The Daughter of Highland Hall (7 page)

Kate froze. Mr. Rounpear’s instructions flooded her mind. Turning her back on the royal family was a supreme insult. She was supposed to back out of the room and keep her face toward them at all times. Heat surged up Kate’s neck and into her cheeks. Slowly, she turned and faced the royal family again.

The princess glared at her, then lifted her chin and looked away.

Kate lowered her gaze, took a step back and then another, but her shoe snagged her train. She tried to kick it gently to the side, but the heavy fabric tangled around her foot. Everyone watched her now. She had to keep backing up and make her way out of the throne room, but how could she get her feet free from the volumes of material now swirled around her? She glanced about, desperately wishing her aunt or a page would come to her aid, but no one moved toward her.

The next young woman in line approached the Lord Chamberlain, but then hesitated as she watched Kate.

Kate pulled in a deep breath. It seemed she would have to solve the problem herself, and that was precisely what she would do. “Excuse me, Your Highness.” She gave a firm nod, lowered herself as gracefully as possible and untangled the train from around her feet.

The crowd gasped.

Kate’s face flamed as she spread the train out to the side. Then she rose and backed across the carpet, and this time her train flowed along beside her. As she passed through the doorway, her legs turned to jelly, and she reached out toward the page.

He grabbed her arm. “Are you all right, Miss?”

“Yes, yes … I’m fine.” But that was one of the biggest lies she had ever told.

He scooped up her train and waited. “Your arm, miss.”

“Oh yes, thank you.” She barely managed to choke out the words and accept the train before she fled down the hallway, her face on fire and her heart racing like a thoroughbred at Ascot.

Jon glanced at the clock on the library mantel, then lowered his gaze to his textbook. He thought Kate would be back by now, but there was a reception following the presentation, and he supposed that was what had kept her out so late.

The evening had turned cool, and a faint breeze from the partially open
window drifted in, carrying the fresh rain-washed scent from the front garden. Jon sighed and settled back in his chair. Everyone else had gone to bed, content to wait until morning to hear Kate’s report about the evening. But he had decided to stay up and use the time to review several chapters for his exams next week.

He wasn’t really waiting up for Kate. He needed to study.

He turned the page, stifled a yawn, and focused on the description of the techniques for throat surgery. But the words faded, and the image of Kate descending the stairs rose in his mind. He didn’t think he had ever seen anyone quite so beautiful.

He shook his head. He ought not to think of her that way. It would only make things uncomfortable between them.

The sound of a coach approaching broke through his thoughts. He rose from his chair and crossed to the window. Pushing aside the curtain, he glanced outside. The Ramsey family carriage rolled to a stop on the front drive. The footman sprang down from his perch on the back and opened the carriage door.

Lady Gatewood reached out, took the footman’s hand, and stepped down. “I don’t understand how you could forget something so important.” Her harsh tone cut through the quiet evening air.

Katherine followed her aunt out of the coach. “How many times do I have to say I’m sorry?”

“Until I believe you truly mean it!”

“I made a mistake. It was a difficult situation. I did the best I could.”

“The best you could? The best you could!” Lady Gatewood huffed, lifted her skirt, and marched up the front stairs. “After all the money your uncle and I have invested in your preparation, you could have at least made an effort to remember the most basic rules of etiquette.”

Jon stepped back from the window and shook his head. After only a few days staying with the Ramseys, he had developed a strong dislike for Kate’s overbearing aunt. The woman never had a kind word for anyone, especially Kate, though she usually managed to cover her disapproval with false smiles and thinly veiled sarcasm.

Nothing was veiled tonight.

He crossed to the library doorway and glanced across the entrance hall. Lawrence opened the front door. Lady Gatewood strode past the butler without a word and marched up the stairs, her face a fuming mask.

Kate walked in, her shoulders sagging as her gaze followed her aunt up the stairs.

Lawrence closed the front door. “Good evening, Miss Katherine.”

“Good evening, Lawrence.” She sighed and handed the butler her wilted bouquet. “Could you take care of this?”

“Of course, miss.” Sympathy filled the butler’s eyes. “May I assist you in any other way?”

“No, thank you.” She turned and saw Jon in the doorway, and her face blanched.

“If you don’t require anything else, miss, I will bid you good night.” Lawrence locked the front door, then walked down the servants’ stairs.

Kate clasped her hands and looked up at Jon. “I’m sure you heard my aunt’s comments.”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

Kate sighed. “How could you help it? I’m afraid she’s quite upset.”

He nodded, then glanced over his shoulder, debating his next words. “I’ve been studying in the library. There’s still a nice fire. Would you like to join me?”

Kate glanced up the stairs, then back at Jon. “I suppose it would be all right. It wouldn’t do any good to go up to my room now. I’m sure I won’t be able to fall asleep for quite some time.”

Jon motioned for her to go ahead, and she walked past. The scent of jasmine floated around her. He inhaled, savoring the sweet aroma.

She crossed the room and sank down on the settee by the fireplace, her train pooled at her feet. “I know it would be terribly rude, but my foot is throbbing. Would you mind if I took off my shoe?”

Jon grinned. “Not at all. It’s your home. Take them both off if you like.”

She bent and slipped off her shoes, then proceeded to rub her left foot. “I’ll probably be permanently crippled if I ever have to wear these shoes again.”

“Too tight?”

“Yes. They felt fine when I first put them on, but after standing in them for several hours, I’m sure the left is a size smaller than the right. Either that or my feet are different sizes.” She smiled, though there was still a trace of sadness in her eyes.

He returned her smile. “It sounds as though this evening didn’t go as well as you’d hoped.”

“That’s putting it mildly.”

“Care to tell me about it?”

“I might as well. I’d rather you hear my version before you read it in the newspaper tomorrow.”

Jon cocked his head. “You think it will be in the paper?”

“Probably. My aunt and uncle arranged for a social columnist to attend specifically to report on my presentation, and I’m afraid I put on quite a show.”

“What happened?”

“Well, I didn’t fall, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

He held up his hand. “Please, I’d never think such a thing.”

She shifted on the settee. “I’m afraid my temper got the best of me.”

“Really?” He struggled to suppress his grin. During the last few days, he’d seen a few examples of Kate’s rather strong personality, but he didn’t find it offensive. In fact, he rather liked her more for it. She didn’t put on airs like other women he’d met. Instead, she said what she was thinking and took action rather than sitting back and waiting for someone else to solve a problem.

“It was all terribly nerve-racking. I had to wait in line at least two hours before I could walk into the throne room, and then everyone’s eyes were on me.” Kate stared toward the fire. “I did fine with my curtsies before the king and queen, but Princess Mary was so bored she wouldn’t look my way.”

“Not even a nod?”

“No, not even one. And that made me so flustered that as soon as I rose from my curtsy, I turned away to walk out.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You must never turn your back on royalty.”

“I didn’t know that.”

She opened her eyes, and he couldn’t miss the dismay in them. “Well, I did. It’s one of the first lessons they teach you when you’re practicing for your presentation.”

He sent her a sympathetic look, but he was surprised to hear such rules still existed.

“As soon as I realized my mistake, I faced them again, but when I backed up to leave, I stepped on my train, and I couldn’t get it untangled from around my feet.”

Jon grimaced.

“No one would help me, so I had to bend down and untangle it myself. I did it as gracefully as possible, but the whole room fell silent and stared as though I had crashed onto the carpet.” She rubbed her forehead and sighed. “Now I’ll be the laughingstock of London—the girl who insulted the royal family and destroyed her chances of being invited anywhere this season.” She lowered her hand and looked at Jon again. “At least, that’s my aunt’s opinion.”

“I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as you think.”

Kate sent him a doubtful look. “I’ve heard of girls being scorned the entire season for much less than that.”

Jon frowned and drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. “I know you want to make a good impression, especially on potential suitors, but do you really think you’ll be judged worthy or unworthy based on one small mistake?” He studied her for a moment. “A man choosing a bride is more interested in her character and personality than her ability to curtsy or remember the rules for a royal presentation.”

She stilled, her gaze fixed on him.

Did she think he was talking about his own preferences? Heat rose up his neck. “I mean … I know every debutante hopes to receive a proposal her first season.”

“Yes, of course.” Her voice sounded soft and strained. “That’s what’s expected.”

“Well, just remember you’re a unique young woman with many fine
qualities. I’m sure you’ll handle yourself well at the next event, and the whole thing will soon be forgotten.”

Her expression softened, and appreciation filled her eyes.

“Katherine?” Julia stepped through the doorway, wearing her dressing gown and slippers. “I thought I heard you come in.” She noticed Jon and questions filled her eyes.

His back stiffened. “Kate was just telling me about her presentation.”

Julia shifted her gaze back to Kate. “How did it go?”

“It was very long and stressful, but I only made one mistake, and Jon thinks it won’t really matter in the long run.”

“Good.” Julia held out her hand to Kate. “Come upstairs. I’ll help you get ready for bed, and you can tell me more.”

Jon rose from his chair. He should have known better than to invite Kate into the library when no one else was present. It wasn’t usually done, but they were almost like family …

Indeed? And is that how you see her? As family?

He brushed the disturbing thought aside, watching Kate scoop up her shoes and rise from the settee.

“Good night, Jon. Thank you for listening to my tale of woe.” She offered him a fleeting smile, then walked out of the library with Julia.

As she disappeared from view, he blew out a slow, deep breath, sorry their conversation had been cut short. Truly, he could have enjoyed her honesty and humor all night …

His eyes widened. What was he thinking? Kate was young, self-focused, and caught up in the season. And yet …

He studied the empty doorway. She hadn’t seemed self-focused tonight. In fact, she’d seemed charming and delightful.

That thought caught him by surprise, and a warning flashed through him. It was a good thing Julia had come in and interrupted their conversation when she did.

He needed to focus on his training and his plans for the future and not on Miss Katherine Ramsey—no matter how delightful she might be.

FOUR
 

William walked into the entry hall and scanned the row of staff members lined up by the stairs. Lawrence nodded to him, indicating the staff were all present and ready for morning Scripture reading and prayer. The entry hall at Ramsey House was a good deal smaller than the great hall at Highland, but William believed it was important to bring everyone together and begin the day this way.