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“As for my prospective wife, well, she’s found herself another prospective groom. Miss Bunting would not care, either way.”
“Do you love her very much?”
“I thought it was love at first sight when our eyes met across a crowded ballroom at the beginning of the season. I was mighty put out to learn that she’d been contemplating several offers and that she didn’t choose me after all.”
Kitty suspected his forced irony covered up a broken heart. She reached across the table and patted his hand. “Well, she’s not married yet. She could change her mind.”
“She could.”
“And then you’d have your wife, and you’d live happily ever after.” She sighed again. “That’s what I want. To live happily ever after.” Glancing about the room to ensure no servants were listening, she confided, “My parents were not married, though they’ve always lived together. Well, I should say that Papa prefers to live with us, but—”
“He has another family?” This time, Lord Silverton was the one bestowing the sympathy.
Kitty nodded sadly. “And an estate to manage, though his nephew helps him now.”
“An estate, eh?”
Kitty wasn’t surprised that he sounded skeptical. She speared a piece of delicious-looking bacon and put it on her plate. “He left my mother at the altar to marry the suitable bride chosen for him by his parents, and regretted it ever since. It’s why I set such store by following what I feel here.” She tapped her heart.
“Very romantic, Miss La Bijou, but I believe it is wisest to follow one’s head, if there is indeed a competition.” He looked at her over the top of his cup. “That’s why I’m so disappointed I failed to secure Miss Bunting as a bride. She had the credentials to please my family; the grace, breeding and sensibility required to become my hostess, and I liked her very much.”
Kitty gave a relieved little laugh. “Well, if you only liked her very much, then your heart is not broken, and I am glad for it, Lord Silverton.” She clasped her breast and said earnestly, “A broken heart is not to be recommended at all.”
“My poor Kitty. You’ve done a fine job of being entertaining for my benefit, in that case. Tell me, what does your family think of you gallivanting down to London to take the stage?”
“Well, my half-sisters are in London. They move in society circles. And my sister—who, like me, was born out of wedlock—is a governess.”
“Good lord! You really are the tearaway of the family. If I’d known your story earlier, I’d have taken you back to your father myself. Why Kitty, you chose a very bold and dangerous path for a young lady brought up—”
“Respectably. Yes, but destined for what?” she asked, dejectedly. “The truth is that the stain on my birth makes it all but impossible for me to contract a decent match. I watch my half-sisters find ideal husbands, and I feel resentment. To tell you the truth, my father’s position made me believe I might have a chance enticing Lord Nash to marry me if I could make him love me enough. I’m not sure about anything now.” She sighed again. “Except that I will go back to him.”
“You will?” She was surprised at the energy in his tone. “Why? You don’t sound passionately committed.”
“He’s my destiny. This is a test.” Kitty stared resolutely at him. “He’ll change. Yes, I’m sure of it. I’ll return to him in a few days, and then I’ll move into the little house he’s leased. Then I’ll find my friend, Dorcas, who I met in London when we were both staying with Mrs. Mobbs, and I’ll ask her to be my lady’s maid. It’ll be like the dreams we both talked about that night will have come true.”
“Poor Kitty.” Lord Silverton clicked his tongue. “I’m not used to having conversations like this with young ladies who’ve just disclosed their links to fashionable society. I may know your father. He could be after me with a pistol if he saw me alone with you.”
“He never comes to London.”
“Cheer up, Kitty; you have a day off from the theater. What are you going to do? Plot and plan or shall I take you somewhere?”
Kitty sat up straight as an idea hit her suddenly. “Actually, I’d like to find my friend Dorcas I told you about. She’s a country girl and has secured a good job somewhere, having had the good fortune to meet on the coach to London a woman who arranged everything. Dorcas sa
id she’d come and see me in Covent Garden, but she hasn’t yet. If I am able to employ a lady’s maid, I’d like to see if I can persuade her to leave Mrs. Montgomery’s employ.”
“Mrs. Montgomery, eh?”
‘Yes, she has a grand establishment in Soho where she has lots of girls working for her, I believe. Dorcas had to sign a very complicated contract to get the position.”
“Surely you’re not talking about Mollie Montgomery’s?”
Kitty was surprised at the explosive reaction her words caused, because before she’d even finished, Lord Silverton was all but spitting out his coffee as he repeated, “Mollie Montgomery of Soho? Your friend thought she was getting a job with her as a....what, may I ask?”
“Why, a household servant. Mrs. Montgomery came herself to Mrs. Mobbs’s house, and said how pretty and fresh and healthy Dorcas and I looked. She tried to persuade me to sign a contract to work for her, but Mr. Lazarus came in just then and seemed most put out.”
“Lord, a blessing in disguise.” Silverton shook his head. “Kitty, do you know who Mrs. Montgomery is? What she does?”
“She places girls in work.”
