To Catch a Husband…(28)

'Well, of course it is, for the next two weeks, until Lord Harworth goes  north, but he is sure to come to Kirkleigh to discuss Bertram's schemes  for his new mill.' Kitty shrugged.

'That can have nothing to do with us, Godmama.'

'Heavens, child, if he would be confined to the steward's office I  should not worry, but you have seen how Harworth treats him, almost as  an equal! He lives too close to be invited to stay, so that's a mercy,  but Bertram will ask him to dine with us, I am sure.' She paused,  frowning at Kitty's look of bewilderment. Then her brow cleared. 'But of  course, you do not know, for you were not with me when the invitation  was issued. My sister has invited us to spend the summer with her at  Kirkleigh! You look amazed and well you might! I have no doubt that it  was Bertram that put her up to it and all because of you, you clever  little puss! We are to go to Yorkshire.'

'No!'

'Yes! It is all arranged, we are to follow a fortnight after my sister.  Garston, too, is coming with us and there is every reason to believe  that Harworth means to propose to you!'





Chapter Eight





My dearest Kitty, how your aunt and I look forward to receiving your  letters, with news of all the parties, routs and balls that you have  attended! And now your godmother tells me you have been invited to  Kirkleigh, as the guest of Lady Harworth no less! My dear child I am so  proud of you. Letitia has hinted of An Alliance. How wonderful that  would be! And if the settlements could be drawn up before the winter,  perhaps it might be possible to move out of our cottage here at  Fallridge, for there is no doubt that the damp does not agree with your  Aunt Jane. Her cough has returned and she is not in spirits. I fear  another winter here may well prove too much for her, although she does  not complain. Of course, we shall not try to influence you, my darling  child, except to say that to see you well established, possibly as a  lady, is the dearest wish of our hearts.





But of course, my love, our greatest concern is for your happiness …





'How is your dear Mama, Kitty?'

Kitty looked up from her letter, forcing herself to smile.

'She is well, Godmama, although she says Aunt Jane is coughing again.'  She looked down at the bread and butter on her breakfast plate, her  appetite quite gone. There was such a weight of responsibility on her  shoulders. Her godmother was so sure that Lord Harworth would offer for  her and if he did, then it might be possible to find a new home for Mama  and Aunt Jane before the winter. Perhaps they might even be allowed to  live with her, but certainly she must do what she could to remove them  from the cottage, which was cold in summer, draughty in winter and  always damp. She glanced again at her letter. Mama insisted that she  wanted Kitty to be happy, and by marrying Lord Harworth she would be  happy, would she not, because she would be fulfilling the hopes of those  she loved most …

'Now, we must finish packing today, my dear, because it is an early  start tomorrow.' Lady Leaconham helped herself to another hot muffin.  'Garston has promised me he will be here at nine tomorrow and I must say  I am not a great traveller, but I am looking forward to visiting  Kirkleigh. I have not been there since my dear Leaconham died. My sister  Harworth has her own circle of friends, you see, and I have mine. Since  I have been widowed the time has never been right for her to invite  me … ' She paused for a moment to consider this, then looked up again,  saying cheerfully, 'So I am convinced that this invitation is due to  you, my love.'                       
       
           



       

Kitty glanced at her mother's letter again, her eyes drawn to one particular section.




It delights me to think that by the end of the month you will be less  than fifty miles from us, my love. Not that we shall expect you to visit  while you are with your noble friends at Kirkleigh. In fact, I  expressly forbid it …





'Lord Harworth knows nothing of my family, does he, Godmama? More to the  point, Lady Harworth thinks I come from a family of consequence.'

'Well, I have not gone into detail … '

Kitty waved an impatient hand.

'Have you told her I am rich, ma'am?'

'No, of course not!' Lady Leaconham concentrated on pouring herself  another cup of coffee. 'I may not have told her precisely of your  condition, but if my sister thinks you wealthy then she cannot claim  that I told her so!'

'Perhaps I could visit Fallridge while we are there-'

'No!'

'My dear ma'am, I have nothing to hide. My birth is perfectly  respectable, and if my mother has not the means now to live in the  manner in which she was raised, that is not her fault … '

'No, of course not, my love, and you know I am excessively fond of your  mama, but this visit is not the time to introduce her to Lord Harworth.'

'But, Godmama-'

'Once my nephew has made you an offer, then of course your circumstances  must be explained,' said Lady Leaconham firmly. 'As a man of honour he  will not consider your lack of fortune an impediment.'

'You mean once he has offered for me it will be too late for him to cry off.'

'My dear, how you do twist my words! That is not at all what I meant!'

'Then perhaps it would be best if I explained everything to him and to Lady Harworth before we travel north,' persisted Kitty.

Lady Leaconham put down her cup and bent a serious look upon her goddaughter.

'Now, Katherine, listen to me. My sister Harworth is naturally anxious  for her only son to marry well. If she knew you to be penniless she  would do everything in her power to prevent the match. I merely want her  to-to give Bertram the opportunity to become acquainted with you. There  is nothing so very wrong in that, is there? Especially when such a  match would mean so much to your mama. She has only ever wanted one  thing for you, my dear, and you have the chance now to make her dreams  come true.' The look softened into one of entreaty. 'I know you abhor  pretence, Kitty, and I would not have you lie to Lord Harworth, but, my  dear child, pray consider. If you announce to the world that you are a  pauper, you give up all hope of a good marriage.'

'Is that what I am, Godmama, a pauper?' asked Kitty in a small voice.

'Of course not, it was thoughtless of me to use the term. You are a  gently born young woman who lacks a dowry. It is not a crime, and all I  ask is that you hold back from explaining the true state of your  finances until Bertram proposes to you. So-' Lady Leaconham beamed  across the table '-that will not be so very bad, will it?'

Reluctantly Kitty gave her assurance to her godmother that she would say  nothing and went off to finish her packing. She tried to console  herself with the fact that Lord Harworth might not propose, but she was  honest enough to admit that recently he had given her sufficient  hints-drawing her aside for a few moments' private conversation whenever  they met, squeezing her hand when taking his leave of her, and now this  invitation to Kirkleigh, when Lady Leaconham freely admitted she was  not in the habit of being invited to her sister's summer home. It seemed  depressingly clear that Lord Harworth was singling her out. As she  watched the coachmen carrying the heavy corded trunk out of her room she  determined that if Lord Harworth made her an offer she would explain  her situation. She would do so immediately, before any official  announcements could be made, before he had time to tell his family. That  way she could give him the opportunity to withdraw, if he so wished.  She would not trap him into an unequal marriage.



These thoughts came back to her when, after three days of weary travel,  Lady Leaconham's lumbering carriage arrived at the gates of Kirkleigh  House. The entrance to Lord Harworth's main seat had been designed to  impress. A long straight drive led off the road towards a high,  battlemented stone wall where tall pillars topped with eagles flanked a  pair of ornate iron gates. There was no lodge but a small gatehouse was  built into one side of the wall and her godmother informed her that when  the family was in residence a gatekeeper was on duty at all times. Even  as she said this, a liveried servant dashed out to throw wide the gates  and they entered the grounds. They drove through a good half-mile of  landscaped parkland before passing through another set of gates and  approaching the house itself. Kitty gasped, her eyes widening as she  took her first look at Kirkleigh House.                       
       
           



       

It was a vast building in the Palladian style, the entrance front  decorated by a series of columns built into the walls between the  windows. A high-pitched roof extended behind a central pediment which  proudly displayed the Harworth coat of arms.

'Well, Kitty, what do you think?'

Kitty did not know how to answer Lady Leaconham's question. The house  was so large, so magnificent, that her heart sank within her. Could the  owner of this vast pile really want her, little Kitty Wythenshawe, to be  its mistress?