Chapter 15
Catherine, Georgiana, and Lydia walked into the ballroom in Lady Castleton’s home. After a week of shopping and daily walks in the park, this was their first event together in London. Catherine wore her finest ballgown, though she hadn’t purchased anything new. Lydia was wearing a new gown that Catherine had commissioned for her. It was far finer than anything their father would have been willing to pay for. Georgiana, too, was wearing a gown she had recently purchased.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth followed behind them, ready to introduce them to any of the guests they didn’t know. They were also ready to warn them of any potentially unsavory gentlemen, though they didn’t expect any such thing at this ball.
During their walks in the park, they had met and been introduced to several gentlemen already, so they weren’t completely surrounded by strangers, but there were plenty of faces Catherine didn’t recognize.
Georgiana was clearly feeling a little overwhelmed. She reached her hand out to Catherine to steady her nerves, and Catherine squeezed her hand, attempting to send strength and courage to her friend.
Almost immediately, they were approached by a gentleman, The Honorable Henry Singleton, eldest son of a baron. Mr. Singleton was one of the gentlemen they had been introduced to in the park. He immediately requested a dance from bothGeorgiana and Catherine. After signing their dance cards, he departed.
“Why didn’t he ask me to dance?” asked Lydia. “Not that I would want to dance with such a snaggle-toothed old man.”
“Lydia,” said Elizabeth, “mind your manners. It is not a good idea to insult others in a ballroom, even when you think no one can hear you. As for why he did not ask you, I think you know the reason, and unfortunately you will need to get used to this.”
Lydia scowled and mumbled, “If only I had inherited a fortune like Kitty. I am certain I should be married by now.”
Catherine, too, was certain she would be married by now, though whether she would be happy about it was a completely different question. In a way, she felt sorry for Lydia. Catherine knew that her sister thrived on being the center of attention, but here in London, amongst the country’s elite, such a thing would be impossible.
After several more gentlemen approached, requesting dances from Catherine and Georgiana but not Lydia, Catherine’s sister was becoming surly.
They eventually came across Colonel Fitzwilliam and Viscount Hilldale, Mr. Darcy’s cousins. Catherine had only seen the Viscount once since his departure from Hertfordshire two years ago. It was at a dinner party at the Darcys’ home last year. They had barely spoken.
It made Catherine feel as though the friendship she thought they had built up had been nothing but a dream. She expected he would, again, pass by her with little more than an acknowledgment.
That wasn’t quite what happened. Instead, he stared at her, not saying anything, not even a greeting. Around them all themembers of their group were chatting with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Catherine was vaguely aware that the colonel had requested dances from all three young ladies, making Lydia very happy.
In a stupor of confusion, Catherine handed over her dance card to the colonel. When she received it back, she was surprised to see that he had signed his name on the supper dance.
Viscount Hilldale must have seen it as well. “I think not, Brother,” he said. “I believe my name is the one that belongs on that line. Please, select a different one.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s eyes widened in surprise as he stared at his brother. Then, without saying a word, he scratched his name out and claimed the first dance instead. Viscount Hilldale narrowed his eyes upon seeing this, but he did not object this time.
Once the colonel was done signing his name, Catherine turned to Lord Hilldale. “I don’t believe you asked for a dance,” she said. She was confused by his behavior, but she was also annoyed at his high-handedness.
“Will you dance with me, Kitty?” he asked. He was standing so close to her and speaking in such a low voice, she was certain she was the only one who had heard him call her that.
“Not until you tell me why you ignored me at Mr. Darcy’s dinner party last year,” she said. “You treated me as if we had never met, and now you are treating me like a possession. I dislike being confused.”
Lord Hilldale scowled and looked away from her. “I can’t explain it. Not now,” he said. “All I can say is that I was an idiot, as I often am.”
Catherine stared at him, hoping for more information. Instead, he said, “I am sorry, Kitty. Truly.”
She sighed. “Very well. You may have my supper dance. Perhaps over supper, you can tell me how Travis is doing.”
She was pleased to see him grin as he said, “You might regret asking. I can talk about my boy for hours without requiring any response whatsoever.”
“I look forward to it,” she said and smiled.
When she looked back at the group, she found Elizabeth looking at her oddly, but she didn’t think too much about it. The first dance was forming, and Colonel Fitzwilliam came forward to lead her out to the dance floor.
~~~~~
Leaving Kitty behind in Hertfordshire before Darcy’s wedding was harder than Stephen had anticipated. Somehow, during those short conversations they had shared, separated by days in between, Kitty had reminded him what it felt like to be a child again, to be carefree and to embrace the silliness and fun in life.
She hadn’t done it by example. Kitty was not particularly silly herself. She was kind, patient, and understanding. When he was silly, she simply laughed along with him. When he was serious, she was equally so.
When he left Hertfordshire, he missed her.
