reasons why she has never been kissed, I suppose. She would disapprove of any lips, I'm afraid.'

'And what a sad creature she must be then,' he said, laughing. 'There is no greater pleasure in life than making love.'

'Yes, it is a very beautiful thing,' Kitty agreed warmly. 'Mary always condemns me for talking to young men or laughing at their words, or dancing with them, but she does not appreciate love.'

'How could she if she has never done those things?' he replied sarcastically, but Kitty took no notice.

'We had better keep walking,' Kitty said, looking over her shoulder. Mary had already risen from her chair.

'Yes, we ought,' he said, taking her hand in his.

'Is the party coming this evening?' she asked, feeling like she should talk of other things.

'Yes, hopefully. But they are idle and fickle, so one never knows with them.'

'I do hope they come,' she said, blushing. 'I fear to be alone.'

'With me, you mean?' he asked her boldly.

Kitty smiled secretively and hid her face.

Later that evening, a strange traveler arrived in Hertfordshire. He called on the Bennets first and then on the Lucases. He had taken lodgings in Merryton. The Bennets insisted he stay at Longbourn but he refused, saying he was in town for business and he would not stay long.

Upon hearing of the two sisters being at Netherfield, Colonel Fitzwilliam hurried to visit Mr. Cosgrove.