‘I see nothing for it but to take Amelia out of town for a few days,’ Mrs Warrington informed Kitty. She sighed. ‘She has been in a terrible state for the last two days. Really, when we arrived at that ball I was so proud of both you girls. You looked wonderful – and the young men were flocking to dance with you both.’ She plucked aimlessly at her lace-edged handkerchief. ‘Whatever went wrong?’
It was most unlike her to be sitting idly. Kitty could not remember ever seeing Mrs Warrington without some piece of stitchery in her hands. She said nothing, waiting to hear whether Mrs Warrington had picked up any gossip from the ball. But it soon became obvious that the poor lady’s mind was totally taken up by her daughter’s sudden collapse.
There was a short silence. Kitty felt the tension growing inside. First, her aunt, now Amelia’s mother – so much explaining to do, so much misery to hide. Eventually, as poor Mrs Warrington just sat there, gazing rather blankly at the window, Kitty cleared her throat.
‘May I see Millie? It is most unlike her to keep to her room.’
Mrs Warrington nodded. ‘Do go up, Kitty. Maybe you can pluck her out of this silly state she has fallen into.’
Even as she spoke, a footman came in with a tray of refreshments. Mrs Warrington rubbed her forehead. ‘Oh, Heavens, I had quite forgotten.…’ She looked at Kitty, ‘Make haste and bring Amelia down, if you please, Kitty. Lady Caroline will pay us a visit shortly.’
Alarmed, Kitty made her way up another flight of stairs. She had a fair idea of what had caused Millie to feel so unhappy. But it was unlikely she would reveal her feelings. She found Amelia seated on a chair by the window, twisting a damp handkerchief between her fingers. At the sight of Kitty she gave a sob.
‘Oh, that will never do,’ Kitty chided, smiling as she came up to the window. ‘Do you know, Millie, it is most unfair that you can sit and cry and still look so pretty.’ She pulled up another chair and sat facing her friend. Her own face twisted and she gave a gulp and said in a rather wobbly voice, ‘I believe I said it before – we were better off at home.’
Amelia nodded. ‘Things have become so complicated,’ she whispered. ‘I really do not know what to do with myself. I never felt so unhappy before in my life.’ She scrubbed at her eyes and added, ‘Mama is angry with me for allowing myself to be so cast down.’
‘She is upset that we did not leave the ball in triumph.’ Kitty hesitated, then said. ‘I saw you in conversation with Mr Thatcham,’ she prompted. ‘You both looked extremely pale.’
Amelia looked at her for a long moment. ‘What he said to me was very touching.’ Her voice trembled and she had to try twice before she could carry on. ‘I shall treasure his words all my life. I am only sorry I cannot return his regard.’ She sniffed.
‘He is a truly admirable gentleman,’ agreed Kitty. ‘but come, Millie, at least you were honest with him. And even if you did love him, you could never leave England to be a soldier’s wife.’
‘I shall never marry anyone!’ Gentle Millie spoke with such force that Kitty’s jaw fell open. She shut it hastily, remembering how Freddy had turned away in anger. It was something that Millie had at last shown what her true feelings were. In any case, Kitty was too heartsore herself to discuss the matter.
‘The best thing we could do would be to go home, don’t you agree?’ Amelia said at last.
‘That is what I want to do, but my aunt will not hear of it,’ replied Kitty, ‘I fear I have sadly disappointed her.’
Amelia looked a question. Kitty wearily explained what had happened. ‘And until I know the outcome of this duel I can feel only a burning anxiety,’ she ended, pressing her hand to her quivering lips. She sniffed. ‘It is terrible to have provoked two men to fight – and perhaps kill each other – for something I did not want in the first place.’
They stared at each other. Kitty was the first to rouse. ‘Well,’ she said in a determined voice, ‘I must get back to doing something useful with my life. This was never going to be more than a short holiday.’
‘But, Kitty,’ squeaked Amelia, round eyed, ‘your mama expects you to find a husband before you return to Cheshire.’
‘So does yours,’ retorted Kitty. Slowly, Amelia shook her head. ‘You know Mama is taking me out of town for a few days. She says I need a rest from this hectic lifestyle, but I suspect she is going to use the time to direct me towards whichever gentleman she considers right for me.’ She pressed her lips very firmly together. ‘It is not often that I go against my parents’ wishes, but I cannot obey them in this matter.’
There was a tap at the door, followed by the entrance of a maid. ‘If you please, Miss, Lady Caroline Bannister has arrived.’
‘We shall have to go down,’ insisted Kitty, pulling Amelia up and more or less dragging her to the door. ‘it is better than moping in here.’
Caroline raised her brows at the sight of them. ‘I did hope to see two bright young ladies, ready to assist me at the perfumier’s.’
‘We shall do our best,’ said Kitty, firmly holding on to Amelia’s arm and refusing to let her decline the outing.
Once the three of them were in the carriage, Kitty gave Caroline an imploring look. ‘Is there any news?’
Caroline frowned. ‘This is hardly the place to discuss such matters.’ She looked towards the coachman. Reluctantly Kitty nodded. She was in such a fever to know how the duel had ended, she could barely respond to Caroline’s flow of idle chat as the barouche took them to Bond Street. Her hands clasped tightly in her lap, she tried to smile and reply sensibly. It was no use to get angry with Caroline, after all, she had done what she could to avoid any scandal.
At last the coach stopped, the steps were let down and the three young ladies descended.
‘Now then, darlings, I fully expect you to help me select the finest new perfumes and soaps. This is one of my very favourite shops.’ Caroline led the way in to where the manager was already bowing, while an underling was rushing to set chairs for these fashionable clients. At any other time, Kitty would have enjoyed the experience. But today it was all she could do to affect an interest in the expensive scents and finely milled soaps brought out for Caroline to choose from.
‘What about a walk to Hookham’s Library?’ suggested Caroline, as they left the perfumier’s. ‘We can talk as we walk, you know.’ She unfurled her parasol and smiled at Kitty. ‘You goose, you may breathe again now.’
‘You mean—’
‘Nobody was injured.’
‘Oh, thank God.…’ Kitty drew a shaky breath. The surge of relief was like a physical blow. She faltered.
‘Of course,’ Caroline went on, steering her in through the door of Hookham’s Library, ‘even if honour is satisfied, the two gentlemen are still at daggers drawn. According to William, Theo is completely unapproachable.’
Amelia, who was not really listening to this conversation, wandered over to the bookshelves.
‘You should choose a few novels to take with you while you are in the country,’ encouraged Kitty. She then turned back to Caroline. ‘Well, you have relieved my mind of its worst fear. As for the rest—’
Caroline shook her head. ‘What a pair you are! It reminds me of when I had to sort out all the childhood squabbles.’ She moved towards the table displaying the most recently published novels. Having selected one to examine, she looked across at Kitty again. ‘I accept that your great-aunt’s connection with Etienne makes it hard for you not to be on good terms with him. But I did warn you.’
Kitty gave her a speaking look. ‘I know.’
Caroline nodded. ‘We just have to hope there is no gossip. That obnoxious Miss Harling would so love a juicy morsel like that.’
Kitty repressed a shudder. ‘I am so afraid of causing my aunt embarrassment.’
‘What about me, darling?’ Caroline’s voice was acid. ‘However, I am doing my best for you both. Even Millie has caused havoc! Poor Greg! And – even worse – there is no doing anything with Freddy since the ball.’ Her eyes were on Amelia as she spoke.
Kitty shrugged. ‘It is a matter they have to decide for themselves. But would you object, Caro?’
Caroline laughed. ‘I would be delighted. They have always been good friends and they are both home birds. Their parents had other ambitions, but they will soon accept it is the best – the only outcome for them.’ She shook her head slightly. ‘Time will tell. But would you believe, Kitty, Miss Harling was thrusting herself at Freddy at the ball. She is quite shamelessly determined to marry a title.’