To Catch a Husband…(30)

       
           



       

'But the Blackwoods own several mills,' she said now. 'I believe they  are a family of considerable standing in the north. And you said  yourself he is quite eligible.'

'That was when I first met him, and I did not understand that he is  still so involved in trade. Nor did I know Bertram was employing him.  And as for his family-you knew nothing of him before you met in Town?  Your mama never mentioned the Blackwood family?'

'Well, no, but we lived far to the west, and Mama … ' Kitty paused for a  moment ' … Mama showed no interest in anyone except the very highest  society. We had very few acquaintances.'

Lady Leaconham did not appear to notice the wistful note in Kitty's voice, too intent upon her own train of thought.

'But if the family is so well to do, then why is he working for  Bertram?' she said. 'No, it does not make sense. But then, nothing makes  sense any more in a world where the poor king and queen of France can  be locked up by their own people. And now we must have tradesmen at our  table!'

'But, ma'am, you were happy enough to recognise Mr Blackwood in Town.'

'But I never invited him to dinner, my dear. Oh, dear me, no. He may be  an acquaintance of my nephew, and I do not deny that he behaved like a  gentleman when he came to our assistance at Barnet, but that does not  mean we should sit down to dinner together!'



The remainder of Lady Harworth's guests arrived the following day and  soon Kitty found herself caught up in the busy routine of a Kirkleigh  house party. With half-a-dozen young people in the house Ann was very  happy, organising drives and picnics on fine days, theatricals and  charades when the weather was inclement. The ladies would spend  afternoons at their sketching and painting while the gentlemen took  themselves off riding, mostly to inspect the woods and discuss the new  coverts with Lord Harworth's gamekeeper, but the ladies knew that they  sometimes went off to watch a cock-fight or a mill in a nearby village.

There were protracted breakfasts and noisy dinners and by the end of the  week Kitty was relieved to slip away to spend a quiet hour alone with  her books. She wrote long letters to her mother, describing life at  Kirkleigh, but even as she wrote of the delights of having nothing to do  all day but please oneself, Kitty knew she was not being quite  truthful. She longed for an occupation; even helping the governess with  the squire's children had made her feel more useful than idling away  each day as she was doing now. However, she could tell her mama that she  was learning one new accomplishment.

Many of the ladies went riding each morning, and when Ann discovered that Kitty had never learned the art, she was shocked.

'But everyone rides in the country! This must be remedied immediately: we shall teach you!'

'And how long with that take?' asked Kitty, torn between amusement at  her friend's enthusiasm and alarm at the thought of joining Ann on one  of her rides: she had heard Lord Harworth describe his sister as a  bruising horsewoman, afraid of nothing.

'Not long. I shall have my old pony saddled up for you tomorrow morning.  You need not look so anxious, Kitty: you will not be expected to jump  fences or anything dangerous-at least, not for the first few weeks.' She  twinkled mischievously. 'I shall have my groom lead you around the  stable yard each morning until you are at home in the saddle.'

'That is very kind of you,' said Kitty. 'I confess I should like to ride with you in the mornings.'

'I am sure you will pick it up very quickly,' Ann reassured her. 'Dapple  is very steady, you will find her as comfortable as sitting on a sofa.'

'Only considerably higher,' laughed Kitty.



Thus, on the very next fine morning, Kitty donned the riding habit that  Ann insisted she should borrow and went off for her first lesson. She  was quick to learn, and two days later they progressed to the park. The  groom led Kitty around the perimeter, complimenting her on her  improvement and suggesting that they could now dispense with the leading  rein.

'Oh, not quite yet, if you please,' begged Kitty.

'Well, mebbe not, then, miss, seeing as someone is coming through the park. We don't want Dapple takin' off with 'ee.'

Kitty became aware of the sound of hoofbeats behind her and turned her  head to see a rider cantering in the direction of the house. As he drew  nearer she recognised Daniel Blackwood and her heart gave the now  familiar little skip. He slowed and turned his horse towards them,  raising his hat as he approached. She was a little disappointed that no  flash of pleasure illuminated his countenance, nor did he look surprised  to see her, but she thought it very likely that Lord Harworth had  informed him that she was at Kirkleigh.                       
       
           



       

'Good morning to you, Miss Wythenshawe.'

She nodded, smiling as his eyes ranged over the pony. She felt compelled  to explain. 'Miss Harworth tells me that everyone rides here so, as you  see, I am learning!'

'A very useful accomplishment,' he said gravely.

Kitty continued to smile, inordinately pleased to see him again. She  wanted to keep him with her, to begin a conversation, but he was smiling  back at her now and her poor brain refused to work properly. Dapple  shifted from one leg to another, unbalancing Kitty who clutched  anxiously at the reins.

Daniel touched his hat.

'I will leave you to your lesson,' he said. 'Lord Harworth is expecting me: no doubt I will see you at the house later?'

'Yes, yes, I hope, I mean, I am sure-'

She broke off, covering her confusion by giving her attention to the  mare who was objecting to having the reins twitched so nervously. With a  nod, Daniel rode away.

'Oh, how embarrassing that he should see me thus!' she exclaimed, watching his retreating form.

'Nay, it ain't so bad,' said the groom, grinning. 'We all have to start  like this. And if you'll forgive me, miss, I'd say that you will make a  good horsewoman, given time. You have a good seat, and good hands, when  you ain't distracted.'

'Thank you, Selby.' Kitty flushed, pleased with the compliment. 'I really would like to be able to ride well.'

'No reason why you shouldn't, miss. Now, shall we try going round the park without the leading rein?'

The groom's praise spurred Kitty to try even harder and she stayed so  long in the park that breakfast was finished by the time she returned to  the house and she was obliged to ask for a little bread and butter to  be sent up to her room.



She found it difficult to settle to anything, knowing that Daniel was in the house.

'You may not see him,' she told herself. 'It is such a large, rambling  building, and he is closeted with Lord Harworth in his office on the  lower floor. There is not the least reason why you should meet.'

Despite this she found herself taking extra time over changing her gown,  deciding upon her sprigged muslin decorated with ivy leaves embroidered  around the neck and sleeves. Norris suggested dressing her hair in a  new style, catching it back with a bandeau and leaving just a few dusky  curls to escape and frame her face. Kitty allowed herself to be  persuaded, and as soon as the maid had worked her magic Kitty hurried  down to join the other guests.

The new look immediately found favour with Ann, whom she found in the  garden where the younger members of the party were playing at bowls.

'I do wish my hair was fashionably dark and curled as yours does,'  sighed Ann, tucking her hand in Kitty's arm and drawing her towards a  table laden with lemonade, pastries and delicate little cakes. 'And you  have a delicious colour in your cheeks-your morning riding lessons are  agreeing with you! Selby tells me you are making good progress.'

'He thinks I will be good enough to ride out with you in the park soon.'

'That is excellent news, because Mr Hamilton has a plan to ride over to Titchwell and take luncheon at the Star next week.'

'That's right,' declared a lanky young man with a shock of yellow hair.  'I thought we should make up a party and ride out for the day, if the  weather holds.'

'I can always follow in the barouche with Godmother and Lady Harworth,' offered Kitty.

'Oh, we are not intending to have Mama or Aunt Leaconham with us,' said  Ann quickly. 'We shall have much more fun if we are on our own.'

'We?'

Ann began to count on her fingers.

'Well, me, you, and Garston of course. And Martin-that is, Mr  Hamilton-plus Lizzie Camber and her brother George-those of us here  now.'

'Will your mama allow us to go alone?' asked Miss Camber.

'Of course,' came the airy reply. 'Titchwell is part of our estate: Mama knows we shall come to no harm.'

Kitty glanced doubtfully at the little group. She knew Elizabeth Camber  was barely sixteen and her brother little more than a year older, and  although Mr Martin Hamilton was several years older than herself, Kitty  thought him rather immature. She watched him now as he teased Lizzie  Camber and laughed immoderately at something Garston was saying to him.