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beauties. I didn t move in her set. In fact, Madeline Fairfax had cut her more than once
as though she were an insect, not worthy of her smiles.
Catherine remembered some gossip she d heard. Madeline didn t have a
disposition to match her lovely face. Her maid had told another maid who d told
another maid, who d told the maid of a friend of Catherine s that Madeline Fairfax had
a fierce temper. Threw dishes at the wall when she was angry. Kicked her maid when
the water wasn t right for her toilette. Screamed at her parents.
Poor Richard. Why was he betrothed to a beautiful harridan? She d make his life a
misery. What was the saying? A devil in the house. A saint outside.
Richard stood.  Thank you for arranging a meeting place, Mother. Madeline and I
have much to discuss. He drew out Catherine s chair.  You had better change. The
train is due in forty minutes. I ve ordered the horses saddled.
He walked up the stairs with her.  Kate, what was that about?
 What do you mean?
 The look on your face when you realized you knew Madeline?
 What look? She played for time to arrange her thoughts.
 You don t like her, do you?
 I don t know her very well, and it doesn t matter whether I like or dislike her. You
are marrying her, not me. She tried not to sound like a shrew, but she felt very
shrewish.
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Anita Birt
 Thank you. You ve told me what I want to know.
Catherine opened her bedroom door.  Then don t ask me another question about
Madeline Fairfax. I ll avoid meeting her while she s here.
 That s not possible. You ll be dining with us, attending the party and dancing.
Catherine angled through the door.  I won t be at the party nor will I meet your
guests.
 You will! He grasped her arm, and pulled her toward him.  I want you there.
She stiffened.  I m your paid companion. Is that how you will introduce me? I may
know other of your London friends. They will have a wonderful time spreading gossip
about me in London. I don t care, but my mother will be shamed.
 Do you think me such an insensitive boor? You ll be introduced as a friend of the
family. Mother and I have discussed this. She already thinks of you as the daughter she
never had.
 But my clothes? I ve nothing fashionable.
 You are beautiful no matter what you wear. He grasped her fingers and kissed
the tips.  Smile your dazzling smile and no one will notice your clothes.
Catherine knew he was wrong. Men did not notice, but every woman in the room
would.  I d better change or we ll miss Dolly.
Dressed in her new blue habit, Catherine admitted that she did look very smart
fashionable from head to toe. The military cut suited her. She swaggered around her
bedroom, enjoying the swishy soft feel of the velvet.
Richard knocked.  Are you ready?
 Coming. She settled the hat on her head, hurried across the room, and opened the
door.  What do you think? Did you choose well?
He eyed her up and down.  I ll say this once, maybe twice, maybe several times
before the evening is over. You are absolutely stunning. When we ride with our guests,
the men will be fighting over who rides beside you. Who helps you mount. Who helps
you dismount. It will be a circus. Watch their hands, though. Tell me if one of them
takes liberties.
Catherine giggled.  If someone takes liberties, I shall whack them with my riding
crop.
 That s my Kate. Come we d best be on our way.
The ride to the station through the soft, evening air entranced her. Feeling very
queen-like, she thought every flower nodded as she passed. Every bird sang for her to
see and hear. Meeting Madeline Fairfax was for tomorrow. This evening was for her to
enjoy with Richard and Dolly.
He assisted her to dismount and held her a trifle longer than necessary. He savored
the feel of her waist in his hands. A stab of jealousy reared its ugly head. He d make
sure none of the young bucks made her uneasy by too obvious flirting.
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As they waited for the train, he wondered how Dolly would react when he saw her.
The blue velvet simply made her more glorious. More desirable.
Kate s opinion of Madeline did not trouble him unduly since marriage to Madeline
was out of the question. Even before he d fallen in love with Kate, he d known the
betrothal was wrong. Madeline had suitors by the dozen waiting in the wings. Perhaps
she d bestow her favor on one of the men invited to the party.
The train whistled, and screeched to a stop. In one smooth motion, Dolly threw
open the carriage door, dropped his valise on the platform, leapt from the train,
gathered Catherine in his arms, and kissed her.
 How splendid you look. Is this a new outfit for the party? He held her at arm s
length.  You will drive every woman wild with envy.
Delighted to see him, she hugged him back.  You must not turn my head with your
compliments, but I m glad you like my new habit. Richard chose it.
Richard grasped Dolly s hand.  Good to have you back. I expected you sooner.
Dolly threw his arm over his brother s shoulder, and walked between him and
Catherine to the waiting carriage.  Riena had a little trouble booking her passage.
Seems one of the chaperones traveling with the group suspected she was a gypsy. So
next day, I trotted along with her, posed as her brother, gave them a piece of my mind,
and threatened to speak to the church authorities if my dear sister, Rose, had further
trouble.
Catherine chuckled.  I can imagine how you enjoyed that.
Dolly climbed into the carriage, and put his valise on the floor.  Riena and I went
about the shops for two days for her to buy trinkets, ribbons, and the like to sell in
Victoria. I advised her to pick out items for men, as well, and helped her make
appropriate choices.
Richard helped Catherine to mount, then climbed into the saddle.  Dolly, I m
taking Prince for a run. Catherine will keep you company on the way home. I ll see you
at dinner. He waved and left.
The coachman turned the carriage around. Dolly poked his head out.  What s
wrong with him? He looks cranky as an old bear.
Catherine shook her head.  Tired, I think. He s been very busy with estate
business.
Dolly grinned at her.  I ll wager he s not looking forward to seeing Madeline
tomorrow, not when he has you as his companion.
 Never mind Madeline Fairfax. How was Riena when you saw her off?
Dolly beamed.  Splendid. Nervous, of course, but she fitted right in with the other
young women boarding the bride ship. Some were a sorry-looking lot. Probably out of
charity homes. They needed good food to put meat on their bones.
Chatting happily about Riena, Catherine was surprised to arrive at the manor gates
so quickly. Richard had disappeared.
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Anita Birt
Riding Misty around to the stable, she was pleased to have young Lennie hold the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]