Chapter 11
Arthur could not face going to see Kitty in her own home, in case Tom was there. It was not that he had any fear of Tom. On the contrary, he held the man in contempt for his boorish obsession with money. It was just that Arthur’s presence would only aggravate an already difficult situation, and make the chance of any improvement in relations with Tom less likely. The longer it took to win Tom’s approval the more chance there was that Kitty would lose interest in him or, worse, have her head turned by another suitor. There were plenty of other young men in Dublin who were far more attractive propositions than an impecunious lieutenant colonel of foot.
As the first blossoms of spring appeared Lady Camden held a ball at the castle, the first of the season, and everyone of consequence was invited. If Kitty was still in Dublin, she would surely be at the ball, and Arthur resolved to seek her out and ask her what she felt for him.
On the night of the ball, Arthur stood in front of the mirror in his wardrobe room. His best uniform was spotless and his buttons, boots and epaulettes gleamed brilliantly, as they should given the amount the corporal on the castle staff had charged him for the work. As yet he had won no rewards for bravery, and the only decorations on his jacket were the looped lanyards. Still, he ate sensibly and exercised regularly and his body was trim as a consequence. Arthur was pleased with the image he presented, and hoped that Kitty would judge him as favourably - if she was at the ball.
The illumination from the candelabras in the ballroom gleamed through the windows and projected long, fading slants of light into the street as Arthur strode up towards the entrance. A guard of corporals was standing to attention in the arched doorway and Arthur presented his invitation.
The ballroom was already crowded with women in elaborate gowns that still owed much to Paris fashions despite the war.The older ladies sat to the side of the room while the younger women dominated the centre, where they mixed with young men in neatly cut jackets and breeches. As usual for such occasions, many of the men wore uniforms, with the cavalry being the most ornate and the Navy the most prosaic. As an officer of foot, Arthur felt himself to be smart without being distastefully ostentatious. An orchestra was tuning at the far end and men in livery moved through the crowd serving refreshments. Arthur stood with his back to one of the columns that supported the arched ceiling. He glanced over the crowd looking for Kitty, but could not see her and felt a moment’s relief that he would not have to confront her about her feelings after all. Then he felt something tap his arm and turned quickly to see Kitty smiling at him as she withdrew her fan. Her other hand was tucked under the arm of a tall naval officer with broad shoulders that seemed intent on bursting out of his uniform coat.
‘Hello, Arthur.’
‘Good evening, Kitty.’ There was a slight hesitation in his use of her name and Kitty’s fine eyebrows narrowed for a moment.
‘I do hope you aren’t going to revert to calling me Miss Pakenham all over again.’
‘Of course not, Kitty.’ Arthur smiled. ‘After all, we are close friends, are we not?’
‘Indeed.’ She turned to her companion. ‘May I introduce Captain Charles Fenshaw? Apparently he is one of the youngest post captains in the Navy. A protégé of my uncle, Captain Pakenham. Although that was some years back, before he retired and became Surveryor General of the Ordnance, whatever that means.’
Captain Fenshaw smiled modestly. ‘Captain Pakenham was kind enough to offer me a berth on his ship when I was a midshipman. Since then I have done my best to be worthy of his patronage.’ He raised his hand and offered it to Arthur.
‘Glad to make your acquaintance,’ Arthur responded.‘Colonel Wesley, at your service.’
‘Arthur has been away from Dublin fighting the French in the Low Countries,’ Kitty explained. ‘He returned some weeks ago, as I discovered from his brother William. It seems that he is such a good friend of mine that he neglected to let me know that he had returned from the war safe and well.’
The words were barbed, but the tone was light hearted and Arthur made a rueful face. ‘My duties have kept me busy, Kitty. What else could prevent me from attending on you? Apart from your dear brother.’
Kitty laughed. ‘Touché, Arthur.’
Captain Fenshaw ignored the jibing between the two of them and concentrated on Arthur. ‘My brother was in the same campaign.’>
‘Indeed?’ Arthur turned his gaze away from Kitty.
‘He was injured and sent home back in January,’ said Fenshaw. ‘He wrote to tell me of the conditions there. It seems he was lucky to have survived most of the winter, when many others did not.’
‘You have a funny notion of luck to think that any man who experienced that winter was in any way fortunate.’
‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Fenshaw replied quietly.‘Especially since he succumbed to his wounds only a week after writing to me.’
‘Ah . . .’ Arthur bowed his head. ‘Forgive me, Captain. I did not mean to seem flippant.’
‘I am sure of it, sir.You know well enough what my brother endured.’ Fenshaw turned to Kitty. ‘Allow me to fetch some drinks while you and the colonel exchange your news.’
Kitty nodded gracefully and the naval officer turned away, gliding through the crowd with a surprising grace given his imposing physique. Kitty stared after him with a calculating expression.
‘What do you think of him, Arthur?’
For a moment Arthur said nothing. He hardly knew the man, but Fenshaw seemed decent enough at first glance. It would be a great shame if he should prove to be a rival for Kitty’s affection. ‘I’ve only just met him, Kitty. What can I say?’
‘That he has a handsome appearance.’
‘I suppose so. Any other qualities that I should be aware of ?’
‘Oh yes!’ She turned towards Arthur with a glint in her eyes. ‘He is the nephew of a rear admiral, and is in line to inherit a sizeable estate in Somerset, as well as a large holding of six per cents. He studied classics at Oxford and writes poetry.’
‘Poetry?’ Arthur glanced across the room to where Fenshaw had turned to make his way back to them, with three glasses between his hands. ‘Really?’
‘Oh, yes! Quite the romantic.’
The enthusiasm in her voice cut into Arthur’s heart like a knife and he took her hand in his.
‘What is it, Arthur?’ Kitty frowned.
‘Tell me, Kitty. What is this man to you?’
‘A friend, for now. His family have some land to sell near Castlepollard and Charles has come to Dublin to arrange the sale. My uncle provided him with an introduction to my brother.Tom thought that I might show him the sights in Dublin. Since then, we’ve become quite attached. Tom likes him too.’
‘I bet he does,’ Arthur muttered. ‘He would be quite a catch for you.’
‘Yes he would,’ Kitty replied, and then squeezed Arthur’s hand lightly. ‘But he is not you. Did you think I would abandon you so readily,Arthur? I had hoped you would have more faith in me.’
‘Oh, Kitty . . .’ Arthur’s despair was swept away and he made to move closer to her, but she backed away and slipped her hand free of his.
‘All the same, he is a good catch. Good enough to please Tom.’
Arthur shook his head. ‘Don’t do this, Kitty.’
‘Do what? I’m not doing anything. That’s the trouble. But there will come a time when I must find a husband if I am not to be an old maid. Unless you can make something of yourself, Tom will not consent to your marrying me. It’s up to you, Arthur, but I don’t think I can wait for ever.’