Chances Come by Ney Mitch (most important books to read TXT) 📕

Chapter 11 Two Tacticians

Soon, Jane came down again, and the Colonel began to tell us stories of his time in the army. As we listened, Jane, my aunt, uncle, and I were all amazed at his stories.

“It is now a great pity that Kitty did not come down here,” Jane said, “for she loves hearing stories about soldiers and their experiences.”

“She admires the look of them in uniform more than anything else,” I pointed out, “yet, all of us women have been guilty of that during one time or another.”

At this, Mr. Darcy gave me a look, and I wondered if he was thinking about Mr. Wickham.

“I never understand the impulse there,” Colonel Fitzwilliam pondered. “For, when in our regimentals, we men look no more regal than in our traditional manner and dress.”

“When in uniform, you look as if you are heroes,” Jane admitted. “That is what some women think. Therefore, her mind flies off in flights of fancy and she imagines you in the midst of battle. Despite that, in battle, there is nothing so very glorious about it, for it must be terrifying, as you have narrated to us.”

“You have arrived at a great truth,” Colonel Fitzwilliam asserted. “For yes, the battle is often spoken about in glorious terms. Yet, there is nothing glorious about it when one is amidst the fray.”

“I can only imagine the horror that you endure,” Aunt Gardiner remarked.

“Do not imagine it, madam. For I do not want you to dwell on such terror. I have regaled Miss Bennet and Mis Elizabeth with my tales many times as it is. I would desire you to always think of happier things. For example, tomorrow, my cousin and Darcy’s sister will come. And then, soon afterwards, we have a Christmas ball to attend.”

“We are both excited,” Aunt Gardiner remarked, “we can assure you.”

“Sir Aleck Granger is known for having delightful balls,” Uncle Gardiner said, “and forgive me for getting overexcited, but it is just such a delight. Sir Aleck, from what I have heard from Mr. Darcy, has a lack of disdain for people of different ranks than himself. He is known for being a sociable sort of fellow, with openness to him.”

“If you are referring to his lack of prejudice towards those who have a trade, you are correct,” Colonel Fitzwilliam answered. “He understands the benefits that can come from associating with those of the less prestigious classes. He is sensible in that manner. Truly, one time I even saw him dance with a Negro woman.”

“A darkie?” I was surprised. “Truly?”

“Yes, he did.”

“What is that like?” I asked, curious. “I have never seen a darkie before. Sorry, I must sound like a country girl who lacks a wide acquaintance with the ways of the world.”

“It is not your fault that propriety has left you without many experiences and adventures that we men can obtain,” Mr. Darcy said. “Sometimes I wonder, if in our desire to keep women safe, are we withholding you all from having experiences of your own and being allowed to shape your own points of view on things.”

“That often is a tragic side effect to being kept always locked in a tower.”

We turned to the person who had uttered that last sentence, and we saw Kitty standing in the doorway.

“Yes, I have noticed it as well.”

When seeing our surprise at her sudden appearance, Kitty flinched.

“Did I startle you all? Sorry. And that is very much a new sensation.”

“Kitty,” Aunt Gardiner said, “we thought you were resting.”

“I was, but I was stricken by a harsh curiosity to know what you all were speaking about. I was, therefore, desirous of company, I suppose. May I join the group?”

“Yes, of course,” Mr. Darcy replied. “We have tea and cakes for you as well.”

“Delightful,” she said, walking energetically into the room and sitting down. “I love to eat. Truly, it is one of my favorite activities to do.”

“Kitty, you confess to anything,” Aunt Gardiner said with a laugh.

“Well, I like to think I am harmless, so yes,” Kitty answered, as I poured her some tea. She took a generous sip. “Also, I really did not wish to interrupt the conversation in such a way. I am happy that I came down to hear it though, for I have often thought of that matter myself.”

“You have?” I asked.

“Yes. Mr. Darcy speaks of a vital point. We women are like men. We all wish to be seen—and not in the vain sense. We wish to be seen because we wish to matter. And to be of use in the world in some way. We women have the same dream as men, I believe. If men do have that dream.”

“We do,” Uncle Gardiner confirmed, “the dream to go on a wild adventure and see where the road takes one?”

“Yes,” Kitty responded, eagerly. “That is the dream! It is to meet the unknown and marvel at it. While I like being kept safe from many things, as society commands me to be, sometimes, it is good to be given a wider experience with the ways of the world.”

“I also feel like it would give us the ability to be more independent and make us less burdensome on the men in our family,” I added. “If we were allowed to go out into society, and discover ourselves, we could become more equipped with facing obstacles better, rather than sitting around and doing nothing when crisis strikes.”

“Are you referring to when our father passed away?” Jane asked.

“Yes. When father died, everything was left out of our hands, and we were forced to wonder what we could do. Nothing was in our power. But, perhaps, if we were allowed to be granted more access to things, then we would have known how to deal with such tragedy in a better light. If the world had permitted, we each could have gotten a profession and earned our livings. We