Beauty in Disguise (18 page)

“I begin to believe you have no control over your charge at all,” he accused jovially.

“Too true,” was all she mumbled.

“Indeed, it seems to me you are quite derelict in your duty.”

Kathryn had moved to the pianoforte as Charity left it, and Lord Dalton once again joined her, this time with a plate of scones. “I cannot keep following you about the room. Your employers will think me after the post of your personal lackey. Now tell me how I am supposed to deal with the chit.”

“My lord, you have only a few days left. I am unable to help you. She is my employer, if you will remember.” And when he thought that was all she would say, she added, “You will make your escape quite soon.”

She then stopped and pretended to ponder something. “You probably ought to prepare yourself for when she arrives in London. Your name will be the first member of the
ton
they associate themselves with, and everyone will think you have fallen head over heels for a beautiful nobody.”

The plate of scones rolling across the floor let Kathryn know she had hit the mark. As he bent, embarrassed, to retrieve the flaky treats, she sauntered away, saying under her breath, “I do not think they would hire you as my lackey, sir. You are quite inept!”

* * *

Over the next two days, Kathryn was busy with the party preparations. She went over the menu with Cook, arranged all of the cut flowers throughout the house, made a seating chart now that all of the guests had accepted and oversaw the servants—all around the schedule of Charity and her needs. Indeed, she was so busy that the children finally tracked her down and asked if they could go on a picnic.

They were so ignored during the hustle and bustle that her heart hurt at their pleading faces. “My darlings, I believe that is exactly what we need! How smart you are.” She told them they would have to get Nurse’s approval, and they would have to be happy with whatever Cook could spare from the party preparations.

All was arranged, and they walked down to the lake and set their blanket under the beautiful weeping willow. Jacob had brought fishing poles, and the two children ran off with strict instructions that neither of them would get wet.

Kathryn thought this would be a perfect time to relax, but she found her thoughts turning to Lord Dalton and how she had made such a bumblebroth of everything.

How she wished things were different. She wished she could meet with him as herself. Perhaps if she agreed to see her father, she could be free of her disguise for a time.

“Miss Montgomery,” the children cried, “look what we have caught!” Kathryn stared at the tiny fish still on Jacob’s hook. She knew they must throw it back into the lake, but she hated to see the proud smile leave the little boy’s face.

Sighing, she said, “He is very little. You must throw him back until he has time to grow up with the other fish.”

The groans displayed their disappointment, but she knew they would obey her—not without a fight, however. “May we keep him in the bucket awhile and watch him swim? His fins help him swim very fast.”

“Only for a little while, Jacob. He will grow tired of flapping his fins in that very small bucket.” They ran back to the lake.

The thought of her father kept running through her mind.

What was she to do? Lord Dalton said her father had asked to see her. But what if that was only a hoax to get her there? He seemed less angry lately, but suppose it was all a ruse so he and her father would be able to drag her through the muddy past once again?

She should be paying closer attention to the children, but she could not erase her father from her mind completely.

No matter what she feared, could she overcome it long enough to see him again? It had been just the two of them since her mother died, up to the time she made her
mistake.
That was the beginning of their horrible estrangement. Even were he still as angry, she felt an aching need to see him again, whether the discord remained or not.

She would go with Lord Dalton, no matter what the outcome.

As she started to rise, his voice at her side startled her. “May I help you up, Kathryn?” He held her hand until she was steady. “You could have taken a nasty fall. Are you sure those shoes are absolutely necessary?”

She shook a little. “Thank you, my lord. And yes, I think they are.” She could no longer tell whether his words were kind or more meant to hurt her.

The children came up to them, water sloshing out of both sides of the bucket. “Lord Darning, look at our fish, look at our fish.”

“Lord
Dalton,
Jacob,” Kathryn corrected him for the one-hundredth time.

“Whoa there, Master Jacob, did he put up much of a fight?”

Kathryn realized he would make a great father someday.

“No, he is just a baby fish. Miss Montgomery says we must put him back, but we wanted to watch him for a while.”

“She is quite right. And since she has such a difficult time staying on schedule, I have come to get you. I suspect you had better let him go now so we can get you properly cleaned up before appearing in the drawing room for tea.”

“Oh, dear, I do not know what has come over me,” Kathryn said. “But dawdling, when Lady Dinsmore puts so much stock in being on time, will not keep me employed overlong. Jacob, hurry down and release your fish. Lacey, can you gather the poles while he does that? I will put away the picnic things.”

The children ran back to the water and Lord Dalton knelt beside Kathryn, helping her load the empty basket. They did not speak, but she was aware of his gaze upon her several times.

When the children returned, they walked to the house as one group until Lacey and Jacob ran ahead to put the fishing gear back into place.

“Kathryn?” Lord Dalton hesitated.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Please forgive my impatience
and
my impertinence, but I have not had a moment to speak with... To ask...” Kathryn took pity on him as he stumbled around the question.

“Yes, Lord Dalton, I will go to my father’s house with you.”

“God bless you, Kathryn!” He took hold of her swinging hand and kissed it. “I do not think you will be sorry.”

His hasty action surprised her, and she found herself at a loss. Kathryn turned to him at last while easing her hand from his. “I have asked Lady Dinsmore if I may have the whole day to visit a distant relative. I did not need to add another lie to my long list of sins.” She blushed and hurriedly went on. “You are supposed to take your leave that day. Am I to meet you somewhere?”

“I have asked Sir John if I may remain an extra day, as I have been called away again and am not completely decided on one horse.”

She looked at him, and his slow smile produced two deep dimples.

* * *

The day before the party had been especially hectic, and Charity seemed to be especially needy.

“Kate, where have you put my white gloves?”

“Kate, you are certain Lord Dalton is seated at my side and that the Farnham twins are across from me?”

“Kate...”

“Kate...”

With final arrangements to check on, Charity’s whining, and her presence required in the drawing room after dinner, Kathryn thought she might fall asleep while reading the children a story.

Lord Dalton kept busy with Sir John and his irksome daughter. Kathryn was well aware he deflected several of Charity’s barbs and even went out of his way to keep her occupied. It only fueled the girl’s belief that she had won him and that an announcement might still be made at the party. Kathryn seemed to be the only one who believed he would leave with nothing but horses.

There had been one part of this day particularly upsetting for Kathryn. Lady Dinsmore required her attendance tomorrow evening during the party.

“Please, my lady, I do not wish to be there. I told you when you hired me that going into Society makes me quite uncomfortable. I did as you asked and joined you for dinner each evening. Was that not enough?”

“Dear Kate, I realize the extra effort you have put forth since Lord Dalton has been with us. And I appreciate it, I certainly do. But with Charity the center of attention, which you know she will be despite the party being in honor of the earl, we shall have to be ready to avoid any unpleasant scenes.”

For the first time, Kathryn felt the impulse to tell the woman before her that Charity’s behavior had been unchecked for so long that it was not
her
responsibility to control it now. But in truth, that was in part why she had been hired, and she could not answer as she wished.

“But there is a second reason, my dear. You deserve your share of pleasure for once, especially after all the effort you have put forth. I wish you to enjoy yourself.”

Kathryn did not explain that her idea of pleasure after all the work was to settle into bed with a good book until the next morning. But she did protest. “My lady, you must know by now that I find no pleasure in such entertainments. Indeed, you will be wondered at by your neighbors when they see Charity’s companion in attendance.”

“You give yourself too little credit. And you know perfectly well that all of our guests are already acquainted with you and have sung your praises since you came to us.”

“But I have no gown. I shall stick out like a sore thumb.”

“No such thing. Your blue muslin, the one you have been wearing to dinner, is lovely. You must not worry on that score. Now, I do not wish to hear another word. You are a valuable member of this household, and I desire your attendance.”

It was only the thought that she was going to see her father again that allowed her to keep her composure. Two more days, and things would go back to normal—with a few brief memories of Lord Dalton tucked away for the future.

Chapter Thirteen

S
he was correct when she assumed she would be heavily pressed into service the entire day of the party. Therefore, when the florist delivered morning glories to a room decorated for an enchanted starry night, it was Kathryn who was required to deal with the incorrect order and Kathryn who was required to set it to rights.

The menu had to be checked and rechecked while Lady Dinsmore rested in the afternoon. The housekeeper must be pacified regularly if the house was expected to shine as brightly as the moonlit night sky of the large dining room.

Finally, evening arrived. An exhausted Kathryn was going up the stairs to change before returning for the party. On the way up, she passed the family descending. Their finery caused her a small pang of envy as her memory took her back to her own shining moment ages ago in London. Yet once she noticed Lord Dalton behind the ladies, all pining disappeared and she had thoughts only for him.

Was her sense that his rancor was fading true? Why would he bother to heal the rift between her and her father if he still held anger in his heart? He had kissed her hand! Was it a natural reaction based on his kindness, the kindness he had for all?

He looked exactly as she remembered at the balls a lifetime ago—completely in black but for his crisp white shirtfront and a silk waistcoat. His cravat was tied in the most intricate of folds, and it was even kept in place by the same sapphire stickpin she remembered. He once told her he began to wear it because it reminded him of her eyes.

“You all look quite splendid!” she said, afraid her notice of Lord Dalton was obvious to them.

He looked at her with a question in his eyes. “Are you not to join us?” She could not gauge the emotion behind the question, and how very embarrassed she was in her horrid disguise. But she put on a splendid front.

“I will return. I must change, and I promised I would let Jacob and Lacey watch for a short while.” She curtsied prettily, and the group parted in the middle to allow her to pass through them.

Later, as she descended the same stairs, how she wished she had been adamant about not attending this party. She felt alone, completely alone. This one would be so different from the ones in her youthful days in London. She had been surrounded by friends
and
Lord Dalton. But she was only reminded that she had thrown that away.

Would forgiveness ever come? From anyone?

Well, she was Lady Kathryn. She had come down in the world; she had lost her family and her home and was even forced into disguises to protect her safety. Her pride was long gone, but her intelligence and wits remained intact, and she would use them whether anyone noticed or not. She entered the dining hall, noticing how the candlelight and shimmering fabric made the room sparkle.

Servants passed her to and fro, nodding and smiling at one of their own. Kathryn sat against the wall, listening to the music and seeing the dancers drift by at a distance. She noticed Charity with Derek Farnham and realized that despite the girl’s alarming temper, she would be the belle of her Season and be married within a month. She did not see Lord Dalton, and she realized she did not wish to see him twirling some local beauty around the dance floor. When had
her
anger abated?

“Kathryn,” he said in a low voice, “will you grant me the next dance?”

Her eyes rose to meet his in surprise. He had appeared out of nowhere!

“Lord Dalton, what are you about?” she whispered. “You must dance with one of the women who were invited here for that exact purpose.” She was embarrassed.

“I am greatly in need of rational conversation.” He actually smiled at her. And when he did, the candlelight reflected the shimmering fabric and she thought there were real stars above. Just like Vauxhall Gardens nine years ago. “Do say you will rescue me.”

She slid one chair over so he could sit down. She knew the ladies of the house would take her to task about it, but she feared a worse scene should she keep him standing there.

“I am asking you to dance with me.”

“I suppose I cannot stop you from sitting in the chair next to me for a few minutes. But if it is rational conversation you seek, you will
not
get it from me on the dance floor.” She blushed to the roots of her hair. “In these shoes I fear clumsiness. Please go ask someone else.”