Lydia sighed, an amused smile tugging on her lips as she prodded Katherine's cheek, while balancing a large basket of dirty clothes under one arm.
"Katherine, breakfast is on the table. Due get dressed."
"Mmm..." Katherine glanced around the room, blinking drowsily. "Would you be a dear and help me with my corset?" she mumbled, stretching her arms as she sat up.
"Ask Charlotte to do it for you. There's still so many things to do after breakfast in preparation for father's return. In father's most recent letter, he said he would be home this morning."
"Charlotte got up quite early to go see her beau." Katherine stretched and yawned again. She got out of bed and walked to her shared wardrobe. She scowled and grit her teeth at the sight. "That Charlotte! She stole my best Sunday dress! You know the one- it's pink with the little pearl buttons going down the front," Katherine said, making a hand gesture down her chest.
"It's silly how you and Charlotte argue over the most petty things." Lydia sighed in exasperation. She walked up to the small wardrobe and picked out a dark blue one with puffed sleeves. "This one will do, I think. This shade brings out the color in your eyes quite nicely," she said matter-of-factly.
Katherine smiled endearingly at her sister. "Do you really think so?" she asked, snatching the dress from Lydia and holding it up against her body in front of her floor length mirror. "Yes...it is rather agreeable, actually."
"I'll help you into your corset. I do hope Charlotte returns before breakfast gets cold."
"Oh, never mind her," Katherine said, wrinkling her nose in disdain. "She stole my clothes for the fourth time and even has William making cow eyes at her. I'll gladly take her share, little sister."
Lydia chuckled and shook her head. "You're too much, Katherine. It's not like Charlotte is purposely making William fawn over her. She just has a way with men. I'm sure when William sees how serious things are between Charlotte and Phillip, he will surely notice your charm."
"How do you always know just what to say?" Katherine grinned as she wiggled out of her nightgown, tossing it carelessly onto the floor. A smirk suddenly tugged at her lips. "You are aware that the only reason Phillip is courting Charlotte is because you rejected his proposal?"
Lydia's cheeks flushed as she turned around to fetch a corset from one of the drawers.
"That's not true. Phillip is rather fond of Katherine- we've all seen the way he looks at her." Lydia wrapped the corset around Katherine's already tiny figure. Katherine instantly held onto the bedpost as Lydia tightened the strings in the back. "He's been courting her for nearly two months, I'm sure Charlotte should be expecting a proposal any day now."
Katherine's breath came out in short pants as she tried to suck in her stomach.
"I should...think so...too. Afterall, the gifts...have been...increasing." She sighed when Lydia finished tightening and tying the last string. She placed her hand over stomach. "It's not fair. I only have two pairs of shoes and Charlotte has been getting a new pair every other week."
Lydia handed Katherine the dark blue dress with an exasperated roll of her eyes. "Oh, Katherine. Try to be happy for her the way she would be if it was you being courted."
Katherine sighed as she slipped the frock over her head, slipping her arms through the holes and smoothed down the creases as the gown settled into place.
"It is rather difficult when the one man in the world I truly love is after my sister."
"You have plenty of other suitors, though," Lydia pointed out, handing Katherine her shoes. "If it does not work out with Phillip, you have plenty of other options at hand."
