The Daughter of Highland Hall (10 page)

“My sister MaryAnn is making her debut this season as well, so presentations are one of the main topics of conversation at our house,” he said, gray eyes twinkling. “I read about your debut in the
Sketch
this morning. That was quite a feat, being one of the debs mentioned in that article.”

Kate’s sip of punch turned into a gulp, which sent her into a fit of coughing.

Edward reached for her arm. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, though she couldn’t push out a word past her burning throat.

“Shall I get you a glass of water?”

“No, I’ll be fine,” she managed to croak and then coughed again, covering her mouth with her gloved hand.

Lines crinkled around his eyes as he tried to suppress his smile. “I’m sorry. This punch is chokingly sweet.”

Kate shook her head. “It’s not that.” She glanced around the tent at the refined, well-dressed guests, feeling out of place. Was it because this was her first social event of the season—or because she was more used to country life than London society? Either way, the urge to throw off the rules was too hard to resist.

She looked back at Edward. “You know, that article didn’t really tell what happened last night.”

He cocked his head. “It didn’t?”

“No. It was written days ago, and my aunt and uncle paid a hefty sum to be sure I was painted in a positive light.”

Curiosity flickered in his eyes.

She drained her punch cup and set it aside. “The truth is, I made the three curtsies without too much trouble, but then I forgot you should never turn your back on the royal family.”

A ripple of surprise passed across his face. “You didn’t.”

“I did.” She sent him a firm nod. “I didn’t realize my mistake until the room hushed and Princess Mary shot me the most terrible glare. Then my feet tangled in my train, and I had to bend down and try to sort it out before I could back out of the room.”

Edward’s grin spread wider. “My goodness. I would’ve loved to see that.”

Kate smiled and then laughed. He joined her, and relief poured through her. She fanned her face, trying to regain her composure. “It was quite a spectacle, I can assure you.”

He lifted his punch cup toward her as if in a toast. “Katherine Ramsey, I find your honesty quite refreshing.”

“Thank you. But, please, my friends call me Kate.”

“All right, if that’s an invitation to be considered your friend, then I would be delighted to call you Kate.”

Her heart lifted. Edward’s warmth and humor made her glad to welcome him as a friend … and perhaps in time something more.

They continued their conversation for a few minutes, then he set his empty punch cup on a nearby table and turned back toward her. “The Ballet Russes is performing at Covent Garden this week. Our family has box seats for the season. Would you like to join us on Tuesday night? Of course your aunt or whomever you like would be welcome to come along as your chaperone.”

Kate’s eyes widened. “The Ballet Russes?” She’d read about their performances in the newspaper and had hoped to see them while they were in town.

He took a step closer and placed his hand on her arm. “They’re quite modern. I hear they astounded Parisian society with their primitive costumes and exotic music.”

A thrill raced along Kate’s arm. “Thank you, Edward. I’d love to attend the ballet with you. And I’m sure my aunt or Julia would be happy to go with us.”

“Is Julia your sister?”

“No, she’s …” Kate hesitated. How should she explain her relationship to Julia? She didn’t want to add to the gossip that was surely circulating about her governess and her cousin. “Julia is engaged to marry my cousin William. He’s my guardian. She sometimes accompanies me as my chaperone.”

“Of course.” Edward’s expression gave no hint that he had heard anything about William and Julia. “I’d be delighted to meet her and your cousin.”

“They’re here today.” Kate glanced around, but she didn’t see them.

“It’s all right. I’ll call on you tomorrow afternoon to meet them properly, and then we can make arrangements for Tuesday evening.”

How thoughtful he was. “That sounds wonderful. I’ll look forward to it.”

Glancing past Edward’s shoulder, she noticed Jon standing with Evelyn Gleason just outside the tent. The bright sunlight reflected off his hair, shooting it with threads of gold and highlighting the strong contours of his face. He looked her way. Then he glanced at Edward and his forehead creased.

What was that about? Did he know Edward? That didn’t seem likely.

Evelyn said something to him, and he focused on her again. She was quite a beauty, with a petite figure and creamy complexion. Her father was not titled, but he was president of St. George’s Hospital, and the family had good standing in society. She would be a fine match for Jon.

Kate quickly dismissed the idea. Evelyn Gleason didn’t seem like the type of girl who would be eager to give up her life in London and become the wife of a missionary headed for India. Why was she even thinking about who Jon would marry? His future plans were none of her concern.

Kate focused on Edward again, listening as he spoke about his love for riding and hunting.

Edward Wellington was exactly the type of young man she had hoped to meet. Her aunt would be thrilled when she heard he had invited her to the ballet. How exciting it would be to walk into Covent Garden on the arm of such a handsome man from a well-respected family.

What a stroke of luck to be introduced to him at her very first event of the season!

“You lived in India? My goodness, that sounds terribly exciting. How long were you there?” Evelyn Gleason’s large, dark-brown eyes sparkled as she looked up at Jon. Her fair complexion and upturned nose made her look younger than eighteen, though he knew that was her age. Her mother had announced it when they had been introduced, along with the fact Evelyn had been presented at court just two weeks earlier.

Evelyn’s rose-colored hat matched her silky dress and seemed to give her cheeks a pink tint. Was she truly interested in Jon’s missionary work in India, or was she simply hoping to capture a potential beau?

He chose to believe the best about her, though he couldn’t help remembering Theo’s comment about Dr. Gleason wanting his daughters to meet and marry medical students. “I lived in India from the time I was twelve until I returned to London two years ago to continue my medical training.”

“How interesting. I’ve never traveled more than a day’s journey from London, but I hope to see more of the world someday.”

“Traveling and living overseas can be a wonderful experience. It opened my eyes to what God is doing around the world.”

She nodded, her expression eager. “I imagine actually living in a country and serving as a missionary would give you a much better understanding of the people and culture than simply traveling through on holiday.”

“Yes, it does.” His gaze drifted past Evelyn to the other side of the tent, where Kate stood with a tall man about Jon’s age. He wore a well-cut, cream-colored suit with a red rose pinned to his lapel. His intent focus on Kate and pleased expression made it clear he was enjoying their conversation.

“Jon?”

He blinked and shifted his gaze back to Evelyn. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

She tipped her head. “Who are you watching?”

His neck warmed. “Forgive me. I was distracted for a moment.”

“It’s all right. That’s why we young people do the season—to see and be seen and hopefully find our future life’s companion.” She lifted her finger to her lips. “But I’m sure my mother would not approve of that comment.” A teasing smile tipped up the corners of her mouth. “Who do you have your eye on?”

“I was just checking on a friend.”

“Come now, tell me who she is.” She waited, her face upturned. Obviously she would not be satisfied until he answered.

He looked across the tent. “Katherine Ramsey. My sister is engaged to her guardian, William Ramsey.”

Evelyn casually glanced over her shoulder. “Oh yes. I met her last fall.” She watched Kate for a moment, then turned back. “I believe she was one of the debutantes mentioned in this morning’s paper.”

“Yes, that was Kate.” A surge of something close to pride rose in his chest as he recalled the comments in the article. Lady Gatewood may have paid the columnist to write it, but the facts were true. Kate was a beautiful and accomplished young woman, and he was sure she’d soon have a long line of suitors. He pushed that unpleasant thought away.

Evelyn looked back at Jon. “She’s very pretty. I can see why you have your eye on her.”

He let those words roll past and kept his focus on Evelyn. It wouldn’t do to have Evelyn spread gossip about him and Kate, especially when there was no truth to it. “This is Kate’s first event of the season. I thought it might be a bit intimidating for her.”

Evelyn glanced Kate’s way again. “I’d say she’s doing quite well. That’s Edward Wellington she’s speaking to now. He’s the son of Lord Wellington, the Earl of Dunaway. They own a very large estate in Somerset.” She lowered her voice. “He’s the eldest, and he’s in line to inherit it all.”

“What else do you know about him?”

“Only that he recently ended a long courtship with a young woman and left her with a broken heart.”

Jon tensed and glanced at Kate. She and Edward Wellington were laughing about something. Then Edward took a step closer, laid his hand on Kate’s arm, and whispered something in her ear.

Irritation coursed through Jon. It seemed very forward for Edward to take such liberties with a young woman he had just met.

“It’s kind of you to watch out for her, but it looks as though Edward is taking very good care of Miss Ramsey.”

He watched them a moment more, then turned away just as his aunt Beatrice, Julia, and William crossed the tent toward him.

“Jonathan.” Beatrice leaned in and kissed his cheek, then she turned to Evelyn with a bright smile. “Please introduce us to your lovely friend.”

“This is Evelyn Gleason, Dr. and Mrs. Gleason’s youngest daughter. Evelyn, this is my aunt, Lady Beatrice Danforth, my sister, Julia Foster, and her fiancé, Sir William Ramsey, Baronet of Highland Hall.”

Beatrice took Evelyn’s hand. “Why, Evelyn, I didn’t recognize you. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.”

“Thank you, Lady Danforth. It’s a pleasure to see you again. I’m so happy you could join us today.” Their conversation continued as Beatrice asked Evelyn about her family, and then Evelyn questioned Lady Danforth, Julia, and William about their plans for the season.

Aunt Beatrice turned to him. “So, Jon, are you enjoying the party?”

“It was kind of the Gleasons to invite me. It’s always a pleasure to meet new friends.” He hoped that answer would suffice. He couldn’t very well confess he was rather bored and wished he had agreed to volunteer at the Daystar Clinic rather than come to the party. Perhaps it wasn’t too late to change his mind. If he could slip away soon, he might be able to spend a few hours with Theo and Dr. Pittsford and see why they were so eager to be involved in the work on the East End.

He focused his attention on Julia. “Have you seen the Gleasons’ flower gardens?”

Julia hesitated. “No, I haven’t.”

“Why don’t we go take a look?” He offered her his arm. “William, I promise I’ll bring her back in a few minutes.”

William sent him a quizzical look, but nodded. “Of course. Take your time. Enjoy the flowers.”

Jon led her away.

“Touring the gardens to see the flowers?” Julia asked in a hushed tone. “What is this all about?”

“I wanted to speak to you in private.”

“All right.” They followed the pathway around the side of the house and into the gardens.

“I don’t want to be rude, but I think I’m going to slip away.”

“I don’t suppose anyone will mind. You’ve put in an appearance and made Aunt Beatrice happy.” Julia smiled up at him, affection filling her eyes.

His gaze traveled from the tent to the formal garden. “It’s strange, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Trying to make our way in London society when we’re much more used to village life in India.”

Her smile faded. “Yes, it is a bit of an adjustment, I’ll grant you that. I often feel I’m pulled in different directions.”

He knew exactly what she meant. Even after two years in London, he sometimes still felt like an outsider.

“I want to please William and fit in with his family and circle of friends,” Julia continued, “but I don’t quite feel at ease, at least not yet.”

He studied his sister. She had only returned to England last autumn after twelve years in India, almost half her life. It couldn’t be easy, adjusting to her changing role and preparing to become William’s wife, as well as the mistress of his London home and Highland Hall.

He laid his hand on her arm. “You’re doing a splendid job. I can tell William is very happy to have you by his side, and he will be even happier when you become his bride.”

Julia’s smile returned. “You are a dear. I’m so glad we have this time together.”

“I’m thankful for it as well.” Jon glanced toward the tent.

Julia followed his gaze. “I wonder who that is talking to Kate.”