Page 10 of A Countess Never Tells

Kitty slipped into her seat and dropped her napkin in her lap. “Kippers, eggs, and bacon, please, Geoffrey,” she said as the footman set a rack of fresh toast and a bowl of butter at her place across from her brother.

“Right away, miss.” The footman hurried toward the kitchen.

Shooting a glance at John, still ensconced behind the paper, Kitty buttered a piece of toast then bit into the warm bread with a satisfying crunch. She kept her eyes on her plate, and other than the noise of the crispy toast, was content to let silence abide. Kitty had begun on her second piece when the footman entered with her plate. Mouth watering, she’d settled into the kippers when John folded the paper and looked up at her.

He blinked, as if he hadn’t known of her presence, then took a sip of his coffee. “Did you enjoy yourself last night, Kitty?”

Lord, was she doomed to have everyone begin their conversations with that question? “Yes, I did, actually. Quite a good time, until Judith took ill. I looked in on her, and she seems well recovered. I suppose she got enough rest last night to ease that annoying headache.”

Her brother smiled, a satisfied look in his eyes. “She does seem much improved.”

“Which is good for me as now we can all attend the party at Vauxhall.” She peered at John, wondering what she’d say when he inevitably asked for particulars about Lord Ashbrook. “I asked Judith, and she seemed amenable to the outing.”

“Do you know much of this Lord Ashbrook, Kitty? Who introduced you?” John’s eyes narrowed.

“Your friend, Lord Aldbury.” Nothing but the truth.

“Oh, well then, if Aldbury vouches for him, that’s enough for me.” Her brother seemed to relax in his seat. “Good man.”

Not as good as her brother thought, obviously. This would be the perfect time to inform John that his friend had deliberately misled her and put her directly into the arms of a scoundrel. A very handsome, intelligent, and witty one, to be sure, but scoundrel, nonetheless.

And that was the problem. He’d been the most charming and entertaining gentleman she’d met all Season. Did she truly wish to have that acquaintance end by telling her brother about him?

“I also saw you dancing with Lord Quatford.” John looked at her keenly. “He’s been very attentive to you during the Season. I’ve been expecting him to call on me at any time. Has he given you any indication that he might propose?”

Kitty clenched her jaw until it ached. “No, he’s not given me any idea that he will.”

“Give him time. I know he holds you in high regard.”

Somehow “high regard” sounded dull as frozen mud.

“So you will approve of attending Lord Ashbrook’s party tonight? He was very attentive to me last evening, and you did tear me away from him during our last dance.” She arched her eyebrows and tried to look innocent. “It would only be fair to accept his kind invitation. And I do so love Vauxhall Gardens. So many interesting and instructional things to do there.”

“I grant you there are fine entertainments there. However, you mustn’t allow yourself to be swept away by the mystique of the place.” John peered at her with a gimlet eye. “You must not stray down any dark path, Kitty. That way lies ruin.”

Of that she was well aware. However, just thinking of Lord Ashwood at the same time as the dark pathways turned her giddy with the hope he would at least attempt to spirit her down one. How exciting would that be? “Absolutely, John. I will heed your judgment in this.”

At least until Lord Ashwood could persuade her otherwise.

Chapter 5

“Isn’t it thrilling, Judith?” Kitty peered out the window avidly as they approached the entrance to Vauxhall Gardens that night. Excitement was in the air, and Kitty’s stomach flipped at the thought they were about to join Lord Ashwood’s party.

“I’m surprised you are this excited, my dear. You’ve been to Vauxhall before.” Judith leaned back against the soft leather seats, smiling broadly. Her good mood wasn’t due to their outing, but with the turmoil that had occurred just before they’d left the house. After weeks and weeks, John and Judith had rescued Judith’s six-year-old daughter, Anna, from some nefarious plot by her grandfather to marry the child off. Kitty didn’t understand it at all but was relieved the ordeal was over.

“Well, you know I love Vauxhall to begin with. That it is Lord Ashbrook’s party makes it even more exciting.”

“You seem quite taken with Lord Ashbrook, my dear,” John spoke up, catching her eye. “Am I to expect a declaration in the near future?”

Kitty laughed nervously. “As I have just met the gentleman, brother, I think you are safe to assume he will not be asking for my hand this evening.”

“Give the gentleman time, my dear. You are quite the eligible catch yourself.” Her brother leaned over to Judith. “Tolerable to look at, too, isn’t she, my dear? I’m sure we’ll find a man to take her off our hands before the end of the Season.”

“John, behave.” Her sister-in-law slapped his arm, more playfully than in earnest. “Pay no attention to him, Kitty. You will always have a home with us, no matter your circumstances.”

“Thank you, Judith.” Kitty glanced at her brother with narrowed eyes and pursed lips, but her gestures were as much in jest as his words had been. She knew well his penchant for teasing.

The carriage pulled into the line of conveyances disgorging their passengers at the gates to the Gardens. Kitty’s excitement bubbled over, causing her to stick her head out the window, determined to enjoy every moment. The sun had set so the landscape was in deep shadow by the time they came to the head of the line. The myriad little lights hanging outside the gate gave even the drab gray walls a look of fantasy.