by Lavinia Kent
“Send them in.” There was no purpose in delay – and seeing Annie and Linnette would certainly improver her mood.
Even before she could finish the thought, Annie came sailing in, a grin spread across her face, her pink skirts swirling about, her dark curls bobbing in a secret wind. Linnette followed with more decorum. She shot Kathryn a questioning look and then shrugged at Kathryn’s negative shake of the head.
Hurrying over, Annie took the seat beside her on the settee. Annie had not been her friend as long as Linnette, but she was still as close as a sister. Annie had come out at the same time as Kathryn, although she was a year younger, and they’d formed a bond, while worrying that nobody would ask them to dance, that could never be broken. Even Annie’s quick marriage and the too soon thereafter birth of her son had not changed their relationship.
“Kathryn, you are looking well,” Annie said as she spread her skirts in a pretty half circle. “That is the most wonderful shade of blue—and the lace at your cuff. Exquisite.”
“Yes, Kathryn, I should have mentioned that you do look simply divine. Life must be agreeing with you.” Linnette took a seat on the sofa opposite the two of them. “Are those new earrings? You always did have the best pearls.”
Kathryn bit her lip, and then smiled at Annie, “Why yes, Annie, I do love blue and your gown is scrumptious. It reminds me of fresh summer raspberries. Linnette, I forgot to mention your lovely feathers when you entered. They sweep your cheek in the most becoming fashion.”
Linnette grinned. “And Annie, those slippers are a masterpiece. Wherever did you get them?”
“I’ll give you the direction of the shop when we leave. And Linnette, you should always wear lavender,” Annie added. “It makes you look so ethereal.”
“There, are we done with fashion?” Kathryn could not hold the giggle from her voice. The three of them had long ago decided that fashion and gowns and shopping were fine subjects of conversation, but only for about a minute—which wasn’t to say they didn’t enjoy them. A decision had been reached during Kathryn’s first season that the topic would be covered quickly and then dispensed with. It had become a quiet joke between them.
A subtle joy filled her that these, her two friends, had been the first two to arrive. A few minutes in their company and all her problems would feel so much lighter. Already she was believing that she could make things work with Robert—she could always ask Linnette more questions. And as for the other matter, she might have spoken strongly with her mother-in-law, saying that there was nothing wrong with being American, but she wasn’t quite sure. There certainly was nothing actually wrong with it, but would the new Lady Tattingstong possibly be comfortable within the confines of society? She’d always heard that Americans were much looser in their social mores. How did one become friends with one?
And the print? What should be made of that strange print? She’d been too busy thinking about Robert to dwell on it these last days, but it was still troubling.
Almost as if reading her mind, Linnette spoke up decisively. “If we are done with silliness, let us discuss this odd print. Who could have done it and why? We’ve never been together as a group and certainly not with Lady Tattingstong. Somebody must have drawn us separately and put us all together.”
“Oh good, you’re discussing it already—although perhaps you could have waited for me to begin.” Elizabeth, the Countess of Westhampton, swept into the room. “I hope you don’t mind. I told the porter I didn’t need an announcement.” She seated herself before Kathryn could rise, taking a chair on Kathryn’s far side. That had always been Elizabeth’s way—do what you want, don’t wait for permission.
Kathryn had never been quite sure how she felt about the countess. She sometimes was so forceful that Kathryn felt she faded to nothing in comparison.
Linnette had no such difficulty. “If you’d been here on time, that wouldn’t have been a problem.”
“I arrived at the perfect time. You all arrived too early.”
If either of the other women had spoken in such a fashion, Kathryn would have believed it was a joke; with Elizabeth, she was never sure.
“So do you know who is behind this hideous print?” Annie asked.
Elizabeth pulled off her gloves and dropped them on a chair. She did not even glance about to see if there was a maid to take them. “I am not sure that I find it hideous—just troubling. We must be sure it does not become a known scandal. I do prefer my scandals to be private. At least we all look quite well in it.” She glanced about the room. “Is Lady Tattingstong not yet here? I understood she was also invited.”
Kathryn debated for a moment, and then answered honestly. “I asked her to arrive slightly later. She will be bringing her sister, Miss Beacon. I wanted a chance for us to talk first.”
“No wonder you were in a snit at my being the last to arrive. It would never have done if they had arrived first, I suppose.” Elizabeth spread her skirts in a direct imitation of Annie’s.
In a snit? She had not been in a snit. She hadn’t even said anything. It had been Linnette who commented. Only Elizabeth could be late and make her feel guilty. “I can’t believe you approve of the print.” She pulled out the copy she had saved and tossed it on the table. “They are actually selling it now. It’s become—popular.”
“Oh Kathryn, my dear. You can be so much like your mother. And I never said I approved. I simply do not yet disapprove.” Elizabeth smiled across at her.
“I will choose to take that as a compliment. My mother was always perfectly behaved.”
“I never said she was not.”
Linnette leaned forward, ignoring Elizabeth. “Why don’t we get this discussion moving in the correct direction before the rest of your guests arrive? Do you actually approve of the print then, Elizabeth?”
“I can’t say that I approve; I just don’t see it as a disaster. The drawing is flattering. There are no comments made, no hint of scandal. I just fail to see the issue. It’s not like we’re pictured in our chemises—or less. I actually find the whole matter kind of—of entertaining.”
Kathryn pressed her lips tight. She was not even going to reply to that.
Annie picked up the conversation. “You are correct that there is nothing actually wrong with it and the artist is certainly talented. I must confess I do like the angle they’ve chosen for me and my hair looks quite well, but there is also nothing right about it.” She lifted the print, stared at it, and then let it drift back to the table. “I merely question why it was made. As Linnette was saying when you arrived, Elizabeth, what is the purpose in putting us all together? I would understand if one or two of us were shown or it was clear we were at a real event, but why show us all together? It seems nonsensical to me. And I do admit to disliking the attention it is drawing.”
There was a tap on the door, and Mr. Johns opened it to announce the arrival of Lady Tattingstong and her sister, Miss Beacon.
Kathryn felt some temptation to delay receiving them for a moment while they finished the conversation, but really what was the purpose. She nodded to Mr. Johns to direct them in.
She stood as her guests entered.
Chapter Five
They were really quite nice. Kathryn’s fears faded away as she poured tea for the two Americans. Their manners were impeccable and demeanor pleasant. She didn’t know what she’d been worrying about. It was clear what had drawn Tattingstong to the vibrant young woman before her. The marchioness was both beautiful and clever. Her hair was the soft blond of butter and her eyes a sweet, gentle blue. She was the very picture of an English rose—except, of course, that she wasn’t.
The marchioness smiled across at her. “I’d always thought that mother did exceptionally well at teaching my sister and me how to behave properly and then I watch you pour tea and I wonder. It is such a simple thing and yet you do it with such grace and poise. Is it something you are taught or do you think it is bred into you?”
“Surely you know how to pour t
ea?” Kathryn answered, trying not to look at Elizabeth who was clearly rolling her eyes.
“Yes, I do. I must have poured a million cups, but I am always so conscious of each movement, of trying not to splash, of worrying whether the tea or the milk goes in the cup first.”
“Why, the tea,” said Linnette.
“Why, the milk,” said Annie.
The marchioness laughed and her younger sister, Miss Beacon, stared at them all, wide-eyed.
“See, it is impossible,” exclaimed the marchioness.
Kathryn leaned forward as if to share a great secret. “It really depends what your purpose is. You see, it is all a matter of curdling and expense.”
The marchioness looked puzzled. “I am not sure that I follow.”
“The tea is, of course, as I am sure we all know, the more expensive of the two liquids,” Kathryn explained.
Elizabeth pursed her lips. “I am sure that I didn’t know that.”
Kathryn simply nodded, refusing to be childish. “If you pour the milk in first and it is not quite right, then it will curdle the moment the hot tea hits it. You will lose only a few drops of tea at most. If, however, you start with the tea, then you’ve wasted the whole cup, if you add milk that is not fresh. So, if you care about being frugal, you begin with the milk. If you want to show that cost does not matter, you begin with the tea.”
“I never knew that,” Annie said.
Linnette stood up and stretched her spine, her curves almost overflowing even the high neckline of the lavender silk. “So, have I just declared I don’t care about costs? I confess that I don’t—or at least not really. I do always check the housekeeping expenses, but that is mostly for form. I was never good at math and I fear time has not improved me. I always have somebody double-check my figuring on important matters.”
“Well, I think that if you don’t care for costs, you act more like me and just don’t bother to even know the value of tea.” Elizabeth rose to her feet, as if in competition with Linnette. “You expect the finest and you receive it. It can be as simple as that.” She gifted Kathryn and the Lady Tattingstong with a smile that would have been better spent on an eager young buck.
Annie cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation. “Are we going to discuss the print or not? I am happy to continue to socialize, but I thought the purpose of our get-together was to learn who was behind this.” She stabbed a finger at the print that still lay on the table where Kathryn had tossed it.
“Is that what this is about?” The marchioness raised a brow. “I had wondered at my invite.”
“Of course, that’s not why you were invited. I was eager to make your acquaintance and believed my friends would feel the same. We want to support you as you take your position in society.” Kathryn faced Lady Tattingstong directly. “I would not wish to pretend that the print had nothing to do with the timing, but I consider it a case of friends helping friends, nothing more.”
“I will accept your gesture as such,” the Lady Tattingstong answered. “I must say that I know nothing about the print. I am as confused, if not more so, than any of you. To be quite honest I had to verify with my husband to be sure of all of your identities. I would have been quite incapable of designing such a thing. And assuming that the gowns you are all pictured in are as accurate as my own, more than incapable. I have only been introduced to Lady Westhampton previously. Although I will admit to having been at gatherings with both Lady Richard and the dowager duchess. It would have been impossible for me to put this together.”
“Well, I certainly didn’t do it,” Elizabeth said. “Why on earth would I have?”
“I believe that we all feel that way,” Linnette answered back, brushing a feather off her cheek and back into place.
“Why would any of us have done it?” Annie said, again trying to calm the situation.
Kathryn could only stare about at her friends. There was an edge in the air that she didn’t like. She glanced between Elizabeth and Linnette. She’d heard them described as rivals but had never seen them like this before. They always bickered and picked at each other, but there was something new here. Could one of them be behind the print? It seemed unlikely that Linnette was—surely she would have told Kathryn. But, Elizabeth had never been predictable. If Kathryn had to guess, Elizabeth would have been her bet.
“Perhaps we are asking the wrong question,” Miss Beacon, the marchioness’s sister spoke up for the first time. She was a pretty child, blond like her sister, but with a more exotic twist. Her eyes were tilted up at the corners much like those of Kathryn’s cat. It was hard to be sure if they made her more beautiful or less. Kathryn supposed it was in the view of the beholder.
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth sounded demanding rather than friendly.
Miss Beacon dropped her eyes to her steaming cup of tea. “I mean that perhaps we should try to decide why somebody drew this. It does not seem mean spirited. Perhaps whomever it is had only good intentions.”
“I cannot see anything good intentioned about it,” Elizabeth replied.
“But I must confess I don’t see anything bad.” Linnette’s comment was clearly aimed at Elizabeth. The two of them seemed determined to argue no matter what viewpoint was expressed.
“Why don’t you two agree to disagree?” Kathryn spoke firmly. “Fighting will serve no purpose. I think it is clear that none of us knows anything about this—or why it was done.”
“Or at least not that they will admit to.” Linnette stared at Elizabeth.
“Be careful,” Elizabeth said straight to Linnette, ignoring the rest of them. “I am not the one with secrets.”
“I am sure I don’t know what you refer to,” Linnette answered.
“Are any of you attending Lady Smythe-Burke’s ball, later this week?” The marchioness spoke loudly. “I’ve heard so much about her, but must admit to being a little bit frightened. She sounds a complete terror.”
Linnette sat back down, shooting a nervous look at Elizabeth. “You are quite American to be so direct, but to answer your question—she can be.”
Elizabeth stayed standing, and took a step towards the Lady Tattingstong. “I don’t find her so. She can be a bit forceful, but one can always sense the bit of fun in her tone. I will warn you that she does tend to ramble. It’s easy not to pay attention and then find oneself asked a most important question. I know I found that the case at her last ball, a little over a week ago, wasn’t it, Linnette?”
“Yes, I believe it was.” Linnette did not look at Elizabeth as she spoke.”
“I would have thought you would remember better.” Elizabeth was glaring at Linnette. “You were having such a good time when I saw you.”
Linnette did not answer.
Annie tried to step into the silence. “Only Lady Smythe-Burke would hold two such affairs in month. She is law unto herself. And yes, I am certainly planning to attend this next one. In fact, I am sure we all are.” Annie smiled kindly.
Kathryn’s head was spinning with the constant change of subject and emotion. She wished that Linnette and Elizabeth would just stop. She didn’t know what was between them, but they didn’t need to take it out on the marchioness who seemed quite nice.
The only positive note was that she was completely forgetting about her difficulties with Robert. At least she had been until now—now thoughts of yesterday’s conversation with Linnette began to filter in. Could she really talk to Robert like that? Could she gaze at him and think lewd thoughts?
The idea wasn’t as frightening as it should have been. In fact, she was beginning to like it.
“Well, I must be going.” Elizabeth looked about for her gloves. “I have important things to do this evening.”
So her tea wasn’t important? Kathryn nodded to Elizabeth and rose to her feet. “Of course you do. I am sure your life must be so busy with the earl away.” Oh dear, that had been catty, but sometimes it was called for.
Elizabeth turned away
as if pretending she had not heard.
Linnette grinned as if Kathryn had declared sides in a war—which had not been her intent at all. It was true that she would always choose Linnette over Elizabeth, but the last thing she wanted was a war.
The marchioness rose to her feet. Her sister followed her lead. “I am afraid we also must be going. Tattingstong does worry if I am gone too long.”
“Ahh, I do remember being newly wed,” Linnette added as she rose also. “And perhaps I should head off as well. I am sure you have plans to make for this evening.” She shot Kathryn a knowing look.
“Don’t forget both of the Dowager Duchesses of Harrington are here,” Kathryn said, wishing it were not true.
“Somehow I imagine you’ll manage,” Linnette answered. “A determined woman is a powerful thing.”
“Yes, you always were good at getting what you wanted, weren’t you, Linnette?” Elizabeth was not about to let it go even as she headed to the door.
Lady Tattingstong and her sister followed in Elizabeth’s wake.
“What was that about?” Annie asked, once the others were safely gone.
Linnette looked down and did not meet Annie’s gaze. “Nothing, I am sure. Elizabeth is just in one of her moods.”
“I don’t know. It did sound like she had something particular in mind,” Kathryn said.
“Please, just let it be, Kathryn.” Linnette replied. “Think about your husband and our earlier discussion, not about my problems. We’ll all be happier if they are simply ignored.”
Chapter Six
She’d survived another dinner. Kathryn swallowed the last of her after-dinner tea and looked about her empty parlor. Robert’s grandmother had gone up immediately following dinner and his mother had lasted only another fifteen minutes once it became clear that Kathryn was not going to discuss the Americans beyond reassuring the dowager duchess that the marchioness was not a savage and had not arrived in buckskins and beads. It was clear the dowager duchess had not yet heard about the print and Kathryn could only be glad. It was definitely not the type of thing one discussed with one’s mother-in-law.
