A Hero Returns

by Kelly Anne Bruce

  "Well, yes. Of course," Lady Taltham said slowly. "You ladies have a good time."

  "Thank you, Lady Taltham," Henrietta said dutifully and then sent a bright smile to be Beatrice.

  "Thank you, Mother," Beatrice said and they left the drawing room.

  The carriage ride to the park was short. They had barely left the house when the carriage began to slow down.

  "I hope you do not mind but I asked the driver to drop us off at Cumberland Gate."

  "No, I would rather walk." Beatrice had so much nervous energy she could have walked to Surrey and back.

  As soon as they entered the park, Beatrice could not help looking around hoping to spot Charles. She worried that his plans may have changed.

  "Beatrice, are you sure you are well?"

  "Yes, why do you ask?"

  "You seem very nervous," Henrietta stopped, looking back to Cumberland Gate. "Are you worried Mr Townsend will be here? Should we go back to the carriage?"

  "Oh, no." Beatrice suddenly felt guilty for not letting her friend in on her secret—her true reason for coming to the park. "I am not worried about Mr Townsend."

  She started walking once more and Henrietta asked, "Then what is bothering you?"

  "Henrietta, I should have told you this before, but I can hardly believe it myself." Beatrice took a deep breath and looked at her friend.

  "Please tell me. I cannot stand another minute not knowing." Henrietta reached out for Beatrice’s hand.

  “It was Charles that saved me from Mr Townsend last week." Henrietta's mouth opened but Beatrice went on wanting to tell her everything as soon as she could. "I did not say anything before because I feel like a silly schoolgirl. I kept telling myself that it was just hero worship because he helped me."

  "He saved you," Henrietta corrected her. "Yes, I believe that, too."

  Beatrice shrugged. "I hope this is not awkward, but I fear that I have feelings for your brother."

  Henrietta stopped and turned to face her friend. "Awkward? No! This is wonderful!"

  "Are you sure?" Beatrice asked her not quite believing her.

  "Of course. You are my closest friend.” Henrietta clapped her hands in glee. “If you marry Charles you would be my sister! How exciting!"

  "I agree, that would be wonderful," Beatrice said quietly and swallowed. "But I cannot even think of that, I have only just realized how I feel. I do not know how your brother feels. He probably does not think of me in that way at all."

  "Do not worry about that," Henrietta said with a wave her hand. "I will do whatever I can to help."

  "Thank you, Henrietta. I am so glad that I confided in you."

  "As am I," Henrietta agreed, her face so serious that Beatrice knew she was thinking. "Now we just have to see about when you can see him again."

  "Well, actually that is why I wanted to come to the park today."

  "Because of Charles?"

  "Yes," Beatrice nodded feeling fairly silly once more. "At Sarah's recital, your brother said that he would be at the park today and that he hoped to see me if I was comfortable returning to the park so soon."

  "Charles is here?" Henrietta did not wait for Beatrice's answer and was already looking about the park.

  "I am not sure, but possibly."

  "We will keep walking towards the ring. It is the most likely place for him to go, especially if he is looking for you."

  "I do not know if I would say that he is looking for me."

  "Hush," Henrietta told her. "Charles is the one that suggested it, yes?"

  "Yes, he said he would like to see me again."

  Henrietta started walking faster. "And you have nothing to worry over."

  Beatrice looked down the path and realized that Henrietta had already seen her brother and Captain Wainwright walking down another path that would soon cross their own. Beatrice could suddenly feel her heart beat more rapidly, she was happy to see him but also extremely nervous.

  "Charles is my brother and I could just call to him, but I would rather make it seem as though we just happened upon them."

  "I like that idea, too," Beatrice told her sounding odd even to herself.

  "You do not need to be nervous," Henrietta smiled at her. "Charles is very sweet, except when he is being a bossy older brother."

  Beatrice laughed. "Thank you, I feel so much better now."

  They were nearing the other path when Henrietta gave a conspiratorial smile.

  "He will surely be glad to see you at Lady Westerton's ball. Was it not your lavender dress that he commented on?"

  At first, Beatrice did not know what Henrietta was saying but she was talking louder the necessary and it occurred to Beatrice that it was meant for Lieutenant Repington and Captain Wainwright to hear.

  "Yes, it was my lavender dress. I do not think I shall wear it to Lady Westerton's ball though."

  "No? But he liked it so," Henrietta said.

  "I shall wear my white, or perhaps something new. I have not decided."

  They turned down the other path heading away from Lieutenant Repington and Captain Wainwright.

  "Henrietta?" Henrietta turned around wide-eyed with surprise. "Charles? What are you doing here?"

  He looked over at Beatrice and smiled. “It is just too lovely to stay at home."

  Chapter Eighteen

  "It is a lovely day, Lieutenant Repington," Beatrice agreed with a shy smile.

  "Good afternoon, Miss Beatrice. It is so very nice to see you," Charles said cringing at how banal he must sound. Against his better judgement, he added more dullness. “It is a lovely day, indeed.”

  "Good afternoon, Lieutenant Repington," she replied. Then smiled at Wainwright. "Good afternoon, Captain Wainwright."

  Wainwright, the rake, actually bowed. "Good afternoon, Miss Beatrice and to you as well, Lady Henrietta."

  Henrietta stepped toward him. "Major Wainwright, am so glad that you are here."

  "You are?" Wainwright sounded suspicious rather than surprised.

  "Why, yes, I am.” She fell into step next to him on the path. "I want to hear all about Charles and the mischief he got into. I am more than sure you were at his side the entire time."

  "Mischief, eh?" Wainwright asked with a raised eyebrow. "I suppose there are a few tales to tell."

  "Oi!" Charles protested but it lost its power when he laughed. It did not really matter as they had already continued walking along the path. Although Henrietta could be heard saying, "All right then. Do tell me about India."

  "I suppose we should follow them," Beatrice suggested.

  "I suppose so. Seems as though they will leave us behind otherwise."

  They started down the path slowly.

  Charles felt so happy that Beatrice had shown up. She had seemed agreeable about visiting the park when they spoke at the recital, but he had worried in the days since that she had changed her mind. He also worried that perhaps her mother had intervened. He had all but convinced himself that there was no need to come to the park. If not for Wainwright, Charles may have spent the day in the stuffy library.

  "I am glad to see that you survived Lady Sarah's recital unscathed," Charles joked.

  Miss Beatrice laughed jovially, making his heart warm.

  "Yes, well, I did have a little bit of a headache the next day," she quipped. "Honestly, it was not that bad."

  "Not that bad?" He asked incredulously, remembering Helena's awful singing.

  "I am being quite truthful." She nodded sagely before adding, “I have attended far worse recitals."

  "Is that possible?"

  "It is," she assured him. "I will not reveal the names of the performers, but the hunting dogs started to howl every time one singer opened her mouth."

  "You are making that up," he said to her with a laugh.

  "I am not," she said primly.

  "I'll not believe you," he replied.

  "Whether you believe it will not make it any less true," then she laughed. “You can ask anyone at Almac
k’s and they will tell you that I am being more than truthful."

  "Speaking of Almack’s," he said suddenly. He wanted to know when he could see her again. "Will you be attending tomorrow night?"

  "No," she told him quietly.

  Charles immediately regretted his words. Wainwright had mentioned that it may be difficult for her to obtain the much sought after vouchers. Charles had not wanted to embarrass her. He sought for something to say that might lessen the impact of his words.

  "My mother wanted me to go but I told her I would rather not."

  "I see."

  "She had wanted me to be ladylike and social toward Mr Townsend." Miss Beatrice let out a sigh. "Staying home seemed much easier."

  Charles gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He could not believe Lady Taltham was still encouraging a courtship between Miss Beatrice and the horrible Townsend.

  "Yes," he said calmly. "Almack’s has been quite the crush. I do not blame you for not wanting to attend. I, myself, have only gone twice since I returned to London."

  He had gone the previous week hoping to see Beatrice but had heard that she was suffering from a headache and left soon after he had found she would not be there.

  "And other than the spectacle that is Almack’s and attending shrill recitals, how have you enjoyed your return to London?"

  "It has been fine. Thank you."

  "I heard you tell Henrietta that you are staying with Captain Wainwright. Has that made your time in London easier?"

  Charles appreciated that she cared to ask. "I suppose it could have."

  "I would imagine it would be easier spending time with someone who understands your experience on the Peninsula."

  Charles was once again surprised by her insight and compassion. She was quite right. Staying with Wainwright had made it somewhat easier. If he was up in the middle of the night, he did not have to explain himself as he had found necessary when he stayed at Castborough.

  "Miss Beatrice, you are a wonder. Were you aware of that fact?"

  "Certainly not I." She blushed heavily and looked away.

  "Yes, you," he assured her. "How is it that you are the only person to realize that coming home might not be as easy as simply coming back to my home."

  Miss Beatrice shrugged. "I do not know. It may be the stories my grandfather told me as a child. He had been in the British Navy and always said that he felt extreme guilt for not simply being happy when he got home. It was difficult he said, being in charge of so many men and then coming home to a nice quiet house."

  "Well, I, for one am glad that you took the time to listen to your grandfather."

  Miss Beatrice nodded a sweet smile on her face. “Me, too."

  "I thought I heard Henrietta make mention of the Westerton's ball. Will you be attending?"

  "Yes. Being friends with your sister has been most helpful."

  Charles wanted to protest but he knew she would not believe him. So he joked, "I hope it is more than just invitations that you find as a benefit for being friends with my sister."

  Beatrice flushed and turn to him quickly. "Yes, of course! Henrietta is my closest friend and I do not know what I would do without her. Please forgive me as I misspoke."

  Charles groaned inwardly. He had been speaking about himself when he made the comment and had not meant to insult her or upset her.

  "Miss Beatrice, I was being facetious,” he said calmly. “I had only meant to imply that had you not been friends with Henrietta that you and I might not have ever met." He watched her closely waiting for her reaction.

  "As I said Henrietta and her friendship means a great deal to me and I am very thankful for everything that she has done for me," she said with a slight smile playing at her lips before turning back towards the path.

  It was not a declaration of her undying love, but Charles was happy to take it.

  Their wanderings brought them to the end of the footpath and they found Wainwright and Henrietta waiting for them.

  "Well, dear sister, did Captain Wainwright tell you all of my secrets?"

  "Not all of your secrets, dear brother, " Henrietta mocked him playfully.

  Wainwright shook his head. "I have told her next to nothing. She has been mostly asking about my position in India."

  "I think it is quite interesting, but I just cannot imagine having to live there."

  Wainwright had a very serious look on his face. “She seems quite concerned about the weather and my wardrobe."

  "Well it is very hot there and I just wonder how do you dress for that,” Henrietta blustered.

  Charles tipped his head back and laughed. “Henrietta, only you would be concerned about what to wear in exotic place such as India."

  "You tease her but she has a point, " Miss Beatrice interjected. "I think her questions are valid. How would you prepare for a trip to India if you had no idea with the proper attire would be?"

  Wainwright nodded his approval and turned to Henrietta. "She is quite right. My apologies, Lady Henrietta. Are you planning a trip to India?"

  Henrietta flushed surprising Charles. "No,” she said hesitantly. "And as I said I find the whole idea fascinating and just wanted to know more about it. I do fear that it is much too far away."

  Charles had never seen his sister flustered and he was quite enjoying it.

  “And you, Miss Beatrice, " Wainwright asked. "What are your thoughts on the matter?"

  "I rather like the idea. As much as I enjoy London and living in England, the thought of leaving it all behind sounds most wonderful to me."

  "It does?" Henrietta asked. "Wouldn't you miss everything? The conveniences?"

  "No, I do not think I would,” Miss Beatrice said almost immediately. “I would miss you, of course."

  Charles watched his sister react to her friend’s words and the understanding dawn on her face. He thought about her words himself and made a promise to himself that he would do what he could to make Miss Beatrice's life different, better.

  "Well, while you two were discussing the mysteries of India, Miss Beatrice and I were discussing Lady Westerton's ball."

  At the mention the elaborate event Henrietta began to speak rapidly which gave Charles a chance to think about what he wanted to do. He knew that he needed to make some decisions and he had the distinct feeling that he was running out of time.

  Chapter Nineteen

  "Are you enjoying yourself?" Charles asked. Miss Beatrice looked beautiful in a light blue dress with white ribbons on the sleeves and neckline. He did not normally notice details like that but when it came to Beatrice he could not help but notice.

  "Yes, thank you," Beatrice told him her cheeks flushed from the most recent dance in the ballroom. She opened her fan and waved it in front of her face. "I have never danced so much."

  Charles had danced with her nearly every dance although both Wainwright, Matthew and another of Charles’ brother, Hugh, had danced with Beatrice as well.

  "Would you like to get some fresh air?"

  "Oh, yes. That would be lovely," Beatrice agreed happily. “It has become a bit stuffy in here.”

  Charles offered her his arm. "We can go out onto the terrace that overlooks the garden."

  Charles led Beatrice from the ballroom and out to the broad terrace where a number of people were looking at the garden.

  Beatrice gasped. "How beautiful."

  Charles watched as Beatrice looked around at the large terrace. An ornate stone banister ran along the edge of the terrace. A wide staircase led down to a lush jungle of plants and trees that filled the garden.

  "This is the most magnificent garden I have ever seen." Beatrice leaned over the wide railing peering into the darkness at the plants below.

  "They are all tropical varieties brought back by Lord Westerton after his travels to Africa and India."

  "And they grow here in London?" She asked, her eyes still on the plants.

  Charles was so glad that he had suggested they get some air. He had forgotten
about Lord Westerton’s tropical garden. “In the summer, yes, with great care, I am sure."

  "And in the winter?" She looked back at him. “I would think it would be much too cold in London.”

  "I do not know for sure but I believe they are moved into a greenhouse to protect them from the cold in winter."

  She shook her head in wonder. "It is a truly amazing sight to see."

  Charles marveled at her joy and enthusiasm. Looking at her when he said, "Yes. Yes, it is."

  Beatrice looked away shyly, taking a step back toward the house.

  Not wanting their quiet moment to end he asked, "Would you like to look at the plants closer?"

  She took several steps toward the stairs and then halted. "Should we? I mean, would be proper?"

  "I believe so. There are a great number of people walking the grounds. There will be little chance that we would be caught alone," Charles explained trying to assure her. As though to prove his point, several people walked past them to go down the stairs and into the garden.

  She seemed to debate silently over what to do. "I would rather enjoy looking at the garden. Do you mind very much?"

  "Not at all. I find the garden quite interesting."

  They walked into the garden following the same path the others had taken. Stopping here and there to study and comment on the large broadleaf plants that seemed so foreign to them.

  "Oh look!" Beatrice exclaimed pointing to a small pond ringed with stonework similar to that on the terrace. There were large flowers with white and pink petals floating on the water's surface.

  "What beautiful flowers," she said walking around the pond. “I wonder what they are.”

  "I believe they are lotus flowers from India where they grow in large masses."

  She stared at the flower for a moment, reaching out to touch one only to have it float away, the moonlight reflecting on the rippling water.

  "What it must be like to go to a place like India and see flowers like this. It must be stunning."

  "You are stunning," he told her suddenly.

  "Lieutenant Repington..."

  "Charles," he corrected. "Please call me Charles."