Her cousin had also attempted to impart some sense of decorum in families such as this… such as hers, Beatrix corrected as she cringed. Had this unfortunate thing not happened and she had been raised here in this household, would she truly have been expected to see her mother only in passing? To wait to be acknowledged and curtsy before speaking to “her Lady Mother?”
Callum had been so cavalier about his own cold upbringing, referring to it simply as the way things were done. But Beatrix had longed for a mother she could run to for affection when she was sad or hurt, a mother she could laugh with and play silly games with. A mother who doted on her and called her silly names and played pretend games as much as…
…as her father had done.
These people are no equal to my father. I should very much like to meet my mother and any other family members who may be here, but they are but a poor substitute for the best family anyone could ever have, small and humble though it may have been!
Beatrix reached the ground just as the front door of the enormous house flew open and a shrill cry of delight sounded. She looked up in alarm, wholly unprepared for the sight of a well-dressed lady throwing herself forward and down the steps.
Before Beatrix could register that this must be the Lady Miriam she had been told about, the woman had her in her arms, holding her tightly even as her tears soaked Beatrix’s shoulder.
So much for reserved and dignified. Beatrix was pleasantly surprised, but unnerved just the same.
“Oh, my child! My daughter!” the woman said, stepping back but keeping hold of Beatrix’s hands. “Let me look at you!”
The woman squinted through her tears, her hands shaking as she held Beatrix’s. She smiled repeatedly, only letting go of the younger woman when she needed to retrieve her handkerchief.
“Please don’t think me a strange old bird!” the woman said, hiccupping a laugh as more tears poured forth. “I’d practiced so hard for this moment, ever since I was informed that you were alive! I’d meant to be so dignified and greet you properly, but I find that I simply cannot!”
Beatrix laughed gently too, and said only, “So I am to assume that you are my mother?”
“Oh, how stupid of me! Yes, child, I’m your mother! And you are my beautiful, brilliant daughter, come home to me at last!” the woman answered, crushing Beatrix to her once again.
Looking over the woman’s shoulder, Beatrix was relieved to see her cousin standing atop the steps, looking down on the moving scene with admiration and approval. She shot him a helpless look as her mother’s tears turned to sobs of great emotion. Peter grinned, but came down the stairs to her rescue.
“Aunt Miriam, shouldn’t we bring her inside the house? She can be every bit as much your daughter with a roof overhead,” he chided playfully.
“Quite right! Yes, you must come in at once, I’m certain you’re famished!” Lady Miriam replied, still clinging tightly to Beatrix’s arm as she led her up to the house. “You must tell me everything about yourself, and then I shall show you the house. I do hope you’re staying for a long time?”
“I rather thought we’d leave the plans open. But I, too, am eager to meet you and know you, Lady Miriam,” Beatrix answered slowly, still unnerved by the exuberant reception.
“Pish, none of that! Will you please call me… Mother?” the older woman asked shyly. “Oh dear, what am I saying? I don’t even know if you had a mother who loved you and raised you, and here I am usurping her throne!”
“No, no,” Beatrix said, laughing lightly. “I never had a mother. I would be honored to address you so, in fact.”
“What? No mother? Oh, you poor child!” A fresh bout of tears followed, and Beatrix once again shot Peter a pleading look.
“Aunt Miriam, the poor thing will be washed away by your crying! Come, this is a happy occasion, the first of many I’m sure,” he explained, taking his aunt’s other arm and moving the emotional procession forward.
Somehow, they managed to make it inside, and Beatrix felt a slight sensation of choking at the grandeur and enormity of the house. The handful of servants still in the Marchioness’s employ were turned out in a line to greet her, and she felt very much scrutinized under their gaze. Lady Miriam led the way to a beautiful drawing room and bade Beatrix sit.
They passed the entire afternoon getting acquainted, and more than once her mother had to be consoled. Tales that Beatrix had found endearing and even comical would set off another round of sobs, so much that she worried to divulge too much.
“And what of that villainous monster who took you from me?” Lady Miriam asked at one point. Her countenance seemed both wounded and enraged.
Beatrix struggled to show no insult at the mention of her father. Instead, she took a deep breath and slowly answered, “Remember, that person is the only family I’ve ever known. While I, too, question his actions, we must both always remember that his task was to fling me over the bridge into the nearest river. Instead, he took pity on me and carried me home, raising me as his own. If not for him, I would have died the day I was taken.”
Lady Miriam froze, obviously lost in thought. Just as Beatrix began to worry that she had offended the woman on the very day they’d met, her mother said, “I thank you for helping me to see it that way. I have had a great pain in my heart at the thought of you not only stolen but then raised by the worst sort of criminal. Your summation not only proves me wrong, it shows me that I owe the man a great debt!”
Beatrix blinked in surprise, and even Peter showed some measure of admiration for the quick turnaround.
“In fact, I should like to invite your father when you next return so that I may express my thanks.” Lady Miriam smiled again, dabbing at more tears but seeming determined to put the discussion behind her.
Their talks continued well on through the afternoon. More than once, Peter had had to suggest that they stroll about the gardens or view more of the house, simply to give Beatrix a moment’s rest from her mother’s desire to know everything about her. After a strange sort of small meal that her mother had referred to simply as “tea,” Beatrix’s head was swimming a bit from the excitement of the day.
The excitement was to carry on, unfortunately, when a liveried servant entered the drawing room and announced the arrival of Lord Bellton.
Chapter 31
“Callum!” the older woman cried, abandoning all pretense of protocol on such an upheaval day. “Come let me look at you, I don’t think I’ve seen you since that summer when you and Peter came to stay with me!”
He nodded formally to Lady Miriam and clapped Peter on the shoulder when they shook hands. He was on the verge of greeting Beatrix when Lady Miriam interrupted.
“I have the most wonderful news, young man,” she began, pointing him to a chair and taking a seat herself. “In what has been the oddest but most fortunate turn of events, my long-lost child has been found and returned! Lord Bellton, may I have the extreme pleasure of introducing my daughter, Beatrix.”
Both Beatrix and the Marquess turned to look sharply at Peter, who merely shrugged his shoulders. It was lost on all three of them that Lady Miriam should not have been informed of the circumstances as to how her daughter had been discovered, only that she had.
Callum recovered quickly, and said sternly, “Yes, I have actually had the pleasure of meeting her once before. It is lovely to see you again.”
“Yes, same,” she managed to reply softly without looking at him.
Lady Miriam seemed none the wiser, and said, “It is the strangest, most wonderful thing. To think that the daughter I lost all those years ago had been living not so very far from here all this time! Did you know she attended St. Mary’s School for a time? Her cousins were both students there! Is it not remarkable that the girls should have attended the same school and perhaps played or studied together, and never knew they were kin?”
“Yes indeed,” Callum agreed, daring to glance at Beatrix. He quickly looked away when he saw the look of incredulity on
her face.
“But tell me, to what do we owe the great honor of your visit?” the old woman asked, delighted with all of the guests in her usually empty house.
“Yes, old friend,” Peter said, glaring while attempting to hold back his amusement at Callum’s somewhat unexpected intrusion. “I thought when I left you in town you were to stay there for a few days. What brings you here now?”
Callum looked around, bemused at being put on the spot. “I wanted to, that is to say, I was hoping… that I might speak with Peter about an urgent matter.”
“What? Peter?” Lady Miriam asked, turning to look at her nephew. “Why certainly, we can spare him for a little while. But only if you’ll stay for a visit. You cannot possibly return to your home at this time of day.”
Callum nodded gratefully, then stood to leave the room with Peter. Beatrix watched them go, staring daggers at the man’s retreating back.
“Now, where were we, dear…” Lady Miriam began, turning her complete attention back to Beatrix.
“No, really, what are you doing here?” Peter demanded as graciously as he could manage once they were out of the room. “You know you’re always a welcome guest, but you were supposed to stay away for some time! It is my aunt’s reunion with her only child!”
“I know that, and I am heartily sorry for it,” Callum said, sighing in frustration. “But I have attempted to find Beatrix for weeks and have had no success. I found that I could wait no longer, I had to come at once.”
“No, in fact, you did not have to.” Peter folded his arms crossly. “Now tell me if I am incorrect, but did you have trouble locating her, or trouble getting her to answer your undoubtedly dozens of letters?”
“Perhaps both. What does that matter?”
“You know very well that I knew where she was the entire time. If you have not received a reply from her, then may chance she had a reason.” Peter sounded cross, but as he looked at Callum’s defeated expression, his tone softened. “You are my dearest friend, and I’m just as grieved as you are if you’re unhappy. But you’re not thinking of Beatrix. You’re thinking only of yourself right now.”
“That may be. And what of it?”
“Callum,” Peter chided, “this is not the right time yet. You need to go.”
Callum was quiet for a moment then sniffled dramatically before he replied, “Your aunt said I didn’t have to.”
“Your friend is saying that you do!” Peter said sharply.
They both startled when the door behind them opened and Beatrix emerged. She seemed rather calm as she approached, and Callum thought of nothing more to do than to bow as he said his greetings.
“I’m rather pleased you are here,” she began quietly. Callum’s face brightened considerably, then she said, “Only in that you’ve saved me a considerable amount of effort and inconvenience. Please do not leave before I give you something that belongs to you. I’ll retrieve it now.”
The pair waited as an awkward silence wrapped around them. When Beatrix finally returned, she held out a leather satchel. Callum took it, too fretful to even look inside.
“As promised, there is your mother’s headpiece. I’m glad it is back with its proper owner. Next time take care not to let it fall from your horse, though. One of my friends found it on the side of the road after you raced off the day you lost it.”
She nodded at Callum and smiled at Peter before turning and rejoining Lady Miriam in the drawing room. For his part, Peter simply looked astounded.
“After all that’s gone on, you finally have it back,” he said, scoffing lightly. “It isn’t quite how you expected to feel, is it?”
“No,” Callum admitted miserably. “I find that I don’t care about it anymore. The thing I truly desire is so obviously out of my reach that all my other trinkets mean nothing.”
“Oh, cheer up before you turn the clouds black overhead!” Peter said, scowling more than a little. “Stay a while, have your visit, but make sure not to intrude any. If you upset my aunt, mark my words, you and I will duel and I’ll see to it that your pistol is filled with oats!”
He returned to the drawing room as well, leaving Callum to wonder if he shouldn’t just leave. This was not going how he’d planned, not even how he’d hoped. His best friend was upset with him, the woman he loved wouldn’t even look at him, and a dear, scattered old woman was his only supporter.
He wasn’t sure how it was possible, but later that evening, dinner was even more strained. Thankfully, Lady Miriam prattled on happily, regaling them with stories about sundry relations and friends in the ton. She spoke at length about plans to introduce her daughter to people slowly, giving the grateful young lady a chance to not become overwhelmed with her new position.
“But Peter, I’ve talked so long my food’s gone cold! Tell us about yourself for a while so that I might fend off starvation,” Lady Miriam teased. Her tone became sympathetic as she said, “We’re all close friends here so you can tell us. What news of your marriage?”
Callum might have been mistaken, but he thought his friend winced for a moment. His heart sank when he remembered that—despite his injured state for so long—he had not inquired after the events.
“Well, there’s not much to tell,” Peter said somberly, trying to sound pleasant for his aunt’s sake. “I visited with the Duke of Edmonton and even had the chance to speak to Lady Annemarie, who is sadly, a beautiful, charming, and highly intelligent person. Yet I informed them that in light of Father’s behavior and his criminal dealings, I would happily release them from the marriage contract if that is what they wished.”
“Oh, my dear nephew!” Lady Miriam looked as though she might resort to crying again. “That is so unfortunate, but it was wisely done. You generously spared their reputations while sacrificing your own improvement. How did they respond?”
“I have not heard from them,” he said, sighing a little. “So at this late date, I think we can all assume the answer.”
“That is such a shame,” Lady Miriam replied sadly, and even Beatrix smiled kindly at her cousin. Quickly changing the subject, the older woman asked, “And you, Lord Bellton? What of your plans to marry, if you have any?”
Peter immediately sputtered as he attempted to take a drink, causing everyone to look in his direction. He continued coughing as he dabbed vigorously at his shirt front.
“Actually, Lady Miriam, I had great hopes to be married,” Callum answered pointedly, “but alas, I have not yet convinced a woman to spend even an hour in my presence, let alone a lifetime.”
A sudden thud beneath the table disturbed the salt box, and Callum grimaced. Peter looked pleased.
“But surely at your age, your father has been speaking to you about the matter?” the Marchioness pressed, concern for Callum’s future prospects evident in her tone.
“On the contrary, he recently had some forceful words to say in opposition to the matter.” At that Callum looked at Beatrix quickly but was disappointed to see that she would not meet his eye. “But as of late, I hope to remedy that situation in the near future.”
“Aunt Miriam,” Peter interrupted, his voice taking on the tenor of a low, rumbling growl, “did your husband keep pistols about the house?”
“I… I don’t know,” she answered, looking as though she was trying to remember. “Perhaps there are some in the upstairs rooms? You’re welcome to them if you wish, heaven knows I have no desire to see anything he ever enjoyed.”
“I’ve already been shot once,” Callum whispered to Peter, “and though I have no desire to ever do it again, it is a small price to pay for you to butt out!”
“I’m going to shoot you,” Peter insisted in a tone that seemed to be only half in jest.
“Aim to the left so that I’ll have a matched pair of scars on either side!” Callum hissed back.
“What are you young men babbling about over there?” Lady Miriam asked, smiling obliviously. She looked to Beatrix, who had been silent all this time, and then suddenly
frowned. “Oh my dear, how rude of me! I’ve kept you up and busy all throughout the day, and after your long journey too. We must end here and get you to bed!”
“Though I cannot stand to miss a moment with you, I think that might be best,” Beatrix said, casting a quick glance of reproach to both of the gentlemen at the table.
“Oh, but I hadn’t thought to bring up a maid for you!” Lady Miriam cried. “How foolish of me, when I knew you would be visiting with me for some time! I’ll ring to see who might attend to you.”
“If I may, Lady Miriam,” Callum interrupted. “I have just the solution. Some of my staff have traveled with me, and they were a great help to Lady Beatrix when they met her. I believe she’ll remember them fondly as well.”
The Stolen Diadem of a Castaway Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 25
