Beyond Rubies (Daughters of Sin Book 4) Read Free Page A

always took an extra interest in men’s mouths. It was not something they were usually commended for. Square jaws and well-built physiques—which Cousin Stephen also had—yes, but the descriptions Kitty most often heard never mentioned mouths. Since Kitty had secretly observed the kiss between a milkmaid and her lover, and heard the woman remark upon the man’s ability to do such “magic” with his mouth, she’d been fascinated. The man she would take as her husband must have a mouth that could do magic, too. She shivered with excitement. This had indeed been borne up by the gypsy fortune-teller.
    Gripping the branch, Kitty leaned a little farther forward. To observe so closely the man at whom Araminta had thrown herself, but who, it was rumored, appeared to prefer the attention of his benefactor’s wife, Lady Partington, was too much to resist.
    But so was the tree branch’s ability to hold her weight. With a sudden earsplitting noise, the branch gave way, disgorging Kitty into the air and sending her tumbling into a heap onto the soft earth right at the feet of her father and Cousin Stephen.
    “Dear God, what is this!” Her father’s horror rather matched Kitty’s own as she straightened, dusting down her dirt-soiled skirts and leveling a pained and beseeching look upon her pater. He would not forgive her easily for this, she knew.
    “I’m sorry, Papa. I know I’m forbidden to come onto the grounds, and I know you’re justifiably angry. I can’t explain my actions. I only know that I had to hide when I heard your voice.”
    His expression was apoplectic. For a moment, he seemed lost for words until he thundered, “How dare you eavesdrop on your elders’ conversations. You will be severely punished for this. You understand?”
    Kitty felt the tears threaten. She was always so bold in her own imaginings, and yet her father could reduce her to a trembling wreck. He held absolute sway in the small household by the village bridge where he was like a towering colossus, yet here, master of these magnificent grounds, he was like a demi-god.
    Cousin Stephen, beside him, seemed more curious than outraged. He had a kind face, she decided. She was definitely bolstered by the fact that he seemed far less concerned by having a trespassing eavesdropper tumble into his midst than her father.
    “You will return home this instant, and you will not be allowed outside for a week unless it’s to do the errands demanded of you, do you understand?”
    Her father, purple with rage, spoke with difficulty. An image of Hetty and Araminta, his natural-born, cosseted daughters, both of whom had scandalized society and brought shame upon the family by eloping with dangerous, unsuitable men, appeared before her. They were much the same age as she, and yet they did not suffer the myriad ignominies Kitty did every day. They had fine clothes paid for by their father, while Kitty got their castoffs. They got to dance the night away at London’s grand balls and rub shoulders with dukes and duchesses every night of the week, while Kitty rubbed her mother’s chilblains.
    All the painful indignities of her eighteen years rose up to give her the courage to say, “I will not, Papa, for I am going to London. Yes, I’m going to London to become an actress, and even if you lock me in my room for a week you cannot keep me there forever. I am weary of this life where I’m nothing, looked down upon by all the villagers. I won’t do it any longer! When you next hear of me, it shall be as the celebrated actress, Kitty La Bijou, and all London will be talking of me as the most beautiful, talented woman in the country. Yes, you might be scandalized, but at least I will be appreciated by somebody .”

Chapter Two
    K itty glanced up at the flaking wooden door in the laneway and then down at her fashionable fuller skirts—well, they were fashionable last year, and she was not, after all, trying to compete with society but with the other hopeful