Blame It on Bath Page 0,68

comfortably against her. “I intend to find the man who’s trying to destroy my family name. The one who threatens to expose my father’s shameful past and strip me and my brothers of our inheritance.”

She turned her head a little. “How shall you find him?”

“By dogged determination. It’s nothing exciting. In fact, it’s rather lowering to talk about. I fear it would put you to sleep if I listed all the persons I’ve asked for help, all the rogues I’ve tried to bribe for information, all the pointless trips I’ve made.”

“I wouldn’t go to sleep.” She rolled to face him. “What will you do when you find him?”

Kill him, quickly and quietly. Or as close to that as he could manage. “I’ll determine that when I find him,” he replied. “And I will find him. One way or another, all this nonsense about my father’s scandal will be dealt with and settled. I don’t want you worried about it. But the gossip could grow ugly, and I wish I could shield you from it.”

“I knew it might.” She smiled at him, her honest, true smile. It was a little bit shy, but it brightened her eyes and softened her face remarkably. She was almost pretty when she smiled this way. “I made my vows honestly.”

He grinned in relief that the disagreement was over. Just as he’d thought, all was well between them in bed. “As did I.” He gathered her close, reaching for the buttons on her nightdress. “As did I.”

Chapter 15

The next day, the dressmaker herself delivered three new gowns, apologizing profusely for the delay. Katherine thanked her in bemusement; she hadn’t expected the dresses already, let alone a personal visit from the modiste.

“His Lordship said you would be wanting more as well,” added Mrs. Goddard. “I promise next time to be more prompt.”

“I see,” said Katherine slowly. Gerard had done this? He’d been gone when she woke this morning. “And did His Lordship say anything else?”

“He mentioned he’d like to see a red gown next time.” The woman’s sharp gaze swept Katherine from head to foot. “It would have to be the proper shade of red, but you’ve got the complexion for it.”

“Er . . . yes. I shall consider it.”

Mrs. Goddard’s smile was relieved. “Very good, madam. Now, shall we check the fit?”

While Katherine stood on the stool and let Mrs. Goddard make fine adjustments to the gowns, she studied herself in the mirror. Did she have the coloring for a red gown? Her mother had always said no, muted colors were best for her. She’d never had a bright dress with a low décolletage and a narrow skirt that skimmed her hips. The one she wore now was rich, vibrant blue, cut in the latest style and trimmed with seed pearls on the bodice and around the sleeves. It was a much lovelier dress than she’d ever owned before, and not just because it was a beautiful color. It suited her, she realized with amazement, better than any other dress ever had. The new petticoat was lighter and less full than her old ones, and the gown floated softly over it in slim lines. She looked taller, almost willowy. Her bosom even looked fuller.

“I look lovely,” she murmured, turning slightly to see different angles.

“Very lovely,” declared Mrs. Goddard. “Such a fine, slim figure! You’ve no need for those ruffles and trimmings. The cut must suit the figure, and the color the woman.”

Katherine continued to stare at herself. “I’ve always thought colors didn’t suit me.”

“Every woman has her colors.”

“Yes,” she whispered, beginning to smile. “Even I.”

What a difference a dress made. Mrs. Goddard delivered one evening gown and two day dresses, which meant Katherine finally had decent clothes to wear. After the dressmaker left, she laid out all her old dresses and surveyed them. Next to the new day dress of cream and gold stripes she wore now, her old clothing looked grim and tired. Even the dark blue dress looked like the garb of a woman twice her age. “Get rid of them all,” she told Birdie. “I don’t want to see them again.”

“And about time, too,” declared her abigail. “His Lordship knows what he’s about, ordering you to wear colors.”

Katherine glanced at her. “That almost sounded like praise.”

Birdie sniffed as she gathered up the dreary dresses. “I must say, he’s been very decent since we reached Bath. His man Bragg is a bit rough, but accommodating enough. At least he’s used to following orders and