And now with Lizzy engaged, what to do about Catherine? Edmund did not think he could have sold the girl had he offered her for a pound and an eel pie.
He poured another glass of gin. Not only was it unprofitable, it wasn’t right to marry Elizabeth before Catherine. The elder should marry first, or the family looked desperate. Edmund had been the younger son of an earl, and though Edmund cared for little else the man he’d called father had taught him, some rules and social rituals stuck with him. He needed to marry Catherine before he could allow Elizabeth to wed. And he needed to marry the girl soon. Already Valentine was chomping at the bit, asking when he could call the banns, pressing for a wedding date.
Valentine would be a good son-in-law. Edmund smiled and took another swallow of gin. Then he frowned when he saw the glass was empty. He filled it a third time, taking note that the bottle was almost dry. Stupid cow. His wife had been stealing his liquor again. Later he’d show the strumpet what happened when she stole what was his.
But now for Valentine. Edmund had looked into Quint Childers. The man was wealthy—not a Croesus by any means—but he would do. Still, Edmund hated to waste his one good daughter on a marquess. He knew with Elizabeth’s pretty face and tight little figure he could score a duke at least. When she’d been a child, he’d promised her a prince, and he still thought the plan entirely feasible. But the little chit was happy with Valentine, couldn’t stop cooing over how handsome he was and how well-mannered. Stupid cow. He had other plans for her.
But what to do with Valentine then? One did not just toss away a good future marquess. Edmund took another sip of gin and another, and then through the haze an idea came as clear as the song of an angel. The idea was so good, he sat up straight and rigid, and said, “Oh!” And then he dissolved into fits of laughter.
He laughed and laughed. He laughed so long and so hard that after a while his wife knocked on the door and asked if he was well. He cuffed her, sent her away, and then he laughed some more.
Yes, he would have his marquess and both daughters married too. Pulling on his coat, he stumbled through his house and then out the door. He’d tell his little Valentine to call the banns now—this Sunday. Edmund Fullbright was ready for his daughter to wed.
All he needed to do was make one little stop at the chemist, and everything would go as planned.
Chapter Six
Catherine checked her appearance in the mirror one last time before she followed her cousins down to Lord Castleigh’s ballroom. Tonight was her last chance to warn Valentine away from Elizabeth.
It had been over two weeks since the earl had come to the house, and in that time she had not seen him. She had heard plenty of him from Elizabeth and her mother. The banns had been called, and the wedding preparations were under way. In fact, the family was so busy, Catherine was virtually left alone.
She was actually left alone when her father, mother, and sister had traveled to Valentine’s ancestral estate in Derbyshire to meet the Marquess and Marchioness of Ravenscroft. Catherine had been given leave to stay with Maddie, and she’d been able to ride every day.
It had been a wonderful respite, but then the family had returned. Her father seemed to have given up marrying her off, and that was the most worrisome turn of events.
Her father never gave up that easily. He had to have an ulterior plan.
Pinching her cheeks to add color, she glided down the staircase in her new white silk gown. It wasn’t actually hers. She wore one of Maddie’s dresses from last Season. The two cousins had cut and pinned and sewed for days to alter it for Catherine’s proportions. Now Catherine felt almost like she belonged here. She had rarely worn silk before, and the fabric was light and airy against her skin.
The gown had been Madeleine’s contribution to the plan. Josephine and Ashley had helped Catherine with the rest, and now she saw them smiling at her as she descended the stairs. At the bottom, Josephine clasped her hands, and said, “Perfect! You look treacherously beautiful. Lizzy will bite her tongue all night!”
Catherine nodded and took a deep breath. The ball was not terribly crowded yet, but the guest list was extensive. She would have to act quickly, before too many people arrived, or she would be shaking too badly to implement the plan. Her hands were already clammy, and her heart was beating faster than usual. Oh, why couldn’t she just hide?
Despite Josephine’s encouraging words, Catherine did not feel beautiful. She felt like everyone was looking at her. How was she ever going to attract Valentine’s attention? What if he ignored her and made her look a fool?
More guests were arriving, and Catherine knew she should join the receiving line. Ashley gave her a last reassuring squeeze. “You know what you have to do?”
Catherine nodded. “I must make Elizabeth show Valentine her true colors.”
Ashley nodded. “Right. Then he’ll call off the wedding, and you can remain a founding member of our club.”
Josie and Maddie patted Catherine’s hands. “Keep your chin up. Think confidence!”
Catherine nodded and forced her feet toward the entry hall, where her father, mother, sister, and Lord and Lady Castleigh stood greeting their guests. They made room for her to join them, and her father leaned over, and hissed, “Now you choose to look presentable? What are you up to?”
Catherine just smiled and bowed to a baron and his wife.
Next Elizabeth leaned over. “You look like a fool, you know. Trying to outshine me?”
Catherine smiled at her. “Well, no one will be looking at me.” She greeted Sir Gareth and her aunt Imogen, Ashley’s parents, and accepted their compliments.
“No one ever looks at you, except when you act like a fool. Is it not time for you to begin gulping for air and shaking?” Elizabeth hissed.
Catherine turned back to the line in time to see that Lord Valentine had finally arrived.
Thank God he’s here was her first thought. Oh, Lord he’s handsome was her second. Catherine never noticed men except to avoid them. Some were taller or fatter or louder than others, but these were characteristics of the species, not points that held her interest.
Valentine held her interest. It was difficult to look at him and not be absorbed. His face, with its high smooth cheekbones and the contrasts between the hard planes of his chin and forehead and the softness of mouth and lips, intrigued her. And then there was his hair, which she had called too long, but which she now decided was perfect. The straight, brown edges scraped his collar and flowed back from his forehead like a bird’s wing.
