"We could announce our betrothal at the ball if that pleases you?" she asked, squeezing his hand in return.
"Yes, very much," he agreed.
***
"Oh my dear, such news, such news!" Katharine’s mother exclaimed. Lady Anne dabbed at her eyes as Edward smiled broadly at the couple.
Anne had known that her daughter’s moment would come, and now it had. She would no longer have to be ashamed of her unmarried daughter.
Katharine smiled lightly but wanted to escape to her room. She felt a headache coming on.
***
She helped plan the expensive ball with her mother. They made certain that the different meats had been ordered and helped the cook bring in additional kitchen servants from the village. Katharine knew the ball would be a great burden on the servants, and she tried to be a kind mistress, to remember them.
She spent almost every day with Jamie, except when he had to journey to London on business.
She enjoyed his company, and neither of them made demands on the other. It was an unspoken pledge that their marriage would be one of friendship, family desires, and little else. She knew several marriages that survived in exactly the same manner.
He knew she enjoyed spending time reading and riding and he left her to her own company. She, in turn, knew he had obligations in London and allowed him his freedom.
***
Frances Rose Maxwell hugged her friend tightly as they sat down to tea in the blue and rose-colored upstairs sitting room.
"I've missed you so," Francie told her as they settled across the small table laden with sandwiches and tea.
Katharine thought instantly of Bashasha's kindness and almost choked on her sandwich. She had to learn to conceal her thoughts better. She could only think of Arabia was when she was alone and knew it would be better for her piece of mind if she never thought of it at all.
"I've missed you, Francie. Missed you terribly," Kat said with tears in her eyes.
"I've heard the stories and I don't care about anything. You are safe, well, and loved," Francie said as she poured the tea.
"Thank you," Kat said as she reached out a hand to her friend and squeezed. Katharine was worried that her neighbors would point and whisper about her, though none would dare openly confront her.
"So what is the theme of this ball that everyone is talking about?" Francie asked.
"I don't know," Kat said, laughing. "It changes daily. Greek mythology, famous royalty, savages!"
Francie laughed, and her brown eyes danced.
"You should have the final say. ‘Tis your party," Francie teased.
"I would prefer a simply ball with no theme but lots of good frien
ds. And you, my dearest friend, must arrive early to serve as hostess with me."
"Your wish is my command," Francie told her.
***
Edward read the letter quickly and beamed. He rubbed his hands together over the fire and smiled. His darling daughter would have a present fit for a queen. He had procured her a most beautiful horse and was quite pleased with himself. He went in search of Anne to tell her the good news.
"She will be pleased, Edward. You are too generous," Anne said as she embroidered in an upper room facing the gardens. She often thought her husband was too giving to their daughter.
"Nonsense. She deserves this bit of happiness. She's been complaining for years that she has to ride her brother's castoff horse."
"True," Anne said, nodding.