“My dearest Louisa, I am delighted that you are being presented tonight. You are the image of your beautiful mother. I hope you will attend my drawing rooms while you are in London.”
Lu made a graceful curtsy. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness. It is a great honor to be here tonight.” Louisa was startled when Adelaide rose from her throne seat and took her hand. Then she realized it was because she was the last debutante to be presented.
Queen Adelaide led Lady Louisa and her other royal guests to a reception room where buffet tables filled with canapés, fancy desserts, and fine German wines stood against the walls.
King William greeted John Russell warmly and the pair was soon engrossed in conversation.
“It’s very gratifying that we are personal friends of the king and queen of England.” Georgy picked up a glass of golden Rhenish wine and sipped it. “This tastes like stallion piss,” she murmured to Louisa.
Lu grinned. “Well, at least it’s imported stallion piss.”
Queen Adelaide kept the Duchess of Bedford by her side. “I have persuaded William to throw a royal ball in July.”
“That’s a marvelous idea, Your Highness. Now that the country is out of mourning, society is avid to be entertained at Court. Why don’t you be daring and make the royal ball a masquerade? Londoners will fight over invitations.”
The queen’s presentation affair was over by midnight. On the carriage ride back to Belgrave Square, Georgina said, “Adelaide told me she plans to throw a royal ball. I planted the seeds for her to make it a masquerade.”
“Costume balls encourage licentious behavior,” John said with disapproval.
His wife took his hand and squeezed it. “Yes, I remember.”
Georgy nudged her sister with her elbow and whispered, “A guinea says I’ll be more licentious than you.”
“You’ve had more practice.” The minute Lu said it, she felt bad. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. A royal masquerade ball should be great fun. I can’t wait.”
“I’ve invited Johnny to accompany us to the theater tomorrow night,” Georgina informed her daughters. “We have our own box at Covent Garden.”
“Father, is it true you own the theater?” Louisa asked.
“I own the land that both the Theatre Royal and Covent Garden are built on, Lu. That’s why we enjoy free tickets for any of the performances.”
Free tickets! I shall tuck that information away and make use of it some afternoon.
James Hamilton arrived at the theater an hour before the curtain was due to go up and made his way backstage. He spoke to a matronly woman whose arms were filled with costumes. “I’m looking for a young lady by the name of Kitty Connelly. Could you point me in the right direction?”
“Ye must mean Kitty Kelly. Follow me, m’lord.”
The stage dresser opened a door and led him into a room where a dozen females were in various stages of undress. James was amused that none of them appeared flustered at the arrival of a male. He spotted her immediately by her mane of lovely red hair. “Hello, Kitty. I’m just returned from Ireland and promised your mother I’d look in on you.” Mrs. Connelly had been the housekeeper at Barons Court, Tyrone, as long as he could remember.
“Lord James!” She fastened her dressing gown and threw her arms around him. “That’s so kind of you. I know she worries about me being here in wicked London, but I’m getting along famously. I changed my name to Kitty Kelly—it’s a stage name.”
“I stopped at your lodging to inquire after you and the landlady directed me here. It’s a bit run-down, Kitty, and in a rather rough area.”
“It’s all right. I can look after myself. I’m only in the chorus—I don’t earn a fortune.”
“After the show, I’ll take you somewhere for supper so we can talk.”
“Thank you, Lord James.” Her eyes sparkled. “Sure an’ all, that would be lovely.”
“You never used to call me Lord James when we were children.”
“That’s because I was an ignorant lass who knew no better.”
I’m afraid I was the one who was in ignorance. “I’ll come backstage for you after the performance.”
The Duke and Duchess of Bedford, their two daughters, and Lord John took their seats in their private box at Covent Garden Theatre just before the curtain rose. Every seat in the house was filled because the musical play The Brigand had received a good review in the Times.
Louisa was beside herself with anticipation. She loved the crowd, the theater trappings, and the atmosphere of eager expectation of enjoyment. She leaned forward as the orchestra began to play the overture and focused her attention on the maroon velvet curtain. When it rose, the ladies of the chorus sang and danced an introduction to the first characters that would appear. Lu was enthralled by the ladies’ costumes and face paint.
She imagined herself down there on the stage and knew that she was just as talented as most of the girls performing. She tapped her feet to the music and memorized the words being sung. She experienced a pang of regret when the ladies of the chorus left the stage, but she was soon caught up in The Brigand’s plot.
As the curtain descended for the intermission, Louisa clapped with great enthusiasm. “Isn’t it wonderful?” she exclaimed.
“The hero is rather dashing.” Georgy licked her lips over him.
The duchess, always eager to mingle with friends and acquaintances who would gather in the foyer to parade about and exchange gossip, stood up. Lord John, ready to accompany her, got to his feet. The Russell daughters chose to stay with their father, and Johnny said he would bring them back drinks.
When the pair returned, they brought back more than glasses of champagne.
“Look who we bumped into,” Johnny declared.
Louisa stared into the dark eyes of James Hamilton.
“Do have a seat, James,” Georgina invited. “As you can see, there is plenty of room. Our box can accommodate at least a dozen.”
James bowed to the duke. “Your Grace.” His glance swept over Georgy and Louisa.
“Ladies.” He deliberately took a seat directly behind Lady Lu.
To cover her shock at seeing Abercorn, Louisa took a gulp of champagne. It went down the wrong way and forced her to cough. Johnny gave her a couple of sharp taps on the back and by the time she could breathe again, the lights were dimming and the curtain was rising. I shall refuse to speak to the lecherous swine!
Louisa banished the image of Abercorn and her sister as she had last seen them at Woburn’s lake. She tried to focus on the dancing ladies of the chorus, as they explained in song what was about to happen. But her attention kept straying to the man sitting behind her. His close proximity was a compelling force that seemed to engulf her. Her heart hammered in her breast and her pulse raced erratically. With difficulty she forced her concentration back to the stage, but she pictured Abercorn in the role of the strutting brigand and totally lost the thread of the story. Frustrated and annoyed, she vowed to come and see the musical play again.
When the final curtain descended and the thunderous applause died down, the Duchess of Bedford invited James Hamilton back to Belgrave Square for a late supper.
“Thank you, Your Grace. Unfortunately, I have a previous engagement.”
Louisa heaved a sigh of relief. But as she eyed him making his way backstage, her relief evaporated and was replaced by indignation. I warrant his previous engagement is with a chorus girl!
“I thoroughly enjoyed the play.” James helped Kitty into her cloak. “I had no trouble picking you out in the chorus.”
“With flaming hair like mine, how could you?”
A short walk from Covent Garden Theatre led them to a small hotel on Bedford Street with a private dining room. James was amused when his companion stared about in awe of her surroundings. When she saw only men at the tables, she hesitated. “Are you sure, Lord James?”
“I’m quite sure, Kathleen. Please call me James.”
“I’ll call you
James, if you’ll call me Kitty.”
“That’s a deal. What would you like to eat?”
“You order for me. I’ll have the same as you.”
James ordered lamb cutlets with mint sauce. It came with new potatoes, baby carrots, and a green salad. He also ordered a bottle of claret. Kitty had a healthy appetite, and James enjoyed watching her eat. As he drank his wine, his thoughts went back to the meeting he’d had with his Irish attorney Rowan Maloney when he reached his majority.
Though he had inherited his grandfather’s titles when he was seven, the deeds to Barons Court and the other properties in Ireland, England, and Scotland had been held in trust until he turned twenty-one. The income from these properties would now come directly to him rather than his legal guardian, the Earl of Aberdeen.
James had been pleasantly surprised when his attorney handed him a letter from his grandfather to be read when he reached his majority. The patriarch had attached few strings to his bequests, but he had revealed a secret on the second page:
I arranged with my attorney a generous annuity for Mrs. Connelly. Kate was far more than a housekeeper to me in my later years. I freely admit to you that I am the father of her child, though Mrs. Connelly prefers that this be kept from Kathleen. I charge you to make sure that Barons Court will always be a home to them.
“Kathleen . . . Kitty, now that you’ve had a taste of wicked London , as you call it, would you like to return to Barons Court?”
“Oh no, m’lord, I mean James. I absolutely love London! Barons Court is a lovely place, especially for a visit, but I couldn’t live there . . . not after living in London.”
“Well then, I want you to think of it as a safe haven—if you ever need one. You will always be welcome there.”
“Thank you, James. That is most kind and generous.”
“Your mother would never approve of the lodging house where you are living. I want to take you back there to pick up your things. Then I’ll take you to my townhouse until we can find a more suitable place for you.” To forestall her refusal, he had thought up a ready lie. “My attorney in Ireland has informed me that my grandfather bequeathed you a small allowance once you turned eighteen, which I must administer. There can be no better use for it than providing you with a decent, safe place to live.”
“Your grandfather? The only thing I remember about him was his curly beard.”
“You were very young when he died. He left an annuity for his loyal housekeeper and a small allowance for you.”
She gave him a skeptical smile. “I’ll believe you—thousands wouldn’t.”
He glanced at her ruefully. “You can see through my subterfuge.”
“It’s very generous of you, James. I don’t know what to say.”
Abercorn grinned. “Say: I will leave everything in your capable hands, James.”
Kitty gave him a seductive smile. “It will be my special pleasure to leave everything in your capable hands, James.”
Chapter Nine
“I m so glad I was able to persuade your father to acquire this spacious house in Belgrave Square two years ago. The townhouse in St. James’s didn’t even have a ballroom.”
Georgina fastened Louisa’s diamond necklace, then did the same for Georgy.
A knock came on the bedchamber door, and Louisa opened it to find her brother Edward dressed in his naval uniform. “Oh, how very smart you look, Lieutenant Russell. Thank you for coming.”
“Wouldn’t miss my sisters’ debutante ball. I see Jack is here, but do you know if Charles is coming?”
“Jack will be returning to Woburn tomorrow. But Charles arrived from Oxford last night. He passed his examinations with flying colors,” his mother said proudly.
“That means he’ll soon be wearing a uniform. Lord knows why he prefers the army.”
“Cavalry, I warrant. He’s mad about horses,” Lu explained.
“Well, at least we agree he’s mad,” Georgy quipped. “I expect your friend Teddy Holland will be here tonight, Edward?”
“Yes, it will be like an Oxford reunion. George Grey will be here, and James Hamilton.”
“We saw Abercorn at the theater recently. When I sent his invitation, I included one for his brother, Claud.” Georgina glanced in the mirror and tucked in an errant curl.
Louisa’s heart began to pound. Oh Mother, I wish you hadn’t invited Abercorn.
“Our guests will be arriving any moment. Your father has already gone downstairs to greet them.” She left and came back again. “Before I forget, your subscriptions for Almack’s arrived today, so don’t forget to be gracious to Sarah Jersey and Emily Cowper.”
“I hope Wriothesley is late,” Georgy told Edward. “I’d much rather you promenaded us around the ballroom to thank everyone for coming. The Reverend Bloody Russell is sure to put a damper on everyone’s fun.”
Edward winked. “The rectory at Chenies is quite a distance from London. He could very well be late arriving.”
“Shame on the pair of you,” Lu declared, trying not to laugh. “Perhaps we can persuade him to leave off his clerical collar.”
“I need a drink,” Edward declared. “I’ll meet you in the ballroom.”
“Lu, did you know that Lady Cowper has been Lord Palmerston’s mistress for years?” Georgy was fixated on the ton’s indiscretions.
“Where on earth do you hear all these salacious rumors?”
“I listen in when Mother and Lady Holland are talking. No one is spared. They gossip about everyone.” Georgy looked in the mirror. “Your dress is prettier than mine.” Louisa’s ball gown was blush pink, with tiny rosebuds around its décolleté neckline. The bodice was gathered in tiny pleats. Georgy, as usual, had chosen blue.
“You look lovely,” Lu reassured her. “Remember that gentlemen prefer blue.”
“Males have no interest in how a female dresses whatsoever . . . only in the way she undresses.” Georgy laughed. “Are you ready to parade your charms on the marriage market?”
Louisa shuddered. “I shall never be ready for that, I’m afraid.”
“Don’t be such a prude, Lu. Let me at ’em!”
With a sister on each arm, First Lieutenant Edward Russell slowly circled the ballroom. Georgy and Louisa greeted their guests and thanked them for coming. Two hundred invitations had been sent out, and by the looks of the crowd, most had accepted.
When they encountered Lord and Lady Cowper, the sisters curtsied. “Thank you for our subscription to Almack’s, my lady,” Lu murmured. She took a surreptitious glance at the earl.
“Lady Louisa, it is my distinct pleasure to approve you and your sister for membership.”
When they moved on, Georgy said, “One look at Peter Cowper tells you why Emily prefers Palmerston’s bed.”
In answer, Louisa merely rolled her eyes.
Edward stopped before Wriothesley and his wife Eliza, who had finally arrived.
“Georgy—Louisa, I apologize profusely for being late. The carriages are backed up to Kensington Road. I had no idea there would be such a crush.”
“Don’t worry about being late, Reverend. I stepped in and took over your duties.”
Louisa stood on tiptoe to kiss her brother’s cheek. “Take no notice of him, Wrioth. Edward was dying to show off his new uniform. You look lovely, Eliza. Thank you both for coming.”
Georgy looked pointedly at her eldest brother’s clerical collar. “I’m sure Father would be happy to lend you one of his neck cloths.”
“That remark was unworthy of you, Georgy,” Wriothesley scolded. Both Louisa and Edward had the decency to flush.
It took the best part of an hour for the sisters to greet everyone in the ballroom. Then came the ritual first dance. The Earl of Bedford partnered his eldest daughter, while Lord John did the honors with Lady Louisa.
“I predict a most successful season, Lu. There’s a plethora of bachelors here to partner you.”
“I’d much rather dance alone. I don’t enjoy following
a man’s lead.”
Johnny smiled at her. “Someday you’ll meet your match and all that will change.”
He saw Abercorn across the room. “Perhaps sooner than you think.”
Lu deftly changed the subject. “Congratulations on your appointment as paymaster of the forces, Johnny.”
“Being a personal friend of the prime minister has its rewards.”
“You know damn well you got the appointment on your own merits. Politics is your great passion. I warrant that’s why you never married.”
“Is that a fact? It just so happens I have my eye on a very pretty widow. And since you brought up the subject of marriage, I know it is anathema to you, but your parents have high hopes for you. Don’t reject out of hand all the proposals you’ll receive.”
“Johnny, are you in love?” she asked eagerly.
“Why do you ask?”
“I once thought I was in love with Edwin Landseer,” she confessed. “But it turned out to be a silly infatuation.”
Johnny frowned. “He didn’t make advances toward you, did he?”
“Good heavens, no! Lanny has always behaved like a perfect gentleman.” For which I shall be eternally grateful. It was wicked of me to suspect he was having an affair with Mother.
The Duke of Bedford and Lord John switched partners, so that Lady Louisa could be partnered by her father in the first dance of the ball. She saw his mouth tighten and knew his leg was paining him.
Her father stopped before James Hamilton. “Abercorn, I relinquish my daughter into your safekeeping.”
Louisa was speechless as the dark Irish devil took her hand in his and slipped his other arm around her. “You look extremely beautiful tonight.”
She knew she should accept the compliment graciously or at least smile, but she could not bring herself to respond in any way. In a separate part of her mind, she acknowledged that he was an accomplished dancer and in spite of herself she was swept back to the night of the kissing dance. She stiffened with resistance.