Love and Honor: The Coltrane Saga, Book 7 by Patricia Hagan Read Free Book Online Page A

be sent to a convent because she’s got a mind of her own. Now let’s be on our way. You and I, freckle-face”—she gave Marilee an affectionate hug, lest her feelings be hurt by her brusqueness—“will go in first. We want Kit to make a very, very grand entrance.”
    When they arrived at the embassy, they could hear the gay sound of music. The party had already begun. “Wait a few minutes before you enter,” Kitty whispered conspiratorially.
    Kit nodded, trembling with excitement. She looked lovely and she knew it. If her parents were furious, so be it. She was going to show them, once and for all, that it would be much, much better if they would just let her be herself. If that meant riding and roping cattle, so be it. She gave her grandmother a kiss, fondly patted her cousin’s cheek, then stepped into the shadows to wait until the right moment for her entrance.
    After perhaps five minutes, she moved to the huge double doors, ignoring the doorman’s wide-eyed stare. She stepped into the marble foyer overlooking the huge ballroom. It was like entering another world—a world of crystal and light, gold and silver, against a background of soft music and laughter.
    Then, just as she had anticipated, a hush fell over the ballroom. Every guest looked up to stare as Kit allowed the white ermine cape she was wearing to fall into the waiting arms of a servant.
    She stood regally at the top of the stairway leading down to the circular room, her chin held high as soft whispers began to creep out of the silence. What would happen next? she wondered frantically. Was her mother going to faint? Would her father furiously escort her out?
    Through the blur of faces staring up at her as she began to descend the stairs, she saw Kitty, fighting back tears of pride and joy, and Marilee, wistful and envious, wishing it were she in the spotlight. And Kit could see her brother, a mixture of emotions on his face as he realized perhaps for the first time just how grown up his “little” sister really was.
    Then her heart skipped a beat as she saw her father step forward from the crowd. She could see that his gray eyes were shining with—what? He didn’t look angry as he walked slowly up the stairs to meet her.
    There was the shadow of a smile on his lips, and Kit realized that he was trying to suppress his delight as he reached her side and held out his arm to escort her the rest of the way. “I’m afraid, my darling daughter,” he leaned close to whisper, “that your scheme backfired.”
    She looked at him and blinked, bewildered.
    He nodded, ever so slightly, to where Jade stood looking up at them. There was no mistaking her pride. “This is what she’s dreamed of—for you to be the center of attention, a star, as she was. I’m afraid you really don’t know your mother, Kit. She’s not a prude. She’s a lady through and through, but, never would she turn up her nose at high fashion. So, instead of shocking her, you’ve made her quite proud…and myself as well,” he added with an adoring smile.
    The orchestra had faltered when everyone stopped dancing, but had quickly recovered with the lilting strains of a waltz.
    Colt led his daughter to the middle of the ballroom, and everyone stepped back to let them pass. They began to dance, and the crowd watched in admiration, for they were an impressive sight—proud, handsome father with his stunningly beautiful daughter.
    “You saved me the cost of a formal debut,” he teased her, enjoying her astonishment that her plan had failed.
    “I…I thought you’d be mad,” Kit admitted.
    Colt laughed. “Why should I be mad? Of course”—he glanced down at her gown, giving his head a slight shake—“I think you chose a dress that is a little bit old for you, but when I heard that your grandmother went shopping with you, quite frankly, I expected as much, and so did your mother. And by the way, you two didn’t fool either one of us with that little act about not being ready on