Chapter 13
Katherine stared disconsolately at the couples in the centre of the room. Strange how just days ago this was what her whole life revolved around. Having fun, dancing with handsome, eligible men. She’d thought it was the pinnacle of life’s adventure.
Tonight, she’d danced with three candidates who, a week ago, would have perfectly fitted her marital criteria—and that of her mama and grandmother. Lord Derry was charming and funny; Mr Marwick was dashing in a rather dangerous, exciting way, and Mr Ludwig was poetic, dreamy and very, very rich. All had excellent credentials, came from good families, and seemed to think Katherine utterly delightful.
Yet, her heart was with Jack right now. She wondered where he was. A storm had blown up off the coast, she’d been told, and the weather here in London had deteriorated rapidly. Gusts of wind and rain had hampered their preparations and arrival, and her slippers had been wet when she’d been announced in the grand ballroom of Lady Derby’s London townhouse. While sipping lemonade, she’d been told by her grandmother that the storm was travelling south, and it was unlikely any ships would depart from Southampton for another two days.
Katherine wondered if Jack was thinking of her as he whiled away his time in some seaside tavern, no doubt checking the long lists he’d made regarding his intended travels. He was an organised young man who knew what he wanted out of life. Adventure, yes, but he was not a regular buccaneer; Katherine knew that very well. She sniffed, determined to keep the tears at bay. She’d get over her first love. And she’d marry well. It was what they’d both agreed must happen, though they’d pledged always to
be friends.
“Do you have something in your eye, my dear? Here, let me look.” It was Mr Marwick, in a solicitous mood, or else wanting an excuse to get closer, for as he bent his head to peer into her eyes, his own were filled with collusion.
“Perhaps you ought to attend to that tiny rip in your skirt that I fear is likely to trip you up in a more energetic polka,” he suggested.
Of course, it was code that Katherine might like to meet him in the corridor for a quick kiss to follow the single kiss she’d received from someone other than Jack.
Her body revolted at the thought. She didn’t want to kiss Mr Marwick when her thoughts were entirely taken up by Jack, but she also needed to jolt herself out of what could become a dangerous malaise. Jack would think of her for a few days, but the moment a pretty girl crossed his path in some far-flung part of the world, Katherine would be forgotten. That was the way men were. At least, it helped to tell herself that. And perhaps Katherine ought to try and take a leaf out of their book if her heart wasn’t to become a mushy, difficult thing to manage as she waltzed from ball to ball.
So, nodding slightly, first to his suggestion, and then to his follow-up that she depart just before the end of the next dance, so there was no danger of her becoming engaged by someone asking her to partner him in the next waltz, Katherine bit her lip and prepared to be wicked.
Yet, why was it wicked to see if she liked a man enough to make him her husband? It seemed a contradiction. She knew that if she and Jack had been caught doing so much worse, she’d have had to marry him. She’d have been happy to have done so, but she’d not for the world spoil his chances of adventure, knowing his need to prove himself on his own merits.
“Mama, I’m going to the mending room. I’ll be back shortly.”
Her mother barely acknowledged her. She was in animated discussion with her mother and sister, so Katherine glided through the crowd, and no sooner was she behind a concealing curtain than she was whisked into a pair of strong arms and Mr Marwick’s mouth was upon hers.
It wasn’t unpleasant, but it had neither the magic of Jack’s kisses that made her heart melt, and nor did it have the novelty of the illicit edge that had made kissing Mr Marwick the first time so exciting.
When it seemed like he might extend his amorousness, Katherine pushed herself out of his embrace with carefully calculated modesty. “It’s very dangerous, and I really must return. Mama keeps a close eye on me.”
“Your mama would not approve of me?”
“Oh, it’s not that! I’m quite sure she would.”
“Has she said anything to suggest that my suit would not be well received?”
Katherine was shocked. Was he hinting that already he was considering marriage? Katherine was not at all sure that she liked the idea of marriage to Mr Marwick. She directed him a considering look. He certainly was handsome. His dark, oily locks were carefully coiffured, and his side whiskers were very impressive.
But really, Jack’s boyish charm was far more to her taste. The more she thought about it, the more she could imagine running away with Jack to the other side of the world with just a trunk between them. And now that Katherine knew there were ways not to keep adding to their family they’d be free for the first few important years.
The realisation that she’d not yet sourced the Queen Anne’s Lace seeds she needed from her Aunt Antoinette made her gasp, but Mr Marwick misinterpreted it for excitement at his veiled allusion to a shared future.
“You are an exquisite creature, Miss Fenton.”
He really did look as if he were enchanted by her, and naturally, Katherine’s vanity was fed. “You are very kind, Mr Marwick,” she murmured as she took the arm he offered.
“And did you enjoy kissing me?” he asked, just before they reentered the ballroom.
“Very much,” she assured him, smiling as she thought of Jack.
“And do you like adventures, Miss Fenton?”
She was surprised at the odd question. “I adore adventures, Mr Marwick.” What a marvellous adventure it would be if Jack suddenly appeared and begged her to run away with him. She would, too!
But then her grandmother was by her side; her normally pinched mouth drawn up as she greeted Mr Marwick like an old friend.
“You are nothing like your uncle,” she told him, “and yet I hear he was a dashing youth in his day. Very nearly married Katherine’s mother, did you know?”