by Gloria Gay
It would still be three or four days before Michael returned. If three days seemed so long without him, how would the rest of her life be, then?
She shook her head. She was torn between the woman who wanted to leave and reclaim her life in the future and the woman who yearned for each precious moment spent with Michael.
But every time she thought of her and Michael together reality slapped her on the face. She should not have allowed herself to be attracted to him when they lived separated by two hundred years. Yet she had not had a choice. Her heart yearned for him.
There was one bright glimmer the next day. Augusta informed Lady Donney that she and her daughters had been invited to a house party at the estate of the Marquess of Landbury.
Three days without Augusta’s vinegar personality to ruin her days! Kate was inwardly jumping with joy and smiled as Augusta went about like a peacock at having scored such an important invitation.
Amy told Kate that Augusta had tried to persuade Lanquest to exclude Kate from the girls’ ball at Arcadia but that Lanquest had informed her that there would be no ball held at Arcadia if Kate was excluded.
Lady Bunright had fumed and yelled to no avail. Lanquest had sent a letter which he had penned in one of the inns along the way. The servant network had gotten a hold of the letter and soon everyone knew what the letter contained. Lanquest had told Lady Bunright in no uncertain terms that if she continued in her rude manner toward Miss Shallot, she and her daughters’ stay at Arcadia would be shortened to the day after the ball. Their luggage would be packed and they would be forced to go on to London to start their season earlier than they had planned.
There were to be two or three more balls in the area. Amy told Kate that Augusta hoped Herlinda would secure the young marquess during one of those balls, so thereafter, rather than fume at Kate each time she ran into her at the house, Augusta would turn away from her. And during the afternoon tea and during dinner, she had managed to at least stop sending daggers with her eyes at Kate as she had done before.
“She does not want you to report her rudeness to Lanquest, my dear,” Amy told Kate during their afternoon stroll through the back gardens, “so she is watching herself and it makes life so much more pleasant. I long for the day when she leaves.”
“Yes, life is so much better without her glaring at me at every turn or saying rude things I cannot answer,” Kate agreed, “for I promised Lord Lanquest I would refrain from doing so. I would so like to be closer to her daughters, though, for they are not like her at all, but she forbids them any contact with me.”
“I admire your strength of character, dear. I would not be able to contain myself from replying to her appalling rudeness, and she has behaved that way toward you from the very first day, too. I’m glad my nephew has curbed her nastiness and we will at least have some peace.”
CHAPTER 21
Lanquest was still away when preparations for the girls’ ball began.
Kate was with Amy when Augusta tried to change the choice of flowers and the supper menu during the numerous preparations for the ball and she was glad Amy stood firm. She told her Lanquest had specified which courses were to be served at the supper before he left.
“I did not let her know that Lanquest asked me to allow you to select the flowers, Miss Shallot,” she told Kate with a wink.
Kate selected the flowers and with Amy’s help ordered them from a local farmer. She also helped Amy to order the refurbishing of the orchestra dais that was worn in several places, consulted with the butler on the arrangements for the torches that would light the way for the carriages and allowed him to decide the number of candles to be bought for the occasion.
Cappy advised her they should hire a few more stable hostlers to handle the numerous carriages and horses that were to be dealt with.
Kate was a willing helper, happy to aid Amy whenever the gracious old lady asked for her assistance and glad that all these arrangements she dealt with made time fly and soon Michael would be heading back.
She was pleased that Amy was glad of her help, as when Kate figured out how many torches would be needed to light the way for the carriages that would be bringing guests to the ball.
Thankfully, the stables were huge and there would be no problem in stabling and feeding the horses.
Augusta was left to concentrate her efforts only on her and her and her daughters’ ballgowns. She pored for hours over issues of La Belle Assemble and made certain that her and her daughters’ ballgowns were made of the best materials to be obtained in London, all, Amy told Kate, to be paid by Lanquest.
The modiste Augusta had hired, Madame Celide, arrived with her two aides from London soon after preparations for the ball began and she spent the following days in endless fittings with Augusta and her daughters.
This gave Kate and Amy a welcome respite from Augusta.
***
As Kate entered Amy’s suite she saw that the modiste was busy with Amy’s ballgown, a lavender silk gown adorned on each side with an inch-wide embroidered ribbon in a purple shade that ran the length of the gown, from the bust-line to the hem.
Amy, up on the stool while her modiste worked on pinning the side ribbons to the gown, made a face of exhaustion toward Kate.
Kate could tell the modiste had not realized how long Lady Donney had stood on the stool and must now be ready to flop, so she took matters in her own hands.
“I say, Madame, would it be possible for you to continue pinning the side ribbons without Lady Donney’s having to model the gown while you do so? I’m afraid she looks exhausted.”
“Oh, I am so sorreee, Miss Shallot,” the woman said in her fake French accent. “The time, it has run from me. Pleese, my lady, let me help you down from the stool so that you can take some refreshment, yes?”
“Yes!” Amy agreed with a sigh of relief. She allowed the modiste and her helper to divest her of the gown and after she put on her dressing gown she ordered tea to be served in her suite.”Madame Celide has assured me that the darker ribbons sewn on the sides will give the illusion of a slimmer form, my dear,” said Amy to Kate as they sipped their tea.
Kate was glad that Amy was recovering from her exhaustion as she sat back on the comfortable chair and took fortifying sips of tea and daintily bit into ham and cucumber sandwiches.
The dear old lady did seem slimmer with the cleverly cut gown.
“I agree entirely, Aunt, and it’s a beautiful ball gown, too.”
“Have you brought the gowns you are to choose from, for yourself, dear?” Amy seemed eager to depart from discussion of her ball gown to plans for Kate’s ballgown, instead.
“Yes, Romy has kindly agreed to bring three of them for your inspection,” Kate responded as she bit into a delicious tart. “I don’t mind wearing any one of the three, Aunt, so feel free to advice which you deem easier to adjust to my bod—form.”
After Madame Celide had given instructions to her aide for the adjustments on Amy’s gown, she joined Kate and Amy at the tea table. She sipped her tea and bit into a sandwich but she turned away from the tarts and cake.
“I must keep my figure,” she said to Amy, “or I will not have any ladies asking me to make zee gown fall on them like they do on me. Zee look I present to the fashion world is important to my business, yes?”
“I suppose it is,” said Amy, generously piling her plate with a scrumptious assortment of cakes and dainty sandwiches.
Romy placed the gowns on adjoining chairs for Madame’s inspection.
“This is a rich array to choose from, Miss Shallot. These two in particular have the stamp of Paree on them. And they must not have been purchased too long ago, yes? The style, it is fairly current.”
“Yes, I’m lucky” Kate agreed. “Lady Lucy has great taste and also that she purchased a complete new wardrobe for her marriage and left these gowns behind.”
“Try this one on, first, Miss Shallot,” said the modiste.
The first gown Lady Celide had chosen
was in a rich cobalt in a simple yet elegant cut. The simplicity of the design enhanced the jewel color. Kate liked not only the wonderful blue but also the modest bosom cut in thick satin covered in ivory lace.
She would be able to wear the diamonds beneath it without anyone being the wiser. Ever since Lanquest had given them to her as a security against the future, in case she was not returned to her own time, she had become very fond of them and guarded them with careful secrecy. She might not be so lucky as she had been when she was found by Michael. She shuddered to think of appearing naked in the middle of a crowd.
After partaking of her meal Kate tried on the other gowns but both she and Aunt Amy agreed that the cobalt gown was the best of the lot. Lady Celide also agreed with Kate when Kate asked that she remove two roses in a lighter blue shade that were attached to the high waist on the left side, as well as a band that formed a bow on the other side from the roses underneath the Empire cut bust line.
Once these two items were removed, the gown became even more beautiful in its elegant simplicity.
“You do have a good eye for the simple and elegant, my dear,” Aunt Amy said, admiring the gown on Kate as she donned it after the two items had been removed. I have a set of pearl earrings that would go well with it, if you would do me the honor of wearing them, my dear.”
Amy opened her jewel case and handed the earrings to Kate.
“These are beautiful, Aunt. Thank you for lending them to me. I promise to take good care of them.
“Thank you, Madame,” she said to the modiste as the lady helped her down from the stool.
CHAPTER 22
So, she was to meet the infamous Cortland tonight,” thought Kate as she waited for Amy at the fountain, for they were to take their afternoon walk. And well they both needed it, for the morning had been taken up with numerous details of the ball.
Kate had learned the fundamentals of organizing a large ball from Amy and she was glad that both the ball and the fittings had made time fly.
She dearly hoped Michael would make it back to Arcadia in time to attend his nieces’ ball, for his northern estate was a three-day distance from Arcadia, which was only a few hours’ carriage drive to London.
Kate imagined that in her time, the Arcadia estate farms must have already been converted into suburban developments.
She was nervous about meeting Cortland. She would rather not meet Cortland without Michael present.
Amy had told Kate that Augusta had ignored Teddy’s wish to be introduced to Kate so Teddy, who had not his mother’s bad manners applied to Lady Donney for an introduction. So, he, too, was to meet Amy and Kate by the fountain.
She greeted Amy as the sweet lady arrived and saw that she had with her a handsome young man.
“Kate, my dear, here is my nephew, The Honorable Theodore Malky, who has asked for an introduction to you.”
When Kate turned to the young man, expectantly, Amy made the introduction.
“Teddy, dear, allow me to present my friend, Mrs. Morling’s niece, Miss Katherine Shallot, who is from the American country and is spending a few weeks with us.
“My nephew, Miss Shallot, has come down from Cambridge to attend his sisters’ ball.”
“My pleasure, Miss Shallot,” said Teddy with a bow.
Kate was glad Teddy did not seem to have his mother’s bitterness nor his sisters’ shyness but rather, was eager to converse with Kate as the three sat by the fountain.
“I have received an express from Lanquest, Miss Shallot,” said Amy. “It appears my nephew will not be able to make it back in time for his cousins’ ball.
“I have asked Teddy to head the receiving line with me because Cory is also unable to attend, according to his mother.”
“Mama is quite upset,” Teddy said, and added, “although I cannot say I am. Cory and I have always rubbed each other the wrong way.”
“I am so glad you were able to make it, Teddy,” Amy said, smiling at him. “It would have been quite awkward if we did not have at least one male relative to head the receiving line.””Happy to oblige,” Teddy said, and added, “Shall we start our walk, ladies?”
“The path is not wide enough for three, my dears,” Amy said, and added “Go on ahead with my dear Miss Shallot, Teddy. I’m sure you have many questions about the land she hails from.”
“Do, I,” said Teddy eagerly. “I promised myself that when I graduated I would visit a few of the American cities, in particular, the city of New York.”
Teddy had endeared himself to Kate right away, first by his friendly nature and secondly by not referring to America as ‘the Colonies’ as most people did.
“And how are you faring in our England, Miss Shallot?” Teddy asked with his disarming smile. “Enough so that you might want to make it your permanent home?”
“I’ve grown very fond of your beautiful country, Mr. Malky and I am very grateful for Lady Donney and Lord Lanquest’s kind hospitality.
“But time has slipped by so fast I’m sorry that I must soon return to my country. But I will carry within me an album full of wonderful memories. Of course, that does not mean that I will never return.”
“I’m very glad to hear that,” Teddy smiled widely at Kate and Kate could see that the young man was attracted to her for he looked deeply into her eyes and held the glance. “I have a favor to ask of you, Miss Shallot,” he said.
“Oh? And what is that, Mr. Malky?”
“Would you be so kind as to allow me two dances?”
“Certainly, which dances would you prefer?”
“I would like the first set, which is made of two waltzes and the supper dance, which is also a waltz. Is that agreeable to you?”
“It’s fine with me,” Kate replied, glad that she would not, at least for a few of the dances, grace the wall as a wallflower.
But she was curious about Cory and how he and his mother seemed to expect that Michael would never marry just to oblige them in their ambition to inherit Arcadia.
“Lady Donney has talked to me about your brother. There is such a large age difference between you and Cortland. Is that the reason you and he are not close?”
“Not really,” Teddy said. “My brother is an odd duck, Miss Shallot and he and I have nothing in common. He’s a lot older than me and tormented me ruthlessly when I was a child.”
“Cory never took to learning as I did. He wasted the little time he spent at school.
From my mother, I hear what bits of news about him there is to know and nothing that I would admire. Also, I have found that with Cory you can never be certain of anything.”
“Have you better communication with your sisters?”
“Oh yes!” Teddy’s face lit up at mention of his sisters. “I’m very fond of Linda and Sal, my little sisters. I see them whenever I’m on holiday from school.”
“That’s nice,” said Kate, glad that the two shy girls had a brother who doted on them.
“Shall we turn back, my dears?” said Amy. “I find that I have need of some rest in my bedroom.”
“Oh, yes, Aunt,” Kate said quickly. “I’m sorry we walked too far away. You have worked so very hard organizing the ball, it’s no wonder you are tired.”
“Please hold on to my arm, Auntie,” Teddy offered kindly, “The path is uneven in some parts.” It was obvious to Kate that Teddy was very fond of Amy.
Amy appeared happy that she would return with some assistance and the three returned to the house in friendly silence.
***
In spite of Michael’s absence, his nieces’ ball was a success and Kate was surprised that she had not skipped a single dance.
And although she got a lot of dirty looks from the female populace, due, she was certain, to the bad publicity Lady Bunright had spread about her, the young men either had not heard the gossip or didn’t care.
She was glad that the girls had had successful nights and that Herlinda had danced the first waltz and the supper dance with the young Marquess of
Landbury. He seemed quite taken with her and appeared unaware that his future mother-in-law, Lady Bunright, was watching the young couple like a hawk, no doubt already planning the wedding in her mind while the two talked and danced.
Kate had attended the ball mostly to help Amy with anything that might come up when she would have much rather have spent those hours in her room, reading and thinking of Michael. She was worried that he had missed his cousins’ ball and wondered if he was all right.
The ball ended around two in the morning. But even at that late hour, Kate knew she would be unable to sleep as she was worried and uneasy and would not rest until Michael returned to the estate, so she took up her book and settled to pass the night reading a Jane Austen novel.
CHAPTER 23
Sitting with his hands crossed over the pommel of Blue, Lanquest gazed at the farm below and the sudden insistent voice of the man on a grey gelding beside him bought him out of his reverie.
He had been staring at the farm while with his mind elsewhere—on Kate. He shook his head and tried to concentrate on the farmer’s words.
“I’m afraid I wasn’t attending Mr. Wooten, please forgive me. Would you repeat what you just said?”
“Aye, yer lor’ship. I was just saying that the ravine gave way with the last rain and flooded the south pasture. There won’t be any grazing land for the sheep come spring. I hope you didn’t think me forward in writing to yeh, my lord. I jis’ didn’t know what else to do. The sheep will die without fodder. And if I sell them I won’t make it through next summer.”
“Your neighbor to the south—John Hapland, if I recall—”
“He had the same problem with his field flooding, m’lord. He’s told me already he canna help me.
“What about Sam Derling?”
“Aye, Sam might, at that, his field is twice as big as ours. But it won’t be cheap, seeing as how he ain’t one of yer tenants.”
