Page 17 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess (Wallflower Season #3)

Chapter Ten

J ulia arrived late that afternoon with her mother and father.

Kate waited until her friend had sufficient time to change from her travel dress into a gown more suitable for parlor games and dining planned that evening.

The Earl of Winfield was expected in the morning, so Kate looked forward to spending time alone with her friend before her husband-to-be arrived.

“Kate, I am so pleased with all of the decorations and how festive Renwood appears.” Julia clutched Kate’s hands excitedly. “It’s just as I imagined it would be when I was a girl.”

Kate, too, had longed to see Julia marry here at Renwood Castle, but she had always believed it would be to her brother, Nicholas.

However, she couldn’t harbor Julia any ill will.

It was not from her lips that the lies had come, nor from the Duke of Devonport’s, it seemed.

If only she could ferret out who had caused the disastrous rumor, for she was adamant that her brother was innocent.

“I am glad you are happy with the decorations. The Duke and I have worked tirelessly to guarantee a blessed day for you and the Earl,” Kate said.

Julia appraised Kate. “And how has it been working with the Duke? He has a reputation for forthright speech and a domineering personality. Have you found it to be so?”

Kate laughed. “Indeed, I have. He is quite outspoken with his opinions, as am I. We butted heads like goats in a pen at times, but eventually, we declared a truce so that we could finish preparations. It was worth the aggravation to see the joy on your face today.”

“Hmm. And what of the masquerade ball? Have you had a chance to revisit that evening with the Duke? Perhaps experience the pleasure that only a man can bring to a woman?” Julia arched a brow.

“You are being quite bold, my friend.” Kate felt a flush form on the nape of her neck that rose to her cheeks.

Julia giggled and placed a hand on Kate’s arm. “I am only teasing you, Kate. It was unkind of me to do so. I just want you to experience a night of happiness with a rake or a virile man like the Duke.”

Kate sighed and sat down on the small white chair next to the fireplace. “I fear that this is something only others will experience. Although the Viscount of Surry appears to show some interest in me.”

Julia looked aghast. “Oh, no, Kate! You cannot expect a man such as my cousin to bring you pleasure. He is an odious man who has traveled from country estates to the London townhomes in search of a wife with a fat purse.”

Kate shrugged and said, “What am I to do? The only men who have shown any interest in me have been the Viscount and Lord Radford.”

Julia frowned. “Lord Radford? He has expressed an interest in you?”

“Oh, it was probably just a bit of sport. It was in the garden as we played games. A minor flirtation, but I must admit it was pleasant to spend a few moments in the company of such a dashing figure as Lord Radford. Do you know him?”

Julia’s eyes slid away and looked at the wardrobe. “Not really. But let’s not talk about men. I want to show you my wedding gown. Did you keep your promise?”

“Of course! I had the servants hang it straight away here in the room and have not peeked. I wanted to save that honor for you.”

Julia pulled the linen cloth covering her gown. Kate let out a gasp of delight. Julia's cheeks grew pink with pleasure. “Isn’t it amazing, Kate? The modiste my mother engaged to design and sew my dress is quite talented, wouldn’t you say?”

Kate clapped her hands together and put them to her mouth. She was speechless at how intricate the lacework at the neckline and hem of the dress was. The gown was the color of summer wine and would look fabulous on her friend.

Julia pouted when Kate did not speak. “You don’t care for it?”

“I love it! The lacework is extraordinary and left me speechless. You will make a beautiful bride, Julia.” Kate hugged her friend.

A knock on the door interrupted further conversation. Julia’s mother entered. “Your guests are waiting, Julia. You mustn’t hide away in your room with Kate gossiping like schoolgirls.”

Julia ducked her head. “Yes, Mama. I simply wished to show Kate my wedding gown.”

The baroness inclined her head. “You will be lovely, Julia.” She turned to Kate.

“And you, my darling Kate. You are my daughter’s dearest friend and I long to see the day when you, too, shall marry.

Hiding yourself away in this castle with your books and your servants will not find you a spouse.

Come downstairs, and I shall discuss your prospects with the Dowager Viscountess. ”

Kate failed to hide her grimace which earned her a sharp look from the baroness. Julia’s mother swept out of the room leaving Julia and Kate alone once more.

“Come. We must do as my mother commands otherwise she will reprimand me for hours this evening,” Julia said, half in jest. The Baroness was known for her strict demeanor and adherence to courtesy. She would brook no argument from her daughter or Kate.

“Remember when she caught us climbing the apple tree at your country estate when we were girls?”

“Oh, my! She was cross with us for days when we returned with torn dresses and mud-smeared faces. She made Nanny Rose scrub us down and put us to bed with nothing but milk toast for fear we were ill with fever to have behaved like such heathens.” Julia’s laugh filled the hallway as they descended the stairs to join the guests.

Downstairs, the house was full of laughter and excitement.

Renwick Castle had not been filled with so many people since Kate was a child.

The parties of her youth had ended with the deaths of her parents.

Although as she and Nicholas had grown, their grandmother had hosted small dinner parties, and of course, the two of them had spent time in London during the Season, none of the festivities had been the size of Julia’s wedding.

Kate checked the clock. Less than an hour until a supper of mackerel for the fish course, followed by mutton, mince pies, and various savory tarts.

For dessert, Mrs. Humphrey had prepared dishes of brandied figs and cherry cream.

She and the kitchen staff had spent hours planning the entire menu for their guests, and she had every faith that they would execute their duties with great diligence.

She hoped that when the wedding was over, the guests would leave content and well-fed.

She never wished to be named as a hostess who provided a meager table.

In the meantime, she had to entertain her guests.

Kate made the rounds of the room, greeting everyone, and inquiring about their journeys and their health.

She spotted Andrew across the room, engaged in conversation with Lady Southwick and her daughter, Faith.

For a moment, she wondered if she should rescue him, but then decided that he was perfectly capable of navigating the room without her.

After all, he was one of the most eligible bachelors of the Season.

Many mothers had tried to forge a match between their daughter and the Duke of Devonport, but if the society pages were to be believed, he showed no interest in marriage.

“Excuse me, Miss Avery. I hate to be a bother, but might you move my room to the other end of the East Wing?” The Duchess of Alba stood wringing her hands.

Kate gave her a warm smile. The Duchess was a lovely lady who suffered all sorts of ailments. Many of them were imaginary, but Kate was sure based on her pallor and her constantly red nose that some of her ills were real. “Of course, Your Grace. Have you found everything else to your liking?”

“Quite so. Your grandmother tells me that you and the Duke of Devonport have planned the entire event. I was unaware that he was calling upon you. Usually, I know all the latest gossip of the ton , but with my rheumatism, it has been difficult for me to attend many of the balls this year.”

“I am sorry to hear of your misfortune. The Duke of Devonport is the Earl of Winfield’s cousin and as such, he has been gracious enough to assist me.

There is no prospect of a courtship between us.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I shall have my staff move you to a more agreeable room.

” Kate left before she could be questioned further.

At a nod from her, Mr. Scoville announced dinner was served.

“Miss Avery, would you do me the honor of escorting me to dinner,” Andrew appeared at her elbow.

Kate blinked in surprise. She had thought he would choose one of the eligible young ladies who had been eyeing him throughout the evening. “Of course,” she stuttered. As she passed her grandmother, the Dowager Viscountess gave her an approving nod.

“The guests seem lively and eager for the wedding. The Earl is scheduled to arrive tomorrow shortly after breakfast, so I will leave things in your capable hands while I attend to him tomorrow,” Andrew said in a low voice.

Kate’s cheeks grew rosy as his breath danced along her neck. She couldn’t allow herself to be distracted by him. “Very good, Your Grace. You and your cousin will have much to discuss. I have everything well in hand.”

Andrew escorted her to her seat and moved to his own which was across from her.

She had rearranged the place settings. The Viscount of Surry would find himself next to Lady Uxbridge and Constance this evening.

As Constance was to marry another, the viscount would soon discover there was no purse for him to attach himself to.

Lord Radford sat down next to her. Kate looked up in surprise. She had thought he was to sit by Faith. When he saw her expression, he winked. “I took the liberty of exchanging places earlier this evening whilst no one was looking. I thought you and I should get to know one another better.”

Kate felt flustered. Although she often longed for the attention of a man at the many balls and dinner parties she had attended, now that she was the focus of Lord Radford’s intense green gaze, she found herself searching for topics that might appeal to him.

“I, um, I—” she stuttered.

“Lord Radford has recently attended the same lecture series as I did, Miss Avery. You might find it of interest yourself,” Andrew said.

Lord Radford scoffed. “I doubt Miss Avery has an interest in the latest artists studying at the Royal Academy.”

Kate wanted to interrupt him and tell him that she was interested in a variety of topics.

She believed that a woman should be well-educated and capable of conversation on many things, but knew that to do so, would declare her a bluestocking in Lord Radford’s eyes.

So, she nodded and smiled, and then concentrated on her soup.

Lord Radford launched into a long-winded description of his recent travels around the Continent at his father’s behest. She made noises of affirmation at the appropriate pauses and feigned interest when his conversation turned to the latest fashion and a new tailor who he had hired to create his coat for the ball.

Andrew was engaged in conversation with Verity Waithe and Kate felt a twinge of jealousy.

Verity had auburn hair that fell in beautiful ringlets and green eyes the color of the sea.

Her lips were perfect rosebuds and when she laughed it was tinkling like a bell.

She was a lovely girl, and this was her first season.

Kate had heard rumors that many suitors awaited a nod of acceptance from her mother.

It appeared that Verity’s mother heartily approved of Andrew as the Viscountess of Penrose smiled encouragingly at the duke and her daughter.

“What do you think?” Lord Radford asked. Kate had been so caught up in her worries about Andrew and Verity Waithe that she failed to realize that Lord Radford had stopped speaking and asked her a question.

“I think you are absolutely correct, my Lord,” Kate said with a smile. Inside, she prayed that her answer would suffice.

Lord Radford looked pleased. “I knew you would agree with me. Miss Avery, I have found you to be a delightful and attentive dinner companion.”

Kate forced herself to turn her full attention to him.

He was devastatingly attractive and self-absorbed, but what man of high society wasn’t?

His hair was brushed back and gleamed in the candlelight.

His jaw was strong and his lips sensual.

She dismissed Andrew’s warning that Lord Radford was a rake and a scoundrel.

Perhaps he was, but the man was everything a woman could desire in appearance and for the moment, a welcome distraction.