Page 18 of Defying the Earl
Bea reprimanded herself. She obviously hadn’t been paying attention to the right things while she had been in Braxton’s company. She should have known she would have to make an accounting when she returned. Casting her thoughts back to the Park, Beatrice was able to remember far more things than she had consciously noted while in the earl’s company. She took a seat before she began her recitation.
“I will apologize in advance, my lady, as I was slightly terrified so my mind wasn’t as retentive as you might have liked.”
“What had you so scared? Surely you weren’t nervous around our nephew.”
Bea lifted a shoulder in a shrug even though she knew Lady Frampton particularly disapproved of such a movement. It couldn’t be helped in this case.
“He was only one factor. The majority of the reason for my nerves was the vehicle he had driven. It was one of those ghastly high ones that looks like sitting in it is going to break it.”
“What a foolish boy, he is,” Lady Frampton sniffed. “Very well, you are excused for being nervous. I would have refused him your company had I realized what nonsense he could get up to.”
This softened Beatrice’s reluctance to discuss her afternoon and she sat back a little more comfortably on the settee.
“To be honest, now that I am home, I can recall much more than I had thought originally. I suppose I was able to relax eventually. It is a fine day and despite how rickety his phaeton felt, being up that high did give me the impression of being separated and above it all.”
“Did you not feel on display like some poor specimen at the museum or the fair?” Lady Charlotte asked with a shudder.
“There was some of that, of course, especially once we were circulating in the Park. In such a carriage you cannot hide, that is for certain.”
“So I suppose he wanted to make a splash. What a silly boy,” Lady Frampton commented.
Bea shook her head slightly. “I’m not completely sure of his motivations as I never thought to ask him and he might not have even realized himself. But it was possible he wanted to appear as though he were showing off for me. Wouldn’t a gentleman courting a lady want to appear important or attractive for the object of his interest?”
“But you didn’t find his silly carriage at all attractive, did you?”
“No, but a sporting gentleman might not realize that,” Bea said with a light laugh. “I can assure you, when I told Braxton the carriage made me nervous, he was shocked. It hadn’t even crossed his mind as a possibility.”
Lady Frampton sighed and shook her head. “Well tell us what you can, in any case, dear. Did people notice? Will it be enough to save you from his stupid wager?”
Again Beatrice wanted to shrug. How was she to know what the silly members of thetonwere thinking? But Lady Frampton was right, the wager was stupid. And they had to do their best to avoid bringing trouble upon her head.
“I am certain people noticed. Everyone we passed by stared at us. And I’m fairly certain we even saw the men with whom Braxton made his bet. Perhaps his lordship told them we would be there and they came to verify. They didn’t speak to us, thankfully, as I wouldn’t have known how to behave in such a situation.” Beatrice laughed a little before carrying on. “It seems to me as though we must have set every tongue to wagging, as we were clearly visible to everyone there. And you know how Society is. If they stare, they will also gossip. Perhaps that was his lordship’s intention. If he can stir up enough talk of his courtship quickly, we shouldn’t have to play at it for long.”
“Is it truly terrible for you, my dear?” Lady Charlotte asked with a frown. “I would have thought you would find it diverting. Getting to play at being a debutante for a little while.” She glanced at her sister before returning her attention to Beatrice. “We really ought to have ensured you had a proper debut when you first joined us instead of just taking you around to the few things we like to do. That was rather selfish of us, wasn’t it?”
“Oh no, my dearest Lady Charlotte, do not say such a thing!” Beatrice had flown from her seat and knelt by Lady Charlotte’s dainty feet, grasping that sweet, older woman’s hand. “You could never be selfish. I have not suffered in the least from a lack of debut. In fact, I think it is better that I have never done so. I am dreading the result of this little sojourn into that world, in all honesty.”
“Whatever do you mean, Beatrice? Do get up and explain yourself,” Lady Frampton demanded, uncomfortable with emotional displays.
With a light laugh, Bea did as she had been bidden. “What did I mean by saying I’m dreading it, do you mean?” At Lady Frampton’s stiff nod, Beatrice continued, “As I’m sure you’ve realized, no one has taken a great deal of interest in me since I’ve joined your household. No one has looked into my background or realized my grandfather provided generously for me, at least in a financial nature.” Lady Frampton’s frown deepened as though, perhaps, it had never crossed her mind. Bea didn’t become side tracked, though. “I am afraid that Lord Braxton’s sham courtship will make people look more deeply into my circumstances, and it will garner an unwelcome amount of interest in me, or rather my trust, not really me. No one has bothered to pay me much mind in the past four years, so I shan’t take their interest personally.” She concluded her comments on a dry note, which brought a softening to Lady Frampton’s features but the frown remained.
“Lottie was correct when she said we have been selfish, Beatrice. We really ought to have made more of a push to see you wed. But we have been enjoying your companionship and thought to keep you for ourselves. We ought to have followed up on our words with actions as I know for certain we have said it time and again. You ought to be wed.”
Beatrice shrugged despite the fierce frown this earned her from Lady Frampton. “I cannot say that I agree with you even though I have found myself more open to the idea after some reflection since yesterday.”
Lady Charlotte clapped her hands. “You’ll take Nathan, then?” she asked, grinning.
Bea’s mouth dropped open with surprise and a puff of laughter emerged. “That is not at all what I’m saying, my lady. Not only do you need to keep in mind that his courtship isn’t real, I cannot say that we would suit. All I am saying is thatup until his silly wager forced me to ponder the thought a little more, I have been convinced that I would rather remain a spinster.”
“No,” Lady Charlotte responded immediately, more firmly than Bea had ever heard her on a subject. “I don’t even care what your reasoning was, Beatrice. You are not to remain a spinster. I can assure you, whatever the reasons, they are not good enough. Why choose to remain alone for life when you could have children to brighten your days?”
How to tactfully respond? “Neither of your circumstances prove that having children is the answer.”
“Don’t take our circumstances into consideration. Surely we are the exception. We are not the sweet young lady that you are. You will not become us,” Lady Frampton interjected. “We have kept you for ourselves too long. You will not remain unwed another year. Nathan’s ridiculous wager has been a positive development, forcing action upon us.” She turned to her sister. “Lottie, you ought to take the girl shopping again. I am certain we didn’t order enough gowns. We need to see this thing done properly.”
Bea didn’t agree with Lady Frampton’s conclusion. There was no guarantee that her marrying would result in a happy future for her. Remaining a spinster guaranteed that she would have at least control over what happened to her and what became of her inheritance. But Beatrice wasn’t convinced of the rightness of it sufficiently to argue against a trip to the modiste. Lady Frampton was right, it was entirely possible she would be able to have children who would remain dutiful and friendly with her into her old age, unlike Lady Frampton’s children who ignored her as best they could. Children were the draw for her. The husband needed to acquire those children was the matter thatgave her pause. What if she chose badly? What if he was violent or unkind or indifferent? All would be bad in their own way.
She ought to see her solicitor. Perhaps he could advise her.
