Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

The wind was blowing aggressively as Minnie Whitten attempted to walk with dignity from the carriage to the doors of the large estate house. Her skirts were plastered against her legs because of the force, making it more difficult. She placed on hand on the new hat pinned to her chestnut coloured hair, while the other she stretched out to get better balance and she stumbled towards the stars. If she could just reach the door before she fell and ruined her fine, new dress she could feel relief.

"Come, come, girl!" she heard a voice calling from the doorway.

When she looked up from where she had been watching her steps carefully, she saw Kitty standing at the door and beckoning her to hurry.

"The weather might be a bad omen about this weekend," she said to her mentor. "This is the first time I have left London since you brought me there."

"You haven't gone back home in eight years?"

Minnie didn't know how to explain that she wouldn't have been welcome. When Kitty sent word, offering her a place in the theatre, she had to sneak away from home. Her parents had never approved of her friendship with the wildest Bennet girl and would never allow her to become an actress. She had sent them letters once she was settled in London, but they all went unanswered. Winnie was on her own now.

"No matter. I have not been out of the city in a long time either. It will be an adjustment, but one we must make quickly."

Minnie noticed that Kitty was dressed differently. Her bright colors and provocative styled gowns had been replaced with a plain dark grey day dress with a high buttoned collar and matching hat. It appeared they were both dressed in costume.

"You remember your part, yes?" Kitty asked her after the butler had collected her traveling things.

"I'm supposed to play your cousin, distant cousin, who is visiting you for the weekend. "

"That will give you an excuse to disappear after the weekend is over."

"I am supposed to tell him that we will meet again."

"But you never do."

Both ladies nodded in unison as they whispered in the doorway to the parlor where the rest of the guests were gathered. Minnie didn't need to be reminded what she was supposed to do. She had been practicing for it since Kitty invited her. Minnie had been trying to remember what her mother was like, even though she had died when Minnie was young. Her father, a minor baron who raised her not too far from where she stood now, had done his best to raise her as a lady. Memories of her mother was what she always imagined a dignified lady would be like. Soft spoken, delicate, and gentle. Not attributes Minnie showed often.

"Mrs. Randall, I think someone is trying to get your attention."

Mr. Randall was Kitty's last husband. He was the one who had helped her purchase the theatre and start the company. Minnie had met him briefly before his passing and he had been a jovial sort, far too fond of his dinner. An elegant woman was beckoning them from across the room.

"Please," said Kitty as she pulled Minnie in that direction and the woman came closer. "I do hope we have been friends long enough for you to call me Kitty."

"Of course."

Kitty introduced the woman as the Lady Aston herself. She was so kind looking that it put Minnie at ease.

"Let me introduce you to my son, Lord Aston."

A tall man, with dark and wavy hair appeared at her side with a lopsided smile. Sparkling blue eyes focused on Minnie and she felt a flush across her cheeks.

"My mother prefers to call me Christopher, so I think her friends should too."

He took each of the ladies' hands and brought them up to his lips for a brief kiss. As his lips brushed across the top of her satin glove, Minnie felt a tremble run through her body.

"You seem familiar," said Christopher. "Have we met before, Miss?"

"Miss Whitten," Minnie said, knowing that giving her real name was a risk. It was possible that he might remember her father, but after a moment she could see that he didn't. Minnie sighed with relief.

"This is one of my distant cousins," Kitty began telling him their carefully planned story. "I don't think you two have ever had the chance to meet."

Christopher smiled at her, and Minnie felt herself sigh for no reason.

"I'm so glad you could attend the party. Aunt Kitty always knows the most interesting people."

Interesting was probably the polite way of putting it. Kitty ran a theatre troupe of misfits and outcasts that she lovingly referred to as the Wild Ones. The aristocracy enjoyed watching them perform, but most wouldn't welcome them into their social circles easily.

"I'm afraid I am a bit boring." Minnie remembered the past that Kitty and her had come up with for her character. "I grew up in the country and around polite society. I am simply visiting my distant cousin for a few weeks in London to gain some wordly experience. "

It was a lie that was close to the truth. The most believable lies always were.

"Have you enjoyed it there so far?"

She smiled up at him, knowing her left cheek would dimple. Kitty always said that men could find that charming.

"It is full of excitement. Have you been to London often?"

"No, my duties here keep me from the city most of the time. I only visit when my mother wants to go shopping."

Minnie giggled. Christopher was much more charming than she had expected. Much more handsome as well. This might not be a difficult acting job at all.

"There is something familiar about you," said Christopher.

"Perhaps I just have one of those common faces."

"Your face is far from common."

His mother cleared her throat, and Minnie could feel the heat in her cheeks. Christopher must have realized how his words might have been construed because he also had a pink tint to his cheeks. "I simply meant I think you would have been hard to forget."

That wasn't much better and now he looked as if he wanted to escape. Minnie tilted her head to try and hide her smile.

"I think I see someone who just arrived," Christopher was sputtering his words. "Excuse me, ladies."

He almost ran from their presence.

"You have already left an impression on my son," said Lady Aston, smiling at her.

"I told you Minnie would be perfect for the part." Kitty took a sip from her glass of lemonade and then lifted it to her in salute.

"Good. You only have two days to make him reconsider his choice of wife."

"But not break his heart?" Now that she had seen his face, it felt unpleasant to think about hurting him.

"No, of course not. Simply distract him briefly until he comes to his senses."

Both of the older ladies gave her a pat on the shoulders. Minnie felt a sense of pride that her work was being appreciated.