Chapter Nine
The next afternoon Kate told Harriet she was going to drive into Brighton.
‘I need to return my library book,’ she explained.
She had already asked Joseph to harness up Rupert the pony to her aunt’s ancient gig, and she drove by herself to town, leaving the gig and Rupert with the ostlers at the Old Ship inn.
But did she go to the library? No. Instead, she headed for the fashionable dress shops in the Steine and gazed intently into the windows.
Since the Earl had mentioned the party, she’d been thinking hard.
What if she were to turn up wearing something special, something that actually flattered her and made people turn and gaze in admiration?
She was on the verge of entering one shop when she halted.
You and your foolish dreams, she muttered to herself.
Turning her back on those tempting displays she walked instead to the library, where several ladies greeted her warmly; in fact, one even invited her to an afternoon tea party.
Kate sighed inwardly. The Earl’s influence was indeed powerful.
She chose another book and was about to return to the Old Ship when she was pleasantly surprised to meet once more the man with his arm in a sling, who had been so kind on the day she had been waiting outside in the rain.
He was coming out of the Assembly Rooms, and he raised his hat saying, ‘It’s Miss Summerby, isn’t it?
You should have attended the lecture in there.
It was about Brighton in the old days, and I think you would have found it interesting.
’ Then he added, ‘I gather my older brother is taking you to a party soon?’
‘You are the Earl’s brother? Oliver?’ She couldn’t hide her surprise.
He laughed. ‘I am indeed. No one would guess it, would they?’
‘To be honest,’ she said with a smile, ‘no.’
‘My brother can be overbearing at times, I’m afraid. He tends to keep his better feelings to himself—it’s a form of self-defence. But beneath his steely exterior, he hides a kind heart, together with a strong belief in seeing justice done. Are you worried about the party on Friday, Miss Summerby?’
‘I fear,’ she said quietly, ‘that I will be out of my depth.’
‘Why, may I ask? I have heard you were a London debutante, so you must be used to far grander events than a house party in Brighton!’
She shook her head. ‘I was a debutante, yes, but I didn’t make much of an impression, I fear.’
‘Well, you’ve made an impression on Dan, or he wouldn’t have invited you.’ Oliver was examining her in a friendly kind of way. ‘Look, do you want some advice? I think you should seize the opportunity to give him an almighty shock.’
Kate was both amused and mystified. ‘How do you mean?’
‘Dress to impress. Dress to be different. That’s what my brother does.’
She laughed. ‘But I can hardly wear brightly coloured velvet coats and spotted neckerchiefs!’
‘Perhaps not, though it’s an intriguing notion.
What I’m thinking is, my brother issues a challenge to everyone he meets with his clothing.
Challenge him back by wearing something different, something outrageous even.
There’s a marvellous French modiste in the Steine who would help you, called Madame Francine. ’
Kate’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, yes! I noticed her shop earlier, and her gowns look beautiful. But I would hate any man, let alone your brother, to think that I’m trying to ensnare him.’
‘Quite right,’ said Oliver, ‘and you can make that plain at the party. Go there and enjoy yourself. Surprise my brother in every way, laugh and flirt mildly with other men even, and show him you are not to be underestimated.’
‘Do you know,’ said Kate, ‘I think that’s the best advice I’ve ever had from anyone?’
Oliver grinned. ‘Glad to be of service.’
He was so very nice. But then a sudden awful thought struck her. ‘You won’t breathe a word of this to your brother, will you?’
‘To Dan?’ He put his hand on his heart. ‘Not a word. But believe me, on the big night I shall be silently urging you on from afar, Miss Summerby!’
He bowed and was soon out of sight, but she stayed where she was and her heart was beating fast. You’ve made an impression on Dan, or he wouldn’t have invited you.
Taking a deep breath, Kate headed resolutely back towards the Steine, and the shop of Madame Francine.
The day of the party came at last but instead of looking forward to it, Kate felt horribly nervous.
She hadn’t told Harriet about the dress she’d bought at Madame Francine’s because she wasn’t at all sure it was a good idea.
Neither was she sure about going to this party with the Earl, and if she thought about it any longer, she might feel like running off and hiding somewhere for the night.
Harriet was terribly excited about it all, which didn’t help in the least. But by six o’clock, when Kate asked Harriet to help her get ready, Harriet had become subdued.
‘I suppose,’ she said a little sadly, ‘you’re going to wear one of those awful dresses left over from your Season?’
Kate forced herself to smile at that. ‘You’re in for a surprise,’ she said. ‘Come and see.’
From the top of her wardrobe, she pulled down the large cardboard box in which a gown was carefully wrapped in tissue paper.
As Kate unwrapped it and held it up, Harriet clasped her hands together in delight.
‘My goodness. It’s just beautiful! Wherever did you get it?
You surely didn’t have time to get it made? ’
‘I found it in a dress shop in the town. It was already made, for a lady who decided she didn’t like the colour. It only needed some slight alterations.’
‘How could anyone not have liked it? That green is gorgeous. I would never have thought of it for you, Kate, but it will suit you marvellously.’
Kate had to admit she had fallen in love with the dress the moment Madame Francine had shown it to her.
It was made of emerald-coloured satin with short puffed sleeves, a high waist and a low neckline and when she tried it on in the shop, she had realised she not only looked different, but felt different.
What, though, would the Earl think? Once more her heart sank, but then she remembered what his brother had advised. Dress to impress. Dress to be different. That’s what my brother does.
‘Put the gown on, do!’ Harriet was begging. ‘I really want you to look beautiful!’
‘That’s ridiculous,’ said Kate. ‘I just want to look acceptable, that’s all.’
But as Harriet fastened all the tiny buttons that ran up the back of her new gown and she felt the caress of the smooth satin against her skin, she felt a tremor of excitement—especially when Harriet stepped back and said, ‘Oh my. You look so very pretty!’
Kate went to look in her mirror. She saw that the emerald green gave her fair hair and pale skin a kind of glow, and as for her figure…
goodness, the neckline was lower than she remembered!
A lace fichu would preserve her modesty, but she banished the thought immediately.
Tonight, she would be with the Earl of Rivington.
Tonight, everyone would be staring at her—so why not give them something to stare at?
On Harriet’s instruction she sat at her dressing table while Harriet, with surprising skill, pinned up her hair up into a simple but stylish chignon and secured it with two silver combs.
‘Now,’ said Harriet, ‘jewellery. You have a pearl necklace, don’t you? That and your pearl eardrops will look perfect. Then you must put on your long cream gloves and pink satin slippers. First, though—you do have some powder and rouge, don’t you?’
‘Yes, but I don’t use them! And—’
‘Please don’t protest. Just sit there and keep still while I deal with it all.’
There was no arguing with this new version of Harriet, so Kate found her barely used pots of powder and rouge then sat with her eyes closed until Harriet let out a sigh of pleasure. ‘There. You can look at yourself now. What do you think?’
Kate looked and blinked. ‘What have you done?’ she whispered at last.
Harriet grinned. ‘I’ve simply put a little rouge on your lips and cheeks, then dabbed some powder over your face. You like it, don’t you? His Lordship certainly will. Now, what time did you say he is arriving?’
‘At eight,’ said Kate, still stunned by her appearance.
‘Then you’d better get downstairs, because there’s only a quarter of an hour to go. How exciting this is! The Earl is really attractive, you know. And don’t you sometimes wonder…’
‘No,’ said Kate, laughing in spite of her nerves. ‘He is my neighbour, that’s all.’
Harriet’s elation was only a little dampened. ‘I suppose so. But do you remember that first night we saw the Earl, and he was hardly wearing anything? My goodness, there was a sight for sore eyes, and—’
‘Harriet! Enough!’ Kate declared.
While she waited for the Earl, Kate sat in the parlour, pretending to study a book of household hints while Harriet peered out of the window to give her a minute-by-minute report.
‘No sign of him yet… Wait, I think I can hear something! No, it must be a farmer’s cart in the distance.’
Kate put the book down because not a single household hint was sinking in.
Instead, she was remembering long-ago London parties when she always ended up sitting with the wallflowers, and when Harriet finally called out, ‘Kate! He is here!’ she took her time going to the door.
She had resolved to be cool and calm—but all that changed, because when she saw the Earl standing there, her only thought was: Oh, my goodness.
He had on a charcoal-grey evening coat and cream waistcoat, and instead of his usual carelessly knotted necktie, he wore a perfectly arranged white cravat. His breeches and his glossy top boots were equally immaculate, and the slight disarray of his thick brown hair only added to his wicked allure.