Page 50 of The Marriage Debt
She expected a fight the moment she mentioned repayment, but her infuriating husband merely nodded amiably and reached round her to open the door. ‘I think if you come with me you will find that your new bedchamber is ready and that you will be able to change so we can have your first riding lesson.’
Katherine meekly allowed herself to be shown the way to her new rooms, refraining from pointing out her lack of suitable garments. She paid careful attention to the route and thought some paintings and a large Chinese vase looked familiar. ‘Is this near your rooms?’
‘Next door.’
Her protest was cut off as he flung open a panelled door for her. ‘Less modern than the lakeside wing where you were before. This is an older part of the house and you should be more comfortable here until we can move into the Dower House.’
Given that not only Jenny, but also another maid, were in the room Katherine could not retort that neither sleeping next door to him nor the prospect of moving into the Dower House made her feel the slightest bit comfortable.
Both young women were sitting on the bed, a garment with long flowing skirts spread out between them. The unknown maid was industriously whipping stitches along the hem and Jenny was just biting off her cotton having done something to the waist.
They both jumped to their feet and Jenny said, ‘I think it willbe a very tolerable fit now we have taken the skirt up an inch and narrowed the waist.’
Not only was a very handsome riding habit being shaken out before her eyes but a pair of boots and a dashing veiled tricorne hat were also on display.
‘And where did these come from?’ Katherine enquired dangerously.
‘Cousin Elizabeth. I thought there was sure to be something somewhere in the house, but I did not expect anything quite soà la mode.’ Theo flicked the intricate frogging with one finger. ‘Lizzie apparently had this made, convinced that even after presenting Lord Pickforth with apetit pacquetsix months ago she would still retain exactly the same waist measurement. Apparently this was not the case and she discarded it while visiting last month. The boots might be a little large, but nothing to worry about. I will see you in the front hall in an hour.’
It was tempting to pick up the boots and throw them at his retreating back. Instead Katherine smiled at the maid through gritted teeth. ‘I am sorry, I do not yet know your name.’
‘Mary, my lady.’
‘Thank you, Mary, it seems that you and Jenny have done an excellent job. You may go now.’
The minute the girl had shut the door behind her Katherine swept across the room, tossed the tricorne off the dressing table stool onto the bed and sat down with a thump. ‘Oh…botherthe man.’
‘Who, Miss Katherine?’ Jenny caught Katherine’s smouldering eye. ‘Ah, the Master.’
‘Everything I want to do he forestalls and everything I don’t want him to do he just goes ahead and does,’ Katherine grumbled. ‘He has paid my debt,andPhilip’s debts and given me an allowance. At least I can pay you and John. And now he says I must learn to ride, if you please.’
‘That’ll be nice,’ Jenny said, a quaver of what sounded suspiciously like laughter in her voice. ‘You’ll see John then, I expect he’s down at the stables.’
Katherine allowed herself to be buttoned into the habit which, although a little large over the bust, was a tolerable fit. It was certainly a flattering colour. The boots, as Theo had predicted, were slightly large but the hat was delightful. Jenny bundled her hair into a coarse net at the nape, set the tricorne at a rakish angle, secured it with pins and lowered the veil.
Katherine practised walking up and down with the long skirt looped over her arm. ‘Cousin Elizabeth, whoever she is, certainly has excellent taste.’
Theo was certainly appreciative as she walked down the great staircase. ‘You look very dashing, Kat.’ He walked round her, studying the effect. ‘Come along and meet your mount.’
The stable block was magnificent, with carriage houses, rows of loose boxes, its own farrier’s shop and numerous open doors through which Katherine could glimpse racks of saddles and bales of hay. Horses were standing looking over the half-doors of many of the boxes and Theo stopped at one of them.
‘My father’s new bay hunter, if I’m not mistaken.’
‘Aye, my lord, and his grace’s pride and joy,’ the groom who was just sliding the bolt across the door confirmed.
‘He always had a good eye for a horse.’ Theo leaned on the door for a moment, running his eye over the animal. ‘What have you got for me and her ladyship, Durren?’
‘Lightning for her ladyship.’ Katherine swallowed hard. ‘Her ladyship’s man is saddling him up. His grace thought you might like to try Xerxes, my lord. He’s a bit of a handful.’ He nodded towards a large grey in the middle of the yard which was attempting to bite the unfortunate stable lad who was holding him. ‘He likes to see how far he can go with a rider,’ he added laconically.
Theo eyed the animal who was now rolling his eyes and lashing out with his hind legs at the stable cat that was crossing the yard. ‘I see his grace has not lost his sense of humour. This looks like your mount, Kat.’
John was leading out a middling-sized blue roan, which, much to her relief appeared to be content to follow him placidly. ‘John.’
‘Miss Katherine, your ladyship, I should say.’ He waited until she reached his side then added quietly, ‘You all right, Miss Katherine? Jenny says you’re in clover, but I wanted to ask you myself.’
‘I’m very well, at least for a week or two. How are you? Have they given you a comfortable room? And I have your wages at last.’
‘I’m suited fine, don’t you be worrying about me. Now, what’s all this about you learning to ride?’
