Page 22 of A Countess Never Tells

Grinning, Ash couldn’t help but shake his head. Richardson had wanted his opus to be a cautionary tale for young ladies. What he had done as well was produce a manual for seduction. “Then I hope you enjoy volume two as much as you did the first one.”

“Have you read the entire book?”

“I did, several years ago.”

“What did you think of it?”

“Very educational.” Ash smiled and reluctantly let go of her arm. “I fear I must leave you here. I am off to an appointment at my club. I do hope to see you at Lady B’s tomorrow evening. In the meantime, I pray you enjoy Clarissa.” He bowed. “Until we meet again, Kitty.”

“Until we meet again, Ash.”

He turned and headed down the street, a slow, satisfied smile stretching across his face. So Kitty had a fondness for Clarissa, and in particular, Lovelace. Well, most women did, at least in the beginning of the novel. They always changed their tune by the end, when he proved to be the villain of the book, not the hero. What he should have asked Kitty was if she had read Richardson’s Pamela, about the intrepid little maid beset by her amorous employer, and how she tries to maintain her virtue. How might Kitty have solved that dilemma?

Ash chuckled as he turned the corner toward White’s. That would be an answer either a rake or a prospective husband would want to hear.

Chapter 10

The elegance of Lady Braeton’s ballroom was not lost on Kitty, even though she was terribly distracted, peering about for Ash while trying to be interested in her partner. The sage green walls were offset with white plaster frames containing panels of stunning scenes from Greek mythology at either end. When she glanced up, the ceiling was ornately decorated with a similar scene, this one rendered in gold leaf. Fresh flowers, giving off a heavenly fragrance in the warm air, were arranged in vases on pedestals at intervals around the room. She’d appreciate the effort Lady Braeton had gone to with her decorations more if only she could be certain Ash was here.

“Have you enjoyed yourself this Season, Lord Fenton?” Kitty ventured the question to the young man despite the earlier unpleasantness with his father and Judith. Fenton had had no hand in the plot to marry him to the six-year-old Anna, and he was one of the few gentlemen with whom she truly enjoyed dancing. His bizarre Macaroni-style clothing aside, Fenton always acquitted himself well on the dance floor—her main yardstick when judging a partner. In spite of his shortcomings, Lord Fenton at least measured up when it came to putting the right foot forward at the correct time. Too bad he was too young for her.

“Tolerably well, Miss Tate.” They turned with each other then with the corners in their set. “I am very grateful you’ve agreed to partner me even with all the bruhaha. You dance splendidly, you know.” Fenton seemed genuinely appreciative for her continued good will.

“Thank you, my lord. I can say the same of you.” They took hands, and she curtsied as he bowed. “I hope we will be able to dance together again before the Season is through.”

“You are very kind, Miss Tate. Shall I take you back to your brother?”

Kitty glanced around the room, still did not see Ash, and nodded. “Thank you, my lord. He is just over there.” She nodded toward a little knot of people, John and Judith among them. “I wonder what they are talking about.”

Offering his arm, Lord Fenton shrugged. “I try to keep out of such matters.”

“You are wiser than most, then, my lord.” Kitty chuckled as they passed the musicians, who were tuning up for the next set.

“If you are not engaged, Miss Tate, may I have the next dance?”

Kitty stopped short, gasping as Ash stepped out from behind the orchestra. “Lord Ashwood! Have you been hiding again?”

Nodding, he laughed. “You have caught me out. I’ve been waiting for the exact moment to come forward and take my chance.” He leaned his head toward the gathering of guests who were speaking very heatedly now, though their voices weren’t raised. Yet. “If you don’t mind, Fenton, I’ll take Miss Tate back onto the dance floor.”

“Certainly, my lord.” Fenton backed away immediately and bowed to Kitty. “Miss Tate, a pleasure as always.” He then retreated the way they’d come, his heels clicking across the polished wooden floor.

“Have you really been lying in wait for me, Ash?” Kitty’s excitement could scarcely be contained. She’d begun to give up hope that Ash would present himself to her tonight, despite their conversation yesterday.

“I have indeed. Here, let us follow Fenton and return this way before your brother sees us.” Ash glanced back over his shoulder then grasped her arm and pulled her back toward a set forming at the far end of the ballroom.

“Are we to hide from John, then?” Kitty wasn’t certain that was the best plan. Neither John nor Judith had forbidden her from continuing her acquaintance with Ash, but they certainly would frown upon it.

“I see no reason to flaunt ourselves before him, if he objects to me so much. Has he forbidden you to speak to me?”

“No, nothing so drastic as that.” Although he might’ve thought it understood from his comments after Vauxhall. “He may not have thought he needed such an edict.”

“Then we shall take advantage of that while we can.” Ash pulled her into the correct position for the set beside him. “Make hay while the sun shines.” He dropped his voice. “Steal kisses beneath the shadow of the moon.”

Suppressing a gasp, Kitty tried to keep a slight smile on her face. She couldn’t allow her countenance to reflect the excitement bubbling up inside her or everyone in Lady Braeton’s ballroom would know what was going on between her and Ash. Including her brother.

The music began, and they bowed and curtsied, Kitty trembling as they took hands and met the other three couples in the middle, went back to place and set to each other then to their partner on the right. As the familiar steps to “Newcastle” came to her automatically, Kitty’s breathing returned to normal, and she began to enjoy the dance. It was a spritely one, so she had little chance to speak to Ash, but some sixth sense told her his gaze followed her even when they were dancing with other partners. The hairs on the nape of her neck rose, making her shiver. She suspected what Ash had in mind when this dance was done.

Kitty shot a glance toward the place where she’d last seen John, but that group had dispersed. She scanned the guests as best she could, but neither her brother nor sister-in-law seemed to be in the room. Her gaze shot to Ash, across the set from her. Had he noted John’s absence? His face wore his usual pleasant demeanor, but his eyelids were lowered and his attention unmistakably focused on her. Oh, yes. Undoubtedly, he’d noticed.