What Kitty Did Next by Carrie Kablean

Author:Carrie Kablean [Kablean, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RedDoor Publishing
Published: 2018-06-28T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 40

Despite the best endeavours, the cameo remained lost. Colonel Fitzwilliam had reported that every inch of grass around Conisbrough Castle had been scoured but to no effect, and that searches had also been conducted along the road they had taken. Lady Fanshawe’s housekeeper had informed her mistress that the house had been thoroughly searched but to no avail, excepting that everything was even cleaner and tidier than it was before.

To Kitty’s surprise and relief, she saw that Georgiana, once she had overcome her shock at the loss, was quite composed, even stoic. At breakfast the next morning, she seemed her usual poised self and when Kitty quietly enquired how she was, she replied, ‘Lady Fanshawe is right, I should not place such value on things. Besides, everyone has been so very kind to me, especially her ladyship, and you, and Mr Fanshawe.’ Her eyes drifted to Frederick as she said this, and Kitty saw him return her glance with one of his charming smiles.

That morning saw the young people’s arrangements divided. Freddie Fanshawe had already let it be known that a prior arrangement would take him to a property near Pontefract, about twenty miles away; the vague reason given out to his mother when she had enquired as to the purpose of this trip was that there were a couple of horses he was interested in buying. Sir Edward had immediately expressed an interest in seeing them and then decided it would be capital if all the young gentlemen rode out together – if, of course, the ladies had no objection to them leaving? Kitty, whose heart was not engaged, could easily bear the deprivation of their company for a few hours; Felicia Fanshawe looked as though she might speak against the plan but did not, satisfying herself with a cool glance towards her elder brother; and Georgiana, so grateful to all for their concern and kindness over her necklace, would not have dreamed of objecting – even in jest – to any of the gentlemen’s arrangements. Accordingly, the four were ready to depart after breakfast.

‘Good luck,’ said Miss Fanshawe to Colonel Fitzwilliam. ‘Try not to let them lead you into any duels or affrays!’ He laughed at the thought, but promised to comply.

Lady Fanshawe proposed a walk, the better to get to know her young guests and a pleasant hour followed as they toured the park and learned more of the house’s impressive history, and she gained more understanding of them. Discovering Georgiana played the harp, and that both she and Kitty were adept at the pianoforte, she pretended to chastise her daughter for keeping this knowledge to herself. ‘You shall hear them play then,’ replied Miss Fanshawe and it was to the music room the ladies repaired when they had tired of their outdoor exercise.

Kitty had already tried the Fanshawes’ pianoforte and had not been surprised to find it an excellent instrument. The three took it in turns to play and sing, their music as pretty as the vignettes their performances presented.

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