by Jerri Hines
“And if I have no desire to be married off?” Cathryn countered.
“Ah, you’re going to break Grandmamma’s heart if she isn’t allowed to match make with you, Cathryn,” he teased. “She has talked of nothing else for the last year after my sisters were married, mind you. Besides, it takes her mind off of me.”
She laughed and found she could never take Reggie too seriously. But she took his warning in earnest about Grandmamma’s desire to marry her off, for she realized that her grandmother’s aspirations for her were different from her own. She never mentioned her lieutenant to her grandmother as a suitor, not yet at least. She would be patient.
She had written her father numerous letters, but had only received one back. One he wrote before he had known she had arrived safely. Communication took a great deal of time which frustrated her to no end, but she had been so busy with all the fittings that needed to be accomplished before she could be introduced. Even though the season had already begun, her grandmother didn’t see the sense in holding Cathryn back. She was certain she would be a success.
Her grandmother had cautioned her only about being too familiar with the servants, but her grandmother took well to little Mary as her companion. It had been decided that Mary would move in with Cathryn when Mrs. Peterson left next month. Her grandparents had even had the Montgomerys over for dinner to thank them for looking after her.
Cathryn had only slipped once concerning her Lieutenant Pennington. It happened while going over the guest list for the ball…unfortunately it had been in front of Reggie.
“I know no one you have mentioned, Grandmamma. Of course, it would be surprising if I did. I have only ridden in the Park with Reggie. And to be honest I can’t remember half the names that he has introduced me to,” Cathryn rambled on. “But, Grandmamma, we have thanked the Montgomerys for escorting me across the ocean, but there was another, a lieutenant who did Father a favor by looking after me. Do you suppose he can be asked to the ball?”
“It depends upon who he is, child,” she answered simply, looking up from her list. “He may be on the list already, but if his family…”
Cathryn sighed. She hadn’t thought of that. He had said he had attended social events so she had just assumed. Reggie caught her face.
“Tell us, cousin, what is the fellow’s name?” he said with a laugh. “I’m interested in whom this young man is that you feel you owe him a personal thank you.”
Cathryn wished she had never mentioned it in front of Reggie. She shot him a hard look. “I mention it only because Father asked him as a personal favor. I’m merely trying to show appreciation toward the favor he extended my father, Reggie. Do you know a Lieutenant Jake Pennington?”
Reggie sat back in his chair with a smug smile. “I believe I know the fellow. He went to school with your cousin, Lord Edmund Lyttleton. Didn’t he?”
Cathryn shrugged in a nonchalant manner. She didn’t want to say she knew he had. Then it would tell them both she knew him better than she pretended. “I wouldn’t know, Reggie. How would you know?”
“For I went to school with both.” Reggie laughed. “Do you find it funny that I went to school, cousin? I know at times it may seem that I lack intelligence, but it is just a front. Isn’t it, Grandmamma?”
“Stop your teasing, Reggie. Will it be appropriate to invite this lieutenant to the ball?” Grandmamma asked, giving her grandson a stern look.
“Of course, it will be. You can put my dear cousin’s mind to rest that she can thank him in person if she chooses. Is that what you want, Cathryn?”
If she had had anything in her hand, she would have thrown it at him. Grandmamma or not. He sat back with a half-cocked, knowing grin on his face, but she had what she wanted.
Jake wouldn’t dare refuse the invitation. At least, she would hope he wanted to see her.
Afterwards, Cathryn avoided her cousin. She refused to let Reggie ruin her moment. It was not until she was readying for the grand night did she see him again. Tacy had her twisting and turning in the mirror, making sure her gown had the desired effect. She had not noticed him until she looked up to find him smiling in the doorway.
“I’m sure Lieutenant Pennington will find you enchanting,” Reggie said.
“Lieutenant Pennington is coming?” Tacy questioned. “Do you think that wise, Miss?”
Cathryn could have slapped Tacy. She had not wanted Reggie to suspect she had an alternative motive this night. “It’s not what you think, Reggie. Please don’t act like it is. You will make him feel uncomfortable.”
Reggie laughed. “Well, it won’t be a boring ball. That I can assure you. Obviously you don’t know that Jake and Lyttleton aren’t the best of friends.”
“And why would that be a problem?” Cathryn said, aggravated. “I’m sure there will be numerous people here that don’t like each other.”
“Not like those two and especially if they are after the same thing,” Reggie countered.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Cathryn stepped off her perch. Tacy followed, for Cathryn wasn’t tied all the way up the back of her dress.
“Well, I’m not certain if I should say, since you are just thanking him as a favor to your father.”
“Come, Mr. Reginald, if you know what is good for you. You have never seen my lady here lose her temper. Come clean, please, so I can get my work done,” Tacy said.
“So you do like Jake?”
“Of course, she does,” Tacy answered, irritated. “Have you seen him? Handsome and all. On a ship for a month. Who could blame the poor girl? But if you tell a soul, I’ll make sure you never give your mother grandchildren. Do you understand?”
“Oh, you don’t have to threaten me, Tacy.” Reggie chuckled. “I like Jake, but I’m not sure if it would ever work out, dear cousin.”
“Why not? Not to say I’m interested, but if I was,” Cathryn asked, feeling like slapping both of them now. She felt she was surrounded by imbeciles.
“Honestly, Cathryn,” Reggie said. His voice changed to a more serious tone. “Grandfather would never agree to such. I’m afraid your family is a bunch of snobs, my dear girl. Total full-fledged English nobility snobs. You have to take pride in your lineage. Jake is in line on becoming a simple squire. With your lineage, Grandmamma is aiming for a duke or at the very least an earl. In which, I fear that Lyttleton has a step over Jake.”
“My father doesn’t care who I marry. He only wants me happy, Reggie,” Cathryn protested. “He would have let me marry in Charles Town if I wanted.”
Reggie clutched his heart. “Pray be he didn’t, because it would have killed Grandmamma.”
“Besides, I have never even heard of this Lord Lyttleton. Father never mentioned him,” Cathryn argued.
“Ah, family feuds, my dear, but your father must have chosen to leave it in the past or he wouldn’t have sent you across the pond. You must know money begets money. It’s better to keep it all in the family so to speak. Makes everything so tidy.”
“I can assure you I will never marry this…this Lord Lyttleton. Father doesn’t care if I marry or not. I told him before I came I wasn’t marrying anyone. He told me to give it a year. That is all. I won’t be forced into anything, Reggie. I will simply go home.”
Reggie’s eyebrow rose slightly as if he didn’t believe her, but he nodded. “I wish you only the best, Cousin, but I can assure you it won’t be tediously dull this night. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Why don’t you just get on, Mr. Reginald? Now, Miss Cathryn needs to get ready and won’t be if you keep aggravating her.”
Cathryn pushed aside Reggie’s conversation. She would not let him torment her this night. She knew her father far better than he. No, this was going to be a glorious night. Jake would come.
A sound interrupted her thoughts. She turned from the window. She heard it again. Her name. It was time.
* * * *
Cathryn’s fear that her ball would be an utter failure dissipated
. From where she stood at the top of the staircase, she was almost overwhelmed. She had seen carriages lining the street outside the townhouse. Now she saw the occupants. Women dressed magnificently; handsomely groomed men arrived for an evening of music, dancing and wine. She drew in a deep breath. It was going to be wondrous night.
The moon shone down on the festivities, giving it a romantic glow. Melodies of the orchestra cascaded through the open windows. The hall was beautifully decorated with every blooming plant imaginable. Countless candles lit the whole of the house with a radiance.
Cathryn placed her hand on her grandfather’s arm and descended the stairs. The night before, she had made her official entry into London society with her presentation at Court. Tonight…tonight was hers.
She stepped lightly, holding her head up with a small smile on her lips. Her only frustration lay with the inability to look into the crowd for Jake. Patience. Before the night was over, she would once more see his face.
Her heart fluttered with anticipation. It was her last thought before she was swept onto the dance floor. When the music ended, her grandfather led her to Grandmamma’s side. Only then did Cathryn discover how much the English insistence on etiquette perplexed her.
She was given no freedom to roam the ballroom. She had to stay by Grandmamma’s side until she was introduced to someone her Grandmamma felt acceptable. Cathryn ascertained quickly few were held suitable. Oh, how was she ever to find Jake!
She caught sight of Reggie. She wanted nothing more than for him to offer to dance with her. Then she could escape, but he only gave her that obnoxious grin of his and a nod.
She glanced over in that direction to see a man cutting through the crowd. He was slightly built and of medium height, but he carried himself with an air of consequence. He bowed his head slightly as he walked up to her and Grandmamma. He didn’t look her way, talking instead to her Grandmamma, who seemed greatly pleased with his appearance.
His features were stern, his coloring rather pale. He turned his head slightly and looked over at her in what she considered a quite pompous manner. His fine gray eyes were not sufficiently arresting nor did they show any emotion.
Cathryn’s stomach knotted when she realized that this was the man Reggie had spoken about to her. In the far reaches of her mind, she heard her grandmother’s formal introduction.
“Lord Edmund, Viscount of Lyttleton, my granddaughter, Miss Cathryn Blankenship.”
Cathryn gave a small curtsy. Her heart sank as he extended his arm. She had no desire to dance with the man, but neither did she have a choice. With every step the music took her away from him, she tried to glance around the dance floor.
One grim look from Lord Lyttleton told her that her actions irritated him. She prayed the music ended quickly. Her own irritation swelled. How could she ever look for Jake with this man by her side?
The music faded to an end. Thankful, Cathryn gave a sigh of relief; she hoped Lord Lyttleton hadn’t noticed. She expected to be escorted back to Grandmamma. She started back. Instead, he gave her pause.
“Please allow me a moment of your time, Miss Blankenship. I would like to make your acquaintance with my father.”
“I look forward to meeting him, Lord Lyttleton, but I would like to return to Grandmamma…”
His gripped tightened on her elbow. Stunned, her eyes widened.
“Miss Blankenship, I take it you haven’t had time to learn polite etiquette during your stay here in England.”
Her eyes began to flare upon the utterance. The arrogance! She tried to release her grip upon her partner. “I believe I’m done, sir! Pray let go of me.”
“Calm yourself or you will make a scene. My father is waiting.”
“My lord, I believe I can make up my mind about what I want to do. If it was so important to meet me, I’m certain you could have done so before now. I’m assuming that you’re my cousin. I have been here for a month and have received no call,” Cathryn retorted.
A sudden smile emerged on his face, but it gave her no comfort. He led her briskly through the crowd to a man who had stood within a group of other gentlemen on the far end of the ballroom.
Lord Henry, the Earl of Hestershire, immediately broke away from his friends. The older gentleman was a short man, only a little taller than Cathryn, and walked with a slight limp. He greeted her with a warm smile and a quick kiss upon her cheek. His friendliness calmed her temper ever so slightly as she curtsied.
“My dear cousin. I hadn’t expected one so beautiful,” he complimented her. “Cathryn, such a pretty name. How is your father? We must catch up at some point tonight, perhaps at dinner. Has Edmund asked to escort you?”
Cathryn caught her breath. She didn’t have an immediate response. Lord Hestershire exchanged looks with his son. “Ah, son. Don’t waste your opportunity.”
“I would not want to be a burden upon Lord Lyttleton,” she said, glancing over at where the man stood. He frowned and stared daggers at her. She laughed to herself. He hadn’t liked being pressured into the situation any more than she had. She couldn’t resist taunting the man. “Ah, he does look quite unhappy with the prospective of having me as a dinner partner. It has been a pleasure to meet you, Lord Hestershire. Please call upon me. I would love to hear more of my father’s family. Now, pray excuse me. I promised Reggie my next dance.”
Cathryn excused herself and edged away…far from the impudent Lord Lyttleton before he could protest. Unfortunately, she found herself being swept onto the dance floor. Oh, Heavens, however am I going to make my way across the dance floor!
Suddenly, she found herself face to face with the most amused young gentleman, quite handsome indeed. Tall, lean and broad shouldered, he seemed to be the persona of Apollo, one of the Greek Gods she had read about in her books. Exceedingly fair with the bluest of eyes, there was recklessness in his face with a slight hint of humor in his mouth.
“Ah, you look as though you are in need of a dance partner.” He bowed in bold fashion. “I believe I can be of service.”
Cathryn laughed in spite of herself. “I’m sorry, but I need to get back to Grandmamma. She expects everyone to be introduced through her.”
“I’m certain she will excuse you one slip of etiquette, Miss Blankenship.”
“You know my name?”
“But of course. It is your ball. Is it not?” He grinned. “Lord Philip, the Marquis of Tinsley, at your service. See, we are introduced.”
To her surprise, he led her to the middle of the dance floor. She had no time to protest the move before she found herself enjoying what only moments before seemed so tedious.
“I understand you have just arrived from the Colonies,” he said.
“South Carolina, Charles Town.”
“That is the strangest thing. For my best friend has just returned from the Colonies also.” He grinned. “You wouldn’t know him? Lieutenant Pennington, Jake Pennington.”
Cathryn almost stopped mid-dance. Her eyes lit with hope with the mention of his name. “Do you know him, my lord?”
“He is my bestest of friends.” He laughed. “Ah, the reaction I thought I would get. He had the hardest time deciding whether to come tonight or fend off.”
Her face dropped. “He didn’t come?”
“Oh, he is here,” Philip said. His hand took hers, catching her on a misstep. Her mind was all befuddled being informed of Jake’s presence. “If I didn’t know better I would have my feelings hurt. You realize that Jake is the all honor and duty sort. If you want to have fun, you could do better.”
Cathryn had no response, for the next moment she saw him. He had not changed, standing so handsome in his uniform. Separation had only intensified the pounding of her heart at the sight of the man she loved.
She didn’t even realize that Philip had exchanged his hold with his friend. Time stood still. For a brief moment, she looked upon Jake with a dazed expression. Her eyes fixed upon his and his upon hers. In the next instance, he swept her up into
his hold. She could not breathe for fear he would disappear.
“I was scared you would not come.”
“I shouldn’t have, Cathryn,” he said, but his eyes told a different story. “It is good to see you.”
“I have missed you so dreadfully, Jake, but I’m so happy you are here. It makes the night perfect.”
He smiled down at her and whispered for her ears only, “You look absolutely breathtaking.”
His eyes reflected his joy and her heart sang. All was right with the world. She had her Jake back in her life…all else forgotten, except his presence, his being. Happiness filled her while the music played. Then the music stopped. Jake slowed his steps. She reached for his hand.
“Don’t leave me,” she pleaded with him. His hold tightened on her hand, but the world around them awoke. Cathryn suddenly found Reggie by her side, ushering her away from her lieutenant.
“Jake, old boy. You don’t mind if I dance with my cousin. Afraid a necessary evil at the moment,” Reggie said, not giving Jake a chance to reply. Reggie guided a reluctant Cathryn away from her lieutenant as the music began again. “Oh, dear cousin, I knew the night wouldn’t be boring. You have already caused a stir.”
“Pray, what do you mean, Reggie? What have I done?”
“To begin with you gave Lyttleton dagger looks as you danced with him, and with lover boy over there you might as well have worn your heart on your sleeve,” Reggie stated. “It won’t do at all, Cathryn. You need to learn to conceal your feelings outwardly. You will do so much better in this family, I can assure you.”
“My father wouldn’t…”
“I know. He only wants you happy, but he isn’t here, my dear girl. I’m only trying to help you.” Reggie winked at her. “Trust me. Now be a good girl. Dance with everyone. I would, also, recommend going to supper with Lyttleton. Oh, I know, already you have put him in his place, but it is expected. If you’re a good girl, I’ll make sure you have time with lover boy.”
“Are you being upfront with me, cousin, because if you are not…”
He leaned his head down to her ear. “Ah, the famous temper I have yet to see. Oh, your Tacy has warned me incessantly not to get on your bad side.”