Free Imitation of Love by Sally Quilford Page A

us.” Alyssa
grabbed Catherine around the waist and spun her around.
     
    “I think … I think I may find somewhere
else to live,” said Catherine.
     
    “Why? Don’t you want to be with me?”
     
    “Of course I do, but I’ve a feeling you
and Harrington will prefer to be very much alone.”
     
    The truth, that Catherine didn’t want to
admit to Alyssa, was that Mr. Oakley would probably be a regular guest at their
home, and Catherine knew beyond a doubt that she had to go somewhere she never
had to see him again. Her love for him was too deep, and the pain his angry
words caused too raw. She only hoped she could get through the Season and
Alyssa and Andrew’s wedding without making a fool of herself in his company. The
good thing was that it was unlikely she’d have to be alone with him. Or that
he’d even want to be alone with her, which caused her even more pain, despite
knowing it was for the best.
     
    “What’s happened, darling?” asked
Alyssa. “I know you’re unhappy. I can tell.”
     
    “I’m not. I’m very happy for you.”
     
    “You think I don’t notice things, but I
do. I’ve seen the way you look at Mr. Oakley.” Alyssa caressed her sister’s
cheek.
     
    “Please, Alyssa, don’t ask me anything.
I can’t … I can’t …” Catherine was saved by Kitty knocking the door and
entering the room.
     
    “Sorry to interrupt, Miss Willoughby, I
just brought back your gown. I’ve darned the hem and it’s as good as new.”
     
    “Thank you, Kitty. Will you put it
away?”
     
    “Yes, Miss Willoughby.” Kitty looked
excited about something.
     
    “What’s happened?” asked Catherine.
     
    “Oh, Miss Willoughby, I shouldn’t gossip
I know, but there’s been all sorts going on this morning. Mrs. Somerson has
just left. Mr. Griffiths says good riddance to bad rubbish, which I know he
shouldn’t. Anyway, she caused such a fuss, screaming and shouting at everyone
that she wouldn’t set foot in this … I can’t say the word she used then, it’s
blasphemous… place again. Then, would you believe her maid, Celine, steps
forward and slaps her on the face? Then Celine says ‘you’ve ruined everything’.”
     
    “What?” Catherine and Alyssa spoke
together. That a servant should behave in such a way to her mistress was
incomprehensible.
     
    “I know, we couldn’t believe it either,
but Griffiths was in the hall and saw it happen with his very own eyes. Then when
Mrs. Somerson had gone, Mr. Oakley told Griffiths that she wasn’t to appear on
any of his guest lists ever again.”
     
    “Did Mrs. Somerson dismiss her maid?”
asked Alyssa.
     
    “No, Miss Alyssa. She actually said
sorry to her for being so hysterical, Griffiths said. It was so funny.” Kitty
laughed, and then remembered who she was with. “Not as I’d ever slap one of my
ladies. And Mr. Oakley comes to me, when I was in the servants’ hall eating my
breakfast, and said in such a kind voice, ‘I’m very sorry for what happened
yesterday, Kitty and that I wasn’t here to deal with it at the time. I know
you’ll be well-treated as Miss Willoughby’s maid’. He didn’t have to do that at
all, did he? He’s such a nice gentleman.” Kitty’s face took on a dreamy
expression, suggesting that she had her own fantasies about Mr. Oakley. “Let’s
hope he finds himself a real lady to marry now. Not that I should be saying such
things. Sorry, Miss Willoughby, Miss Alyssa.”
     
    “Don’t worry, Kitty. I hope so too,”
said Catherine.
     
    Kitty had gone when Alyssa turned to
Catherine and after giving her a lingering look, said, ‘Oh dearest…”
     
    Catherine took Alyssa’s hand. “Help me,
Alyssa, to get through the next few months.”
     
    “Of course I will, darling. You wait
until we get to London. There’ll be so many handsome men wanting to dance with
you, that you’ll soon forget him.”
     
    Catherine doubted that very much, but
she nodded and quipped, “I shall be the belle of