Caroline’s ball was one of the big events of the season. The enormous room was already full of guests when Kitty, Amelia and her mother arrived. Mrs Warrington found a place for herself close to a tall urn.
‘With such a crush of people, both of you need to remember where to find me when your partners bring you back after each dance.’ She beamed around the crowded room. ‘What a splendid gathering.’ She nodded politely to another matron, approaching with several daughters in tow.
Mrs Warrington, herself very elegantly dressed in pale-green crêpe with bead trimming, could not hide her pride as she gazed at her charges. They looked a striking pair as they stood, exchanging smiling remarks while they took in the scene. Amelia was in the whisper soft gown of ivory silk. The tiny beads sparkled as she moved. With her golden ringlets and flawless complexion, she was already attracting admiring glances.
Kitty also looked charming. Her chestnut curls were dressed high on her head with several shining ringlets allowed to fall from a gilded clasp at the back of the knot. She held herself very erect, her slender figure enhanced by a deceptively simple rose-pink silk gown, which showed off her graceful neck and white shoulders, as well as rather more bosom than usual.
‘What a difference with your first visit here, girls. You did not know a soul. But this evening I shall be surprised if you do not both dance every dance.’
Kitty was more concerned to try and make her peace with Theo. Why did she always seem to quarrel with him? Now she regretted her outburst on the day he escorted her home. She could not enjoy the ball without seeing him and apologizing. However, it seemed that Mrs Warrington was right and both she and Millie would dance throughout the evening. The young gentlemen were all anxious to partner her, but as she went through each dance she could not help looking round often, hoping for a glimpse of that tall, dark-haired figure with his broad shoulders.
A conversation with Theo would give her more pleasure than a dance with anyone else – if she could coax him out of his moodiness. Her eyes sparkled at the challenge. But where was he? The next time she searched the throng for him she saw Miss Harling right behind her. Before she could look away, Miss Harling gave her a slight nod.
‘No Etienne de Saint-Aubin?’ she enquired loudly. ‘I thought you two were inseparable.’
Kitty turned back to her partner. Her eyes were sparkling with rage, especially when she heard the wretched woman telling her own partner how she had seen Kitty and Etienne in Richmond Park. ‘Just a little fast, do you not agree?’ she heard the spiteful voice commenting. Then the steps of the dance took her down the room and out of earshot. Well, at least she knew Theo was not with Miss Harling.
As dance followed dance, Kitty smiled and made polite conversation with the never-ending succession of partners. She hoped every minute to see a dark, handsome face smiling at her but there was no sign of him. It was becoming more of an effort to maintain her bright appearance.
The evening drew on and the crowd continued to grow. It seemed as if the whole of fashionable society had come to Caroline’s ball. At the supper interval, Kitty’s spirits revived. Surely Theo would have arrived by now. But there was no sign of him in the dining-hall. She began to worry that he would not appear at all. Her heart sank. Then she realized that she had not seen Greg either. There was still time, so she forced herself to smile and chat politely with her friends around the table.
After supper, Etienne led Kitty out for the cotillion. She sensed the jealous eyes on her and knew she had the best partner in the room. Etienne made it clear he was delighted to be dancing with her. Fortunately Kitty had learnt the steps well and gradually she forgot the onlookers as she gave herself up to the pleasure of the rhythm and the company of the handsome man smiling at her as they floated dizzily around the floor.
Etienne bowed low over her hand at the close of the dance. ‘Exquisite,’ he murmured, giving her a lingering look from speaking dark eyes. ‘You are made for such dances, Mademoiselle Kitty. And I must compliment you on your charming appearance.’
She was still breathless when Freddy claimed her hand for the boulanger.
‘Have you remained in town especially for this ball, Freddy?’ asked Kitty, when she could speak again. ‘How are they managing without you at home?’
He was gazing at something over her shoulder and did not answer.
‘Freddy!’ said Kitty crossly, ‘I am talking to you.’
‘Eh? What? Just look at that, Kitty. How dare he upset her.’ Freddy was bristling with anger. He nodded towards a couple standing by the edge of the dance floor. Kitty saw Amelia in earnest conversation with Greg. Her heart beat a little faster. If Greg was here, surely Theo was with him. But when she glanced again at Amelia she could see the telltale signs of distress. Whatever was Greg saying? Finally he raised her hand to his lips for a long moment and then turned away abruptly. Both looked very white.
‘Deuce take it, he has made her cry!’ growled Freddy through his teeth. He seemed inclined to go after Greg there and then.
Kitty held on to his hand firmly. ‘Do not draw attention to them,’ she whispered. ‘It is not surprising she feels upset. You know how tender-hearted she is.’
By the time Freddy led her back to Mrs Warrington’s urn, he had changed the focus of his anger. He looked at Amelia’s wan face and frowned. He bowed stiffly and turned on his heel without a word. The girls watched him stride over to his sister and start talking to her. He was not coming back. Kitty saw Amelia go even paler and blink rapidly. Up to this moment, she had always been able to rely on Freddy’s support. Perhaps it would help her to examine her own feelings properly at last.
She stood still, waiting to see what Millie would do. But then, the voice she had been waiting to hear all evening spoke from behind her. She lifted her head, her heart seemed about to leap out of her chest. Millie was forgotten as she turned to face Theo.
He was looking particularly fine this evening, his tall figure moulded into a severely cut evening suit in midnight blue. His cravat was tied in an intricate style. His thick curly hair was smoothed back. Kitty eagerly took in every detail of that lean, vivid face.
He was smiling down at her. She noticed the dimple in his cheek and smiled happily back at him. She felt a rush of delight. He had forgiven her accusations. She determined to start afresh. For a few moments they stood there, oblivious of the swirling crowd around them. Theo’s gaze slowly drifted down to her slender neck and white shoulders. He swallowed then gazed appreciatively at the smooth white swell of her bosom revealed by the fashionable gown.
‘May I compliment you on your charming appearance, Miss Towers.’ His voice was a little husky. His blue eyes sparkled at her. ‘I am very glad to have found you at last. You see, I want to ask something bold.…’ He raised one black brow and smiled in a way that made her understand why he was considered to be a dangerous flirt. Whatever he asked, she knew she would agree.
Theo’s smile grew broader. He took her hand and pressed it slightly. ‘I know you have a kind heart so I will dare to continue.’
Kitty nodded, biting her bottom lip in anticipation. He stilled, his eyes on her mouth. At last he blinked and added, ‘It seems to me that I can now manage to perform a simple dance again – oh, just a country dance, but I fear I may be somewhat clumsy.…’
‘And you are hoping I will dance with you? But of course I will.’ Kitty beamed at him, her whole body thrilling at the idea of being so close to him. Theo offered his arm. Kitty placed her fingers just above his wrist, very correctly. They smiled at each other and moved forward to join the line of dancers.
At first she was a little hesitant in case his weak leg should give way. To her relief and delight, however, he did not limp at all. They were well matched for height and in a couple of minutes it was clear that they moved in harmony.
Kitty gave him an elated smile. ‘You dance very well. It is so easy to follow your lead.’
He grinned triumphantly down at her. ‘You cannot imagine how pleased I feel – and flattered at your judgement. It has been a very long time.…’
They said no more but followed the rhythm of the music, instinctively moving as if they had danced together many times before. Kitty slipped into a state of dreamlike pleasure. Her enjoyment was all the more intense because they had put their quarrels behind them. She roused reluctantly, realizing that the music had stopped.
With a broad grin, Theo took a firm grip of her arm and led her back towards Mrs Warrington. ‘Do you really think I passed muster?’ he murmured, eyes mischievous.
Kitty nodded, still regretting that the dance was over. He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on it, his eyes never leaving her face. He smiled as he saw her eyes widen and heard her give a little gasp of pleasure. ‘My deepest thanks for your trust,’ he said. His face became serious. ‘In fact, I—’ He broke off, cast her a rather embarrassed look and was about to add something when they became aware of someone very close by.
They looked round unwillingly to see Etienne, looking very grave.
‘Pray excuse me,’ he said, addressing himself to Kitty, ‘your friend is not well and wishes to speak to you. It is urgent,’ he added, when Kitty showed no inclination to move.
‘Oh, very well.…’ said Kitty reluctantly. The spell was broken now. She looked up at Theo. The interruption had sparked a change of mood. His face was stormy. He released her hand.
Kitty curtsied to him. ‘Thank you, sir,’ she murmured and gave him a glowing smile. Beside her, she heard Etienne draw in a sharp breath.
‘It is this way,’ he announced brusquely, indicating a curtained alcove near the top end of the vast hall.