Katie Rose (15 page)

“Thank you, Gabriel. I’ll treasure him always.”

If she had stopped there, things might have been all right, but she leaned close to him and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. And Gabriel lost whatever control he had thus far managed to possess. The memory of the one kiss they’d shared had seared his brain, and it came to the forefront now. Pulling her into his lap, he slid his arm around her waist, bringing her as close to him as possible, then his mouth devoured hers.

It was shocking, unbidden, and pleasurably arousing all at once. Desire exploded inside Gabriel as he tasted the spicy sweetness of her once more, felt the smoothness of her skin beneath his fingers, heard the helpless moan of desire that sent his blood pounding. In the back of his mind he realized that no other woman had ever had this effect on him. Why in God’s name did it have to be her?

Jennifer slid her arms around him, surrendering in a gesture older than time. He parted her lips, gently coaxing them to open, to give him more, and she did exactly that. He deepened the kiss, unable to resist the erotic temptation she promised. He no longer cared that they were in the park, that the kitten climbed merrily over them, nor that they could be discovered by an acquaintance at any time. He had to have this woman, Gabriel realized, though it made absolutely no sense at all.

Reluctantly, he eased from her, aware that if he didn’t stop, he soon wouldn’t be able to. Stunned by the intensity
of emotion between them, Gabriel looked into Jennifer’s eyes, and once again saw them shining with wonder and devotion. He cursed himself for a cad, unable to explain his actions satisfactorily even to himself.

“We’d better get back. I’ve got to finish that bid, and you should get the kitten home.”

“Yes.” Flushed with confusion, Jennifer got to her feet, hugging herself as if to replace the warmth that had just left her. She picked up the kitten, nuzzling the tiny creature with her cheek. The kitten purred and squirmed playfully, making her giggle. It was the most adorable sight Gabriel had ever seen.

“I’ll name him Angel. For you,” she said, smiling.

There was nothing angelic about what he was thinking. Gabriel wanted to stop her, to warn her that there could never be anything permanent between them, but somehow the words wouldn’t come out. He’d hurt and rejected her enough, and he just didn’t have the heart to step on her again when she looked so happy. Instead, he nodded stiffly.

“Come along. We have to go.”

Obediently, Jennifer followed him. When they reached her carriage, he helped her up, then shook his head when she patted the seat invitingly.

“I have to go. I suppose you’ll be at the Rutherfords’ ball? It seems the Appletons are invited everywhere these days.”

Jennifer giggled, then shrugged her shoulders and nodded.

“I’ll see you then.” He turned and walked away abruptly, unable to face the melting pleasure in her eyes.

Jennifer practically skipped into the house, bursting with joy. Her sisters and aunt looked up in stunned surprise as she unveiled the kitten, then let the
little fur ball scamper across the room. The kitten made a beeline for the birdcage, and plastered himself to the brass door like a miniature leopard, stalking its prey. The parrot squawked indignantly, huddling in the corner, while Aunt Eve gasped in horror.

“My word! What is that creature! My poor Sam!” Aunt Eve rushed to comfort the parrot, while Penelope pried the kitten from the cage.

“Oh, he’s precious!” Penelope said, petting his tiny head while he mewed. “Where did you get him?”

“Gabriel bought him for me.” Jennifer beamed, swirling around the room, holding onto her skirt as if she were dancing. “I named the kitten after him. We went for a picnic in the park, and he didn’t even attempt to leave early. And then he asked if he would see me at the Rutherfords’ ball! Isn’t that great?”

“That’s wonderful! Oh, Jenny, I just knew he wouldn’t be able to resist you!” Penelope exclaimed. “Did he ask you to go with him?”

“Not in so many words, but he definitely seemed interested.”

“We’ll have to make sure your new dress looks especially nice. Let me take care of this kitty, and we’ll make all the plans. Isn’t there some cream in the icebox?”

“Yes, I think so.” Aunt Eve nodded, looking more than a little bewildered by the new addition to her household. “I’ll go and check.”

As she and Penelope disappeared into the kitchen, Jennifer whirled around once more. She turned to Winifred in a playful curtsy. When she caught sight of her sister’s expression, Jennifer frowned.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like the kitten?”

Winifred smiled, but the misgivings didn’t leave her eyes. “Yes, I think the kitten grand. I’m just worried about … the situation.”

“What situation?” Jennifer asked, her stomach tightening.
Whenever Winifred worried, it was always for a good reason.

“With you and Mr. Forester. Jenny, I could be dead wrong, and I hope I am, but have you given any real thought as to what his intentions are? I can’t picture him ever asking you to wed, given what he thinks of us.”

The day seemed to suddenly grow black. All of the joy of a moment ago vanished, replaced by the disturbing doubts that now demanded to be heard.

“How do you know that?” Jennifer asked, stung by her sister’s observation. “He seems to like me. Do you think it that impossible that someone like Gabriel could ever care for me?”

Winifred’s face grew softer, and Jennifer saw pity in her eyes. She came to stand next to Jennifer, running her hands through her hair as she had done when Jennifer was a child. “Jenny, I don’t want to upset you. You know I think the world of you, and I’ll always be grateful for the way you pulled us all together. I’ve never seen you happier than in the last few days. I just think that Gabriel might want you for … a mistress, but not a wife.”

“Why would you say such a thing?” Jennifer cried, but the memory of that kiss heated her cheeks. Surely that couldn’t mean … she was forced to remember the passion that had flowed between them, and the look in his eyes. Her blush heightened as she recalled that he had never called on her formally, never sent her flowers or any token of his admiration, never even brought her a punch at the Barrymores’ garden party, something that would indicate honorable interest.

Winifred looked as if she would rather be anywhere than here, having this conversation. “I have given the matter considerable thought. Mr. Howe even indicated that Gabriel was genuinely … attached to his sister, and everyone expects them to wed. Gabriel is a gentleman, and men
like him marry for money or position. I just don’t want to see you hurt, that’s all.”

“Well, Charles could be wrong, after all. And how do you know he wasn’t speaking for himself? Maybe those are
his
ambitions.”

Winifred paled, and Jennifer immediately wished she could take the words back. It had not escaped her observation that her sister might have more than a scholarly interest in Charles Howe. The night they’d gone to the opera, the two of them had argued law well into the night. Jennifer had never seen her sister more alive or passionate than in Charles’s presence.

“I don’t know. It’s another reason, I suppose, that I caution you. I need to caution myself as well.”

Jennifer hugged her normally reticent sister, touched by the emotion in her words. “Don’t worry, Winnie. Everything will turn out just fine for both of us. I’ll make it happen, wait and see. And tomorrow night at the Rutherfords’ party, we’ll be the belles of the ball. And Charles won’t be able to resist you.”

The preparations for the Rutherfords’ ball began early the following morning. Jennifer awoke to find Aunt Eve rushing about the house, preparing an enormous breakfast which she insisted they all eat, so as not to be hungry at the party.

“Real ladies are known by their delicate appetites,” she cautioned, as Jennifer looked wide-eyed at the three eggs, four strips of bacon, toast, fruit, and coffee that was laid out before her. “Eat it all now, and then I’ve planned a sumptuous lunch. I’ve also got hard candies for you to carry in your pockets in case you get hungry. None of my nieces will be accused of gorging themselves at the party.”

Jennifer groaned, forcing down the huge quantity of food. “I never thought being a real lady was so complicated,” she complained. “The Billings make it look so easy.”

“That’s because the Billings have been carefully tutored their entire lives,” Aunt Eve asserted. “But I intend to do my part and give you all the benefit of my experience. After all, I was quite a belle in my day. Now don’t slouch, dear. You’ll give yourself cramps.”

Penelope giggled as Jennifer rolled her eyes but
obeyed her aunt and sat up. Even Winifred seemed to fall into the spirit of things, for although she had a book propped up before her, she tied her napkin around her neck and ate while she read.

Penelope rose first, wiping her lips with her napkin then tossing it aside. “I’ll heat the irons and crimp the lace on our bonnets. Don’t worry, I won’t burn you this time,” Penelope protested as Jennifer gave her a look. “You will let me do your hair and apply a touch of rouge?”

Jennifer scowled, while Aunt Eve nodded furiously. “That and perhaps a touch of belladonna in her eyes, to brighten them. Men so like bright eyes, you know.”

“I’m not putting poison anywhere near my face,” Jennifer protested. “I’ll go along with the other horrors, like ridiculously tight stays and curls, but I have to draw the line somewhere.”

“I see.” Aunt Eve sighed as if the matter little concerned her. “I understand that Allison Howe has very attractive eyes, but I don’t suppose that’s of any importance.”

Jennifer looked at her aunt in astonishment. Eve still bustled around the kitchen, refilling coffee cups and putting out biscuits. There was absolutely no trace of sagacity in her expression, yet her words couldn’t have been that innocent. For the first time, Jennifer wondered how much her aunt knew, and how much she hid beneath her befuddled exterior.

“All right, I suppose the rouge is amenable. But no belladonna,” Jennifer said reluctantly.

Aunt Eve nodded. “That’s a good girl. And Winnie, do stop reading so much today. You’ll strain your eyes, and a certain barrister won’t want to look into them. Perhaps you girls should dress and take a stroll outside. It will help you digest and put roses in your cheeks. I’ll start pressing handkerchiefs. A real lady is always known by her hankie and clean boots. I read that in
Hill’s Manual
.”

The girls were bustled out of the kitchen and out into
the streets while Aunt Eve prepared bathwater. It seemed as if the day was filled with one activity after another, all designed to enhance the evening. The afternoon meant a nap, after the enormous lunch, then baths, followed by the puffing of talcum powder and dabbing of cologne. Aunt Eve helped the girls tighten their stays, then snapped petticoats and adjusted stockings. There was much talking and laughing amongst the sisters, the anticipation of the ball fueling their discussions. Jennifer complained constantly, Penelope loved every minute of it, and Winifred bore what needed to be done in a matter-of-fact way. When they had settled the ball gowns into place, Aunt Eve stood back and beamed with admiration.

“You all look so lovely I could cry. Come, Jenny, see in the mirror! Penelope, that ice blue truly is your color, and what a pretty gown! Winifred, you are absolutely elegant.”

Aunt Eve chirped with pleasure, and Jennifer glanced at her sisters proudly. Penelope was a vision in an ice blue chiffon with a scooped neckline, making her generous bosom all the more enticing. Eve had attached a row of fresh carnations to the back of the dress, which Penelope assured everyone was very much in vogue, and she wore a fashionable black velvet choker copied from Degas paintings, guaranteed to make the Billings green with envy.

Winifred wore a simple gold-hued gown that went well with her darkly burnished locks. Her hair had been swept up into a French twist, secured with a dozen hairpins, and looked very elegant. Her outfit contained far fewer flounces than Penelope’s, but the simple style and almost masculine linen collar only enhanced her cool good looks.

Jennifer clapped as her sisters curtsied, then glanced in the mirror for one last primp. Her own dress, an ivory lace gown with clean lines and a small bustle, was a perfect fit and showed off her slender figure. Black velvet ribbons adorned the low-cut neck and puffed sleeves, and a small
amount of the same material snaked in and out of her hem. She’d refused a long trailing train, wanting to dance freely and have fun. After much consideration, the dressmaker had agreed, especially since Jennifer was wont to trip over any lengthy pieces of fabric draped around her. She looked wonderful, innocent and demure, while her eyes danced with excitement. At Penelope’s prompting, she applied a bit of rouge, and bit her lips to make them redder.

Aunt Eve looked at the girls and her eyes filled with tears. “I am such an old fool, but you all look so grand! I wish I were going with you, but I still just don’t feel up to it.” She sighed. “And I do have one last surprise for each of you.” Bringing forth a lacquered box, she opened it and withdrew a sparkling pin for Penelope’s hair, a gold bracelet for Winifred, and a string of real pearls for Jennifer. “I’ve been saving them,” Eve said proudly. “Your uncle purchased them for me years ago, and I just knew the day would come when I could give them to you. Tonight would be perfect.”