Free Imitation of Love by Sally Quilford Page B

the ball. Or at least the belle
of any ball that you don’t attend.”
     

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Mr. Oakley’s London mansion was every
bit as luxurious as Oakley Castle. Situated in Kensington, it was perfectly
placed for the many entertainments that London had to offer. On Catherine and
Alyssa’s first night in the Capital, he’d arranged a ball, to which over a
hundred people were invited.
     
    “Isn’t it wonderful, Catherine?” said
Alyssa, as walked to the ballroom. Alyssa was dressed in a pure white tulle
gown, with a sprig of snowdrops in her hair, looking the epitome of spring.
Catherine had chosen a dress of green satin, and had piled her dark hair high
on her head.
     
    “It’s very exciting,” said Catherine.
She couldn’t deny that the setting was thrilling, even if she had convinced
herself she would hate being in London. The room was a symphony of colour, as
men and women vied to wear the most colourful outfits. Mr. Oakley wore a jacket
of dark red, with an intricate, but subtle gold pattern woven into it. Despite
the relative plainness of his attire, Catherine couldn’t help thinking that he
stood out from all the other men in the room.
     
    Alyssa was naturally a sensation, but
Catherine also drew her fair share of admirers, as young men queued up to dance
with her. At one point she looked across and saw Mr. Oakley dancing with her
sister, and hoped that she might be asked next. They had barely spoken since
she arrived in London with Alyssa, and then they had only exchanged the usual
pleasantries.
     
     As the evening wore on, it became clear
he was not going to ask her to dance. She tried not to let it matter, as she
smiled and chatted with the men who were interested in her whilst barely
remembering their names. The triviality of it all only increased her feelings
of disassociation. Her heart grew heavier, and she wondered how she was ever
going to survive the Season.
     
    When the heat in the room became too
much, she used it as an excuse to escape to the garden and get her breath back.
Whilst there was still some frost in the mornings, the weather had become
milder as Spring began.
     
    Oakley Mansion, whilst not having grounds
as extensive as Oakley Castle, had a pretty garden, where daffodils and
snowdrops covered the flowerbeds. Fairy lights in the trees gave the grounds an
ethereal glow. Catherine walked the paths, taking deep breaths and trying to
calm her fevered brow.
     
    “Are you tired of your admirers
already?”
     
    Catherine turned to see Oakley following
her. Now she was alone with him, she wished he would go away. She was afraid he
might be unkind to her again, and she did not have the strength to argue back.
     
    “I’m not used to so much dancing. And I
rather think they were Alyssa’s admirers, who were only dancing with me until
she was available.”
     
    “You’re too modest. I’ve already had two
young men approach me declaring undying love for you, and asking for your
hand.”
     
    “That’s ludicrous. I’ve hardly said two
words to the majority of the men who asked me to dance. I hope you told them I
wasn’t in the market for a husband.”
     
    “I’d never be foolish enough to make
such a blanket statement, even if you are.”
     
    “Yes, I forget. Your plan is to unload
me and my nefarious behaviour as soon as possible.”
     
    “Now you’re being childish. The two
young men who asked are from good families, and would be able to offer you a
good life.”
     
    “I don’t want this sort of life,” said
Catherine. “Where husbands and wives are frowned upon for spending time
together, and each find a lover as soon as a respectable amount of time has
passed. I may have done something that you believe is reprehensible, but I have
not yet had to sell myself in order to eat.”
     
    “You were quite content to sell your
sister.”
     
    Catherine raised her hand to slap him,
but he caught it before she reached his face. “Don’t ever try to strike