by Abigail Agar
To me, our day together felt uncommon. You are a lovely woman, even if I was a bit boorish about it.
I do apologise if my behavior was unseemly. I am not overly comfortable in the presence of beautiful women. At times this leads me to saying things that I should not.
My mother has given me a thorough scolding, telling me that I must do better. However I thought that perhaps, seeing as how you have no other prospects, we might meet again. I am sure that you cannot deny the benefits of such an opportunity.
Please write to me at once and inform me when it would be an ideal day to spend together, when you are away from your employer.
I do look forward to seeing you again.
With regards,
Mr. Walter Hinton.
Beatrice was entirely confused and, perhaps, somewhat shocked.
She had not imagined hearing from Mr. Hinton ever again. Nor had she wanted to.
He had been the farthest thing in her mind from a gentleman. This letter only furthered that belief.
If his letter had not been so insulting, she would have been amused by it. She would have found him nearly comical, that he would think himself worthy of more of her time.
Furthermore, if the letter did nothing else, it only solidified in Beatrice’s mind the very thing that her sister had said.
She deserved better than this. She should not have to settle.
Beatrice took a deep breath and sighed, laughing as she did.
If things were ever going to come together for her, they would not come together like this through rude and fanciful men who deemed themselves to be her only choice.
Still, for the sake of her mother, she chose to write back to Mr. Hinton.
The letter was short and sweet. She told him that she did not see a future together and wished him well as he continued to search for a wife that he found agreeable. There was nothing more to say.
Little by little, Beatrice’s hopes were failing. She trusted that she could still live a happy life, but she no longer believed that it would include love.
And that was something that she would have to accept, whether she wished to or not.
Chapter 28
Peter was sitting next to Andrew as they watched a cricket match on the lawn. Sipping brandy and making bets, it was quite a relaxed afternoon.
“I must confess; I was terribly worried that you were going to be angry at me. Even that night, when you realised that I had been speaking with your betrothed the whole time, I thought that you would be furious,” Andrew said.
“And I thought that you would never forgive me for the fact that I was supposed to marry her. I could see that you liked her. Although, we have not yet remedied the matter. I am aware that we still must figure that out,” Peter said.
“Yes, but I have hope now. Now that we are being open with one another, I do believe that we may figure something out,” Andrew said.
Peter certainly hoped so as well. He no longer wanted to be engaged to the woman that his dearest friend was in love with. It was not simply a matter of his own feelings and affections now; it was a matter of friendship, pure and true friendship.
It also felt nice, being so open with one another. He was glad that they could share what they were actually thinking and not have to worry that the other would be upset.
He was also relieved to have someone who would not judge him for liking someone other than his betrothed.
“And what, precisely, are we going to do next? How are we going to find a way to be with the young women that we each desire to marry?” Peter asked.
Andrew appeared to be thinking it through. But suddenly, Peter came up with an idea of his own.
“I have a thought,” he said.
“Oh? And what is that?” Andrew asked.
“As you and I have come to an understanding, we do need to learn whether or not my betrothed would agree to it,” Peter said.
“Yes, we do. I should like to know whether or not she intends to marry you, and if not, whether or not she would be pleased to marry me instead,” Andrew said with a laugh.
“Precisely. So, I think it is best if we slowly try to learn the answer to that. What if we go and visit them this very day?” Peter asked.
“You mean to simply show up at the estate and spending time with the young ladies?” Andrew asked.
Peter thought about the fact that he could not ask for an audience with Miss Cloud. For someone in her position, it would look very strange for him to want to see her.
However, if he spoke with Lady Seton about her friend, they might figure out a way of seeing them both.
And, if not, the very least he could do was to get Lady Seton and Andrew in the same room.
“In a sense. Although it will be strange for us to show up in this way, I do think it is our best option. I should like to spend some time with the young women, trying to discern whether or not they would be happy with a different arrangement,” Peter said.
Andrew shook his head, smiling again. It was obvious that he was not entirely sure how he felt about the matter at hand. Not because he disliked the idea; quite the opposite. He simply appeared unsure if it would work.
“Do you think it is a viable option?” Peter asked.
“I suppose so. I don’t know that we can’t necessarily discern what they want by simply being in the same room with them. But, perhaps, we may make our own assumptions. If that is enough for you, it is enough for me,” he said.
For Peter, anything was an option. He just wanted to have a chance with the woman that he had come to care for. If this was the only way of finding out whether or not she had feelings in return, he was willing to try it.
He felt bad at times, knowing that he was constantly scheming and trying to find a way out of marrying Lady Seton. He had nothing against her. Indeed, she was a wonderful woman, one who he thought could truly be a friend.
It was just that there was no love between them and he was still quite confident that she would agree with that. Lady Seton had made no pretense for affection on her part; she had not pretended or behaved as though she liked him as anything more than the man to whom she was meant to be wed. There was no romance on either side.
So, why would she object? Why would she be upset or take it personally that he did not wish to be married to her?
Still, Peter understood that there was a great deal of pride in the matter. He could be causing harm to hers, and he could be upsetting her and making her feel unwanted if he did not proceed with the marriage that had been arranged for them.
But, he figured, there was only one way to find out the truth.
“In the case, we must go at once. I wish to see Lady Seton. Since the night that I first met her, I have seen her only in small bursts and that has been painful. Honestly, I would love to find a way of seeing her more often,” Andrew said.
“Be patient. That is the goal that we are working toward. But you must understand something, Andrew. This is not going to be easy for me or for Lady Seton. Her father is set on this union. It is not Lady Seton you must woo, but her father,” Peter warned.
Andrew’s face fell.
“I had not thought about it that way,” he said.
“I suggest that you begin to think of it in exactly that way. We have no promise that this is going to be easy. Lord Seton wants me to marry his daughter and he is unlikely to bend in that will,” Peter said.
“Why must you crush my spirit so cruelly?” Andrew asked, dramatically and with an exaggerated pout that made Peter laugh before Andrew chuckled as well.
“I meant no such disregard for your spirit, only that I would very much like for you to be prepared rather than to expect that Lord Seton will have any compassion for either of us if my engagement to his daughter is ended,” Peter said.
“Yes, yes, I know,” Andrew said, hurriedly.
“Anyway, let us be off and get ourselves into a bit of trouble, what do you say?” Peter asked.
“There is no time quite like
the present,” Andrew agreed.
They stood and called for the coach, rushing out of the door as quickly as they could.
Peter considered the fact that there were very serious consequences meshed with this decision. He could be making an enemy of Lord Seton. Even his own mother would potentially be confused.
Then again his mother was a good woman, very understanding of love and affection. Why should he have to worry about whether or not she would approve of the match? Surely, she would be happy for him.
As they rode in the coach to the Seton Estate, Peter considered what else could happen. Was it possible that society would never accept the match that he wanted?
They arrived soon enough and he figured he would find out.
“Ah, Lady Seton. How wonderful it is to see you again,” Peter greeted.
“And you, My Lord. And, Lord Beckridge,” she said, blushing when she glanced at Andrew.
“You must forgive our sudden and unannounced intrusion. Have we come at a bad time?” Peter asked.
“Not at all, Lord Hawthorn. Only, my mother and father are out. I fear that I must call for one of the staff to act in the capacity of chaperone,” she said.
Peter and Andrew glanced at one another, trying not to smile at their luck.
“Lady Seton,” Andrew began. “If you do not mind, would you be willing to call for Miss Cloud? I hear that she plays the pianoforte quite well and I should like to hear a bit of music as we sit together.”
Peter was astonished at Andrew’s quick thinking. He appreciated that his friend was able to come up with an excuse as to why she was the best choice as chaperone.
When Andrew glanced back at him Peter could see that his friend was proud of the idea that he had come up with; that he knew it was the best choice for ensuring their purpose in coming was not painfully clear, although it was not overly vague either.
Lady Seton smiled graciously and curtseyed.
“I shall be but a moment. You must be seated in the meantime,” she said, leaving the room.
Peter and Andrew did as instructed and took their seats. It was only a moment later that Lady Seton and Miss Cloud returned, followed by a maid with tea.
“Good afternoon, Miss Cloud,” Peter greeted, catching her eyes for a moment and trying to hold it before she responded as politely as was expected.
“Good afternoon, Lord Hawthorn. And Lord Beckridge, how lovely to see you as well,” she said, curtsying before them in a graceful and delicate manner.
Peter looked at Miss Cloud and then glanced at Andrew and Lady Seton. It was clear who cared for whom.
In fact, Peter saw a similar look pass between the ladies that he had so recently shared with Andrew. He wondered, despite himself, if they, as well, had been discussing what it was that they each truly wanted.
That would certainly make all of this much easier. Even if they were not going to share it immediately, even if they could not possibly be open with Miss Cloud and Lady Seton, they could at least work to discern if their hopes were viable and if they ought to pursue the thoughts they had been having.
“I am delighted to see you both and we very much appreciate your willingness to host us for a short time,” Peter said.
“It is our pleasure, My Lord,” Lady Seton said.
“I am told that Lord Beckridge wished for me to play while you converse?” Miss Cloud offered.
Andrew immediately held up a hand to stop her.
“Oh, not yet, Miss Cloud. You must relax and enjoy yourself. Have a cup of tea first. I do not like it when one is rushed into service,” he said.
Peter grinned, still thankful for Andrew being by his side.
“Thank you, My Lord,” she said, humbly.
“You know, Miss Cloud, Andrew is quite a magnificent dancer. I trust that with your music he would he would impress us all, much like Lady Seton,” Peter said.
“Is that so? I cannot imagine that anyone is so good a dancer as our dear Lady Seton,” Miss Cloud said.
“We must see the two of them dance together, I think. That would be enough to settle it. I imagine that, were they to take the center of a ball, they would be quite the vision,” Peter said.
“I should like very much to see that,” Miss Cloud said, her eyes glazed with mischief, seeming to understand that he was trying to pair the two.
“Well, in that case, I think there is only one thing for it,” Peter said.
“And what might that be?” Lady Seton asked.
“What else? A ball, of course,” Peter said.
A ball. What better option was there? He could host a ball at his home, allowing everyone a chance to spend time together.
Of course Miss Cloud would not be allowed to attend such a thing, considering her position. However, Peter thought he might have a way around that.
Indeed, he saw Miss Cloud’s face fall, seemingly struck by the awareness that she would not see or entertain such an event.
“A ball sounds lovely, but unless you intend to hire Miss Cloud to play, I do not think that we shall be able to dance to her pianoforte,” Lady Seton said.
“Which is why I have every intention of speaking with your father and requesting an exception. Miss Cloud is a good friend of yours and I should like her to be among the guests, just as she was at the dinner gathering that we attended when we came here, do you not think?” Peter asked.
“That is a perfect idea, My Lord. How good of you to think of it,” Lady Seton said.
Thus, it was settled. He would speak with Lord Seton and ensure that she was invited.
Then, he would be able to see her that night. He would see her in her ball-gown; he would ask her for a dance, even if they both failed to do so well.
He hoped that it would be a night to remember.
“Well, I fear that we have taken up enough of your time already. Too much, in fact,” Peter said.
“It was lovely to see you both,” Lady Seton said.
“And lovely to see you as well,” Andrew replied.
“I shall speak with your father as soon as I am able and set a date for the ball. You shall hear from me. And then I believe there will be a night to remember, shortly thereafter,” Peter said, grinning.
Miss Cloud nodded, sweetly, saying nothing. He understood why. Her attendance was still in question.
As Peter tried to discern her feelings for him, he felt that the connection was still between them. He felt that it existed and that she certainly appeared to care for him in the same manner which he cared for her.
But, he could not know yet. Perhaps, soon. Perhaps he would find out the night of the ball.
And, if not, maybe all of this was for nothing.
But he would make the effort, regardless. And, if his feelings were matched, a ball would be an excellent time to introduce Miss Cloud to his mother before expressing how he felt about her.
His mother.
