Page 49 of The Trials of Alaric
Bea spent theday fighting off a bad mood. The men—those who were left—went off to move the bulls and returned triumphant and pleased with themselves. They did not seem to mind that Papa had given Luke and Alaric credit for already completing that particular trial when the pair retrieved the errant bulls at the fête.
Indeed, they were full of praise that the two men had managed on their own, though from what Bea had heard, a host of commoners had helped.
Bea could not bring herself to care. Or, rather, she cared too much. Alaric was gone and Bea was—she would admit it, if only to herself—Bea was out of sorts.
She was pleased Beverley was gone. She was not so delighted that Aunt Lewiston had reacted by retreating to her bedchamber with the drapes drawn and Mama in anxious attendance.
“I wish Mama would not do whatever Aunt Lewiston asks,” she said to Aunt Joan.
“Lady Lewiston is the older sister,” Aunt Joan said. “Your Mama has obeyed her all her life. You know that I love your Mama, Bea, but even her greatest devotee could not call her a strong-minded lady. Not like you, my dear. But then, my brother is strong-minded enough for two people, so I dare say she is happy doing what makes him happy. As long as her sister is not nearby. Poor, dear Mary. She must feel as if she is being pulledin all directions, between Lady Lewiston, my brother, and you, Bea.”
Which was all very well, but when Aunt Lewiston was around, Bea did not much like her mother. Nor did she much like her remaining suitors, all four of whom seemed to have taken the absence of Alaric, Beverley, and Lord Luke as their opportunity to spend the afternoon making an impression on her.
She was being unfair again. At least two of them were attempting to make an impression on other ladies in the house party—Mr. Howard on Cousin Dorrie, and Mr. Meadowsweet on Sarah Howard. Also, Papa’s secretary, Mr. Maddrell, and Reina appeared to be close to making a public declaration of the attachment everyone around them had been aware of for some time. Certainly, they made no attempt to hide their interest in one another.
Perhaps it was the budding romances around her that had her snapping at Ellie when that besotted damsel assured her, “Luke and Alaric will be back by dinner time, Bea.”
“They can come and go as they please,” she retorted. “I certainly have no control over their movements.”
Despite her denials, though, she did expect Alaric to come back. When six o’clock came and went with no sign of him, she was as disappointed as Ellie, though unlike Ellie, she did not allow herself to droop and look downcast.
“Reckon somethin’s delayed them, my lady,” said Eunys, as she helped Bea dress for dinner. “He’ll be back, though. Powerful fond of you, is Mr. Redhaven.”
Not so powerful fond, however, that he refused to run off to the mainland at one word from his brother.
“I daresay he will return in his own good time, if he wishes to do so,” she told Eunys.
She knew she was being unfair. She had no idea what their errand was, and how necessary Alaric was to its successful conclusion, and it was unreasonable to blame Alaric for not telling her where he was going when she was away from the castle when he left.
They had still not returned when night fell. She lay awake, at one moment wondering if Alaric was in trouble, even perhaps injured, and the next moment certain that he had lost interest in her and her father’s dumb trials. Had he gone, never to return?
One of Claddach’s sudden storms began to buffet the castle and Bea knew for certain. Alaric would not be returning tonight.
Chapter Twenty
Alaric and hisparty had been delayed in Birkenhead when Bebbington arrived, demanding the release of his sister. He had made such a fuss that those witnessing the altercation insisted on taking the matter before a magistrate. And the magistrate was out of town, and not expected back until after dinner.
They ate in a private parlor at the inn, none of them—except for the footmen—hungry. Alaric and Luke arranged for them to be fed in the public room, and when Alaric checked on them, they announced themselves well satisfied. Bebbington refused to stay, saying he would eat with friends and return later.
The magistrate, when he eventually arrived, dealt with the matter quite simply by asking Eloise. She immediately claimed Tarquin as her beloved husband and accused her brother of attempting to ruin her marriage for his own purposes. She even wept a little when she explained how much she missed her son.
Bebbington was clearly shocked. He left the magistrate’s house, muttering about ungrateful sisters and betrayal.
“He did not expect you to stand up to him,” Alaric observed.
“I never have,” Eloise said, simply. “But I love Tarquin, you see.”
“I am proud of you, my darling,” said Tarquin. “You were very brave.”
“Your brother will say too little, too late,” said Eloise, sneaking a peek at Alaric.
Alaric, who had been angry with Eloise for years, found he had no resentment left for her at all. He had never been in her shoes, but he could imagine that, if one had been abused and bullied since one was a small child, and told that it was for love, it would be hard to trust. “I say you were very brave, sister,” he said, and felt adequately rewarded when both Eloise and Tarquin beamed at him.
Back at the harbor, the fishing boat captain Sir Thomas had found to help them was itching to leave. “We’re cuttin’ it right close,” he said. “I dinna want to be out on the sea after full dark.”
“Too close?” Tarquin asked. “I know you need to return tonight, Alaric, but I don’t want to risk Eloise…”
“Neither do I,” Alaric agreed. “We are not going to make dinner, Tarquin. If we cannot get there safely tonight, we’ll have to go in the morning.”
