by Beth Elliott
He turned to look at her fully. Kitty was transfixed by a piercing sapphire gaze. Her own eyes widened. She caught her breath. She did not know how long it was before she heard his deep voice saying, ‘Nothing worse than having to leave my horse at the inn there.’
‘Oh,’ she stammered, the colour rushing into her cheeks at the recollections called up by the mention of Nimrod. ‘Indeed, that was hard for you, but such a noble animal needs every care.’
His heavy frown did not lighten. He nodded but offered no other comment. He seemed to be concentrating on her mouth. She noticed his long thick lashes, hiding those sparkling eyes.
‘I remember you now,’ he said slowly, ‘it was the day after the snowstorm. The day after—’ He broke off, still frowning. He gave a deep sigh.
Kitty sought hastily for another topic of interest. ‘Do you in general enjoy these evening entertainments?’ It was lame but she must avoid any reference to that kiss. And now she was sitting by him, she knew she was succumbing to the fascination of his lean good looks, his voice and especially those blue eyes. He continued to stare moodily into the distance. Kitty cleared her throat and wafted her fan at her heated cheeks.
Slowly, he focused on her again and his eyes crinkled into a smile. ‘Shall we say that they are a necessary part of society life. But surely every young lady considers them to be essential?’
Kitty shook her head. Her ringlets bobbed vigorously. ‘As an occasional treat, I find them enjoyable.’ She glanced at him a little shyly. ‘However, there are many more worthwhile things to do—’
His gaze was very keen now. ‘Such as?’
‘I have seen such shocking poverty since I came to London. I wish I could find a way to organize some help.’
Theo nodded, his face thoughtful. ‘A most unusual young lady,’ he murmured. Suddenly he gave her a real smile. The way his eyes danced did strange things to Kitty’s heart. With the scowl gone she found him wickedly attractive. She was shaken out of her usual composure. ‘I-I should not really be talking about that,’ she stammered, ‘it is just that I do feel strongly—’ She looked at him earnestly.
He bent his head forward, nodding encouragingly. ‘Do go on.’
At that moment a voice close by, said, ’Hello, Kitty.’
Raising her head, she saw a beaming Freddy, looking very smart in his evening clothes. Beside him was Etienne, impossibly handsome in a perfectly cut evening coat and snowy cravat. Kitty laughed and jumped up, holding out her hand. ‘This is unexpected. You did not tell us you planned to come to town.’
Freddy blushed and pushed back the lock of hair from his forehead. ‘Wasn’t sure of it m’self, but managed to sort out all the business of the estate.…’ He coughed. ‘Came to see how you girls are getting on.’
Kitty saw his face light up as Amelia came towards them, closely followed by a dazzled-looking Greg.
‘Freddy!’ She held both hands out to clasp his. ‘How lovely to see someone from home. Do tell us all the news.’
The other young men stepped back politely. It was several minutes before Kitty looked round. Greg and Theo had disappeared again. However, Etienne was still close by. His eyes met hers and he came up to her. ‘I must compliment you on your elegant appearance,’ he said, with that slight accent that fascinated her. ‘This – you say sea-green, yes – is perfect for you.’ He waved his hands expressively.
Kitty struggled not to feel too flattered. Admiration was a heady tonic and tonight at her first society dance she felt a little drunk. That very evening, she had learnt from Caroline that Etienne’s judgement on all things to do with fashion was highly respected. And what added to her pleasure was the fact that she had sewn this dress herself from an old one that had belonged to her mother.
She danced two dances with Etienne and the sensation was exquisite. He moved lightly and made her feel as if she was floating across the dance floor. From the admiring glances cast at them by other couples, Kitty knew that she and Etienne were making a good impression. His admiration seemed genuine and when he bowed over her hand at the end of the second dance, she was conscious of disappointment that they now had to separate.
Her world had been turned upside down. With a twinge of remorse, Kitty remembered how she had scorned her mother’s dreams of society events. It had not taken long for her to be converted. But was it just the pleasure of dancing and dressing-up – or had she already found that special person with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life?
At this thought she checked herself. She was not going to allow herself to fall in love. This excitement was simply due to the novelty of society life. Once she became used to it, she would feel how empty it all was. She was determined to go back to Cheshire and help her father.
CHAPTER NINE
‘Do you feel more comfortable now we have friends?’ Kitty asked Amelia. It was the day after Caroline’s dancing party and they had just been visiting their new acquaintances, the Walmseley sisters. The sky was blue and in spite of a sharp wind, neither of them was in any hurry to return home. They set off to walk at a brisk pace along one of the main paths in Hyde Park towards a display of early spring flowers.
Amelia considered the question. ‘Well, yes,’ she admitted at last, ‘of course, it is more pleasant to know people. But I find I think more and more about home and our household. And I miss my horses and riding in the open countryside. London is so built up.’
‘You really are a sad case, Millie. You are supposed to be enjoying your season here. And already you have set all the young men’s hearts beating but do none of them make your heart beat any faster?’
Amelia did not answer although her cheeks showed more colour than usual. They walked on in silence for a few minutes.
‘You certainly made one notable conquest last night,’ persisted Kitty. ‘Caroline commented on how struck he was – and he is a particular friend of hers.’
‘I could hardly fail to notice,’ replied Amelia. ‘I found him very pleasant and gentlemanly.’
‘But he has not made any impression on your heart? Indeed, you showed far more pleasure at seeing Freddy again.’
Amelia adjusted her bonnet. ‘Now that was an agreeable surprise. It just felt like being at home again.’
She will not betray any feeling she has for him, thought Kitty. Out loud, she said, ‘There are not many people about this afternoon. I do not think we will meet anyone else we know.’
Amelia indicated a curricle approaching them. ‘You spoke too soon. Here come two more of our new friends. Please note, I said friends,’ she added with a mischievous glance at Kitty, ‘but I do wonder if your heart is beating any faster at the sight of them?’
Kitty looked round towards the roadway. Flustered, she turned back to Amelia. ‘Whatever I feel, I am determined to go back home at the end of two months and carry on with my usual life. You know my opinion on the subject of the marriage mart,’ she hissed, as the curricle came alongside and pulled up.
Greg was beaming down at them. ‘How pleasant to meet you again. Good afternoon, ladies. Miss Warrington, I see you are admiring my bays. I hope you like my outfit well enough to join me for a turn around the park?’ He smiled down at her as she inspected the beautiful horses.
‘Oh, indeed, I would be delighted,’ Amelia’s face showed her enthusiasm. ‘They look to be wonderfully smooth steppers.’
Even as she was speaking, Theo climbed down, bowed and took Amelia’s hand, more or less obliging her to take his place in the carriage.
‘I can inform you that he has not overturned me yet,’ he told her, ‘but as for smooth.…’ He glanced at his friend, who laughed.
‘I shall pay you back for those slurs on my driving skills,’ said Greg cheerfully. He tucked the rug around Amelia’s knees. ‘I assure you, Miss Warrington, you are in for a high treat. Just a couple of turns around the park. See you shortly,’ he called down, setting the horses in motion. The other two stood watching the curricle move away.
‘She cannot help it, yo
u know,’ said Kitty, seeing the frown settle on Theo’s face.
His eyes turned to her sharply. ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Being so beautiful – and sweet-natured.’
He shook his head. ‘If you say so. She has certainly made a deep impression on my friend.’
Kitty gave him a reproachful look. ‘Just consider it from her point of view. Constantly stared at, always the object of unwanted gallantry – and of spiteful comments.’
A reluctant smile replaced the frown. ‘You are certainly a loyal friend, Miss Towers. Come, we shall take cold if we stand still any longer.’
Kitty found herself walking with her hand tucked in his arm. How neatly he managed that, she thought, I do believe he is every bit as big a rake as Caroline said. She was very aware of his splendid height and fine broad shoulders.
‘I should be glad to continue our interrupted discussion of last night,’ he was saying.
‘Discussion?’ she stammered, trying to collect her wits.
‘Do tell me more about your interest in the poor, Miss Towers.’
This was very direct. Kitty hesitated. She hardly knew him. She looked at his aquiline profile, wondering how much to say. Then she received another dazzling sapphire glance and threw caution to the winds. ‘It grieves me very much to see the poverty all around us,’ she confided, ‘especially when contrasted with the extravagant habits of the rich.’
He nodded. ‘Oh, I agree. So many young lives are wasted when with a little training they could earn a living.’ He sighed. ‘If only a few rich landowners would give a little help to set up schools.…’
Kitty beamed at him. ‘You care about them as well … but it is not just the children, what about the poor crippled soldiers, sent home from the war to beg and gradually starve to death?’
Theo’s face registered astonishment. ‘How could you know about the hospice? I did not think Lady Caroline would speak of this?’ His voice was angry.
Kitty looked at him in bewilderment. ‘I have not spoken of this with Caroline. Do you have a special charity for soldiers, sir? I was not aware, but I think it is splendid of you.’ She smiled at him warmly. Someone who worked to help the poor must have a good side, even if he was a rake.
Theo drew in a deep breath and spoke more mildly. ‘I see we are at cross purposes here, Miss Towers. But now I am puzzled, what do you know of these poor wretches?’
‘Why, sir, they are there for those to see who will!’ Her tone was too sharp. She bit her lip and darted a sideways glance at him. He did not look offended, however. He acknowledged a greeting from another gentleman on horseback, then turned back towards Kitty. ‘This is an unusual interest for a young lady in London for the Season?’
‘I am only staying with my great-aunt for a short visit,’ retorted Kitty. ‘It is very enjoyable but I do feel a lack of purpose in this way of life. At home there is always plenty to do. One gets involved in trying to find ways of helping people in need – wounded soldiers included.’ She turned towards him eagerly. ‘But you spoke as if you also help these poor souls, and I know you are a soldier—’
‘Was!’ snapped Theo. The scowl descended on his face again. There was an awkward silence. His limp was not too noticeable today. Kitty, undeterred by his sudden change of temper, decided to find out as much as she could. ‘Did you break your leg?’ she enquired.
There was a long pause then she felt him heave a sigh. He looked up at the sky as he answered in a neutral tone, ‘No, that would have been easier to deal with.’
She sensed a big tragedy behind those few words and wished she had not spoken. ‘Oh, I beg your pardon, I did not mean to pry. It is just that Charlie – my brother – broke his leg a few weeks ago. I-I was wondering how long it would take to mend.’
He bent his head to look directly at her. ‘There is no reason to be worried. I take it your brother is a very young gentleman? He will be up and about soon, I am sure.’
Kitty gave him a grateful smile. ‘I do worry,’ she admitted. ‘I wanted to stay at home to help nurse him but Mama … Mama said.…’ Her voice trailed away. She swallowed hard.
Now he stopped and turned to face her. She was tall, but she had to raise her head to meet his eyes. Once again she was drowning in that sparkling blue gaze. ‘You are a truly kind-hearted young lady,’ he said in his deep voice. ‘You have a lot of compassion. But your mama is right. At this moment, it is time for you to enjoy your visit to London.’ He smiled warmly and Kitty nodded, but whether in agreement or just in helpless pleasure, she was not sure.
The sound of voices calling made them both look round. Two ladies, one young and fashionable, one older and dressed in plain clothes, were coming along the path towards them. Theo turned to face them and Kitty reluctantly realized that their discussion was over.
‘So we meet again,’ the young lady exclaimed, as soon as she was within earshot. ‘My dear Theo, how I have missed you.’
Kitty sensed him stiffen but he replied calmly, ‘Good afternoon.’
The bold-eyed young lady looked Kitty over from head to toe. She then put a hand on Theo’s arm. ‘Why, you have been making a new acquaintance.’
‘Miss Towers, Miss Harling,’ responded Theo.
Miss Harling gave Kitty the tiniest of nods. She fluttered her lashes at Theo. ‘How splendid that you are now back in town. I look forward to resuming our former good understanding.’ She glanced at Kitty as she spoke with a decided challenge in her eyes.
Kitty smiled politely and transferred her gaze to a clump of snowdrops. She did not think Theo was delighted to meet this pushy young woman – no doubt a former flirt. But she told herself it was a good lesson to see how quickly he could tire of the young ladies he had once admired. Those blue eyes that she found so attractive obviously had the same effect on many other females.
She darted a quick look at Miss Harling. Smart rather than pretty and with a very bold manner. Listening to her conversation, Kitty thought she was only interested in parties and entertainment. Did she really feel anything for Theo? She was probably more concerned with his future title than with him, the real him, that Kitty felt she had now glimpsed.
Miss Harling lingered. It was obvious she was determined to keep Theo’s attention focused on herself. At last Kitty heard the welcome sound of horses’ hoofs and coach wheels. Greg was approaching. He pulled up his curricle. Now another young man was walking towards them at a fast pace. Kitty saw it was Freddy, slightly out of breath. He reached them just in time to hand Amelia down. He stood and glared while she thanked Greg for the ride.
Theo gave Miss Harling a slight bow. He turned to Kitty and took her hand. He raised it to his lips, giving her a smile. ‘Miss Towers, I have to go out of town tomorrow but I look forward to continuing our discussion another time. We have not said everything yet.’ He bowed, mounted into the curricle and touched his hat to Amelia as Greg set his team in motion again.
With a mere nod of the head to Kitty, Miss Harling and her companion immediately resumed their walk. There was a pause as Kitty stared after the curricle.
‘Well, Kitty, are you coming home today?’ Amelia and Freddy, arm in arm, were watching her interestedly. Slowly, Kitty roused from her pleasant dream. She had discovered another side to this society rake and she wanted to learn more about him. It seemed some of his ideas matched hers. She allowed Freddy to take her arm but bore no part in the conversation as they walked back to Grosvenor Square.
CHAPTER TEN
Lady Picton sat in her armchair while Kitty practised her music. As her fingers coaxed the melody out of the old pianoforte, she was thinking back over the busy whirl of the week since Caroline’s soirée. That event had marked their real entry into society life. Both she and Amelia were now on friendly terms with several other young ladies. Invitations kept flooding in for walks, tea parties, concerts, dances and visits to places of interest. In fact, Kitty did not see how they could fit any more events into their days.
And how much she ha
d learnt even in this short time. Society life was not the simple, pleasure-seeking round of activities she had supposed. Beneath a light and pleasant surface, many important matters were being dealt with. Caroline had warned her that diplomatic business was almost certainly being discussed at any large gathering. Kitty at once remembered Lord William’s accusation of ‘talking secrets’ at the ball and Greg’s immediate warning to him to be quiet.
Greg Thatcham made no secret of the fact that he was an officer in Viscount Wellington’s Peninsular Army. He was home on leave, or so he told everyone. But in wartime, would any officer be home on leave unless he was wounded? Kitty suspected he had some hidden business to conduct as well. However, he certainly had time to attend every event that she and Amelia went to. Kitty sighed. He seemed to be completely bowled over by Millie. He always had a starstruck look on his face after any moment spent talking to her.
His friend has seen it as well, she thought, frowning at the sheet of music as she played a difficult passage with too much emphasis. She concentrated, got through it with a little effort then allowed her thoughts to drift again. There had been no further opportunity for any discussion with Theo. She had looked for him in vain since their conversation in the park. Kitty heaved a sigh. If he would allow her to help him in his hospice, she could forgive his arrogance at their first meeting.
But even if she was obliged to live this constant round of social entertainments, Kitty had realized that there were many things to enjoy. She was looking forward to her first visit to a London theatre this evening. It was a big event in her life. Her family would experience the occasion through her description of it in her next letter home. A smile crossed her face as she pictured them all sitting round the fire while Papa read out her letter.
She would simply name the members of their party and make no comments on Greg’s adoration of Amelia. But, she thought, they might notice that whenever she wrote about Millie, she also mentioned his name.
