<div class="floatleft">(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i408/Aadreal/E%20characters/76227_zps935b8a32.jpg)</div>Lady Katherine Davenport had any number of troubles as she settled into the country home of her betrothed.  Not the least of which was her mother's insistence on complaining in private.  The home was well-appointed and in a week's time she'd marry Lord Hugh Covington, taking on the responsibilities as lady of the house.  If she were fortunate her mother would not be staying long past the wedding.<br/><br/>“Honestly Katie.  He's a mushroom, I do not care if he is, what did you call him?  The Pinkest of the Pinks?  His father is barely a peer.”  The ever dudgeon matriarch looked to her daughter as the girl of twenty settled into her evening dress.  It was the third change of dresses since arriving that morning and would hardly be the last such change before bed.<br/><br/>“Oh Mother!  Must we do this again?  The arrangements have been made, you would not wish me to cry off would you?  Think of the shame!  Lord Covington is a fine figure of a man and I refuse to believe the damned hum.  While I concede he is beneath my touch, my lord Kent made it quite clear he would be the best of choices.  Perhaps if you did not draw the bustle too freely the family affairs would not be so purse-pinched.”  She rarely spoke so to her mother so but the woman spent the entire carriage ride from London berating her daughter.  She had expected Katherine to marry above her station, not below.<br/><br/>Katherine tapped her finger to her lips and admired her figure as her ever present Lucy secured the ribbon sash in a bow at the back.  The silk dress was evening primrose in color, bright and festive in honor of the first of a week long celebration.  Cinched under the bodice with a contrasting cerulean blue ribbon, the light material draped in a beautiful column that only swelled at her hips.  She lacked the modesty to cover the low cut of the collar, revealing the gentle swells of her soft breasts.  The golden yellow making her skin seem to glow.  The gentlemen always seemed most enamored with her breasts, though she thought her blue eyes were a more charming feature.<br/><br/>Sighing wistfully she remembered the last time she wore this dress.  It was at the ball where Mary made a cake of herself.  Oh how she would miss London!  Spending her days in the Pleasure Gardens, her evenings at at the opera, balls and plays.  Watching the thrill of the balloons taking off from Hyde Park with her dearest friends, Janie and Lizzy.  Naturally it was to be expected she would settle into a quieter life in the countryside after marriage, but it did not mean she had to be happy about it.  Though she would not voice such displeasure to any but the maid Lucy when they were alone.<br/><br/>Looking at the reflection of Lady Kent in the mirror, Katie smiled.  “Think of the dinners that will be hosted once the marriage is settled!  Surely you will enjoy the return of your pin money.  The Lord Covington was most generous from what my lord Kent has said.  Not to mention you will be able to see Weatherly more often.  Perhaps finally get him to settle down and make an offer?”  Her brother James, The Viscount Weatherly, had gained quite the reputation as a rake but he always looked after his dear sister Katie.  She could only imagine what a sensation he'd cause should he manage to escape the lady-birds in London for the week long parties here at the Covington manor house.<br/><br/>Katie's bright eyes looked to a small bundle of correspondence rested upon the nightstand.  Replies penned by Covington over the past few months to her simple letters.  He'd caught her eye at one of the balls the year before, though he truly was barely one of the ton.  Their social circles rarely intersected though that did not preclude them from sharing a dance.  Her cheeks showing their color as they skipped and bounced to the lively music.  They had exchanged a few pleasantries each time they danced but as he was not one she ever considered for marriage, it was trivial.  Apparently The Lord Kent felt differently, encouraging his only daughter to consider the man.  Despite his family's standing, he certainly wasn't the worst of her options.  Not a rake or a boor, cutting a fine figure and being quite the dandy.<br/><br/>Granted Weatherly had been rather cross with Katie over her choice.  But he was far too protective, believing gossip and generally making a goose of himself.  He certainly had no leg to stand on, if the rumors were true.  Lady Kent gaped at her daughter's responses, the cheek of the girl being uncalled for in her mind.<br/><br/>“Honestly Mother, please go.  You have yet to change and dinner will be soon.  It would not do for us to be late.  Not when Lord Kent has not yet arrived.  You would not wish for my marriage to begin with a scandal, would you?  For The Lady Covington to take offense?  You know how she likes to cut a wheedle, we would not want her speaking falsehoods about you.  Now would we?”  Taking up the long gloves that matched her dress, Katie began to slip them on, the cuffs would nearly reach the short sleeves of her dress.  Fabric matching the ribbon on her dress sat in a heap on the bed, awaiting Lucy to wrap an elaborate turban to complete the look.  The color sure to make her eyes shine.<br/><br/>With a sniff Lady Kent stalked from the room to the one next door, appointed for her and her husband.  Her own maid was no doubt waiting to help her change.  Once they were finally alone she gave a weary smile to Lucy.  “I am a mess.  What am I getting myself into, Lucy?  What sort of man is my husband to be?  I thought perhaps I would wed someone I knew, but he is a near stranger.  Is he truly involved in havey-cavey business?  Will I make a mull of it?”<br/><br/>Lucy had been her companion and maid since she was a child.  The common girl a closer friend than any other.  The only one that truly knew how much Katherine dreaded the upcoming nuptials.  How terrified her mother's talk regarding duties had been.  And certainly the only one Katie had ever confessed to about her feeling regarding Covington.  Thinking the man unworthy and certainly not as dashing as he believed himself to be.  How the rumors and whispers had worried Katie, even though it was common to overlook any such indiscretions that were fueled by a man's urges.