Page 39 of Defying the Earl
“Do you ride or drive, then, my lady?”
“I used to ride regularly, but I haven’t done so in recent years.” Bea hesitated briefly as she wondered if she ought to admit to the next thought. “I would love to learn to drive, but I haven’t yet had the opportunity.”
“Would you really?” he asked mildly. “Are you interested in being a fast woman?”
Beatrice blinked, wondering if he was jesting or serious. “Not in the moral sense, but perhaps in the sense of speed. As I said, I wouldn’t want to try my hand at a sporting vehicle, but one dayI’d like to drive a buggy or a gig. It would certainly make getting to the village faster when we are at the Dower House.”
“Of course,” Henley replied in his mild tone. “Perhaps I might teach you one day.”
Bea blinked again, wondering how she ought to answer such a statement. She smiled in response with a slight nod. At least he wasn’t opposed to the idea of her driving. That was a point in his favour. And he obviously was looking to the future. That was another point in his favour, she supposed. And not that she was opposed to children, or gentlemen with children, but as far as she knew the viscount was not a widower nor did he have any motherless children. So the gentleman’s interest in her was simply for her. It was a flattering concept that tickled her fancy.
Yet, still, even as they drove and chatted lightly, she couldn’t stop comparing Lord Henley with Nathan. Nathan appeared to be a much more skilled driver, Nathan had more interesting tales of adventure, Nathan this, Nathan that. Bea almost growled in her frustration with her own ridiculous mind that couldn’t mind its own business. Nathan might be more skilled but he had nearly scared her to death both times he took her driving with his choice of carriage. And Nathan’s interesting stories were from a time when he had left, breaking her heart.
How could these possibly be points of comparison, she asked herself as she once again brought her attention back to the man at her side as he cleared his throat, suddenly sounding nervous.
“Would it be acceptable for us to walk a little? It will afford us far more opportunity for private conversation.” He glanced around before adding. “I know you didn’t bring a groom with you but since we’ll be in full view of everyone, surely we won’t be courting scandal.”
“Of course, that sounds quite nice. It’s a perfect day for a stroll,” Bea accepted.
Despite his expressed desire for private conversation, Lord Henley was silent for a few moments as they walked along the river. Bea entertained herself with watching the ducks. It was almost like being at the Dower House; she didn’t mind in the least.
The viscount cleared his throat again and fidgeted with his neck cloth.
“My lady,” he began and had to stop to cough before patting her hand. “My lady, I know it is highly irregular that I speak to you directly first, but since you are not accompanied by a father or other male relative, I wasn’t sure if I ought to address this question to Lady Frampton or what would be appropriate. But I would like to pay you my addresses.”
By now the poor man was flushed to the roots of his hair and appeared highly uncomfortable. For a fleeting moment Bea had a strong desire to burst into inappropriate laughter.
“Your addresses, my lord?” she asked in question, suspecting what he meant but not wishing to assume.
Lord Henley coughed and fidgeted again before nodding and explaining. “You are a fine woman,” he said. “I know we have not known each other for long but I have every confidence you would make an excellent viscountess. I know there have been other gentleman making calls on you and you’ve become very popular, but I would be honoured if you would consider my suit.”
Beatrice wished she were back at the Dower House, far from the bustle of London and this suddenly uncomfortable moment. Lord Henley was kind and pleasant and she ought to be delighted by his words. It was certainly her, not him. He was honouring her, but she wasn’t feeling honoured.
“Lord Henley, I must admit, this is a surprise.”
“How can it be a surprise, my dear lady? We have danced and spoken, I came to take you driving. Did you not expect a declaration? Is that not the purpose of such activities?”
“You are not the first gentleman to take me driving, but you are the first to pay his addresses,” Beatrice explained even as she wondered if he were actually proposing to her. She didn’t feel as though it were perfectly clear. Ought she to ask for clarification?
“Of course, I will speak with Lady Frampton as soon as we return to her house, but I thought it seemly to speak to you first. Do you think it will be difficult to terminate your employment with her ladyship? She isn’t likely to give you any trouble, is she?”
“No, the Ladies would be delighted to see me wed.” Bea almost held her breath after that statement to ensure that was his meaning. The way he was patting her hand where it rested in the crook of his elbow told her she hadn’t made unwelcome assumptions.
“So is that a yes?” he asked with a slight laugh.
“My lord, you have honoured me with your words, but as I mentioned, I am a bit surprised by them. As you mentioned, we have not been acquainted for long. I had thought perhaps to know each other better before making such a commitment. Could you give me a day to consider your offer seriously and perhaps we could speak again tomorrow?”
Bea could tell she’d surprised or offended the gentleman and regretted that, but she wasn’t about to make such a life altering decision on the spur of the moment. They really barely knew each other. This proposal was rather sudden to her, even if the viscount had given it plenty of thought. Surely asking for a day was prudent, not offensive.
He offered her a small bow and a weak smile. “Of course, my offer stands even if you need some time to consider that. In fact, a man ought to be grateful that a future spouse isn’t given to impulsivity, shouldn’t he?”
Heat filled Bea. It was generous of him to accept her words, but it was presumptuous of him to still refer to her as a future spouse rather than a potential future spouse. Not that she ought to be picking at words at this point. She just wished to be home in her room with the privacy to consider the matter thoroughly. She only hoped she could keep her composure and maintain a polite conversation until she could take her leave.
But how does one carry the conversation after that?
Bea fidgeted nervously for a few beats before realizing she really needed more information to make such a momentous decision. Feeling constrained by Society’s dictates, though left her wondering how to go about gaining the information she sought.
“Tell me about your estate, my lord. Do you raise any particular animals or crops?”
