Blame It on Bath Page 0,70

pleased Danny was to meet Captain de Lacey in town. He’s been so low, and the captain has given him purpose and determination again by asking his help. Merely having a reason to leave the house has given his spirits a tremendous lift.”

“Oh,” said Katherine in surprise. “I didn’t know he’d seen Lieutenant Carter much.”

Mrs. Fitzwilliam laughed. “Well, only a few times—but I understand the captain’s business is very delicate. Danny strictly warned me not to say a word to anyone. I only mention it to you because it would embarrass my brother if I said anything to Captain de Lacey.”

“Yes,” Katherine murmured. “Of course.” So Gerard had confided in someone—just not her. But perhaps Lieutenant Carter had skills and talents that were useful in the search, while she did not. “I understand I have you to thank as well,” she said to Mrs. Fitzwilliam, touching her pendant. “The captain told me you advised him at the jeweler’s.”

Mrs. Fitzwilliam smiled and pressed her hand. “It was my pleasure! It does look splendid on you, as he said it would.”

“He did?” Katherine smiled tentatively.

“He did.” The other woman leaned closer, her dark eyes warm. “I understand he had never before bought jewels for a woman.”

Katherine touched the pendant again. “He did very well.”

She couldn’t recall a happier evening. Lady Darby came to exclaim over her gown and pronounced her the prettiest girl in the room. The Woodfordes, she said, wouldn’t attend because the admiral was feeling ill. She also took to Mrs. Fitzwilliam as if they were kindred spirits, and Katherine was soon caught up in smiling and laughing as the two of them chattered like old friends. No one who knew her from before would recognize her, she thought at one point, not even herself.

Gerard led her out to dance a country set that admitted little chance of talking, but that was best. For the first time in her life, Katherine felt the scrutiny of everyone in the room upon her. Every time Gerard took her hand or met her eyes with a sinful little smile playing about his lips, her heart nearly tripped. It was all she could do to follow the steps and not embarrass either of them. After that, other gentlemen asked her to dance, and Katherine was so shocked by the attention she said yes to everyone until she suddenly found herself engaged for every dance. That had never happened to her before. In the back of her mind, she knew it was due to her marriage and her companions and perhaps her new dress, not to any sudden improvement in her looks or manner, but for tonight, she was happy to revel in her new, unexpected, fashionability.

She finally begged off a dance after two hours. Her feet ached, and she felt almost light-headed from the heat and press of the crowd and the unfamiliar exercise and the two glasses of champagne she’d consumed. A little unsteadily, she made her way back to Mrs. Fitzwilliam, who had refused all partners and remained with her brother. He leaned on a cane—Gerard told her he’d been shot in the leg and sent home to recuperate—and thus couldn’t dance. They were arguing over it when Katherine joined them.

“I’m not martyring myself,” Mrs. Fitzwilliam was insisting. “If you want to get away from me, ask someone to dance.”

“No lady would risk her toes getting mashed by my cane, Cora,” he snapped. “But you should be having a good time.”

“I am,” she said serenely. “See? Lady Gerard has returned to save me from your bad manners.”

Lieutenant Carter’s face fell. For a moment he looked wretched, but he mustered a smile. “Then allow me to redeem myself and fetch some wine for you, ladies.”

“Lemonade, please, sir,” said Katherine, fanning herself. “Thank you.”

He bowed and set off through the crowd. His sister watched him go, her expression tinged with worry. “I hope I’m not intruding, Mrs. Fitzwilliam,” Katherine murmured.

Mrs. Fitzwilliam shook herself and smiled. “Not at all, Lady Gerard. If you stay and talk with me, Danny won’t be able to scold me for not dancing.”

Katherine was silent for a moment. Was she not dancing because she refused to leave her brother or because she didn’t want to? “I’m not used to dancing so much. I may have to sit out a long while.”

Her companion’s eyes flashed with gratitude. “You must call me Cora. I feel we’re to be real friends.”

Katherine slowly smiled. “Only if you will call me Katherine.”

“I would be honored.”