Chapter Text
Kate knew she had been ambushed as soon as Clint and Laura sat in front of her at the dining table. She should have known as soon as her god-parents had invited her over for an early breakfast without the children. It didn’t bode well that they held “this is a serious and important conversation” faces on them.
It’s about her dead quest to find a suitable wife, she presumes. Daughters of mamas had been throwing themselves at her as soon as Laura announced quite loudly of her marriage intentions when she hit eighteen. She had busied herself with university and hiding her family in her summer estate after that, expertly dodging incessant mamas at balls. There was simply no one interesting enough for her in New York. She is only looking for a handsomely bred woman who can run a household, and perhaps play the pianoforte, and it truly seemed that it was really too much to ask for.
“I have invited my old friend over from Prussia. Natasha, you remember her, yes? Her family is our very honoured guests for tonight’s ball, they had a long month on boat here and are resting now, in the guest rooms.”
“Yes…and?” Kate sneaked in a bite of bacon.
“She has her younger sister with her. Six and twenty. Single. We will make proper introductions tonight.”
“Ah… well, I suppose we should discuss this. I am only back in New York City for the my company’s project with regards to the expanding of the train tracks. Many papers to sign…meetings to go to... I’m afraid it leaves me little time to… socialise. And so whilst I appreciate your most gracious invitation, I must ask you to accept my regrets.” She gave a rueful smile.
Laura gave her a pointed look. “Your regrets are denied.”
Kate gaped at her. Racking her brains for other excuses, she finally gave out a sigh after thinking of none. “Only because I am inexplicably fond of this family, especially Nate… that I suppose a brief appearance-“
“Excellent! I already brought in your favourite cheese and wine.” Laura’s face brightened, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Being the a member of high society means things around here, least you had forgotten. Appearances, Kate. It will be good for finding investors too, yes? The train tracks are not going to fund themselves.”
Kate let out a quiet sigh, her face twisting.
“Back to the girl. Miss Yelena is older, more mature, perhaps a good change to the meek debutants you have seen. She’s perfectly respectable and has good connections in the wine industry, your land in Suffolk ought to do good with some vineyards. She enjoys horses and shooting. Something you two could bond about.”
She nods at that before she can think better of it. Yes- good companionship. Friends in a committed bond. Or whatever.
The couple, now content with her response, switched to other pursuits. They had talked about some society gossip before Kate had to leave for her first meeting of the day.
“Aaaand that is my cue to leave.” Kate dropped her pocket watch back into her suit pocket. She emptied her cup and gave a kiss to both of their cheeks before standing up hastily. “Don’t worry Laura, a promise is a promise. I will be here later in the evening.”
With that, she gave her god-mother one last hug before descending down the stairs.
Looking down from the second floor, she spots a blonde haired woman hastily sneaking pass a footman. She was dressed in a brown blouse with puffed sleeves and white columnar skirt, her face framed by her braided hair shaped like a crown. She looked like she just came back from the markets. Perhaps a shop owner that has brought special produce for Laura...
And then her blue eyes met the most brilliant green she had ever seen.
Her heart skips a beat.
Kate stumbles on the stairs, first barely avoiding a footman with a sculpture of a pair of geese and then another two holding up a painting but eventually colliding with one footman that was carrying way too many candles. She apologies sheepishly as she helped him picked up the fallen items.
The woman below lets out a hearty laugh as Kate descends further down the stairs.
“It seems that I keep bumping into people on staircases.” The brunette rubs the back of her neck, still very embarrassed.
“Not a very straight-walk-down-the-stairs type of person?” The lady asked, mirth in her eyes. Her accent was thick, and Kate was only to assume she was from the regions far east in Prussia. Huh. She didn't know Clint had new help.
“Generally, I am.” Kate gave her most charming smile. “Though perhaps I end up in a little skip if there’s someone at the bottom I particularly find pleasing to see.”
The lady blushes at that, head down and pierced ears turning a little red at its tips.
“Its the worst timing of my life, but I really need to make haste to…” Kate continued, hoping she’ll still make it on time to the workers’ union meeting. “But it was nice meeting you, miss.”
Hastily pulling on her outer coat that a footman had passed to her, she opens the door to leave, secretly hoping she’ll meet the woman again.