Chapter Four

Henry

"What's the time?" Henry said to Selina.

"Henry! That is the third time you've asked in the past five minutes."

Henry got up from the sofa and moved to stand in front of the fire, rubbing his hands.

"I cannot help it," he said. "Kitty will be here soon, and I am looking forward to seeing her very much."

Selina snorted. Was she laughing at him? Henry had been contemplating confiding in his sister about his feelings for Kitty, but now he was not so sure. Did Selina think he would have no chance with Kitty? Was he not good enough for her– or, horrors!– did Selina know that Kitty had feelings for someone else?

"What's the time?" Henry repeated miserably.

"Why don't you look at the clock?" Selina suggested. "You're standing right next to the mantelpiece."

The china timepiece under Henry's nose started to chime three times.

"I think you know what that means," Selina said as she put her head on one side, "if you remember learning how to count as an infant in the nursery."

Sisters could be frightfully annoying!

"To be fair," Henry retorted, "Mama always sets this clock a little fast, to remind guests to leave promptly."

Selina made no answer, merely giggled and buried her head in her embroidery.

Surely Kitty would be here soon?

"I do hope Miss Steele will not be accompanying her, but another member of their household staff instead," Henry said. "There is something about Miss Steele I find unaccountable. Possibly untrustworthy?"

"You are not in love with Miss Steele, then?" Selina said. "Just Kitty?"

"Stop giggling, dash it!" Henry growled under his breath. "And stop your infernal teasing. You don't know anything about my feelings."

"Ah, but I have my suspicions."

But wait! There were sounds from the entrance hall– sounds of a visitor arriving!

"Stay there," Selina said as she stood up. "We do not know who it is yet, and you cannot be seen by a casual visitor. Let me put my embroidery away."

Henry walked over to the window looking onto the Crescent Fields. What a beautiful clear day! He could see right across to the hills opposite and could even make out the Cottage Crescent way in the distance. Did not Selina have a school friend who used to live there? 'Twas an odd sort of crescent, being a distance outside Bath. Apparently men often housed their mistresses there, for it was a fine place, high on the hill, but not situated in a busy area where gossips and tittle tattlers might comment on the behaviour within.

"And don't look out of the window," Selina hissed as she made for the stairs. "You know what Mama and Papa said about keeping out of sight."

Henry did know. He had been subjected to a full lecture from his father on his return from Sydney Gardens with Carter.

"What an unnecessarily foolish risk, traipsing off through Bath like that," Lord Templeton had said. "I am not sure which of the two of you, Henry or Carter, I blame the most."

Lady Templeton had joined in then. "I know who is most to blame– and I am sorry, but 'tis you, Henry. You must have persuaded Carter to accompany you, or he must have decided that it was his duty to protect you, since you were determined to go. Tell me, Henry– what was the point of Carter keeping you safe all these months if you are going to put yourself– and possibly your family– in danger?"

Henry supposed his mother had a point. It was all very well taking a personal risk– and there had been plenty of those for Carter and himself in their travels abroad– but he had no right to bring the danger back to his parents' doorstep. And what about Kitty? If the mysterious enemy knew how fond he was of her, there was no knowing what they might stoop to.

"Henry!" came a voice from downstairs. "Henry, old chap! On my way up."

Of course! It was Henry's brother, Edmund, returning for tea with his family. Henry's pulse slowed to a near normal rhythm. He would have to wait a little longer to see Kitty.

"Hello!" Edmund said as he came into the room. "I gather we are to have tea up here in the withdrawing room, all because Mama is getting anxious about the fact that passers-by in the street might see into the parlour and recognize you. They will apparently not be able to see into this room– as it is on the first floor."

"What if they brought a ladder?" Henry asked.

"Good point," Edmund said.

"Mama has always been a worrier," Henry said.

"She has– and yet, joking apart, I must tell you, brother dearest, how desperate we all were when we thought you would never come back from war. It was horrible, beyond anything I can express."

"Come here, brother," Henry said gruffly. He gave Edmund an enormous bear hug. "No need for all this– I'm here now."

"Sounds as if our other guest is here as well," Edmund said as excitable girlish voices were heard on the stairs. "I saw Kitty hastening down Brock Street accompanied by her maid as I came to the front door."

Then Selina and Kitty burst into the room, thankfully without the dreaded Miss Steele.

Henry's heart did a somersault when he beheld Kitty. Was it possible that she had grown even more beautiful since he had seen her such a short time before in the alley? Her cerulean eyes locked into his and life paused. How was it that the others could not hear the beating of Henry's heart? To his ears, it was like a military drum. 'Twas thrilling, rousing– and dangerous!

"Here is the tea," Lady Templeton said as she came into the withdrawing room, followed by two maids bearing trays. "I believe Cook has surpassed herself– look at all these delights."

"You have always been very dear to Cook," Edmund said. "I used to get quite jealous."

"Yes, me too," Selina said. "Cook has made your favourite sugar buns."

"Henry started to charm the ladies from about the age of four," Lady Templeton said. "He had the most engaging smile– and still does!"

Everyone laughed, and Selina and Edmund teased Henry mercilessly– but there was only one lady Henry wished to charm now, his darling Kitty.

I wish everyone save Kitty and myself would simply vaporize! For then I could be alone with her, hold her in my arms... and show her how much I love her.

*

Kitty

Would it not be marvellous if everyone melted away and I was left alone with my darling Henry?

Kitty wanted to be safe in Henry's arms; she wanted to feel his lips against hers, to be crushed against his manly chest and to bury her face in his shoulder.

"Kitty," Lady Templeton said, "would you like a sugar bun with your tea?"

"Thank you. Yes, I would."

Kitty nibbled at the soft warm texture, feeling tiny grains of sugar on her lips.

She tried to drive all thoughts of Henry from her mind– she must concentrate, as she did not want her feelings to be known to all and sundry.

Did Henry care for her? She was reasonably sure he had nursed strong feelings for her before he had departed for war, but that was a whole world ago– and how much did she know about what he had been doing since he had left? The people he had met? You heard such tales…and Kitty's charms might seem to be nothing compared to all that he had encountered since.

Granted, he had taken the trouble to find her this morning in Bath, despite the danger to his own person, and he had been most insistent that she come to tea today– but this could be explained by the fact he was one of her oldest friends. It did not necessarily mean that he was in love with her or wanted to marry her. Why would it?

Kitty took a sip of tea from the thin china, willing her hand to remain steady as she returned cup to saucer.

How could she find out what Henry's feelings were for her? She dared not ask him, for what if he were to look shocked and say she was nothing but a friend? Then she would have lost his friendship and also the possibility of anything more.

No, she would wait and see what transpired. If anything did.

Henry sat down beside her, his teacup rattling an irregular rhythm on its saucer.

Could it be that Kitty had this all wrong? Did Henry also feel an overwhelming longing to be one with her– together with an anxiety about losing her friendship if love was not reciprocated? Would that she could see inside his mind and analyze his thoughts!

"What are your plans this evening?" Lord Templeton asked Kitty. "I have heard there is to be a very fine concert in the Upper Rooms, and we all know how much you love music."

"Is your mama perhaps well enough to accompany you?" Lady Templeton said.

"She is not well enough to go out today," Kitty said, "and Papa is engaged elsewhere."

Papa will be playing cards– and losing money– as he does every night.

The only person Kitty wanted to go to the concert with was Henry, but of course that would be totally out of the question under the present circumstances of his life.

"I do have an invitation to go to the concert, and Miss Steele has offered to chaperone me," Kitty said. "But..."

"Who is the invitation from?" Selina asked.

"Lord Steyne."

An invitation I am determined I will not be accepting.

Henry's teacup and saucer fell to the ground with a crash.

"Do not worry," Lady Templeton said. "Was it your shoulder, Henry? Coordination can take time to return to normal after an injury."

Then she turned and said to the maid at the side of the room, "I would be grateful if you could clear this up as quickly as possible. Thank you."

The maid scuttled forward and took the cup and saucer Henry handed her.

"Sorry to make extra work," he said.

The maid put the crockery back on the tray then returned with a soft cloth and began dabbing at the red and cream patterned carpet to remove the tea stain.

"I can do that," Henry said. "'Twas my fault, after all."

He took the cloth and completed the task with great skill, moving his chair and getting down on his hands and knees to press all the damp patches thoroughly to mop up the liquid. It was surprising how far a small quantity of spilt tea could scatter. Then he folded the cloth neatly before passing it back to the maid.

"I say, Henry," Edmund said. "You in training for domestic service, or what?"

"I am used to clearing up after myself," Henry said. "Nothing feels quite the same as before. Different habits now– after... after everything."

Kitty's heart ached with compassion for Henry, and for all he had been through. And judging by the silence hanging over the room, she was not the only person to feel this way.

The maid brought Henry a fresh cup of tea and stared at him with– what? It had better not be admiration! Or, worse than that, adoration, for Henry belonged to Kitty. And the sooner he and everyone else realized that, the better.

"I know," Selina said. "Why don't we have some music ourselves– our own concert? Once Henry has finished his tea."

"Delightful!" Lord Templeton said. "I love to hear the pianoforte being played; in fact, I have always wished I could play myself."

"Henry could get his violin out," Selina suggested, "as long as his shoulder's not going to play up again."

"I'd like to have a go sometime," Henry said, "although I am completely out of practice."

"What about a pianoforte duet, then?" Lady Templeton said. "Selina? Kitty?"

"I could play a duet with Kitty," Henry said.

Selina's eyebrows flew up. "Not too out of practice?"

"Not if we play our favourite Mozart sonata," Henry said.

"I would love that," Kitty said.

Ah, the chance to sit right next to Henry, leaning against him, hearing his breath…

"As long as Edmund and I do not have to play a pianoforte duet," Selina said.

Lady Templeton shook her head. "I have to admit that Henry was always the most musical of all my children– the music master who used to visit when you were children always said he had a fine ear and was more than usually sensitive to the beauties of music."

"Settled, then," Lord Templeton said. "Yes, yes..." He waved his hand at the maid. "Thank you, yes, clear away if you please. Now, if we can get everyone sitting comfortably, I think it is time for Kitty and Henry to perform one of their Mozart duets."

"The book is right here," Selina said. "I put it out earlier, thinking it might be useful."

A few minutes later, Kitty and Henry were seated at the pianoforte side-by-side on the stool, arms, hips, and legs touching.

"Ready? Good . . . one, two, three, four . . ." Henry whispered.

Kitty's spirits soared as the joyful opening chord of D major rang out. Twenty fingers flew over the keyboard in ripples of sound, with Kitty playing the scintillating melody in the treble while Henry kept the bass part going– strong, confident, supportive and constant.

We are playing in perfect harmony . . .musical soulmates . . . my Henry is the same as ever he was before he left for war . . .

In the slow movement, Kitty swayed gently in time to the exquisite music, her heightened senses fizzing. Four hands performed a subtle dance over the keyboard; they brushed against each other, sometimes connecting, but never constricting. The pulse was flexible, held back by both for a heartfelt moment, then moving forward eagerly as one.

We are joined through the music. Henry is me– and I him.

*

Henry

This is ecstasy. I will die happy if this is my last moment on earth.

Henry allowed the last chord of the slow movement to die away and breathed deeply, inhaling Kitty's sweet perfume of violets.

He frowned as a memory came to him of inhaling another fragrance– ah! 'Twas not an occasion like this, but something dark– and disturbing. Before he could investigate the recollection, Kitty was nudging him with her elbow, and they launched into the bright chords of the third movement. She was sitting very close to the music, her head right forward, as if intent on leaping into the pages.

"Steady," Henry gasped when Kitty pushed the tempo forward. He willed his injured shoulder not to give out before the end of the piece. "Wait for me!"

"Slowcoach!" Kitty said. "I'm going to go as fast as I want!"

That was the thing about Kitty. Upon first meeting, one could be forgiven for thinking her quiet and shy, but once she knew and trusted somebody, she was irrepressible.

Past memories from childhood flooded Henry's mind– so many glorious days spent playing chase with Kitty and his siblings on the Crescent Fields and scrambling up over the wall of the ha-ha onto the Crescent Lawn. Dressing up sessions, charades, early attempts at pianoforte duets when Kitty was so tiny her feet didn't reach the floor when she sat on the stool– and laughing until the tears ran down their cheeks. Darling Kitty! She meant everything to him.

Henry released his worries and felt his body responding to the optimism of the music as the two of them romped through the sublime musical landscape.

"Bravo!" Lady Templeton said as Henry and Kitty stood to receive their applause.

"Yes, well done, especially you, Henry," Lord Templeton said. "No one would ever think you'd been away for so long without a pianoforte to practice on– and I don't suppose you even had the chance to listen to any music when you were abroad."

"I enjoyed some fine music at a ball in Brussels before Waterloo," Henry said, "but after that, my life began to beat to a different sort of rhythm."

"What about you, Selina?" Lady Templeton said. "Shall we have the pleasure of hearing you sing?"

"Me?" Selina said. "I have nothing to add after that gorgeous Mozart."

"We are sure you do," Lord Templeton said. "Why do you not sing the pretty air I heard you practicing the other day?"

"Yes," Lady Templeton said. "Come here, my dear. I would be delighted to play for you if you would oblige us with a performance."

Selina acquiesced with a nod and walked over to find her sheet music.

Henry and Kitty took the chance to sit together in the corner of the room while Selina performed for her parents and Edmund.

"The Mozart was perfection," Henry said to Kitty. "I felt transported back to life as it was before I went to war."

"I enjoyed it too," Kitty replied, "but was a little worried at the end of the second movement."

"What do you mean?" Henry said.

"You seemed to go into a trance," she said. "We usually wait for about six seconds before we start the final movement, but it was much longer than that. I thought you might have fallen asleep and had to nudge you in the end because I couldn't catch your eye."

"Ah, that!" Henry said. "The funny thing is, it was to do with you."

"Me?"

"Yes. I was smelling your perfume. You still love the scent of violets."

Ah, Kitty dearest, the memory of the fragrance of violets comforted me in my travels and dark times.

"Of course I still love violets," Kitty said, "for did you not give me the scent one past Christmas?"

"I did indeed. And am honored that you still wear it. Anyway, the sweet fragrance you are wearing made me remember another one– but I cannot quite place it." Henry clutched his head. "I am not sure what it was– how tiresome! I simply cannot remember."

"What sort of fragrance was it?" Kitty said.

"Citrus."

"Orange?"

"No, not orange, nor lime," Henry said.

"Lemon?"

"Why, I think, yes! I am sure, 'twas lemon. The sharpness of lemon. But there is something else that I recollect."

Henry put his hands over his eyes. What could he see? A brilliant flash of light... a particular shape on someone's hand– perchance something oblong?

"Please, do not distress yourself," Kitty said. "I did not mean to ask you anything to cause you pain."

Lord and Lady Templeton applauded as Selina finished her Handel air. She came over to the sofa and plonked herself between the pair.

"That was lovely," Kitty said.

"I know you weren't listening." Selina chuckled.

"We were," Henry said, "of course we were, but we were conversing as well. I love hearing you sing– and you know that Let the Bright Seraphim is one of my favourite pieces."

Selina shook her head. "I know you were not concentrating, brother dearest, but I do not mind at all, for 'tis wonderful to see you two chatting together. Is it not blissful we are all reunited?"

Selina put her arms around Henry and Kitty.

"Now, the big question is, are we to apply pressure to Edmund to force him to sing?"

"I think not," Henry said. "I seem to remember last time he sang, one of the glasses shattered."

"Selina! Henry!" Lady Templeton said. "I heard those very disrespectful remarks; you might have hurt Edmund's feelings."

"Unlikely!" Henry said as he pointed at Edmund who was almost beside himself with mirth.

"And Mama," Edmund said, "'tis all true, except it wasn't only one glass that shattered. When I last sang, a whole tray of glasses spontaneously rearranged themselves into fragments when they heard me growling and caterwauling."

"Well, I think under the circumstances we will probably have to let you escape your duty of performance," Lord Templeton said. "In fact, Edmund, would you mind coming to my study for a while? I have some documents to show you– to do with the purchase of another townhouse. I cannot quite make up my mind about something and would appreciate your advice."

"And I must go and have a word with the housekeeper and Cook," Lady Templeton said. "I need to see if everything is in order for dinner."

Once her parents and Edmund had left the room, Selina said, "Kitty, will you be going to the concert at the Upper Rooms this evening with the odious Lord Steyne?"

"Not if I can help it," Kitty said.

"You do not have to do anything you do not want to do," Henry said, "surely?"

Selina and Kitty raised their eyebrows.

"Henry," Selina said. "You must know that young ladies are not to be trusted to make their own decisions? We are reliant on our fathers and brothers and other members of the family to decide what we do and where we go– and when. Why, I do not believe in my whole life I have ever been anywhere without the permission of one of my betters."

Selina gave a slight cough as she said the word "betters."

"Yes," Kitty said, "this is true for me as well."

"'Tis a shame," Henry said.

"I will do everything I can to get out of going to the concert," Kitty said, "partly because I wish to sit with Mama this evening– she has not been well."

"And the other reason?" Selina said.

"The other reason," Kitty said, "is that the last time I went to a concert with Lord Steyne, he sat far too close to me. Possibly he could not help it, but I do think he could have refrained from leaning into me quite so much."

"The blackguard!" Henry said. "How dare he! He has no right. I do not like that man."

"Do not worry," Kitty said. "I know how to deal with him."

"Yes," Selina said. "We women have our ways."

"As a matter of interest," Henry said, "how would you deal with him if he was a little inappropriate?"

"We always have a hat pin at the ready," Selina said.

"Yes," Kitty said. "I always carry a spare hat pin in my reticule. If I was a man, I would carry a pistol, but for now a hat pin will have to suffice."

The two girls giggled and mimed thrusting into the air with large pins.

"Now you are joking," Henry said.

Weren't they?

"I'm going to the ball tomorrow," Selina said. "It is a masked one! Do you think you will be able to attend, Kitty? Will your mama be able to be left?"

"I sincerely hope I can attend," Kitty said. "I think Mama's abigail will look after her for the evening and Miss Steele will doubtless chaperone me. I do love going to a ball! If only you, Henry, were able..."

Selina grinned. "I have been hatching a master plan for days and have just about worked out how Henry can attend the ball without the danger of being recognized."

Kitty clapped her hands. "Tell me all about it! Now!"

"I need to make quite sure it's going to work first," Selina said. "I do not want to get everyone's hopes up for nothing. 'Tis something Henry and I can sort out later, before he goes back to Beechen Cliff– you know he doesn't sleep here, don't you? A little while after darkness has fallen, he will make his way across the city and up the hill with Carter."

"Yes," Kitty said. She smiled at Henry. "I understand why you have to go back to Beechen Cliff, for there is still the danger you have spoken of, but I think it's a pity because you would be much warmer and more comfortable here with your family."

"Comfort has a different meaning after you've been in the army," Henry said. "As long as I have some sort of roof over my head and food in my stomach, I am content."

Patently untrue... for I will not be content until Kitty is mine and I am hers.