Read Online In the Shadow of Arabella by Lois Menzel - Free Book Online

said. “It will be a great pleasure to have amiable company.’’
    At least one day each week from that day on, Oliver arrived before breakfast in Berkeley Square, sometimes with the earl as his companion, more often with his friend, Mr. Peter Everett. Charity and Katherine rode the same two horses, and Marie sometimes joined them mounted on her own chestnut. Each day she rode, Charity gained confidence. She soon had complete trust in her gelding and turned her attention to learning the finer points of good horsemanship.
    Katherine had found no opportunity to ride in London on her previous visits. Now, thanks to Mr. Seaton, she rode often and found the exercise exhilarating. She was immeasurably delighted with the mare Lord Brent allowed her to use and pleased to see that Mr. Seaton had taken more than a passing interest in her friend Charity.
    Katherine met Rudley nearly every day either at a party or during a morning ride. She enjoyed his company, for she had discovered she could speak her mind on nearly any subject without the least fear that her frankness would be misinterpreted. Sometimes Katherine had the feeling that her remarks unsettled him; at other times she laughed at herself for supposing that anything an inconsequential woman from the country could say on any subject would leave an impression upon the influential and self-assured earl.
    * * * *
    Katherine finished dressing early for the Marquess of Strickland’s ball. She took a few moments to add some notes to her journal, then went to Charity’s room. Charity was fidgeting impatiently before the mirror while her maid worked to fasten the intricate arrangement of curls that comprised her coiffure.
    “I do not like it,” Charity complained. “It is too full on the left, too flat on the right. You must to start again.” The young maid threw Katherine a frustrated glance as she began to remove hairpins.
    “Let me do it,” Katherine offered. “I know just how it should be, especially for tonight.”
    When Charity offered no objection to this proposal, the maid gratefully stepped aside. “I do not think we will need you further, Molly. You may meet us downstairs with our cloaks.”
    “Yes, miss. Thank you, miss.”
    As the door closed quietly and Katherine plied the hairbrush, she asked, “How many times did you make her redo this? It looked fine to me.”
    “She has no knack with hair, Katy. She could learn much from you.”
    “Do I detect a note of anxiety in you tonight, my love? Could your annoyance with Molly have anything to do with our escort for the evening?’’
    Charity regarded herself in the mirror, took a deep breath, then let it out suddenly. “You are right. I am being a perfect shrew, and I am nervous.”
    “Well, you need not be. Your dress is stunning; you look, as always, radiant. Mr. Seaton will not be disappointed.” Katherine twisted a curl expertly about her finger, then fastened it securely with a hairpin. “I have taken him off my list of husband candidates,” she offered.
    “Who?”
    “Mr. Oliver Seaton.”
    Charity turned so quickly that Katherine dropped the next curl. “Why?”
    “It isas clear as the way to the parish church that he admires you.”
    “He is attentive, it’s true. But simply because a man is a gallant escort it does not necessarily follow that he has serious intentions.”
    “I will not argue with you, Charity, but I know what I know, and in the end we will see who is right. There, your hair is now perfect, and if you say it is not so, I will know there is no pleasing you tonight.”
    Two hours later, Katherine’s partner returned her to her place at Charity’s side. Katherine sat gratefully, arranging her skirt with care. She unfurled her fan in an attempt to cool her dance-flushed face.
    She glanced at her friend—calm, pale, eternally composed. “I swear you are glowing, Charity, and have been since the moment Mr. Seaton collected us this evening. You never dance, yet you enjoy yourself