But Emily had the same thought as Kathleen. “I assumed you would know better than to ride the white one in London.”
“Yes, I merely forgot,” Vanessa replied, not wanting to acknowledge Emily’s supercilious tone, at least not now, since it would undoubtedly put her and her sister at odds for their ride. But she intended to get Emily alone one of these days to find out why she had turned so disagreeable toward her. It wasn’t constant, but from time to time she would make catty remarks to Vanessa for no reason—at least, no reason Vanessa could think of.
The twins didn’t notice Monty when they came outside, though they weren’t in the habit of paying attention to grooms. But on the short ride to the park, Vanessa laughed at herself when she recalled what she had originally thought of London, and what had turned her away from it—too much smoke and soot. This area of the town was utterly different, with beautiful, clean streets, not at all congested, exactly what she had imagined it would be like before she had turned away in disgust nearly three weeks ago. When her mother’s coach had entered the city yesterday afternoon, she had closed her eyes for a few minutes. But by the time they’d reached Grosvenor Square in the area of Mayfair where Kathleen’s new town house was located, she’d been utterly pleased with London—at least this part of it. Elegant homes, fancy carriages and coaches, well-dressed couples strolling the streets. No wonder Kathleen used to love coming here.
In the park, Monty surprised the twins with his presence and his attire. Emily was a little embarrassed that she hadn’t noticed him sooner, but Layla did question his disguise, to which he rejoined, “I didn’t want to scare away any young gentlemen who try to meet you today.”
Yet he stopped behaving like a groom and rode between the twins instead of behind them with the other two grooms. He kept up a steady banter with them, provoking giggles, laughs, even a few blushes. Vanessa began to feel neglected, riding on Layla’s other side, but it was just as well that he paid some attention to the twins. If he spoke with only her, they might wonder if there was more than friendship between her and Monty. There was; she just wasn’t sure exactly what it was—flirting, a mutual attraction that sometimes ran out of control, letting herself be led astray by a charming rake? And she’d been a little too bold and daring with him, but no more. She had an arranged marriage to take care of now that she was in London. But he was definitely amusing the twins. She loved how easily he could make those around him laugh.
But he did fall back when the gentlemen in the park started catching up to the girls to introduce themselves. Vanessa was greeted almost as an afterthought, which made her want to laugh because she’d been expecting it. The twins were a novelty, after all, identicalandbeautiful. None of the young men stayed long, but all expressed hope that they would meet again. And the twins were thrilled. They hadn’t even attended their first social event yet and they were already a success.
Chapter Thirty
VANESSA FELT EXCITED ABOUTher first ball in London, even if it would be at the home of people she despised. It was still a momentous event for her, one she should be sharing with both her parents, but that wasn’t possible. At least she could share it with her sisters. But her nervousness mounted as the hour to depart approached and now it was overshadowing the excitement. She would be meeting her future husband tonight. She would have to speak with Albert Rathban at some point in the evening, too, and not revile him as she’d like to do. She would have to be on her best behavior—she would have to be a lady.
She certainly looked the part. Her ball gown was exquisite, such a pale aquamarine it might be mistaken for white in sunlight, but it would never be worn during the day. The trimming was a complementary shade of turquoise, but very thin so the bold color couldn’t be objected to. And then Kathleen arrived in her room, carrying her jewelry box, which she opened on Vanessa’s vanity. She held up emeralds to Vanessa’s neck, then sapphires, but in the end decided a necklace of opals would suit her and her gown better. She had a ring and bracelet to go with it and even a few matching pins that she tucked into Vanessa’s coiffure.
“You’re going to make me very, very proud tonight,” Kathleen said, and gave her a hug.
Vanessa laughed, hearing an order in that remark rather than a prediction, but she allowed, “I intend to behave, even if I must bite my tongue until it bleeds.”
Kathleen tsked. “Don’t be dramatic.”
“When I hate Albert Rathban above all people? But I will endeavor not to show it.”
“I remember my first ball,” Kathleen said with a smile. “It was the highlight of my youth. I hope you can relax and simply enjoy this one, Nessa.”
Vanessa was surprised at how sincere Kathleen sounded. Maybe she was sincere. Circumstances had brought them both to this particular point in their relationship, but she had never doubted, at least, not in the past, that Kathleen wanted the best for her daughters. But how could she relax enough to enjoy herself tonight when she was about to meet her future husband, who Monty claimed was a rake of the worst sort? She still hoped he’d told her that only in an effort to talk her out of an arranged engagement. A shy, awkward boy becoming a philanderer seemed so improbable to her she doubted that it was true.
“I’m nervous about meeting Daniel,” Vanessa admitted.
“Don’t be. You are utterly exquisite tonight. I have no doubt a’tall that you will charm him right to the altar. It’s time to go.”
Kathleen left the room to gather the twins. Vanessa headed to the stairs. It was a lovely town house, beautifully appointed, but it felt cramped compared to Dawton Manor, where every room was large. She reminded herself that the cottage in Scotland had been tiny in comparison.
She looked for Monty below in the hall, but he wasn’t there, nor was he in the parlor waiting. But he had mentioned that he would arrive at the ball separately. Or perhaps he’d changed his mind about going. That was a disappointing thought. While her purpose in attending this ball was to meet her future husband and get acquainted with him, she’d still thought she might have some fun if Monty were there.
It didn’t take long to reach the Rathban residence in the northern part of Mayfair. It was a grand old mansion that had likely been built long before the many narrow town houses had gone up in this exclusive end of town. Vanessa was surprised to see so many people already in the ballroom, considering the reason for this ball.
Kathleen whispered to her on the way in, “You are to be a surprise for Daniel. Lord Albert doesn’t want his son to think he organized this ball for the express purpose of introducing you to him, which is exactly what he did. But apparently the Rathbans haven’t hosted a ball in over a decade, so everyone of note clamored for an invitation. And it appears that they were successful.”
And to the twins she added, “The crème de la crème of young bachelors are in attendance, as well as your competition, though truly, my darlings, you will make the other young debutantes cry tonight.”
Of course there was a receiving line to meet their host—and his wife. Somehow Vanessa hadn’t expected such a vengeful man to have one. Nor did she expect him to look so normal when he ought to have horns. He was in his late fifties and had black hair with only a few streaks of gray, while his wife looked older, though that might be because of the very unfashionable white wig she was wearing. But then she had come of age at a time when everyone wore them, and it was rumored that most of the older crowd who had worn them the longest had actually lost their natural hair because of it.
“There he is! That’s Daniel standing just behind his parents,” Kathleen whispered to Vanessa before they reached their hosts.
Vanessa’s eyes moved to the portly, plain-looking young man, although there was another young man who resembled him standing near him, so she wasn’t sure which one Kathleen was referring to. Both of them looked so dullandbored. And neither one had a rakish air about him. If they chased women expressly to get them into bed, she couldn’t imagine how they accomplished it. So Monty had lied to her just to keep her from getting married so quickly? She’d give him an earful about that the next time she saw him.
And then they were standing before the elderly Rathban couple. “You haven’t aged a day, Lady Blackburn,” Albert said cordially to Kathleen. “I find myself very pleased that you arrived in London with your family in time to join us. We have high hopes that our little gathering shall be a success.”
Such innuendo, when he was so obviously referring to their bargain! But since he was giving Vanessa a very long look as he said it, she supposed he was patting himself on the back that she was prettier than he might have expected—pretty enough to get his son to the altar. But she said not one word to him, letting her mother handle the social niceties and introductions.
And Margaret Rathban leaned close to whisper to Vanessa, “You’ll do fine, m’dear. Fine indeed.”
So the wife knew about the bargain, too? Yes, of course she would. Daniel was her only son, too, who wouldn’t do his duty to perpetuate the family line.
Then she heard her mother greet one of the younger men, “How do you do, Daniel?”
