Page 23 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
“Why do you not think so?” his friend replied, sharply. “You do not know what it is that this person means for you. Be careful, my friend. Be very careful indeed.”
Chapter Eleven
Rachel was so very tired of hearing her mother and sister arguing that she wanted to return to her bedchamber, pull the covers over her head and block out the sound as best as she could.
Instead, she attempted to keep reading though she was not very successful. They were about to make their way to Lord and Lady Plockton’s ball and though she was prepared and ready – albeit without her best gloves which, despite her best attempts to keep them to herself were now on Bettina’s hands – her sister and her mother were still not present. Rachel did not know what it was that kept them. She was a little surprised that her mother was so willing to be tardy but mayhap it was Bettina’s refusal that held them back.
I shall see the Duke of Longford tonight.
Rachel shook her head to dismiss the thought. It was nothing but foolishness and she recognized it as such. Her questions about the Duke and particularly about the quick way he had quit their company had continued to linger on in her mind until she had not been able to think of anything else. Every time the Duke of Longford came to her mind, however, she made sure to dismiss it just as quickly, for there was very little point in considering this gentleman. It would only hurt her heart to permit herself to continue thinking of him in such a way for she would never be given answers to her questions. Besides which, she knew very well why he had danced twice with her and it certainly was not because he wanted to pay her special attention. He had felt sorry for her, had felt his sympathy for her situation grow and thus, had decided to show her a little consideration. There was nothing more than that.
“Bettina!”
The door flew open and Bettina strode into the room, quickly followed by her mother.
“I want your pearls.”
Rachel blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“I want your pearls!” Bettina repeated, her voice rising in frustration. “Do you not understand? The pearls that you have threaded through your hair are to be mine. Now, please go and fetch the maid and –”
“I certainly shall not!” Rachel exclaimed, surprise slamming through her. “the maid spent an inordinate amount of time placing them in my hair and I will not waste more time in having them removed so they might go into yours! Besides which, you have your own adornments and they are quite suitable.”
“But they are not thepearls!” Bettina shouted, her hands curling into fists and her foot stamping hard on the floor. “I want the pearls! They will suit me better and Iinsistthat I am given them at once! Rachel does not require them. Rachel does not need them!” Her arms folded over her chest, her eyes narrowing, fixing themselves to Rachel. “And if I do not get them, then I will not be going to the ball.”
Rachel sighed inwardly, fully expecting her mother to agree that this was just what Rachel ought to do, simply in order to keep the peace. The maid would be called, she would have to sit for another hour waiting for the pearls to be removed from her hair and then even longer for them to be threaded through Bettina’s hair instead! Looking to her mother, she saw Lady Carmichael steady herself with a brief close of her eyes, only to say the most unexpected thing.
“Then, Bettina, you will not attend the ball.”
Rachel’s eyes flared in surprise, just as Bettina’s hands fell back to her sides in clear astonishment.
“I am not about to insist that the maid comes and does Rachel’s hair all over again simply so thatyoumight be given the pearls.”
“But I want them!”
“I am well aware of that,” Lady Carmichael replied, grimly. “In fact, I believe the entire household is aware that you want the pearls but on this occasion, you are being quite ridiculous. We are already tardy because of the fuss you have made over this and your sister has already been forced into giving you her gloves! I grow weary of this, Bettina. Your sister is right in what she said to me and I have decided that it is going to come to an end. I will not continually give you preference, Bettina, simply because you demand it. Rachel must be considered too, even though she is the younger daughter. I hope I have made myself clear in this regard.”
The joy in Rachel’s heart was so great, she could barely contain it. She found herself smiling, despite the fact that Bettina let out a shriek of frustration and caught her mother’s eye for just a moment.
Lady Carmichael smiled softly. “Come, Rachel,” she said, gesturing to her to rise and set the book aside so they might make their way to the carriage. “It seems as though Bettina is to remain at home this evening.”
“No, I will not!” Bettina screamed, the sound ricocheting around the room as she hurried after Rachel. This is entirely unfair, Mama. Imustbe given the pearls! Idemandthem!”
Lady Carmichael slipped her arm through Rachel’s, pulling her a little closer than ever before. “I am sorry for the preference I have shown your sister,” she said, softly. “Her voice can be a good deal louder than yours and my weariness has taken a hold of me on many an occasion.”
“But not on this occasion?” Rachel asked, as her mother nodded.
“No, not on this occasion,” Lady Carmichael replied, having to speak a little more loudly so as to be heard over Bettina’s screaming. “And let this be the first occasion of many.”
***
“I can hardly believe it!”
“I was quite astonished by it myself,” Rachel laughed, her arm through Miss Renfrew’s as they walked around the ballroom together. “I do believe my mother to be quite genuine, though she still does give Bettina preference… as can be seen in how she hurried Bettina over to speak to Lord Chiddick and did not notice when I stepped away.”
“I do like Lord Chiddick,” Miss Renfrew murmured, softly. “Though he is very… enthusiastic in everything.”
Rachel smiled. “Yes, he is. And I have a suspicion that you prefer Lord Wrexham anyway.”
