by Gail Mallin
Alicia felt a tiny flicker of alarm mingling with her satisfaction as she thanked Lady Massey for her compliments. Kitty had a great deal of self-confidence for a girl of her age and, scorning the coy submissiveness currently in vogue, made no attempt to hide her intelligence or her opinions.
‘She’s a beauty too. You are going to be kept very busy, Alicia, if I’m not mistaken. But you’ll make time to bring her to our rout, eh?’
Pride overcame Alicia’s anxiety and she assented to the influential old lady’s demand with a happy smile.
Lady Massey moved away and Alicia surveyed the impromptu dance floor, which Mrs Legh had created by the simple expedient of removing most of the furniture from her second drawing room. The carpet had been taken up and the oak boards polished to a high shine while small groups of chairs had been set out at intervals around the edges of the room to enable watchful mamas to keep an eye on their darlings.
A cotillion was drawing to a close and she watched Kitty’s graceful figure with satisfaction. The child danced beautifully, an opinion she was sure Tom Egerton, her current partner, shared. One of the most notable young bachelors in Cheshire, he had made haste to obtain an introduction the minute he had clapped eyes on her goddaughter and had managed to secure two dances before her card was filled.
A smattering of applause accompanied the end of the set and the dancers began to leave the floor. Tom’s auburn head bent close to Kitty’s and Alicia felt sure that he was asking her for another dance. For a moment gratification outweighed all other considerations and then a frisson of apprehension penetrated her haze of delight.
Had Kitty’s Mama warned her of the impropriety of bestowing more than two dances on any gentleman? Even at a small private party like this a girl who did so would be considered fast. Perhaps the unwritten rules of polite behaviour were different in America? She should have thought to check!
To her relief she saw the sable curls shake in refusal and they began to thread their way back towards her. Tom’s expression showed his disappointment, but by the time they reached her little gilt chair he was smiling again and laughing at something Kitty had just said.
‘Thank you, Lady Edgeworth, for inviting your goddaughter to stay with you,’ he remarked enthusiastically. ‘And thank you, Miss Nixon.’ He made an extravagant bow. ‘I have never enjoyed a dance more.’
Kate responded with a curtsey, glad of the chance to drop her gaze and hide her amusement at his boyish raptures. Although her own age, he reminded her of an overgrown puppy, all bounce and enthusiasm, but she had no wish to hurt his feelings.
Somewhat to her surprise, Alicia did not encourage him to linger.
‘He is a very personable young man, but I would be failing in my duty to your Mama if I allowed him to make you an object of gossip,’ she murmured in explanation when Tom went off to rejoin his parents on the other side of the room.
There was a lull in the dancing and Alicia seized the opportunity to introduce Kate to more of the company. Trying to remember each new name Kate could feel a headache coming on. Her face ached from smiling and her throat was dry. She was tired of trying to sparkle and she couldn’t help wishing that the rooms were not so hot nor filled with the overpowering odours of perspiration, candle wax and lavish perfumes.
None of which would matter a button, of course, if the one man she wanted to see had been present!
The dancing resumed. Kate stood up for a reel with Godwin and accepted his offer to fetch her a glass of lemonade when it was over. Seeing her temporarily deserted, Tom Egerton made a beeline for her side and launched into a request that she join him over supper.
‘I know you can’t dance with me again. My mother gave me a scold. Told me I shouldn’t have asked you to,’ he muttered, colouring. ‘Nothing to offend propriety though in letting me escort you into supper, is there?’
‘I’m sorry, sir. I am already promised to Lord Redesmere.’
‘But dash it, Miss Nixon, Redesmere ain’t here!’ Tom’s round face was wreathed in protest.
Kate, who happened to be facing the door, suddenly saw that he was wrong.
Her unexpected smile dazzled Tom who was at a loss to account for it until a deep voice behind him bade them both good evening.
He spun round to behold Lord Redesmere, attired in a superbly-cut black coat. A plain white waistcoat, black pantaloons and an intricately-tied neckcloth completed the elegant picture. Tom, who was wearing his new blue coat with its wadded shoulders and wasp-waist and a bright flowered waistcoat, had a sudden uneasy feeling that he was overdressed.
Kate held out her gloved hand and Randal raised it fleetingly to his lips. ‘How do you do, Miss Nixon.’
Kate’s skin burned beneath its thin covering of white silk. Trying to ignore her rapid pulse, she frowned at him with mock severity. ‘You are very late, my lord. Had you forgotten we were engaged for the supper dance?’
‘I would never forget so pleasant a prospect, cousin.’
Tom eyed the older man with disfavour. ‘Using your family connections to steal a march on the rest of us, I see, Redesmere,’ he muttered sulkily.
Randal looked down on him from his superior height. ‘Why Tom, you amaze me! I should have thought everyone would approve of the rift in the Nixon family finally being healed,’ he retorted with a silky mockery that brought a tide of hot colour into Mr Egerton’s cherubic cheeks.
Mortified by this set-down from one whose style he secretly admired, Tom swiftly mumbled a farewell, bowed to Kate and hurried off.
‘That was not kind,’ Kate said sternly. ‘The poor boy is not up to your weight.’
‘I know. Unforgivable of me, wasn’t it, but I wanted to talk to you,’ he replied promptly.
Disarmed by his impudence, Kate let out a little chuckle.
‘How are you enjoying the party? Does it live up to your expectations?’
Kate, whose headache had completely vanished, nodded enthusiastically. ‘I think it a very elegant assembly, sir.’ An impish grin lit her face. ‘I suppose I ought not to have said that! Alicia tells me it is fashionable to appear bored, which seems a strange notion to me. At home we expect guests to try to appear pleased with their entertainment. It would be thought most impolite to complain of a sad crush as I have heard several people do tonight.’
‘Such ill-nature deserves a flogging,’ Randal agreed solemnly.
Amusement glinted in his brilliant eyes and Kate wasn’t sure whether he had swallowed her fiction or not. She hadn’t the least idea whether American society held such views since Kitty had not mentioned the subject, but convinced he would not be able to contradict her, it had seemed too good a chance of underlining her supposed nationality to miss.
‘You are bamming me, I think.’ Kate peeped up at him demurely through her lashes. ‘You must consider me a complete rustic.’
He laughed. ‘Not in that gown! Celestine has excelled herself.’
His gaze was admiring as he took in the way the fluid satin flowed over her shapely curves. Its lack of ornamentation and the very plainness of the style with its low round neck, high waist and tiny puffed sleeves merely emphasised the excellence of her figure.
Happiness bubbled up in Kate. ‘Take care, my lord, or I shall consider that as a compliment,’ she warned.
‘Please do,’ he responded promptly.
‘Then I stand in your debt twice over.’ Kate lifted her posy up to her face and inhaled the delicate fragrance of the pink blooms.
‘You honour me by wearing my roses. They are a poor homage to your beauty, ma’am.’
‘Oh please don’t call me that!’ Kate exclaimed involuntarily.
He raised his brows in enquiry and Kate blushed.
‘It reminds me of all the times we have quarrelled,’ she murmured, feeling flustered.
Randal understood. ‘In that case, to continue its use would be a violation of our truce,’ he agreed softly, knowing that he had previously hurled the epithet at her in icy contempt.
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br /> A contempt he no longer felt, he suddenly realised. Whether or not she proved to be an adventuress, he had begun to like her.
She was very beautiful, of course, but it was more than that. He had desired other beautiful women and he knew the difference between lust and liking. This unknown girl had spirit and intelligence. A lively sense of humour too, which was another attribute he admired. Best of all, she did not toad-eat him!
Randal was not vain, but he was under no illusions about the power of his wealth and status. Too many young women had thrown themselves at his feet for him to think otherwise. Beauties hopeful of wedding his fortune had tried every trick known to the female imagination to lure him into the parson’s mousetrap.
It was rare in his experience to meet a girl who made it clear that she didn’t give a snap of her fingers for his good opinion. And yet he did not think she was indifferent to him. On the contrary, he would have wagered a goodly part of his inheritance that the sensual attraction which plagued him whenever she was near disturbed her as well.
Made nervous by his continuing silence Kate blurted the first thing that came into her head. ‘How did you guess I would be wearing pink tonight?’
‘I asked Celestine,’ he confessed, his serious expression lightning. ‘I wanted to be sure, you see, that you would carry my flowers.’
‘You are a complete hand, sir!’ Kate grinned back at him, relieved that her impetuous remark had not spoilt their harmony.
At that moment Mr Godwin Crawford hove into view. ‘Ah nevvy! Decided to show your face at last, have you?’ He handed her glass of lemonade to Kate and shook Randal’s hand. ‘Might have known I would find you talking to the prettiest girl in the room.’
Randal’s grin broadened. ‘You’d pipped me to the post, as usual, O most revered uncle.’
Kate sipped her lemonade and listened to their banter. It was obvious that they shared a strong affection as well a distinct family resemblance.
A fleeting sadness touched her. She would have dearly liked to have been part of a close-knit family, but only her mother had ever shown her any real affection. Her father had always been cold and her grandmother’s fondness had been a shallow thing, shattering at the first frost of misfortune. As for her stepmother! Lucy had positively disliked her, no doubt due to the fact that they were almost of an age and Kate’s presence embarrassed her.
The trio of musicians hired by Mrs Legh began to tune up their instruments for the final dance before supper, snatching Kate from her gloomy thoughts.
Randal held out his arm to her. ‘It would serve me right if you gave this dance to some more deserving candidate, but I hope you won’t.’
Kate smiled at Godwin. ‘What do you think, Mr Crawford? Shall I punish your nephew for his tardiness?’
‘Jupiter no, Miss Kitty! He is staying over at my house tonight and I cannot abide long faces.’ He took her empty glass from her. ‘Be merciful to the wretch, I beg you.’
‘In the face of such eloquent advocacy, how can I refuse?’ Kate laughed.
She placed her fingers upon Randal’s sleeve. Beneath the smooth black broadcloth she could feel the hard strength of his arm and a delicious shiver went through her.
They joined the set for the quadrille and Kate strove to control her wanton thoughts and concentrate upon the dance. Some of the figures were complicated and she did not want to make a mull of it and create a bad impression.
‘You are very quiet, cousin.’ Randal directed an teasing glance at her as they touched hands. ‘Is that because you are minding your steps?’
‘Certainly not,’ Kate replied brightly.
They parted and when their paths crossed once more, she tilted her chin at him and demanded to know if he thought she talked too much. ‘Otherwise why should you think me troubled when I am silent?’ she quizzed.
He smiled at her. ‘I did not mean to accuse you of being a chatterbox. However, I do think you are a woman of decided opinions.’
Parted by the dance before she could ask for further clarification, Kate thought this remark over. Had he meant to criticise? She didn’t think so. His tone had sounded almost admiring.
A spurt of pleasure shot through her at the thought that he might not deem it necessary for a woman to be an empty-headed doll.
The music ceased and Kate fanned herself vigorously, hoping her cheeks weren’t as pink as they felt.
‘Would you care to take a turn about the terrace before going in to supper? It will be cool.’
Kate hesitated. She was hot and his thoughtfulness pleased her, but was it safe to lay herself open to temptation? The idea of being alone with him in an unchaperoned darkness was quite unnerving! ‘Alicia might not approve,’ she murmured.
Randal smiled. ‘I promise to behave myself.’
The colour in Kate’s cheeks deepened. Heavens, what must he think of her! A proper young lady would never have made such a betraying remark!
Taking pity on her mortification, Randal suggested they ask Lady Edgeworth for her permission.
‘Of course, you may go, Kitty. It is quite comme il faut.’ Alicia beamed approval, but turning to Randal added a gentle warning not to stay out too long.
The terrace was wide and surrounded by a handsome stone balustrade which came up to Kate’s waist. She could see three other couples out for a stroll and it wasn’t as dark as she had feared. The moon was up and lanterns had been arranged at intervals to give light to those who sought the air.
‘Better?’ Randal asked as they wandered over to the edge of the terrace and stood looking out at the dark garden below.
‘Much, thank you.’ Kate lifted up her face to better appreciate the gentle breeze which was wafting over the balustrades. ‘What a lovely new moon.’
Randal stared at her the pure lines of her profile and felt a surge of tenderness which surprised him.
It is the moonlight, he told himself sternly. You are just imagining she looks fragile and in need of your protection.
Kate became aware of his intense regard and panic fluttered along her nerves. Oh heavens, why didn’t he say something!
The silence stretched on and desperate to break it, Kate blurted the first thing that came into her head.
‘Do you like gardening, sir?’
Shaking off his idiocy, Randal laughed. ‘To be honest with you, cousin, it is not a subject that I know much about.’
‘I just wondered,’ Kate improvised. ‘The grounds at Crawford Hall are exquisite.’
‘You must thank my gardeners for that. If it is a pastime you esteem, you might enjoy talking to Lady Massey. She is something of an expert.’
‘I made her acquaintance earlier. Alicia hopes to secure me an invitation to her rout next week. I understand it is one of the highlights of the summer.’ Kate played with the sticks of her fan in what she hoped was a casual manner. ‘Shall you attend, my lord?’
Randal, who until this moment had no intention of doing so, nodded.
A wide smile turned up the corners of her generous mouth in response, straining Randal’s self-control.
Kate saw his broad shoulders tense. He wants to kiss me, she realised and, torn between delight and dismay, her heart started to thump in a dizzying fashion.
‘I shall be pleased to see you there. It is always pleasant to encounter old acquaintances when venturing somewhere new,’ she murmured, knowing she sounded inane but desperately anxious to defuse the tension spiralling between them.
‘Then I hope you will you save a dance for me, little cousin.’ Randal could hear the husky catch in her voice and his gaze was drawn to the rapid rise and fall of her bosom. Partially exposed by the low-cut neckline of her gown her breasts were full and enticing, the smooth delicate skin gleaming like pearl. He longed to draw her into his embrace and discover more.
In the moonlight his brilliant eyes glittered with desire and Kate sucked in her breath, knowing that it was only his earlier promise which was preventing him from making the first move.
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br /> She dropped her gaze in confusion. ‘Perhaps we should go back,’ she whispered. ‘I think we must be the last ones here.’
Randal took a step closer. ‘Not quite. There is one other couple over there at the other end of the terrace,’ he said quietly.
Slowly he reached out his hand and gently tipped up her chin so that he could look down into her face. Her velvet dark eyes met his and he could see his own passion mirrored in their depths. ‘Won’t you stay a moment longer?’
The blood drummed in Kate’s ears and she trembled at his touch. Just a few feet away there was a pool of shadow. No one would see them there. All she needed to do was give him the slightest signal of encouragement and she would be in his arms.
Waiting for her answer, Randal realised he was holding his breath. God, but he hadn’t felt such an intense carnal longing since his youth! He wanted her so much that his pulse was racing. All he could think of was kissing her delectable mouth!
A loud burst of laughter from the other couple on the terrace made Kate flinch, startling her back to reality.
She stepped away from him quickly. ‘I think we should go in now, sir.’
‘Of course.’ Randal acknowledged her request with a rueful smile.
The moment was lost, but, alleviating his disappointment, was an utter certainty that another opportunity would soon arise to find out whether her mouth was as kissable as it looked.
Chapter Five
The presence of Lord Redesmere at Morning Service at St Peter’s on the Sunday following the Leghs’ rout caused something of a stir.
‘What a nice surprise to see you here, Randal,’ Lady Edgeworth said, greeting him as she emerged from the old church which had been her preferred place of worship for many years.
‘I had business in town,’ he murmured, aware that his decision to attend St Peter’s would attract curiosity. The congregation contained many members of the haut ton, but none had travelled so far for the sermon.
Alicia’s mouth dropped open a trifle, but she was too polite to ask what kind of business demanded attention on the Sabbath.