‘It matters to me,’ said Kitty, close to tears. ‘I am sure he will not wish to marry me once he knows the truth.’
They had reached the door of her bedchamber and Lady Leaconham led the way inside.
‘There can be no objection to your birth.’ She went around the room, lighting all the candles from her own before coming to stand before Kitty once more. ‘He has proposed to you most publicly, Kitty. Bertram would be a complete scoundrel to cry off now!’
Despite her exhaustion, Kitty’s sleep was disturbed by dreams and she rose late the following morning. She was still pinning up her hair when Ann bounced into the room.
‘Good morning, sister! You cannot know how happy I am to call you that. And I heard Bertram go downstairs this morning singing, so you have made him happy as well!’
‘I am very glad of it,’ said Kitty, forcing herself to smile.
‘Shall we go down to breakfast together? There is so much to discuss. Mama says Bertram wants to hold a ball to announce the betrothal and Aunt Leaconham will be planning your trousseau already. We must make sure we have our say—’
‘You go on,’ Kitty broke in, ‘I—um—I am not at all happy with this gown and will change it before I go downstairs.’ Ann was looking very keenly at her and she added beseechingly, ‘Pray go ahead of me and I will join you as soon as I am able.’
‘My dear, you are very pale, are you sure you are not ill?’
‘No, no, it is merely a headache.’
‘Poor Kitty. After the exertions of yesterday it is no wonder you are looking hagged. I shall send Norris up to you with a tisane and you must go back to bed. And I shall have breakfast sent up to you, as well!’
Ann flew out of the room and Kitty dropped her head in her hands. She had been quite truthful when she had said she had a headache, but she did not think any tisane would cure it. Tears pricked her eyelids. All her life she had dreamed of becoming a lady, and now it was actually going to happen, but instead of elation Kitty only felt anxiety. She told herself that it was because she had not been honest with Lord Harworth. Once she had explained to him about her family and her lack of fortune she would feel much better. Stepping out of her dress, she lay down on her bed again and stayed there until the maid arrived with her tisane. She drank it, but she sent her breakfast away, saying she wanted to sleep again until her headache had eased.
Kitty was surprised to find that after another hour’s sleep she did indeed feel better. She decided that her first task must be to find Lord Harworth and confess everything. She wandered over to the window and threw up the sash, leaning her head against the frame as she breathed in the fresh morning air. Of course there was always the possibility that once she had informed him of her true circumstances he would no longer wish to marry her, but she would face that problem when it arose.
A movement below caught her eye and she glanced down to see Daniel’s tall figure striding through the garden, his dark coat a startling contrast to the colourful flowerbeds. She heard a faint call and saw Ann hurrying along one of the paths towards him. Daniel stopped to wait for her. He offered Ann his arm and they continued to stroll together, Daniel bending his dark head to catch something Ann was saying. With a sigh Kitty turned away from the window. Bertram’s not wishing to marry her because she was poor was suddenly not the problem. It might be the solution.
‘My lord, may I come in?’
Kitty peeped around the door of Lord Harworth’s study and waited anxiously for his reply. He jumped up, smiling broadly.
‘My dear Katherine, come in, come in! I was just writing out the notice for the newspapers. I cannot wait to tell everyone of my good fortune!’
‘Before you do that, sir, I think there is something you should know.’
Twenty minutes later Kitty emerged from the study exhausted and depressed but still engaged. She had been at pains to explain to Lord Harworth how her father’s misjudged investments had robbed the family of its income, how her mother and aunt now lived at Fallridge in their damp, cramped little cottage, and were obliged to take in sewing to make ends meet. Lord Harworth had indeed looked serious, but he was not inclined to call off the engagement.
‘I cannot recall that you have ever told me anything of your family that was not true,’ he said. ‘You have not misled me, my dear. My mother will be disappointed, naturally, but if she was under the apprehension that your family were affluent then I am sure such a rumour did not come from you. What is not in doubt is that your birth is impeccable. Whatever hardships may have befallen your family you cannot be blamed for. It would not behove anyone who called himself a gentleman to think your lack of funds a reason to cry off from our engagement.’
So Kitty had retired, secure in the knowledge that Lord Harworth had no intention of casting her aside. She went in search of her godmother and found her in the morning room, engaged in writing letters. Kitty described her interview with Lord Harworth and watched the anxious look upon Lady Leaconham’s countenance turn to delight when she told her of its conclusion.
‘You see, my dear Kitty, I knew everything would turn out well in the end! I will pen a short letter to your mama today, and perhaps you would like to write a note to her yourself and enclose it inside mine; she will want to hear all the details. In fact, perhaps we could prevail upon Bertram to invite your mother and your aunt to Kirkleigh to join us. What do you say to that?’
Kitty mumbled some reply and Lady Leaconham shot her a frowning look.
‘My dear Kitty, I do not know what is the matter with you! You have made a most excellent match and yet you look as if you had lost sixpence and found a groat!’
‘I—I am sorry, Godmama, I am afraid I cannot quite believe it is happening to me.’
‘I confess I have been pinching myself all morning, to make sure I am awake,’ replied my lady, giving a very girlish giggle. ‘Now go and write to your mother, Kitty: I cannot wait for her to hear the news—this is something she has dreamed of since you were a baby.’
Perhaps that was the truth of it. The thought shot through Kitty’s head like a revelation. This had always been her mother’s dream, much more than her own. She glanced up as Lady Harworth sailed into the room. Judging by the happy look upon her rather austere countenance Kitty did not think that Bertram had told her of his bride’s impecunious state. Lady Harworth greeted her sister warmly, solicitously enquired if Kitty’s headache had gone, then sank down on to a sofa.
‘Well, this is turning out to be a most eventful morning!’
‘What is it, Clara, what has happened?’
‘My dear Letitia, you would never credit it! As if there was not enough to do organising next week’s ball—Bertram is determined that we use the occasion to announce his betrothal and I am sure it is only right, and just what dear Katherine deserves, but I had barely left my room when—but here is Ann now. She must tell you herself!’
Ann came in, closely followed by Daniel. Kitty shrank back into one corner, wishing the ground would open and swallow her. She did not feel at all comfortable amongst so many happy people.
‘Well, Mama, have you told them?’ demanded Ann, giving a little skip.
‘No, dear Niece, she has told us nothing,’ cried Lady Leaconham impatiently. ‘She is leaving that to you!’
Ann gave her beaming smile. ‘Kitty is not the only one to find a husband, Aunt Leaconham, I am engaged!’ She turned and held her hand out to Daniel. ‘Mr Blackwood has proposed to me!’ Her eyes fell upon Kitty standing in the shadows. ‘Kitty, my love, I did not see you there! Is this not wonderful, will you not congratulate me?’
Kitty swallowed and forced her stiff lips into a smile. ‘I am sure I w-wish you both very happy.’ Her voice sounded strained, but Ann did not appear to notice. She was already turning to receive her aunt’s good wishes.
‘Of course there will be no announcement until after the ball,’ stated Lady Harworth. ‘Bertram is adamant that nothing should detract from his own betrothal. He wants me to invite even more people to dine with us beforehand, which means a great deal more work, of course, for everyone must be told. Letitia, my dear, perhaps you would help me to write out the invitations.’
‘By all means, Sister. Let us go now and I will collect your lists.’
‘And you must let me see them,’ said Ann. ‘There are several of my particular friends that I want to come!’ She turned to Daniel. ‘You will not object if I disappear for a few minutes, will you, dearest? I will be back even before you have time to miss me!’
She swept out of the room behind her mother and her aunt, all three of them forcefully voicing their thoughts on the forthcoming ball. As the door closed behind them there was silence. Kitty and Daniel were left facing one another.
‘I had no idea…’ began Kitty.
Daniel cleared his throat.
‘Nor I. At least, not until this morning, in the garden. Miss Harworth came to find me, she left me in no doubt of her sentiments… I confess I had not been aware…’
He did not look at her, but instead began to toy with a small vase on the side table. Strangely the confusion in Kitty’s head had lessened. It did not matter what Daniel thought of her. There were no longer any half-acknowledged hopes. She felt very calm, but as fragile as the porcelain he was twisting between his restless fingers.