‘But everyone rides in the country! This must be remedied immediately: we shall teach you!’
‘And how long with that take?’ asked Kitty, torn between amusement at her friend’s enthusiasm and alarm at the thought of joining Ann on one of her rides: she had heard Lord Harworth describe his sister as a bruising horsewoman, afraid of nothing.
‘Not long. I shall have my old pony saddled up for you tomorrow morning. You need not look so anxious, Kitty: you will not be expected to jump fences or anything dangerous—at least, not for the first few weeks.’ She twinkled mischievously. ‘I shall have my groom lead you around the stable yard each morning until you are at home in the saddle.’
‘That is very kind of you,’ said Kitty. ‘I confess I should like to ride with you in the mornings.’
‘I am sure you will pick it up very quickly,’ Ann reassured her. ‘Dapple is very steady, you will find her as comfortable as sitting on a sofa.’
‘Only considerably higher,’ laughed Kitty.
Thus, on the very next fine morning, Kitty donned the riding habit that Ann insisted she should borrow and went off for her first lesson. She was quick to learn, and two days later they progressed to the park. The groom led Kitty around the perimeter, complimenting her on her improvement and suggesting that they could now dispense with the leading rein.
‘Oh, not quite yet, if you please,’ begged Kitty.
‘Well, mebbe not, then, miss, seeing as someone is coming through the park. We don’t want Dapple takin’ off with ’ee.’
Kitty became aware of the sound of hoofbeats behind her and turned her head to see a rider cantering in the direction of the house. As he drew nearer she recognised Daniel Blackwood and her heart gave the now familiar little skip. He slowed and turned his horse towards them, raising his hat as he approached. She was a little disappointed that no flash of pleasure illuminated his countenance, nor did he look surprised to see her, but she thought it very likely that Lord Harworth had informed him that she was at Kirkleigh.
‘Good morning to you, Miss Wythenshawe.’
She nodded, smiling as his eyes ranged over the pony. She felt compelled to explain. ‘Miss Harworth tells me that everyone rides here so, as you see, I am learning!’
‘A very useful accomplishment,’ he said gravely.
Kitty continued to smile, inordinately pleased to see him again. She wanted to keep him with her, to begin a conversation, but he was smiling back at her now and her poor brain refused to work properly. Dapple shifted from one leg to another, unbalancing Kitty who clutched anxiously at the reins.
Daniel touched his hat.
‘I will leave you to your lesson,’ he said. ‘Lord Harworth is expecting me: no doubt I will see you at the house later?’
‘Yes, yes, I hope, I mean, I am sure—’
She broke off, covering her confusion by giving her attention to the mare who was objecting to having the reins twitched so nervously. With a nod, Daniel rode away.
‘Oh, how embarrassing that he should see me thus!’ she exclaimed, watching his retreating form.
‘Nay, it ain’t so bad,’ said the groom, grinning. ‘We all have to start like this. And if you’ll forgive me, miss, I’d say that you will make a good horsewoman, given time. You have a good seat, and good hands, when you ain’t distracted.’
‘Thank you, Selby.’ Kitty flushed, pleased with the compliment. ‘I really would like to be able to ride well.’
‘No reason why you shouldn’t, miss. Now, shall we try going round the park without the leading rein?’
The groom’s praise spurred Kitty to try even harder and she stayed so long in the park that breakfast was finished by the time she returned to the house and she was obliged to ask for a little bread and butter to be sent up to her room.
She found it difficult to settle to anything, knowing that Daniel was in the house.
‘You may not see him,’ she told herself. ‘It is such a large, rambling building, and he is closeted with Lord Harworth in his office on the lower floor. There is not the least reason why you should meet.’
Despite this she found herself taking extra time over changing her gown, deciding upon her sprigged muslin decorated with ivy leaves embroidered around the neck and sleeves. Norris suggested dressing her hair in a new style, catching it back with a bandeau and leaving just a few dusky curls to escape and frame her face. Kitty allowed herself to be persuaded, and as soon as the maid had worked her magic Kitty hurried down to join the other guests.
The new look immediately found favour with Ann, whom she found in the garden where the younger members of the party were playing at bowls.
‘I do wish my hair was fashionably dark and curled as yours does,’ sighed Ann, tucking her hand in Kitty’s arm and drawing her towards a table laden with lemonade, pastries and delicate little cakes. ‘And you have a delicious colour in your cheeks—your morning riding lessons are agreeing with you! Selby tells me you are making good progress.’
‘He thinks I will be good enough to ride out with you in the park soon.’
‘That is excellent news, because Mr Hamilton has a plan to ride over to Titchwell and take luncheon at the Star next week.’
‘That’s right,’ declared a lanky young man with a shock of yellow hair. ‘I thought we should make up a party and ride out for the day, if the weather holds.’
‘I can always follow in the barouche with Godmother and Lady Harworth,’ offered Kitty.
‘Oh, we are not intending to have Mama or Aunt Leaconham with us,’ said Ann quickly. ‘We shall have much more fun if we are on our own.’
‘We?’
Ann began to count on her fingers.
‘Well, me, you, and Garston of course. And Martin—that is, Mr Hamilton—plus Lizzie Camber and her brother George—those of us here now.’
‘Will your mama allow us to go alone?’ asked Miss Camber.
‘Of course,’ came the airy reply. ‘Titchwell is part of our estate: Mama knows we shall come to no harm.’
Kitty glanced doubtfully at the little group. She knew Elizabeth Camber was barely sixteen and her brother little more than a year older, and although Mr Martin Hamilton was several years older than herself, Kitty thought him rather immature. She watched him now as he teased Lizzie Camber and laughed immoderately at something Garston was saying to him.
‘You will of course be taking Selby?’
Ann wrinkled her nose.
‘Oh, no, he is far worse than Bertram, always criticising! We should not have a minute’s peace if we take him with us. No, this will be a party of pleasure. We shall be free to do as we wish for the day!’
‘Well, I am not sure I shall be able to ride well enough…’ began Kitty, but Ann stopped her.
‘Of course you will. You must not worry about that. We will all look after you, won’t we, Garston?’
‘You may be sure of it,’ declared Lord Leaconham, coming up. ‘A gentle ride and a good lunch, it will be a splendid day.’
‘Well, not too gentle a ride,’ put in Mr Hamilton, grinning. ‘George and I will want to try our horses over a few fences. But the ladies need not follow,’ he added hastily, when Ann hissed at him and glanced in Kitty’s direction. ‘We shall all please ourselves!’
Kitty could not be easy. She had thought that Lady Harworth would not allow them to ride out unaccompanied, but when they all met in the drawing room before dinner she was surprised to find that Lady Harworth had already given her permission.
‘Leaconham will be with them and I am sure the rest of us have no wish to drive out to Titchwell.’ She smiled around at the assembled group. ‘Young people have so much more energy, and they must be allowed to use it up. And after all, there are enough of them to look after each other.’
‘I cannot like it,’ opined Lady Leaconham. ‘I am not at all sure that Kitty should go, not without a maid to give her countenance.’
‘Oh, Aunt, none of the maids can ride,’ cried Ann. ‘And you know how ted
ious you would find it if you were obliged to come with us! We are only riding out to the Star. We will send ahead and have a luncheon prepared for us and when we have done we shall ride back.’
‘And we will not be obliged to leave Harworth land at any time,’ added Martin Hamilton. ‘It will be quite unexceptional.’
‘So you see, Letitia, there is nothing for us to worry ourselves over,’ said Lady Harworth, smiling serenely at her sister.
Kitty had to admit that none of the older occupants of the room looked keen to join the young people on their outing. Most of the other guests were considerably older than their hostess and liked to spend their afternoons reading or dozing in the morning room until the dinner hour. She wondered if Lizzie and George’s parents might object to their children riding off unattended, but when Kitty glanced in their direction she saw that they were both smiling and nodding benignly at Lady Harworth. Since they were both so corpulent that they took up a whole sofa each, Kitty had to stifle a giggle at the thought of either of them on horseback. She wondered if Lord Harworth might refuse his permission, but when their host did at last join them and Ann told him of the proposed expedition, he did no more than pat her arm and bid her enjoy herself.
‘I would come with you myself, but I am meeting Reverend Miller and the churchwardens that day: we are to discuss a new church roof.’
‘Poor Lord Harworth, he works so hard,’ gushed Mrs Camber, beaming at her host. ‘My dear sir, we have not seen you all day.’
‘Business, ma’am,’ returned Lord Harworth. ‘Out riding on the estate for most of the day. But it’s done now so I am free to enjoy myself. And we have an extra guest for dinner! I said I would ask him and Blackwood has agreed to join us. No need to trouble yourself, Mama, I saw Strutt on my way in and told him to lay another place at the table.’
Even as he finished speaking the door opened and Daniel entered. Lady Leaconham’s countenance tightened with disapproval, but Kitty observed that Lady Harworth was showing no concern and her son was cheerfully introducing Daniel to his other guests. She had to admit that there could be no fault found in Daniel’s appearance. His tight-fitting dark coat was beautifully made, not a wrinkle or a puckered seam in sight. His buff-coloured waistcoat and knee-breeches enhanced his athletic figure and the snowy froth of linen at his neck was immaculate. When he turned to greet her she could not resist asking him if he had been expecting the invitation to stay to dinner.
‘Lord Harworth usually asks me so I always come prepared with a change of clothes.’ He hesitated, as if he might move away, then he said, ‘You are looking very well, Miss Wythenshawe. The country air agrees with you.’
‘I think you are right, Blackwood,’ said Lord Harworth, overhearing his comment and coming up. ‘Plenty of fresh air and exercise, eh, miss? And m’sister tells me you are learning to ride, too!’
‘Yes, sir. Ann has kindly loaned me one of her riding ponies.’
‘Selby says she is an excellent student,’ said Ann. ‘We are making up a party to ride to Titchwell next Tuesday.’
‘After only a week’s tuition?’ said Daniel. ‘I am impressed.’
A smile tugged at Kitty’s mouth, responding to the gleam in his eyes.
‘Ann has promised me it will be a very easy ride. I shall not be expected to jump any fences.’
‘I am sure you will manage very well,’ he told her.
‘And if you are at the Star around noon on Tuesday, Mr Blackwood,’ put in Ann, ‘you will be able to see for yourself, for we are taking luncheon there. You might even join us…’
Lady Leaconham stepped up.
‘I have no doubt Mr Blackwood is far too busy to ride out on a whim.’ She took Kitty’s arm and led her away. ‘Mrs Camber was complimenting me upon your gown, my love,’ she murmured. ‘She was most impressed with the embroidery. If she asks you about it pray do not tell her that your mama made it herself!’
This reminder of her humble state effectively robbed Kitty of all power of conversation and she was thankful when they went through to the dining room, where the elegant settings and superb food commanded everyone’s admiration and attention.
Kitty found herself sitting between Mr Hamilton and Mr Camber. Since the former flirted with Ann for the duration of the meal and the latter devoted himself to his food, Kitty was left to enjoy her meal and her thoughts in peace. Daniel was too far away to converse with her, almost hidden from sight by a large silver epergne, but he seemed to be at ease. Whenever she looked at him he was engrossed in conversation with one or other of his neighbours. She was relieved. They, at least, did not seem to share her godmother’s reservations about his suitability as a dinner guest.
Kitty heard her name and looked up to find Lady Harworth was asking a number of questions of her sister about Kitty’s family and birth, all of which Lady Leaconham deftly turned aside. Kitty had to admire her tactics. She gave the impression that Kitty’s parents were very rich but eccentric, refusing to give their daughter the lavish presentation she deserved and hinting that such a come-out was unnecessary for someone of Kitty’s birth and fortune. It was subtly done and it satisfied her hostess, but it made Kitty uncomfortable, especially when she realised that Daniel was listening to the conversation, a sceptical look in his hard eyes.
What in hell’s name am I doing here? Daniel was beginning to wish he had not accepted his host’s invitation to stay for dinner. The knowledge that Kitty was at Kirkleigh had been gnawing away at him ever since Harworth had mentioned it. He had returned from London determined to forget Miss Kitty Wythenshawe. She had set her heart on marrying well, so let her get on with it. There were many girls far prettier: Miss Harworth, for example, with her generous figure and golden hair was generally acknowledged to be a beauty, but Daniel found his eyes drawn towards Kitty, with her dusky curls and expressive mouth and those deep green eyes that could darken and flash with anger.
When they had parted in London he had vowed he would never see her again: at the time it had seemed an easy promise to keep, since he was leaving Town. He had hoped that once he was home he would be able to forget her by throwing himself into his work, but he had not succeeded. She was always in his thoughts. It did not matter if he was surrounded by the deafening clatter of machinery in the mill, silently poring over the ledgers in the office or even riding over the moors, he found himself thinking of her, wondering what she was doing, if she was happy. Harworth had mentioned that she and Lady Leaconham were amongst his summer guests so he had not been surprised to see her in the park that morning, but he had been taken aback by his own soaring elation when he had ridden up and she had smiled at him with such obvious pleasure. She had looked very good sitting on the horse, too, the tight-fitting riding jacket accentuating her tiny waist and straight back. He smiled slightly, remembering her nervousness. That would go in time, of course. He had no doubt that she would be a good horsewoman. In his imagination he saw them riding out together over the moors in high summer, galloping along the paths lined with purple heather, the sky a vivid, unbroken expanse of blue…
Daniel caught himself up. What was he thinking of? That would only happen if she remained in the north—as Lady Harworth. He looked at his host, sitting at the head of the table. Harworth was sitting back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Kitty and a faint, satisfied smile on his face. A shiver rattled Daniel’s spine. Had he offered for her already? No, he thought not: Lady Leaconham was still fending off her sister’s questions about Miss Wythenshawe. If an offer had been made and accepted Daniel was certain Lady Leaconham would be looking much more complacent. But it was only a matter of time. He ground his teeth in frustration.
After dinner they gathered in the drawing room, where it was expected that the young ladies would each take their turn upon the pianoforte. He watched Ann drag Kitty forward, insisting that she should play. Daniel chose to stand at the edge of the room where he could watch her without being observed himself. As her fingers flew over the keys he was impressed. She played
well, due no doubt to a good teacher and a willingness to apply herself—he was well aware of the tussles between his mother and Bella when it came to music lessons! All too soon the performance was over and Ann bounced up, declaring that they had been practising a duet. It was not yet dark enough for candles but the summer evening was drawing to a close, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the drawing room and adding an extra radiance to the two young ladies seated together at the pianoforte.
‘Do they not make a beautiful picture?’ murmured Lord Harworth, coming to stand beside him. ‘Two fine girls, one so dark, the other fair: I would like to have their likeness captured, just as they are now. What do you say, Blackwood, they would look well hanging on the wall here, eh?’
‘Very well, my lord.’
‘Aye, I think so.’ Lord Harworth turned towards him, saying confidentially, ‘I am minded to offer for Miss Wythenshawe, you know.’ Daniel clenched his jaw, not trusting himself to speak. ‘I have been thinking for some time that I should settle down. There’s the title to think of, I need an heir, you see. And Miss Wythenshawe is a pretty little thing. Besides, my mother likes her.’
‘Does she?’
‘Oh, yes. Well, she’s her sister’s godchild, so we know she comes from a good family. It’s an anxious time,’ continued Lord Harworth, shaking his head. ‘Her godmother is very obliging, of course, but you said yourself the gel was above your touch: I only hope she doesn’t turn her nose up at a mere baron! Oh, bravo, ladies, bravo!’
A smattering of applause told them that the duet was ended and Harworth walked away, clapping loudly. A bank of heavy cloud had blotted out the sun, and there was a break in the entertainments as servants hurried in to light the candles. Daniel remained in the shadows. He wished the evening was over so he could take his leave, but to set out before the moon had risen would cause comment. He must endure this torture a little longer.
The room was settling again. Over by the piano he could see Kitty shaking her head, politely declining to play more and she moved away as Miss Harworth prepared to display her expertise at the harp. Daniel drew a sharp breath: she was coming towards him.
To Catch a Husband... Page 16