[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
He quirked one dark eyebrow and patted her hand. Dear Catherine, I m sure I
mentioned two o clock, but you tend not to listen. It s a family failing, Emma. I have to
remind her constantly about her bad habit of jumping to conclusions. Is that not so,
Catherine?
You never fail to remind me of my many faults, but I promise to do better. I ll meet
you at the stables at two o clock. Her heart soaring with happiness, she nodded to him,
smiled at Emma, whose last name she d forgotten, and sauntered off the terrace.
Richard was not betrothed. She sang it inside her head, whistled it under breath
and&
But what chance had she of winning him? She had no dowry. Nothing to offer.
Only herself. His paid companion.
196
A Very Difficult Man
Chapter Twenty-Two
Catherine sought the quiet of her room after tea to think about the day. She d seen
very little of Richard except for those few brief moments on the terrace when she d
maneuvered Emma Charteris away from him. The afternoon ride with a few men and
the lovely Emma, had been refreshing but he d been too busy with his guests to pay
particular attention to her.
She d expected something. What? That he d take her aside, declare his love, and
make her an offer of marriage? Why did she think he loved her?
Because he d been shocked into saying so after rescuing her from the bog? Because
he d wanted to kiss her? But there was no risk in kissing her now that he and Madeline
had parted company.
But what were a few stolen kisses? For her, they d set her body afire, and she d
longed to stay in his arms forever. But for Richard? Perhaps men were different.
Perhaps a kiss or two meant nothing to him.
She sighed. Like it or not, she had to change her clothes, and take part in the
festivities. No time to sit around and mope. There were young men aplenty who d cast
flirtatious glances her way. She d not be a wallflower.
Catherine tried on her blue gown. It was definitely a wallflower gown, not to be
compared with some of the day dresses worn by the female guests, especially the pink
silk worn by Emma earlier. She imagined how beautiful the women would look in party
gowns and her in the dreary blue thing.
The blue would not do, but would she shock everyone by dressing as a gypsy? The
bright colors would cheer her up. No bare feet though. She did not want her toes
crushed by an awkward dancing partner.
Catherine tossed the blue gown aside, tossed her undergarment aside and
transformed herself into a gypsy. She looped back her curls and secured them with
three different colored ribbons. Gold hoops in her ears, she twirled in front of the
Cheval glass, one shoulder enticingly bare, the gypsy shawl thrown carelessly over her
arm.
Suddenly nervous, she paced the room. Dare she do this? She sucked in a deep
breath. Why not? She d nothing to lose. Richard might notice her.
Music drifted up through her open windows. The dancing had begun.
Head held high in true gypsy fashion she walked boldly along the hallway, past the
armored knight and her courage almost failed.
She hesitated at the top of the staircase. Below, Richard stood with a few guests, his
back to her. As though sensing her presence, he turned toward her and like a
197
Anita Birt
sleepwalker, she floated down to him. He met her at the bottom step and held out his
hand.
Kate. Speechless, he feasted his eyes on her. His own beautiful Kate.
Do you want me to change? Have I shocked you?
Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it, lingered over her fingertips, and tempted to
kiss her palm, thought he d save that until later& later when he d ask her to be his wife.
Dolly had not approached him. Until he did, may the best man win& unless Kate loved
his brother.
You are perfect. Every man will be asking you to dance, and the women will be
envious.
Excuse me, Richard. A hand tapped his shoulder, and he turned around. Geoffrey
Charteris inclined his head, and smiled at Kate. May I have this dance, Miss Thurston?
You are a vision, quite the most beautiful young lady at Dolly s party.
As graceful as a queen, Kate offered him her hand. He was Emma s brother. She d
ridden with him earlier. Thank you, Mr. Charteris. He started to lead her to the
ballroom.
Although ready to dismember his old friend for interrupting his tete-a-tete with
Kate, he resisted temptation. Promise to save a waltz for me, Catherine. My dearest
Kate, he added under his breath.
She glanced over her shoulder, her deliciously bare shoulder. Certainly.
By God, Richard, your Miss Thurston is an appetizing morsel.
Perfect host or not, he very nearly took his fists to Jack Tarnock. I don t like your
choice of words, Jack. In the future I ll thank you not to refer to Miss Thurston in those
terms. Is that clear?
Color rose in Jack s already flushed face. Didn t mean any harm. She s a dashed
pretty girl. He drained the wine in his glass. Sorry if I offended you.
Then we ll say no more about it. Leaving him behind, Richard sauntered through
the various reception rooms making sure drinks were served to those not dancing. A
few played cards. Edward had captured an old acquaintance for a game of dominoes.
He found his mother sitting with a few friends in one of the spacious ballroom
alcoves. Catherine has left her shawl with me. Doesn t she look splendid?
Yes, she is lovely.
His mother slanted her eyes at him. She s having a wonderful time. See how Dolly
looks at her. He sought her out the minute Geoffrey relinquished her but Dolly has had
to allow other young men to dance with her.
As the small orchestra struck up a waltz, Richard made his way through the crowd
to reach Kate. May I have this dance?
Her smile weakened his knees not good, when he had to try waltzing with one
unsteady leg. She melted into his arms, her right hand snug in his. He d once been a
198
A Very Difficult Man
very good dancer, part of a gentleman s accomplishments. His mother had insisted he
and Dolly learn what to do with their feet. She had taught them herself.
Ready, Kate? She swayed with him in time to the music, and he swept her into
the waltz. He didn t care that his leg hurt like hell. With Kate in his arms, nothing else
mattered.
I ve something to ask you. They did a wide turn around several dancers.
Yes? She gazed into his eyes, and he lost the beat, stumbled slightly, and willed
himself not to lose the rhythm. If his damned leg gave out, he d end up on the floor
with Kate on top of him.
I ll ask you later. I can t talk and dance at the same time.
Kate giggled. Neither can I. I like the music to work its magic.
Too soon, the waltz ended, and he escorted her to where several young ladies
preened themselves at the edge of the dance floor waiting for partners. He bowed over
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plalternate.pev.pl
|
