Scandalous Miss Brightwells [Book 1-4]

Katherine tightened her grip on his hand. “I wouldn’t have changed any of it, Jack. The week before you left was the happiest of my life.”

“And mine, Katherine—”

“If I may intrude.” It was Derry, tall and commanding, reminding Jack what was his. What he believed was his. Without a word, Katherine transferred her hand to his forearm as he led her off the dance floor and Odette took her place.

“I trust you enjoyed conversing with the future Mrs Patmore,” Katherine said lightly, shaken, exultant, unsettled over her conversation with Jack. “She looked in a talkative mood.”

“Were you jealous?”

“What a question!” Katherine knew she shouldn’t have snapped out the words.

He stopped and stared down at her, storm clouds and sorrow in his gaze. “I’d never cause you grief or harm, intentionally, Katherine. Unlike Freddy. You know I’d be a good husband.”

“It’s too early for words like that,” Katherine said tightly.

“Anyone who didn’t know the truth would have no idea you were a widow. Surely I could be forgiven for taking the same licence you do.”

Katherine sighed. “It was churlish of me. You confuse me, Derry. I’m sorry. But tell me, what did Miss Worthington speak of?”

“Her father, her life in India, her desire for a home in England, her love of theatre—”

Katherine put up her hand to stay him. “I should have asked if there was anything Miss Worthington did not speak about!”

“She certainly was a good deal more talkative than you, Katherine.” He raised one eyebrow as if challenging Katherine to make a spirited defence.

Which she might have if she’d cared.

Instead, she looked longingly at Jack’s back and wondered what he and Miss Worthington talked about during the many hours they spent together.

And if Jack ever spoke about what was really important to him.

***

“Did you hear what I said, Fanny? You really aren’t paying attention, are you?” Antoinette grumbled, causing her sister to at last transfer her attention away from the dance floor.

“I’ve been watching Katherine’s face while she’s been speaking to Jack, and it’s breaking my heart. She’s in love with him, Antoinette! Why did I not see what was right under my nose? And she can’t have him!”

“She’s going to have him,” Antoinette vowed, breathing through her nose. “Bertram!” She hailed her brother. “I saw you talking to Lord Derry. What did you instruct him?”

“Unlike you, Antoinette, I do not instruct. I use the art of subtlety to achieve my ends.” Bertram’s irrepressible grin stretched his mouth wide as he joined them. Bertram always seemed so pleased with himself, Fanny thought in exasperation. Like as not, he’d make things worse.

“And how did you subtly convey your desire that he make Miss Worthington fall in love with him?”

“Lord, now you’re being ridiculous, Antoinette!” he grumbled. “I merely commented that I’d overheard Miss Worthington telling a friend that of all the gentlemen in the room, she considered Lord Derry far and away the most handsome.”

Fanny darted a glance at Lord Derry who was now talking to Katherine, and noticed that his gaze occasionally rose above her shoulder to settle upon Miss Worthington who was talking in her usual animated fashion to Jack. She was about to compliment her brother on his strategy, when a slight rearrangement of the room caused the betrothed pair to be pushed into their orbit and Fanny seized her chance, clapping her hand upon Odette’s shoulder.

“I’m going to steal away your intended if you have no objection, Jack. Your mother has been looking for you and is by the long windows. So, Odette,” she went on when Jack had obediently headed towards Eliza, “how are you finding life in London with your intended and so much to organise?”

“It’s everything I could have hoped for.”

Said like a true debutante swooning with love, Fanny thought dolefully.

“You’ve certainly made more than a ripple, my dear. Only in the best possible way,” Fanny added quickly in response to the flare of concern in Odette’s eye.

“You’re certain I shouldn’t be aware of…anything that might be of concern?”

“Not at all,” Fanny said warmly. “Why, I overheard Lord Derry telling my nephew George he hadn’t seen a more charming and delightful young woman as you in all the seasons he’s been hunting for a wife.”