Courting Kit

~ Twenty-One ~

HALLOWAY HOUSE WAS an impressive work of stone, colonnades, and spiked black iron railings on the first floor and at the long balcony of the second and third floor. A small array of garden beds enclosed by stone adorned the front of the townhouse that overlooked the quiet street. Kitty stood for a moment and took a long, sustaining breath of air.

As she walked towards the front doors, she noted that they were heavily molded and adorned by a wide, gold-trimmed black canopy. The total effect was most impressive.

Nanny at her back was thanking Max as she held his sturdy arm. “I’m a bit stiff,” she told both Kitty and Max as she gingerly took steps forward. “Ah … that’s better.”

Kitty turned to Max before approaching the front door any further and said, “Max, this all looks so grand. Has the earl been living here all alone?”

“Aw no, his lordship had bachelor lodgings not too far from here.” He smiled broadly at Kitty, for they had struck up a friendship of sorts over the long trip. “And the dowager, she took to living year round at the Grange, ye see.” His attention was caught, and he motioned to the front doors being held open by the Halloway butler. “Aye then, Oi see that they be waiting on yer, so Oi’ll jest bring up the luggage, and then Oi’ll be toiking the horses to the stables and get them all bedded down.”

Kitty absorbed this as she took Nanny’s elbow and helped her up the steps. They stood a moment in the wide marbled central hallway and exchanged glances.

Immediately, Kitty was assailed with doubts. What if the beau monde disliked her? What if the dowager didn’t like her? What and what and what?

The butler stood aside and quietly welcomed them, and they had no choice but to smile and follow his lead.

As though on cue, Minerva stepped into the central hall from an adjacent room and put out her hands with an open smile.

“Ah, you are here … welcome.”

Kitty tried to take it all in. The dowager was a regal and attractive person, and yet her eyes were all about kindness. Behind her, around her, were portraits on the walls.

In the center of the hallway stood a round table sporting a beautiful assortment of spring flowers in a huge vase. Hardwood floors led to a fork, one branch of which led to a wide staircase while the other continued down another hallway. Immediately off the central hall on both sides were double doors.

Wharton Place had its own noble history, but it spoke of warm and inviting comfort. This, and the dowager, spoke of history, tradition, and respectability, and for a short space of time Kitty had a sudden urge to run.

The dowager’s greeting had been momentarily diverted by a footman who had appeared and stepped up to Max to take the luggage from him. Kitty was pleasantly surprised by the hearty greeting the dowager gave Max. She had thought the older woman might not condescend to notice a driver.

And then, all at once, the dowager took up all of Kitty’s attention as she moved to take her hand and slip it into her own. “Why, you are what your childhood promised, quite a beauty, and I am completely happy to have you with me.” She turned to Nanny and said, “Oh, forgive me. You must be Mrs. Diddles?”

Nanny mumbled something and curtsied, but the dowager pursed her lips and said, “But as I recall, Edwin always called you Nanny and said you were part of the family, and so you are.”

Kitty immediately took to the dowager, for she had set her dear Nanny at ease. She met the dowager’s faded eyes and said warmly, “Thank you.”

Kitty took in the dowager’s style with surprise. She might be elderly, but her fashion was clearly quite lovely. She wore her silver hair piled high, and wispy curls adorned her forehead and ears. She was tall, and the rich, earth-colored velvet gown flattered her graceful lines. Indeed, Kitty thought, the dowager had style!

The dowager said, “You wouldn’t remember me, as you were only ten or eleven the last time I visited with Edwin, but, la … look at you. What fun we shall have.”

Kitty said in a small voice, “I am sorry … I don’t remember.”

The dowager eyed her for a moment before saying, “Indeed, how would you?” She chuckled. “You only popped in for a moment, and I was only there for a luncheon … well, never mind.” She eyed both Nanny and Kitty and clucked her tongue. “What can that grandson of mine have said to you? You both look frightened to death. I shan’t eat you, I promise.”

Kitty laughed. “Indeed, I was told that was the fate of all green country girls in London—to be eaten alive by London’s ton.”

Minerva laughed and said, “Ah, but I see you ain’t so green, are you, child?” She turned then to Nanny. “My grandson tells me you are an estimable woman, but I fear he has misused you. Tch, tch, forcing that trip on you in just three days. It usually takes me five or six to reach the New Forest, where I have friends.” Her hand went to her cheek before she added, “Oh, look at me going on and on. You must be fagged to death. Well, your room is a lovely chamber that overlooks the back courtyard flowers and is ready for you after we have our refreshments.”

Nanny mumbled shyly, “Oh, thank you, my lady, but, no, his lordship was everything that was kind and considerate.”

“Was he?” the dowager said with a soft smile. “You give me hope of him then.” She turned back to Kitty and gave her hand a tug. “Come, do. A blazing fire awaits us in the library, where we shall sit and enjoy a cozy tea and make plans.”

Kitty had been hoping to see the earl and asked, “Is the earl not here then?”

“Ah,” said the dowager quietly. “No, my dear. Won’t I do for now?”

“Far better,” Kitty countered, “I am sure.” An accompanying giggle displayed that she was jesting.

The dowager laughed. “Well, I can see we are going to be great friends, you and I.”