“Mine is the genuine pleasure, “he replied in an oily tone that made Kitty’s stomach turn most unpleasantly.
“Mr. Hasler was just telling me that he’s recently returned to London after spending several weeks in Surrey at the estate of his brother, Viscount Kineton.”
Ah, of course. The brother of a viscount. “That sounds lovely.” Kitty kept her voice flat and uninterested.Though, in truth, the prospect of escaping London for several weeks did sound lovely. She did not dislike London, but she missed the fresh air and open space of the country. If only she had the opportunity to visit.
The viscount’s brother glanced between Kitty and her mother before dropping into a bow. “I’m afraid I see an acquaintance I’ve been meaning to speak with. Please excuse me. It was a pleasure, Miss Childs.”
Kitty’s mother waited just long enough for him to leave before she leaned in and hissed softly, “What was that, Catherine?”
Refusing to blanch at the use of her full Christian name, Kitty replied, “I’m not sure what you mean. I was perfectly polite to Mr. Hasler.”
Mrs. Childs pursed her lips. “Perfectly polite and obviously disinterested.”
Not for the first time, Kitty wondered why her mother assumed she would have any interest in such a man. Like so many gentlemen she’d met in London, the interest was all on her mother’s part.
“Why, Mrs. Childs, Miss Childs, it is so lovely to have you here this evening.” Kitty pasted on a smile and turned fully to face their hostess. She could only hope that the countess had arrived late enough to miss the previous conversation.
“And we were so grateful for the honor of an invitation, my lady,” Mrs. Childs responded in her most obsequious manner.
“Of course,” the countess replied. “While you are here, I would like to introduce you to my nephews.” She looked around as if she’d expected them to be following at her heels. “Oh, there they are,” Lady Fulbourn commented as two gentlemen stepped through the crowd.
Two familiar-looking men, though she’d only seen the one from the back. The younger man looked between Kitty and her mother before his gaze returned to Kitty, his eyes wide. Without a doubt, she was about to be introduced to her visitor from the alcove. Her heart did a little flip, but she forced herself to ignore it.
“Mrs. Childs, Miss Childs,” the countess began, her hand gesturing towards the man from the alcove, “may I present my husband’s nephew, Mr. Oliver Linfield?” Oliver Linfield, the insolvent nephew of an earl. Kitty was so distracted by the identity of the handsome young man that she completely missed the name of his associate.
On instinct, Kitty settled into the indifferent mask that had protected her for two years. “A pleasure, gentlemen.”
“Likewise,” Mr. Linfield replied with a look of disinterest that would put many London gentlemen to shame. At least the feeling was mutual. The poorly hidden excitement on her mother’s face utterly destroyed any interest Kitty might otherwise have had.
Chapter Two
Oliverhadbeenreadyto vanish for the evening before Aunt Fulbourn materialized and insisted on making a few introductions. After meeting four different “dear friends” and their marriageable daughters, Oliver suspected a conspiracy. His aunt had not failed to mention her social plans; she had arranged them after receiving his letter. With such blatant matchmaking, could there be any doubt?
“I’m rather worn out from traveling, Aunt. I hope you’ll forgive me if I bid you goodnight,” Oliver spoke after meeting a Mrs. Miller and her daughter. Or was it Morris? They all seemed to blend together. The same stylish dresses, the same polite manners. Nothing that even remotely caught his attention.
“Just one more, and I promise I will let you escape without another word.” His aunt then set off through the crowd, as though expecting them to follow without instruction.
“Shall we?” Nat gestured towards their vanishing hostess.
Oliver let out a soft sigh and headed in the same direction, at a decidedly slower pace.
When Oliver caught up to Aunt Fulbourn, he found himself facing yet another middle-aged mother and her young daughter. But then he looked again, and recognition struck. The petite woman with darkcurls was none other than the young lady he’d met earlier that evening. Well, not exactly met. But interacted with. And now he would know her name. His pulse quickened with anticipation.
But then Oliver’s aunt began the introduction. When he heard the names “Mrs. Childs and Miss Childs,” he resisted the urge to curse. Nat must have recognized them as well, because he stiffened beside him.
Why would Aunt Fulbourn introduce him to the most notorious matchmaking mama in London? Even Oliver, who rarely left Hampshire and abhorred gossip, had heard tales of a woman who arrived in Town the previous year with a single-minded goal of connecting her family to a title. In any way necessary. Even a nephew with no chance of inheriting the said title would do.
Mrs. Child’s smile widened as Aunt Fulbourn spoke Oliver’s name. Something about the way she appraised him made him feel as though she thought of him as a prized stallion on display at Tattersalls. Some gentlemen might have appreciated such attention, but he found it demeaning.
When he turned his attention to Miss Childs, he found a very different reaction. If the mother thought of him as a prized stallion, the daughter appeared to consider him the most uninteresting of donkeys. He was not sure whether he should be relieved or disappointed. He looked back at Mrs. Childs and her obvious interest. Definitely relieved.
When it came his time to respond, Oliver bowed in a manner that was perfectly polite but not even remotely friendly. When he lifted his head to look at Miss Childs, she’d narrowed her eyes ever so slightly.
“It was a pleasure to meet both of you, but we just arrived this afternoon and I believe it is time to retire,” Nat spoke from beside him.
Oliver bowed again and bid all three ladies farewell before following his brother-in-law out the door and up the stairs.
“Thank you,” Oliver said when he reached his borrowed bedchamber.
