To Catch a Husband... (16 page)

‘Mr Blackwood wanted him to visit Cromford and see Mr Arkwright’s cotton-spinning mill,’ put in Ann. ‘Mama and I did not go into the mill, of course, but Bertram said
it was a vast, noisy place, and everything is powered by water.’

‘And you’ll soon see we have plenty of that here,’ declared Lord Harworth. ‘Water and the hills make Kirkleigh ideal for a mill.’

‘But you will not be building your mill anywhere near the house, my dear,’ put in Lady Harworth. She turned to address her sister. ‘I have never seen such a place as Cromford, Sister. The mill stands like a huge stone fortress, grey and forbidding.’

‘It could well be the Castle of Otranto,’ giggled Ann.

‘And is Cromford itself a pretty village?’

Lady Harworth shook her head.

‘Everywhere is dust and noise, because they are forever building. We were obliged to put up at the Greyhound. I have to admit it was very comfortable, nothing like the usual coaching inn. It is far more commodious: Mr Arkwright himself built it for his many visitors. I understand his mill attracts a great deal of interest, although I cannot see why that should be.’

‘It is the future, Mama,’ said Lord Harworth. ‘With the new mills and machinery to spin cotton we can make cloth better and quicker than anywhere else in the world, and make a fortune to boot. Several fortunes!’

‘I am not sure it is quite as easy as it sounds,’ remarked Kitty.

Lord Harworth smiled at her.

‘You are quite right, Miss Wythenshawe, which is why I have engaged Blackwood to help me! In fact, he will be riding over next week to look at the new plans my man is drawing up, so you will be able to renew your acquaintance with him—I shall ask him to stay for dinner!’

The news roused mixed feelings for Kitty. Much as she
wanted to see Daniel again, was it wise, when he awoke such passion in her yet she knew nothing could come of it?

She had struggled with the problem throughout dinner, but when she carried a dish of tea across to Lady Leaconham later in the evening she discovered that her godmother was also unhappy.

‘I cannot understand Bertram inviting that young man to eat with the family,’ she said, drawing Kitty down beside her on the sofa. ‘He says himself he has engaged him, so he is in some ways an
employee.
And to have the man mixing with his own sister, who is at a very impressionable age!’ She shook her head. ‘I do not understand it,’ she said again. ‘And my sister, to allow it with never a word of reproach. She is usually such a stickler for propriety.’

Kitty listened to her in growing dismay. It seemed that as her godmother’s hopes of a match between Kitty and her nephew had grown, so had her prejudice against Daniel Blackwood and despite her attempts to remain neutral, Kitty found herself more and more wanting to defend him.

‘But the Blackwoods own several mills,’ she said now. ‘I believe they are a family of considerable standing in the north. And you said yourself he is quite eligible.’

‘That was when I first met him, and I did not understand that he is still so involved in trade. Nor did I know Bertram was employing him. And as for his family—you knew nothing of him before you met in Town? Your mama never mentioned the Blackwood family?’

‘Well, no, but we lived far to the west, and Mama…’ Kitty paused for a moment ‘…Mama showed no interest in anyone except the very highest society. We had very few acquaintances.’

Lady Leaconham did not appear to notice the wistful note in Kitty’s voice, too intent upon her own train of thought.

‘But if the family is so well to do, then
why
is he working for Bertram?’ she said. ‘No, it does not make sense. But then, nothing makes sense any more in a world where the poor king and queen of France can be locked up by their own people. And now we must have tradesmen at our table!’

‘But, ma’am, you were happy enough to recognise Mr Blackwood in Town.’

‘But I never invited him to dinner, my dear. Oh, dear me, no. He may be an acquaintance of my nephew, and I do not deny that he behaved like a gentleman when he came to our assistance at Barnet, but that does not mean we should sit down to dinner together!’

The remainder of Lady Harworth’s guests arrived the following day and soon Kitty found herself caught up in the busy routine of a Kirkleigh house party. With half-a-dozen young people in the house Ann was very happy, organising drives and picnics on fine days, theatricals and charades when the weather was inclement. The ladies would spend afternoons at their sketching and painting while the gentlemen took themselves off riding, mostly to inspect the woods and discuss the new coverts with Lord Harworth’s gamekeeper, but the ladies knew that they sometimes went off to watch a cock-fight or a mill in a nearby village.

There were protracted breakfasts and noisy dinners and by the end of the week Kitty was relieved to slip away to spend a quiet hour alone with her books. She wrote long letters to her mother, describing life at Kirkleigh, but even as she wrote of the delights of having nothing to do all day but please oneself, Kitty knew she was not being quite
truthful. She longed for an occupation; even helping the governess with the squire’s children had made her feel more useful than idling away each day as she was doing now. However, she could tell her mama that she was learning one new accomplishment.

Many of the ladies went riding each morning, and when Ann discovered that Kitty had never learned the art, she was shocked.

‘But everyone rides in the country! This must be remedied immediately: we shall teach you!’

‘And how long with that take?’ asked Kitty, torn between amusement at her friend’s enthusiasm and alarm at the thought of joining Ann on one of her rides: she had heard Lord Harworth describe his sister as a bruising horsewoman, afraid of nothing.

‘Not long. I shall have my old pony saddled up for you tomorrow morning. You need not look so anxious, Kitty: you will not be expected to jump fences or anything dangerous—at least, not for the first few weeks.’ She twinkled mischievously. ‘I shall have my groom lead you around the stable yard each morning until you are at home in the saddle.’

‘That is very kind of you,’ said Kitty. ‘I confess I should like to ride with you in the mornings.’

‘I am sure you will pick it up very quickly,’ Ann reassured her. ‘Dapple is very steady, you will find her as comfortable as sitting on a sofa.’

‘Only considerably higher,’ laughed Kitty.

Thus, on the very next fine morning, Kitty donned the riding habit that Ann insisted she should borrow and went off for her first lesson. She was quick to learn, and two days later they progressed to the park. The groom led Kitty around the perimeter, complimenting her on her
improvement and suggesting that they could now dispense with the leading rein.

‘Oh, not quite yet, if you please,’ begged Kitty.

‘Well, mebbe not, then, miss, seeing as someone is coming through the park. We don’t want Dapple takin’ off with ’ee.’

Kitty became aware of the sound of hoofbeats behind her and turned her head to see a rider cantering in the direction of the house. As he drew nearer she recognised Daniel Blackwood and her heart gave the now familiar little skip. He slowed and turned his horse towards them, raising his hat as he approached. She was a little disappointed that no flash of pleasure illuminated his countenance, nor did he look surprised to see her, but she thought it very likely that Lord Harworth had informed him that she was at Kirkleigh.

‘Good morning to you, Miss Wythenshawe.’

She nodded, smiling as his eyes ranged over the pony. She felt compelled to explain. ‘Miss Harworth tells me that everyone rides here so, as you see, I am learning!’

‘A very useful accomplishment,’ he said gravely.

Kitty continued to smile, inordinately pleased to see him again. She wanted to keep him with her, to begin a conversation, but he was smiling back at her now and her poor brain refused to work properly. Dapple shifted from one leg to another, unbalancing Kitty who clutched anxiously at the reins.

Daniel touched his hat.

‘I will leave you to your lesson,’ he said. ‘Lord Harworth is expecting me: no doubt I will see you at the house later?’

‘Yes, yes, I hope, I mean, I am sure—’

She broke off, covering her confusion by giving her
attention to the mare who was objecting to having the reins twitched so nervously. With a nod, Daniel rode away.

‘Oh, how embarrassing that he should see me thus!’ she exclaimed, watching his retreating form.

‘Nay, it ain’t so bad,’ said the groom, grinning. ‘We all have to start like this. And if you’ll forgive me, miss, I’d say that you will make a good horsewoman, given time. You have a good seat, and good hands, when you ain’t distracted.’

‘Thank you, Selby.’ Kitty flushed, pleased with the compliment. ‘I really would like to be able to ride well.’

‘No reason why you shouldn’t, miss. Now, shall we try going round the park without the leading rein?’

The groom’s praise spurred Kitty to try even harder and she stayed so long in the park that breakfast was finished by the time she returned to the house and she was obliged to ask for a little bread and butter to be sent up to her room.

She found it difficult to settle to anything, knowing that Daniel was in the house.

‘You may not see him,’ she told herself. ‘It is such a large, rambling building, and he is closeted with Lord Harworth in his office on the lower floor. There is not the least reason why you should meet.’

Despite this she found herself taking extra time over changing her gown, deciding upon her sprigged muslin decorated with ivy leaves embroidered around the neck and sleeves. Norris suggested dressing her hair in a new style, catching it back with a bandeau and leaving just a few dusky curls to escape and frame her face. Kitty allowed herself to be persuaded, and as soon as the maid had worked her magic Kitty hurried down to join the other guests.

The new look immediately found favour with Ann,
whom she found in the garden where the younger members of the party were playing at bowls.

‘I do wish my hair was fashionably dark and curled as yours does,’ sighed Ann, tucking her hand in Kitty’s arm and drawing her towards a table laden with lemonade, pastries and delicate little cakes. ‘And you have a delicious colour in your cheeks—your morning riding lessons are agreeing with you! Selby tells me you are making good progress.’

‘He thinks I will be good enough to ride out with you in the park soon.’

‘That is excellent news, because Mr Hamilton has a plan to ride over to Titchwell and take luncheon at the Star next week.’

‘That’s right,’ declared a lanky young man with a shock of yellow hair. ‘I thought we should make up a party and ride out for the day, if the weather holds.’

‘I can always follow in the barouche with Godmother and Lady Harworth,’ offered Kitty.

‘Oh, we are not intending to have Mama or Aunt Leaconham with us,’ said Ann quickly. ‘We shall have much more fun if we are on our own.’

‘We?’

Ann began to count on her fingers.

‘Well, me, you, and Garston of course. And Martin—that is, Mr Hamilton—plus Lizzie Camber and her brother George—those of us here now.’

‘Will your mama allow us to go alone?’ asked Miss Camber.

‘Of course,’ came the airy reply. ‘Titchwell is part of our estate: Mama knows we shall come to no harm.’

Kitty glanced doubtfully at the little group. She knew Elizabeth Camber was barely sixteen and her brother little more than a year older, and although Mr Martin Hamilton
was several years older than herself, Kitty thought him rather immature. She watched him now as he teased Lizzie Camber and laughed immoderately at something Garston was saying to him.

‘You will of course be taking Selby?’

Ann wrinkled her nose.

‘Oh, no, he is far worse than Bertram, always criticising! We should not have a minute’s peace if we take him with us. No, this will be a party of
pleasure.
We shall be free to do as we wish for the day!’

‘Well, I am not sure I shall be able to ride well enough…’ began Kitty, but Ann stopped her.

‘Of course you will. You must not worry about that. We will all look after you, won’t we, Garston?’

‘You may be sure of it,’ declared Lord Leaconham, coming up. ‘A gentle ride and a good lunch, it will be a splendid day.’

‘Well, not too gentle a ride,’ put in Mr Hamilton, grinning. ‘George and I will want to try our horses over a few fences. But the ladies need not follow,’ he added hastily, when Ann hissed at him and glanced in Kitty’s direction. ‘We shall all please ourselves!’

Kitty could not be easy. She had thought that Lady Harworth would not allow them to ride out unaccompanied, but when they all met in the drawing room before dinner she was surprised to find that Lady Harworth had already given her permission.

‘Leaconham will be with them and I am sure the rest of us have no wish to drive out to Titchwell.’ She smiled around at the assembled group. ‘Young people have so much more energy, and they must be allowed to use it up. And after all, there are enough of them to look after each other.’

‘I cannot like it,’ opined Lady Leaconham. ‘I am not at all sure that Kitty should go, not without a maid to give her countenance.’

‘Oh, Aunt, none of the maids can ride,’ cried Ann. ‘And you know how tedious you would find it if you were obliged to come with us! We are only riding out to the Star. We will send ahead and have a luncheon prepared for us and when we have done we shall ride back.’

‘And we will not be obliged to leave Harworth land at any time,’ added Martin Hamilton. ‘It will be
quite
unexceptional.’

‘So you see, Letitia, there is nothing for us to worry ourselves over,’ said Lady Harworth, smiling serenely at her sister.

Kitty had to admit that none of the older occupants of the room looked keen to join the young people on their outing. Most of the other guests were considerably older than their hostess and liked to spend their afternoons reading or dozing in the morning room until the dinner hour. She wondered if Lizzie and George’s parents might object to their children riding off unattended, but when Kitty glanced in their direction she saw that they were both smiling and nodding benignly at Lady Harworth. Since they were both so corpulent that they took up a whole sofa each, Kitty had to stifle a giggle at the thought of either of them on horseback. She wondered if Lord Harworth might refuse his permission, but when their host did at last join them and Ann told him of the proposed expedition, he did no more than pat her arm and bid her enjoy herself.