“Yes, handsome, though his manners render him disagreeable.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, but let us not talk of such things. Let’s enjoy the party and be merry to celebrate this season.”
“Well, in that case. Would it be too much of you to move with me to the table of treats? I so long to taste one of those decorative morsels,” Madame Douvaine smiled.
“Absolutely, Madame Douvaine. I shall partake with you.”
For why should Katrina not enjoy herself? She was at a celebration of the Christmas spirit and she was not going to let the Dawson women or Mr. Byers ruin that for her... that was until dinner.
Katrina sat according to the arrangements, as did all, but they were not to her liking. Mr. Andrew Davis sat at the head of the table and Katrina’s plate card was at his side, so she sat to his right. Mr. Byers was seated to his left, and directly across from Katrina. Eleanor Dawson sat beside Mr. Byers and to her side sat Miss Willameena Davis. At the other end of the table head sat Robert Davis and Adeline was seated at his side, and directly across from her sat Mr. William Dawson. Indeed Katrina very much wished that she could sit next to Adeline, for how would her dear friend survive such an arrangement?
“Thank you all for coming and Happy Christmas season,” Mr. Andrew Davis lifted his glass and all did the same and repeated those words. Katrina sat as quiet as she could and kept an eye down the table on Adeline, but during the first course of hot soup Andrew was much for conversation.
“Miss Proctor, pray tell me what was your favourite part of the museum visit?” he asked.
“Oh, it is hard to say, for I loved it all. I guess it is safe to say that the Egyptian antiquities I found most fascinating,” she smiled.
“If it made you smile like that than I am very glad I arranged it,” Andrew smiled at her.
“Arranged it, sir?” Mr. Byers said in a curt manner. Katrina raised her brows toward him.
“Yes Mr. Byers, I arranged for Miss Proctor and her relations here to have a private tour of the collections.”
“Did you now, and for what reason?” Mr. Byers asked.
“Well for no reason other than to provide her and her sister with some diversion while they are in town. It was after Miss Proctor took a liking to my book collection, I believe that we first talked of the subject of knowledge was it not, Miss Proctor?” Andrew smiled at her.
“Yes sir, you are correct,” Katrina replied.
“To which, you have not taken me up on my offer to borrow a book from that collection so that you have something to read,” Andrew said.
“Perhaps because she is staying too far away,” Eleanor Dawson intruded. “Tell me again where your employers reside, Miss Proctor?”
“On Gracechurch Street in Cheapside, Miss Dawson,” Katrina said with pride.
Eleanor Dawson gave a smug smile and looked to the others expecting shock to cross their faces, and was quite displeased when it did not.
“Then take a book with you tonight. I insist, and I will call upon you to pick it up. Indeed I would not mind such a thing at all,” Andrew said.
Mr. Mason Byers moved uneasily in his chair.
“That is very kind of you, Mr. Davis,” Katrina said.
“Yes, my brother is all kindness, all the time,” Willameena added.
“Tell me how long have you and your sister been in town? For I was just telling Mr. Byers here that we have not seen you at any of the engagements we have attended. Not the dinner party at the Watsons, nor the assembly at St. James’ court. Indeed we have not seen you and Miss Adeline Proctor at any of the important occasions of our society,” Eleanor Dawson said smugly.
“We have been in town not three weeks now,” Katrina said.
“Oh that is a long time, surely we would have run into you if you had been invited, though I suppose since you have no real relations here, it is not astonishing. You must be ever so bored. If it were not for the kindness of the Davis you would not see London at all,” Eleanor Dawson said with brutal contempt.
“I assure you, Miss Dawson, we have had enough social engagements to fill our calendar,” Katrina said.
Willameena looked on with wide eyes at the fire burning between Eleanor Dawson and Katrina, and seemed very confused as to what to do about it. Andrew, on the other hand, acquired a dark look to his as he did not like the way Eleanor Dawson spoke.
“Indeed, and I plan to fill as much space on that calendar as you will honour me with, Miss Proctor,” Andrew said smugly. The smile fell from Eleanor Dawson’s face.
“Thank you, Mr. Davis,” Katrina said.
“And I would, as well. I would very much indeed like to call on you and your sister at Gracechurch Street,” Mr. Byers said, seemingly out of nowhere. Indeed it shocked Katrina and Eleanor Dawson just the same.
“I am sure that my sister would be just as pleased as I to have such a visit, Mr. Byers,” Katrina bit her tongue in politeness, as she did not care if he visited at all.
“Thank you, I shall see that I do,” Mr. Byers said quietly.
“Mr. Mason Byers...” Eleanor Dawson said, but was interrupted.
“Oh brother, may I now?” Willameena looked to Andrew.
Andrew laughed. “Alright sister, if you insist.” Andrew cleared his throat as Willameena let out a delightful squeal. The sound of the silver utensils rang out as Andrew tapped it against his glass. The table came to silence for an announcement.
* * *
chapter
1 6
* * *
“My guests and family, my sister has an announcement to make, to which she had promised to wait until after dinner, but is bursting at the seams to tell you now,” he announced. The guests laughed and Katrina took this time to look down the table where all were staring at Andrew, except for Mr. William Dawson, who stared at Adeline, and Adeline who stared at him in return. She looked flushed, and Katrina wondered how the two were always able to speak to each other without a word.
Willameena stood up. “It is my pleasure to announce that my brothers have been very kind to me. Since this is my ten and five year and I recently had a coming out, they have given me permission...” Willameena stopped in suspense before she continued, “To give a Christmas Eve Ball right here at Davis House!”
“Oh marvellous! Marvellous!” all clapped and cheered for the announcement.
“And you are all invited, of course. I can think of no happier way to spend the Eve of Christmas than dancing and being merry. It will be the best of all Christmas gifts,” Willameena said.
The table clapped as she sat down. Andrew nodded impressed to his sister and Katrina assumed she was not one to make announcements for the family.
“That was a very fine announcement, Miss Willameena Davis. I enjoyed it very much,” Katrina encouragingly said.
“Aye, I fear she will be head of the family in my place, and I will become lazy with not having to make such announcements and arrangements anymore,” Andrew teased. All laughed and dessert was served of a fine cinnamon cake.
“And now that you know of the ball Miss Proctor, I wonder if I might take this time to claim your first two dances,” Andrew looked to Katrina.
Katrina felt very embarrassed, as though Andrew had just kissed her in front of everyone, but before she could answer...
“And I the third dance,” Mr. Byers said bluntly. Katrina looked at him in shock. For this was not at all like his character. In fact he had claimed that he did not like to dance at all at a previous assembly. Eleanor Dawson too was all astonishment at his side, with nothing to say in her horror.
“Yes, um, thank you both. I shall save those dances for you,” Katrina looked to Mr. Mason Byers and Andrew. She noticed then Andrew leaning back in his chair and looking down his nose at Mr. Mason Byers. Andrew must be just as confused as Katrina. What could cause Mr. Byers to suddenly ask for her hand in a dance? It was unlike him indeed.
“Yes, well I am one happy for a ball, and a Christmas ball no less. T
hat would call for the most elegant of dresses. Whatever will you and your sister do, Miss Proctor? Surely you did not bring gowns with you that are well enough for such an engagement,” Eleanor Dawson said. Willameena’s eyes grew wide. She was not at all used to this type of conversation.
“We shall endure it as best we can, Miss Dawson. I am sure that the Davises would have to look the other way when my sister and I show up in our rags,” Katrina snapped back at her.
“Oh Miss Proctor, I only tease,” Eleanor Dawson said.
“As do I, Miss Dawson,” Katrina said.
“Well, perhaps we should retire to the drawing room. Willameena has a lovely song prepared,” Andrew said loudly. He stood up and pulled out Katrina’s chair and offered his arm to her, leading her out of the room.
Mr. Mason Byers found himself following every move that Andrew Davis made, and it vexed him greatly that he showered attention on Miss Katrina Proctor, though he had no inclination as to why.
Then it was time for the two sisters, as they were called – though he knew exactly what they were and where they come – to perform the play they had practiced.
All sat quietly in a row of chairs in the drawing room. Katrina, Adeline, and the Douvaines had long disappeared into a side room. Then Madame Douvaine came out with such a sense of performance.
“May I present to you, a piece from Antigone performed by the best actresses in London, Miss Katrina Proctor and Adeline Proctor.”
There was applause for a short while, then the two sisters walked out in beautiful white muslin dresses and garlands in their hair. They began to perform in the most elegant manner.
Byers could not take his eyes off of Katrina. It had been two years since he last saw her and she was rightly just a child then, but now she was a woman. He looked to Davis and saw that he too was all eyes for Katrina, and that did not make him feel very good. In fact, it made him feel jealous.
The performance was not too long and he was very impressed by Katrina, though he remembered how well she played the part of a courtesan long ago in Portsmouth, when he spent the night with her. Now she was just as convincing.
There was a round of applause and the women bowed. Then they disappeared to change again. It was not long before Katrina and Adeline reappeared back in their dinner attire and everyone once again applauded. Andrew Davis was quick to go to Katrina’s side and congratulate her. Mason appeased his jealousy with a glass of scotch.
He made his way to that part of the drawing room where Katrina was in lively conversation.
It was then that Katrina lifted her eyes and looked directly at Mr. Byers. Heat rushed through him as he saw her face as though for the first time. He walked over to her to join the group she stood in. He said nothing, but stared at only her. Was he displeased with Andrew or himself?
Finally Mr. Byers cleared his throat feeling the stares of everyone on him and continued, “As you were saying, Miss Proctor?”
“It was not she that was speaking, Mr Byers, it was I. I was merely talking about the proper colour and fabric of a dress for the Christmas ball.”
“Yes I believe a dress for such an occasion should be blue,” Mrs. Louisa Ashford said.
“Yes that is true indeed, sister,” Eleanor Dawson said. “Blue and in the most expensive of fabrics in all the shades of blue that are possible, especially if I am to wear the sapphires on such an occasion.”
* * *
chapter
1 7
* * *
Katrina rolled her eyes and was ready to walk away from the conversation, but the way Mr. Mason Byers looked at her all but rooted her to the very spot where she stood.
“Then we will have to take the sapphire jewels when you go for a fitting to have your dress made,” Mrs. Louisa Ashford said to Eleanor Dawson.
Eleanor Dawson turned to Katrina “The sapphire jewels are an heirloom and have been worn on every Dawson neck and must be kept on display. It is a very large pendant necklace and tiara.”
“I am sure they are very beautiful indeed and will lend itself to any fabric you choose,” Katrina said.
“Yes of course, sister, it is the fashion that matters and must be of the latest,” Mrs. Louisa Ashford said. “We must have very fine designs in the current style of gathered bodice, still cut as one with the gown, moderately high bustline, and sleeves to your liking - short or elbow length. We can also do a train if you wish, all in relation to showing the jewels of course.”
“Very good, very good. Now the blue fabrics...” Eleanor Dawson said.
Katrina was beyond bored with this show of extravagance and had enough.
“And what do you think, Miss Proctor, of fabrics? I am to receive a shipment of silk from India and would be obliged in your opinion on the matter.” Mr. Byers said loudly, much to the shock of Katrina.
“My opinion, sir?” Katrina said shocked.
“Yes, you are knowledgeable and I value your opinion greatly,” he said.
“Well sir, India is fine and I’m sure that lovely fabrics come out of there, but perhaps not the finer silks,” she said.
“Pray continue. What objection do you have to India?” he asked, stepping closer to her. She grew nervous. All eyes were on her and she thought Eleanor Dawson would burst into flames for having Mr. Mason Byers direct his conversation to her in such a way.
“Um... sir, please. It is nothing.”
“No, it is something; I can see that much on your face Miss Proctor. Now, if you will oblige me with an answer or I shall not leave this conversation,” he said arrogantly.
“Mr. Mason Byers, I think Miss Proctor has no opinion on the matter of your business dealings and was just speaking to herself, perhaps a bit too loudly,” Eleanor Dawson interrupted.
“Please, Miss Dawson, I await an answer from Miss Proctor,” he said.
Katrina sighed, knowing his upstart type would not be satisfied until he had an answer. He was Mr. Byers after all, and she knew that he was used to getting his way, just like a spoiled child. It ran among his society, no doubt.
“Very well,” she narrowed my eyes ready for combat. “It is just that the finest silks come from China, not India, according to my readings on the history of China. India is the provider of fine linens in vibrant colours, some of the best I have seen really. But as far as silk goes, you want Chinese silks as they are made at the best quality and will fetch a fair price. You will see poor quality silks on the South End of Bond Street, but the ports along the Thames is truly the only source of fine Chinese silk in London. But it rarely makes it to market, as buyers for noble families snatch it up quickly.... Or dress makers.”
Mr. Mason Byers stood there, looking at her with stunned expression. He probably had never heard a woman so decisively give her opinion, especially at such a young age and of low birth. Not only was Katrina confident in her words, for she had learned a thing or two walking the docks of the Thames in the early morning hours with Mr Douvaine. His dark eyes widened and there was a bit of a sparkle to them. Was he feeling delighted by her words, or was that smile proceeding a lecture about staying in her place?
“And you know this because...?” he asked.
“Because I often accompany Mr Douvaine in the morning hours for a walk along the Thames when shipments are coming, as well as my readings on Chinese history,” she said. He smiled at her and somehow she smiled in return. She did not realize she was doing it. His smile was just contagious.
“There, now you have your answer,” Eleanor Dawson said.
“Thank you Miss Proctor. I shall take your words...” an even bigger smile came across his face. “... to heart.”
She quickly curtsied and turned away from him, and joined her sister Adeline across the drawing room. But Katrina could feel the angry penetrating stares of Eleanor Dawson and Mrs. Louisa Ashford, for they would consider her loose tongue a flirtation.
“Adeline, oh how I have longed to come to your side,” Katrina whispered to Adeline.
“Oh Ka
trina, I must confess, I do not remember dinner at all, I am in such a state.”
“It is quite understandable for you to be so. Seeing Mr. William Dawson; I am so very sorry that I was not near you during dinner. Did he say anything of consequence?”
“No, he was all politeness as always, though I was in great discomfort.”
“I saw the way he was looking at you, Adeline. He must still have feelings, though it is obvious his friends do not encourage the connection, or his friend.”
“I will be fine, Katrina. I just need to get through this night. Do not leave my side,” Adeline whispered.
“I shall not. I have had enough of defensive conversations to last me a lifetime, I must say.”
“If you please! My sister has prepared a lovely song!” Mr. Andrew Davis proclaimed.
All clapped and moved toward the pianoforte. Miss Willameena Davis smiled and took her seat. She played beautifully and perfectly. As she played Katrina looked around the room. Andrew smiled at her and raised his glass to her slightly. She smiled and nodded her head. Then she noticed Mr. Mason Byers looking at Andrew with such distain in his eyes. Katrina could not understand the look, for were the two not friends?
Willameena finished and all clapped.
“Now shall we hear another play?” Robert said.
“Yes, I have heard during my stay in Hertfordshire that Katrina Proctor is well played with quite the talent,” Eleanor Dawson said smugly.
Katrina felt a shock ripple through her at Eleanor Dawson’s words. She very much did not like performing in front of strangers at all. Still, the crowd cheered and clapped.
“Oh, my talents are grossly exaggerated, Miss Dawson. Nothing compared to your sister, for she plays exquisitely,” Katrina said.
“Oh come now, you are a beautiful player as I have heard myself,” Madame Douvaine said.
Katrina knew she was out of options and would make a scene if she refused again, therefore she gave Adeline a look and then moved to the pianoforte. She chose an easier and shorter song than what was in front of her and began to play and sing. Her concentration was on the notes and she would never have guessed that both Mr. Mason Byers and Andrew Davis stared at her with admiration.
An Alone and Destitute Girl (#3, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 8