Blame It on Bath Page 0,85

simply must; everyone signs it. It is quite the register of Bath!”

“As I said,” murmured Admiral Woodforde. “The society.”

His wife just rolled her eyes and tucked Kate’s arm firmly around her own. “We shall see who has arrived recently. My sister relies on me to report to her since Sir Philip disavows any need of the waters and of course Barbara herself would never dream of admitting weakness. Here we are.” She turned the page, making no secret of her interest. “Lady Hurst has arrived! But you must meet her, my dear; she is a bit eccentric but wonderfully entertaining. Five husbands she’s had—oh, the stories she can tell!” Mrs. Woodforde giggled, skimming down the next page. “Mr. Westley! Oh, a very foolish man. If ever he asks you to dance, you must refuse at once. I wouldn’t receive him, either. Your ears won’t recover for days.”

“Katherine dear, have you forgotten me?” Her mother came up beside them. “I thought you were to fetch the water.”

“Yes, Mama, I met my neighbor, Mrs. Woodforde, and stopped to greet her.” Kate turned to Mrs. Woodforde, who was pretending not to listen. “Mrs. Woodforde, may I present my mother, Mrs. Hollenbrook. Mama, my neighbor. The Woodfordes live across Queen Square. Her sister, Lady Darby, has the house next to ours.”

Eyeing each other with curiosity, the ladies curtsied. “How pleasant to make your acquaintance,” said Mama with one of her beautiful, rather dreamy smiles.

“And yours,” cried Mrs. Woodforde. “My sister and I envy you completely, ma’am, for having such a fine daughter. She has brightened Queen Square to no end.”

“Really?” Her mother turned to Kate in surprise. “She was always such a quiet girl.”

“Oh, you’ve no cause for complaint,” Mrs. Woodforde said quickly. “Lady Gerard is a perfect lady! So fashionable, so amiable, and so charmingly doted on by her husband.” She tittered, with a glance at Kate that made her blush. “He’s a lucky man to have her.”

“Oh. Yes,” murmured Mama, looking a bit shocked. “It was quite a surprise when they married. He is one of the Durham family, you know. Katherine was raised in Sussex, near the ducal seat, but I never dreamed one of the sons would deign to look at her.”

“Pish. He’s a very clever fellow, that Captain de Lacey. Much like my husband the admiral—where did he go?” Mrs. Woodforde craned her neck, but her husband had strolled away. “Oh, he’s off with Mr. Thorpe again, no doubt talking about cricket.” She waved one hand with a smile. “But Captain de Lacey, I am sure, recognized a gem when he saw one. Especially today, when you look as pretty as a rose, my dear!” She winked at Kate, who smiled in return.

Mama regarded Kate’s deep pink dress with a shadow of doubt. “You’ve taken such a turn, Katherine. You never wore pink before.”

“I like it, Mama.”

“Of course, dear,” said her mother. “It’s just a young lady’s color, really.”

At her slight emphasis on the word “young,” Mrs. Woodforde’s head came up and her eyes narrowed. She glanced at Kate, who tried to smile as if it meant nothing. Cora had assured her the pink was flattering, and she did like it. Her mother just wasn’t accustomed to seeing her in it.

“I was talking with Lady Deane, Katherine, and she mentioned that the Countess of Swinton has just arrived in Bath. I believe, my dear, the Earl of Swinton is related very distantly to your husband. You must call on her.” Mama beamed as if she’d just laid a great prize at Kate’s feet.

“I’ve never heard him speak of Lady Swinton, but I will ask, Mama.”

“A bit high in the instep, Lady Swinton,” said Mrs. Woodforde to Kate but with her gaze on Mama.

“I’m sure she would be delighted to meet her new kinswoman.” Mama smiled at Mrs. Woodforde. “Family is so important, you know.”

“If the captain wishes to call on her, of course we shall,” said Kate. “But I wouldn’t wish to intrude on Lady Swinton otherwise.”

“Oh, you must, Katherine,” protested her mother. “She moves in the very best circles.”

Kate wanted to walk away in mortification. Her mother was a terrible snob—oddly so, since she herself was only the daughter of a baron and the widow of a merchant. From Mrs. Woodforde’s expression, she took Mama’s meaning all too well. Suddenly Kate felt a flicker of anger. Mrs. Woodforde wasn’t very fashionable, and her husband wasn’t titled, but they were kind and warm, and had been friendly to her