pinched-faced at Lady Sefton’s tonight. Jacko will turn up soon.”
“Yes, the boy must appear soon!” Lady Tutwilliger boomed, sailing into the room, the lilac feather in her turban quivering. “I hope he will appear tonight, since he cried off from
my
dinner party for Miss Vanderworth and her brother. Whatever will they think?”
“The Vanderworths are so very pleasant, Willy, I’m sure they will understand,” Mariah placated automatically, but her eyes flew questioningly to Kat’s face.
Kat had never before seen that particular expression upon her sister’s beautiful countenance. Yes, she really must be more attentive at these
ton
parties and take a good long look at the Vanderworths. She would have to stop worrying about Jacko and only hope he would do nothing to endanger this Season. It meant so much to Willy and Mariah. She had already vowed to be on her best behavior.
Jacko was not at Lady Sefton’s musicale, although half the
ton
was in attendance. Squeezed into all the salons, drinking champagne and devouring lobster patties, the
ton
was more than prepared for the onset of the Season. Yet, only a week into the whirl of balls, parties, and routs Kat was already bored with being in the midst of yet another sad crush.
The press of people shifted around them and Mariah grabbed Kat’s arm; with gentle pressure she indicated a direction. “There they are!” she whispered, hardly allowing herself a glance.
Kat had no such compunction. A tall, impeccably dressed gentleman, his cravat tied with painstaking neatness, strolled toward them. On his arm was a pale young woman, wearing a demurely cut white crepe gown. The girl’s squint was quite pronounced until they drew closer, and then she smiled. Quite a pleasing feature in an otherwise unremarkable face, Kat thought, as Miss Helen Vanderworth and her brother joined them.
The expression on Mr. Christian Vanderworth’s face was noncommittal, even distant, although he responded politely to their greeting. Kat noticed Mariah’s eyes brighten, just as they had earlier at the mention of his name. Surely her sister could not be caught at last by this American! Casting a worried glance at Lady Tutwilliger, Kat was relieved to see her dear godmother seemed totally unaware of Mariah’s enraptured countenance.
“Yes, Miss Vanderworth, Lord Thistlewait was
so
disappointed he could not be in attendance tonight,” Lady Tutwilliger twittered. “He particularly asked us to relay his regrets to you, my dear.”
Helen Vanderworth blushed a rosy pink and glanced down. “Thank you, Lady Tutwilliger. Lord Thistlewait honors me.” Then she looked up, her eyes as bright as Mariah’s. “We will miss him tonight, for he does so add to a gathering, does he not?”
With a sinking feeling in her chest, Kat acknowledged that poor Miss Vanderworth had joined the ranks of women bowled over by her twin’s disgustingly beautiful looks. Even though the three of them possessed the Thistlewait aquamarine eyes and the Thistlewait dimples, Jacko’s eyes were more startling and his dimples deeper. Kat’s hair was golden blond, but Jacko’s was brighter, more full of light, as if constantly kissed by the sun. It had proved to be a fatal combination. His only saving grace, Kat grudgingly acknowledged, was that he was completely oblivious to the effect his appearance had on the fair sex.
“I believe we are to enter the salon for the concert now.” Mr. Christian Vanderworth’s voice was cultured and, admittedly, there was a definite air about him as he offered his arm to Lady Tutwilliger.
“Please, Mr. Vanderworth, escort your sister and Lady Mariah. I must have a private word with Kathryn.”
Kat watched the three of them comfortably conversing as they crossed the room, and she was left with her fuming godmother.
“Where
is
your reticule?” Lady Tutwilliger demanded.
“Oh! I must have left it with my cloak,” Kat sighed, knowing what was coming next.
“When are you