Page 8 of Defying the Earl
“Don’t be so modest, Bea dear,” Lady Charlotte exclaimed. “Tell the boy about your school and all that you’ve been doing with the rector in our village.”
If it were possible, the young woman’s expression tightened further, but she offered a smile to Lady Charlotte. “I am quite certain Lord Braxton has no interest in our small doings in the village. He is merely looking in on you two. Why don’t I run and offer my assistance to Mrs. Parker with the refreshments?”
Nathan ought to be glad for her absence so he could warn his aunts, but contrarily he hoped they would admonish her to remain right where she was. He was clearly a muddle-minded dolt.
The aunts said nothing to Bea, and she hurried from the room, leaving the two older women looking at him with curiosity painted across their features.
Nathan wasn’t certain how long Lady Beatrice would be gone from the room, but he knew he ought to be quick. He should have prepared his thoughts better for this conversation. He cleared his throat, feeling awkward.
“Lady Frampton, Lady Charlotte, I need to tell you something before your companion returns.”
This brought mixed reactions from the two women. Lady Frampton’s usual frown turned fierce, while Lady Charlotte began to titter with excitement.
“Is it juicy gossip?” Lady Charlotte asked with delight, clapping her hands and laughing.
“What are you on about, Lottie? Why would he want Beatrice out of the room if he was going to share an interesting tidbit with us? Wouldn’t he want to share it with her?”
Lady Charlotte’s mouth opened in a perfectly shaped O but no sound came forth from her throat as she stared at him with wide eyes, waiting for him to explain himself.
“Out with it, Braxton,” Lady Frampton barked. “You cannot make such an announcement and not proceed quickly to the pronouncement.”
“My apologies, my ladies, I was distracted.”
Lady Frampton snorted while Lady Charlotte shut her mouth with a snap and even narrowed her eyes at him, much to Nathan’s surprise.
“Well, you are no longer distracted, so get on with your explanation, especially if you want to say something before our companion returns,” Charlotte said with a pleasant smile, but there was a surprising amount of bite to her words.
Nathan again cleared his throat but finally got on with it as his aunts admonished. “Last night at the ball, I was challenged to a wager that involves Lady Beatrice.”
Lady Charlotte gasped as though she had been struck, and even Lady Frampton displayed shock. “Never say you accepted,” she demanded.
“I had to, there was another less savoury gentleman anxious to take up the challenge if I didn’t.”
Lady Frampton’s narrowed gaze hardened upon her nephew’s face. “What does this challenge involve?” she asked.
“The other man bet that I couldn’t get Lady Beatrice to fall for my charms.”
Lady Frampton snorted once more. “What charms?” she asked with a frown while Lady Charlotte appeared confused.
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell us, Lord Braxton.”
“I want you to be aware, for one thing, that Lady Beatrice’s name is being bandied about. I forbade him from putting it inthe betting books, but I’m afraid that might not prevent her from being spoken about in unsavoury terms.”
“Why would you allow yourself to be drawn into such a spectacle, Braxton?”
“And to involve our dear little Bea. This is outrageous.”
Even the always gentle and pleasant Lady Charlotte was opposing him in that moment, and Nathan could hardly blame her.
“You are quite right to be dismayed, my ladies. I did not invite such behaviour. I would have completely disavowed any involvement if not for the other dolt who wanted to take up the bet.”
“Seems to me there were many dolts around last night,” Lady Frampton commented drily. Nathan couldn’t argue with her.
“So are you going to court the girl?” Lady Charlotte demanded.
“No, I would not so disrespect her or the two of you,” Nathan exclaimed, causing his aunts’ frowns to deepen.
“What could possibly be considered disrespectful about courting Lady Beatrice?” Lady Frampton demanded.
