Nate wore a coat of midnight blue for his mother’s party. He teamed it with a patterned silk waistcoat—a mixtures of blues and greens—and tied his neckcloth in a flamboyant waterfall. He was mildly disturbed at the amount of time he had devoted to thoughts of Lady Katrina and the pleasure it would give him to see her again that evening, unable to pinpoint what aspect of her character it was about her that held his interest. Nate made a particular point of not paying too much attention to unmarried ladies of quality for fear of exciting expectations he had no desire to fulfil. That hard and fast rule made his current fascination even more puzzling.
Lady Katrina was not dazzlingly beautiful but she had dazzled him with her vivaciousness and joie de vivre, a reaction to tonnish society that was unusual enough to make an impression. But the lady herself had not gone out of her way to make an impression upon him. Nate tugged the hem of his waistcoat into position, conceding that that in itself was impressive. He chuckled, causing his valet to look at him askance. Nate didn’t bother to explain his amusement, uncomfortably aware that he had grown accustomed to ladies batting their lashes at him and going out their way to make themselves agreeable. Lady Katrina’s lashes had not deviated from the purpose they were intended for.
Either she was being exceedingly devious, or she was simply being herself. She didn’t have an ambitious mother championing her quest for a husband—if a husband she was indeed on the prowl for—but perhaps Lady St. John had enlightened her as to Nate’s eligibility and had advised her upon the best strategy to employ in order to secure his attention. A strategy she employed herself to good effect with Zach. Nate chased the thought away as being unworthy. He didn’t think Lady St. John was that conniving. He was perfectly sure Lady Katrina was not. Besides, her father had already decided upon the man he desired his daughter to marry, Nate reminded himself, and she seemed too dutiful to go against his wishes.
Nate felt rather sorry for the chit, truth be told. It sounded as though she had endured a lonely upbringing and as a consequence was anxious to please an over-protective parent who was old enough to be her grandparent. After his wife’s death, Heston didn’t seem to know quite how to care for his young daughter, nor had he taken time from his career to make the attempt. Nate frowned as he thought of her being locked away in Switzerland where there was no danger of her being exposed to the innocent pleasures young women in her situation had every right to enjoy. Heston, Nate thought with a wry twist to his lips, was most likely terrified that the passionate nature he seemed at pains to keep firmly suppressed might manifest itself.
From the few snippets she had let slip about her strict education in Switzerland, it didn’t sound as though she had met with much kindness there, and then she had gone directly on to acting as her father’s hostess at dreary diplomatic dinners. No thought appeared to have been given to Lady Katrina’s natural desire to enjoy herself; to sparkle at society balls as she had the other evening. Being let loose on society beneath Lady St. John’s tolerant chaperonage probably seemed like paradise.
Nate stood still while Higgins brushed non-existent specks from the shoulders of his coat, surprised that Katrina’s father had allowed her to return to London without his supervision. He seemed to have controlled every aspect of her life up until now, including the choice of a husband. Perdition, she was none of his concern but Nate hated the thought of her united to a drudge of a man like Brown. Such a waste of all the spirit and passion that occasionally defied her training and slipped past her guard.
“That will do, Higgins,” Nate said, satisfied with both his appearance and the justification he had hit upon for his interest in Lady Katrina. He would do everything in his power to ensure she had as much carefree enjoyment as it was within his power to arrange for her while he was in London and put her from his mind when he returned to Winchester with Zach.
Thus resolved, he made his way down to the drawing room. Zach and Vince were already there, deep in conversation about animal husbandry. Of the ladies there was as yet no sign.
“Looking dapper tonight, little brother,” Vince remarked.
“Don’t I always?” Nate replied casually.
“Sean and I ran into Lady St. John and her houseguest at Lady Kidd’s soirée last night,” Vince said. “Lively little thing, Lady Katrina. Why don’t I know her?”
“Ask our brother,” Zach suggested. “He’s taken something of a shine to her.”
“Confound it, Zach, I have done no such thing.” Nate expelled a frustrated sigh. “Why is it that you are allowed to comment upon our amorous conquests, or lack thereof, but the subject of your own liaisons is taboo?”
“Privilege of rank,” Zach replied, grinning as he tapped non-existent pips on his shoulder.
“And how is the lovely Mrs. Longhurst?” Vince asked, sharing a roguish glance with Nate as he referred to the attractive widow who filled the position as Zach’s long-standing mistress.
“None of your damned business,” Zach replied amiably.
“Yes well, look to your laurels, little brother, if you have Lady Katrina in your sights,” Vince advised. “Sean took quite a shine to her as well.”
“I have no prior claim,” Nate said nonchalantly.
“So he says,” Zach remarked. “But he waltzed with her twice the other night.”
Vince elevated a brow. “That bad, eh?”
“It was her first society ball and the predators were gathering.” Nate wondered why he felt the need to justify his actions. “Anyway, Sean will be wasting his time if he has aspirations in that direction. Her father has a husband in mind for her and she won’t go against the old man’s wishes.”
“He knows an awful lot about Lady Katrina’s affairs,” Vince mused.
“Had to talk about something while we were dancing. The lady was refreshingly forthcoming.”
Vince nodded, looking amused. “Evidently.”
Anna and Romsey joined them at that moment. The duchess was hard on their heels and very soon after that the guests began to arrive. Lady St. John and Lady Katrina were amongst the last. The latter looked charming in a pale blue figured lace gown, ornamented with lace draperies and some sort of clever creation of satin and pearl points. The bodice was cut very decorously. He hadn’t seen any English ladies wearing quite such a creative gown and imagined it must have been made for her in Paris. The modesty was no doubt at the direction of her father, damn his eyes! It was a crying shame that she—or more to the point, her father—considered it necessary to conceal quite so many of her charms. It also had the opposite effect to the one Heston most likely intended in that it only increased Nate’s curiosity about the hidden charms in question.
Aware that his brothers thought there was more to his interest in Lady Katrina than was actually the case, Nate was circumspect when it came to his turn to greet her. He was conscious of a number of his relations watching them and had no intention of providing fuel for their speculations. Lady Katrina looked a little discouraged by his remote yet assiduously correct greeting and there was an awkward moment when neither of them seemed to know quite what to say. So different from the ball when Lady Katrina’s words had tripped over her tongue in their anxiety to be spoken.
The situation was prevented from becoming embarrassing by Sean Trafford. He remembered himself to Lady Katrina and then asked Nate to excuse them. He needed Lady Katrina to arbitrate in an ongoing dispute with Anna. He led her away from Nate, already making her laugh in that natural way he had and which Nate had observed him employ many times before. His Irish charm and biting wit never failed to make an impression with the ladies.
Nate, left to converse with Lady St. John, was not surprised when Zach strolled across to join them. He might claim no special interest in their beautiful neighbour, but he seldom missed an opportunity to enjoy her company.
“I was just telling Lord Nate that Katrina and I are embarking upon a programme of reckless pleasure,” Lady St. John said, sending Zach a playful smile.
“I hesitate to ask what you mean by that,” Zach replied, returning her smile.
“But I can tell your curiosity is piqued and I have no objection to satisfying it since I know I can rely upon your discretion.” Lady St. John accepted a glass of champagne from the tray proffered by a footman and nodded her thanks. “Seriously though, gentlemen, I was horrified to discover just how closely Lord Heston has controlled his daughter’s upbringing.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Zach asked. “As a father, surely it is his responsibility to ensure her safety and wellbeing.”
“To protect her, certainly, but to stifle her spirit and dictate her every movement?” She shook her head emphatically. “I think not.”
Nate, knowing Lady St. John as well as he did, was not surprised that her thoughts on the subject so closely mirrored his own.
“Heston is a diplomat,” Zach said. “Used to exerting judicious pressure in order to procure the result he requires without actually making demands. If his wife died when Lady Katrina was still so young and given that he took to parenthood late in life, I suppose he did what he thought was in his daughter’s best interests.”
“Ah,” Lady St. John said, her eyes sparkling as she shared a mischievous glance with Nate. “So, in the duke’s estimation, Katrina has no cause for complaint.”
“I did not say that.”
“You implied it, and you probably think Lord Heston was unwise to entrust his precious daughter to the care of someone as irresponsible as me.”
“I think Heston’s judgement, at least in that respect, is without fault.”
“Why, thank you, Your Grace. If I did not know better I might think you just paid me a compliment.”
Zach responded with a muted tilt of his lips. “And if I did not know better I might think you were seeking a second compliment by questioning the first.”
“Not at all. I am fully aware that compliments from you are hard won. In fact, I cannot recall ever being the recipient of one before this evening. I shall mark the momentous occasion in my diary.”
Nate felt surplus to requirements and wondered if he ought to leave Zach and Lady St. John to their flirting. Before he could excuse himself, he was brought back into the conversation by the lady herself.
“I wanted to ask your opinion, Lord Nate, since you and Katrina spent some time together the other evening. As I just mentioned, I have decided to expose my charge to some harmless pleasures while she is with me. I find it hard to credit, but she has never done anything spontaneous or acted impulsively in her entire life. It seems scandalous. If she has to marry that dreadful man Brown whom I don’t at all like or approve of, although I couldn’t exactly say why, then she ought at least to have some pleasure first. Do you not agree?”
“Actually, I do,” Nate replied.
“Heston won’t thank you for leading her astray,” Zach warned.
“Really, Your Grace, what precisely do you think I have planned for her? It’s not as though I was planning an excursion to Vauxhall Gardens.”
“They are closed at this time of year,” Zach reminded her helpfully.
“Even if they were not…her reputation will not be sullied by the diversions on offer in the ton. Well, not the type of diversions I have in mind anyway.”
“What diversions?” Nate asked.
“So far we have been shopping and had my modiste measure her for a complete new wardrobe. It’s shocking how parsimonious Lord Heston has been in that regard, although perhaps I ought not to be so very shocked. He had a reputation for cheeseparing when Gerald worked with him. However, as to Katrina, we have also driven in the park and Katrina enjoyed Kitty Kidd’s artistic soirée. Now we are here.”
“Indeed you are,” Zach replied, his lips twitching at Lady St. John’s colourful harangue.
“I so enjoy…well, the enjoyment Katrina takes in such simple pleasures. It makes one realise just how jaded one becomes over the years and how much one takes for granted.”
“Your charge does seem enthusiastic,” Zach agreed, smiling at Lady Katrina who was laughing at something Sean had just said to her.
“Certainly she is. We shall attend a few more balls and parties and I plan a visit to the theatre next week. Macbeth is playing at the Theatre-Royal and I am sure Katrina will enjoy seeing it. She tells me she has never been to the theatre before. Only imagine that.”
“You must allow Nate and me to escort you,” Zach said. “I have a box at Covent Garden.”
“Thank you, Your Grace, but I did not mention our intentions in the hope of receiving such an invitation.”
“Nevertheless, I hope you will accept.”
“Well, if you intended to go anyway, and if you mean it then we shall be glad to join your party. Thank you.”
“I never say anything I don’t mean.”
“Nor does he ever do anything he doesn’t want to,” Nate assured her. “Take it from one who knows.”
“I am perfectly sure he does not.” She smiled at Nate. “Do you have any more suggestions to make Katrina’s stay more pleasurable? It is such a pity that it’s the middle of winter. In one respect that’s a good thing because at least the season is in full swing, but it also means most outdoor activities are precluded by the weather.”
“Does Lady Katrina hunt?” Nate asked. “If you intend to return to Winchester, Zach and I will be riding to hounds.”
“I am unsure if Katrina hunts. Somehow I doubt it. Hunting is not a safe pastime and Lord Heston does so like his daughter to be safe.” There was mild criticism in Lady St. John’s tone. “Anyway, I can certainly ask her. But even if she does not, I should like to join you if you’ll have me. I promise you that I won’t hold you gentlemen back.”
Zach elevated one brow. “I was not aware that you liked to hunt. You haven’t mentioned it before and I have not seen you on the field.”
“The subject has not come up between us before and I’ve not ridden to hounds since moving to Winchester. I seem always to have had more pressing matters to occupy my time.”
“Then you will be most welcome,” Zach said. “Speak with Amos if you don’t have a suitable mount. He will be happy to accommodate you.”
“Thank you. I very likely shall. I have a sturdy little mare of whom I am inordinately fond but she would not do well on the hunting field.”
“Frankie,” Lady Katrina said, laughing as she and Sean joined their group. “You must settle a dispute between Mr. Trafford and me.”
“If I possibly can. What is the nature of your disagreement?”
“Mr. Trafford will have it that Irish poets have more soul than their British counterparts. Lady Romsey and I cannot agree. Really it is an impossible subject upon which any two opinions are likely to coalesce. Both nations have their share of talented bards and it surely comes down to a matter of personal taste rather than national pride?”
“I am charmed by Lady Katrina’s informed opinions,” Sean replied, “but unhappily none of the poets she names can hold a candle to Ireland’s Thomas Moore.”
“Moore has much to recommend him, I agree wholeheartedly, but his verse cannot compete with the romantic cantos of Lord Byron.”
“Ah, Lady Katrina,” Sean said with an engaging smile. “You are a romantic.”
“Certainly I am, where poetry is concerned. Surely that’s the point of it? What do you say, Frankie?”
Lady St. John held up her hands and laughed. “You do me too much credit, Katrina. It’s a dispute upon which I am woefully unqualified to arbitrate.”
“Shame on you, Frankie! I know that isn’t the case and was relying upon your support.”
“Poetry, Lady Katrina,” Nate said to her, having had quite enough of Sean making her eyes sparkle and her laughter echo around the room in a refreshingly uninhibited manner. “Is that your passion?”
“Passion, Lord Nate?” She turned wide, enquiring eyes upon him. “Fie, passion is not an emotion I know anything about. Madame discouraged us from showing animation of any sort. She declared passion to be at the root of all the world’s irregularities.”
Nate barked a disgruntled laugh. “Madame doesn’t sound like a joyful person.”
“You are certainly right about that. In fact, now that I think about it, I don’t recall ever seeing her smile. She would probably say that her charges were a constant source of disappointment and gave her little cause to smile, but really I think she rather enjoyed being miserable. Anyway, she never tired of reminding us that a lady sacrifices her dignity if she smiles too much.”
Nate snorted. “What utter rot. I am so glad you didn’t take her advice, Lady Katrina. Your smile is a delight.”
Faraday announced that dinner was served. Sean’s attention had been claimed by another guest and since Nate happened to be standing beside Lady Katrina it seemed natural to proffer his arm.
“May I have the pleasure, Lady Katrina?” he enquired.