It took only a couple of minutes to select a new ensemble, and by that time, a footman was at the door with a basin. He left the basin for Nicholas. When he dipped his fingers in, the water was cold, but given he’d asked for it to be brought to him immediately, that wasn’t a surprise.
He removed his boxing clothes, washed off the layer ofsweat, dried, and dressed with a few minutes to spare, so he stopped by the kitchen to request a tray of tea before heading to the ballroom.
Kate and the dowager viscountess were seated on antique chairs against the far wall, with a small table positioned in front of them. Kate’s sketchbook sat in the center.
Nicholas glanced out the window, noting that it was dismally gray outside, but that didn’t seem to impact the overall stuffiness of the room. Apparently, the weather was determined to be warm even if it was dreary.
Nicholas motioned for the maid to set the tea tray on the table and reached for Kate’s sketchbook to move it aside, but she snatched it up before he could touch it. The maid placed the tray down, curtsied, and scurried away.
“How are you today, Mother?” Nicholas asked, pulling over another two chairs so that he and Theo could join them at the table.
“Reasonably well.” Lady Blackwood poured the tea. “And you?”
“Better after an invigorating bout with Theo.”
She tsked. “I’ll never know why men insist upon practicing such brutal sports. It’s most unseemly.”
“It’s all in good fun.” He picked up the teacup she’d held out to him and blew on the surface of the drink.
Theo hurried into the room, spotted his family at the table, and frowned. “My apologies for the delay. I visited with Ollie, but it seems I wasn’t quick enough.”
Kate checked the clock on the wall. “Everyone else was just early. I’m sorry you felt the need to rush your time with Ollie. Perhaps we can see him again after this.”
Theo’s expression softened in that tender way it always did when he gazed upon his wife. “I’d like that.”
“So,” Nicholas said, sipping cautiously at the tea. It was still too hot, so he set it down. “Why have you summoned us here this afternoon, Kate?”
Kate cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter even though her posture had already been exemplary. “We didn’t host a ball last season because I was with child. Therefore, we have not yet announced ourselves properly to thetonas a married pair.”
“You held an engagement ball,” Nicholas pointed out.
Not that he’d attended. His mother had threatened to rain holy terror down on him if he showed his face. He’d had to claim to be in the country and unable to return in time so that no one took his absence as a snub to his brother’s prospective bride.
Kate’s lips flattened, and she looked unimpressed with him. “Yes, but that’s quite different from hosting a ball as the viscount and viscountess, which is something I would like to do this season.”
The dowager viscountess’s breath caught, and her eyes widened almost imperceptibly.
“I want to make an impact,” Kate continued, her tone rich with zeal. “I want to launch an annual ball that thetonwill come to anticipate all season.”
Beside Nicholas, Theo shifted his weight. Perhaps he hadn’t been aware of his wife’s aspirations of becoming a renowned hostess.
“I don’t want to be overly gaudy or cliché.” Kate started speaking more quickly, hitting her stride. “I’ve been sketching possible decor and arrangements, and I have several options we can choose between. Lady Blackwell, I’d be honored if you’d assist me in this endeavor.”
Their mother, for her part, was rapturous.
While she took pains to avoid the “wrong” sort of attention, she would love to have the opportunity to show off her home and wealth to her peers. Especially alongside a woman like Kate, who had impeccable taste and would no doubt ensure the event was the talk of the season.
“We’ll have to discuss a budget,” Theo warned, perhaps seeing the gleam in their mother’s eyes.
“Of course.” Kate waved her hand dismissively. “I will work within whatever bounds you consider appropriate.”
Nicholas turned away so no one would see him smile. They all knew that Theo would give Kate whatever she wanted.
Kate stopped talking and clasped her hands together. Her teeth scraped over her lower lip as if she were nervous, but what did she have to worry about?
The corners of her eyes crinkled slightly, and then she drew in a deep breath and spoke again. “Nicholas.”
Warnings were sounding in his head, but he had no idea why. “Yes, Kate?”
