She held it out to the maid. “Here, take this. A souvenir of an evening when you helped a fallen woman.”
“Oh, Ma’am.” The girl stared at the jewelry, then up at Kitty. “Really? Fer me?”
“Really. For you.” She took the girl’s hand and put the bracelet in it. “I’m sure it will bring you good luck.”
With that, she left the room, only to walk smack into Aunt Venetia.
“There you are.” Her aunt grabbed her arm, and all but dragged her down a corridor away from the crowd. “What the devil game are you playing Kitty? Are you trying to disgrace us all?” Her eyes were filled with anger mixed with anxiety.
“Of course not, Aunt.” Kitty managed to slip a word in as Venetia took a breath.
“Well you’re doing so,” answered the older woman. “Have you thought about Hecate? She will be shunned, and there goes any chance of her making a good match. Not to mention my household. I shall become a pariah…”
Worried that tears might flow, Kitty took her aunt’s hand and patted it. “Hush now, Aunt. Firstly, I may lose the wager. Secondly, Max Seton-Mowbray isn’t just anyone, you know. Being with him…well, it does carry a certain cachet. Think how many people will come to visit now…knowing there’s a much better chance of running into the scandalous Miss Ridlington and her protector, Mr. Seton-Mowbray.”
That practical comment stilled Aunt Venetia’s obvious distress. “Hmm.” Then her lip trembled again. “But Kitty. To be his acknowledgedmistress?”
“Dearest Aunt,” she replied. “I’m a Ridlington. Our family isn’t known for deep or long-lasting relationships. My father outlived three wives and apparently loathed all the children he fathered. None of us are looking for the perfect life, because we know damn well it’s not going to happen.” She paused. “Well, all right, Edmund, Simon and Letitia have been lucky.”
Aunt Venetia remained silent, watching her niece.
“So I never expected to come to town and find a husband. I came looking for the excitement, the thrill of balls and masquerades, just like this one. I’ve met some charming people, and some not so charming ones. I’ve been proposed to once—”
Venetia gasped, but Kitty held up her hand to silence her.
“And I refused that offer, along with a couple more that were not so appropriate. I make my own decisions, Aunt. And I have found something most appealing in Mr. Seton-Mowbray. So I have decided to take this gamble, this wager, and let Fate have the final say as to whether I become his mistress or not. Either way, you will have achieved a certain notoriety which I am assured you will be able to use in the future. Because you are an extraordinary woman in many ways, one of which is in your brilliant manipulation of idiots like those.” She gestured at the ballroom.
Venetia sighed, then let a chuckle escape. “Do you know what your problem is, Kitty?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re about to rectify that situation.”
“You’re too bloody smart for theTon.” She grinned. “I just hope Max Seton-Mowbray is bright enough to keep up with you.”
Kitty leaned in to hug her. “Oh he is, Aunt. Trust me when I tell you he’s quite amazing in so many ways.”
She couldn’t see the expression on her aunt’s face during their hug, but when Venetia heard her answer, a tiny little grin curved her lips. But all she said was “I’m so glad to hear it, dear. Very glad indeed.”
