Page 15 of Kathryn

“There is no need for you to—”

“We will discuss this matter tomorrow,” the duchess said, staring hard at her sister. For the second time that evening the sisters engaged in silent combat.

After a long moment Lady Kathryn scowled at her sister and turned back to Gerrit. “I shall see you tomorrow, Your Grace.”

Why did her words sound more like a threat than a promise?

Chapter Six

Neither Chatham nor Hy said a word to Katie on the short carriage ride home. When they did finally speak to her—in the foyer of Chatham House—it was only to say a polite, goodnight.

Katie didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried that Hy was going to allow her to go to bed without delivering a full-blown raking. But as she trudged up to her chambers, she did know that she would not get a wink of sleep tonight.

Becky Stone, her lady’s maid, confidante, and erstwhile childhood playmate was dozing in a chair when Katie entered her chambers.

Becky blinked at the sound of the door shutting and glanced at the clock on the mantel. “You are back early.”

Katie tossed her reticule onto her dressing table.

“Oh no,” Becky said, pushing up from the chair and hurrying toward her. “I know that look. What is amiss?”

Katie and Becky had been born only three days apart. For most of Katie’s life Becky, whose large family mostly worked in service, had been the richer of the two even though Katie was the daughter of the Earl of Addiscombe. Not until Katie’s sister Phoebe married the screamingly wealthy Viscount Needham did Katie have a frock that was made just for her rather than one of her sisters’ remade dresses.

Five years ago, Katie’s mother had forbidden her to engage Becky as her lady’s maid. “The girl is a hayseed, Kathryn. You will engage a proper servant.”

But after the Countess of Addiscombe had been banished to Bath by Katie’s older sisters and their husbands Katie had gone to live with Hy, who had allowed her to choose her own maid. The decision had been an easy one and Becky had been with Katie ever since.

“I am in trouble,” Katie confessed as Becky removed the lustrous set of pearls from her neck and laid them in their special velvet-lined box.

“What did you do now, my lady?” Becky asked as she plucked the tiny emerald brilliants from Katie’s hair.

Katie stared at her reflection in the mirror, her head spinning.

“What happened, Katie?” Becky asked again.

Katie met Becky’s worried gaze. “I don’t want to talk about it right now—but I will later, I promise. I need to pay a visit to Andrew.” Andrew Derrick—a cousin by marriage—was Katie’s closest friend. Before his marriage Andrew had been one of the most notorious bachelors in England for decades. If anyone could tell her about Dulverton it would be Andrew.

“You wish to call on Mr. Derrick?” Becky asked in dismay. “Shouldn’t you wait until morning?”

“This cannot wait. I need to see him now,” Katie said firmly.

Becky’s jaws flexed and she didn’t move.

“Please,” Katie wheedled. “It’s just across the square. You know I won’t be in any danger.”

“Fine. But you will take me with you.”

“Fine,” Katie echoed, lacking the energy to argue with her determined servant.

A sleepy footman opened the door at Andrew’s house.

“Is your master available?” Katie asked as she hurried inside.

The handsome young man blinked owlishly “Aye, my lady. He’s not gone to bed yet. I believe he is in his study.”

Katie unfastened her cloak and handed it to Becky.

“What about Mrs. Derrick?” Katie asked as she pulled off her gloves.