Chapter 6
“How the devil did you manage it?” Gabriel asked, feeling the pouch of coins in his pocket once again as they walked towards Hyde Park and Tattersall’s auction.
“I just explained to your father how little he wanted society to know about his heir being kept as a servant while he treats his bastard sons better than the Prince Regent and allows them to gad about town, often lording it over… well… actual lords. Your brothers are not well liked from what I hear.”
“Godfrey seems…” Gabriel waved his free hand. “Oh, I don’t know… pliable… as if someone could reform the poor bugger. He laughed at my Cedric impersonation. And when it was just him and me in the carriage, he dropped his fashionable ennui and became almost human. It is as if no one ever taught him how not to act like an ass.”
“It is likely that no one did. He only had your father and Cedric to look up to and his mother is…”
“She is evil.”
“Is she? That is a pretty strong word, Gabe.”
“She was evil to Christina. I think my punishment was her idea too. She never forgave us for being born even though we had no choice. My mother and father’s marriage was arranged as far as I can tell, though my father was in love with the daughter of a mere knight, and that was not good enough for his father. No matter that she was pretty and has a big bosom and loved my father back. Or that he had already ruined her.”
“You noticed your step-mother has a big bosom?” asked Myles.
“She’s not my step-mother. She never married my father. And of course I noticed. She does not hide it under a shawl. The woman does not know how to be demure. Do not say you did not notice.”
“Well, of course, but one never likes to mention it.”
“They are not something one can miss. A bit like her sons’… well, you know… in their inexpressibles.”
“It is the ladies I feel sorry for. They must find it so difficult to know where to look.”
“Well not down there, I would wager.”
“Ah, here we are, now, let’s see if we can get you a decent gelding.”
“I shall not be taking advice from you on horseflesh. Not after the state of my arse after that brute of yours threw me.”
They entered Tattersall’s and Gabriel breathed in the smell of horse manure and hay. He had not been here since his university days. It felt wonderful to have some freedom again.
∞∞∞
“Now we are alone, you can tell me honestly what you think of Gab, I mean Cedric,” Christina said to Kathleen as the carriage made its way to Bond Street and Lady Christina’s favourite modiste.
“Oh, umm…”
“Ha, there is no need to be coy. He is only my half-brother and I would never say a word to him.”
“I like him exceedingly well. I must admit I was not sure upon first meeting him the other day when he came to our house to arrange the betrothal ball, but the poor man was not well. But at the ball, he was… charming.”
“Charming? Indeed. I did notice you disappeared into the hothouse for a while with him.”
Heat crawled up Kathleen’s neck. “Oh?”
“I did. Only because I had feigned a turned ankle during my dance so that I could get away from my horrible dance partner to be with Myles and we wanted to sneak off but you and Gab… Cedric were already in there.”
“Myles?”
“Lord Stalwood.”
“Oh. I… oh. You and Lord Stalwood are on given name terms. You are planning to wed?”
“Well, neither of us has mentioned it but we do like each other exceedingly well and we deal nicely together. We are currently working on a… a… how do I put it… a project together.”
“A project?”
“Yes. I believe I have said enough on the matter, however. It is supposed to be a secret. One day I shall tell you and you shall be as delighted as I am.”
How intriguing. Lady Christina was like a heroine in a novel, full of secrets and passions. Kathleen would not be surprised if she burned with desire for Lord Stalwood, though Kathleen was not quite sure what burning with desire felt like. She did wonder though if she had been given a taste of it with Cedric last night.
“Ah, here we are. Madame Leclerc. She has the most delightful fabrics that will show off your décolletage perfectly. My poor brother will not know where to place his gaze. What fun. I do love tormenting the poor soul.”
She chuckled as the footman handed her down from the carriage then waited as he helped Kathleen to disembark too.
Lady Christina was correct. Madame Leclerc had the most beautiful fabrics, many imported from the East. Christina and she looked through the fashion plates and Christina, who insisted that Kathleen drop the honorific, urged her to purchase a few new gowns for the Christmas season. They also as good as chose her wedding gown, but Kathleen explained to Christina that she would have to bring her mother back for the final decision.
“I could never purchase my wedding gown without my mother seeing what I was going to wear. She has been looking forward to this day for so long.”
“Oh, is that an American idea? We choose a nice gown for our wedding day, but it is not so special we would insist our mama helped in the final decision.”
Kathleen laughed. “I do not think so. I think it is just me.”
“Well, I think it is lovely and Gab… Cedric will not be able to take his gaze from you.”
A warmth grew in Kathleen’s belly along with a little knot of worry. The kiss had made her light-headed and given her butterflies in her stomach, but she still remembered him standing in front of her with those inexpressibles on and his anatomy fully visible underneath. It had not been threatening in the least. It just did not inspire the kind of thoughts his kisses had.
“Kathleen, you seem unwell. We have finished anyway. Come, let us step outside for some air. It is rather warm and stuffy in here.”
Christina led Kathleen by the elbow out of the modiste’s shop and onto Bond Street. It was rather busy, and Kathleen sucked in her breath as the cool air hit her lungs.
“Oh, it is rather fresh today.”
“Yes, it is a little chilly. Never fear we have lots of shops to visit.”
Christina led Kathleen down the busy shopping street visiting several shops and purchasing all manner of things. By the time Christina declared them finished, the poor footman was laden under boxes of bonnets and gloves and jewellery. The lady took pity on her poor servant and ordered him back to the carriage.
“Shall we walk to Gunther’s for tea or shall we walk back to the carriage? It is a little cold. I would not want you catching a chill before your wedding,” said Christina, looking with concern at Kathleen.
“Cold? This is like summer compared to New Hampshire in winter. I do not mind walking, but if you would prefer the carriage, I would understand.”
“Nonsense. Never let it be said the British were afraid of a little cold. Tomkins, go back to the carriage and tell the driver to meet us at Gunther’s.” The footman nodded, looked around, but hesitated and did not seem keen to leave the ladies alone. “Honestly Tomkins, no one will accost us in Mayfair.”
“Chrissie.” They both turned, and Kathleen caught her breath and she looked up into dark eyes. She dared not look down for fear that the handsome man who enthralled her so was wearing those dreadful inexpressibles. “Miss Roberts.”
Christina batted her half-brother with her parasol. “Would you not yell Chrissie at me in the street? It is so uncouth.” She then turned to the footman. “See? A couple of rogues with whom we are well acquainted have already been accosted us. We are quite safe. Lord Stalwood, how delightful to see you again. Would you accompany us to Gunther’s?”
“It would be our pleasure,” said Lord Stalwood, bowing to Lady Christina. He offered her his sleeve and Christina took it with alacrity. Cedric offered his sleeve to Kathleen, and she accepted graciously though with less enthusiasm lest he thinks her fast.
As they set off down the street, Cedric spoke. “Did you enjoy last night?”
“Oh, exceedingly well. The ballroom was beautiful, and the dancing was such fun.”
“Ah yes, the ball. That was entertaining too.” She looked up to his face and could see his mouth twitching as if he was trying not to chuckle. Was he thinking of their interlude in the hothouse?
“Mr Onslow, are you having a private reminiscence?”
“You are welcome to join me, Miss Roberts.”
Despite the cold, Kathleen felt a warmth spread up from her belly. “Mr Onslow, stop being so scandalous in public.”
“Once we are wed, I shall be much more scandalous in private, my love.”
His voice was so quiet she knew only she could hear him, but it still sent a thrill of excitement through her.
“Please, Mr Onslow. That is quite improper for public discussion.”
“I know. That is why only you can hear me, Miss Roberts. Fear not, I would never subject you to public scandal.”
“Unlike your father has done to your mother.” As soon as she had said the words, Kathleen wished she could take them back. Cedric’s jaw tightened, and he looked ahead as if considering a polite way to reply. She was just about to apologise for her faux pas when he spoke.
“Lady Benwick and the Duke of Hartsmere and their personal lives are none of my concern. The ton excuse the behaviour of dukes because they are a mere step down from princes and the ton are hypocrites. You, as an American and a commoner, have no such cushion from their wrath. But as charming and clever as you are, I do not doubt you will have all the grande dames wrapped around your finger in no time and the scandal of the birth of the Duke of Hartsmere’s eldest child will be nought more than a footnote in Debrett’s.”
Kathleen thought it a little odd that Cedric sometimes referred to himself in the third person. It was always when he was discussing his family situation. She wondered if he was uncomfortable discussing it. She decided not to mention it again. It did not do to make one’s betrothed feel uncomfortable.
They soon arrived at Gunther’s. The place was quiet due to it being the Christmas Season. Few people travelled to town for the festivities since the roads were usually impassable by carriage. The gentlemen led them to seats and a waiter took their order. Just as the conversation was turning to topics other than the weather, a couple of dandies arrived at their table.
“Cedric, old chap. Missed you last night. It was a real hoot. We were all in our cups. Neville here almost mistook this young lad for a tart.”
“Henry, there are ladies present. Do you mind?” The man who was speaking took out his quizzing glass and appeared to inspect Kathleen and Christina through it. His nose crinkled, and his voice turned more nasal than it had already been.
“Your affianced bride and your half-sister? Really Cede, she shall have to get used to your ways. You shall not be faithful, for God’s sake. That is so… lower class.”
Cedric seemed to bat his friends away like flies.
“I do not know Hen. I find I am tiring of my old ways. Do you not find the life of an indolent wastrel to be somewhat intolerable? I am bored. And Miss Roberts is scintillating company.”
Kathleen felt uncomfortable as Cedric’s friends leered at her.
“I say you must have had a bump on the head, old chap,” put in Neville.
“Mayhap. Or mayhap marriage shall agree with me.”
“I am never letting my Mama pick out a bride for me. That is it.”
The gentlemen said their goodbyes just as the ices arrived.
“Well, that is a positive outcome at least,” piped up Christina.
“What is that, my dear?” asked Lord Stalwood. Kathleen watched in fascination as Lord Stalwood’s gaze remained transfixed on Christina’s lips as she licked the ice from her spoon. Christina laid her spoon down and beamed at him.
“No poor chit will be forced to marry that vile brute.”
“You sound like you have had a run in with him, Chrissie.”
Christina shrugged. “Nothing I did not get myself out of.”
“Chrissie, what happened?” growled Cedric.
“What did he do?” barked Lord Stalwood, his hands balling into fists.
“He asked to kiss me on the terrace of someone’s ballroom and when I refused he decided he would kiss me anyway. So I hit him with my knee between the legs.”
Everyone around the table looked at Christina wide-eyed.
“You mean you kneed him where a young lady should not even know to knee a gentleman?” Cedric asked, his lips pursed as if he was struggling not to laugh.
“I knew to knee him there because I did it to you a time or two when we were children, Cedric.”
Cedric grimaced. “Ah yes. You always were a violent little thing.”
“Only to you, my darling.”
“Oh, you grew up together,” Kathleen asked. She had thought they had grown up apart.
Cedric and Christina looked at one another and Lord Stalwood cleared his throat.
“Cedric and his brother came to live with us when Gabriel and I were about three. It was before our mother died. That is when our father recognised Cedric and Godfrey as his sons.”
Cedric gave a slight nod of his head to Christina and she appeared to relax. Kathleen felt that once again she had intruded upon something she should have stayed out of.
“I apologise. I should not have asked. Please if I ask anything you feel is intrusive or inappropriate, do feel free to say so.”
Cedric lifted her hand in his and raised it to his lips. “My dear, sweet Kathleen, we will we wed soon and there should be no secrets between us.” Once again he caught his sister’s gaze and a significant look passed between them. Kathleen was feeling terribly uncomfortable, and she wasn’t sure it was all to do with Cedric making her heart flutter—though he was.
“Christina, I wonder if I may trouble you to go home now. I feel a little light-headed. I fear the British weather is still a little unusual as I am used to extreme cold or extreme heat. This damp, cool weather does not yet agree with me.”
“Yes, of course. I do hope you are not coming down with whatever Cedric had.”
“Cedric said it was something he ate.”
“Likely so, but one never knows.”
“True.”