Page 47 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
Somehow, Kate suspected that he wasn’t giving himself enough credit.
“It came together well,” Kate said, referring to the decorations.
He smirked. “You have a good eye. With you and Lady Drake in control, I never expected anything less.”
She rolled her eyes. “You flatterer.”
She couldn’t deny the way his compliment made her heart skip. He’d always been polite and solicitous with her, but she didn’t get the impression he was one to say things he didn’t mean.
“Would you like a drink before we start?” he asked. “If you don’t feel like lemonade or ratafia, there’s sherry in my office. I think we deserve it.”
“Sherry?” Lady Drake appeared beside them. “I’d appreciate a glass.”
Kate giggled. “I’ll have one too.”
She still wasn’t sure whether she actually liked the sweet burn of sherry, but she certainly didn’tdislike it. She thought she might acquire a taste for it if she gave it a chance.
Amelia and Andrew joined them, arm in arm. It was the first time they’d both been away from George in the evening since they’d come to London. It was unusual for parents of their class, but they enjoyed spending time with him in the nursery and tucking him into bed. Kate was glad they’d offered to come tonight, though. Her family shouldn’t miss her engagement ball.
Amelia pulled a face. “I think I’ll just have lemonade, thank you.”
“What about you, Longley?” Blackwell asked.
“Sherry sounds brilliant,” Andrew replied.
Blackwell called Mrs. Taylor over. “Could you please fetch us four glasses of sherry.”
“Of course, my lord.”
“Will I meet your brother tonight?” Kate asked Lord Blackwell.
His eyebrows knitted together. “Unfortunately not. Nicholas traveled to Oxfordshire to escort Mother to Town, and they have not arrived yet.”
Kate hid her disappointment. She was yet to meet any of Lord Blackwell’s family, and she was eager to learn more about him.
When Mrs. Taylor returned with the tray of drinks, she offered it to Blackwell first and then Kate. She took her glass and raised it to her lips, catching Blackwell’s gaze as she tipped the glass back. He raised his glass in a silent toast, never taking his eyes from hers. Her heart lifted, and she felt lighter than air.
Albert interrupted the moment. “Lord and Lady Carlisle have arrived with Lady Sophie.”
Kate emptied her glass and placed it back on Mrs. Taylor’s tray. “We should welcome our first guests.”
They made their way to the front door, where the Carlisles were waiting. Sophie beamed and waved at Kate when she caught sight of her.
“Hi, Sophie,” Kate said, gliding over to her. “I’m so glad you’re the first people here.”
It would be reassuring to know that they had some support present before the rest of thetondescended. Not that anyone had made untoward comments or implied the betrothal was anything less thande rigueur—at least, not to her face. She still couldn’t help but feel that they were whispering about her behind her back.
“I could hardly be late,” Sophie exclaimed, looking around with interest. “You’re essentially the hostess of this event. How exciting is it to have that role when you haven’t even married yet?”
Kate tried not to smile too widely. “It’s quite amazing.”
She liked that she was permitted to play hostess tonight. If the dowager viscountess had arrived in London, that would be her role, but she was yet to turn up.
Kate turned her attention to Lord and Lady Carlisle only to find that her fiancé was welcoming them with that slight upward tilt of his mouth that passed for a smile.
The rumble of carriage wheels signaled the arrival of more guests, and Kate positioned herself to Blackwell’s right, ready to fulfill her welcoming duties. She half expected Andrew and Amelia to join them, but they walked with the Carlisles into the ballroom, leaving Lady Drake with Kate and Blackwell.
“I’d better follow them,” Sophie said, nodding toward her parents. “I’m under strict instructions to behave myself tonight. Who knows? Maybe I’ll meet a handsome rogue on a balcony too.”
