Page 36 of Kismet

Reaching out to Mary, Mr. Goulding took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We won't let her get hurt,” he whispered.

Mary stood motionless for a moment, savoring the fact that Mr. Goulding supported her and her family so completely. She looked to see if she could spot Elizabeth and William where they sat. “I am sure Elizabeth knows something is going on by now. We will have to come up with a plan to fight these lies.” Turning back to Mr. Goulding, she smiled at him and squeezed his hand in return. “Thank you for your support. It means a great deal to me and my family.”

“It is my pleasure to be of service.” He bowed with a smile and Mary couldn’t help the blush that crept up on her cheeks.

Making it to her sister, Catherine reached out to take her hand and whispered, “I have just come from the retiring room. Mary, have you heard what they are saying?”

“Yes, dear, it is outrageous. We will devise a strategy to negate these accusations. It is probably someone who is jealous of your splendid match.” Pulling Catherine closer, Mary gave her a quick hug.

As she pulled away from her sister’s embrace, Catherine noticed Mr. Goulding standing nearby. “I am so sorry for ignoring you, Mr. Goulding. It is good to see you this evening. Have you come to ask for a dance from my lovely sister?”

“Yes, I have made sure to reserve her supper set. I would also like to ask you for one of your sets, if you would be so kind as to grant a dance.”

“Oh, I would love to, only I just refused a set with Mr. Deerhurst. With what he attempted the last time I danced with him, I was not about to repeat the experience.” Catherine’s voice was laced with a subtle growl, but she quickly offered a warm smile for her sister's suitor. “So, regretfully, I cannot accept any further requests for dance partners.”

“Whatever did he do last time?” Mary’s eyebrows drew together, and her eyes turned sharp.

Catherine's mind wandered back to that fateful night. It felt like so long ago. “He attempted to pull me outside after I refused his invitation to cool off with him on the balcony. He would not take no for an answer.” Shrugging her shoulders, Catherine smiled wickedly. “Faced with no other option, I tipped a glass of red punch on him. His cravat was probably ruined, but I was able to break free from his grip.”

Mary's face transitioned from horror to outrage. “How did I never hear of this?”

“It was the night that Cedric passed and with everything going on…” Shrugging her shoulders, she continued, “I never brought it up.”

“I know you ladies are going off to find your family, but if I may, I have a thought.” Mr. Goulding offered a wide grin to both sisters. “It is possible that I asked Miss Mary if you had a dance available and she granted me one of your dances after dinner. That would not break the rules.”

Catherine couldn’t help but return his grin and was grateful her sister had found such a clever potential match. “You are correct. I look forward to our set later in the evening, Mr. Goulding.” Catherine and her sister both curtsied and moved on to where Elizabeth and Darcy sat. Mrs. Ansley sat with them, her eyes on the dancers, presumably making sure all was well with Georgiana on the dance floor.

As they approached, Catherine noticed her sister’s controlled expression and could tell she was thinking hard. Elizabeth had always been so witty, and Catherine suspected she was fighting the impulse to go across the room and find a way to insult the women responsible for spreading lies. “I see you have heard the gossip.”

“Yes, well, I have always known that the ton was full of catty idiots but still, sometimes I just do not know how we ever spend any time here.” Elizabeth snapped her fan closed in a huff.

Reaching over, William patted Elizabeth’s hand. “The museums, dear, think of the museums.”

“Well yes, I am rather fond of those.” Looking up at her sisters, Elizabeth’s expression turned fierce. “We will find a way to combat the latest stupidity. Do not worry overmuch if you can help it.”

“I will try, Lizzie.” Catherine looked around the room and tried to spot Theodore. Things would not be as bad as they were if he were by her side. He had said he would be coming that evening and she hoped that nothing had gone wrong.

While she waited for Theodore to show, Catherine observed as William led Lizzie to the dance floor. She knew he had never grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle of crowds, even after all this time. Yet there he was, twirling around the dance floor with her sister. Catherine was aware he would much rather be at home enjoying a good book and yet he was at the ball because he wanted to support her, Georgiana, and Mary. She could tell he was putting in a lot of effort to make the situation comfortable for her and her sisters, despite his own discomfort. At least he was not without some benefit. Whenever he had the chance, he would join Elizabeth for a dance, losing himself in the moment. He had told her once that dancing with Lizzie had entirely changed his view of the pastime. According to him, when his wife was in his arms, the rest of the world faded into the background. Watching them dance made her think that despite what was going on with the gossip, she and Theodore had every reasonable chance to be just as happy.

“I am surprised you are willing to show your head with all the talk of your behavior of late. It really is rather disgraceful.” Miss Eliss's abrupt comment came from nowhere.

Turning her gaze to the spiteful woman, Catherine sighed. She had always doubted the friendship the woman had espoused. “I did not see you there, Miss Eliss.”

“Just what do you have to say for yourself, Miss Catherine?” The way Miss Eliss held her head high and pursed her lips made it clear she felt superior.

“There is nothing I wish to say to you. It is not worth it. Why waste my energy when I know you will not have the decency to respect what I say?” Ignoring the girl in front of her, Catherine returned her attention to the couples twirling and dancing with elegance on the dance floor.

Miss Eliss took another step forward, causing Catherine to instinctively take a step back to maintain her distance. Miss Eliss’s sneer twisted her face into an expression of pure malice and was not flattering in the least. “Decency? You speak of decency. I heard you became so enraged at Lord Deerhurst when he would not go on the balcony with you that you spilled punch on him on purpose. What exactly did you want to do with him on the balcony?”

If Catherine was not so angry, she would have been concerned that the girl's expression of disgust would become permanent. How dare this woman attempt to hurt her in such a way? She had done nothing to her and yet she was trying to pull Catherine down with her cruelty. She had spent enough of her life cowering from such a person it was not going to continue. “I have told you I will not dignify your accusations with a response. It is apparent that you have never been a true friend to me. You cannot wish to spend any more time in my presence. Goodbye.” The intensity of her anger took Catherine by surprise, and she found herself wiping at her wet cheeks. She had never been so angry that she had cried before. The combination of bewilderment and annoyance was overwhelming. Catherine sensed a presence directly behind her and assumed it was either Mary or Mrs. Ansley. She was grateful she was not alone in this struggle.

“Well!” Miss Eliss exclaimed in a huff.

“Do go away, Miss Eliss. I will not have you persecuting the woman I love.”

Catherine looked up with a smile at the voice that had joined the fray. “Theodore.”

“I am sorry that I am so late, Kitty.” Leaning in closer than was strictly proper, he wiped at the tears that hovered on her lashes with his thumb before pressing a loving kiss against her cheek. His eyes searched hers with concern as he said, “I had intended on getting here earlier. There was a mix up with my carriage and when it started raining, it snarled traffic. Then there was a line to be dropped off and while I thought of walking the last bit, I did not want to arrive looking like a drowned rat.”

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