Page 32 of Kismet

This was so much better than simply discussing it as an abstract concept, as so many people at his mother’s dinners did. He had often heard people acknowledging the need to help the less fortunate, but never once had anyone ever followed through the least bit. Helping people was not just for show, it meant something, and it was like a breath of fresh air to be with like-minded people.

“I will let you know once we have more of the plan in place. So many of them have had such sad beginnings. I wanted to create a joyful experience for them to cherish,” Elizabeth said, a smile spreading across her face. “With the way their little faces light up when shown the least bit of affection and consideration, it is no wonder I have become so attached to them all.”

Leaning forward in her seat, Georgiana directed her attention to her cousin. “So Theodore, are you going to put an announcement in the papers about courting Catherine?”

He turned to Catherine, his lips curling into a warm smile, before shifting his gaze back to Georgianna. “I would love for everyone to know about my interest in Catherine, but I do not know the rules on doing those things. Catherine, do you have a preference?”

Catherine blushed under his scrutiny, but after clearing her throat replied, “Truly, I do not mind waiting for an engagement to be in the paper. Lizzie, your at home is tomorrow. Perhaps we may let it be known to our friends then that we have entered a courtship.” Pausing for a moment, she stirred her tea. “By the time of the Covington Ball, everyone should know that we are in a relationship. Or at least the people we care to know. You will be attending the Covington Ball, won't you?”

“My mother already told me that we shall be attending that ball. We are finally far enough into our morning that we can began to attend some of the livelier events for the season without raising any eyebrows.” Sensing Catherine’s hesitation when he mentioned his mother’s plans, Theodore hurried to try to reassure her. “I am sure that my mother will see that I am perfectly capable of directing my own schedule. Either way, I will be insisting that I spend my time with you.”

“Colonel, I really must say that it seems odd to me that your mother is directing your schedule so very much. You directed troops in battle. Surely you can figure out how to schedule your own entertainments.” With a small clatter, Lydia set her teacup down and fixed a narrowed gaze on him. “As much as I like you, I do not know if I appreciate you allowing your mother to dictate who you see. Aren't you capable of doing that for yourself? Shouldn’t the only woman allowed to make those kinds of suggestions now be my sister?”

Theodore paused, contemplating what Lydia said. He appreciated how close Catherine was to all her sisters and that they would be willing to stand up for her when they thought she needed the support. Looking at the others in the room, he realized that none of them seemed to disagree with her statement. His mother's directives grated on him, but he yielded to them, trusting her expertise on the duties of an earl. It seemed that the people he was closest to were growing discontented with his constant compliance to her directives.

Theodore's energy waned as he slouched in his seat, but his smile remained genuine as he glanced at the instigator of his thoughts. “Lydia, thank you for making me think about that. My constant worry about fulfilling my responsibilities as an earl and preserving Cedric's legacy has resulted in an overbearing influence from my mother.” He shifted his body, his eyes scanning the room's occupants, before finally resting on Catherine sitting beside him. “Despite my reservations, I have allowed her to control my actions. I apologize for not doing anything about it before now.”

“You are forgiven as long as you remember to make time for me,” Catherine teased with a smile and reached out to pick up a chocolate biscuit from her plate and placed it on his. “We are courting, and I wish to spend as much time with you as possible. It is not every day that a lady gets courted by the man who holds her heart.” Catherine picked up her tea and took a drink, her eyes sparkling above the cup.

Theodore grinned from ear to ear. Catherine had clearly realized that he had polished all off his cookies, prompting her to offer him his favorite treat. Theodore looked at the woman who held his heart in return and just knew he had to spend more time with her. “What are your plans between now and the Covington Ball? I hope there is something we can enjoy together.”

Tapping her chin for a moment, Catherine replied, “Gunter’s is always a favorite of mine, or we could practice archery?”

Theodore gently took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss. He then placed his free hand over his heart with a touch of theatrical flair. “Artemis my goddess, I am at your service. Name the day and I will be there.”

Lydia giggled before asking, “Can I be the chaperone? You know how much I love ices.”

Walking with Catherine on his arm was not something which was entirely new, but it had become magical with the establishment of their relationship. They were following Lydia as she happily looked in shop windows and occasionally turned back to chat with them. Lambert, Catherine’s maid, had come as well for propriety’s sake and she trailed discreetly behind them. At the end of the street was Gunter’s, where they would enjoy the delights that the tea shop provided. Until they reached it, there was plenty of enjoyment to be had walking down the street and gazing into the windows.

Of course, they were gazing at each other as much or more than they were looking at the items in the windows. Looking down at his love, Theodore once again bemoaned the current dictates that ladies wear bonnets. He would much rather see Catherine’s glorious hair than the top of her stylish bonnet. “Would you be at all scandalized if I told you that I live for the day when we can walk arm in arm while you go without your bonnet? Maybe at one of my country estates or even Pemberley.”

“I do believe I should be offended. I will have you know that my bonnet is the utmost in style and fashion.” Tilting her head so that she could look up at him from under the brim of her hat, she gave him a teasing smile. “If I were a different woman, I would complain that my delicate feminine sensibilities were offended by you wanting to view me without a bonnet. However, I think it is something we could arrange.”

If Theodore was entranced by the grin Catherine gave him, he was lost when she giggled at his expression. “Right, and how soon do you think we can abandon London? Have we endured enough of the season?”

Playfully smacking his arm, Catherine looked back down the street. “With Mr. Goulding here for part of the season, I would hate to pull Mary away from the opportunity to develop something with him.”

Placing his free hand to his chest, he jested, “The sacrifice I make for my love for you and your sisters.”

“You know you love us, and you would be thrilled to see Mary well settled. I am very certain she loves him. You of all people cannot deny them the opportunity for love.”

Patting the arm that held his own in agreement, Theodore smiled, appreciating the connection they shared. “They have been dancing around one another for some time. What do you suppose is the hesitation?”

Theodore watched as Catherine absentmindedly rubbed the side of her nose, seemingly lost in thought. Then, after a moment, she responded with certainty in her voice. “As a second son, Mr. Goulding often felt overlooked and underestimated. I believe he is only a few months older than Mary. He is in his last year of education at Oxford. If I had to guess, he is afraid of proposing with no prospects to offer her.”

“I can commiserate with the man. It is difficult as a second son. Our society causes us to shift for ourselves so much of the time.” The young man had not seemed to be destined for the church or the military, and Theodore wondered what his prospects were.

“According to Mary, he has a sharp mind and a strong fascination with the art of designing and constructing buildings. I have also noticed that he can hold his own in conversations about estate management and crop rotation when speaking with Lizzie and William.”

Theodore’s mind moved to how he might help this Mr. Goulding. He had met him a few times and he seemed very nice, but he had never had any in-depth conversations with him. If they were truly in love, Theodore would not wish for them to be kept apart merely because of the man's position as a second son in a world where birth order determined status. “What sorts of buildings?”

“Mary stated that he was most interested in making homes that were effective for families. Apparently, the family manor of the Gouldings is old and a mishmash of odd add-ons and its layout is inconvenient for the family and staff. It is hard to heat effectively in the winter, and dampness is a problem. All of that is to say he started wondering at a young age how he could effectively change things to the benefit of all.”

Lydia came back and gently tugged Catherine towards the alluring store she had set her eyes on. “Kitty, come look at the lovely trinkets that they have in this window.”

Theodore hurried with the sisters so that he would not lose the benefit of having Catherine on his arm. The window had a display of various bits and bobs, jewelry, and trinkets. He noticed how excited Lydia was pointing out the different little things that she liked. “If you like this that much, Miss Lydia, why don’t we go inside?”

“Wonderful suggestion, Colonel,” Lydia smiled, all but vibrating with excitement.

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