by Claudy Conn
“Of course, Grandmamma. Enjoy your day, and don’t keep our Kitty forever in a shop. Take her to the café for coffee and cake and a stroll in the park afterwards, or she will suffer the fidgets, and we can’t have that.” He turned and winked at Kitty. “I should be back by high tea.”
“Indeed, and don’t forget we have your escort tonight to the Tanner rout and the theatre tomorrow night,” his grandmother stuck in.
“Ah, how could I forget when you have reminded me this morning no less than three times?” The earl chuckled. Again he looked at Kitty. “Right, then … Kitty, you will enjoy the rout, but I think you will like the theatre even more.”
As he left them, he was aware that once again his grandmother was looking at him with an odd expression on her face. That worried him a bit. What was she thinking?
* * *
Minnie continued voicing her delight at Kitty’s first encounter with a ‘Pink of the Ton’ during the course of their shopping spree during the day. Finally, Kitty put up a hand to stop her, saying with a stifled sigh, “La! For goodness sake, I only showed his lordship a snuffbox. I didn’t even know very much about them.”
“Didn’t you? Well, one could not see that from your manner. You handled yourself with sangfroid and in such a delightful way.” Minnie clasped her hands happily and patted Kitty’s hand with a show of great affection. “Such a good girl.”
Kitty was astonished. She could not remember ever being called a good girl. A dear girl, a sweet girl … but a good girl?
They spent another quiet afternoon, and the earl did not, as he had said, return for afternoon tea with them. However, they were bombarded with some of Minnie’s closest and dearest friends, all curious to see who this Miss Kingsley was, as word had already gotten out that Petersham thought her a diamond of the first water.
As the last of the dowager’s friends left, she put a hand to her heart and said with a sprinkle of joy, “Ah, but my, the Princess Esterhazy found you a refreshing delight. Her words, child, her words.” Minnie clasped her hands. “You shall enjoy the rout this evening, and tomorrow we go to the theatre. Lovely … and Brandon is being so very obliging in the matter. I was astounded when he agreed to escort us to both the rout and the theatre.”
Kitty’s attention was surely caught. “Oh—a rout? I didn’t think that was something he would—”
The dowager cut her off. “Indeed. Quite right. I thought I was going to have to drag him to the Tanner rout and was even contemplating not asking him to this one so that he would feel obliged when I did ask him.” She raised a brow. “He surprised me saying he meant to do just that. Means to introduce you to the Beau, who is a particular friend of his, who will be there.” She eyed Kitty with a bright light in her faded eyes. “Said he would be pleased to escort us.”
“Did he?” Kitty felt breathless.
“Indeed, he says everyone is already talking about you, as Petersham sang your praises. He said that a few gentlemen at White’s asked about my new protégé. I am quite pleased, quite pleased indeed.”
Thus it was, armed with Lord Petersham’s generous praise, the earl’s bold presence, her own overnight popularity, and the dowager’s standing, they took to coach and bade Max take them to the Tanner rout.
Kitty was lovely in an evening gown of ivory chiffon embroidered with tiny pink roses with the veriest of green leaves scattered over the A-line of the gown. Her golden curls cascaded from the top of her head in bouncing ringlets to her mid-back. Adorning her forehead and ears were short wispy curls of gold, and the total picture was captivating.
“You are lovely” the earl murmured.
She looked up at him. “Then you approve?”
His voice was a husky assent. “Indeed. Quite lovely.”
“Just quite lovely?” she teased. “I was expecting at least … hmm, ravishing?”
“So you are,” he said softly. He flicked her nose, and they bantered with each other and the dowager during the short carriage ride to the Tanner townhouse.
A moment later, they were presented, and the dowager smiled approvingly to remark to him, “Look at her, Brandon. She is bouncing and bubbling into the hearts of the haute ton. I am quite proud of her.”
“Kitty is being just who she is. She could no more curb her enthusiasm for life than she could willfully stop breathing.”
It was evident to both the dowager and the earl that the beau monde found Kitty captivating and seemed intrigued by her antics. It was whispered that she was more than just another beauty. She had a carefree air that was most captivating, and this remark was picked up and made the rounds.
It was, however, Beau Brummell that sealed Kitty’s place at the pinnacle in the eyes of the ton. First Petersham, and then the Beau, who landed her the title, “The Incomparable.”
The Beau had attended the Tanner soiree simply because word had it that the Earl of Halloway’s ward would be there. He had been made curious by Petersham and belabored by the earl, who was a particular friend of his, to single her out and help him insure her Season.
The Beau, who had started the masculine style of dark colors, cutaway coats, and intricately tied cravats, stood looking at Kitty, who was across the room. At the moment she was being admired by a bevy of young gentlemen.
He took his time and appraised her style of dress; the low cut of her gown displayed her lovely charms without a hint of vulgarity. He approved. He then decided her hair was dressed perfectly for an ingénue without appearing missish.
The band of pearls around her slender neck was tasteful. The pearl drops at her ears perfect. And then, at that moment, Kitty turned to look at him directly, as though she felt his scrutiny. Her green eyes flickered and twinkled in response to his bold appraisal, and the Beau’s interest, which he believed had long ago been lost when it came to a pretty face, was piqued.
She had not, upon discovering his audacious scrutiny of her, looked away with a modest blush. Instead, she had given him ‘look for look’ and dared to smile at him.
To say he was intrigued was quite an understatement. He felt a flutter in his chest he had not felt in an age. He smiled back at her, and she inclined her head.
Damn, but he was going to cross the room and go directly to her. He sucked in a gulp of air, absolutely fascinated by Kitty Kingsley, and purposely ignored greetings from friends he passed until he reached her.
A stillness seemed to hang over the room. The young gentlemen surrounding her actually took a step back when they found Beau Brummell had arrived before them.
“Miss Kingsley,” the Beau said as soon as he had reached her. “May I take the privilege of friendship and secure your company for a moment … or two?” His voice was a drawl, as though he were bored with his request as soon as the words were uttered. It was as though he had no care for her answer.
Kitty laughed. “But, sir … I don’t even know who you are.”
A gasp exploded from the young men around her, and then a rush of good-natured chuckles, “But, Miss Kingsley, this is the Beau. Beau Brummell!” one of the gentlemen offered.
The Beau was not bored at all. He found himself momentarily enthralled by her directness and honesty. He bent his arm while the assembled company held their collective breath. Never had anyone seen the Beau single out a debutante. “And my friendship is with your guardian, Miss Kingsley, and hopefully, in the near future, with you.”
The ton watched, some openly, some from the corner of their eyes, all wondering how it was that the Beau seemed enchanted with the golden-haired ingénue.
Brummell had always been contemptuous of the society that had made him King of Fashion. He never gave them a thought as he strolled with Kitty to a quiet corner. He was aware of their stares and clearly thought it all absurd.
Kitty asked softly as she walked beside him, her gloved hand on his bent arm, “So then, you and the earl are friends. That is all very well, but tell me, is something wrong? Is my hem torn or something showing that should not?”
&n
bsp; Beau laughed and said in a louder voice than he was wont to use, “No, my dear. Your appearance is perfect.”
Princess Lieven was close enough to overhear, and the Beau watched as the princess dutifully scurried off to repeat what she had heard to Lady Jersey.
The Jersey was seen to listen and then pull a face.
“You are jealous. He has never said anything like to that to us,” the princess wailed.
The Beau heard this and smiled to himself as he continued to stroll with Kitty right past them with scarcely a nod.
Kitty’s brows drew together. “I don’t think they should stare. It is most impolite.”
“Most impolite, but they cannot help themselves,” Beau answered and then chuckled.
“Absurd.” Kitty dimpled and looked up at him with speaking eyes.
He felt his heart flutter. Her green eyes with their mischievous twinkle drew on something inside him he had thought long ago dead. He said, “You and I know better, don’t we, my dear. Fashion is absurd, for in the end what does it signify?”
“Precisely what I have been trying to tell everyone … although, I find I do like the look of a pretty gown.” Kitty’s mouth quirked.
“It is a mad town, but I think, Miss Kingsley, you will know just how to navigate through its bustle.”
“Shall I tell you a secret?” Kitty offered.
“I would be devastated if you didn’t,” Beau answered, absolutely fascinated with her.
“Before I came to London, I was wont to turn up my nose at fashion,” Kitty confided.
“Indeed?” The Beau, arbitrator of fashion, laughed right out loud. “Tell me more.”
“Yes. I found, more often than not, wearing boys’ britches, and riding about the countryside unchaperoned made me very, very happy.”
Beau was momentarily taken aback before the mirth escaped his lips. He continued to laugh for another moment without restraint until he was able to ask, “Tell me, Miss Kingsley, do you have brothers?”
“No, sir, I do not. Why do you ask?”
“Where then, did you get your britches?”
Kitty beamed up at him. “We do have shops, even in the wilds of the New Forest. I do so prefer riding astride to a ladies’ saddle, you see.”
He said affectionately, amazed that he felt this degree of fondness for the chit, “Shall I tell you a secret, Miss Kingsley?”
“Oh yes, it is only fair, after all.”
“And I can already tell that you play fair whenever you can,” he answered and touched her forehead. “This …” he said, withdrawing his finger from the slight pressure he had put there, to touch the region of his own heart, “and this are things that make a soul. Mind and heart. I trust that your new and dazzling finery will never outshine your soul, for you were gifted with beauty inside and out.”
“What a perfectly lovely thing to say,” Kitty answered and sighed. “Things do get all muddled up in town, and one does get caught up in it all, but you are quite right … one must never lose sight of what is important.”
“Just so,” he answered.
“And here I am … apparently selling myself to the highest bidder in this parade of debutantes. It is, I think, most demeaning.”
“Ah, but my dear, I already have your measure, and there is not an inch of you that could be demeaned in the beau monde. I daresay after tonight they will grovel at your feet.”
“Why do you say so?”
“Why, indeed,” he said, knowing that he had just made her the diamond of the first water and that everyone had been whispering she was. Everyone would want to be in her company to learn how she had fascinated the Beau for so long—he knew this and secretly laughed at the absurdity of it.
The earl arrived before them and stood grinning at the Beau as he inclined his head.
The Beau gave him an eye and said, “Ah, Brandon, I hope you don’t mean to steal Miss Kingsley away, for I warn you, I am loathe to let her go.”
* * *
The earl had been watching the Beau with Kitty and was thoroughly astonished. He had expected the Beau because of their friendship to do the pretty for a moment or two with Kitty and thus ensure her Season. She had, after all, everything a young debutante could want to draw attention to herself. She was a beauty. She had the dowager as her sponsor, she had a respectable dowry, and those were all she needed to make an impression on the ton.
However, the Beau appeared to be genuinely intrigued with his Kitty. She was now not only ensured a successful Season, she absolutely was going to be sought after by every eligible bachelor in London!
That should be something of a relief. It would extricate him from a situation he should not be in, but he found himself becoming territorial. He could think of no one, no one at all, that was good enough for his Kitty.
If he didn’t know that the Beau was madly in love with Lady Hester, he might even think that … but no, he did know where the Beau’s heart lay.
Kitty’s bright green eyes looked up into his, and she bubbled into a froth he wanted to dive right into. He found he couldn’t look away and only vaguely heard the Beau’s deprecating cough before the Beau told him, “I resent this intrusion.”
“Do you, my Beau? I am afraid that the dowager requires Kitty … Miss Kingsley to attend her.” He turned back to gaze into Kitty’s eyes and allowed himself a moment’s view of her luscious lips.
Kitty dimpled and said, “My lord,” and put her gloved hand onto the arm he extended her.
He slipped her hand through his arm instead and smiled warmly at her. “My Kitty.”
The Beau said, “Ah, a trump card, eh, Brandon? Very well, you may play it.” The Beau’s eyes glittered appreciatively as he turned to Kitty and inclined his head. “I feel moved to tell you, my dear, that I look forward to the next time we meet … with great anticipation.”
“Oh, so do I,” Kitty said at once, leaving the Beau chuckling as he strolled away.
The earl led her away, and Kitty said, “I like him—he has a wonderful mind. I can see why you like him, and he isn’t a dandy at all. I mean, he dresses beautifully and without any of the extremes the dandies adopt.” She beamed happily. “Yes, I’m glad he is your friend.”
“Indeed.” The earl grinned, thinking the Beau would be horrified to hear his name in the same sentence with the word dandy. “I have never been sure just why I am his friend.”
She laughed and clucked her tongue before she looked around and said, “You are not taking me to the dowager, for I saw her go off with her own set a few moments ago. I believe they are playing at cards.”
He laughed again, took her gloved fingers to his lips, and said, “No, not taking you to the dowager, because, my Kitty, I want my beautiful ward all to myself.”
* * *
Kitty felt the heat flourish through her body and burn her cheeks. He flirted so easily, so lightly. She was sure he didn’t mean the words he threw around so loosely, yet she wished that he did. She retreated and uncharacteristically lowered her lashes. “Instead of flattery, I would rather hear the truthful answer to my question.”
He lifted her chin and turned her face to his. “Truth? You doubt the veracity of my words?”
“I find they come too easily to be true.”
“And you don’t appreciate hearing pretty words?”
She pulled a face up at him. “Ha. What is its use? What good does it do but lead a poor green chit on … and why should a man do such a thing?” She clucked her tongue.
“I’d wager flattery would not lead you on,” the earl said, and she heard a note in his voice that made her heart thump faster than it already was.
“Well, I have been trying to make you see, I am not a green girl, at least not when it comes to matters of the heart.” She lowered her lashes and then blinked them saucily, but as her sense of fun got the better of her, she burst out laughing.
He chuckled and shook his head. “What you are is a minx! And, I am beginning to think, up to any and every rig.”<
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“Good. Then you needn’t look out for me,” she returned.
“Oh, but I do need to look out for you,” he said softly.
Kitty’s breath caught in her throat. He was going to kiss her. With all these people all around them, he was going to kiss her. However, she then saw the control he exerted over himself as he unbent and said, “Are you aware, my Kitty, what you do to a man with your eyes?”
“Ah, are we back to flattery?” She arched a look at him and waved a hand, dismissing this. “But tell me, what do I do, not to a man, but to you, with my eyes?”
“You are an outrageous but exciting breath of fresh air, naughty puss.”
“Don’t evade. What do I do to you with my eyes?”
“’Tis time for you to mingle with the ton.”
“Won’t you tell me? Or is it that I don’t do a thing to you, and you simply are … um … playing with me?”
“Kitty, love!” a voice called from not too far away.
Both heads turned, and Kitty saw Magdalen bearing down on them. She was vexed, for she had cornered the earl and wanted to hear his response. However, this was obviously not the time and the place. She needed the earl alone.
“Damn the fellow’s eyes!” the earl growled beside her.
“I thought he was your friend?” Kitty opened her eyes wide.
“Indeed, which makes him just the sort I wish was not yours!” the earl snapped.
Kitty giggled and put her hand out for Alex’s reaching fingers. Her took her gloved hand and swept her a wide bow. “Look at you. Zounds, woman! You are ravishing.”
The earl’s eyes raised heavenward, and Kitty, catching this, burst out laughing. “I have a notion,” she said in an aside to him as Alex began chattering at her, “that right now you wish you were anything but my guardian.”
“Right now,” the earl bent to whisper into her ear, “I can’t tell you what I wish, but you are right, you are quite right. I wish I were not your guardian.”
“And that is a good thing.” She smiled sweetly and nodded at Alex, who wanted to know if she were listening to him. “Because, I have been telling you from the start … you are not my guardian, not at all.”