The dowager cut her off. “Indeed. Quite right. I thought I was going to have to drag him to the Tanner rout and was even contemplating not asking him to this one so that he would feel obliged when I did ask him.” She raised a brow. “He surprised me saying he meant to do just that. Means to introduce you to the Beau, who is a particular friend of his, who will be there.” She eyed Kitty with a bright light in her faded eyes. “Said he would be pleased to escort us.”
“Did he?” Kitty felt breathless.
“Indeed, he says everyone is already talking about you, as Petersham sang your praises. He said that a few gentlemen at White’s asked about my new protégé. I am quite pleased, quite pleased indeed.”
Thus it was, armed with Lord Petersham’s generous praise, the earl’s bold presence, her own overnight popularity, and the dowager’s standing, they took to coach and bade Max take them to the Tanner rout.
Kitty was lovely in an evening gown of ivory chiffon embroidered with tiny pink roses with the veriest of green leaves scattered over the A-line of the gown. Her golden curls cascaded from the top of her head in bouncing ringlets to her mid-back. Adorning her forehead and ears were short wispy curls of gold, and the total picture was captivating.
“You are lovely” the earl murmured.
She looked up at him. “Then you approve?”
His voice was a husky assent. “Indeed. Quite lovely.”
“Just quite lovely?” she teased. “I was expecting at least … hmm, ravishing?”
“So you are,” he said softly. He flicked her nose, and they bantered with each other and the dowager during the short carriage ride to the Tanner townhouse.
A moment later, they were presented, and the dowager smiled approvingly to remark to him, “Look at her, Brandon. She is bouncing and bubbling into the hearts of the haute ton. I am quite proud of her.”
“Kitty is being just who she is. She could no more curb her enthusiasm for life than she could willfully stop breathing.”
It was evident to both the dowager and the earl that the beau monde found Kitty captivating and seemed intrigued by her antics. It was whispered that she was more than just another beauty. She had a carefree air that was most captivating, and this remark was picked up and made the rounds.
It was, however, Beau Brummell that sealed Kitty’s place at the pinnacle in the eyes of the ton. First Petersham, and then the Beau, who landed her the title, “The Incomparable.”
The Beau had attended the Tanner soiree simply because word had it that the Earl of Halloway’s ward would be there. He had been made curious by Petersham and belabored by the earl, who was a particular friend of his, to single her out and help him insure her Season.
The Beau, who had started the masculine style of dark colors, cutaway coats, and intricately tied cravats, stood looking at Kitty, who was across the room. At the moment she was being admired by a bevy of young gentlemen.
He took his time and appraised her style of dress; the low cut of her gown displayed her lovely charms without a hint of vulgarity. He approved. He then decided her hair was dressed perfectly for an ingénue without appearing missish.
The band of pearls around her slender neck was tasteful. The pearl drops at her ears perfect. And then, at that moment, Kitty turned to look at him directly, as though she felt his scrutiny. Her green eyes flickered and twinkled in response to his bold appraisal, and the Beau’s interest, which he believed had long ago been lost when it came to a pretty face, was piqued.
She had not, upon discovering his audacious scrutiny of her, looked away with a modest blush. Instead, she had given him ‘look for look’ and dared to smile at him.
To say he was intrigued was quite an understatement. He felt a flutter in his chest he had not felt in an age. He smiled back at her, and she inclined her head.
Damn, but he was going to cross the room and go directly to her. He sucked in a gulp of air, absolutely fascinated by Kitty Kingsley, and purposely ignored greetings from friends he passed until he reached her.
A stillness seemed to hang over the room. The young gentlemen surrounding her actually took a step back when they found Beau Brummell had arrived before them.
“Miss Kingsley,” the Beau said as soon as he had reached her. “May I take the privilege of friendship and secure your company for a moment … or two?” His voice was a drawl, as though he were bored with his request as soon as the words were uttered. It was as though he had no care for her answer.
Kitty laughed. “But, sir … I don’t even know who you are.”
A gasp exploded from the young men around her, and then a rush of good-natured chuckles, “But, Miss Kingsley, this is the Beau. Beau Brummell!” one of the gentlemen offered.
The Beau was not bored at all. He found himself momentarily enthralled by her directness and honesty. He bent his arm while the assembled company held their collective breath. Never had anyone seen the Beau single out a debutante. “And my friendship is with your guardian, Miss Kingsley, and hopefully, in the near future, with you.”
The ton watched, some openly, some from the corner of their eyes, all wondering how it was that the Beau seemed enchanted with the golden-haired ingénue.
Brummell had always been contemptuous of the society that had made him King of Fashion. He never gave them a thought as he strolled with Kitty to a quiet corner. He was aware of their stares and clearly thought it all absurd.
Kitty asked softly as she walked beside him, her gloved hand on his bent arm, “So then, you and the earl are friends. That is all very well, but tell me, is something wrong? Is my hem torn or something showing that should not?”
&n