The four girls watched Missandrei pass by.Their expressions ranging from annoyance to disgust to horror to awe.
"I can't believe she's your sister"Catherine whispered
"oh she embarrasses us.I wonder why father still let's her show her face in society"Bridgette gave a long suffering sigh .
"mother says it's because of her gentleman Haven't already claimed us.Nobody wants to have her as an inlaw"prudy added
Catherine nodded sagely "I will introduce you to my brother if you like.He's a Marquess"
The girls gasped in delight
"oh that'd be so kind"Bri clasped her hands together, her eyes shining.
"you are so lucky Catherine.Your brother is a Marquess.Your father is a Duke , you are so beautiful and everybody knows His grace Chadwick is going to offer for you"Beth sighed dreamily.
Catherine beamed "mother always said I was destined for great things"then she leaned forward"is it true your sister rides astride wearing breeches?"
"half sister"Bri corrected indignantly
"she does all of that and worse"Beth replied "mother buys her hair dyes but she's determined to flaunt that brazen red hair"she fingered her blonde curls .
Catherine looked over at Missandrei laughing at something that reprobate rake Lord Belmont was saying "she keeps such bad company"
"She's a danger magnet.She has a huge hound nearly as big as a horse and her horse is black like the night and tall as a house "prudy exclaimed looking like she was on the verge of collapse.
Catherine looked over at Lord Belmont.This time his eyes met hers.He winked.She turned away blushing .
"she's going to Graford after the season.She'll stay there forever and ever with lady Gates.Father's sister in law"Bri announced with Glee.
"She's being sent away?"
"No.She requested it"Bri continued "I think it's perfect for her.Once she's out of sight our marital chances will go sky high"
Catherine refrained from mentioning that they were probably without gentlemen attention because they were self righteous, unintelligent and had high pitched shrills as voices.She wished they'd just leave her alone.The half sister who they all shunned seemed a hundred times a better conversationalist than them.All they did was gossip about their prodigal sister and Blame her for every wrong in their life.Catherine stared at Missy in awe.She wondered what she could do and say to make Lord Belmont's eyes sparkle like that.For the last two weeks , the two had become good friends.Some said they were lovers even.They rode fast paced across the park together.They went fishing and shooting .She hadn't seen them dance together but she was sure it was only a matter of time.Red hot envy tore through her.She compared everything Lord Belmont was to the staid , too proper rigid Duke and found him lacking immensely.
She knew marrying the Duke would keep her rich , taken care of and respected for the rest of her days but spending all her life with that man was something out of a nightmare.A dead chunk of wood had more life than him.
But she could never go against mother and father.She wasn't that brave .And Lord Belmont obviously had no interest in her.What did she have that Missandrei didn't have double of.
She clenched her fist.She wished she was bold enough to go up to Lord Belmont and introduce herself, ask him for a dance , make him laugh - kiss him.Her face went hot at the thought.What did she know about kissing .Jonathan had probably kissed a lot of women , experienced courtesans , actresses , opera dancers, widows.He was a well known rake .Women swooned and fell at his feet.She turned and looked at the Duke and frowned .
"- splendid idea , don't you think Catherine"she was pulled out of her reverie by Prudy's grating voice .
She affected a mild smile "Excuse me .What was that?"
"would you like to go shopping with us tomorrow?"Bri asked so expectantly.
Catherine had made that mistake once ,never again.
"oh I wish I could" she lied "I'm going for a picnic with Lord Chadwick"
"I'm so jealous"Beth sighed
The three sisters then gave one collective , dreamy sigh.That was Catherine's cue to disappear.
"ah.I see my mother calling me.Maybe we could make plans for an outing at The caverly's ball next week"
"sure.That'd be lovely"they answered in unison.Catherine blinked.That was creepy.She flashed them one more smile that didn't reach her eyes and tore away.
She'd rather hover at the edge of the ballroom than have anything to do with that brood