A Well-Trained Lady (Seasons of Change Book 4)

by Jess Heileman

  Chapter Twenty

  “Bella!” I cringed inwardly and glanced toward the drawing room door as Ruth’s high-pitched tone drew the collective attention of the ladies. I had spent the first while after dinner keeping an attentive eye on the entrance in hopes of preventing this precise welcome, but when Ruth had not come, I had let down my guard, thinking she had likely opted to stay in her room for the night.

  Ruth gave a foolish wave and hurried toward me, making me curse myself for not being more vigilant. “Oh, Bella. How I have missed you this past week.”

  I reached out my hands to grasp hers, ensuring she would not wrap me in an embrace. “I can hardly believe you are here. I did not know the room in which you were staying, or I would have come to you earlier.”

  “Oh, I wish you had. I’ve been ready for quite some time, but I wasn’t certain I would find the courage to come down on my own. Thankfully Leah had heard of my arrival and came to greet me. With a little persuasion, here I am.”

  A smile touched my lips at hearing of Leah’s kindness. “And look how lovely your gown turned out.” I took a step back to appraise Ruth.

  Ruth lifted her skirts with one hand, swishing her new gown from side to side. “I didn’t think it would be ready in time, but Augustus paid an additional sum to have them both finished before our departure. And I cannot wait for you to see how well the ball gown turned out. ”

  I glanced around at the curious faces observing Ruth’s display, before noticing Mother’s glare. She flicked her head toward Lady Thorton, and I realized our oversight. “And have you greeted Lady Thorton yet?”

  “No.” Ruth’s eyes widened. “I have erred already, haven’t I?”

  I stepped to her side, and latched my arm through hers. “You were just excited to see me. Lady Thorton will understand that.”

  Ruth’s body was rigid as I led her forward. “Oh, but I’m so nervous.”

  Though my stomach clenched at our upcoming interaction, I could not let Ruth sense my hesitation. “There is no need to be nervous. Just remember what I taught you.”

  Ruth’s elbow tightened around my arm. “I can’t remember a thing right now, let alone what you taught me.” She shook her head. “I’m destined to make a fool of myself. I just know it.”

  As we approached the group where Lady Thorton and Mother stood, I lowered my voice. “Just don’t speak until spoken to, and try to curb your excitement.”

  Ruth gave a quick bob of her head just as we stopped before Lady Thorton.

  Lady Thorton gave a regal nod of acknowledgment. “Miss Seton. How delighted we are to have you at Branbury Court.” I pressed my hand against Ruth’s arm, reminding her not to speak until I was certain Lady Thorton was finished. “Did your aunt not join you?” she asked, glancing behind us.

  Ruth shook her head. “No, my aunt does not care for house parties in the least, not even one in so grand a place as Branbury Court.”

  I stifled a wince, wondering how Lady Thorton would take Ruth’s unintended slight.

  Lady Thorton gave a hesitant nod. “And who has accompanied you as your chaperone? My son did not say.”

  Ruth quirked her head and scrunched her nose. “Chaperone? I did not even think about such a thing, being as I’ve never had need of one before. I suppose Mrs. Whitmore might have been a chaperone of sorts while I was in London, but I never referred to her as that.”

  Mother cleared her throat. “If you are without, I shall gladly accept the role.”

  I studied Mother, trying to determine if her offer was given out of false charity or with a more calculated purpose in mind.

  “Oh, that would be delightful. Thank you, Lady Godwin.” Ruth directed her wide smile at me. “How alike the two of you are.”

  Mother’s gaze met mine, and her stone smile was evidence that she was as insulted by the compliment as I had been.

  “It is the least I can do.” Mother reached a hand out toward Ruth, which Ruth eagerly accepted. “Arabella, go introduce Miss Seton to some of the other ladies, and I shall find you both for proper introductions when the gentlemen return.”

  I nodded, inducing Ruth along with a gentle tug.

  Ruth paused, dipping into a haphazard curtsy. “Thank you again for allowing me to Branbury, Lady Thorton. I am utterly thrilled to be here with Bella.”

  Mother sent me a pointed look, and I pulled a touch harder, leading Ruth away from the amused whispers.

  Ruth leaned in close as we made our way across the drawing room. “Are you vexed?”

  I had spent the last fortnight advising Ruth against almost everything she had just done, but when I met her worried expression I could not say as much. “No. You did very well.” I paused. “Perhaps a touch exuberant, but do not fret, I believe it was just nerves.”

  Ruth released a small huff. “I hope I don’t prove an embarrassment to you.”

  I stopped to face her. “You could never be an embarrassment to me.”

  She gave a contented smile.

  “There is something I must ask you.” I drew in a breath, and glanced around to ensure no one was near enough to overhear. “Does Augustus despise me now?”

  Ruth’s shoulders dropped, and she leaned her head to one side. “No. He is hurt and perplexed, but I’m certain he could never despise you.”

  My heart nearly broke at her declaration. It somehow seemed worse that he wouldn’t hate me for what I had done. And though a part of me longed to explain myself to both of them, I knew it wouldn’t help. I was set on my decision. Augustus deserved someone worthy of his love.

  “And don’t worry, Augustus already told me I must not speak of what happened between the two of you.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief at Augustus’s foresight. “He is right. It must not be spoken—”

  “Miss Seton, is it?” Lady Beatrice sent Miss Browning a knowing glance, stepping to join us.

  “It is.” Ruth wrinkled her nose before a touch of recognition lit her eyes. “We met at the ball given by Lord and Lady Brimhall, did we not?”

  Lady Beatrice lifted her chin, as though insulted by the very idea that Ruth wasn’t certain of their introduction. “Yes, though we did not have the opportunity to speak for long.”

  “And remind me of your names?”

  I squeezed Ruth’s arm. “This is Lady Beatrice Hancock,” I said, in a tone that urged her to remember. “And Miss Browning.”

  “Oh, of course.” There was uncertainty in Ruth’s expression. “Lady Beatrice Hancock and Miss Browning.” She spoke the names slowly, as though committing them to memory. “It is such a pleasure to see you again.”

  “Yes.” Lady Beatrice looked to Miss Browning. “Were we not just saying how we long to know Miss Seton better?”

  Miss Browning nodded in eager agreement.

  I tightened the fist at my side, too aware of Lady Beatrice’s reason for befriending Ruth.

  “That would be wonderful.” The sincerity in Ruth’s voice irked me as much as the genuine smile on her lips. Why could she not be wiser to the ways of the world? “And to think I was nervous about meeting Bella’s friends. How silly of me.”

  Lady Beatrice pressed her lips together, clearly suppressing her amusement. “We already had the privilege of meeting your cousin, Mr. Brundage. He seems a most agreeable gentleman.”

  Ruth bobbed her head. “Oh, he is the best of men. I don’t know what I would do without him.”

  “How endearing.” Lady Beatrice sent Miss Browning another knowing glance. “And, if I might be so bold, is your cousin spoken for?”

  Ruth’s gaze shot to me. “Well … I …”

  “He is.” I squeezed Ruth’s arm tightly, hoping she would not contradict me with the perceptive eyes of Lady Beatrice upon us. “An engagement is expected to take place between Mr. Brundage and a Miss Whitmore.” I could feel Ruth’s gaze searching my profile, but to my great relief she said nothing.

  Lady Beatrice gave a pout. “How unfortunate.”

  I lifted a
hand toward Lady Beatrice. “You never finished telling me of your visit to the Meads and how you came to shorten your stay.”

  Lady Beatrice flicked her nose at Miss Browning, as though she could not be bothered to relay such a tale yet again.

  Miss Browning gave a small nod, realizing her role. “The vixen, Miss Gilbert, conveniently had relatives not three miles from the Meads and arranged to stay with them for the summer. Though Mr. Mead swore to his parents that he did not know of it, he was all too eager to accommodate Miss Gilbert’s outwardly innocent excuses to meet while she was nearby. Within a fortnight, he had offered for her.”

  I tilted my head, returning my regard to Lady Beatrice. “I am so sorry to hear of how it all came to be.”

  Lady Beatrice flung her wrist upward. “You well know that men like Mr. Mead are amusing distractions and nothing more. As with you, I could never settle on a man without a title, despite his fortune.”

  Ruth’s mouth gaped open, obviously taking it as a personal insult. “Amusing distractions?”

  I gave a subtle shake of my head, willing her to hold her tongue. “She speaks of my previous offers, that is all.”

  Ruth glanced between us. “I simply don’t believe a person should be refused because they lack a title or a fortune.”

  Lady Beatrice smirked, but Miss Browning sent her an understanding look. “And yet it is the way of things.”

  “Miss Seton.” Mother stepped to my side. “The gentlemen have finished taking their port. Come with me, and I shall make introductions.”

  “Very well.”

  I gave a farewell nod to Lady Beatrice and Miss Browning and stepped to join them.

  Mother held out a hand to stop me. “You may stay here.”

  “But I’m certain Ruth will be more at ease if I join you.”

  “And I’m certain you have a task of your own to see to.”

  I did not move, unsure if I wished to defy Mother for such a trivial thing as introductions.

  Mother’s pointed look softened when it shifted to Ruth. “Come, dear. I shall return you to Arabella the moment we are through.”

  Ruth obediently released my arm, sending me an apologetic glance as Mother led her forward without me. Instead of dwelling on my dismissal, I searched the men flowing into the drawing room, looking for Augustus’s sandy-brown hair and handsome smile.

  But no. He could not matter. Instead I set my focus on Lord Thorton who had stopped to speak with his mother. I felt nothing when I looked at him, yet that is exactly what I required. And I was more certain of that now than ever. The disenchantment I’d seen in Augustus’s eyes during our last two interactions was enough to haunt me for a lifetime, but to contemplate facing it every day for the rest of my life was too much to bear. No. A marriage of convenience to Lord Thorton was my only option.

  “How is it Miss Seton and her cousin came to be here at Branbury?” Lady Beatrice asked, following Ruth with her eyes.

  I looked toward Ruth to find Augustus at her side, and Mother looking less than pleased with his intrusion on the introductions. He didn’t seem to care. I turned away before my amusement could show. “Lord Thorton invited them.”

  “But for what purpose?”

  I shrugged, unwilling to speak my conjecture.

  Lady Beatrice scanned her friend’s thoughtful expression. “What is it, Marianne?”

  Miss Browning hesitated. “I feel as though I know the name Seton, but I can’t seem to place it. You said she was your neighbor in Bath, Miss Godwin?”

  I nodded slowly, contemplating whether I should confess Ruth’s past before Miss Browning recalled it on her own. “Her parents died about eight years ago. It was quite a tragic situation.”

  Miss Browning’s eyes widened with horror at the realization. “Those were Miss Seton’s parents?”

  Lady Beatrice looked from Miss Browning’s shocked expression to me. “What happened?”

  I made certain Ruth and Augustus were still across the room from us. “The court determined that Mr. Seton killed his wife and then killed himself.” Lady Beatrice lifted a hand to her mouth as I hastened on. “But there is recent evidence to suggest it was not so.”

  The two ladies shared a look of misgiving.

  “The case will soon be heard at the Court of the Chancery, and it is very likely the initial decision will be overturned.”

  “What is it that has you ladies so enthralled?” Lord Thorton asked, stepping to my side with Mr. Green and Mr. Oliver in his wake.

  Lady Beatrice pulled out her fan, giving it a soft flick of her wrist. “We were discussing Miss Seton.”

  “And what of Miss Seton?” Lord Thorton stepped closer to me, giving space for his friends.

  “I was explaining a bit of her past and the hardships she has endured.”

  Lord Thorton’s consideration landed on Ruth who was offering Lord Hancock an awkward curtsy under Mother’s vigilant eye. “For such a tragic past, she sure has a lot of spirit.”

  The five of them laughed, and though my chest heated with indignation, I forced out a smile. “Yet who could blame her?” Their mocking snickers halted, awaiting my revelation. “One set to inherit such a large fortune can afford to have less care for others’ opinions.”

  “She is an heiress?” Lady Beatrice asked, appearing quite startled by the news.

  I paused, deciding how much stretching of the truth was acceptable in shielding a friend—and in some part myself—from mockery. “It is not yet official, but shall likely be soon. Her father, after all, was a man of immense wealth.”

  The shared looks of astonishment told me I’d perhaps gone a touch too far.

  Mr. Green’s gaze lingered on Ruth a long moment. “Even without a fortune, Miss Seton seems a lady worth knowing.”

  My heart lifted at his acknowledgment, and I censured myself for ever having thought Mr. Green beneath my notice. “I assure you, she is.”

  Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, Mother insisted on accompanying me to my room before bed. When the door was secured behind us, she turned on me. “Did you know of their arrival?”

  There was no way to feign ignorance as to what she was speaking of. “No. Lord Thorton relayed that he wished it to be a surprise.”

  “Why in heaven’s name would he bring the one man …” Her words trailed off, before her piercing glare returned to me. “It is a test.”

  I swallowed, her words confirming my own fears.

  “It seems Lord Thorton is not as big of a fool as the rest of his sex.” She released a puff of air. “You must prove to him where your devotion lies.”

  Despite the constriction in my chest, I straightened my shoulders. “But what if it does not lie with him?”

  Mother’s palpable abhorrence nearly silenced me, but now that I had begun, I refused to cower.

  “Does Lord Thorton not also deserve a wife that prefers him above all other men?”

  Mother scoffed. “No. Nor should you be foolish enough to expect the same from him. Marriage is a business union, little more. So long as you do what is expected of you as a wife, and use discretion in everything else, you will make Lord Thorton an equitable match.”

  My stomach twisted at her insinuation, and I shook my head. “Marriage can be more than that.”

  Mother’s laugh mocked me. “You still fancy yourself in love with that pitiable, untitled man, Mr. Brundage?”

  Resentment coursed through my veins, but I knew my defiance would not only serve to worsen my own consequence, but that of Ruth and Augustus as well. “No. I was mistaken in my feelings for Mr. Brundage. Just as I was mistaken with the other gentlemen I encouraged before him.”

  “Do not lie to me, Arabella. I was the one who taught you the art of deception.”

  My teeth clenched at the reminder of her part in all of this—in her making me into someone unworthy of Augustus’s love. “If you expect the truth from me, then I will hold you to that same standard.”

  “Arabella—”


  “Explain why you allowed me to believe for years that I had been forgotten by Ruth and Augustus.”

  Mother lifted her chin. “It was necessary.”

  “As was your threat to Ruth, I suppose?”

  “You know nothing. And yet you stand on your moral high ground, unaware that it has crumbled beneath you long ago.”

  “You threatened to ruin an innocent child.” My voice quivered, and I cursed my weakness.

  Mother did not respond for some time, her eyes fixed on me. “A threat that apparently needs reinstating.”

  Though my legs trembled beneath me, I grasped at my waning courage. “You no longer hold any power over her. I have told the others of her past.”

  “What have you told them? That Ruth’s father took her mother’s life, then his own?”

  The boredom in her voice sent a shiver through me. “What do you know?”

  “What if I told you that the Setons’ deaths were not committed at the hand of Ruth’s father?”

  I lifted my chin. “Evidence in support of that very conclusion has already been gathered. It is likely already being reviewed at the Court of Chancery.”

  Mother’s brow lowered. “And what conclusion is being sought?”

  My throat grew tight, and I wondered if I should tell her. “Only that it could not have been Mr. Seton who committed the crime.” Mother’s sigh of relief filled the space between us, and I leaned a hand on the wall to support my unsteady legs. “Do you know who committed the murders?” I whispered.

  “Regrettably, I do.”

  I shook my head and took a step away from her. “Why did you not tell the authorities?”

  “Life is not that simple.”

  My head throbbed, attempting to understand what she was alluding to. Had Mother had something to do with their deaths? Had Papa?

  “And let’s just say, it would do no one any good to have the truth revealed now, especially not Ruth.”

  “You have lied to me before in order to get me to comply. Why would you not do so now?” My voice was weak and full of doubt.

  “Perhaps you should ask your father when he arrives at the week’s end. He was made to see the wisdom of concealment. And though he did err greatly by allowing you to Fairhaven, I’m certain he is once again steadfast in his resolve.”