by Diane Farr
This puzzled Caitlin. “I don’t mean to sound vulgarly inquisitive, Serena, but why did your brother offer for Lady Elizabeth? Is it not a question of—well, of love?”
Serena pulled a face. “With Miss Prunes and Prisms? Love! Certainly not.” Seeing Caitlin’s bewildered expression, Serena burst out laughing. “Oh, Caitlin! I wish you would pop on your bonnet and walk with me. I have been having the most unchristian thoughts about my future sister-in-law, and until today there was not a soul I could tell!”
Caitlin assumed an air of exaggerated interest. “How excessively fortunate that she behaved scaly to me!”
Serena’s eyes danced. “Yes, indeed! I can unburden myself to someone at last! But not here—I always have the most dreadful suspicion that Stubbs is listening at the door.”
Soon the two girls were walking briskly down Half Moon Street. Caitlin, with a newborn appreciation for propriety, rather halfheartedly suggested that they ask Jane to follow in their wake, but Serena spurned this poor-spirited suggestion. So Caitlin allowed herself to be persuaded that such a precaution was unnecessary if the two girls walked only as far as the Green Park. The morning was sunny, but a spanking breeze rattled their bonnets as they walked.
“Now then—where was I?” Serena demanded.
Caitlin smiled. “You were about to explain why your brother offered for Lady Elizabeth, I believe.”
Serena tucked a hand confidingly into Caitlin’s elbow. “Yes, but if you knew our family’s situation, you wouldn’t wonder at it. My unfortunate brother! He is Papa’s only son, you know, and must marry as soon as he may. Papa—” Serena hesitated, and her voice softened. “Papa isn’t well. I daresay you have wondered why Mama and I go alone to parties, but he insists we not deprive ourselves of pleasure merely because he isn’t strong enough to join us. Papa suffered an attack several years ago that almost carried him off. His health has been declining again of late, and Richard is determined to ease Papa’s mind by setting up his nursery as soon as possible. It will do poor Papa a world of good to see Richard safely married before he—well, before—”
Caitlin nodded sympathetically, and Serena continued. “It is of the first importance to the family that the line continue through Richard, you see. And the sooner the better! The entire Selcroft fortune goes with the title, and as things stand if anything happened to Richard both the title and the fortune would go to Papa’s brother Oswald—a dreadful fellow, I promise you! He and Papa have been at odds for as long as I can remember, and it would be nothing short of a calamity to see Oswald Kilverton in Papa’s shoes. The more so because he has been so maddeningly sure it would come to him one day! He made ducks and drakes of his own fortune, I believe, thinking the family inheritance would eventually be his.”
Caitlin raised an eyebrow. “An optimistic gentleman!” she observed. “It is natural to assume one will inherit a title from a parent, but from a brother—?”
A spurt of laughter escaped Serena. “Oh! You must understand that Uncle Oswald is many years younger than Papa—he is the child of my grandpapa’s second wife. And Papa did marry rather late in life, you know, and then my parents were married years and years before Richard arrived. Papa had quite given up hope! So you see, all that time it seemed perfectly reasonable to suppose my father’s half brother would succeed to the title—and, of course, the fortune.”
“Do you mean to tell me your uncle has lived his entire life eagerly anticipating your father’s demise?” Caitlin demanded, astonished. “He sounds positively ghoulish!”
Serena gave a little skip, and pulled her hands free so she could clap them. “Excellent, Caitlin! Ghoulish is an extremely apt description of my deplorable Uncle Oswald! A smoothtongued, cold-blooded scoundrel, in fact! There is not much one would put beyond him.”
Caitlin protested this startling exaggeration, but Serena peeped up from beneath the brim of her bonnet, her eyes dancing. “You may ask anyone. He is a most reprehensible character, but so fascinating! I am afraid he is sadly extravagant, too. Isn’t it shocking? As near as anyone can tell, his fortune is nearly all gone and the estate he inherited from my grandfather is mortgaged to the hilt. They say every family has at least one dirty dish! Uncle Oswald is ours.”
Caitlin pondered this information. “Your brother’s arrival must have been a severe blow to your uncle.”
“Oh, monstrous!” agreed Serena cheerfully. “I am not supposed to know this, but I believe Uncle Oswald was so certain he would one day be the Earl of Selcroft, he lived for years by borrowing against his expectations. You may imagine the row that ensued when that was discovered! At any rate, he and my father could not be more different from one another, and I am afraid there is no love lost between them. Since Richard is the only person standing between my uncle and the title, Papa would be extremely glad to see Richard married.”
This seemed eminently reasonable to Caitlin. The girls slowed their pace as they entered the park and headed down a path. The park seemed very full of nursemaids, and most were shepherding excessively noisy children. The girls walked carefully, mindful that one of the park’s attractions was a small herd of dairy cattle.
“Is your brother much older than you?” asked Caitlin, lowering her voice as they passed an infant sleeping in a perambulator.
“A little more than seven years,” Serena replied. “Richard is eight-and-twenty now. He has been determinedly seeking a bride for the past three Seasons—and very diverting it has been!” She gave a spirited description of the various caps that had been set at her brother, and the discomfiture of the matchmaking mamas when it became clear that Lord Kilverton fancied no female above another.
“For you must know, Caitlin, my brother is held to be the most shocking flirt! He never meant to encourage anyone’s expectations, but of course he is such a matrimonial prize that the tongues began to wag if he so much as waltzed with a girl. It was excessively uncomfortable for him. And the end of it was, he couldn’t find any female he particularly liked. I promise you, under the circumstances he is blessing his good fortune to have secured an alliance with Arnsford’s eldest.”
Caitlin bit back a smile at Serena’s disgruntled expression. “You don’t agree that he should be blessing his good fortune?”
Serena shook her head dolefully. “I cannot rejoice, however hard I try! Although I seem to be alone in my dismay. My parents are aux anges, and the betrothal caused great satisfaction among the ton. If you had come to town only a few weeks earlier, you would have seen that for yourself. It was quite a seven-day wonder! Everyone except myself seems to believe it is an ideal match.”
Caitlin laughed. “Then let us hope they are right. Perhaps Lady Elizabeth is perfectly amiable once one comes to know her.”
Serena looked skeptical. “I fancy that is not how the world judges these matters. If she were the worst harridan imaginable, people would still congratulate my brother! By allying himself to Lady Elizabeth, he is establishing a connection with an extremely exalted branch of the peerage, you know. Both families will be forever after connected to nearly every great house in England. And I daresay Lady Elizabeth’s personal fortune, once the Selcroft fortune is added to it, will make Richard one of the wealthiest men in Europe. One is not supposed to mention such matters, of course—so silly, when one knows that is exactly what everyone is thinking when they call it a ‘great match’!”
Caitlin felt a tug of sympathy, but thought she ought not to encourage Serena’s pessimism. “It may be that they are well-matched in other areas, too. We must wish them the best, Serena, and hope they will be happy together.”
“Yes, of course,” said Serena, with a marked lack of enthusiasm. “If they are not, it will not be Richard’s fault. I must say, even Elizabeth seems to realize that. She has been more puffed up than ever lately—now that she has secured the hand of one of the most sought-after prizes on the marriage mart! At five-and-twenty, even a duke’s daughter can hardly expect to do better.”
Caitlin laughed
out loud. “I make every allowance for the fondness of a sister, Serena, but do try for a little even-handedness! You know I did not enjoy my own encounter with Lady Elizabeth, but to do her justice, I believe she has more to recommend her than fortune and breeding. She is a good-looking woman, do you not think? And she will know exactly how to manage a large estate. Your brother’s home will be well-run, his guests flawlessly entertained, and his wife will never cause him any embarrassment. There is much to be said for that.”
Serena sniffed. “Is there? It sounds very dull.”
“Well, such a marriage would not suit everyone,” conceded Caitlin. “But many persons feel that an unexciting but well-ordered life is actually preferable to a love match. Perhaps your brother is among them. If Lord Kilverton is not in love with any particular lady, and yet is determined to marry, I believe he has done very well for himself.”
It was clear that Serena’s opinions on the subject were not easily swayed. She wrinkled her nose in disgust at Caitlin’s portrait of domestic serenity. “Pooh! Our parents enjoy a warm regard for one another, and I feel sure Richard hoped to find someone he could love.”
“And who are we, pray, to say that he cannot love Lady Elizabeth? You know, Serena, it is not unusual for a sister to find her brother’s choice unfathomable. In fact, sisters-in-law frequently have little in common. That does not mean, however, that the man is unhappy in his choice.”
Serena looked thoughtful. Then her troubled expression lightened a little. “You are right!” she exclaimed. “Why, I can think of a dozen examples among my own acquaintance.”
“There, then!” cried Caitlin, triumphant. “I refuse to let you despair.”
Serena’s eyes twinkled. “I will be delighted to be proved wrong, you know. I hope Richard will be delirious with joy on his wedding day, and live in untrammeled bliss forever after. But between ourselves, Caitlin—I would not wager a groat on it!”
They were brought up short by a toddler who ran, shrieking, after a ball and collided with Serena’s legs. Serena disentangled herself and announced that she had had quite enough of the Green Park for the moment. “I say, Caitlin,” she said her eyes brightening, “I saw the loveliest bonnet the other day. Do walk as far as Curzon Street with me and let me show it to you—why, whatever is the matter?”
At the mention of Curzon Street, Caitlin had turned the, most extraordinary shade of pink. “Nothing!” she stammered hastily. “But I think I had rather not—just now!” And using the excuse of her unfinished letter, she succeeded in returning to Lynwood House without any dangerous detours.
Chapter VI
Lady Elizabeth’s attempt to curtail Serena’s association with Caitlin only resulted in strengthening the bond between the two girls. Serena even coaxed her mama into securing an invitation for Lady Lynwood and her nieces to a select reception being held by Lady Dassinghurst in honor of a visiting Bohemian princess. When this harbinger of delight arrived in the morning post, Lady Lynwood clasped it rapturously to her plump bosom.
“Only fancy, my loves! Elvira Dassinghurst! What a stroke of good fortune! Not that I have ever cared for her, of course—in fact, I think her a pompous old crow—but nothing could be more flattering than to receive an invitation from her! She doted on my poor Charles, as I am sure everyone did, but she has never accorded me more than the barest civility. I don’t believe I have exchanged three words with her since Charles passed away. We must owe this invitation entirely to Lady Selcroft’s good graces. How glad I am that you can call Lady Serena your friend, Caitlin dear!”
Caitlin was a little embarrassed by her aunt’s tangled speech and even more tangled motives, but at least she could wholeheartedly agree that she was glad to call Serena her friend.
On the night of Lady Dassinghurst’s reception, Lady Lynwood insisted that the girls dress with extra care. She reserved for herself the right to inspect their appearance before allowing them out the door. They waited rather nervously in the drawing room until Aunt Harriet bustled in to scrutinize her nieces.
Emily was in high bloom, as always, and presented a lovely picture in pink and white with her soft gold curls dressed fashionably high. Caitlin had donned an elegantly simple silk of pale yellow trimmed with buttercup satin. Matching yellow primroses adorned her fan and crowned her hair, which was piled softly on her head; a few coppery tendrils had been pulled free and curled with hot irons.
The baroness ran a practiced eye over her protégées, and reached out to flick a curl into place here, a ribbon into place there. “Now let me see you, Emily love! Yes, yes, it is just how I knew it would be. You will break hearts, I vow! And, Caitlin, that silk becomes you to admiration. I hope you are not fretting, my dears. Everything will go very well, I promise you.”
She cocked her head, birdlike, and her eyes twinkled as she beheld her nieces’ stunned expressions; they were taking in the glory of their aunt’s appearance. Her dress, as always, was extremely expensive, became her well, and suited a widow’s dignity. But tonight Lady Lynwood’s plump bodice was engulfed in a sea of flashing jewels.
“Good heavens, Aunt!” said Caitlin faintly. “We are blinded.”
Lady Lynwood chuckled, and tapped the enormous necklace with a gloved forefinger. “Isn’t it dreadful? Elizabethan, of course, so I am sure all this hideous chase-work is the purest gold. I am simply staggering under the weight. So tiresome! But that is the way of these heirlooms; one daren’t have the stones reset.”
Caitlin’s eyes widened. “Do you mean—Aunt, are those the Lynwood Diamonds?”
“Yes, love. I believe they are quite famous,” replied Aunt Harriet brightly. “I am expected to trot them out from time to time, you know. Well! I thought it would do my nieces no harm to be seen in their company.”
As Caitlin was still staring, fascinated, at the jewels, an other chuckle shook Lady Lynwood. “Now, Caitlin, pray remember that only a yokel appears amazed! Besides, I am not wearing all the Lynwood Diamonds. There is a coronet, naturally, and two brooches, and a ring, and a scepter—of all things! You can’t imagine how cumbersome. I am so thankful when I consider that by the time our dear Regent is crowned, my James will probably have married. His bride will have to wear them to the coronation, not I. I hope, for her sake, he chooses a sturdy sort of girl. La! I wore the coronet to a reception once, and had the headache for a week!”
By this time, Lady Lynwood had bundled her charges out the door and into a waiting carriage. Her nervous excitement was contagious, and Emily’s eyes were growing round as saucers. Caitlin could not help wondering what all the fuss was about, but when they alighted at the Dassinghurst mansion she began to perceive that this invitation was, indeed, something out of the ordinary. A massive stone facade greeted her astonished gaze as she was handed down from the carriage, with rows of liveried footmen lining an imposing flight of marble steps.
“Good gracious!” murmured Caitlin. Lady Lynwood threw her a speaking glance, and they processed solemnly up to the portico. Bowing lackeys divested them of their cloaks, and Lady Lynwood handed their invitation to a wigged, gloved, gorgeously arrayed individual who paced slowly before them to an overheated foyer.
“Baroness Lynwood! Miss Campbell! Miss Emily Campbell!” this personage bawled in stentorian tones as they stepped across the threshold. They entered a vast, brightly lit hall thronged with glittering people, and joined a rather loosely organized receiving line. Lady Lynwood immediately began chatting with a hawk-nosed lady in purple sarcenet, so Caitlin and Emily were deeply thankful when Lady Serena rushed up and greeted them affectionately. Serena looked very pretty in her pomona green crepe, and her light brown curls had been coaxed into modish ringlets on either side of her face. She seemed to be in unusually high spirits, and her eyes sparkled with mischief.
“So! You did receive the coveted invitation! Have you come to court the society of your betters? Or merely to ape their manners?”
Emily’s soft eyes dilated with alarm, but Caitlin rapped Serena with
her fan. “If we ape your manners, Serena, Lady Dassinghurst will show us the door!”
Serena gave a choke of laughter. “Much you would care! Do try to acquire a little ambition, Caitlin.”
Caitlin pulled a face. “And toad-eat every titled dowager who crosses my path? No, thank you.”
“Well, it’s a pity you are not inclined to study the art, because you will find any number of instructive examples tonight. Lady Dassinghurst is continually surrounded by—” But Serena broke off, perceiving her brother escorting her mother and Lady Elizabeth in from the hall. “Never mind that! You must all come and say how-do-you-do to my brother. I want to see Elizabeth’s face when she finds you hobnobbing with the Dassinghurst set!”
“Serena, you are incorrigible!” exclaimed Caitlin, and turned in time to see Lady Elizabeth entering the room on the arm of a tall gentleman dressed in the height of elegance, but with none of the extremes of fashion. There seemed to Caitlin to be something arresting about him that immediately drew, then held, her attention.
Serena’s brother has a distinguished air, she thought approvingly. It was due more to his bearing and manner than his exquisite tailoring. Caitlin could not immediately see his face. He was bending his head attentively to hear what his fiancée was saying.
“The Countess of Selcroft! Lady Elizabeth Delacourt! Viscount Kilverton!” came the announcement from the portal. Serena pulled Lady Lynwood’s party back to the entrance to introduce Caitlin and Emily to Lord Kilverton. Lady Serena had spoken of him so frequently, and with such affection, Caitlin had a great curiosity to meet this paragon of brothers who had unaccountably offered marriage to a prig.
While Emily was murmuring a shy greeting to his lordship, and Lady Lynwood was reminding him of certain exploits he had shared with her son James, Caitlin was at leisure to observe Richard Kilverton. He was a good-looking man, with a rather aquiline cast of countenance, a lean, athletic build, and a marked resemblance to Serena. His air of quiet elegance, however, differed from his sister’s lively mischievousness. He had her coloring, and something of her manner; the appreciative gleam in his eye when he looked at Emily lent a good deal of humor to his expression and brought an involuntary smile to Caitlin’s face. Then he turned to meet Caitlin—and she had the oddest sensation that the breath had been knocked out of her.
