Page 30 of A Countess Never Tells

Lord Quatford’s bushy brows shot up, but he nodded slowly. “What is it, Miss Tate?”

“Will you kiss me?”

Chapter 13

Amidst the glittering candles in Lady Carlisle’s ballroom, Kitty peered here and there, ostensibly for her next partner, but in truth she was looking for Ash. She hadn’t seen him since he’d proposed, more than a week ago. She’d hoped to have seen him yesterday in church, but he hadn’t been there. She supposed rakes didn’t attend church regularly. Considering all their strenuous activities, they likely stayed in bed late on Sundays, regaining their strength for their amorous assignations during the week. Still, he would quite likely be here tonight.

At least she’d thought so at the beginning of the evening. But now it was almost eleven o’clock and she’d seen nothing of Ash all evening. She’d been certain he would put in an appearance if for no other reason than to defy John. Her brother had informed her that in his interview with Ash, he’d also forbidden him from dancing or speaking to Kitty. At which point, Kitty had lost her temper completely and harangued her brother until she was hoarse. John had remained unmoved in his decree, but if Kitty found Ash here tonight, she would speak to him—and dance with him unless John dragged her forcibly from the room. But speak to him she must. So much had happened since last she’d seen him…

Of course, if he wasn’t here, she would be sorely disappointed, and the point would be moot.

She turned to Judith, who’d been speaking to their hostess about Lady Carlisle’s newest little pug, of all things. If Ash didn’t put in an appearance soon, there would be no reason for Kitty to stay. She’d ask if they could leave before the supper dance, which would likely provoke a sarcastic response from John. In the past, she’d always insisted on remaining until the very last dance, but if there was no hope of speaking with Ash, she didn’t care to stay. Ash was most likely off somewhere else, drinking at his club, or at the gambling tables there, or paying his attentions to another woman whose brother hadn’t forbidden the acquaintance. If she must dwell on where Ash was or what he was up to, she might as well do it in the privacy of her boudoir.

“Judith.” Kitty finally found a pause in her sister-in-law’s conversation. “I fear I am overly fatigued. Will you please ask John if we can leave now?”

Judith’s brows arched instantly. “I’ve never known you to leave a ball before the last strains of the orchestra had died, Kitty. Are you truly that ill?”

“No, but I am tired and,” she tried to inject a sense of great weariness into her voice, “I’ve got the beginnings of a headache brewing. I think we should go before it gets worse.” That last wasn’t true, but it was the best excuse a lady could give and not be thought rude by her hostess.

“Of course, my dear. I believe John was going to the study with Lord Carlisle. I’ll go find him immediately.”

“Wait.” Kitty gripped Judith’s arm like a vise, holding her in place.

A commotion had begun at the doorway to the rest of the townhouse, caused by a gentleman attempting to enter the ballroom with two young ladies on his arms. The group was laughing merrily, unaware of the spectacle they presented.

Kitty squeezed Judith’s arm tighter as the gentleman turned toward them.

It was Ash. With Maria Fitzhugh on one arm and Lady Helena Satterwaite on the other. They were followed by two other young ladies and a bevy of mothers looking on with varying expressions of alarm and delight.

Kitty was filled with such a sense of relief that Ash was there, her knees went weak, and she wobbled, renewing her grip on Judith’s arm to remain standing. Her relief was followed immediately by an intense stab of jealousy that made her hand itch to grab Maria’s curls and give them a firm yank.

“Come, Kitty.” Judith took her arm and pulled her into a walk. “Let us find John so we can leave. You sound as though you might have caught a chill.”

“I’m perfectly fine, Judith.” She stopped suddenly, pulling her arm from her sister-in-law’s grasp. “I must speak to Lord Ashwood.”

“But John has forbidden—”

“John can go hang.” Sight of Ash surrounded by all those lovely young ladies had set her teeth on edge. It also had her heart beating strangely, first fast, then slow, then skipping as though it had completely forgotten how to go on. Her face flushed, heat touching her cheeks, making them blaze. She would get her own share of Ash’s attention, no matter what anyone thought of her. “Come with me.”

“Kitty.” Judith tried to look stern, but Kitty pursed her lips and furrowed her brows.

“I will speak to him, Judith. And John said I could if you accompany me.” Something in her face—perhaps her thunderous frown—made Judith throw up her hands.

“Very well, but you must behave yourself.”

Without a backward glance at her friend, Kitty hurried forward, reaching Ash and his party just as the orchestra began to tune up once more.

“Good evening, my lord.” The words came out breathlessly, partly from her swift pace but mostly from the happiness of seeing him again. She dipped a curtsy, raising her face to his expectantly.

“Good evening, Miss Tate.” He bowed politely then returned to his conversation with Maria.

Annoyance pinked Kitty’s heart. She hadn’t waited all evening to speak with Ash only to have him ignore her. “I was surprised not to see you earlier, my lord. I had quite given up hope of you.”

Ash glanced at her and smiled briefly. “I spent most of the evening in the library playing with these two lovely young ladies.”

“Playing with them?” Kitty all but gasped. Was he that bold to confess his misdeeds for all to hear? Even worse, right to her face?

“Cards, Miss Tate. We were playing whist with Miss Pettiford.” His gaze flicked over Kitty to the buxom young lady behind her, and he smiled.