Page 65 of The Trials of Alaric
Mama allowed Aunt Joan to draw her to one side, but she remained near Papa and Bea as the rest of the house party took their turns to give her and Alaric their best wishes.
Until Aunt Lewiston approached, her face grim, her eyes blazing. “You were meant for Beverley,” she hissed to Bea, and she glared at Mama. “Mary and I agreed when you were only a baby.”
“Inever agreed,” Bea replied, even as Mama turned her face into Papa’s shoulder.
“Your son was given his chance, even against my direct instruction,” Papa responded, putting a comforting arm around his wife. Mama surprised him and Bea by turning to face her sister.
“If you had not spoiled the boy, Dorrie, I daresay he would not have given my daughter a distaste for him, but even so, he was not meant for Beatrice. I should not have gone against Claddach’s wishes and let you encourage him to think he had only to reach out and the Isle of Claddach would be his.” She aimed a tremulous smile at Papa. “Neither Claddach nor Beatrice would ever have allowed our island to become subject to an English earldom.”
Uncle Lewiston commented, “Then we have been wasting our time here. Lady Lewiston, order our things packed. Lady Claddach, thank you for an interesting visit. Beatrice, I wish you well of your choice.” His lipped curled and he suddenly looked very much like Beverley. “Elsmouth’s rejected spare. When you could have had my son.”
“You may as well eat your dinner, Lewiston,” said Papa. “The next ferry leaves tomorrow afternoon. I would offer you my yacht, but your son commandeered it and I have no idea where he took it.”
The two men stared into one another’s eyes, and Uncle Lewiston looked away first. “We will take trays in our room,” he informed the servants. “Dorothy and Lucy, you may stay for dinner, but make certain your maid has your trunks packed by eleven in the morning.” He then offered his wife his arm and they left.
“Your mother and father won that match,” Alaric whispered in Bea’s ear, which made her chuckle.
Everyone else was either pleased for Alaric and Bea or too polite to say otherwise, and it was some time before things calmed down enough for Skelly announce dinner. Mama panicked a little when she realized that Alaric and Bea were not sitting together, but Papa suggested, “Lord Lucas would no doubt be delighted to sit next to Lady Eleanor, and that will leave a place beside our daughter for her young man.”
Mama nearly bounced with excitement. “My daughter is getting married,” she said. Papa smiled at her, but Bea noticed that he almost fell the last few inches into his seat. He was pale and had beads of sweat on his forehead.
“Papa looks unwell,” she murmured to Alaric.
Alaric beckoned to the nearest footman. “Lady Beatrice and I are worried this has all been too much for the earl,” he whispered. “Make certain his valet is standing by, in case he is needed.”
“He is, Master and my lady,” the footman assured them. “We are keeping an eye on Lord Claddach.”
“Beatrice,” said Mama at that moment. “Have you and Alaric discussed a wedding date?”
“Soon,” said Papa. Just the one word, his face set as hard as granite. Bea sensed he was holding on to his poise and his pride by force of will.
She glanced at Alaric, trying to send him a message with her eyes.
“If it suits my lady, straight away,” Alaric said.
“The banns,” Mama said.
“License,” responded Papa.
“We are technically part of the diocese of Bangor,” said Mr. Whittington. “If you and Mr. Redhaven give me your authority, Lady Beatrice, I can visit Bangor and obtain a common license.”
Alaric gave her a smile and a nod, and Bea said, “Thank you, Mr. Whittington. If we could have a word after dinner, you can tell us what you require for authorization.”
“Good,” said Papa, faintly. Mama frowned at him, then signaled to a footman, before standing. There was a scrape of chairs as all the gentlemen stood, too. “My dear guests,” Mama said. “I must apologize. The excitement has been too much for me. Claddach, would you be good enough to escort me to my room? Beatrice, dear, would you and Alaric take over for us?”
Bea met her mother’s pleading eyes and gave her a smile and a nod.Well done, Mama!
Alaric picked up his glass and called everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take the opportunity to propose a toast.”
Well done, Alaric. While the guests were all looking at him, two footmen helped Papa from the room, with Mama hovering at his side.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Alaric and Beawere left to host the house party for the next few days. The only change to every other day so far, Alaric thought, was that he now had the right to assist Bea, who had been in charge since the party began.
Whittington’s trip to Bangor went off without a hitch, despite the drizzly weather. The chaplain had offered to share the fishing boat he had hired with Lewiston and his family, but the earl decided not to leave after all.
“Father says he wishes to do your father the courtesy of staying for the wedding,” Lady Dorothy told Bea. “Mother says we should stay in case Howard or Meadowsweet is inspired by the wedding to propose,” said Lucy, and both sisters giggled.
