"I'm not going to have to carry around a dance card, am I?" Katherine asked her parents as they drove to Lydia Danbury's home for the first ball of the season.

"No, dear, they haven't gone that far back." Elizabeth smiled at her daughter.

While they had tried on dresses for this event Katherine had gone on a tirade about this whole series of events. Elizabeth tried to calm her down, but her daughter was never one to keep her thoughts quiet unless absolutely necessary. Howard worried that his daughter wouldn't be able to keep things polite while Elizabeth worried that she would look pained the entire night.

What she was sure of, however, was that she would cause a few heads to turn. Katherine had surprised her, sure that she would choose another jumpsuit but instead, she chose a navy blue ballgown to represent the family color. The bodice was lace and mesh, so it appeared as though she was only wearing the lace. Once again, the neckline plummeted into a deep vee but this time it stopped in the middle of her stomach. The skirt was nothing but tulle, but it didn't poof out way past her body. She curled her hair and pulled it into an elegant low ponytail with braids starting from the crown of her head and then feeding into the ponytail. She wore a darker shade of red on her lips this time and went for a smokey eye instead of keeping it a little more natural-looking like she had that morning.

"Thank you, Eddie," Katherine said with a smile as he helped her from the limo. She looked up at the house with a sigh. She really wished Simon would have agreed to the whole thing, but she understood why he was only willing to make a brief appearance.

Once she heard the limo door shut, she began walking towards the front door, where Lydia Danbury stood, greeting her guests. The older woman smiled, giving Katherine a hug before turning to her parents. "Howard, you have kept this beauty hidden for far too long."

"That was entirely her decision. She wanted to learn everything before she took over."

Lydia smiled towards Katherine once more. "Beauty and brains. These men won't know what hit them. I'm glad you've decided to finally join us."

"Me too." Katherine smiled back, hoping her hostess wouldn't catch her in her lie.

She adored the older woman and she was pretty sure the feeling was mutual. She hoped so since she and Simon traveled the world together. If she got bored maybe she would be able to go speak with her too. It had been a while since they had chatted. She had options and that made her feel a little better as she walked into the ballroom.

There were already so many people there and while Katherine knew that the circle ran wide, she didn't realize just how wide it reached. She scanned the room for any familiar face when she landed on Benedict Bridgerton. He was surrounded by a couple of ladies and she could tell that he was charming them but as soon as he saw her, he grinned and excused himself.

On his way over he plucked another champagne flute from the table and met Katherine halfway. "Kitty, can I just say that you look exquisite." He told her as he handed her the champagne.

Katherine grinned as she took the glass. "Thanks, Benny. I'm assuming the rest of the family's here."

Benedict nodded as he took a sip of his drink.

"On a scale from one to ten how obnoxious is Anthony already?"

Benedict chuckled. "I'd say he was about a six when I left them. Daphne said that you two have come up with some sort of scheme though."

Katherine nodded a bit of a proud smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Yes, we do. She's to give me a signal and then I'm to whisk Anthony away so that she may enjoy her evening."

He motioned to where Daphne, Anthony, and Violet were standing on the other side of the room. "Is that the signal?"

Looking over to where Benedict pointed, she noticed Daphne looking right at her and holding three fingers on her hip. Katherine grimaced, sending a silent apology for just now noticing her. "Yup that's it." She smiled up at Benedict. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck." He chuckled.

She greeted Violet first with a hug and then squeezed Daphne's shoulder as she slid past so she could stand right behind Anthony. "Stop staring like that your face will get stuck and you'll scare away a perfectly fine match."

Anthony only turned his head slightly so he could keep staring down his sister's potential suitor and talk with Katherine. "You do know who this is, don't you?"

"Yes, Anthony. It's Marcus Prescott and if it'll make you stop scaring away Daphne's suitors, I will vet every single one of them. Now come walk around the room with me so that he can ask her to dance."

"And what about your suitors? Who will vet them for you?"

Katherine rolled her eyes and looped her arm around his. "I will." She said as she nudged him forward to get him moving. As she practically dragged him away, she sent a wink over her shoulder back towards Daphne.

"You two planned this didn't you?" He asked, looking towards her with an exasperated expression.

"We sure did so maybe cool it and I won't have to force you to hang out with me."

"And you're sure you'll vet every caller my sister gets."

Laughing, she bumped her shoulder against his. "Yes, and I can tell you right now that Marcus is a good one. So, let your sister enjoy her night."

"Fine," he sighed, "but aren't I just scaring your potential suitors away?"

"No, you're making them jealous," Katherine smirked. While she was merely a soldier at the moment, Anthony had taken on the role of one of Charlotte King's best captains. It made her seem more desirable not only to the other captains but to the smaller families. It also helped that she was the daughter of the chief advisor, but right now that was just more of an added bonus.

Lydia Danbury used to hold the title but when she retired from her CEO position, she also took a backseat in the organization, moving down to a captain. Since King had been so impressed with Howard Gibbs and what he had done for her other captains, she had moved him up to chief advisor. The fact that his company was focused in communications was just a bonus.

"How am I…" He trailed off as he took in the various looks, they were getting and returned his focus to Katherine, finally taking her in. "Let me look at you." He said as he held her out, even making her twirl which caused her to laugh and him to smile. "Kitty, you look…"

"I know." Katherine grinned as she returned to his side.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

She waved off his apology. "It's fine. I'm not going to cry myself to sleep over it. You were a little preoccupied."

"As I asked before, who's vetting your suitors?"

"I am. My dad just has final say or whatever it is your role is in all of this for Daphne."

Anthony nodded. "I am, got it."

Katherine stopped them, tugging on Anthony's arm so they could fully face each other. "What are you talking about?"

"Simon can help too, of course, but someone's got to look out for you that knows everything. There's got to be at least ten other Luca's out there on that dance floor." He lowered his voice as he continued to talk.

Rolling her eyes, she placed her hands on her hips. "Oh, Anthony, honestly."

"Katherine, I'm serious. I don't want to see you get hurt like that again."

"Good thing I won't be as reckless. Once these boys find out who I really am, they'll leave me be and I'll be just fine."

"And what about your father's demands?"

"I'll figure it out."

"I hope figuring it out includes a dance with me?" A voice interrupted them from behind Katherine, who spun around to see who it was.

Her face lit up in a smile. "Weatherby! It most certainly does." She took his proffered arm and followed him out onto the dancefloor to be swept up into a waltz.

"Is Henry here tonight?"

"No, it was bachelor only tonight."

"Then why on earth are you here?"

"You know why." He gave her a pointed look. Weatherby, along with Henry and who the world perceived as only Henry's wife was in a polyamorous relationship. While their world was more open towards homosexual relationships, there were some things that were still harshly judged so to keep their status, no matter how low in the organization, they played it safe.

"Henry said that you were also being forced to be here and that you could potentially help me keep up appearances, but I never imagined I would be helping you."

Katherine laughed. "You know I'd help you three in any way I can but don't worry about that with Anthony. We both just get a little passionate is all."

Simon always had good timing. Just as the music quieted down, he stepped into the room which allowed for all the women's gasps to be heard. Katherine and Weatherby turned to see what caused the commotion but when Katherine noticed who had entered the room, she smirked in his direction. Then the masses swarmed him, and she had to hold back her laughter.

"Weatherby, if you'll excuse me. It looks like I need to go save a friend of mine from the swarm."

Smiling, he brought Katherine's hand up and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "I wish you all the luck. Thank you for the dance."

As Katherine made her way over to help Simon escape, she noticed that Nigel Berbrooke was following Daphne and she did not seem happy. Simon could take care of himself, so Katherine turned to walk towards Daphne, smiling as she passed the younger woman.

Nigel's eyes widened when he noticed Katherine walking towards him. He heard how Katherine had cleaned up his mess down at the docks. His contact had been in hysterics when she reported back to what the meeting was all about. Katherine had ripped his contact a new one, taught her how to do her job, fixed things up at the docks, and made the Berbrooke's shoulder all the extra fees, all without raising her voice.

Before Katherine could even reach him, he turned around, running away. Smirking, she turned around to find where Daphne had gotten to but as she was scanning the room, she caught Anthony's eye. He silently questioned her about the exchange and all she did was give a small shrug.

They both seemed to notice Daphne and Simon speaking to each other at the same time. Anthony's face lit up in recognition of his best friend. Katherine smiled, glad to see he got away from the rabid mothers and their daughters.

"Thank you," Daphne told her, placing a hand on Katherine's arm as the two men caught up.

"Of course. In my opinion, he shouldn't even be here." She whispered causing Daphne to laugh.

"You even know Kitty and yet you required my name?" Simon asked, looking at Daphne.

"Daphne," Anthony said, "this is Simon Basset, the new CEO of Hastings Banking or you might know him better as Katherine's traveling companion." Then he looked to Katherine in realization. "Does this mean you'll also be taking on the Hastings account?"

"We're trying to get that settled actually," Katherine said.

"It's apparently not possible until you take over the company," Simon informed.

Rolling her eyes, Katherine shook her head. "Well, we're not here to discuss business. C'mon, Daph, let's take a walk around."

"Actually," Anthony walked around to his sister's other side, "Daphne, I believe it's time to go."

Both Simon and Katherine looked at their friend like he had a second head. "You can't be serious," Katherine stated.

"Kitty, you know as well as I do that if we leave now, they'll be left with wanting more. Maybe you should think of doing the same."

Simon chuckled. "C'mon, Kitty. We'll make a lap around the room. Talk with Lydia and then we'll leave."

Katherine looped her arm around Simon's. "You guys should stay a little while longer." She gave a pointed look towards Anthony before following beside Simon.

"You know he's still going to leave, right?" Simon asked.

"Oh, I'm well aware." Katherine laughed.

As they passed the drink table, Simon picked up a couple of glasses of champagne and handed one over to Katherine. If he was going to stay any longer, he'd need a little something and Lydia warned him against bringing his flask. They both clinked their glasses together and took a sip, smirking as they noticed the stares they were getting.

Her parents had warned her that she was about to learn how closely she was watched. She knew that her friendship with the two highest captains in the organization would be noted and due to them, she would be expected to do extremely well. Which she thought she was already doing. She'd just need to drum up business for the Featherington Casino and she'd show them all just what she was capable of.

"Have you been enjoying yourself?" Simon asked her, a teasing smirk on his face.

"Between pulling Anthony away so Daphne could have a dance and your arrival on the scene, I've had exactly one dance with Weatherby."

"So, you've had the evening you've hoped for."

Katherine grinned. "Exactly."

"Now one would think that you two would be tired of each other's company by now or secretly together," Lydia said, coming up to the couple from beside Simon.

"Don't get your hopes up, Lydia," Simon said, shaking his head.

"One could also say that we're only used to each other's company and we're giving each other support. Surely you saw the crowd that gathered the moment he stepped into the ballroom." Katherine smirked.

Lydia chuckled. "I suppose you're right, Miss Gibbs." She then looked to Simon. "Don't scare too many people off. They're not all as brave as Mr. Weatherby." Lydia gave a knowing glance towards Katherine before she continued her rounds.

"Now what was that all about?" Simon asked, amused as they started walking again.

Katherine rolled her eyes. "Anthony and I took a turn about the room as they said in ages past and we got into a bit of a passionate discussion regarding who was looking out for me in all of this and well, Mr. Weatherby came up near the end and asked me for a dance."

Simon looked down at his feet and snickered. "Glad to hear nothing has changed between you two."

"Oh, shove it." She nudged him, laughing the entire time.