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“If you please, Miss Proctor, there is a Miss Willameena Davis downstairs to see you,” the servant said.
Katrina smiled. “I will meet her in the parlour downstairs and will you have tea and a light breakfast brought to us in there.”
“Yes ma’am, right away,” the servant said with a curtsy and walked out.
Katrina fixed her dress and pushed up her hair in the mirror before heading downstairs.
“Katrina! Thank God. I was afraid you and Miss Adeline would have run off in the night in anger,” Miss Willameena Davis said, holding her hands out to her new friend with a worried look on her face.
“Miss Willameena Davis, is that why you have called so early?” Katrina laughed.
“Well yes, Miss Proctor, I thought I would catch you and try to convince you to stay the days you had already agreed upon, instead of running off,” she said.
“Miss Willameena Davis, you worry yourself too much. Come, let’s sit. I have just ordered tea and a light breakfast for us. I am afraid that my sister is in bed with a headache and my employers are not at home this morning. It is just myself,” Katrina said, leading her friend to her favourite table in the parlour, right by the large window that looked over the back garden.
“So you are staying, then?” Miss Willameena Davis asked, taking a seat.
“Here is your tea ma’am,” the servant carried a tray over with a nice blue and white porcelain pot and two matching dainty cups with saucers. “The food will come shortly.”
“Thank you,” Katrina said with a smile as she grabbed the pot and poured tea for her friend and herself.
“Of course we are staying as planned. We have no need to run off in the night like fugitives, Miss Willameena Davis.”
“But Miss Proctor, after last night... Miss Eleanor Dawson and all...”
“It is all forgotten.” Katrina smiled. “In fact I should thank Miss Eleanor Dawson for igniting such conversation. It made for a very interesting night, and I have to keep my tongue sharp you know.”
Miss Willameena Davis placed her hand over her mouth and giggled, “Oh Miss Proctor! You are such fun. How I enjoy your company.”
“And I yours, Miss Willameena Davis.”
The two laughed, and just as they were about to begin another conversation a tray arrived with two slices of cold ham, two boiled eggs, rolls of bread, and two boiled potatoes.
“Would this do for you ma’am?” the servant asked.
“Yes, very well thank you. We will call you if we need anything but I believe we have everything we need,” Katrina smiled. The servant curtsied again and scampered off.
“Oh thank you for this Katrina. I must say that I did not eat at all this morning in my haste to get here to you,” Miss Willameena Davis said.
“Of course. I am happy to eat breakfast with my new dear friend, how long it has been since I have made a new friend that I find so agreeable. Indeed you remind me of my youngest friend Sally Cox,” Katrina said as she served herself a potato onto her plate and a slice of ham, while Miss Willameena Davis did the same.
“You are very lucky to have so many friends. I wish I had friends,” Miss Willameena Davis made a sad smile.
“But your brothers are ideal elder brothers, are they not?” Katrina said raising her brow.
Miss Willameena Davis smiled, “Yes indeed they are. I am very lucky.”
“Yes you are,” Katrina said.
“And do you find my eldest brother Andrew agreeable?” Willameena asked.
“Miss Willameena Davis,” Katrina raised her brows.
“I am only asking because I feel that he has taken a fancy to you, though the way Mr. Byers was looking at you I assume your affections lay with him.”
“Mr. Byers!”
“Though Miss Eleanor Dawson thinks his attachment is fleeting,” Willameena said cutting into her ham with a bit of voracity as she also cut off Katrina’s shock, and continued her ramblings about Mr. Mason Byers. “Oh but Miss Proctor, do not pay attention to her words. She is bruised herself, and I dare say no one has ever defied her and she does not know how to deal with it,” Miss Willameena Davis said before pushing a delicate piece of boiled potato into her mouth.
“That is true of Miss Dawson, I am sure of it, but Miss Willameena Davis...” Katrina put her knife and fork on the plate with a light clanging sound. “You are very wrong of Mr. Byers’s attentions toward me. I think it is very safe to say that we do not get along at all, though we are polite in company.”
“Oh, is that so? But I could have sworn the way he looked at you was...” Willameena’s eyes grew wide. “Then should I rescind his invitation to the Christmas ball?”
“You worry yourself over nothing. That will not be necessary, I assure you. Plan your ball as you see fit and do not rescind his invitation. I am capable of handling myself as far as Mr. Byers is concerned, I can assure you.”
“Oh, good. I am very excited for it. It will be so grand, and I am so happy to have you and Adeline to confide in. I want nothing more than to have someone to stand in the corner with, speaking about eligible bachelors. It is a luxury not afforded to me when I only have brothers to speak with.”
Katrina laughed. “Adeline and I would be delighted.”
“Thank you so much for sitting with me now on this morning, and having this fine breakfast and conversation.”
“I could not think of a better way to spend my morning,” Katrina smiled.
“And you and Miss Adeline do still mean to come to the ball as planned, and will not think of some ill excuse?” Miss Willameena Davis asked in all seriousness.
“Of course, we will be there. I think I prefer the smaller engagements, at Davis House, but a ball will be delightful. I have never attended a ball on Christmas Eve and that should be very delightful indeed.” Katrina said.
Miss Willameena Davis sighed. “Oh good. I am so relieved.”
“More tea?” Katrina asked.
“Oh yes please.”
Katrina felt an ache in her heart for Cottered and being with her younger and spirited friends, but she would never trade in her present happiness and adventure and knew she would see her friends again soon.
One hour later Katrina said goodbye to Miss Willameena Davis and moved upstairs to check on Adeline. She had allowed her sister to sleep in late because she knew that the previous evening had vexed her greatly, seeing Mr. William Dawson had shocked poor Adeline.
She quietly opened the bedroom door and closed it as softly as she could.
“Katrina?” she heard Adeline say from the bedroom.
She smiled and moved that way. She opened the curtains to find her still lying in bed.
“Yes, Adeline?”
“Where have you gone? You are full dressed. You do look lovely,” she said as Katrina moved to sit beside her.
“Miss Willameena Davis was downstairs. She came to have breakfast with me and to make sure we were still attending the ball at Davis House at Christmas Eve.
“Miss Willameena Davis? Here, this early?” Adeline sat up in bed shocked. “Oh how she must think me a terrible person to not receive her.”
“No, do not worry yourself. I made it known you had a headache, and she made it known that it was too early for her visit.”
Adeline lay back on her pillow, “Oh thank you Katrina. Though it is very early for her to call, is it not?”
Katrina laughed. “She thought to prevent you and I from stealing away back to Hertfordshire. You see she thought that Miss Dawson’s treatment was enough to send us back home.”
Adeline laughed. “Did she?”
“Yes, but Miss Willameena Davis does not know that I’ve had experience in dealings with Miss Eleanor Dawson.”
“No, she does not. Still it was very sweet of her to come all this way so early just to keep us in her company.”
“Yes, very sweet indeed, and perhaps rash. She doe
s remind me of Lydia.”
“Yes, she does,” Adeline smiled.
“That is just as well that she reminds me, because I need to write a letter home to Cottered and to Charlotte Lucas, as it has been too long. Shall I have breakfast and tea brought to you here then?” she asked.
“Yes please if you could,” Adeline said. “I think I would very much like to stay in this room a little while longer.”
“Do not make haste for our employers are not here, so you may stay in this room this morning as long as you like,” Katrina smiled.
She placed a light kiss on her Adeline’s forward and moved downstairs to give the breakfast order, before moving back to the drawing room to compose her letters. Oh how she had so much to acquaint Charlotte Lucas with.
Two friends walked after the afternoon tea, down the now familiar block of Cheapside that they had been accustomed to walking, and did so alone for their employers had been all day.
“It is a fine day is it not?” Katrina said.
“Yes, it is,” Adeline replied lightly.
“Oh Adeline I know how you must be feeling after seeing Mr. William Dawson but...”
“No, you are mistaken Katrina. I feel quite at ease now that the first meeting is over with. Now things shall go back to how they were before I ever met him. I am happy that it is over with. I must confess it was the anxiety of seeing him that had me in such a manner, now I feel a little better it is over with.”
“Oh good Adeline. I am glad.”
“Katrina! Adeline!” Madame Douvaine said. The friends turned behind them to see Madame Douvaine waiving at them from their arriving carriage. Katrina smiled at Adeline and together they hastily walked to the carriage and climbed in.
“Good day to you employers. We were just taking the after-tea stroll together.” Katrina smiled.
“How fortunate to come across you dear actresses. I was just now returning from the dress shop. I made it my utmost important errand to go make sure that we have an appointment for a fitting for we shall all need new gowns for the Christmas ball,” Madame Douvaine said.
“That is too kind and not at all necessary, really Adeline and I have gowns that we could...”
“No. I will not hear any more of that. This is London and it is quite different than the country. An occasion such as this requires new gowns. Consider it a Christmas gift,” Mr. Douvaine smiled.
“Oh Mr. Douvaine you are too kind, thank you ever so much,” Adeline smiled.
“Yes, thank you Mr. Douvaine,” Katrina said. “It is strange that you should mention, because Miss Willameena Davis called upon me at breakfast.”
Mr. and Madame Douvaine’s eyes filled with shock.
“Miss Willameena Davis? In our home? Oh how rude of us not to be home to receive her,” Madame Douvaine said.
“I assure you it is fine. It was I that she wanted to speak with anyway, and she also wanted to make sure that Adeline and I were not abandoning our post to stand up with her at the Christmas ball.”
“Oh, how sweet that young child is,” Madame Douvaine said. “Oh good. Good, that evening will be quite delightful.”
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chapter
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“Miss Proctor, are you alright? Are you ill?” Mr. Byers’s brows furrowed together in concern as he hugged his felt hat against his chest. He was so tall towering over her in his long black wool coat that reached down past his knees.
“Mr. Mason Byers? I... I did not expect you,” Katrina finally said, taking a step back from him. If she kept close she would surely faint as she had been making her way to the foyer.
“Of course not. Why would you?” he smiled. “I was just let in now by your servant and he has not had time to announce my presence. I am sorry to come so early and without notice.”
“Um...” she fumbled backwards a bit still trying to put some distance between the gorgeous proud man and herself. “Yes, right. Um, my sister and employers are not ready, but if you have come to call on them and...”
“I did not come to call on them. I came to see you.”
“Me? What? Why?” she said confused.
“That is a series of questions Miss Proctor. Which do you wish for me to answer first?” he teased.
She smiled. His light-hearted demeanour surprised her indeed. What had changed since his stay in Hertfordshire? “The last I suppose.”
“Why? Because I was hoping that you could help me?”
“Me? What? Why?” she said again in the exact same confounded order. As soon as she said it her brows furrowed together and she sighed noticing how dumb she sounded. But the words just came out. Mr. Byers however seemed amused as his face lit up with a subtle sideways grin. It was not a look that she was used to seeing on him, and she thought it suited him.
“That is... How could she possibly be of assistance to you?” she asked in a more clear and precise way.
“You see, Miss Proctor, I have not been able to get you out of my mind since our conversation at the Davis House.”
“What?” she barely whispered. Had he been thinking of her the way she had been thinking of him?
“Yes. I think of it often.”
“Think of what?” she asked her eyes grew wider.
“Your advice, of course,” he turned to her with brows furrowed.
“Oh. My advice, yes indeed,” she felt flushed as she realized that she alone had been thinking romantically and he had been thinking logically.
“Yes. You said those details about the fabric and walking the docks in the morning with your Douvaine,” he said taking a step toward her.
“Well, yes sir.”
“Good. Then that is why I have come. I am wondering, Miss Proctor, if you would be so obliged to accompany me to the docks tomorrow morning.”
“The docks?”
“I humbly ask that you teach me about the fabrics coming in. You see, I have started to dabble in being a merchant, something that shocks my family and relations, but I have been inspired lately to not allow society to tell me what I can and cannot do,” he said. The last words had a sideways grin accompany it that was mischievous and confident. It made her knees weak.
“You, sir? A merchant?” she said shocked by this. For being a merchant was considered to be for the courtesan and actress that worked their way up to new money. It was not for the likes of him who turned their noses at it. It was shocking indeed.
“Yes, that’s right. Do you disapprove, Miss Proctor?” His dark thick brow raised above his eyes. His question shocked her as well. Why did he care what she thought?
“I do not, sir.”
“Then will you join me tomorrow morning?”
“Yes! She will!” a shrill high-pitched voice interrupted. Madame Douvaine came from the back in a flurry. Katrina was mortified. Obviously she had heard everything.
“Ma’am. Good day to you, Madame Douvaine. It is a pleasure,” he bowed to Madame Douvaine.
“And to you, Mr. Mason Byers,” she curtsied. “Yes, Katrina may show you the docks tomorrow morning. I can spare her for the day.”
“I would be delighted if she would,” he said looking at me.
She stared at that gorgeous masculine face. She knew that this was not going to come to any good, but the adventurous woman in her could not say no to something so tempting and odd.
“Yes, Mr. Byers. How is tomorrow at six?” she said.
“That would be perfect. I will be here at six sharp in the morning. Thank you. I am in your debt Miss Proctor,” he bowed. She gave him a quick curtsy. My Madame Douvaine did the same. One more time he flashed me a white smile before he walked out.
I looked at my Madame Douvaine in shock. “Did that just happen?”
“Yes it did child!” she shouted and bounced up and down. Now we must find the perfect dress to wear! And if you do not have it, we shall make it!” she dragged her to Katrina’s room. Katrina however was numb and confused. Why would he single her out this manner?
Ding. Dong. The clock tower bells struck 6 exactly. Calming her nerves she took a deep breath with some words of encouragement. “This means nothing. Just a quick stroll on the docks to help out the gentleman and that shall be the end of it,” she whispered.
“You look perfect,” Adeline came out and straightened the emerald bonnet on top of her head that matched her emerald green wool coat. “This colour does you a great deal, Katrina, perfectly. That Mr. Mason Byers will be a lucky gentleman to walk at your side.”
“Adeline it is not like that. I am merely helping a mutual acquaintance,” she said quietly but did not know if she said it to convince Adeline or herself.
Ring. Clang. The front door bell sounded. Mr. Byers stepped in and took off his black felt hat.
“Good morning, ladies. It is a fine day to walk the bank of the Thames, is it not?”
“Mr. Byers, good morning,” Madame Douvaine scurried over and quickly curtsied.
“Madame Douvaine, a pleasure,” he said with a bow. Then he looked to Katrina. For a moment he seemed to stop all thoughts as he stared at her. “Miss Proctor...”
“Good morning Mr. Byers,” she curtsied. This seemed to break his gaze and he bowed to her and Adeline again. That frustratingly handsome smile appeared on his face as he looked up at her from his bow before righting himself completely.
“You are in good company, sir. My actress is not mistaken when she says that she knows of something or other for she is very well read. She has since a very young age,” Madame Douvaine said pushing me toward the door.
“I do not doubt that she has knowledge of many things,” he said staring directly at her.
“Have a good day, you two,” Madame Douvaine said as Mr. Byers opened the door for her. She stepped out into the morning dawn.
An Alone and Destitute Girl (#3, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 9
