A Taste of Honey Read Free Page B

time that Mrs. Brentley finished asking the question Mrs. Wellings entered.  Katherine could tell that her mother had been listening in on at least most of their discussion and she wasn't too surprised.  “Katherine will marry a Duke,” Mrs. Wellings said forcefully as she took her seat.
    Mrs. Brentley frowned for only a brief moment before she was able to mask her reaction.  “Why a Duke?”
    “Perhaps a Viscount or even a Lord, either of those would be suitable as well.  It is really a matter of influence and wealth that is important.”
    Katherine knew that her face reflected the same kind of shock as Mrs. Brentley's.  Her mother had never mentioned to her that she expected anything quite so ambitious from her daughters.  Even in London girls did not fall across eligible Dukes at every turn.
    “Are you expecting this of both of your daughters?”  Mrs. Brentley asked.
    “No, of course not.  Robin is far too wild to marry into the aristocracy.”  Mrs. Wellings made a motion with her hand as if to dismiss Robin entirely.  Her attentions seemed focused on Katherine alone.  “She may do whatever she likes.  However Katherine has been raised to be suitable for such high circles of society.  Don't you agree that she would be a fine wife for any titled man?”
    Mrs. Brentley looked Katherine over carefully before addressing her mother.  “I believe that she would make a fine wife for any man, no matter how blue his blood was.”
    After a tight and rather forced smile Mrs. Brentley changed the subject until they had found a topic that did not cause as much disagreement.
    By the end of their short interview it was clear that despite some of the fears that Mrs. Wellings and Robin had raised, Mrs. Brentley had decided to take both girls with her to London.  She warned them that they would have to be ready by early the next morning, which seemed impossible until she told them what to bring.
    “We don't have time to pack all of your gowns and dresses.  Take only what you will require for our trip to London and the rest will be taken care of later.”  With a quick goodbye the three women ushered Mrs. Brentley out of the door so that they could prepare for tomorrow's journey.
    Robin sauntered dreamily about the small hallway as her head filled with the ideas of lavish balls, outrageous plays, and all of the money her future husband would have.  Katherine smiled at the scene, happy to see that for once her sister had little to complain about.  She tried to ignore her mother's strange request as perhaps being only a show for Mrs. Brentley but Mrs. Wellings soon crushed most of the joy that she had been feeling.
    “This could be the best thing that has happened to us in a long time.”  Mrs. Wellings said as she pulled Katherine aside.  “You'll do me proud,” she stated rather than asked.  “Once you've married well there will be nothing left to worry about.  I will always have a home to turn to, even if your father's health continues to slide away from him.”
    Katherine fought the urge to laugh at her mother's exaggeration.  “There is nothing wrong with him; he has a simple head cold.  He will be fine.”
    “Regardless of his condition, I have had to live seventeen years without any guarantee of my protection and your marriage into nobility will finally secure my comforts in life.”
    She knew that it was her mother's own way of asking for things, to state them as if they were already fated to happen.  “What if I'm unable to find a titled husband?” Katherine asked her.  “Or worse, if I cannot find a husband at all.”  She had meant to make a joke with her remark and lighten her mother’s mood.  Instead Mrs. Wellings refused to laugh as her eyes narrowed in and her lips pursed.
    “Were you to come home without a suitable husband you would be disowned.” 
    Katherine's heart sank as she watched her mother's face.  There was no sign of humor to soften the fiery look in her eyes and