Scandalous Miss Brightwells [Book 1-4]

Katherine shot a glance at her aunt to see if she were funning or perhaps taking offence on George’s account. This was her first visit in a year to Bath to stay with her aunt and Lord Quamby, but her last was memorable for making her debut at the Assembly Rooms. There, a gentleman had asked Aunt Antoinette if she were Katherine’s sister, declaring her ‘a golden-haired’ manifestation of Katherine. The remark had delighted Aunt Antoinette, shocked Katherine, and prompted her mother to use it as an example of why her daughter should not be trusting of gentlemen who were only after ‘one thing’. This cryptic phrase, with no elaboration, had been confusing, but the incident had made Katherine more observant of her aunt who seemed to lead her life as if it were one great big adventure with nothing more important than drinking champagne and being feted by gentlemen.

“Antoinette, you mustn’t speak about the boy like that in front of Katherine,” her mother now said before asking briskly, “And did you see any handsome gentleman whose acquaintance you’d like to further, Katherine?”

“Bearing in mind they must also have a nicely plump pocketbook. Such a sighting would save your parents the cost of your London season,” her aunt responded with a laugh. “You’d be very welcome to remain here and further any acquaintance you desire as long as they are quite of the Upper Five Hundred. Or, since your mama declares she wants you to follow your heart, the Upper One Thousand.”

Lady Fenton ignored her sister, her gaze still focused on Katherine. “Darling, I’m being serious. Did you meet anyone? And don’t listen to your aunt. You know your father and I want you to wed only when your heart is properly engaged.”

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Katherine played with her reticule while she formed a careful answer for her mind was filled with thoughts of Jack. “No, Mama, I didn’t see anyone.”

“So, it’s off to London in a week then!” declared Aunt Antoinette gaily. “I’m so glad. I’d have hated to be deprived of my fun in the metropolis.”

Katherine let her mother and aunt converse on either side of her while she continued to dream of the young man she’d not seen but with whom she’d shared such an exciting kiss in the dark. It had been as pleasurable and as exciting as she’d imagined it would be, though she was aware the sensations might have been heightened by its illicit edge.

When the carriage drew to a halt in front of the portico of Quamby House where she and her parents would stay until they travelled to London, her heart suddenly began skittering around her chest cavity. It was silly, she berated herself, because she’d known Jack for years. Admittedly, when she’d last seen him they’d initially been wary of each other until one of the earl’s dogs had gone missing. During the subsequent search, however, they’d reestablished the old rapport, daring each other to more outrageous exploits, balancing on overturned tree trunks to cross streams and climbing overhanging tree branches. They’d been filthy when they’d returned but very happy, the bonds of old friendship fully restored.

“Come along, Katherine. Don’t keep everyone waiting!” Her mother was waiting for her by the carriage while Aunt Antoinette was already being admitted through the double doors. “The Patmores are here already. Please be kind to Jack. You treated him so abominably as a child as I recall, but do remember he’s officially adopted. He’s not the foundling boy you had at your beck and call when you were younger.”

That was what her mother thought, Katherine mused as she followed her mother. Jack would always be at her beck and call. Why else would she like him so much?

Annoyed to find her heart positively racing by the time she neared the drawing room door, she wondered why since she was neither embarrassed nor feeling ashamed of her behaviour with Jack. She supposed it was because Jack had entered into the experiment with his usual good humour. And that’s what it had been: an experiment, not a romantic adventure.

“Katherine, you’ve turned into quite the beauty!” declared Eliza Patmore as Katherine curtsied demurely in front of her and her husband. Although Katherine had been aware of the young man beside them who had risen at her entrance, she hadn’t yet ventured a look in his direction.

“Thank you, Mrs Patmore,” she murmured, before turning slightly and inclining her head. “And you must be Jack.” Suddenly, her heart was in her mouth and hammering like a tin drum though she kept her voice level and cool. “So nice to see you again.”

He was nothing like the thirteen-year-old she remembered. The feel of his jawline and the touch of his lips in the dark had provided no inkling of what he’d look like when under scrutiny. His hair was the light, curling brown she remembered, but his lips were a more interesting shape. They were curved into a smile, now, his sparkling eyes boring into hers as if he were sharing a private joke with her, except that she wasn’t ready to enter into the fun. In fact, she wasn’t sure what to think for she’d always had the upper hand, and yet now, Jack Patmore was no longer the poor boy with no family; he was a young, handsome man of good standing.

“Did you not recognise me?” he asked.

Yes, she recognised him, but there was a jaunty confidence that was nothing like she’d expected. Of course, he’d always been easy-natured. Katherine had had a hard time whipping up his anger when she’d played a childish prank on him. For the most part though, she’d co-opted him into high jinks that had Cook running after them waving her wooden spoon, or Nanny shrieking with terror at a mouse the children had dropped into her work basket. So, while Katherine had never seen Jack lose his temper, she’d not expected he’d be so at ease in these surroundings. Yes, that’s what it was. He was the fortunate boy who’d been allowed a taste of the good life at Quamby House. He was supposed to be grateful and subservient, but now he was smiling and acting as if he were Katherine’s equal. It irritated her. Yes, that was the feeling that was niggling at her, she decided. Irritation. “Barely, for it’s been a long time since I saw you…”

“Yes…a very long time.” He frowned. “When did I last see you?”

“Five years ago,” she said quickly.

“Five years ago. That’s a very long time. Surely we’ve…bumped into one another since then?”

She felt the warmth in her cheeks. She, who never blushed. “Yes, five years ago I saw you. When I was twelve,” she said airily. It was ridiculous, but she suddenly couldn’t think of anything the least bit clever or lively to say.

The look he sent her was wicked but Katherine was not going to pretend to share the humour. Of course, she shouldn’t have kissed him in the dark. She’d thought herself terribly clever, but now she felt she’d played into his hands.

“We’re unleashing Katherine on local society so she doesn’t embarrass her poor parents when she goes to London, isn’t that right, Fanny?” Aunt Antoinette appealed to her sister, waving at the servant to pour the claret.

“When have I ever embarrassed them before?” Katherine retorted, gaining courage and taking a glass of claret before her father plucked it from her hands. Nevertheless, this is what he did, saying, “You may have attended your first ball but this is for grown-ups, my dear.”

“Papa! I might be married in a month!”

“That would be working fast, my dear,” said Aunt Antoinette. “Even faster than your mother when she was unleashed on London society all those years ago. Not that she was distinguished by her speed. More, her tenacity and daring. It took her a full two seasons to snare handsome Fenton.” She flashed a smile at her brother-in-law before greeting her son who’d just walked into the room. “George, you’ve returned at last! Say hello to Jack. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen him.”

“You were at the ball.” George pointed an accusing finger at Jack as he ran a chunky, ring-adorned hand through his fashionably curled hair. “As soon as you saw me, you disappeared. It was you, wasn’t it?”

Jack looked innocent. “Lord, how rude of me. Was that you coming towards me? Truth is, I lost my nerve when I found myself surrounded by strangers.” He sent the other youth a disarming smile. “Every young lady in that room seemed to look down her nose at me, so I decided to beat a hasty retreat. If I’d known it was you, George, I’d have asked you to introduce me to some people. Maybe someone whom I could have asked to dance.”

George pursed his lips and swivelled his eyes between Jack’s earnest face and his mother’s smiling approval. Won over by the fact that Jack appeared to look up to him, he said reassuringly, “Course I would have, Jack. I always stuck up for you when we were children. Don’t know what you’d have done without me looking out for you if the truth be told.”

“I don’t know, either,” Jack agreed.