The Winter Belle, page 8
Kitty looked to Flinders as he placed her portfolio and paint box on the stand. ‘Did you notice Carnaby and my sister as we came in?’
‘No, I can’t say I did.’ Flinders set the easel down. ‘Shall I set this up for you, Kitty?’
She shook her head. ‘No, thank you. I’m worried about Amy. Surely, she would not be silly enough to go anywhere with Carnaby?’ Kitty stared at Ivory, who had paled alarmingly. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘I saw them talking to that man Sebastian Marriner. You remember, Kitty? He came in the other day with a girl who looked as though she ought not to be in polite society, if you know what I mean.’
‘Lord Marriner has quite a reputation,’ Flinders said thoughtfully. ‘I don’t think he is the sort of person your parents would approve of, although I’ve been told that he is very wealthy.’
Kitty looked around in desperation, but there was no sign of Amethyst or of Carnaby and his friend. ‘I can’t believe that she would have been so stupid as to leave the Bazaar with either of them.’
Ivory rose to her feet. ‘This is Amy we’re talking about. You know very well she is capable of anything, Kitty.’
‘What will we tell, Mama?’ Kitty turned to Flinders. ‘Have you any idea where they might have gone?’
‘No, I’m sorry. London is a big place. If she is with Carnaby he could have taken her anywhere. The only thing you can do is to wait here and hope they return quickly.’ Flinders took off his top hat and mopped his brow with a handkerchief. ‘I’m sorry, Kitty. I don’t know who to ask. I’ve been away from London for too long.’
‘It’s our problem, anyway,’ Kitty said firmly. ‘But I think you are right. We have no idea where to start looking for her so the best thing to do is to wait here.’
‘But what if she doesn’t come back before it’s time to go home?’ Ivory’s voice broke on a sob. ‘I was supposed to look after her. I’ve let Mama down and I’ve let Amy down, too.’
‘There’s one person who might know where Carnaby could have taken her,’ Flinders said slowly.
Kitty knew instantly what he was thinking. ‘Surely you aren’t going to face your cousin again, Flinders?’
‘I’ll wait for an hour or so, and if your sister has not returned, I will go back to Duke Street and demand to see Charles. It’s time we had a man-to-man talk anyway. You were right, Kitty. The old family feud should have been put to rest years ago.’
Kitty laid her hand on his sleeve. ‘Thank you, Flinders. I know that can’t have been an easy decision. I just hope Amethyst turns up before it becomes necessary for you to do anything at all.’
‘What are you two talking about?’ Ivory demanded crossly. ‘What happened this morning and how does Flinders fit in with the Westbrooks?’
Flinders backed away. ‘I’ll go to the bakery and get us something to eat while you explain, Kitty.’ He turned on his heel and made his way through the crowd to the baker’s shop.
‘Well?’ Ivory said impatiently. ‘I’m waiting, Kitty. Will you tell me what’s been going on?’
‘We went to Duke Street, as planned, and then the most surprising thing happened.’
‘Don’t keep me in suspense,’ Ivory said impatiently.
‘Flinders and Frances Westbrook recognised each other. They are cousins, kept apart by a family feud that has never been resolved.’
‘But Flinders must have recognised the name Westbrook, so why didn’t he tell you before you arrived at the house?’
‘I don’t know, but he’s coming back from the bakery. I think this would be a good time to find out.’ Kitty waited until Flinders joined them. He held a piece of brown paper in his hands on which rested three sugar-crusted buns. ‘I’m afraid this was all they had left. It’s rather late in the day for luncheon.’
‘They look delicious.’ Kitty took one and bit into it. ‘Just what I needed.’
‘Kitty has told me what happened this morning,’ Ivory said calmly. ‘However, it seems odd that you didn’t tell us that you are related to the Westbrooks.’
‘I couldn’t be certain, that is, until I saw Frances and then, of course, I recognised her even though it’s many years since we last met.’ Flinders offered the buns to Ivory. ‘There was no deception intended.’
Ivory shook her head. ‘No, thank you. I ate earlier. However, I do think you might have warned Kitty before you went to Duke Street. She could have been very embarrassed.’
‘I apologise for not saying anything,’ Flinders said meekly. ‘It was rather stupid of me.’
‘It really doesn’t matter.’ Kitty concentrated on eating the delicious, sugar-coated bun, but Flinders set his aside, his appetite apparently gone.
‘I need to speak sensibly to Charles.’ Flinders frowned. ‘This is a ridiculous situation and he knows where Carnaby lives. I’ll go now and see if I can have a word with him.’
‘Are you sure? He didn’t seem to be very friendly,’ Kitty said worriedly.
‘He’s not likely to resort to fisticuffs.’ Flinders grinned. ‘And if the worst comes to the worst, I can handle myself in a fight, if I have to.’ He picked up his top hat and put it on at a jaunty angle. ‘Wish me luck, ladies.’ He strolled off before either Kitty or Ivory had a chance to speak.
They exchanged wary glances and Kitty shook her head.
‘It all started out so well with Frances and her portrait. Then there’s the money from other sales to keep us for another week or two, but Amethyst could be in trouble, and we have no idea where she might have gone.’ Kitty ate the last of her bun and eyed the one Flinders had left, but she knew that to eat his share would be pure greed. She sighed. ‘What are we going to do, Ivory?’
‘Well, I have been here for hours. I’ve sold nothing and, to be honest, I have had enough. I am going home to sit by the fire. Amethyst has got herself into this bother and she can get herself out of it.’
‘But Mama will be distraught. You mustn’t tell her we’ve lost Amy.’ Kitty clutched her sister’s sleeve. ‘We are in this together.’
Ivory shook off Kitty’s restraining hand. ‘I didn’t ask for any of this, Kitty. It was Mama who made me come to this awful place, and now Amy has made it look as if I failed in my duty to keep her safe.’
Kitty could see that, despite her angry words, Ivory was genuinely upset by Amethyst’s disappearance. She patted her on the shoulder.
‘Go home and relax. I will stay here until either Amy or Flinders returns. Don’t say a word to Mama until it’s absolutely necessary. We don’t want to add to her troubles.’
‘You’re right. I’ll tell her that I’ve left you in charge, which is true, after all. I don’t want to lie to Mama.’ Ivory tied her bonnet strings and slipped her mantle over her shoulders. ‘If Amy turns up before the Bazaar closes, please send her home. I will have a few choice words to say to my little sister.’ Ivory marched off towards the tall double doors, leaving Kitty alone with two sugared buns staring teasingly at her.
With little to do other than to set up her easel and open her paint box, Kitty selected a sheet of paper and began sketching. She found herself making a drawing of the interior of the cavernous warehouse that had been turned into the Soho Bazaar. She chose a particularly busy corner and made quick drawings of both customers and stall-holders. She was so immersed in her work that she did not notice the passing of time, nor did she see who had approached her until she heard Amethyst’s cheerful voice.
‘Kitty, that’s a lovely picture. You are so clever. Come and look at this, Sebastian.’
Kitty looked up and saw her younger sister hanging on the arm of a tall, handsome gentleman. His looks and bearing, together with impeccably tailored garments, proclaimed his status, but his knowing smile was disconcerting.
‘You are very talented, Miss Harte. Amethyst has told me all about you and your family.’
‘Amethyst?’ Kitty said sternly.
‘Where are my manners?’ Amethyst giggled and shot a flirtatious glance at the gentleman. ‘Kitty, my dear, may I introduce you to Sebastian Marriner, Lord Marriner? Sebastian, my sister Kitty, the artist.’
‘How do you do, sir?’ Kitty said icily. She turned to Amethyst, frowning. ‘Where have you been? We were all frantic with worry.’
Amethyst shrugged. ‘You didn’t look frantic when we walked up to you. In fact, you were so immersed in your sketch you didn’t even notice me until I spoke.’
‘Don’t turn things round so that I am at fault,’ Kitty said in a low voice. ‘You know you should not go off like that, particularly with a gentleman you have only just met.’
‘You must forgive me, Miss Harte,’ Marriner said smoothly. ‘It was my fault. I was under the impression that your elder sister had given Amethyst permission to accompany me to luncheon at Rules.’
‘You went out for a meal on your own?’ Kitty stared at Amethyst in horror. ‘What will Mama say?’
‘We weren’t on our own, as you put it.’ Amethyst tossed her head. ‘Carnaby was there. Then Charles Westbrook joined us. We were a very merry party, weren’t we, Sebastian?’
‘Merry indeed, my dear.’ Marriner slipped his arm around Amethyst’s waist, which was too much for Kitty.
‘That is totally inappropriate, sir. Kindly leave my sister alone. You are making a spectacle of her. That is not the behaviour of a true gentleman.’
Marriner leaned towards Kitty, his dark eyes narrowed. ‘But your sister does not behave like a lady, Miss Harte. If you do not wish her to mix with society then perhaps you ought to keep her locked up in a cupboard.’
‘Oh, Sebastian, no,’ Amethyst said, laughing loudly. ‘You are incorrigible. Now you’ve embarrassed my dear Kitty.’
Kitty threw her charcoal back in the paint box and slammed it shut. ‘We are going home, Amy. You will be in a great deal of bother when Mama finds out what you have been doing.’
‘You wouldn’t tell her?’ Amethyst’s blue eyes opened wide in horror. ‘But we were only having fun, Kitty.’
‘There are different ways in which to have fun, and making a show of yourself in public is not one of them.’ Kitty turned on Marriner, her lip curled. ‘I suggest you take yourself off, sir. My sister is coming home with me. Do not try to contact her again.’
Marriner’s smile froze, masking his good looks with a menacing expression that sent a shiver down Kitty’s spine.
‘I have influence in a great many places. You would be very sorry if I used it to your disadvantage,’ he said in a low voice.
‘You don’t frighten me, Lord Marriner, or whatever your name is. You are a nobody in my estimation and my sister will not be seeing you again.’
‘Oh, Kitty, don’t say things like that.’ Amethyst’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Don’t pay any attention to her, Sebastian. She is just jealous because she does not have a beau, and I do.’
Marriner’s bland expression returned. ‘I can soon find a gentleman who will be only too happy to tame her. All she needs is a man with a strong character.’
Kitty faced him angrily. ‘Leave my sister alone, sir. Come, Amy. We’re going home. You may carry my paint box. I will take the easel and my portfolio.’ Kitty thrust the paint box into Amethyst’s hands. ‘Don’t try to stop us, my lord. And in future keep away from my sister.’
‘I rather think that decision is up to Amethyst herself, my little jewel.’ Marriner clicked his heels together with a mock bow before sauntering off in the direction of the exit.
Amethyst eyed Kitty warily, her lips pursed in a petulant pout. ‘If you spoil this for me, I will never speak to you again, Kitty.’
‘Have you any idea how this looks, Amy?’ Kitty faced her angrily. ‘That man is a notorious libertine. I don’t mix in society, but I’ve read about his exploits and the scandals surrounding his name. Your reputation will be ruined simply by associating with him.’
Amethyst tossed her head. ‘You won’t say that when I am a titled lady. Sebastian told me that he had been searching for someone like me all his life. You will change your tune when I have a title and I live in a grand mansion.’
‘If you believe that, you are more of a fool than I thought.’ Kitty picked up her easel. ‘We’re going home.’
Amethyst followed her. ‘You won’t tell Mama, will you? I mean, you don’t need to upset her unnecessarily, do you, Kitty?’
‘You should have thought about that before you acted so rashly, Amy.’ Kitty walked on and she did not stop until they were outside on the pavement. The snow might have melted, but it was still bitterly cold and the icy air took her breath away. ‘I won’t say anything this time, but if you insist on seeing that fellow again, I will have no alternative but to tell her. You need to sort matters out with Ivory. She was furious so you will have to be very tactful.’
‘You are both jealous of me because I am the pretty one,’ Amethyst said sulkily. ‘I can’t help it if gentlemen enjoy my company.’
Kitty walked on ahead, not trusting herself to speak. She could only hope that Ivory had not told their mother about Amethyst’s behaviour. She quickened her steps, eager to get home and speak to Ivory in the hope of diverting a family argument that might escalate, especially if Mama became aware of the full extent of Amethyst’s involvement with a man like Sebastian Marriner.
Amethyst caught up with her as she was about to enter the house.
‘I’ll give you the coral necklace that Papa brought back from one of his expeditions, Kitty. I know you’ve always liked it.’
‘I don’t want it, Amy. All I want is for you to behave yourself and think about others before you do the next stupid thing.’
‘But are you going to tell Mama?’ Amethyst put her head on one side, fixing Kitty with an appealing gaze. ‘You really don’t want to upset her, do you?’
‘It’s not me who’ll be causing the upset,’ Kitty said crossly. ‘Go and find Ivory and apologise for causing her so much worry. If you’re lucky, Mama will still be resting on her bed. If not, you had better hope that Ivory has not mentioned your disappearance.’
A look of genuine concern wiped away the rebellious expression on Amethyst’s pretty face. She set Kitty’s paint box down on the hall table before taking off her bonnet and mantle, which she allowed to fall to the floor. She picked up her skirts and raced upstairs, leaving Kitty to tidy up after her.
Kitty was about to make her way to the drawing room when she heard the rattle of teacups on their saucers and Nellie trudged towards her from the direction of the back stairs.
‘I hope you’ve found your sister, Miss Kitty. Your poor mama has been in a terrible state since Miss Ivory came home and told her what had happened.’
Kitty nodded. ‘Yes, I brought Amy home, Nellie. I just hope that Ivory hasn’t told Mama everything that occurred.’
‘Miss Amethyst has been a trial since the day she was born,’ Nellie said, sniffing. ‘I hope she’ll apologise for upsetting everyone.’
‘Let me have the tray, Nellie.’ Kitty held out her hands. ‘I’ll take it upstairs to the drawing room.’
‘Let me know if I need to make a tisane to soothe your mama’s nerves.’ Nellie passed the tray to Kitty. ‘I need something more than that to calm me down. I think a nip of cooking sherry might be called for.’ She ambled off, still muttering beneath her breath.
Kitty mounted the stairs and as she drew nearer to the landing, she could hear someone sobbing. It did not bode well.
The drawing-room door was ajar, and Kitty only had to give it a gentle nudge to open it wide enough to enter, carrying the tray. She realised with something of a shock that it was Ivory who was sobbing loudly. Their mother was crying softly while Amethyst was attempting to squeeze out a few tears. Kitty placed the tray on the small tea table. She was at a loss as to whom to comfort first but she decided to put her arm around her mother’s shoulders.
‘It’s not so bad, Mama. I’m sure Amethyst is truly sorry.’
‘We’re all sorry,’ Ivory said in between gulping sobs. ‘It couldn’t have come at a worse time.’
‘Ivory is right.’ Isabella mopped her eyes with a tiny handkerchief. ‘After everything we’ve been through, and then this happens.’
‘What did you tell them?’ Kitty turned to Amethyst, frowning. ‘What has been said?’
‘Nothing. I said nothing.’ Amethyst shrugged. ‘They were both weeping when I came into the room. I can’t get any sense out of either of them. It’s not my fault, Kitty.’
‘Well, if it isn’t about you, Amy, what has happened in the meantime?’ Kitty filled four cups with tea, added milk and sugar and handed one to her mother. ‘Sip that, Mama. It will make you feel better.’
‘Nothing will help now. We are ruined, Kitty.’ Isabella’s hand shook so that the tea slopped into the saucer.
‘Amy is very sorry, Mama. She won’t do it again, will you, Amy?’ Kitty sent a warning look to Amethyst, who stared at her blankly.
‘Yes . . . I mean no.’ Amethyst threw up her hands. ‘I don’t know what I’m promising I won’t do.’
Ivory raised her finger to her lips. ‘It’s not that, Amy. I didn’t say a word. It was the letter that has so upset Mama.’ She dashed her tears away with the back of her hand. ‘Pass me a cup of tea, please, Kitty.’
Kitty handed her a cup and saucer. ‘What letter? What has happened? It’s not Papa, is it? He hasn’t succumbed to his injuries?’
‘Don’t say things like that.’ Isabella’s voice broke on a fresh sob. ‘I can’t speak about it. I am so upset. Show her the letter, Ivory.’
‘It’s there on the sofa, beside Mama.’ Ivory sipped her tea. ‘As if things couldn’t get any worse.’
Kitty snatched up the letter and studied it. She read it again before looking up to meet her mother’s anguished gaze.
‘Why would our landlord do this, Mama? We’ve always paid the rent on time.’
‘We have until the end of the week to pack our things and move out,’ Ivory said dully. ‘On top of everything else, we have to find somewhere else to live.’
‘But we’ve been here for years.’ Kitty stared at the copperplate handwriting until it began to move, forming serpentine swirls on the paper. ‘Why would this be, Mama?’
