“And if there were to be a little spontaneous country dancing, nothing more than a hop, Isabella could join in. I never had the advantage of such social events, but I believe that young ladies often do host parties to practice before going to London.”
Isabella spoke at last. “Grandmama would not approve.”
“She may not be here to be disturbed. She and I spoke of her moving to Bath.”
Isabella’s jaw dropped. “She’llneverleave the Abbey!”
“She might find she’d like a change,” Kitty said cheerfully, and ate more of the excellent pork pie. “Would you want to move with her?”
“No!” The girl’s cheeks flushed. “I mean, this is my home.” She looked at Braydon. “You can’t send me away. You can’t!”
“Of course not,” he said. “Kitty meant that you are free to leave with your grandmother, if you wish.”
Kitty hid a smile as she poured more tea. He’d caught the idea.
“I don’t,” Isabella said. But then she added, “And nor does Grandmama.”
“Wherever you choose to live,” Kitty said, “you’ll be able to visit Town in due course, and perhaps Brighton as well.”
“Brighton?” Isabella did a good job of delivering it flatly, but the flicker of excitement in her eyes was a breach in the citadel.
“And eventually Almack’s,” Kitty added carelessly. Young men spoke of the Almack’s Assemblies as an arduous duty, but for a young lady, attendance was heaven. She asked Braydon, “Will Isabella have the entrée there?”
“Of course, though whether she’ll wish to go, I don’t know. Your large portion could attract fortune hunters, Isabella.”
“But true admirers as well,” Kitty said, playing along. “She’ll have her pick—earls, marquesses, and even dukes.”
“I may not like such attention,” Isabella said, but her eyes were fixed on her plate.
“It will be as you wish,” Braydon said, “but at the least you must be presented at a drawing room.” He looked at Kitty. “So, of course, must you.”
“Me!” She looked at Isabella. “I’ll have to take lessons with you.”
Isabella looked up then. “I have already been well instructed,” she said, and rose. “Please excuse me.”
She went to the door, but at the last minute turned and sank into the sort of deep curtsy required at court, then rose again with impeccable smoothness and a triumphant glint in her eye. Then she left.
The saucy minx.But Kitty liked her better for it, and she saw Braydon did, too. That hadn’t been rehearsed.
Isabella had left the door ajar. Was she hovering in hopes of hearing Kitty complain of her? How would she like being forgotten?
“I never thought of having to be presented at court,” Kitty said. “How will it be arranged?”
“Easily enough once the court recovers from mourning. A suitable lady will present you.”
“What suitable lady?”
“An excellent question. Not one of my sisters.”
“Are you so very at odds?”
“No, because we rarely meet, but they wouldn’t add to your consequences, neither having a title. I could, I believe, summon a duchess or two.”
“Aduchess?”
“They’re not quite as rare as unicorns.”
But near enough. Being presented by a duchess would definitely add to her consequence, but it would also make her a center of attention and curiosity. Kitty had never expected to want anonymity, but the thought of being an object of attention before the critical eyes of the fashionable world turned her off her food.
