Mama’s voice shattered the spell, and Katherine fought not to flinch as the lady swept forward, dragging a poor young lady along.
Chapter 13
The girl was from the younger set, and her cheeks flushed red as she stared at the ground. Katherine longed to slap Mama’s hand away from the girl and hurry the poor dear away. Who knew what precipitated this moment, but it was clear it had not been a pleasant interlude for the young lady.
“I had wanted to introduce you to Miss Hooper,” said Mama, nudging the girl forward, leaving Katherine absolutely flummoxed.
The meaning was clear, for Mama had all but trussed the poor girl up as an offering to Mr. Archer, and though Katherine had not been privy to that portion of the conversation, it was obvious from the eager gleam in Mama’s gaze that this Miss Hooper had been deemed one of the possible candidates for his Mystery Lady.
Dear heavens. Katherine’s heart ached, though it had naught to do with Mr. Archer or his search. As much as she wished to dislike Miss Hooper on principle, the way the young lady shrank in on herself called to Katherine’s sympathies. She knew all too well what it felt like to be the object of Mama’s matrimonial machinations.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hooper,” said Mr. Archer.
Mama glanced between the pair, but no one spoke beyond that. The young lady looked incapable of it, whilst the others simply shifted in place.
“It is such a fine afternoon,” said Katherine. “Miss Hooper, would you care to pick blackberries with me?”
With a scoff, Mama swiped a dismissive hand. “Nobody wishes to pick blackberries with you! Leave the girl be.”
Years of such moments had given Katherine a tolerance for public embarrassment, but even her nerves of steel couldn’t keep her cheeks from heating. However, she kept her head erect and allowed no other sign of discomfort.
“I would love to pick blackberries,” said Mr. Archer. “Won’t you join us, Miss Hooper?”
Katherine’s blush grew until she was certain it showed, but for an entirely different reason. Her ribs squeezed her heart, and she turned her gaze to the brambles; with her bonnet, they couldn’t see any of her expression, which helped some, but the swing from pain to pleasure was too extreme for her to manage with an audience.
“Mrs. Hyatt has more baskets,” he said. “Miss Hooper and I shall fetch some.”
“None for me,” said Benjamin, waving away Mr. Archer’s offer. Though Katherine couldn’t see his expression, his tone was rife with a grin when he said, “I have other business to attend to.”
“It’d better not be that Rothschild girl,” said Mama.
Miss Hooper attempted not to stare at the group, but the stiffness in her posture and the pinch of her lips made it clear she was all too aware of the conversation. Katherine slanted Mr. Archer a look, hoping the gentleman would take the hint, but rather than making his escape with the girl, he remained at Katherine’s side.
Did Mama have no shame? Katherine had often wondered what it would be like to flit about the world without ever caring what others thought, but as it often produced people as selfish and self-absorbed as Gertrude Leigh, Katherine was grateful for the humiliation burning through her. It was an unpleasant sentiment, but it was far better than the opposite.
With a haughty little sniff, Mama narrowed her gaze at her son. “You know better than to waste your time on that girl. Your father and I have been quite clear about the quality of lady you ought to court.”
Benjamin adopted that slanted grin that had often won his arguments for him. “You know I am far too young to be thinking of marriage. One ought to explore the world first before settling down.”
“That is true. You are such a good boy and deserve to have your fun.” Mama reached over and patted his cheek. Then she paused and added in a hard tone, “As long as you understand your duty when the time comes—”
“It is difficult to believe the Garrisons’ concert is in a sennight,” blurted Katherine. “Despite being so focused on my preparations, the evening has snuck up on me.”
Mama’s hand dropped, and she turned a scowl towards her daughter. Drawing her strength close, Katherine refused to flinch.
“Oh, really! Must you remind us? It is bad enough that you insist on embarrassing yourself at every turn. Must you do it in public? I swear, Katherine, our standing lowers a little every time you venture out into public.”
“Steady on,” said Mr. Archer, glancing between mother and daughter, but Katherine’s attention was on her brother. Benjamin stood there, staring at the exchange; she wanted to glare and shout at him not to waste the opportunity to escape, but doing so would only draw Mama’s attention.
“As it is my role in this family, I ought to do it well,” said Katherine in a dry tone, ignoring Miss Hooper’s gaze darting between them.
“What have I ever done to deserve such disrespect?” said Mama, clutching a hand to her chest.
The better question was what she had done to deserve any respect, but Katherine knew prodding her in that manner was a step too far. The group stood there in silence as mother and daughter stared at each other.
And still, her brother remained where he was.
Katherine darted a glance at him, narrowing her eyes and nodding away when he met her gaze. But there was little point, as Mama’s attention followed the exchange, turning away from her greatest disappointment to her son.
