In the Shadow of Arabella Read Free Page B

them. Each possessed dark blue eyes under prominent brows and a marked similarity of feature in the lines of the cheek, nose, and chin. Both were immaculately dressed in proper morning attire: tight-fitting cutaway coats of superfine, skintight pantaloons molded to muscular legs, and gleaming Hessian boots. It would have been hard to choose which was the elder and in fact only two years separated Edward Seaton, fifth Earl of Rudley, from his brother, Oliver. Both men had served under Lord Brent in the army and had remained good friends in peacetime.
    Lord Brent rose with a smile and stepped forward to greet his visitors. “Rudley, and Oliver, too! How good to see you. When did you get back to town?’’
    “Only yesterday,” the earl replied. “But you are engaged. Perhaps we should call another time.”
    “No, no. Do come in. I should like you to meet my niece and her friend. They arrived last evening from Lincolnshire.”
    Katherine looked up in surprise when the visitors were announced. She recognized the earl immediately, for they had met the previous year at a hunt ball in Leicestershire. She glanced quickly at Charity and found her friend blushing slightly, but beautiful as always, even after two grueling days of travel. Charity’s bright golden hair was gathered into a knot on the crown of her head, leaving two luxuriant curls to fall over her shoulder. Soft wisps had escaped to frame her delicate face, while her striking blue eyes sparkled as she smiled at the gentlemen. She was breathtaking, and Oliver Seaton was startled into staring, as were most men when they first met her. He recovered himself quickly, however, and stepped forward to be introduced by Lady Brent.
    As the earl was introduced and bowed to Katherine, she said, “We have met before, Lord Rudley, but you may not recall.”
    “On the contrary, Miss Stillwell, I remember the meeting well. You, Miss Harrington, and, I believe, her parents were the guests of Lord Beecham. It was one of the best hunts of the season.”
    “Indeed, it is fine hunting country, my lord.” She smiled and nodded as he moved on to greet Charity. Katherine was not surprised that the earl remembered them, for Charity’s was not a face to be quickly forgotten.
    Rudley and his brother stayed twenty minutes only, then, amid protests, rose to leave.
    “If you are planning to stay in town for the Season, we are sure to meet again,” Mr. Seaton said. He stood beside Charity’s chair, his own fair head bent over hers and a pleasant smile on his face.
    “My aunt is planning a musical evening late next week,” the earl added. “Perhaps you would all join us.”
    Lady Brent beamed upon him, accepting his invitation graciously, but after the gentlemen had departed Charity was moved to object. “Are you sure you should have accepted such an invitation for me, Aunt Sophia? The earl’s party is certain to be very grand, and I had not intended—”
    “I know what you intended,” Lady Brent interjected. “Each time you come to visit it is the same. You buy a few tawdry dresses; you go to the lending library; you visit those dusty museums. Well, this time things will be different! Marie’s come-out will be at ton parties and balls, and where we go you girls shall go as well.’’
    “I am hardly a girl, Aunt Sophia,” Charity objected. “I will be six and twenty in the fall.”
    Lady Brent continued as if Charity had not spoken. “Your father has agreed to stand the nonsense, and we shall begin our shopping this very morning. There seems to be an overabundance of silly, empty-headed females on the town this year. It will be refreshing for everyone to have two older, more sensible young ladies to converse with. As for your infirmity, Charity, I will not listen to any nonsense. The Marquess of Strickland’s eldest daughter is coming out this Season. She is blind in one eye, and no one thinks a thing of it. We will go to Lord Rudley’s party, and we will all enjoy