Authors: Mary Chase Comstock
At this Cat knew not how to reply. Her heart had indeed been quite full of late, but she was hesitant to interpret its agitation.
“What of Mr. Hazelforth?” Lady Montrose asked pointedly, breaking in on her reflection.
“
Lady Mouse!” she returned with a flush. “You know quite well that Mr. Hazelforth does not consider marriage a part of his future.”
“
That may well be,” she allowed, “but you still have not answered my question.”
“
Perhaps I do not know how to,” Cat cried in sudden desperation, deserting her companion for the more secure regions of her chamber.
****
Dinner that evening did prove to be a welcome respite from the tumult that had surrounded their recent days. Cecily and John arrived together with Mr. Sommers, who explained that Hazelforth was seeing off an acquaintance and would join them later, a revelation which Cat met with mixed feelings, for she had begun to both anticipate and dread his presence.
As Lady Mouse conversed gaily with Cecily about their planned costume ball, and Mr.
Sommers immediately claimed Eveline's attention with a new book he had brought to show her, Cat felt rather neglected. As in all gatherings, John smiled rather than conversed, and Cat found her attempts at introducing a subject for discussion something of a trial.
She had had very little opportunity to converse privately with Eveline since their arrival and was quite perplexed to see the extent to which her time was apparently being engaged by Mr. Sommers. Whatever could he mean by it? She sincerely hoped that Eveline's affections were not being en
gaged in more than an intellectual sense for, after all, Mr. Sommers was every bit as much a confirmed bachelor as Mr. Hazelforth. But as she watched them, Eveline's cheek suffusing with color as she laughed at some witticism from Mr. Sommers, Cat could not help but envy their easy friendship, whatever its depth. If only there were someone with whom she could be so tranquil.
Hazelforth arrived just as dinner was an
nounced and Cat found herself quite flustered as he smiled at her with a kindness she had not enjoyed for some time.
“
Why, Charles,” Lady Montrose greeted him, “I must say you are looking well pleased with yourself tonight. Why so smug?”
“
I have just seen to the exportation of some troublesome baggage,” he replied cryptically.
“
I thought Mr. Sommers said you were seeing someone off,” Cecily protested.
“
Why, so I was,” he returned, offering her his arm as they went into dinner. Hazelforth did not address the subject again, however, in spite of Cecily's spirited entreaties throughout dinner that he satisfy her curiosity. As the evening was quite warm, Lady Montrose suggested they repair to the garden for sherry when dinner was finished. “In my home, when we are among friends,” she explained, “I do not allow the men to wallow about in their port till all hours, forsaking the ladies to the ennui of their own tired companionship. Such a beastly practice!”
Cat could not but agree, for she had spent many a weary hour among bored females, only to be joined hours later by the gentlemen, sodden with alcohol and reeking of cigars. This was in
deed a much better plan. Cecily and John sat chatting with Lady Montrose as she fanned herself with a palm frond; Eveline showed Mr. Sommers the orchids with which Lady Montrose and her butler had been experimenting in the conservatory. Cat descended a staircase to the garden and leaned against the cool marble balustrade, breathing in the night air. Looking up at the full moon, she shuddered weakly, remembering wretchedly the excesses of the night before.
“
Are you cold?” she heard Hazelforth ask quietly from behind her.
“
No. Not cold. Haunted with chagrin, I fear. Last night beneath the same moon …” she faltered.
“
Do not think of it,” he said softly. Cat sighed in the dim light. “Oh, I know that a few months hence I shall somehow find the humor in all of this. But, Mr. Hazelforth, I begin to fear that I am incorrigible beyond all hope. Poor Eveline has been such a slave to my deportment. You have no idea! But at the least provocation my lessons desert me and I find myself not only on the path to compromise, but guilty of destroying a perfect Grecian profile. I do not know how I shall ever face that gentleman again, for I know our paths must eventually cross.”
“
That will be the least of your worries, Miss Catherine. I have spoken with that person today and convinced him that a year spent on the continent would be best for his health. I have just made certain that he was aboard the ship when it sailed,”
“
Why, Mr. Hazelforth! How did this …?”
“
Please, Miss Catherine, think no more on that unfortunate encounter and do not berate yourself for your conduct. Your attack on that scoundrel was as well deserved as it was well aimed. You should be happy to know that your fan will be more easily set to rights than a certain swollen proboscis. Remind me never to offend you, my dear,” he smiled at her.
“
Oh, do not tease me, Mr. Hazelforth!” Cat remonstrated. “Besides, I am much afraid that my little ivory fan, which was a favorite, by the way, is scattered about in several pieces on a certain path at Vauxhall. Do let us speak of something else.”
“
Very well,” he went on in a grim tone. “I understand another ardent suitor has not been so strikingly rejected. Sir Harold Talbot is sounding it about that you have all but accepted his suit.”
“
Sir Harold Talbot indeed!” Cat stormed. “The audacity of that tedious man has very nearly undone me. I cannot think how you ever came to set him in my path. Whatever possesses him?”
“
The notion of possessing you, I should imagine. You are a fine quarry for a huntsman who fancies himself an exceptional catch as well. May I assume you do not intend to accept him?”
“
You may indeed! Oh, Mr. Hazelforth, whatever am I to do? I comprehend the Season is still young, but I have yet to attract the attention of a man whose presence is not a punishment.”
“
Now, be truthful, Miss Catherine. Several times I have called to find my own card preceded by those of quite acceptable young men. They are not all Henry Abelwhites and Sir Harold Talbots. It seems that you contrive to be conveniently absent during the hours traditionally reserved for such calls. What is it you want?”
Cat looked at Hazelforth in the moonlight and felt her throat tighten. At last, she admitted to herself what her heart had known since the first:
she loved a man who was beyond her grasp, a man would never be hers. “I want what I cannot have,” she whispered.
“
Is your independence so precious to you then?” he asked in an unreadable tone.
Of course that was what he would think, she told herself, and what he must continue to think.
Gathering herself, she replied with forced nonchalance, “You yourself must admit that the prospect of sharing one's life is not to be contemplated lightly, Mr. Hazelforth. You must concede that you have clearly valued your own independence. My decision has been taken away from me, but what would tempt you to cast your liberty aside?”
“
What indeed?” he echoed softly, searching his heart for an answer.
Cat awakened from a troubled sleep and remained in bed contemplating her misfortunes as she sipped her cocoa. She seemed to be pursued only by those whom she wished to flee, and the man she loved was one she was too proud to pursue. It was all too un
fair and too confusing. This reverie, however, was interrupted by Felicia.
“
It's that Sir Harold Talbot downstairs, Miss Cat. I told him to come back later, but he vows he'll stay right where he is until he sees you.”
Cat stretched and groaned in a decidedly bad hu
mor. “Drat the man. I don't know whether to let him cool his heels for an hour or two or dispatch this wretched business speedily.” As it was, Sir Harold was forced to wait a good hour before Cat completed her toilette and proceeded reluctantly down the stairs to face him.
“
What's this? Sleeping half the day away, my dear Catherine?” he chided her by way of greeting. “That shall all change when we are established at Sparrowell, my dear, as shall some other things I have been contemplating since yesterday. I have been engaged in some investigation, and I am sorry to say I find your affairs to be in a shockingly sorry state.”
“
Do you indeed?” she remarked in a dangerously calm voice. Had Cat been more generously disposed toward Sir Harold, she would have stopped him at once, but an admittedly unkind curiosity prodded her to discover exactly what visions of reform she would shortly be destroying. Sir Harold had by this time taken yet another list from his waistcoat pocket and immediately commenced to tick off a number of items of concern.
“
Now first, what's this about providing medical services for your tenants? Preposterous! A good epidemic now and again weeds out the bad stock. And a school for the village children? Not only expensive, my dear, but unwise as well. Gives them ideas, it does. Take a lesson from the Frenchies. Their leniency cost more than a few heads—not that a few thousand frogs more or less makes much difference to us. Now about those pampered mutts of yours, I shall undertake their discipline and retraining personally and shall immediately begin …”
At the introduction of this sensitive subject
, Cat decided that she had heard quite enough for one day. “If you please. Sir Harold …” she began sharply.
“
Eh, what's that?” he interrupted, looking up from his notes. “Ah, you want another proposal do you? Very well, but I shan't get down on my knees again, so you'll have to take me standing up.”
“
I should not have you if you stood on your head, Sir Harold!” she cried, much put out. “I have never heard such a bold, impertinent, noxious speech in all my life. Now you may fetch your own hat and walking stick and show yourself out, for I’ll have none of my servants playing fetch for you. Good day, sir!”
Sir Harold regarded her for a moment in silent dis
may before he turned to go. Whatever had he done to put her into such a pet? he wondered. Truly, there were no understanding females. Give him a good hound any day. Just before he exited, however, he turned and asked hopefully, “Not just being coy, eh, Miss Catherine?”
By way of answer,
Cat seized a handy piece of bric-a-brac and hurled it furiously in his direction. As it smashed against the wall, Sir Harold made a hasty escape with amazing dexterity, considering his impairment. He had not been more than a few seconds absent, however, when Mr. Hazelforth appeared in the doorway, looking backward over his shoulder with clear amusement.
“
I say, Miss Catherine,” he began, as he made his way into the room, “is it your intent to maim all of your suitors before the end of the Season? If so, I feel it only fair to post a warning to that effect in front of Montrose House.”
“
Mr. Hazelforth, kindly refrain from vexing me further,” she entreated him. “My patience has already been much tested, and the day is yet young.”
“
Believe me,” he responded with a short laugh, “I value my good health too highly to test your temper further. However, I am here to see Lady Montrose this morning. Where might I find her?”
“
I believe she is still in the morning room,” Cat returned, somewhat disconcerted.
“
Do not trouble yourself. I know the way.”
****
“Well, Hazelforth,” Lady Montrose greeted him, looking up from her game of patience. “I assume from the sound of broken glass I heard a moment ago that our heartless Catherine has sent poor Sir Harold packing. Is that a wise thing do you think? He is the only one to come up to scratch thus far.”
Hazelforth looked narrowly at his old friend, try
ing to read her expression. As usual, it proved to be an impossible task. “I imagine,” he said at last, “that she will have many other offers this Season.”
“
And will you wish her joy when she finally accepts one?” Lady Montrose asked him pointedly.
“
I have and shall always wish her joy,” he mumbled, thrusting his hands deep into his pockets and looking out the window into the garden.
“
You are a fool, Charles,” Lady Montrose said quietly.
Hazelforth turned and looked at her sharply.
“In fact, I am much afraid you are both fools,” she continued, slowly turning each card. “Happiness is crying at your doors, and you stop your stubborn ears.”
Hazelforth turned away from her again. For all of his recent daydreaming, it was time to face the cold truth. The only happiness he had ever found had come of avoiding marriage like the plague. He had seen too much sorrow there, too much cynicism, too much calculation. He had committed himself in
stead to safe friendships, lighthearted flirtations, and he had no need of anything else. Until Cat Mansard had come along. She had turned his safe little world upside down.