by Amelia Grey
Her uncle’s words pricked her heart. He was her guardian, and he felt it was his duty to escort her to the parties each evening. She became tired of the endless weeks of parties, too. Katherine pressed her palm harder onto the handle of her cane as a huge attack of guilt for not having already settled on a husband mingled with her fervent desire to be alone so she could read the note. What if right now Adam was waiting for her in the garden?
“Tell me, have you spoken with Mr. Whittenfield tonight? I saw he was here.”
“Yes, earlier we had a chat, but…”
“But what? He’s young, suitable, and well-heeled. His brother has been generous with him. He’s not a gambler who gets in too deep, nor does he wallow in the bottom of his tankard.”
“Thank you for reassuring me on those points, Your Grace. And you forgot to add that he’s quite handsome, too. You’ll be happy to know I am considering him.” At this point, she probably had to consider every eligible bachelor. “But he seems exceedingly young to me.”
“He’s your age, is he not?”
“I believe so. Now if you don’t mind, I think I will go sit down for a while.”
The quadrille that had been going on ended, emptying the dance floor. Katherine saw Lord Rudyard looking her way. He smiled at her as he escorted a young lady back to her chaperone. Katherine wished she could feel longing for the viscount.
“Yes, you do that,” her uncle said. “I’ll find your aunt and see how much longer she wants to stay. If she’s ready, we’ll plan to escape from this ball shortly.”
Katherine had to read that note. She couldn’t leave now if the note was from Adam, asking her to meet him somewhere in the garden or one of the three terraces. To the duke she said, “All right, you find Aunt Lee and see what she is thinking.”
“Good evening again, Your Grace,” Viscount Rudyard said as he walked up to join them. “Miss Wright, I hope I’m not intruding on a private conversation.”
Katherine cringed.
“Not at all, my lord,” the duke said. “In fact, you have perfect timing. I was just going to speak to someone, so I’ll leave you to entertain my niece for a while, if you don’t mind. I think she may want to sit down. You don’t mind escorting her to a chair, do you?”
“Not all, Your Grace.”
Botheration, Katherine thought as her uncle walked away. Just when she’d thought she was going to get away from her uncle, the viscount arrives.
“Should we find a place to sit, Miss Wright? I’m sure your leg is bothering you. I think you’ve been standing all evening.”
She had been, but her leg was tired before she ever arrived at the ball. She had been practicing in her room standing and taking a few steps without her cane. It wasn’t easy, but with time, she knew she would get better at it.
“Perhaps in a moment,” she said, afraid that if she sat down with him, he would never leave her side so she could read her note. Time was passing and she was feeling anxious. “I’m really fine right now. His Grace worries too much about my comfort.”
“He only wants to care for you, as do I,” he added softly.
“That’s very kind of you both, but I’m beginning to believe I am stronger than anyone thinks.”
“You don’t need to be strong. You need a husband to be strong for you. Now, I was wondering if I might be fortunate enough to have you agree to another ride in the park with me tomorrow afternoon or perhaps another day if it would be better.”
“That’s very kind of you, my lord, but I’m not certain of my schedule for the week.”
The viscount’s smile faded. “I understand.”
Katherine looked at her uncle’s retreating back and remembered her promise to him to settle on a husband. The one man she wanted, didn’t want to get married.
“But no matter my schedule, my lord,” Katherine added quickly. “Perhaps you can come over one afternoon and we’ll have tea in Uncle Quillsbury’s garden. May I send a note around to you tomorrow about a day and time?”
His eyes brightened again. “That would be lovely, Miss Wright. I would be pleased to accept.”
“Good.”
He took a step closer to her. “You know, I saw you watching me on the dance floor. I’m sure it bothers you when I dance with other young ladies, and I want you to know that I will not dance with any of them again once you have made a commitment to me.”
“What?” Katherine hadn’t been watching just him. She’d been looking at everyone and mostly at their feet. “Why would you do that? Lord Rudyard, I don’t care if you dance with other young ladies. I wouldn’t even if we were engaged or married. I can’t dance, but I enjoy watching others have fun doing it. So no, I certainly wouldn’t want you to not dance because of me.”
“If you are sure.”
“I am,” she said, suddenly eager for him to be gone. “Now, would you be so kind as to get me a cup of punch?”
He looked at the champagne glass she held in her hand, and so did she.
“I’m afraid this has gotten warm,” she added.
“Then let me take it away.”
Katherine gripped the glass tighter. If she gave it to him, he would see the note in her hand; and though she was sure he wouldn’t ask her what it was, she didn’t want him to know she had it.
“I’d like to hold on to it until you return, if you don’t mind.”
He looked at her oddly, so she smiled and said, “That way no one else will approach me offering to get a drink for me.”
That seemed to satisfy him. “I shall return shortly.”
“Not too shortly, I hope,” she murmured as soon as he was gone.
She couldn’t hold her cane and the champagne and open her note all at the same time. She looked behind her for the nearest table or server so she could get rid of the glass and open the message. Neither was close by, but she did see a large urn of flowers sitting on the floor directly behind her. Maybe she could fit the glass among the flowers and have her note read and safely tucked down the sleeve of one of her gloves before the viscount returned.
With the glass teetering on the edge of the urn, Katherine had just started to open the note when she heard her name called. “Heavens to glory,” she whispered, and crumpled the note in her fist once again. She turned and saw Madeline, Penny, and Melba hurrying her way. She had to be careful. While she didn’t think that Lord Rudyard would inquire about the note in her hand, she was certain her friends would have no qualms about doing so if they saw it.
Angels above! Was she ever going to be able to be alone and read what the note said?
“Good evening again, ladies,” she said in a lighter voice than she was feeling.
“Guess what we heard?” Penny said, resting her hands on her hips.
“You’ll never guess,” Melba added, shaking her head.
“No, she won’t,” Madeline agreed. “So I’ll tell her. We heard that the Earl of Greyhawke has an heir and he is living with him.”
Master Dixon.
“There is always an heir to the title, isn’t there?” Katherine asked, choosing her words carefully as she wadded the note into her palm.
“Yes, but the heir is usually the title’s son,” Penny said. “This boy is not His Lordship’s child.”
“Or so we were told,” Melba said, her words dripping with skepticism. “I find it very—let’s just say that it’s very interesting that the child is living with him.”
“Who told you all this?” Katherine asked.
“Oh, we have it on quite good authority,” Madeline offered.
“It was Lady Littlehaven who told us,” Melba admitted without hesitation. “Her husband is a member of the Heirs’ Club. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Anyway, Lord Greyhawke applied for membership there a week or so ago. He had to add the child’s name as the heir to the title. He told them the boy lived with him.”
“She also said this is the reason he isn’t coming to the parties. He already has an heir,” Penny said, and then frowned. �
��He didn’t come to London to make a match.”
“That is disappointing news for those of us who would have liked to see him on the marriage mart,” Madeline commented.
“It is,” Katherine agreed, knowing she would very much like him to be looking for a wife. “Very disappointing for all of us, but, Penny, I saw you with Mr. Underwood tonight. Was he affectionate to you?”
Penny gave her a radiant smile. “He sought me out,” she said, cooling herself with a hand-painted fan. “And he told me I look divine in this shade of pale green. Did you see us dancing? He is very light on his feet and quick with his wit as well.”
“Good evening once again, ladies,” Viscount Rudyard said as he joined them.
Katherine saw the cup of punch in the viscount’s hand and froze. What was she going to do? If she opened her hand and took it from him, everyone would see she held a note. That wouldn’t do.
While her friends and Lord Rudyard greeted each other, Katherine adjusted the paper downward and held it tightly against her palm with her last two fingers. With her other two fingers and thumb, she safely grabbed hold of the cup when Lord Rudyard extended it to her and managed to hold on to both without dropping either one.
Now her objective was to get away from the viscount and her friends as fast as she could, but moments turned into minutes and time slowly ticked by. No one made a move to leave. It was maddening to know she had a note, which she assumed was from Lord Greyhawke, and she couldn’t get a moment alone to read it for her gabby friends.
Since they wouldn’t leave, Katherine was going to have to. With the possibility of Lord Greyhawke waiting outside for her, she simply couldn’t wait any longer.
“My lord, ladies, would you excuse me? Uncle Quillsbury was looking for Aunt Leola earlier. I need to see if I can help him find her.”
“I’ll go with you,” Penny said.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Katherine said with a generous smile. “I need no help. You stand right here and talk to Lord Rudyard. I’m sure he enjoys being surrounded by so many beautiful ladies, don’t you, my lord?”
“Ah, well, yes, of course,” he answered. “Of course.”
“Good. I’ll see all of you a little later in the evening.” And with that, Katherine turned and started walking away before anyone could say more and detain her further. She’d had enough of everyone delaying her. She had to know what the note said.
Katherine placed the punch on the first table she passed and then hurried behind one of the massive columns and leaned against it. She inhaled a deep breath and opened her palm. Alone at last, she thought with a smile. She placed her cane between her legs and started unfolding the note.
“What are you doing, Katherine?” Aunt Leola said, appearing out of nowhere.
Startled, Katherine glanced up, wincing inside.
“Here, let me help you with that. Take hold of your cane. You’re going to end up falling again if you aren’t careful.”
Before Katherine could react, her aunt reached for the paper.
Katherine snatched it up to her bosom. “No.” She swallowed hard and in a softer tone said, “I mean, I’m perfectly capable of opening a simple note, Aunt Lee.”
“Of course you are, dearest. But why should you be bothered when I can do it for you? That way you can use your cane as it’s supposed to be used. Now, don’t be a silly goose. Let me help you.” She slipped the small piece of vellum from Katherine’s clutched hand and started unfolding it.
Katherine’s breaths turned fast and choppy, and she felt light-headed. Her aunt was going to know that the earl was trying to make an assignation with her.
Aunt Leola’s eyes narrowed as she strained to read the note in the dim light. Katherine thought she might faint before she heard her aunt say: “‘Bring items to the Potts Orphanage at half-past three tomorrow afternoon. Same room as before.’ It’s not signed. But of course there was no need when you know who gave you the note as a reminder about the orphanage.”
Katherine let out a small gasp. Relief made her limbs weak.
“That’s all it says?” she asked breathlessly, thinking surely there must be more.
Her aunt turned it over and looked on the back. “It appears so.” She handed the note back to Katherine.
The earl was very clever to not sign his name. He must have known there was a possibility the note would be intercepted by someone other than her. His comment was simple and written so only she would understand its meaning.
“Did you forget to take some of the things you had collected with you when you went to the orphanage a couple of days ago?”
“There’s more for me to take,” she said. “I’ll take care of it tomorrow, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course. I’m just sorry you forgot some of it and have to go again. It’s got to be a nuisance. If you aren’t up to it, I’ll take care of it for you, my dear.”
“Auntie, please. There is nothing wrong with me.” She stopped, took a deep breath, and smiled sweetly. “There hasn’t been for several years now. I am perfectly fine and more than capable of doing everything for myself, if you will only let me.”
She gave Katherine a curious look. “I do.”
“When you brought me my toast in bed, you put the butter and jam on it for me.”
“So?” she asked, seeming completely bewildered by Katherine’s comment. “Oh, all right. But you know I don’t mind helping those poor orphans any more than you do. I think it’s a wonderful act of kindness what you and the Tea Society ladies do for them each week, and I wanted to do my part.”
The steam popped out of Katherine’s argument. Her aunt couldn’t bring herself to say “Wilted Tea Society.” “Thank you, Auntie, and I do believe they appreciate your efforts, too.”
“Will you be meeting any of the other ladies there tomorrow?”
“I don’t think so,” she added, and felt a little guilty at the near prevarication. “I think Uncle Quillsbury is ready to go and so am I. Are you?”
Her aunt smiled. “That’s the reason I was looking for you. It’s time for us to go.”
With her good leg, Katherine pushed away from the column. Though there was sweet relief at not getting caught with a note from Lord Greyhawke asking for a rendezvous, there was also acute disappointment that the earl wasn’t waiting outside to dance with her.
Chapter 21
The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.
—All’s Well That Ends Well, act 4, scene 3
Adam strode through the front door, taking off his hat. He laid it, and the package he held, on the side table in the vestibule. It had taken much too long at the apothecary’s shop, but it was a job that had to be done. He’d promised Dixon that he’d do his best to find Mrs. Bernewelt a different ointment for her hands, and he’d failed to make any effort to get that done until today.
Who would have known that there were so many different concoctions available to help one’s aches and pains? And none of them smelled like flowers. The man had Adam sniffing so many different ointments, liniments, and salves that his stomach started roiling in protest. He finally had to leave it up to the shopkeeper to pick the one with the least foul scent.
It was really a small thing to do for a little boy who’d lost his parents and was suddenly thrust into a household with a stranger and his large dog, who until recently had scared the daylights out of Dixon. Adam was happy that ever since Dixon had given Pharaoh a bite of his sweet cake in the park that day, he hadn’t seemed frightened by the Pyrenees anymore. And Adam hoped the new ointment would help Mrs. Bernewelt as well as make it easier for Dixon to endure when she was close. If not, there were certainly plenty more for them to try.
“Good afternoon, my lord,” Clark said, coming up to him. “Let me help you with your cloak.”
“I have it,” Adam said, swinging the heavy woolen cover off his shoulders. Pharaoh came running up to him, seeking attention. Adam reached down and gave the Pyrenees a
couple of generous pats on his back, then rubbed his head a few times. “No, Clark,” Adam said when his butler reached for his hat. “No need to put my things away. I’m on my way back out again.”
“But you have—”
“Whatever it is,” Adam interrupted him, “I’ll deal with it later. I only stopped by because I wanted to bring you this.” He picked up the small package and handed it to Clark. “This is an ointment for Mrs. Bernewelt’s hands.”
The man looked puzzled but said, “I’ll be sure she gets it.”
Adam saw the blank expression on Clark’s face and knew further explanation was needed. “She’s not expecting it. You’ll have to tell her it’s from an apothecary and it will help ease the pain in her finger joints, but it doesn’t have the foul odor of what she’s using now. She should try this and let you know how it works. I certainly don’t want her using it if it doesn’t work as well.”
Clark’s brows rose. “You want me to tell her all that, my lord?”
Adam picked up his hat and cloak. “It matters not to me whether you tell her or if you give the message and package to the housekeeper and have her handle it. Just see to it that she gets it and that she uses it. I’d like a report back on how it’s working for her.”
“Yes, Your Lordship, consider it done. But I must tell you before you rush out again that Lord Thornwick is waiting for you in the book room. He asked to stay and await your return. I hope that was all right?”
Harrison?
“Of course it’s all right,” he said, handing his cloak and hat to Clark. “I’ll go see what he wants.”
Adam looked over at the tall clock standing in the corner by the door while he took off his gloves. He didn’t have much time before he had to meet with Katherine. He didn’t want to be late. If he wasn’t already there when she arrived, he was afraid she might not wait for him. The server last night had assured him that the note had been successfully delivered to the right young lady. Adam hoped that was true. If it was, he had no doubt Katherine had the courage and cleverness to find a way to return to the orphanage.