GypsyDukeEpub (14 page)

"As do you, your grace. I've missed you. Are you coming home?"

A tear slid down her cheek, and John studied the people around them before handing her his handkerchief. She set down her fan to take it.

"Careful, now, Mother. You don't want your beautiful face to get all soggy."

Closer up, he perceived the telltale signs of passing years around her eyes and mouth, but one could scarcely countenance her true age.

She beamed at him and shook her head. He gave her hand a squeeze as she handed his handkerchief back.

"I've missed you. What have you been doing? I haven't gotten a letter in weeks."

The duchess shook her head, tugging at his hand. "You rascal. A person that wants to get a letter should send a letter. What have you been doing? Are you coming home? You have not answered my question."

"Not long. I promise you that. Are you staying in town for the Season? Oh, how I'd love to wrap my arms around you and give you a good squeeze."

She laughed with happy abandon. "We intended to be here for the entire Season, but with Kitty's popularity, I do not see it taking long for her to find a parti. Already, we have to wade through the flowers sent by her suitors every morning. You should have seen her come-out. She was a grand success."

John scowled even more until he saw the amused interest in his mother's eyes. She smiled as he swallowed his annoyance.

"Have you had a chance to say hello to Kitty?"

"No."

He searched the dancers again for Kitty and her partner. This set would surely be at an end soon. He found her, and her eyes met his above the shoulders of the crowd. She stumbled and would have paused if her partner hadn't given her a slight tug. As the young man drew her back into the steps of the dance, Kitty's head whipped around to find John.

He smiled at her with the confidence of a man who knows he bestows a great favor. Her mouth thinned in a tight line, and her chin lifted. Her look said certainly her favor was more valuable than his.

John laughed and leaned toward his mother. "No, I haven't had the pleasure, but I think I will. There is one thing, though. Do not tell her who I am. Robert has introduced me as Lord John Knight."

"Do you not think she will know you?"

"I have not seen Kitty since she was five and ten, besides, I have on a mask, my hair is unfashionably long, and I wear earrings. Does she know I live with the gypsies?" The duchess shook her head. "I see little reason to expect her to recognize me when she does not anticipate my presence."

"I don't know, John…What do you want from her? This is her come-out Season, and she is here to find a husband. Her parents have convinced her you are never coming back."

John held his mother's hand in his own. Although he couldn't feel the softness of her hand through their gloves, he felt her warmth, and it comforted him.

"Kitty and I do not know each other. Perhaps it would be best if we met without any expectations at all." He gave her a gentle smile. "What do you think? You know her. Are we right for each other?"

His mother returned his smile warmly, and he felt even more secure. His mother's love never faltered.

"You are right for each other, John. She is lovely in every way. Still headstrong, mind you, but you're a bit of a rascal yourself. You would not want some milksop as a wife. And I think you are right. Win her heart again, and you will never doubt her."

At that moment, John wanted nothing more than to walk somewhere
privately with his mother and catch up on all they'd missed. But he had a part to play, and if he wanted to win Kitty, he had to focus on that.

"All right, Mother dear. Before I go to win fair maiden, tell me all is well with you. No further problems from Uncle Bartholomew?"

Her mouth formed an unpleasant moue. "He visits from time to time, ostensibly to catch up, but he always seems to leave with a bit of my coin...freely given, of course," she added at John's furious expression.

"Do not be his gudgeon. He has a stipend from the estate, Mother. He has no need of yours."

"Never you mind. I have more than enough, and it is a small price to pay if it gets him out of the neighborhood, especially compared with the cost of…" Her voice trailed off uncertainly, causing him even more alarm.

"What else has he done that you have withheld from me?" John had a sick feeling in his gut, thinking of all the mischief his uncle had caused in his life.

"He never managed to get his hands on anyone at the estate…" She reached for his hand. "But the village was not so lucky. He left two girls…"

"He left two by-blows? The man is impossible." His voice lowered. "Did he hurt…"

"No, John." His mother squeezed the hand she held. "Ahh, here comes Kitty, Lord Knight, and she looks ready to do battle. What have you done?"

"I leered at her above the heads of the fancy fops slobbering over her."

"John, she is respectable. Do not alienate her affections." His mother studied Kitty further before turning to him. "On second thought, do whatever you must to get her attention. Every woman loves the attentions of a rake."

As Kitty and her companion approached the Duchess, John gained his first opportunity to scrutinize Kitty up close. Pearl-studded, white satin slippers peeked from under her iridescent white gown. His gaze traveled slowly up the fetching shepherdess costume, beribboned and ruffled with gay flounces. He admired her trim waist and flaring hips before his eyes settled on the wide expanse of creamy white skin exposed across her chest.

It was one thing for all the other females present to expose their assets, it was quite another for his betrothed to do so. He quickly masked the disapproval he felt lest she wonder at his fierce expression.

When his eyes rested on Kitty's face, he saw only a trace of the little girl he once knew. There was that same bold defiance mixed with eager longing, and perhaps a shade of regret. Kitty had always wanted things females weren't supposed to have…like freedom to do things her
own way and John as her best friend.

She had always wanted him…until he'd left without saying goodbye.

Could he make her want him again?

Although her expression remained disdainful, Kitty felt trepidation as she noticed the man seated next to the duchess. Thus far, in her sojourn at the marriage mart of London, not a single man appealed, though she continued to hold her head aloft and laugh gaily, belying the true state of affairs.

No one had appealed until now, and if she wanted to keep her heart firmly planted in her chest until John's return, she must avoid this provoking man with bold eyes and challenging stance.

How intriguing he was with his carefree style of hair, too long for polite society. Could it actually be his own or part of the costume? And those earrings…they appeared to be part of his ears.

Where had he found such shocking props? The hilt of a dagger glinted from the waist of his breeches and a red kerchief showed around his neck in place of the usual cravat. Altogether, a most provocative costume…which the man well knew, she could tell from the mocking glint in his eyes as he watched her.

She saved studying his eyes until last because she was afraid of her earlier response to his bold leers. She stopped in front of the duchess, and the daring gypsy rose to tower over her.

Blue. His eyes were vibrant blue and staring at her as intently as she stared at him. She would not let this intriguing man see his effect on her. With a slight breathlessness, she faced the duchess. "Your grace, may we get you any refreshment?"

The duchess raised a brow, smiling, as she lifted her full lemonade glass. "Lord Knight has already seen to it, thank you, my dear."

Kitty blushed. The man so unnerved her she had failed to note the duchess's drink.

"Kitty…"

Gracious, the duchess was still speaking. She had to get her attention off that provoking gypsy.

"I don't believe you've met Lord Knight. May I introduce you?"

A tight smile gave Kitty's assent. She could see no way to get out of this introduction if the duchess wished it. Her grace must not realize the man looked as if he could devour Kitty in a single bite.

"Splendid. Lady Katherine Belfont…may I present Lord John Knight, a friend of Robert's."

As John reached for her hand, Kitty inclined her head regally. Without taking his eyes off her face, he bowed over her hand, holding
his lips to her gloved fingers for an embarrassing length of time.

Kitty's dance partner jostled John's shoulder to remind him of the proprieties. Lord Knight ignored him, as did Kitty. But he did increase the pressure of his lips to Kitty's hand as he winked at her.

"The pleasure is all mine, milady."

Scandalous man! Kitty felt the heat rise up her neck and spread across her face. She tugged at her hand which he still held. "Thank you, Lord Knight."

Her dancing partner agonized over how to be brought back to her attention. He cleared his throat, and Kitty gave him about a second of consideration before returning her gaze to John.

"Are you acquainted with Sir Michaels, Lord Knight? I believe he is also well-known to Viscount Newburn."

John gave a glacial dip of his head to Sir Michaels before pouncing on Kitty's words. "Robert's father is dead? When did this happen? I cannot believe he failed to mention it."

Kitty felt another blush. "Do forgive me, Lord Knight. The senior Viscount is quite well. It is only that Robert has assumed all the duties of his father's estate…at his father's insistence, and we in the area have begun to call Robert by his future title."

John's forgiving smile unnerved her, and Kitty took a deep breath. The man was too attractive by far.

"I see, Lady Katherine. Robert did mention he had assumed the running of the estates. Would you care to waltz, milady?"

Kitty's eyes went blank for a second, and the duchess answered John's question. "Kitty has not yet been given permission to dance the waltz by the patronesses of Almack's."

"I see Lady Cowper and Lady Sefton are both here tonight. Are they not Almack's hostesses? I'm sure you could arrange such an introduction, your grace."

The duchess opened her mouth to speak, thought better of it, and rose. "I think you are absolutely correct, Lord Knight. Why wait? Come, Kitty."

Why on earth was the duchess allowing this upstart of a young man to direct her? "I don't think…"

John stepped forward and held his hand intimately to Kitty's waist as he turned her to follow the duchess, her previous escort forgotten. "I often have that effect. Allow me to think for you, Lady Katherine." He made a pretense of considering her outraged expression. "I think...you love to dance, look like a woodland sprite floating over us mere mortals when you take to the dance floor, and you can't possibly deny me anything."

Kitty gasped. He was more outrageous than she had supposed. "Lord Knight…"

"Call me John. Then I can call you Kitty."

She sniffed. He wouldn't allow her a moment to think for herself. Her earlier supposition stood firm. He was dangerous to be around, more dangerous than anyone she'd ever known. "That would be highly irregular, sir."

"I don't see why not. We have been introduced." He took her hand and laid it on his arm. "What must we partake of together before you consider us sufficiently…known to each other."

"You are outrageous, sir. I do not think…"

"Yes, we have established that. But, I am still thinking for you." His voice lowered for only her. "And I think you cannot wait to have my arms around you, but, alas…here we are."

They had reached the side of the duchess and two of Almack's patronesses.

Kitty dropped John's arm, putting on her most becoming smile for the ogresses devouring her with a critical air.

The duchess gave Kitty a reassuring glance. "Lady Cowper, Lady Sefton, may I present Lady Katherine Belfont, affianced to my son." She held out a graceful hand. "And Lord John Knight, our protector for the evening, a close friend of my son and of Robert Westley."

Kitty started at the duchess's mention of her supposed engagement to John, other than that, the introduction transpired smoothly.

Lady Sefton pounced on the chance for information concerning the missing duke. Though she scarcely moved her rigidly held posture, she was able to convey her fascination with the subject at hand.

"And where is the duke, your grace, have you heard from him recently?"

"I have indeed, and it was his most devout desire that Kitty be introduced to the ton." The duchess gave a serene smile. "Hence, my wish that you would allow her to waltz this evening with Lord Knight."

There was no response to the request as Lady Cowper inclined her elaborately coifed head for a bit of gossip, her abundant bosom perilously close to overflowing her gem-studded bodice. Was she supposed to be a fairy queen? Wings of pale blue stood out from her back.

Kitty squelched a desire to laugh as the woman continued her interrogation.

"Did his grace mention when he might return for his own introduction into society?"

The duchess of Somerset inclined her head regally. "It might be sooner than you think. I believe that a waltz is next," she said, indicating that her desire to discuss her son was at an end.