Ducal Encounters In the Duke’s Estimation

Since attending Almack’s Katrina’s world had become a whirl of activity. Frankie had been right to predict a steady stream of callers, all of whom Katrina found amusing and whose attentions she couldn’t fail to feel flattered by, especially those of the marquess’s heir. Nevertheless she suspected his attentions had more to do with his urgent need for a wife than any genuine regard on his part. He seemed rather perplexed when she didn’t hang on his every word, assuming presumably that his wealth and expectations would be sufficient to attract any ambitious female without his putting himself out.

Unfortunately for him, Katrina’s ambitions did not lie in that direction.

She had not seen any of the Sheridans since the party at Sheridan House but that had not prevented her from thinking about Lord Nate and the dance they shared on the terrace. If she closed her eyes she was convinced she could still taste the wine on his lips as they brushed against hers and smell his earthy, addictive scent. She could hear his lovely singing voice in her imagination and feel the heat from his hand searing through her gown as he held her more closely than he ought, whirling her around until rational thought disintegrated into pure sensation and she gave herself over to the pleasure of the moment without a thought for the consequences.

“I believe you shocked Lord Avon out of his lethargy by declining his invitation to drive with him in the park,” Frankie said, smiling as the marquess’s heir took his leave of them with an expression of stunned disbelief gracing his features. “He is obviously not accustomed to rejection.”

“A little humility will do him good.”

Frankie smiled. “After Zachary Sheridan, Avon is the most assiduously pursued single gentleman within the ton. You have caught his attention but will be despised by all the other young ladies and their mamas as a consequence.”

“Ha, they have nothing to fear from me.”

“I doubt they will believe that. However, you will be able to mark off another item on your list after this evening. We are to attend the theatre, don’t forget.”

Katrina had not forgotten. Her only concern was that the weather had got steadily worse since Lord Nate had left for Guildford and might prevent him from returning. She was fairly sure he was not back already. He had promised to look in at Heston Hall and if he had done so surely he would have called to tell her what he found there?

“I’m excited by the prospect,” Katrina said truthfully.

“What shall you wear, now that you have all your new gowns to choose from?”

“What would you suggest?”

“Come along. Let’s go and examine your wardrobe and I’ll give you the benefit of my advice.”

Which is how, early that evening, Katrina came to be dressed in a pale rose-coloured gauze gown over a satin slip, trimmed with broad blond lace around the bodice, intermingled with pink and cream roses surrounded by leaves. The skirts were trimmed with flounces that whispered around her legs like an unspoken promise. White kid gloves and white satin slippers completed the ensemble. Katrina bit her lip as she examined her reflection, emboldened by the low cut neckline which displayed far more of her décolletage than Papa would think seemly. But Papa was not there, she thought defiantly, and what he did not know…

“Why are you making faces at your reflection?” Frankie asked, putting her head around Katrina’s door while her maid put the finishing touches to her hair, cleverly entwining ribbon to match her gown through her curls. “You look perfectly lovely.”

“Don’t you think it a little too daring?”

“Nonsense! By tonnish standards it’s positively prudish.”

“Yes,” Katrina agreed, nodding decisively. “You’re right and I might as well have the courage of my convictions.”

Her maid stood back, having completed her handiwork. Katrina thanked her, picked up her shawl, fan and reticule and was as ready as she would ever be.

“Come, we shall have a light supper now while we wait for the gentlemen to collect us. I dare say the duke will have ideas about feeding us after the performance.”

“Most assuredly. By the way, he has sent word that Lord Nate has just returned.”

“Oh, so he’s back,” she said, trying to sound only politely interested.

Frankie laughed. “You are hopeless at dissembling.”

Katrina tossed her curls. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“And I am perfectly sure that you do. However, it is not my intention to embarrass you.” The ladies descended the stairs together and made their way to the drawing room. “The duchess will form part of our party but Anna and Clarence have returned to Southampton.”

“That’s a shame. I was hoping to see her again.”

“I dare say you will. She will either return to town or will be in Winchester when we go there.” Katrina pranced restlessly around the room, only half hearing what Frankie was saying. “What is it, my dear? You seem preoccupied.”

“Take no notice of me. I’m in a restless mood and the most ungrateful house guest in the world.” She sat beside Frankie and grasped her hand. “You must know how obliged I am to you for introducing me to society, even if I don’t express my thanks as often as I should.”

“But a small part of you feels that ignorance was bliss?”

Katrina lifted her shoulders. “Yes, I suppose that’s precisely how I feel.”

“You will soon be old enough to decide for yourself how you wish to live.”

“You know I can’t do that.” Katrina sighed. “Papa would be devastated.”

“Papa does not necessarily know what’s best for you, my dear.”

“He is all I have and I cannot go against his wishes. It would destroy us both.”

“Complying with one’s parent’s wishes almost always ends in resentment,” Frankie said, a faraway look on her face. “Take it from one who knows.”

“You?” Katrina peered at Frankie with open curiosity. “Your parents forced you to marry against your wishes?” She frowned. “But I thought you and Lord St. John were happy together. You gave every appearance of being so.”

It was Frankie’s turn to sigh. “Perhaps one day I will tell you the complete truth about my marriage. But now is not the time. Come, let’s eat,” she said, taking Katrina’s arm and leading her to the table. “The duke will be here soon.”

Nate hastily washed the dust from his limbs and dressed for the evening.

“I thought the road would be impassable,” Zach remarked. Having joined Nate in his chamber, he leaned casually against the wall as he observed his brother attend to his ablutions. “I’m glad to see you here in one piece.”

“The main roads were not too bad.” Higgins, in the process of brushing Nate’s coat, expelled a disgruntled cough. “Oh, come on, Higgins, we survived.”

“That, my lord, is a matter of opinion.”

“Higgins obviously doesn’t appreciate your driving, Nate.”

“His lordship can be a little reckless when he decides he needs to be somewhere, Your Grace.”

“Nonsense! We broke the journey half way because you wouldn’t stop complaining, Higgins. I was all for carrying on.”

“I wonder why,” Zach said, chuckling. “Anyway, little brother, tell me how you found things in Guildford.”

“Several landowners suffered losses worse than ours. I’ve mobilised them to pull together and protect one another’s interests.”

Zach raised a brow. “Very enterprising. I might not have thought of that myself.”

“I would imagine the villains, if they have the nerve to return to the district, will gain their information from the taproom at the Ram’s Head,” Nate said, pleased to have earned Zach’s approval. “I have made sure that word will reach anyone asking questions that all the estates with livestock are patrolled regularly by an organised party of men and that they will be for the foreseeable future. At least for the rest of the winter months. I have taken on two more men so that Radford can supply sufficient people to do our share. Surrey has offered six of his own.”

Zach, arms folded across his torso, snorted. “So he damned well should.”

Nate nodded. “My sentiments entirely.”

“Well done, Nate.” Zach slapped his shoulder, making Nate miss a turn in his neckcloth. He cursed and reached for an unspoiled one. “Hurry up now. We are to collect the ladies from Park Street and I’m sure you won’t want to keep them waiting.”

“Right, Higgins,” Nate said. “Take yourself off to bed and nurse that head cold you’re convinced you’ve contracted. I won’t need you again tonight.”

“Very good, my lord.”

“I heard something interesting about Heston’s relationship with Brown,” Nate said as they left his chamber together.

Zach listened without interrupting while Nate related all he’d learned from Jed. Information that was supported and embellished by Surrey’s account.

“Sounds like Heston might have done away with his rival and was then filled with remorse,” Zach said, frowning when Nate ran out of words. “That would account I suppose for the complete change in his character.”

“I agree, but how did Brown become involved, and more to the point why does Heston feel so beholden to Brown’s son that he’s prepared to allow his precious daughter to marry a man who is not her social equal?”

“Perhaps he isn’t in terms of birth but if Heston is grooming him to take over his position on the diplomatic front, and if his daughter is accustomed to that world…” Zach shrugged. “Most likely he wants to think of her as being safe and comfortable. After all, he’s no longer a young man and is probably putting his affairs in order.”

“His affairs!” Nate scowled. “Damn it, Zach, she’s his flesh and blood, with a mind and opinions of her own. Not some worthless piece of property.”

“Just thinking aloud,” Zach said, amusement glinting in his eye.

“Hmm.” Aware that he had shown too much passion on the subject of Katrina’s future, Nate returned to the question of Heston’s motives as a young man. “If Heston did commit a crime and Brown senior had evidence of it, it follows that the son must now hold that evidence over Heston’s head, compelling Heston to do whatever Brown wants him to.”

“It’s hard to imagine a dry old stick like Heston being emotional enough to murder for the sake of love.”

“I agree.” Nate flexed his jaw. “He’s adamantly opposed to Lady Katrina indulging in any impulsive pursuits, which rather smacks of double standards.”

When they reached the drawing room their mother was waiting for them, bringing their conversation to an end.

“Ah, Nate, I’m happy to see you back.” The duchess kissed his cheek. “I was worried about you on the open road in such atrocious weather.”

“Higgins is convinced he’s contracted pneumonia or worse,” Zach said, grinning. “He looks half-dead too.”

“Oh, should I have the doctor called to him?” the duchess asked.

“There’s nothing seriously wrong with him, Mother,” Nate assured her. “He just doesn’t like being cold. He can be a bit of an old woman sometimes.”

“Very well then. If you’re sure.”

“Faraday will know what to do if he takes a turn for the worse,” Zach said.

“Yes, of course he will.” She smiled at them both. “Are you sure you’re not catching whatever Higgins has, Nate?”

“Heavens no, Mother, I’m as fit as a flea.”

“Shall we go?” Zach asked.

The journey to Park Street was accomplished in just a few minutes. Nate was anxious to see Katrina again, to impart news of his visit to Jacobs Well and to learn how she had been spending her days and nights in his absence. More to the point, he would be interested to know which coves had been showering her with flattery and compliments, damn their impertinence! He was perfectly sure that such a lively and unusual creature would have collected her share of admirers, especially since she was well-connected and the only child of an elderly man of property. Such considerations would have appealed to more than one younger son with pockets to let. Younger sons of impecunious yet well-heeled families had to live on something and Katrina was too naïve to recognise fortune hunters for what they were.

That being the case, Nate had just recognised a legitimate reason for his interest in her. Someone who understood the intricacies of the ton needed to protect her interests, even if that did mean he would have to hand her over to Brown’s care when he returned to England and their engagement became official. Nate furled his brow, wanting to believe that when that unfortunate event occurred, he would be able to walk away from her without a backward glance.

Zach and Nate both exited the carriage to escort their guests into it instead of leaving it to their coachman to provide that service. Lady St. John greeted them both with her usual poise and the lack of overt deference that Zach surely must find refreshing. Nate greeted that lady warmly and then his eyes were for Katrina. They widened in appreciation of the lovely gown she wore.

“I can see you are admiring Katrina’s new gown,” Lady St. John said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“I would be a sorry excuse for a man if I did not see much to admire in it,” Nate replied, smiling when Katrina’s cheeks warmed in response to the compliment.

“Then I hope you will be a frequent caller,” Lady St John said. “Katrina has a complete new wardrobe to show off.”

“Then you will soon grow tired of my constant company.”

“We are glad to see you, my lord,” Katrina said, recovering her poise remarkably quickly. “We had thought that the inclement weather might prevent your return from Guildford.”

“And miss the opportunity of escorting you to the theatre?” Nate shook his head. “What is a little cold and discomfort compared to that pleasure?”

“Well said, Lord Nate,” Lady St. John remarked, smiling.

The ladies donned their outdoor clothing. Nate helped Katrina with the fur-lined velvet evening cape that complemented her gown and then offered her his arm.

“What is it?” Nate asked, when Katrina paused on the threshold.

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that I thought I saw someone across the road, watching us.”

“Where?” Zach and Nate asked together.

“He’s gone now but I am sure I’ve seen him there before.”

Nate scowled. “Well if you see him again, send word to Sheridan House and we will come to investigate.”

“Is that necessary?”

“Two ladies living alone together in these uncertain times. I should say it is,” Nate replied emphatically. “One can never be too careful.”

“Well, all right, but I’m sure there’s a perfectly plausible explanation.”

Seated beside Zach, his back to the horses and the three ladies comfortably ensconced opposite them, Nate put Katrina’s suspicions about being watched to the back of his mind as he enjoyed the journey to Covent Garden. He spoke little but his mother and Lady St. John between them kept the conversation flowing. From it Nate learned that Katrina had been to Almack’s and found it all rather pretentious.

“I did not say that, Frankie!” she exclaimed. “I would not have Her Grace think I’m casting aspersions upon the way things are done here in London. Goodness, I am hardly qualified to do anything half so bold.”

“Given your lack of experience in such matters,” the duchess replied, “I can only admire your perspicacity, to say nothing of your honesty. I myself seldom go anywhere near Almack’s if I can possibly help it. And as for my sons…well, let us just say even I cannot condemn their reluctance to frequent the establishment.”

“Even so, Katrina acquired several admirers while she was there, including Lord Avon.”

“Frankie, you exaggerate!”

Nate tightened his lips but couldn’t think of anything appropriate to say in response. He knew nothing to Avon’s disadvantage, was aware he was in urgent need of a suitable wife in order to satisfy the marquess’s demands and Katrina would fit that requirement in every respect. Whether she would be tempted by the prospect of all that wealth and consequence, and whether it would be sufficient to alter Heston’s plans for her, was another matter. Nate told himself it didn’t matter to him either way.

But he also knew he was deluding himself. Everything to do with Katrina Heston, and anyone who had designs upon her, mattered to him a great deal more than it ought to. The question was, what if anything was he prepared to do about his growing obsession? What if, as he had previously convinced himself would be the case, he could not walk away from her when Brown, or whoever else she decided upon for a husband, claimed her?

He looked out of the window as the carriage slowed to a crawl in its approach to the theatre, unable to answer the questions that continued to plague him regarding the compelling baggage seated directly across from him.

“I am so looking forward to seeing the performance,” Katrina said, unable to conceal her excitement as they left the carriage and Nate escorted her into the theatre. “My goodness, isn’t this grand. And so crowded.”

“Always at this time of year,” Zach told her, leading their party to the staircase that led to his private box.

Once inside Katrina and Lady St. John sat beside the duchess at the front of the box, while Zach and Nate took seats directly behind them. Their arrival was soon noticed. People in the stalls below looked up and pointed. Katrina seemed surprised when several others came into their box from their own and spoke with Zach and Nate. They continued to do so even when the curtain went up and the farce that preceded the evening’s performance of Macbeth began. Katrina sat wide-eyed, concentrating upon the stage, laughing in all the right places and addressing the occasional remark to Lady St. John.

“How refreshing to see such a reaction,” Zach remarked to Nate.

“You’re being watched.” Nate nodded in the direction of a very attractive lady seated near the front of the stalls below them. Her attention was focused not on the stage, but on Zach’s box.

“So I observe.” Zach acknowledged the lady with the slightest inclination of his head.

“Mrs. Longhurst?” Zach nodded, confirming the presence of his mistress. “Who is that she’s with?”

Zach shrugged. “Her new protector, I would imagine.”

Nate raised a brow. “You have ended the arrangement?”

“It had run its course, but I’m surprised that she wasted so little time in making alternative arrangements. She didn’t need to. I behaved generously in the separation terms.”

“It looks to me as though she would prefer not to be separated from you.”

“Which is why the arrangement had to end,” Zach replied. “I was perfectly content with it and thought she was too. But then she wanted more of me than I was prepared to give her.”

“Such are the travails of being a duke,” Nate replied, chuckling.

Zach rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”

Katrina was entranced by the entire magical experience of attending such a prestigious theatre, and in such style, too. It was packed to capacity, noisy and hot. The people below them jockeyed for position, loudly greeting acquaintances and expressing their opinions, even when the farce started, making it hard to hear the actors over the hubbub. She felt self-conscious at first when so many people gawped up at them. Then she realised it was not her that interested them, other than perhaps to wonder who she was. It was the elegant duke and his brother seated behind her who were the objects of their curiosity.

The duchess raised a hand occasionally, greeting people she knew who were seated in other boxes. So too did Frankie. Katrina didn’t know anyone other than the people she had met in Frankie’s company, but the duchess and Frankie between them kept her informed of identities, quoting a confusing string of important-sounding names and relationships.

“Who is that lady in the stalls who keeps looking up at us?” Katrina asked Frankie in a quiet aside. “The one with the feathered hat.”

“That,” Frankie replied in an undertone, “is the duke’s mistress.”

“His mistress! Oh my.” Katrina was rather shocked. “Everyone seems to know of the arrangement and no one finds it the slightest bit strange.” She shot Frankie an appraising glance. “Not even you.”

“Me! Why should the duke’s affairs concern me?”

Katrina shook her head, knowing that now was not the time or place to press Frankie for a more honest account of her aspirations with regard to the duke.

“I really have led a sheltered life,” Katrina contented herself with saying.

“I would imagine Mrs. Longhurst is no longer under the duke’s protection,” Frankie remarked. Was that a note of satisfaction that Katrina detected in her tone? “That’s John Binstead she’s with. A disgusting old philanderer if ever there was one. Rich as Croesus but too mean to invest in a box. He would only be interested in Emily Longhurst for one reason and I cannot imagine the duke would be willing to share.”

“Goodness,” Katrina said faintly, feeling a sudden need to fan herself. “I do think it very rude,” she added during a break in the performance, “that people continue to talk while the actors are speaking their lines. And that people come in and out of the box all the time, just assuming the people they come to talk to are not interested in the play. You would think they’d had quite enough social interaction given that the same people seem to mix with one another all the time. Even I am starting to recognise faces and names.”

“People have very short attention spans,” the duchess said. “I find it tiresome as well, although I suppose I have grown accustomed to it.”

Katrina enjoyed the farce and applauded loudly at the end of it, admiring the actors’ ability to ignore all the distractions.

“You look animated,” Lord Nate said, leaning over her shoulder and speaking quietly.

“I am enjoying myself. That is not a terribly fashionable thing to admit, I imagine, but I really don’t care.”

“You were probably one of the few people in the place to give the performance your complete attention. However, rest assured that the audience will be more respectful when the play begins.”

“I do hope so…oh, good evening, Lord Avon,” she said, looking up to see who had entered the box.

“Lady Katrina. I did not know you intended to be here this evening or that I would have the pleasure of renewing our acquaintance.”

“And I did not know that you took such an avid interest in my activities, Lord Avon.”

Frankie tapped Katrina’s hand hard. “No need to be discourteous,” she said sotto voce. “The best way to retain Lord Nate’s interest is to let him know he has competition.”

“I am not trying to…you!” Katrina widened her eyes in indignation. “You told Lord Avon we would be here. Why?”

Frankie flashed a mischievous smile. “The subject might have been mentioned in passing.”

Katrina shook her head. “You are incorrigible.”

“If you mean I have your best interests at heart even if they don’t coalesce with your father’s plans for you, then I won’t attempt to deny it. I have become an interfering old matron in my advancing years.”

“Now who is fishing for compliments?” Katrina shook a finger beneath Frankie’s nose. “You are neither old nor a matron. But as to the interfering part…well…”

“I want you to be happy my love, and not repeat the mistakes I have made.”

“Since you have never shared your mistakes with me I cannot know if I am following in your footsteps.”

Others had crowded into the box, preventing Katrina from pursuing such an interesting line of questioning but also relieving her of the necessity to conversing with Lord Avon. An excited buzz echoed through the auditorium, implying that the performance was about to begin. The box emptied out again and Katrina gave the stage her complete attention.

Katrina hadn’t heard of the actress who played the part of Lady Macbeth. But from the moment she stepped onto the stage she held the entire audience spellbound with the grandeur of her emotions. Her expression of Lady Macbeth’s murderous passions caused tingles to run down Katrina’s spine. Time flew by and when the curtain fell Katrina stood to applaud along with everyone else in the theatre.

“I need hardly ask if you enjoyed yourself,” Lord Nate said as he helped Katrina with her cape. “Your eyes are glowing with animation.”

“It was quite wonderful. Thank you so much for inviting me, Your Grace,” she said to Zach.

“Your pleasure made it worthwhile,” Zach replied, sharing a smile with Frankie.

Their party followed the throng down the stairs, making slow progress. As they reached the outer door they collided, quite literally, with Mrs. Longhurst. Katrina wondered if she had been lurking there with the deliberate intention of trying to either embarrass the duke or make him jealous. Katrina could see that neither stratagem worked. The duke merely acknowledged her with a miniscule inclination of his head and shepherded his party past her. He did not look back, but Katrina did and saw the hungry expression that Mrs. Longhurst directed at the duke’s retreating form. She also saw the unmitigated loathing she reserved for Frankie, whose hand rested on the duke’s arm.

Katrina shivered, thinking that the duke might be finished with Mrs. Longhurst but that lady was far from finished with him. Katrina got the impression that someone with Mrs. Longhurst’s wild, untamed beauty did not take rejection well.

“You will return to Berkeley Square with us, I hope,” the duchess said, encompassing both Frankie and Katrina with a smile. “We have a light supper arranged.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Frankie said, accepting for them both. “We should be delighted.”

Almack’s, soirées, shopping, drives in the park, assignations on terraces…Lady Katrina certainly knew how to enjoy herself. Cedric was exhausted just looking on from the outside. What would it be tonight, he wondered.

He was not left in ignorance for long. An elegant carriage bearing the Duke of Winchester’s crest on the doors rattled to a halt outside Lady St. John’s house. Both the duke and his brother alighted from it, were admitted to the house and soon emerged from it again, escorting Lady Katrina and Lady St. John.

“Brown won’t like it,” Cedric muttered to himself.

He was deep in thought about Brown’s likely reaction and how it might affect his remuneration if he was the conveyor of bad tidings, since he had convinced himself that it was Brown and not Heston who had decided upon the need for Lady Katrina to be watched. Therefore, it would be Brown who paid Cedric from his own resources. He must be sure to secure that payment before he presented his report, he decided.

With his mind taken up with matters pecuniary, it took Cedric a moment to realise that Lady Katrina was staring directly at him. Cursing his stupidity, he ducked for cover, hoping one of the gentlemen would not come to investigate and mistake him for a burglar. Fortunately that didn’t happen but it had set him on his guard and he would be more cautious in future.

He mounted his horse and followed the duke’s carriage at a discreet distance. He had tried to tell Brown that he wasn’t cut out for this sort of thing, he thought, trying to justify his momentary lapse. But now, having agreed to take the assignment, he was unwilling to fail due to lack of attention and would see it through. Anything was better than returning to clerking.

He was relieved when the duke’s destination proved to be the Theatre Royal. Cedric could purchase a ticket for the pit and at least keep warm. It would give him the added opportunity to observe Lady Katrina and Lord Nathaniel together and offer some insight into the nature of their relationship. Men in Sheridan’s position could do as they damned well pleased and were seldom taken to task for it, especially with a young woman such as Lady Katrina, who only had an aged parent to protect her reputation. Cedric was seldom moved to gallantry, he was far too lazy to make the effort, but felt fiercely protective towards Lady Katrina. He had been following her for long enough to feel that he actually knew her and that she was his responsibility.

Lady Katrina sat at the front of one of the best boxes in the house, apparently absorbed by the performance. Lord Nathaniel sat directly behind her, constantly leaning over her shoulder to share in her amusement or to answer her questions. She clearly enjoyed the performance and Cedric was surprised to find that he did too, not being a great lover of the bard.

When it was over there was a tremendous crush at the door. Cedric wanted to observe the duke’s party as they left, never having had a better opportunity to see Lady Katrina at close quarters. As he waited patiently to engineer that situation a strange exchange occurred between the duke and an attractive lady who was also loitering close to the door as though waiting for her carriage. Her intention was obviously to draw herself to the duke’s attention, but he barely acknowledged her. How odd.

Cedric dismissed the incident when Lady Katrina looked directly at him, her delicate brow creasing with a frown as though trying to recall where she had seen him before. Cedric offered her a smile and a slight bow as he left the theatre ahead of her, ready to follow the duke’s carriage wherever it went next.