Dedicated to Kassilassie for making my amazing new cover! Thank you!

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Chapter Seven

One would assume that after the ordeal that Kitty had experienced the night before at Lady Russel's that she would have been anxious and frightened to venture out into the world, but she wasn't. He calmed her, Captain Aubrey, he quashed her fears. She was sure of her previous thoughts ... he was a protector.

He cared for people, like no other she knew. He was not related to her which meant that he had no obligation to defend her but he still did. He worried himself about others and that was a very attractive quality in a person.

She was awoken the next morning by her younger sister climbing into bed with her. Kitty liked it when Little J joined her in bed in the morning. They didn't spend much time together as there wasn't much opportunity. They were no longer children so they couldn't go down to the pond whenever they wanted. They were out in society and therefore there were certain expectations.

Kitty rolled over to see Little J lying next to her peacefully. She was smiling sympathetically, obviously trying to be empathetic.

"How are you this morning, Kitty?" she whispered softly.

Kitty smiled and shrugged her shoulders as best she could whilst lying horizontally. "I'm alright," she said truthfully. "Nothing happened, Captain Aubrey saw to that."

Little J's blue eyes sparkled. "I know," she gushed. "It was so heroic. I was very impressed ... I wonder what it would be like to have a man defend my honour."

Kitty rolled her eyes. "I will agree that it was heroic, but he was not defending my honour. The man was vile; he was doing the right thing." She was not going to reveal to her sister that Captain Aubrey had made her feel safer than she had ever felt before. That was a thought she wanted to keep private. If Little J could have secrets then so could she.

Little J shuffled over to her on the bed and kissed her cheek. "Think what you want, you and I both know what happened. I'm so glad you're safe and home with us. I don't know what I would have done if he'd hurt you."

When undressing the night before Kitty had seen that she had purple bruises on her legs and waist but it wasn't bad. She wasn't about to worry her family with them. They would go away eventually.

"You needn't fret about me, Little J, I'm stronger than I look," Kitty smiled at her little sister. Truth be told, Kitty didn't know what she would have done if Captain Aubrey hadn't come when he did. If he hadn't she could have well been pregnant with his bastard child ... or worse, dead.

"I don't doubt it, Kitty. You were always the most outgoing out of the three girls. I don't think you could even put 'outgoing' and 'Annie' in the same sentence," she giggled.

"That reminds me, it's Sunday," Kitty sighed. "I wish we didn't have to go to church. Dressing up and listening to sermons for hours really puts me to sleep, even if it is Annie's husband."

"He's passionate," Little J said encouragingly. "I commend him for following his love. He is lucky that he is able to do what he loves - preaching. I cannot do what I love," she said sadly.

Kitty arched one of her eyebrows. "And what is it exactly that you love doing?"

Little J blushed and sat up in Kitty's bed. "Obeying the rules," she lied obviously.

Kitty shook her head, sitting up as well. "You will tell me, won't you?"

Little J nodded. "Eventually," she promised. "Just not yet, I can't just yet."

Kitty accepted it. "Alright," she sighed. "Let us rise before mama sends up a search party. Sunday is always such a production."

"Mama won't expect you to attend church, especially today. I could go downstairs and ask her if you're allowed to lie in," Little J offered.

Kitty shook her head. "If I do not appear those who have already gossiped will expect that I am ashamed of something, I'm sure Sir Walter has already labelled me a seductress to those who will believe his lies. I won't cower."

Little J appeared murderous. "Papa will set the misinformed straight, I promise you that. The law may not be fair to females, Kitty, but we do have men on our side that will fight for us."

Kitty smiled gratefully at her sister as she rose from bed as well. She slipped into her wrap and fastened it at her waist. "Sometimes I dream of a time when women and men will be equal. Wouldn't that be grand? We could own land and vote and attend university," Kitty thought wildly. "But it is ridiculous, isn't it? We live in a world of ignorance."

Little J nodded. "I feel the exact same way. It will never happen though, men rule the world, and while men rule there will be no rights for women."

Kitty shook her head. "No, I disagree. There are some men that listen to what women have to say. Like papa, he listen's too all of us and lets us make our own decisions. It is little steps like that that bring us closer."

"I hope you're right. I would like to see my children one day attending university if they wish," Little J sighed. She ran her fingers through her untidy blonde hair and tried to untangle the knots. "I suppose I'd better go and dress ready for church. Do you want me to help you or send for one of the maids?"

Kitty shook her head, not wanting any of the maids to see her bruises. "No, I'll be alright by myself, don't you worry," she smiled at Little J.

Little J departed her bedchamber and Kitty immediately went over to her wardrobe to find a gown that she could wear that did not require assistance to put on. As she examined each gown she was angered to find that so many had buttons all the way down the back. She found one ivory coloured gown that had a corset - like back. She could feasibly tie the gown up herself.

She laid the gown out on the bed along with its matching bonnet and parasol as well as a few baubles to accompany the outfit. She then placed a few coins into a purse to give to the church upon their exit.

She slipped into a freshly laundered chemise and then stepped into her corset, bringing it up around her torso. As soon as the weight of the corset touched her bruises she winced in pain. There was no way that she would be able to sit in church for hours with that pressure on her bruises. She stepped out of the corset and looked at her figure in the mirror. She wasn't as thin as she was with the corset but her waist was still narrow. She smiled at the idea of walking into the House of God being improperly dressed - how scandalous. If anyone knew they would truly think she was a seductress.

As she stepped into her gown she remembered the sight of Captain Aubrey holding his sword to Sir Walter's throat. She felt safe knowing that he was in her house. She felt safe so long as he always had an eye on her. How would she feel when he shipped out in five days? She could imagine feeling more vulnerable than ever. What if she saw Sir Walter and Captain Aubrey was in the middle of the ocean?

Her mind immediately flashed to the moment right before Sir Walter touched her. Feeling absolutely terrified of what she knew was about to happen and the fact that she was completely defenceless.

She had changed her behaviour for the better; perhaps she would be able to change her strength too.

Kitty didn't fuss over her hair, just pinning it up into a simple knot before putting her bonnet on her head and tying the ribbon into a bow under her chin.

When she finally arrived downstairs after retrieving her bible from the table beside her bed she found that only her father and brothers were there sitting in the dining room having a cup of tea wearing their Sunday best. Breakfast on a Sunday was never a formal affair in the Alcott house. There was usually on a cup of tea and perhaps a boiled egg before they left for church.

They immediately stood and looked at her sympathetically. Her father especially looked saddened. "Kitty, darling, come sit by me," he offered, gesturing to the seat that belonged to her mother.

Kitty smiled slightly and shook her head. "No, that's quite alright," she refused politely, taking her usual seat. One of the footmen placed a china teacup before her and filled it with lovely smelling tea. "Thank you," she said gratefully and she poured in some milk and stirred in a sugar cube.

"How are you this morning, Kit?" Henry asked her cautiously.

Kitty turned to her younger brother. She didn't have an opportunity to speak with Henry much as he was always away at school. And even when he was home on breaks he was often spending time with James or their parents. It was comforting to know that he cared. "I'm fine, nothing happened, so I'm alright."

"The bloody police are useless," Sebastian growled. Kitty was not alarmed at his profanity; he did have a right to be upset.

"Papa, it isn't the police, it is the law. They don't make the law, they just enforce it," Kitty replied quietly.

"Nevertheless, I won't hear of my daughter's going anywhere without a chaperone from now on," he said firmly. "We all thought of Sir Walter as a gentleman and how wrong we were. It goes for Little J as well; she will no longer be going to the park or travelling to Annie's on her own. She will have a chaperone with her at all times."

Kitty knew it was the right thing to have a chaperone with her, for her safety as well as for propriety. But she knew that Little J wouldn't like that.

"Papa, surely a trip to the park or to Annie's isn't dangerous," James protested. "Little J knows how to look after herself."

Kitty stared her brother. She knew he was saying those things because he wanted Little J's freedom but did he really think that she was not capable of taking care of herself?

"I do hope that when you are a father, James, that you will not see your daughter violated by such a man. There will be chaperones in this house and I will not be argued with," he snapped at his eldest son. He turned to Kitty and sighed. "How are you, darling, truthfully?"

"Papa, I know I'm safe with everyone here looking out for me." Kitty broke the shell of a boiled egg with a spoon and salted its contents while she waited for everyone to arrive downstairs.

"I think that our family will refrain from attending too many gatherings from here on out," Sebastian sighed. "You, my dear, are not that interested in finding a husband ... come to think of it neither Little J nor Sabine are either. I think it would be prudent to have some familial time before Henry goes back to Eton and James starts back his lessons at Oxford. We shall have Annie and Joseph to dinner more often and have a few more afternoons like we did the other day in the park. I miss having all five of you at home."

Kitty liked the idea of that. Suddenly frivolity and laughter at balls seemed pointless. Her behaviour had led Sir Walter to think that he had every right to lay his hands on her like she was some common girl at a brothel. Sir Walter was one of many who had fancied themselves popular with her so it was only a matter of time before another man cornered her. Familial time was definitely in order.

One by one her family members arrived downstairs dressed in their conservative finery. Her mother, by far, stood out in her pale green gown that emphasised her flawless hourglass figure. She never ceased to amaze Kitty with her effortless beauty. Kitty hoped that she aged as well as her mother, even if she had inherited her paternal family's eyes and hair colour.

"Ah, Em," her father beamed. "I was just telling Kitty, James and Henry that I've decided that we shall withdraw a bit from the social season. We'll spend more time together as a family. Also, the girls are not allowed anywhere without a chaperone, there will be no exceptions on that."

Immediately after Sebastian had said that, Little J's jaw dropped. "But papa!" she protested.

"Little J, what did I just say?" he sighed exasperatedly. "Chaperones, no arguments," he said slowly. "Any excursions that you take you will be accompanied by a sister, a brother, a parent, or a maid, do I make myself clear?"

Little J pursed her lips and nodded. "Crystal," she murmured. Kitty could tell ideas were flying around in her head of how to elude a chaperone.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Emilia said happily. "We need to spend some more time together. Before you know it, Kitty will be off and married to some duke who will probably live God knows where, Little J -" but before she could finish she was interrupted by Captain Aubrey entering the dining room looking a little out of breath.

"Pardon me, my Lady, but did you say Kitty was getting married?" he asked curiously. His bright blue eyes found her immediately. He looked a little alarmed.

Emilia laughed lightly. "No, I don't think that will ever happen," she dismissed it. "It was pure imagination. Since our plans between you were quite ridiculous we've given up, haven't we Sebastian?" Emilia turned to her husband who nodded.

Kitty felt mortified. Her parents were openly discussing their plans for a union between her and Captain Aubrey when they were standing in the same room. A union between herself and Captain Aubrey was utterly ridiculous. For starters he was never in England except for when he had leave, and even then the navy had been stationed in London for a matter of weeks and they were already leaving. He didn't a title and he was not a gentleman ... but he did have a fortune, and that was what a lady of her stature looked for in a man. It was encouraged by many that young ladies accept advantageous proposals that offered power and position, but Kitty wasn't bothered by those sorts of things anymore.

Simply marrying for a title and a living was not what she wanted any longer. She wanted someone who made her feel safe and secure. She wanted someone who loved only her and didn't feel the need to bed other women. She wanted someone who was brave and loyal and would drop anything for her. She wanted a protector.

She was snapped out of her trance when her father spoke his name. "I don't believe I've thanked you, Captain Aubrey, for your services to my family last night. I will be forever indebted to you. Anything we can do for you, please ask, anything."

"It was my duty, milord, anyone would have done it," Captain Aubrey said bashfully.

"No, they wouldn't," Emilia said firmly. "You protected her, and we thank you for it," she smiled warmly.

Kitty heard the word again, the one that she had thought so many times - protect. He was opinionated and he knew what he wanted in a woman - he made that clear when he pointed out every single flaw Kitty possessed - but he was chivalrous and noble and he cared about people. One didn't find that in a man very often.

His eyes were on her as he spoke. "I'm glad I was there," he said, and Kitty knew he was speaking to her instead of the whole room. "I don't know what I would have done if Lady Kitty had been harmed."

Kitty knew exactly what he would have done, and she was sure that seeing him hanging by the neck until dead was not how she wanted to see her saviour.

"Nor I," he father said angrily. "Come along then, we haven't time for any breakfast, we're already behind schedule. Joseph will be starting his sermon in thirty minutes," he said as he began ushering them all out of the dining room.

Once again Captain Aubrey waited for her before walking out of the dining room. "How are you this morning?" he asked tenderly.

"I've a feeling that I will need to write 'fine' on my forehead so I won't have to answer that question any longer," Kitty grinned to which he laughed heartily.

"You are fine though?" he asked once he'd finished laughing.

Kitty nodded. "The way I see it, it could have been worse. The fact of the matter is that nothing happened." As she spoke those words she subconsciously brushed her hand over the bruises on her waist. It felt strange not to feel the bones of her corset.

"Does your family always refer to the reverend by his Christian name?" he asked curiously as they walked outside to where the carriages were waiting for them.

Kitty nodded. "We do when he is our brother - in - law, my youngest sister, Annie, is married to him."

He furrowed his eyebrows, confused. "Your father allowed his daughter to marry a man of the cloth?"

Kitty nodded. "My father is not a monster; if his child is in love then he will allow the marriage. He grew up leanly so he knows how genuine less fortunate people are."

"I would have thought that he would want titles for his daughters. I certainly don't have one which is why I was surprised a union was insinuated between us."

"I suppose many earls would want titles for their daughters," Kitty granted him that. The carriage door was opened for her by one of the footmen. Her sister and Sabine climbed in first and she was to follow. "But what is a title when one could have love?" she asked him and then turned to climb into the carriage. The door was closed behind her as they were sitting in the smaller carriage, the phaeton. They rest of the family would follow in the larger carriage. Kitty was glad that Captain Aubrey would not be joining them, for she was sure she would blush in his presence.

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Hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter will be in church where we'll meet the reverend and Annie will return :)

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