Hello Everyone

Stumbled across this story on an old flash drive and decided to give it another chance so, welcome to

Becoming Catherine

Yet another Regency romance, those familiar with my other stories know both Lizzy and Mary have their turn at true love

now accordingly I think Miss Kitty deserves a happy ending

No Beta for this story yet,

I own nothing you might recognize

Now with formalities out of the way I bring you

Chapter 1 Realization

Skydancinghobbit

What an excellent father you have, girls,'' said she, when the door was shut. ``I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness; or me either, for that matter. At our time of life, it is not so pleasant I can tell you, to be making new acquaintance every day; but for your sakes, we would do any thing. Lydia, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball.''

P&P Volume 1 Chapter 1

The morning sun blanketed the back garden in comforting warmth, its green tended lawns beckoning those of adventure and spirit from their normal pursuits and into the beauties of the outside world. Miss Catherine was no exception. Slipping from the house proved simple enough. Her mother gleefully proclaiming an early marriage for Jane and dancing about like a schoolgirl with Lydia was an amusing sight as she wandered off heading into the meadow. Happily the flowers had bloomed and now showed their beauty for anyone fortunate enough to wander by. Finding a patch of long grass she carefully sat mindful of what her mother would have said if she ever caught with grass stains on her gown. Closing her eyes she listened to the sounds of nature about her, the soft songs of birds calling from the trees, the splash of a fish leaping for joy in the brook and the songs of the maids as they gathered in the washing.

As of late the second youngest Bennet sister had been disconcerted by the world around her, at least in the house. Here it was easy to forget and just be Kitty, not just one of 5 sisters all striving to be the best catch for marriage. How often had she listened to the endless instructions of her mother or the dry recital of her sister Mary as she read them some improving book before bedtime? What little she absorbed seemed to steal all the color and joy from life and the confines of their rural home made the possibility of finding romance slim indeed.

A disheartening prospect all things considered, after all she had grown up with most of the local men and was not deaf to their opinions of beauty. Her eldest sister Jane was proof of that, the silly boys gazed her with such a look of longing it made even her mother laugh. The eldest Miss Bennet however took it all in stride, gifting them with a kind smile an inquirer of their family coming and goings. Watching Kitty mourned all too aware of her own lack of grace having reached the age every women must pass through on their way to adulthood. Or as her Aunt gently called it. "The trying year' when one was sure to be awkward and say the wrong thing at the worst possible time. Two years ago she had laughed with the others listening to these Yule time tales of the mistakes of their elders. Now however she found it most irritating. It seemed unfair for one women to possess both all the blessings of beauty and a sweet temper. Yet her two sisters seemed to manage it.

Musing aside Kitty pulled a small notebook from the folds of her gown, wrapped carefully in the old worn piece of ribbon was a piece of charcoal, a gift from her dear friend Mariah Lucas, the only other creature in the world to know Kitty's secret talent. Drawing was her one comfort, being neither a great beauty like Jane a wit like Elizabeth a scholar like Mary or even a flirt like Lydia she cherished the simple ability to draw from the world around her and place what she saw onto paper. Flicking open the small volume she hummed softly casting her eyes about for the prefect new subject to add to her collection. Birds, animals and even the family dog already had found their place within these pages, depicted with such detail Kitty felt nearly able to reach them and feel the softness of their coat or hear the song on the wind if she brushed her fingers over the page.

The peel of a church bell announcing a wedding caught her fancy and she gladly moved up the hill, scanning the horizon for the village church. Older and statelier then the chapel that stood a short distance from the limits of the village. Long neglected it made a most charming ruin. Perfect for the daydream of a young girl. Kitty smiled at the memory of a dashing rescue she had thought up and dwelled on a year ago convinced the beautiful stone building was haunted. Imagine her disappointment when having gathered all her courage to inquire of her father he merely chuckled and waved her away declaring the notion silly and not worthy of her. Fortunately her Uncle was kind and had gathered her into his arms when she'd been caught sniffling behind the house. Listening to her with a kindness not often bestowed he had brushed away her tears promising to ask the vicar after church. Cheered by this she had returned to the family ignoring the disapproving glances of the family.

They thought her shallow and silly.

The truth was more than that as her Aunt had kindly explained to her that evening Kitty was sensitive. She felt things deeply and was unafraid to lay her heart on her sleeve. It made her feel better to know why she was so prone to tears or laughter depending on what she was feeling at the time. Imagine her delight when that very Sunday her Uncle, true to his word had followed the vicar into his study and posed the question she had been pondering with perfect composure. About a half hour later he returned to the ladies as they returned home and confided the truth to Kitty's wondering ears.

The Chapel had once been the inheritance of the town Vicar and had once contained a beautiful parson house, the man had married young and for a time it was a place of great laughter and joy until the day its Mistress fell ill succumbing to the plague with dispatch. The vicar in his grief, resigned and burned the house to the ground before departing for another part of the country to recover. Left abandon and at the will of nature the stones had fallen into disrepair and neglect until it would some day crumble and be no more.

This tale left a deep impression on and she had resolved to find a man to love her that deeply when the time came. Only she was sure this time her story would have a much happier ending. As her picture began unfolding her fingers the voice of her Mother broke the tranquility of the morning with a shriek her neighbors were only too aware of.

"Kitty! Where are you?! We'll be late for church!"

So end Chapter 1. – hands out cookies and tea-

So thoughts, comments and suggestion, worth the read? Any suggestions or ideas are welcomed

Whoever grants this story its 5th review shall have Chapter 2 dedicated to them

Accordingly stay tuned for Chapter 2. The Ball and Bingley's

Skydancinghobbit

P.S. Please take a moment to check out my other stories as they need love too you know ^_^