“Please, Mr. Douvaine. If you will take the head of the table on this side it would please me greatly,” Andrew Davis asked as he gestured toward one end of the table as he himself sat at the opposite end of the table. “Miss Proctor, if you would do me the honour?” he then gestured to Katrina requesting that she sit at his side as he pulled out the chair for her. She nodded in reply and took to the seat, to which he then pulled out a chair for Willameena to sit beside Katrina. As she did so she watched as Robert pulled out a chair for Adeline to sit beside him and across from Willameena.
“I am so pleased to meet your acquaintance, Miss Proctor and Mr. and Madame Douvaine. Are you truly staying the whole of winter?” Willameena asked.
“Yes we are,” Katrina said.
“That is wonderful to hear. I am very pleased and hope this visit will be the first of many,” Willameena smiled.
“Oh yes, now that you are here we must confess it is a ploy to get you to come dine with us as often as possible,” Robert teased.
The table laughed as the first course of a hot soup was served with wine.
“Tell me Mr. Davis, how fair your business dealings these days. Last we spoke they were in quite a state of success I believe?” Mr. Douvaine asked.
“Oh yes, yes sir that has not changed. I would be delighted to speak with you further on the matter in the days to come,” Andrew smiled.
Katrina watched as the joyous dinner continued. It was such a change from the last dinner she had attended at Linwood Manor, where she could feel the scrutiny of Mr. Mason Byers and the superior Dawson women resting on her shoulders. Yet here they dined with a family of great fortune and they did not make it a point to establish that their station was decidedly higher than the Proctors or Douvaines. In fact it was not talked of at all. This, Katrina enjoyed quite greatly.
“And tell me, do you miss your home Miss Proctor?” Andrew asked in a quiet way that left the question directly to Katrina while the others enjoyed conversation among themselves.
“Well yes, of course, though I have only been in town but a few days, I will always prefer the country to town.”
“And why is that?”
“I enjoy nature. I enjoy walking through the countryside as much as may be. I enjoy an independence of walking without an escort in the country that would be scrutinized in town, or perhaps even dangerous.”
“Walking? On your own in the countryside?” he said with shock and a smile on his face.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Well, Miss Proctor, you grow more interesting by the minute. I must dare say I admire your independence greatly.” Andrew smiled.
Katrina was flattered by the notion that he agreed and admired her will to do as she pleased. For there were some in society that might think it was disagreeable that she did so.
“Hertfordshire... where have we heard that county recently, brother? I swear that it was on the tongue of some acquaintance or other, was it not?” Robert asked Andrew loudly enough to bring everyone into that conversation. “Or was it Derbyshire?”
“Yes, yes you are right brother. In fact I believe it was our neighbours that were recently in that part of the country, were they not?
“Oh yes brother, you are correct,” Andrew replied. “But it was not Derbyshire, though that is the permanent residence of one of our acquaintances. Hertfordshire is the county our neighbours recently visited, though they have returned.”
“And which neighbours?” Robert asked.
“The Dawsons,” Andrew replied.
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The sound of a fork clattered on a plate. Hearing the Dawson name startled Katrina and Adeline both, but it was Adeline’s fork that left her hand.
“Oh, pray, excuse me. It slipped,” Adeline said softly as everyone looked to her.
Katrina was beside herself. She looked to Adeline who seemed to turn as white as a sheet from the news that the Dawsons were so close. Oh, what she must be thinking?
Katrina wanted to take the attention from her sister, so she continued the conversation.
“The Dawsons, you say?” Katrina asked.
“Oh yes, they live just across the street from our own home. Mr. William Dawson is quite delightful,” Miss Willameena Davis said.
“That is quite interesting...” Mr. Douvaine began to say, “The Dawsons were neighbours of my actresses here while in Hampshire. They took up residence at Linwood Manor which is but three miles from Cottered where one of my actresses resided.”
“Oh is that so? How delightful then you know our neighbours?” Andrew said.
“Yes, yes we had the pleasure of meeting their acquaintance when they attended an assembly in Meryton.”
“Oh, then I shall invite them to dine with us one evening and invite you all again as well. It will be a merry party,” Willameena said happily.
“Thank you, you are too kind,” Katrina smiled and then looked at her sister Adeline who pushed her food on her plate, but did not eat. Oh, how Katrina wished she could attend to her sister at that moment.
“Did you say you have an acquaintance from Derbyshire, sir?” Madame Douvaine asked. “I grew up in Derbyshire, at Lambton,” Madame Douvaine said.
“Why yes we do, a Mr. Byers who owns a grand estate in Derbyshire. He is a close acquaintance of the Dawsons and is residing with them this winter, across the street.”
Katrina’s breath quickened, for she had no inclination that she would be so close to such a scandalous man when coming to London. But of course he would be taking up residence with the Dawsons so that he may steal away and visit Eleanor Dawson’s room in the night. The leech!
“Then I should be glad to meet his acquaintance at some point as well,” Madame Douvaine said.
“These clams are quite delicious,” Mr. Douvaine said.
“Yes, they come all the way to us from Brighton. I hope you find them agreeable as well, Miss Proctor,” Robert replied and turned a brilliant smile to Adeline, who had seemed to all but disappear from the room entirely.
“Oh yes, yes, quite delicious,” she smiled, though Katrina could see that it was a forced labour for her.
“And you, Miss Proctor? Tell me how you are finding London thus far?” Andrew asked, turning his conversation to Katrina in a quiet manner.
“I find it very well indeed, sir. It is vast of course,” she replied.
“And is there something in particular that you wished to attend upon your visit? Go to the museum perhaps, or attend a Christmas ball?” he asked.
“I have not thought of such a thing. A visit to the museum would be agreeable but I have not...”
“Then you must allow me to make the arrangements for you and your relations. A visit to the Montagu House British Museum in Bloomsbury is an absolute must.”
“Oh sir, that is not necessary, you are too kind,” she said.
“No it is my pleasure. I shall make the arrangements and get back to you with the details if that is agreeable?”
“That is sir, thank you,” she smiled. When Katrina turned from the kind eyes of Andrew Davis, she was pleased to see that Adeline was in quiet conversation with Robert. She wanted to thank him as a saint for pulling her mind of the news that the Dawsons were but across the street. How dreadful a thing! Katrina herself wondered if they had seen their party descend from the carriage and enter the Davis House. How grateful she was that her cloak was hooded and that it was cold enough outside that she had drawn it upon her head, as well as Adeline.
The Dawsons, or Mr. Byers, for that matter, did not know the Douvaines and therefore would not recognize them.
After the luxurious dinner, the whole party sat in the drawing room where Willameena delighted them with playing a song on the pianoforte. Katrina saw the young girl was quite skilled and her joyful disposition reminded her of her youngest friend, Sally Cox.
But as Willameena delighted them in her exhibit, Katrina took this opportunit
y to stand next to Adeline. “Are you alright, dear Adeline?” she whispered.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Can you imagine that our acquaintances would be so near?”
“No. No, indeed I did not. I am all in astonishment.”
“As am I. We should have taken greater care in coming to this part of town. I have no wish in coming face to face with Mr. Byers.”
“Yes...” Adeline said.
Katrina placed her hand on Adeline’s arm, for she knew that in that moment Adeline was thinking of crossing paths with Dawson.
The music stopped and all clapped.
“Marvellous. Absolutely marvellous,” Mr. Douvaine said.
After a few glasses of brandy, sherry, and polite conversation, it was time for the guests to return to their carriage and to their side of town.
Katrina noticed Adeline stiffen as they all stood at the door ready to depart. Adeline pulled the hood of her cloak onto her head. Her eyes looked with fear at Katrina.
Katrina reached out and squeezed her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. For it was silly to be worried that the Dawsons or Mr. Byers would be out in front of the Dawson home at this late hour and at the same time as their own party. Still, Katrina pulled the hood of her cloak on her head too.
“I hope that I should be able to call on you and you Miss Proctor when I am on that side of town?” Willameena asked Adeline and Katrina together.
“Oh, we would be delighted for such a visit. Thank you ever so much for dinner tonight,” Katrina smiled at the young and beautiful Willameena.
“Good, that makes me ever so happy. Until next we meet again,” Willameena curtsied. The Davis brothers bowed and each said goodbye, and it did not escape Katrina’s notice that Andrew’s eyes were securely on her.
Together, the Proctor friends and the Douvaines walked out onto the front steps. It was then that Katrina and Adeline looked across. A grand stately house stood elegantly across from the Davises, but to their relief there were no people exiting or entering that residence. Quickly, Adeline and Katrina stepped into the carriage and under the concealment of the carriage compartment, each sister allowed themselves to take a longer look of the home. Katrina stared into the lighted windows, but saw no movement. Indeed, the house would probably be in the parlour or drawing room, or perhaps they were out for an evening at the theatre.
The carriage jolted forth and carried them out of sight of the Dawson home and out of Mayfair. Mr. and Madame Douvaine delighted in conversation, retelling the entire events of the evening while the friends listened. Katrina held Adeline’s hand to comfort her, for she knew that her sister must be feeling very ill indeed. But it was not until they were in their bedclothes and the Douvaines had gone to bed did the friends feel at liberty to talk of what they learned that night.
“Can you believe it? Mr. William Dawson all that time across the street?” Adeline’s breath was quick as she sat on her bed.
“I cannot. Oh, how I wanted to go to you Adeline when Andrew said the Dawsons were but across the street. I confessed it astonished me but I could see that it greatly distressed you.”
“Yes. I must confess that it did, but I am fine now Katrina. It is over and done with and next, if I shall see Mr. William Dawson again, it will be as if nothing happened between us.”
“Adeline, you do not need to say such things for my comfort. I know that you are upset and you have every right to be so. I am not sure that I can be as agreeable as you if we should come face to face with them again, especially not to the superior friends.”
“And Mr. Byers, for he is staying with the Dawsons as well. Oh how can it be that we meet such agreeable society as the Davis and then it is tarnished with fear and anxiousness by their proximity to our former acquaintances, it is too cruel,” Adeline squeezed Katrina’s hand.
“Yes it is, is it not?” Katrina sighed. “I suppose that is just the way of it. Mayfair tends to be a borough where people of their society live and so by mingling with that society in the Davis it was only a matter of time before we heard the name Dawson, or Mr. Mason Byers.”
“Oh Katrina, do you think that Miss Willameena Davis will see her offer through? To have another dinner to invite us and the Dawsons? Or was that just polite conversation?”
“There is no way of telling, is there? She is all politeness but we have not known her long enough to know her true character. Who knows, the Davis could be speaking of how boring we were as guests and never invite us again,” Katrina laughed. This got a laugh from Adeline as well, as Katrina was pleased to see Adeline’s spirits lifting.
“Oh, I can say that I highly doubt that the Davises found you boring Katrina, especially when considering Andrew Davis’s attentions toward you.”
Katrina gasped. “Adeline!”
“It is true. Oh, do not pretend that you did not notice. His eyes were for you and you only. I have an inclination that you will be hearing from him again soon.”
“Is that so? Well, you are one to talk of such things.”
“What? Katrina, whatever do you mean?”
“Oh dear Adeline, the way Robert Davis smiled at you was more than just mere politeness.”
“That is not so!” Adeline laughed.
“It is true. Of course he has reason to, as you are five times as pretty of anyone of our acquaintance and the attention is much deserved.”
“Oh Katrina I am not!”
“And would it be so dreadful? He is handsome and all politeness with a sweet disposition just as you are... and I dare say, quite eligible.”
“Oh Katrina, we do not know that, for he could be courting another as far as we know, and probably someone with means as much as that family.”
“Perhaps. But perhaps because he is so rich he can court whoever he fancies, regardless of the woman’s station and inheritance.”
Adeline smiled a brilliant smile and flushed a shade of pink. “I must confess, he is quite handsome.”
Katrina giggled. “Yes he is. And I think you will very much be called upon by him before the end of the week. You will see.”
Adeline laughed and then stretched up. “What a wonderful evening, regardless of the shocking news. I am glad that we came to London.”
“As am I. Let us get a good night of sleep. Goodnight, Adeline,” Katrina embraced Adeline and left to her own room. But as she stared at herself in the mirror of her vanity, she could not help but to think of Mr. Byers so near.
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A few days passed in complete joy as the friends followed their employers to one occasion after another. They would stroll the streets after the afternoon tea, or join the Douvaine’s acquaintances for dinner or simple supper and cards. These acquaintances lived on Cheapside, and were not as well established as the Davises, which gave Katrina a sense of easiness, for she did not want to see Adeline become disheartened if yet another relation of the Douvaine’s mentioned Mr. William Dawson or Mr. Byers.
But the Davises were not to be entirely forgot, as one morning at length, a letter arrived for Katrina.
“This just came for you ma’am,” the man servant brought in a letter on a silver plate into the drawing room where Katrina, Adeline, and Madame Douvaine sat having some conversation after breakfast.
“Thank you,” Katrina took the letter and gave Adeline and Madame Douvaine an odd look. “It must be from one of our friends.” But upon seeing the wax seal she knew that it was not from the Proctor household. “It is from Mr. Andrew Davis.”
Adeline smiled a brilliant smile and lifted her brows at Madame Douvaine, who proudly stood up straight that one of her actresses had the attentions of such a well-to-do man.
“It says – Dear Miss Katrina Proctor. I have made arrangements for you and your relations to have a private tour of the collections at the Montague British Museum for Saturday after next.”
“Oh that is wonderful news! Such a kind man!” Madame Douvaine
exclaimed.
“Go on, Katrina,” Adeline said.
“It continues – a Mr. James Robertson will be your contact, as they expect you at the hour of eleven. If this time and date are not agreeable, please let me know a more suitable time and I shall change the arrangements. Your friend, Andrew Davis.”
Katrina looked up stunned. “How could he do such a kind thing? We hardly know him. When he mentioned the museum at his home I thought he was simply being all politeness. I cannot understand what would possess him to go through with making these arrangements.”
“Can you not?” Madame Douvaine claimed with a sly smile.
“Oh Katrina, he means to please you and that is a kind act. Will we be attending?” Adeline asked.
“I can speak for Mr. Douvaine. We have no fixed arrangements on Saturday next. I know Mr. Douvaine will find it delightful.”
“I must confess, a private tour of the collections sounds very agreeable indeed, but what does he expect of me in return do you think?” Katrina’s eyes were wide.
Adeline laughed. “Dear Katrina not all men are deceiving and expect what you are thinking. I truly think that Mr. Davis simply means to offer his connections to us as we are visiting. If he has taken a fancy to you, which I think he has, I do not think these actions are malicious.”
“You would think such things Adeline; all goodness in your heart that you can never think ill of anyone else.”
“Perhaps a simple letter of thanks will be sufficient in these matters,” Madame Douvaine said.
“Yes, yes Madame Douvaine, I suppose you are right. Indeed I will compose a letter after dinner and have it sent tomorrow morning.”
But Katrina was already concluding that Madame Douvaine and sister were wrong on these matters, and that Andrew Davis would be expecting something in return from her. Though she did find him quite handsome indeed, she did not know enough of him to be so quick to attach her affections. That was simply not the way her heart worked.
An Alone and Destitute Girl (#3, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 6
