Courting Kit

by Claudy Conn

  She had lowered her lashes.

  He laughed and said, “What, my Kitty, no fight left?”

  Her green eyes flashed with the set down that came to her lips, but he put up his hands and said, “No, no … spare me, love. I’m off.”

  Now, here she was in London. She had never before thought of a Season … and if the notion had entered her mind in the past, she had immediately struck it down. That was when her guardian was ill, and she would never, ever have left him.

  Besides that, she had been content in the New Forest with her country life. But now, as she looked around, she admitted to herself that this … this was all very exciting.

  “We must be getting close,” Kitty told Nanny.

  Nanny agreed with an unintelligible sound and continued to survey the passing scenes. “It is so very busy. I don’t know how we won’t get lost.”

  “We won’t. The earl will see to it that we don’t.” Her eyes then lit on a park that seemed to stretch forever, and it was with some excitement that she told Nanny, “Oh Nanny, look! Hyde Park. I remember Hyde Park. Ever such fun. There, there … the Serpentine. Kensington is not far now.” She sighed. “You know, I don’t think I shall, as I first thought, hate being here.”

  “I know, dear. It is not in your nature to brood or hate anything. I have always noted that you make the best of all situations.” Nanny stroked Kitty’s hand.

  “I do so love you, Nanny,” Kitty said and snuggled her shoulder into Nanny’s.

  ~ Twenty-One ~

  HALLOWAY HOUSE WAS an impressive work of stone, colonnades, and spiked black iron railings on the first floor and at the long balcony of the second and third floor. A small array of garden beds enclosed by stone adorned the front of the townhouse that overlooked the quiet street. Kitty stood for a moment and took a long, sustaining breath of air.

  As she walked towards the front doors, she noted that they were heavily molded and adorned by a wide, gold-trimmed black canopy. The total effect was most impressive.

  Nanny at her back was thanking Max as she held his sturdy arm. “I’m a bit stiff,” she told both Kitty and Max as she gingerly took steps forward. “Ah … that’s better.”

  Kitty turned to Max before approaching the front door any further and said, “Max, this all looks so grand. Has the earl been living here all alone?”

  “Aw no, his lordship had bachelor lodgings not too far from here.” He smiled broadly at Kitty, for they had struck up a friendship of sorts over the long trip. “And the dowager, she took to living year round at the Grange, ye see.” His attention was caught, and he motioned to the front doors being held open by the Halloway butler. “Aye then, Oi see that they be waiting on yer, so Oi’ll jest bring up the luggage, and then Oi’ll be toiking the horses to the stables and get them all bedded down.”

  Kitty absorbed this as she took Nanny’s elbow and helped her up the steps. They stood a moment in the wide marbled central hallway and exchanged glances.

  Immediately, Kitty was assailed with doubts. What if the beau monde disliked her? What if the dowager didn’t like her? What and what and what?

  The butler stood aside and quietly welcomed them, and they had no choice but to smile and follow his lead.

  As though on cue, Minerva stepped into the central hall from an adjacent room and put out her hands with an open smile.

  “Ah, you are here … welcome.”

  Kitty tried to take it all in. The dowager was a regal and attractive person, and yet her eyes were all about kindness. Behind her, around her, were portraits on the walls.

  In the center of the hallway stood a round table sporting a beautiful assortment of spring flowers in a huge vase. Hardwood floors led to a fork, one branch of which led to a wide staircase while the other continued down another hallway. Immediately off the central hall on both sides were double doors.

  Wharton Place had its own noble history, but it spoke of warm and inviting comfort. This, and the dowager, spoke of history, tradition, and respectability, and for a short space of time Kitty had a sudden urge to run.

  The dowager’s greeting had been momentarily diverted by a footman who had appeared and stepped up to Max to take the luggage from him. Kitty was pleasantly surprised by the hearty greeting the dowager gave Max. She had thought the older woman might not condescend to notice a driver.

  And then, all at once, the dowager took up all of Kitty’s attention as she moved to take her hand and slip it into her own. “Why, you are what your childhood promised, quite a beauty, and I am completely happy to have you with me.” She turned to Nanny and said, “Oh, forgive me. You must be Mrs. Diddles?”

  Nanny mumbled something and curtsied, but the dowager pursed her lips and said, “But as I recall, Edwin always called you Nanny and said you were part of the family, and so you are.”

  Kitty immediately took to the dowager, for she had set her dear Nanny at ease. She met the dowager’s faded eyes and said warmly, “Thank you.”

  Kitty took in the dowager’s style with surprise. She might be elderly, but her fashion was clearly quite lovely. She wore her silver hair piled high, and wispy curls adorned her forehead and ears. She was tall, and the rich, earth-colored velvet gown flattered her graceful lines. Indeed, Kitty thought, the dowager had style!

  The dowager said, “You wouldn’t remember me, as you were only ten or eleven the last time I visited with Edwin, but, la … look at you. What fun we shall have.”

  Kitty said in a small voice, “I am sorry … I don’t remember.”

  The dowager eyed her for a moment before saying, “Indeed, how would you?” She chuckled. “You only popped in for a moment, and I was only there for a luncheon … well, never mind.” She eyed both Nanny and Kitty and clucked her tongue. “What can that grandson of mine have said to you? You both look frightened to death. I shan’t eat you, I promise.”

  Kitty laughed. “Indeed, I was told that was the fate of all green country girls in London—to be eaten alive by London’s ton.”

  Minerva laughed and said, “Ah, but I see you ain’t so green, are you, child?” She turned then to Nanny. “My grandson tells me you are an estimable woman, but I fear he has misused you. Tch, tch, forcing that trip on you in just three days. It usually takes me five or six to reach the New Forest, where I have friends.” Her hand went to her cheek before she added, “Oh, look at me going on and on. You must be fagged to death. Well, your room is a lovely chamber that overlooks the back courtyard flowers and is ready for you after we have our refreshments.”

  Nanny mumbled shyly, “Oh, thank you, my lady, but, no, his lordship was everything that was kind and considerate.”

  “Was he?” the dowager said with a soft smile. “You give me hope of him then.” She turned back to Kitty and gave her hand a tug. “Come, do. A blazing fire awaits us in the library, where we shall sit and enjoy a cozy tea and make plans.”

  Kitty had been hoping to see the earl and asked, “Is the earl not here then?”

  “Ah,” said the dowager quietly. “No, my dear. Won’t I do for now?”

  “Far better,” Kitty countered, “I am sure.” An accompanying giggle displayed that she was jesting.

  The dowager laughed. “Well, I can see we are going to be great friends, you and I.”

  * * *

  The earl entered White’s and found the famous gentlemen’s club overflowing with men milling about from room to room. A hand clapped down on his shoulder, and he turned to find Lord Rodhill smirking and demanding of him, “What’s this? Hear you’ve inherited an incredible fortune.”

  “How the devil that is already out is beyond me, but so I’m told,” the earl returned dryly. He did not like Rodhill and took no trouble to hide the fact.

  “Aye,” Rodhill said and took a sip of port. “A fortune, from all accounts.”

  The earl sucked in his lower lip as he controlled the ready retort. Rodhill was a jackanapes, and the earl fancied he knew just where this was going. He leveled a warning gaze at the
man and said, “Your point, my lord? Or do you just like to hear yourself go on about money? I can understand that, for I hear you lost a hale sum on that last pony you backed.”

  A round of laughter sprang up from the interested group that had gathered around them, for the nag that Rodhill had backed to win had come in dead last. Rodhill turned a variety of shades of red and answered, “No matter. I shall recover, but you, my lord, I don’t suppose you will have time for such pleasures while playing … shall we call what you are to your new acquisition … a veritable green country wench? Imagine, making you, of all people, sole protector of a chit just out of the schoolroom.”

  The room went silent, and, indeed, Rodhill himself went white for a moment, obviously concerned he had gone too far, as the earl looked ready to plant him a facer.

  “Protector is a very good term,” the earl said, and no one mistook the threat in his voice. “Guardian is a better one. However, my ward is not solely in my charge, as you seem to think, but quite safely installed at Halloway House with my grandmother, the dowager Halloway.”

  “Of course.” Rodhill conceded the blow with a flip of his hand. “One assumed as much.”

  “Excellent. Then perhaps we may move on to more interesting topics. What news is there of Napoleon?” the earl said, much pleased with the outcome of this encounter.

  * * *

  After they had enjoyed a friendly chat, imbibed a good deal of hot tea, and devoured a delectable assortment of miniature cakes and small squares of buttered bread overladen with freshly made jam, Kitty sat back to watch the dowager with growing respect.

  A few moments earlier, the dowager had whisked Nanny off to go upstairs and enjoy the hot bath that had been prepared for her as per the earl’s request. Again, Kitty was astounded by the extent of the earl’s thoughtfulness. A rogue and a libertine would not take the time to think of and see to the needs of someone in his service. He was always kind to Nanny, and that had been one of the first things that had made her take notice of his character.

  The dowager returned to sit beside Kitty and pat her knee. “Well, child, now you and I are going on a shopping spree from which we shall not return until we are thoroughly exhausted and satisfied.”

  Kitty laughed. “Shopping, now?”

  “Never say you are too fatigued from your journey?” Minerva challenged.

  “No, no …”

  The dowager raised a brow and a deprecating eye over Kitty’s new royal blue habit, which was travel-worn from three days use. “Look here, child. I mean for you to take the beau monde by storm, and you certainly cannot do so in clothes like that!” She clucked at the notion and added, “In fact, I am persuaded that none of your things will do.”

  “But, my lady, you haven’t even seen my other things.”

  “I don’t have to. They were not made by Madame Toussare.” She then wagged a finger. “And we will get on much better if you call me Minnie. Now, come along.”

  ~ Twenty-Two ~

  THE AFTERNOON WAS nearly spent, but Bond Street was bustling still, very much alive with men and women patronizing their favorite shops.

  Kitty was, in fact, in a shop, run by a French woman acknowledged (she was told by the dowager) by the haute ton as a modiste of the first stare.

  Kitty, though excited by all the newness of a world she had often read about, was becoming restless. She was thinking of the earl, wondering where he was and when she would be with him again.

  She stood on a pedestal of sorts in her bare feet and in a silk wrapper Madame had given her to wear between fittings. The room had a large window that overlooked the famous street. She wondered idly if she would recognize herself in her new and utterly high-fashioned clothes.

  In fact, a few were molded to her figure so tightly that they made her feel almost indecent, but the dowager said ’twas all the rage. They were a far cry from her buckskins and britches, and she already missed the freedom of movement her old clothes had always ensured her.

  She got off the pedestal, crossed the room to slump wearily against the window frame, and said with an amiable chuckle, “Enough. No more. I can’t try on another gown.”

  The dowager eyed her and said, “Kitty, you can’t imagine how pleased I am to have you with me. My darling ward Shawna married, which is what I wanted … but the emptiness after she was gone … well, you are here and so good-natured and spirited.”

  Kitty took the dowager’s hand. “Oh, I too, am so happy to have you, Minnie.”

  “Fine. Then you must not be an ungrateful child,” the dowager teased. “This is a gown that must have had you in mind … look at this white silk against your lovely skin.” She put the dress up against Kitty and said, “Oh yes, this is a must!”

  Kitty eyed the fabric of sheer white sprinkled throughout with gold dust. “It is lovely,” she agreed.

  The dowager selected slippers to match and chattered on about some hairdresser who would come to clip her hair into a style that would be the envy of every woman in London.

  “Cut my hair?” Kitty said worriedly.

  “But not so much cut as snip here and there to get the best effect,” the dowager returned, smiling happily. “You have so many thick blond curls—it will be glorious.” She picked up a black velvet cloak with a blue silk lining and said, “We’ll take this as well.”

  Kitty shook her head and closed her eyes. Where was she? Someone had woven a fairytale and stuck her right in the middle of it. She couldn’t believe all of this was happening, and once again she thought of the earl. Would he be impressed with her in her new clothes?

  She gazed out the window for a respite, and a gasp traveled up her throat.

  The earl … just outside her window, not ten feet away. He stood with a lovely red-haired woman in a chip bonnet and a tight-fitted dark blue walking ensemble. She felt a wave of jealousy as the woman raised her gloved hand and touched his cheek. The redhead touched his cheek. Was she one of his lovers? The question made a deep divide in her heart.

  She couldn’t quite hear what they were saying, but the woman pursed her lips for a kiss and, when she did not immediately receive one, said loudly enough for any passerby to hear, “Brandon, darling … what is it?”

  The earl did not kiss her lips, but he took her fingers and bent low. Kitty saw the devilish look he gave the redhead and heard him say, “I cannot think of anything I could want more—”

  “Kitty!” the dowager called out. “What are you doing? You must not be seen at the window.” So saying she peeked out herself and exclaimed, “Eh, my grandson, is it? Making a spectacle of himself with Mrs. Saltash. Humph!”

  “Is she a special sort of friend of the earl’s?” Kitty asked in a small voice.

  “Ha! Special friend indeed. Well, never mind,” the dowager replied and pulled her away from the window. “Madame is ready for you, and we must hurry if we are to get to the milliners. For you shall need bonnets—many bonnets.”

  * * *

  The earl watched Felicia Saltash sway as she moved down the avenue. A very desirable piece of fluff, but a dangerous one. She was ton, perhaps not the pink of ton, but, nevertheless, toying with a widow of his own class could end with him standing at the altar. Damn. The very notion of being tied forever to Felicia ruined any desire he might have had. He was well out of her clutches, but something else had made him withdraw from her intimate invitation. He frowned over it, but he had imagined Kitty seeing him beside Saltash and was immediately disgusted with himself and the widow.

  He turned, found Alex bearing down on him, and rolled his eyes.

  “Brandon, you devil!” Alex hailed him with a wide smile.

  “Ah, Alex, head any better?”

  “Egad, no, how could it be after all the brandy you plied me with?”

  The earl laughed. “I ply you? My dear, Alex, whenever have I had to persuade you to drink?”

  “Didn’t see it at the time, but I have no doubt you meant to cut me out from continuing the journey with you and my ki
tten.” He grinned amiably, “Truth is, would have done the same to you had the situation been reversed. No harm.” He shrugged and gave the earl a wink. “We have an entire Season ahead of us, don’t we?”

  Though Magdalen’s words were said sweetly, the earl had no doubt about their meaning. He said, narrowing his gaze but looking his friend in the eye, “The thing is, Alex, the emphasis, you must keep in mind, is on the word ‘we’. Wither thou goest, my buck, and so on and so on …” The earl drawled his words for emphasis.

  “Pity. Your delicious ward does make my heart throb, you know, but I have no wish to step on a friend’s toes. Since you seem to be thrusting said toes in my way, I bow to our friendship and stand aside. Besides, I like Kitty, you know. Wouldn’t dream of hurting her—and added to that is the fact that she knows me too well to be taken in.”

  “I have never thought you, unwise, Alex.” Halloway grinned, well pleased with this. “Shall I find you later tonight at White’s?”

  “No, no … tonight I am opera-bound with friends.” He smiled rakishly. “Where I mean to steal the pretty Felicia Saltash right out from under you, because, my buck, she is fair game.” He winked as he moved off. “Compensation, my boy, compensation.”

  The earl laughed and put a finger to his hat, allowing the hit. He was very well satisfied with the outcome of their conversation.

  ~ Twenty-Three ~

  KITTY MADE HER way downstairs in search of the kitchen. She couldn’t sleep. What she needed was a cup of warm milk.

  She held the ivory silk wrapper in place, not bothering to tie it closed over the matching nightdress beneath. The hour was late, and no one was awake, let alone about.

  She padded down the stairs, took a guess, and put away the long hall to the nether regions, her little lantern out before her as she went through the double doors. She held it high and wondered where the milk canister might be when a voice made her nearly lose her lantern as she jumped high into the air and put a free hand to her heart.