Catherine manufactured a careless shrug and casually tossed the letter on the dressing table. “As you noted, the Marquis has been fulfilling an obligation to my uncle.” She laughed. “It is not as if we have any form of understanding, is it?”
“Definitely not. Does he say if he will be in town for our ball?”
“No, he doesn’t mention it at all.”
“Well, if that is all . . .” Lady Harth looked discomfited. She fidgeted with the toiletries on the dressing table, her fingers inches from the note as she resisted an urge to pick it up and read it.
“Yes, Aunt Alicia, it is. No secret assignations or plans for a midnight escape to Gretna Green,” Catherine teased.
Her aunt bristled. “I should hope not!” she exclaimed, turning to leave the room, her posture stiff, eloquent in her displeasure at Catherine’s levity.
Catherine smiled and shook her head as she watched her leave. But when the door closed, a wave of depression swamped her. Sagging on the stool before the dressing table, she picked upthe note and unfolded it again. Upon rereading it, she searched for some trace of genuine regret in its tone. There was none she could detect. It remained a formal and proper missive.
She sighed and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had not realized, had never accepted the idea that she looked forward to their daily rides. The cold lump in her stomach turned into a heavy weight pressing upon her. She felt she had been cut adrift and left to founder in the windy seas of Society.
Though she practiced a strict formality in his presence, they shared a common sense of amusement at the foibles of their fellow man. She laughed softly, remembering the many occasions they exchanged glances or smiles at their observations. Riding with Susannah and Captain Chilberlain would be lonely, for those two were too involved with each other to offer company. Perhaps she should invite the Earl of Soothcoor to join their little party? He possessed wit and understanding and, though he wasn’t the Marquis of Stefton, he was his friend.
Catherine frowned at her melancholy reflection. She did not care, couldn’t possibly care for the arrogant, insufferable man!
With an unladylike oath, she turned away from the mirror and stood up, determined to seek out Susannah to divert her wayward, traitorous thoughts.
“Are you quite all right, cousin?”Susannah asked the following evening as they toured the assembly room at Almack’s.
Catherine gave a wan smile. “If I’m not, I should be.”
“What’s troubling you? The Marquis of Stefton?”
“I don’t know. Yes, partially, I suppose, if I must be honest.” Her face made a wry expression. “That is a very loweringidea. I had quite thought myself immune to our so-handsome, arrogant, infuriating Marquis. To realize I am no different from the numerous ladies who fawn over him is troublesome.”
Susannah laid a sympathetic hand on her cousin’s arm. “Think though; it is you who receives a modicum of his regard, not they.”
“But that is precisely it. It is a modicum, and it is always proper.”
“Would you wish him to make improper advances?” Susannah asked with a teasing laugh.
Catherine smiled back but answered seriously. “Sometimes, I think I would. I shudder at the memory of Kirkson’s loathsome kisses, but then I wonder what Stefton’s kisses would be like in comparison. And if they could wipe the awful memories from my mind.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Precisely,” Catherine said drily, a ghost of her usual energy and wit returning. “But it isn’t just Stefton that has me blue-deviled. I am beginning to understand how foolish it was to embark on this masquerade. If Aunt Alicia knew of my true worth, she would not push unfortunate stammering gentlemen my way, nor would she encourage Kirkson’s attentions over my protests. I am quite fatigued with developing stratagems to avoid that gentleman. I swear I will be soon considered as clumsy as our aunt if I must contrive to tear any more of my dresses just as he approaches!”
Susannah giggled. “Especially after Lord and Lady Riece’s ball.”
Catherine looked chagrined. “Yes, that rip did go beyond the bounds of propriety. I never thought that fabric would tear so easily! It was almost up to my thigh.”
“I will admit, Cousin, it was most comical to see you walking around, clutching the side of your gown.”
“I forgot to replenish the packet of pins in my reticule. Admit it, though, it served its purpose. Under the circumstances, there was no way I could waltz with Kirkson.” They neared the refreshment table and accepted glasses of weak lemonade from a waiter, then sat in two of the chairs that lined the room.
“The other thing that makes me regret this abysmal masquerade is Mr. Dawes.”
“Your uncle’s agent?”
“Yes. I went to see him today while you were sneaking off to Gunther’s with the Captain.”
“Catherine, I never sneak!” Susannah declared hotly, though a deep red blush colored her fair cheeks.
Catherine laughed. “I’m sorry, I could not resist tweaking you. Anyway, I went to see Mr. Dawes. He was extremely reticent and taciturn. I’ll admit he is taciturn by nature, but this went beyond what is normal even for him. When I asked about the sale of horses we brought down, he brushed me off. And he quite cut me off when I asked about my favorite of the horses, Zephyrus, a big bay. Said he didn’t have time. The odd thing was, he would never look me in the eye. Then, and I don’t know quite why I asked him if he knew anything about the Marquis’s sudden departure from town.”
