Page 35 of Kismet

“Very pity!” He nodded before rubbing his eye with a small fist.

“There you have the stunning endorsement of a man with good taste.” Cuddling her nephew to her as he began to yawn, Lydia smiled at her older sister. “Mary and Georgiana are almost done, and I am sure that Elizabeth is well on her way to being finished as long as William was able to keep from helping her.”

Both sisters burst out laughing at their joke. Everyone knew how much Elizabeth and William loved each other. If they didn’t, they were completely blind. It was the kind of love they had both been searching for and that Catherine was certain she had found.

“Just think, next season I will be out and you will be married. It is a rather good thing, or we would not all be able to fit into the Darcy carriage.” Lydia started dancing in place, twirling slowly with Artie. “I cannot wait to be out; I will dance all night and have the most fun.”

Shaking her head at her sister’s antics, Catherine said, “If you enjoy the balls then I will be happy for you. As for me being married, I am not even engaged yet. Who knows? Mary could be a wife before I am.”

“That is very nearly impossible. I have seen the way Theodore looks at you and Mr. Goulding has not even asked to court me,” Mary said as she entered the room, a sad smile on her face despite how beautiful she looked.

Reaching out Lydia gave Mary a careful hug. “Don’t you worry, Mary. Once Mr. Goulding graduates from Oxford he will ask you, I am sure of it!” Returning her attention to Catherine, Lydia winked and added, “I am sure it is nearly time to leave; you go have fun! Theodore will take one look at you and propose on the spot. If he doesn’t, well, he will just have to deal with me.”

The ceiling of the room was adorned with elegant drapes of deep purple and navy-blue fabric, creating a regal atmosphere. Mirrors attached to the ceiling reflected the candlelight, adding a touch of enchantment, and the whole look evoked the sensation of dancing under a canopy of twinkling stars. It was the most beautifully decorated ball she had ever attended and yet she was lost to the charm of it.

Despite its beauty, the ball was not going as she had expected. As she came into the main ballroom, she noticed the whispers and glances from the people around her, making her feel self-conscious. Mary was certain there was fresh gossip afoot and cautioned her that whatever it was would pass. She reminded Catherine that they would take care of whatever it was, as they always did. Like a family. She bowed to her older sister's wisdom and attempted to ignore the gossip. The people's actions were all just futile attempts to assert dominance over one another. Many spread lies when they could not find truth, especially if it put them in a good light. Catherine could not wait until they had been in town long enough so that they could leave for the country.

Though she was not overly fond of the posturing present at balls, she normally liked to dance. Her last partner had been quite clumsy though and had torn her skirt in his bumbling attempt to dance the country reel. She found a quiet corner in the retiring room and began stitching up the small rip in her skirt with the help of a kind maid. Not long after, a group of ladies came in chattering. Their gossip was filled with tantalizing insinuations, none of which had any basis in truth. They had not seen Catherine in the corner and so they spoke of her at their leisure.

Though Catherine was not surprised as she had suspected the new gossip was about her, the knowledge of someone spreading lies—and hearing those lies—about her was a painful reality she couldn't ignore.

“I knew those Bennet girls were no good. Did you know their mother married mere months after she was widowed?” Catherine frowned as she struggled to try and place the voice. She did not take kindly to people being cruel to her family.

“Really? I am not surprised. I heard it said at calls today that Miss Catherine was seen trying to pull Lord Deerhurst out on the balcony at one of the balls earlier in the season. When her attempts failed, she lashed out by flinging a glass of wine.”

Catherine could see how someone who was vindictive could twist things to come up with that. Someone out there was working extra hard to ruin her reputation in the eyes of society. She continued to listen, deciding it was better to be aware of the issues before she went back out to the ball.

The first voice continued, “I find the whole courtship with Lord Matlock to be rather havey-cavey. He could reach so high; I know for a fact that his mother was close to announcing his betrothal to Lady Lavinia. Why would he choose to align himself with a nobody whose appearance is forgettable at best?”

Blinking back tears, Catherine bit her lip. While she had always known she was not as beautiful as her sister Jane, it had been a long time since Catherine had considered herself a nobody. Their talk was starting to remind her of her father and his belittling ways. Before she was able to overcome that blow, the next one was quick on its heels.

“She appears meek enough in a crowd, but she must have some well-practiced arts and allurements to have snagged the new earl so quickly. Though one must wonder if there is a reason that she is so desperate to marry.”

Arts and allurements indeed! Catherine wanted to pretend like it did not affect her, but the thought that people who knew her might believe such lies hurt. Once her skirt was done, Catherine thanked the maid and offered her a few coins before turning to confront the gossipers.

Though they appeared to startle at her sudden appearance, only the youngest girl who was close to Catherine’s age had the decency to look ashamed of her behavior. “You may say of me what you wish, but I would request that you not disparage Lord Matlock. He is all that is honorable and would never behave in any manner that would be unacceptable. His request to court me is a great honor and I would not wish for him to be pilloried for his devotion to me.” Before they had the chance to response, she left the room with her head held high, refusing to cower under the weight of their lies.

Catherine had only just reached the ballroom when she noticed she was being intercepted by someone she would rather not see again. Eyes narrowing, she recognized Viscount Deerhurst’s slimy grin as he approached and suppressed a shudder. She was determined she would not shrink before him as she had the first time.

“Miss Catherine, I would like to put our differences behind us and have come to request a set.” Smiling, he executed the perfect bow and reached for her dance card.

Moving her card out of the way, she refused to let him claim a dance. Catherine knew it might impact the gossip if they danced, but she could not be sure whether it would be positive or negative. Regardless of its impact, she refused to comply with his disgraceful behavior. “Although I appreciate your willingness to resolve our differences, dancing with you is not something I'm inclined to do.”

It was clear Deerhurst tried to hide his reaction with a smile, but his facade of joviality cracked when his eyes drew together with a menacing glint. “If you refuse me, you will have to sit out the dances that have yet to be claimed. Do not be missish.”

“Although I would prefer to be polite and cordial with everyone, I find that I cannot grant you your wish. You presume too much if you think I would grant you a dance.” Drawing herself up, Catherine stood her ground. “I have not forgotten your actions the last time you asked to partner me for a set. I would hate to waste another perfectly good glass of punch.”

“The Earl of Matlock is out of your league, and you are naive to think otherwise. I might have granted you my condescension before, but I know how to act now. You will regret treating me in such a manner.” The viscount stood tall with his shoulders squared, his muscles taut beneath his finely tailored attire. Though he was handsome, there was something unsettling about his twisted smirk and the way his eyes flashed, revealing the darkness within.

Catherine stood firm, tilting her head defiantly as she gave a curt curtsy. “And yet I am satisfied with my choices. I am pleased not having you as my dance partner.” Turning away, she left him and sought out one of her sisters, or possibly Selene.

She scanned the room and spotted Mary speaking with Mr. Goulding. She made her way over to them, trying to ignore the cuts as she walked through the crowd.

“What have you heard?” Mary asked Mr. Goulding hoping to find out why everyone had been whispering about her sister. She had enjoyed watching her sister blossom and conquer her fears and was determined not to let a group of mean-spirited women break Catherine’s newfound confidence.

Mr. Goulding quickly regarded their surroundings, as if making sure his voice would not carry to anyone who would use the information against the Bennet sisters. “Your younger sister's reputation is being tarnished by rumors that she is literally throwing herself at Viscount Deerhurst and Lord Matlock.”

“How dare they say that about Kitty? She would never.” Mary snapped her mouth shut rather than let her anger get away from her. Closing her eyes, she took a quick breath and blew it out through pursed lips. “She has come so far. I cannot let this hurt her.”

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