Читать книгу The Complete Regency Surrender Collection - Энни Берроуз, Louise Allen - Страница 69

Chapter Ten

The next morning Katrina was still not fully awake as she sat in the dining room, having breakfast with her father. She took a bite of her toast, and her eyes alighted upon a few sentences in the Morning Chronicle.

The crunchy bread got stuck in her throat and she began to cough.

There was an account of an ‘eligible Duke’ dancing with a ‘foreign lady’ at Almack’s. Speculation was that the ‘eligible Duke’ was looking for a bride, and the ‘foreign lady’ was attempting to gain a title.

Her father handed her his napkin. ‘I was wondering when you would see it. All the newspapers have something to say about your dance. Apparently London has been eagerly awaiting any indication that Lyonsdale is interested in marriage, and if an eligible man attends Almack’s it’s assumed he is in search of a bride. One newspaper speculates that there might be a romance forming between you.’

‘But he was there to escort his mother and his grandmother.’

‘I doubt he would tell you if he was looking for a bride.’

Katrina pushed the paper away, feeling unsettled by the attention. ‘Then why dance with me? Obviously I cannot be under consideration.’

‘That didn’t stop the rumours that you are searching for a title.’

‘I’ve danced with a number of titled gentlemen while we’ve been here. He is not the first one.’

‘Yes, but you have not danced with an unattached man of his rank. A duke who never dances the waltz and suddenly does so with you will cause people to speculate.’ He narrowed his eyes at her. ‘Why do you think he asked you?’

That very question had kept her up most of the night, and she still had no answer. She would eventually return to New York, and he would remain in England—probably married to some dull daughter of another duke. Glancing at her toast, Katrina dropped it onto her plate. Her appetite was gone.

* * *

The moment Julian entered his breakfast room he knew something was amiss. Apart from the servants his mother was there alone, and there was already a glass of what he assumed was sherry in her hand. Just as he was about to take his first sip of coffee she slid the newspapers closer to him.

‘Have you read them yet?’ she asked.

‘No. Why?’

‘Because you are in all of them. You and that American.’

The servants didn’t need to witness this discussion. He signalled for them to leave and searched for the gossip column in the paper closest to him.

‘What do they say?’

‘That you danced with her.’

It was too early to deal with his mother’s irrational ranting. He pushed the paper aside and took a sip of his coffee. ‘It was only a dance.’

‘They are saying you are looking for a bride.’

‘That should make you happy.’

‘Having every Mayfair mother attempt to shove their daughter your way—hardly. They say she is looking for a title.’

‘Miss Vandenberg? They obviously have never spoken to the lady.’

‘Careful, Lyonsdale. She may seek to trap you.’

‘Miss Vandenberg is the last woman in all of London who would trap me.’

‘Then you have no designs on her?’

‘Of course not. As I said, it was just a dance.’

And it was. Wasn’t it?

* * *

Later that morning Katrina was composing a letter to her cousin John when she heard a carriage roll to a stop outside her home. Peering through the linen curtains of the drawing room, she tried to see who it was.

As she shifted her body and tilted her head further Wilkins knocked on the open door to inform her that she had a caller. He seemed to be standing a little taller. When she picked up the card from the silver salver she blinked twice at the Dowager Duchess of Lyonsdale’s name.

It could not be a coincidence that she was calling on Katrina the very day the papers had printed gossip about Katrina and the woman’s grandson. If only she had time for a glass of Madeira.

When the slight old woman slowly entered the room, Katrina dropped into a curtsy and felt the weight of the Dowager’s studied gaze.

Drawing on her diplomatic experience, Katrina smiled politely. ‘Your Grace, I am honoured by your call.’

The Dowager’s eyes were sharp and assessing. With a slight lift of her chin, she held herself with a commanding air. ‘Good day, Miss Vandenberg. I wanted to call on you to thank you for your generous gift.’

At least she hadn’t demanded Katrina leave the country.

‘Would you care for some tea?’ Katrina offered, gesturing towards the settee and chairs near the fireplace.

‘Tea would be lovely.’ The Dowager perched her small, erect frame on the settee. ‘Shall we wait for your mother?’

Katrina sat in one of the bergère chairs and nodded to Wilkins for tea. ‘My mother passed away many years ago.’

The Dowager’s eyes narrowed. ‘My mother died when I was an infant. I have no memory of her.’

‘Nor I. Mine died two days after I was born.’

A look of understanding passed between them.

The Dowager cleared her throat. ‘I assume your father has hired a companion for you, while you are in London?’

Katrina shook her head. Her Great-Aunt Augusta, who had been more a mother to her than anyone, had passed away ten months before. She would have accompanied them to London. Having someone else living with them in her place would have been too painful a reminder of her loss.

‘He offered, but I declined.’

‘That sounds rather lonely. Surely you have someone to chaperon you when you are attending your social engagements?’

‘I do not mind solitude. And the wife of the American Minister has been kind enough to chaperon me on most occasions. Other times I have my maid, who has been with me for many years.’

‘I assume having other Americans around you has eased your adjustment somewhat?’

‘It has.’ Katrina could tell she was being measured by the Duke of Lyonsdale’s grandmother. She just wasn’t sure why.

‘I find it surprising that your father will be involved in negotiating a treaty between our two countries. I doubt anyone here would ask Byron or Scott to do such a thing.’

‘My father is a barrister as well as an author. He has presented cases to our Supreme Court and performed services for President Monroe.’

‘I see.’ The Dowager was silent as she openly took in her surroundings. ‘Will your father remain with the American delegation in London after the negotiations are complete?’

‘As yet he has not been asked to do so.’

How long did it take to make tea?

The Dowager nodded thoughtfully and clasped her hands on her lap. ‘You must convey my appreciation to your father for the book he sent me.’

‘I will let him know when he returns home today. Are you a great reader?’

The Dowager inclined her head. ‘In my youth I read often. I fear that with age my eyes are not what they once were. Most days I have my maid read to me. It is easier on my eyes.’

Finally Wilkins entered with the tea tray. ‘Will there be anything else, miss?’

Katrina had taken note of the Dowager’s slight frame. ‘Yes, Wilkins, I believe a nice log on the fire will do, on such a dreary day.’

The Dowager’s body appeared to relax slightly as the cosy fire warmed the room.

‘How would you care to have your tea?’

‘With some milk and four lumps of sugar, please.’

Before she caught herself, Katrina’s brows rose in surprise. Her Great-Aunt Augusta had enjoyed her tea very sweet, as well. Preparing the cup brought back fond memories of the times when she’d used to sit with the woman who had raised her. She had been her mother’s aunt, and of a similar age to the Dowager. There was something in the Dowager’s eyes that reminded her of her aunt.

‘An extra sweet or two never hurt anyone,’ the Dowager explained, with the faintest hint of a smile.

Katrina grinned and inclined her head. ‘My Great-Aunt Augusta would certainly have agreed.’

‘Then your great-aunt had exceptional taste,’ she said with a sparkle in her eye. She accepted the Wedgwood cup from Katrina. ‘I understand you are acquainted with my grandson?’

Knowing this was the true intention behind the unexpected visit, Katrina focused her attention on pouring herself tea. ‘I am.’

‘I assume you have seen the papers today?’

Katrina placed her cup on the table in case the Dowager’s words left her with shaking hands. ‘Yes, I have.’

‘What are your feelings on the speculation, Miss Vandenberg?’

‘His Grace showed a polite courtesy in asking me to dance. There is nothing more to it. The papers seek to sensationalise the mundane to sell copies. In truth, my only concern is how my actions reflect on my father and his work here.’

The Dowager’s features softened and she took a sip of her tea. ‘You’ll have to acquire a thick skin to live among us. The papers have something to say about everyone. Do not let what they print concern you.’

‘Thank you, but I believe my actions will not warrant comment in the future. I am not an outrageous creature to garner their attention.’ And for that Katrina was grateful.

Her comment seemed to appease the Dowager, and the remainder of her visit was spent discussing their shared love of reading and Katrina’s tour of the Waterloo Battlefield.

By the time the Dowager left, Katrina knew her to be not only elegant in manner, but kind-hearted as well. She had extended an invitation to Katrina to call on her at Lyonsdale House, and even informed her that on Monday afternoons at two she was always at home to receive calls. She had also informed Katrina there was no need to bring a chaperon.

It would be rude not to return the call, and if Katrina was honest with herself she was curious to see Lyonsdale’s home...