by Robin Helm
She untied the ribbon and handed the card to him. After signing his name in the proper place, he returned it to her. “I shall find you when it is time. Shall I fetch you some punch while Lord Beaumont makes his case? I should hate to witness his embarrassment if he is refused. He can be a bit, shall we say, peeved when he doesn’t get his way.”
“Lord Beaumont has only to tell me which dance he prefers, for I have no intention of refusing him,” Kitty replied, turning to the diplomat, holding out her dance card to him.
Beaumont playfully raised a brow, a twinkle in his clear, blue eyes as he took the offered card. “I truly think I should have two dances, seeing as how you shall spend both the dance and the supper with my rival,” he said in honeyed tones.
Kitty was a bit stunned but recovered quickly. “People will gossip, My Lord.”
He shrugged. “People will gossip whether or not we dance two dances. Is that not correct, Darcy?”
Darcy actually grinned. “Yes, I suppose they will. However, as you are an honourable man, I have no objection to your having two sets if Katherine agrees.”
“Miss Bennet?” Lord Beaumont asked.
She inclined her head. “Choose the two you want, My Lord. Dancing with you shall be no hardship. I am quite aware of the honour you do me.”
He quickly wrote his dances on her card and gave it back to her. “I look forward to opening the ball with you, but I can hardly wait for the waltz. Very forward thinking of the Darcys to include a waltz. All London shall be abuzz tomorrow.”
Lord Jonathan narrowed his eyes at his friend. “Well played.”
Beaumont wore a rather smug expression, but remained silent.
“And now, my sister and I must join the receiving line before there is no one left to receive. Enjoy yourselves, gentlemen,” said Darcy firmly, taking Kitty’s elbow and guiding her away from the men.
Having reached their destination, Darcy placed Kitty between Elizabeth and him. The evening before, he and his wife had privately agreed that Kitty might require their assistance in navigating the shark-infested waters of London Society. In addition, Darcy had expressed concern that some unscrupulous guests might prey upon Elizabeth’s innocent younger sister because of her connection with the Darcy family. He also felt his knowledge of everyone who received an invitation might prove to be valuable in helping Kitty to feel at ease with the more prominent ladies and gentlemen in his inner circle.
The couple soon saw the wisdom of their plan when a towering, imposing gentleman resplendent in full military regalia stood before them, unsmiling as he awaited his introduction.
Darcy bowed slightly, and, after the officer removed his hat and handed it to a footman, he returned his gesture.
As both men returned to their previous stances, Darcy spoke to Kitty. “May I present my friend, Admiral Lord Stephens?” He turned his attention to the Admiral. “Miss Bennet is my wife’s sister.”
Kitty held out her hand, and the admiral bowed low over it, holding her fingers lightly, every inch a gentleman, saying, “I am honoured to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet.”
When he stood straight again, he smiled, and she caught her breath.
His blue eyes twinkled, and Kitty blushed to her hairline.
At Darcy’s discrete nudge, Kitty remembered to speak. “The honour is mine, My Lord.”
“Would it be too forward of me to request a dance, Miss Bennet?” he asked in his deep voice. “I hope you have not yet filled your dance card.”
“I have not, sir,” she replied quietly.
After a moment of silence, he tilted his head. “May I see your card then? I am rather limited in the dances, I fear. I would not wish to damage your toes.”
“I – oh – uh – Here is my card,” she answered, lowering her eyes, reddening yet again as she presented the requested item.
His expression was serious as he took the card, and he frowned a bit as he read it. “I see the youngsters have stolen a march on me. I would have preferred the dances they chose; however, if you have no objection, Miss Bennet, I should like the quadrille and the boulanger.”
“Of course. I shall look forward to dancing with you.” Kitty managed a small smile, and was rewarded with his display of dimples.
As he took his leave and walked away, Kitty admired his erect bearing and the long braid of his light brown hair.
He is altogether handsome and charming, as are the other two gentlemen. How shall I ever keep my composure while dancing with such fine examples of manhood in the face of so many people?
Her attention was soon called away by her sister, introducing more people in the growing line of guests waiting to meet her.
Before the final guest was greeted, her dance card was full, and she had several invitations to teas, card parties, and balls – formal invitations to follow.
Kitty’s season promised to be a busy one, and she determined within herself to take Elizabeth’s advice. She would enjoy every moment of it.
CHAPTER 2
“How puzzling all these changes are! I’m never sure what I’m going to be, from one minute to another.”
Alice, Lewis Carroll – Alice in Wonderland
Lord Jonathan appeared before Kitty as she entered the ballroom.
“You must be tired, Miss Bennet,” he said. “Shall we sit a moment before the dancing begins? You have been standing for an hour at least.”
“Thank you,” she replied, taking his arm, surveying the room. “Where shall we sit?”
He nodded across the room. “My mother wishes to meet you, and she felt unable, or rather unwilling, to stand in such a long line. She sits just over there, and there are two seats beside her.”
“Your mother?”
“Yes, the Duchess of Ormonde. To be more precise, she is my step-mother - Victoria to her family.”
“My Lord, I am honoured,” replied Kitty. “I confess I have never before met a duchess.”
The gentleman replied, “My mother is as unlike a duchess as I am unlike a lord. We are somewhat unconventional, I fear. I hope you are not too disappointed with our lack of ceremony and pomp.”
“Not at all, for I am quite familiar with that which is unconventional. You might say my family is the same,” she answered as they walked.
And with that, they stood before Lord Jonathan’s step-mother.
“Mother, may I present Miss Katherine Bennet? Sister of Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy and under the protection of Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
Kitty curtseyed low before the beautiful, dark-haired woman. “Your Grace.”
The duchess patted the chair beside her. “Please sit by me, my dear, while Jonathan fetches some punch for us. I know you must be parched, for I have rarely seen such a long line of guests, and they all wanted to converse with you. I have been very patient as I awaited my turn. Do you not think so?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
While Kitty sat as she was directed and arranged her skirts, the young lord hurried away to procure their refreshments.
As soon as he was well away, the lady leaned toward the younger woman. “I have never heard Jonathan praise any other young woman the way he has you, Miss Bennet. I came to this ball expressly to meet the paragon of feminine beauty, good humour, and virtue who has caught my fastidious son’s attention.”
Before she could help herself, Kitty giggled, then quickly clapped her hand over her mouth, mortified. “Please, excuse me, Your Grace,” she said, blushing a bright pink. “I have never before heard myself described in such a manner. My sister Jane is the beauty of my family, Lizzy is the wit, and Mary excels at the pianoforte. My youngest sister Lydia married first. I believe my mother values that accomplishment above all others. And now, I must beg your pardon for being too forward. I should not bore you with my family history.”
The duchess chuckled quietly. “My dear Miss Bennet, please do not distress yourself. I dearly love to laugh myself, and hearing your charming response to my son’s praise does you credit. I can see already
what caught his attention. You do not take yourself too seriously, do you? Ah! You shake your head, I see. You cannot understand why my son would be so enraptured by you, but I do.”
“You do?” Kitty asked, puzzled. “I have tried my best, but I cannot remember meeting Lord Jonathan until tonight. And, begging your pardon for my impertinence, I think I would certainly recollect seeing such a fine gentleman as your son.”
The matron laughed aloud, biting her lip in obvious amusement. “Do not tell him that, my innocent. His head would swell so much he would be unable to dance with without falling over. In point of fact, I do not think you have met him – or even seen him – before tonight.”
“I fear I do not understand.”
The grand lady patted Kitty’s hand. “Of course, you don’t; you cannot. Allow me to explain.” She continued in an exaggerated whisper. “Even as a small boy, Jonathan was excellent at hiding and overhearing things he should not have been privy to. I never was able to convince him it was rude and inappropriate to act in such a way. Eventually, I stopped trying to do so, for the scamp enjoys it so much. To him, it is a game. You know, he dresses in such a way to avoid notice when he wishes to blend into a crowd. He is adept at disguise and subterfuge.”
Kitty blinked in amazement. “But I have left Darcy House only on five or six occasions this past fortnight. No social gatherings at all. I normally spend half my days reading to my nieces and nephew, or playing games with them. I do love them so.”
“You have been out and about with Mrs. Darcy, have you not?” asked the duchess, smiling. “To the dressmaker’s several times? Mrs. Bell designed that beautiful gown, if I am not mistaken. With that fuller skirt and lower waist, it appears to be one of her original creations, and the blue is perfect for you – the exact color of your eyes. Your figure is shown to full advantage, but modesty is preserved. Everyone will want a dress in that style tomorrow, but not everyone will be as stunning as you are wearing it. You will turn London fashion on its ear.”
“Surely you joke with me, Your Grace,” answered Kitty.
The duchess continued, “And did you not go to the Burlington Arcade, followed by a confectionary for ices afterwards? Suitably chaperoned by Mr. Darcy? I heard he refused to allow his wife and her sister to go anywhere without him. Such a proper gentleman.”
“I am all astonishment, Your Grace,” answered the girl, wide-eyed. “He took us to see the construction of Regent’s Canal, as well. My brother, along with Colonel Fitzwilliam, showed a particular interest in the project.”
“I believe that’s where Jonathan first saw you, Miss Bennet, though his initial glimpse of you may have been at the Royal Menagerie in the Tower. Did you enjoy the animals? Which was your favourite?”
“I confess, I could not choose a favourite from among so many fantastic creatures,” said Kitty. “Have you ever been to see them?”
“Yes, my dear. I went once, but the foul odor will keep me from going again, and I refuse to sacrifice a dog or cat to feed the beasts. However, I must agree with Jonathan. He and I were particularly struck by the sheer size of the bear. It was enormous – quite ferocious.”
Kitty nodded. “I dreamed about the bear. It chased me, my sisters, and their children through the woods around Longbourn – my home. I was so afraid that the beast might catch one of my family that I awoke in a terror.”
“I am so sorry to hear that, Miss Bennet. You must be quite tenderhearted to love your sisters, as well as their young ones, so very much.” Victoria patted her hand. “May I call you Katherine? I feel that I know you already, and ‘Miss Bennet’ seems far too formal an address for a person with whom I am so comfortable.”
At Kitty’s nod of agreement, the duchess leaned closer. “Shall I tell you a secret, Katherine?”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“Normally, I am quite a recluse. I do not enjoy Town very much – far too much bustle and attention to rank and propriety. Instead, I prefer a quiet country life with my children. I think country manners are charming.” She lowered her voice to a nearly a murmur. “Two of my sons are still very young, and I refuse to leave them on our estate while I am here. Are you shocked?”
Kitty shook her head, but had no chance to answer the lady, for Lord Jonathan stood before her, a cup of punch in each hand. He smiled as he served first his mother, and then her.
She had taken a sip or two when she saw Lord Beaumont walking toward her, his wavy blond hair shining golden in the candlelight. He stopped beside his rival and bowed, first to the ladies, and then to Lord Jonathan.
As he stood upright, he presented his hand to Kitty. She placed her punch on the side table, took his gloved hand, and stood.
“The music for the opening set is about to start, Miss Bennet. We must take our place at the head of the line so the dancing can begin,” he said pleasantly, smiling first at her and then at the duchess. “Your Grace, please accept my apologies for depriving you of your lovely companion.”
The lady nodded. “It is of no matter, Lord Beaumont, for I feel quite certain I shall see Miss Bennet again very soon. Enjoy your dance. Though my son must go claim his partner, I shall not be alone for very long, for I expect my husband to join me at any moment. We may even join the couples for the quadrille or cotillion.”
“As you said, Mother, I must go fetch my dancing companion before some other man steals her away. If that should happen, I would have to fight a duel, and that might put a damper on the evening,” said Lord Jonathan, sighing theatrically as he looked from her to Katherine. “Miss Bennet, I look forward to the supper dance. Beaumont, please try to return her to me in the same pristine condition she is now – no broken toes or sprained ankles.”
“I daresay the lady will survive intact, Lord Jonathan. I have had no complaints thus far, after all,” replied Lord Beaumont drily. When he turned to Kitty, his voice was soft and gentle. “Come, my dear.”
Kitty curtseyed to the duchess before allowing her dance partner to lead her to the floor. The room grew hushed, every eye on them, as they took their place at the top of the room.
When she coloured a bit, Lord Beaumont lifted his chin, catching her attention, speaking quietly. “You are magnificent, Miss Bennet – completely unspoiled by the petty ways of Society. You deserve to be admired. There is nothing to fear. Simply follow me, and I shall make certain you enjoy every second. Can you manage that?”
Remembering Lizzy’s advice and taking courage from her partner’s confidence in her, Kitty held her head proudly, smiling sweetly at him. “I dearly love to dance, My Lord. The English Country Dance has always been my favourite, and for tonight, I chose ‘The Duke of Kent’s Waltz’ for the opening. Do you like it?”
“I do, indeed. Very well done on your part,” he answered. “It’s as if you chose it with me in mind, though we hadn’t yet met.”
With that, the center line formed behind them, and the musicians began to play the music Kitty had selected. Elizabeth and Darcy positioned themselves at the front of a line to her right, and Jane and Bingley formed another to her left. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam positioned themselves behind the Darcys.
The couples filed quickly behind the three lead couples in queues, and she was quite amused to note than Lord Jonathan and his partner were the next couple behind her and Lord Beaumont. Admiral Lord Stephens, despite his claim that he did not often dance, claimed the third spot with a pretty, vivacious woman.
She was rather shocked when she realized their strategy, for Lord Jonathan was in the group with her and Lord Beaumont for the first turn, and she was with him alone for the second. His eyes twinkled in merriment when he passed her to Admiral Lord Stephens.
In fact, Katherine spent equal time with each of the gentlemen in their line. When she finally paired with Lord Beaumont for the last time, she was smiling, as well as a bit breathless, but completely at ease.
“So, are your toes and ankles sufficiently healthy, Miss Bennet?” he teased. “If they are damaged,
it was not my fault. Therefore, I would have you tell me if you are injured in any way so I can call out the offending gentleman. I have a small firearm concealed on my person, as well as several larger weapons in my great coat. I could easily retrieve them with the aid of a footman.”
Her eyes widened. “You have a gun hidden in your clothing? I had no idea any gun could be small enough to be secreted so well.”
“I designed it myself and commissioned its production with an associate of mine, but that is a secret. Wouldn’t do for anyone to know I am a partner in the weapons manufacturing enterprise – that I dabble in trade,” he replied, smiling. “Are you surprised, Miss Bennet? I am fascinated with weapons of all sorts and have quite the collection. I am never unarmed. People I love will always be protected from any sort of bandit or rogue.”
She raised her brows. “I hope you will feel no need to use a gun tonight. I think we are safe from bandits and rogues here.”
His serious expression told her the subject was quite important to him. “Perhaps, but it is always best to be prepared. I must ask again, how are your toes and ankles? Do I need to fight a duel? I am a crack shot, you know. I never miss my target.”
Kitty laughed. “I am in perfect health, My Lord, so you may keep your pistol in your pocket. In fact, I am better than I have been in quite a while. A London ball is wildly different than what I am accustomed to in Meryton. There are so many people here, and the musicians are far superior to those in the wilds of Hertfordshire. The arrangements are very elegant.”
“You make me see everything through your eyes, Miss Bennet,” he said, “and you are completely innocent, as yet uncontaminated by society. I enjoy your enthusiasm, for most of the people in my circle are so blasé and jaded that they have little pleasure in anything.”
“I think I will never tire of dancing, music, and good company, My Lord.” Her clear blue eyes sparkled.
His fleeting expression bordered on melancholy but quickly returned to his pleasant demeanor. “I sincerely hope that may be so, Miss Bennet. Who is your partner for the quadrille?”
