Page 2 of A Countess Never Tells

“You are kind-hearted, Miss Tate.” He steered them around the dance floor.

“And you are gallant, Lord Ashbrook. I am very happy Lord Aldbury introduced you.” Kitty had known Lord Aldbury as an acquaintance of her brother’s, so she’d not needed Judith or John’s presence for the introduction.

“I certainly owe Lord Aldbury a debt.” Lord Ashbrook smiled ruefully. “I am glad he introduced us also. But wait, there he is.” He nodded to Aldbury, talking to several other gentlemen near the doors to the verandah. “Let me just thank him once more.”

Kitty nodded. There would be time before the next set made up. It was the supper dance, and she was to stand up with Lord Quatford, a gentleman she’d partnered often during the Season. A nice enough gentleman, but he didn’t hold a candle to Lord Ashbrook as far as looks were concerned. She could certainly spare a little more time for her current escort.

“Aldbury, gentlemen.” Lord Ashbrook bowed, and Kitty curtsied. She knew Lord Aldbury, of course, but hadn’t met any of the others. “Wanted to thank you again for that important introduction, Aldbury. Good man.” Lord Ashbrook looked meaningfully at his friend.

“Quite right. Not at all, Ashbrook.” Lord Aldbury glanced from her to him. “For that wager we spoke of earlier, can I consider it paid?”

“That you can, Aldbury. Paid in full.” Ashbrook smiled and patted Kitty’s hand. “And now I must get Miss Tate back to her sister-in-law. If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen?”

Aldbury bowed, and while the other gentlemen looked confused, they too bowed politely. Kitty curtsied again, confused herself by that exchange.

“Come, my dear.” Lord Ashbrook started them away. “Before I relinquish you to your sister-in-law, Miss Tate, allow me to thank you again for a lovely dance.” Lord Ashbrook patted her gloved hand gently.

“I assure you, my lord, you were a very welcome addition to my list of dance partners.” That was certainly the truth. Lord Ashbrook was the most handsome and youngest gentleman she’d danced with all evening. Kitty smiled at him as she let go of his arm. Sadly, they had reached Judith.

“Then may I beg to add another dance this evening?” The eagerness on Lord Ashbrook’s face sent a thrill through Kitty. “Would you favor me by allowing me one more set this evening, Miss Tate?”

Kitty nodded enthusiastically. She always saved one set toward the end of the evening, in the event she became tired and wished to sit out. Or, as now, someone she wished to dance with asked her. “I have the second set after supper open, if you are available then.”

“I am.” His face lit up in a smile as he raised her hand and brushed his lips over her gloved knuckles, making her shiver. “I will find you with Lady Haxby after supper, Miss Tate. Until then, I will be counting the minutes.”

Heart beating fast, Kitty couldn’t speak as he bowed and walked away. Lord Ashbrook was more exciting than any other gentleman she’d met this Season. She followed his progress across the ballroom until he approached and greeted her friend Maria Fitzhugh, who must be his partner for the supper dance.

Kitty sighed.

Lucky girl.

Waiting for Lord Quatford to arrive and claim his supper dance, Kitty moved closer to Judith, who was deep in conversation with Lady Wymer. She didn’t wish to intrude on their tête-à-tête, so she busied herself writing Lord Ashbrook’s name on the small card she kept in her reticule so she wouldn’t forget any of her partners. Not that she’d forget Lord Ashbrook. Such a nice gentleman. Quite perfect, really. So unfortunate he’d only just now appeared at the Season’s entertainments.

“Good evening, Kitty.” Lady Phoebe, Lady Wymer’s daughter, strolled up, her face serene as always. “How have you been faring in dancing this evening? I’ve been sadly lacking in partners tonight.”

“Good evening, Phoebe. You look lovely as always.” Lady Phoebe Varley was attired in a pink silk robe à l’Anglaise with rows of ruffles at hem and knees. Her long blond hair had been swept up, allowing a few stray tendrils to escape her elegant chignon. Kitty had to say Lady Phoebe’s gowns were more beautiful than any other young ladies’ out this year. If truth be told, her looks should set the standard for all of them.

Tonight, Kitty had worn one of her favorite gowns, a robe à la Française, white with blue flowers sprinkled capriciously all over it, with a white petticoat embroidered with blue forget-me-nots in a circle in the front. To offset so much white, the gown sported three black velvet bows, one in the center of her bodice’s neckline and one on the elbow of each sleeve. Judith and John had complimented her on the gown extravagantly when she’d appeared to leave. Now, next to Phoebe, she felt terribly out of fashion. Hopefully, Lord Ashbrook hadn’t thought her so.

“You do as well, Kitty. Blue always becomes you.” Phoebe glanced around the room. “Who is to partner you for the supper dance?”

“Lord Quatford.”

Phoebe made a face. “He is a kind gentleman, to be sure, but a trifle dull.”

“Not everyone is a sparkling wit, Phoebe. Lord Quatford dances divinely, even if he is not the cleverest of men.” Kitty felt it only right to come to the defense of her partner, even though Phoebe’s comment was sadly true.

“Dancing is not everything either, Kitty. A young lady must look for other qualities in a gentleman she considers marrying.” Lady Phoebe twisted her long neck about. “Is anyone coming?”

Kitty glanced about then shook her head.

Phoebe leaned toward her and dropped her voice. “Mama says nothing should persuade a young lady to wed other than a gentleman’s good breeding and financial stability. But I don’t think a lady would be amiss if she also looked for a pleasing form. That should count as well, don’t you think?”

Giggling, Kitty nodded. “I think that’s the first attribute an intelligent young lady should look for. I will let John look after things like settlements and financial security. That’s what guardians are for.”

“I suppose that is true.” Phoebe shrugged. “I only wish my parents were less high in the instep. They’ve indicated to me which gentlemen I may and may not consider prospective husbands. Has your brother done that as well?”

“No, not to my knowledge. Although I daresay if John has a list, Lord Quatford’s name is at its top. My good fortune lies in the fact that both Judith and John have been distracted of late. They have therefore given me more freedom to attend entertainments and converse with gentlemen than if they were paying more attention to me.”