Before Katherine’s eyes could follow the movement or Mama could think to follow, Benjamin took her free arm and led the trio away. Casting a glance over her shoulder, Katherine breathed a sigh when she spied Mama heading after the distraction, and Rosanna patted Katherine’s arm as they meandered through the crowd.
Nudging them towards a circle of people, Rosanna lowered her voice and leaned in. “I know you are more like Prudence than myself—preferring the edges of the ballroom to the thick of things—but there are a few people I would love to introduce you to.”
Proverbs advised people not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but they also warned of Greeks bearing gifts, and for all that Katherine had hoped the former more fitting for this sudden shift in her life, her stomach sank as she realized it was the latter. How many times had Rosanna attempted to smooth her way into society? Katherine didn’t know why the lady had ever bothered, for it always ended in disaster.
Rosanna tapped a gentleman on the shoulder, and Katherine drew in a deep breath, steeling herself for another Mr. Mowbry or Mr. Tryck. Judging another based on appearances was a terrible thing to do, for one could not help the face one was born with, but surely it was acceptable to base one’s judgment on hygiene. She didn’t care if her friends were plain or handsome, but smelling of decay or muck was unacceptable. As was having the personality of a rotting fish.
“Mr. Julian,” said Rosanna with a broad smile, and Katherine couldn’t help but stare at the man. He was quite ordinary-looking. Neither old nor young, tall nor squat, thin nor thick, and with a mop of brown hair and dark eyes, Mr. Julian was entirely unremarkable.
“Might I introduce you to my sister, Miss Katherine Leigh,” said Rosanna with a smile, motioning between the pair. “Mr. Julian is a musician and composer.”
The gentleman winced at that. “You flatter me, Mrs. Tate, but I fear I haven’t the talent to claim either title. It is a passion of mine, that is all.”
“Then you do not compose?” asked Katherine.
“I do, but only for my own pleasure,” he said with a smile that strained at the edges.
“And you play?”
Mr. Julian nodded but added, “My talent is middling at best.”
Katherine raised her brows in challenge. “There are bankers, physicians, vicars, and solicitors that claim those titles without having a modicum of skill, and there are gentry with failing estates and no income to their name, yet not one of them would hesitate to label themselves by those titles. If you play and compose music, you are a musician and composer. What does skill have to do with it?”
Mr. Julian tucked his hands behind him, his cheeks turning slightly pink, though his smile broadened. “I see you will not allow me even an inch.”
“Not when you speak nonsense.”
Though Rosanna stiffened at the quick retort, Mr. Julian laughed.
Then he dipped into a bow and asked, “Miss Leigh, if you are not otherwise occupied, would you care to dance?”
Katherine stiffened, and she blinked at the gentleman. Had she heard him correctly? A hand at her back nudged her forward, and she followed the prompting, taking his proffered hand. Mr. Julian led her onto the dance floor, where they took their places amongst the dancers as the first strains of music started, and the whirlwind of an evening began in earnest.
Had she been given a glimpse of this evening in the past, Katherine would never have believed it to be true. Mr. Julian was a delightful companion, allowing her to ramble on about composers and compositions, matching her impassioned descriptions with his own as they debated the merits of various styles.
And when their dances were done, Rosanna was there once more, guiding her into another small circle, who delighted in dry humor and discussions on literature and art. With each passing minute, Rosanna led her deeper into parts of Greater Edgerton society that Katherine hadn’t known existed. There was the occasional harpy or pompous twit, but the majority were keen to discuss something of substance.
She didn’t understand where it had all been hidden. But then, how much of her social circles was determined by her parents’ connections? Mama would never deign to spend an evening with people intrigued by such dry subjects.
All in all, Katherine was enjoying herself, which was shocking and strange in and of itself. But then, that was fitting, as everything in her life was topsy-turvy at present. And all the while, Rosanna continued to lead her about, showing her off as though she were a treasured sister.
Katherine’s throat tightened, making it difficult to speak, and she reveled in the warmth burning in her heart. It spread through her, heating her far more than the press of bodies and burning candles.
“Stand and deliver,” murmured a voice at her shoulder, and it felt as though someone had dumped a basin of water atop her. Those words pulsed through her, and in a flash, Katherine recalled every sweet and wonderful moment of that evening when the man in question had so loved to speak those words.
Why was he saying them now? Did he know? Had he finally realized the truth? Surely calling back to that night was significant, and Katherine’s breath quickened as her mind sped through the possibilities. He knew. He must. But for all that the realization had a significant impact on her equilibrium, she couldn’t decide if it was for good or ill.
Something that was becoming all too commonplace of late.
Turning in place, Katherine forced herself to meet his eyes. “Good evening, Mr. Archer.”
He dipped his head and, with a smile, said in a low tone, “Good evening, Miss Leigh.”
Katherine studied every aspect of his face. Was that crinkle of his eye a knowing one, or was he simply delighted to see her? Or did he find it amusing that his Mystery Lady was her? Good gracious! Despite knowing the man as well as anyone could claim to know a friend, she couldn’t decipher his expression with any confidence.
“There is no need for that nonsense. You are not dressed as Dick Turpin tonight,” she said.
Mr. Archer’s gaze drifted across her features, studying them with equal intensity. “True, but I have been giving that evening much thought. It didn’t end the way I had intended.”
