Max was impressed by the generous gesture, happy that his dear friend was in the hands of someone who appeared to be so kind. Wanting to observe them, he politely accepted the gracious offer, blissfully unaware of the older gentleman’s slightly clenched jaw or the complex reasons behind it.
Justin forced his jaw to unclench while berating himself for his instinctively polite invitation. He felt like a simpleton to have brought this upon himself. It was foolish to begrudge Beth her friendship with this young man; he couldn’t be much older than she was. It would be fine, the earl reassured himself as he led the way into the receiving room where Beth usually entertained her guests.
Beth was delighted by her husband’s generous invitation to her dear friend. As soon as he had poured everyone a drink, she slipped out of the room briefly to inform the housekeeper that there would be an extra guest that evening so that adjustments could quickly be made to the table. She then hurried back to listen as the two men got to know one another. As she entered the room, she heard them discussing Max’s family history.
“Lady Amelia is your grandmother? How lovely, she truly is a charming old lady. I must admit I enjoy her caustic humour,” the earl was saying.
Max laughed. “Yes, she is a cantankerous sort at times, but she does amuse. She is a great grandma to have, I must tell you. She doesn’t mind that I’m merely the son of a younger son, my father being a mere squire. Despite her occasional harsh words, she has been very generous to my family.”
Impressed by his young guest’s humility, the earl agreed with his assessment of the dowager viscountess. His conclusion, “She is always a great one to have at a party.” The two men shared a chuckle as the butler announced supper was served.
Continuing to chat freely with the earl throughout the meal, Max kept casting puzzled glances toward Beth, who had very little to say. Unused to his friend being so quiet, he wasn’t sure if he should comment on her silence or not. Despite having very little to add to the conversation at the table, she paid close attention as the two men talked and smiled happily, seemingly content. Max decided not to say anything in front of the earl until he had a chance to speak with Beth in private. Maybe, he thought dubiously, she had learned to keep her tongue under control. Still, it seemed very odd to him for her to be so quiet in her own home so far from the influence of her parents. He resolved to stick around. His grandmother was right; there must be something wrong with his friend for her to be acting so out of character, especially with him. He determined that it would be best to speak to her in private, though, since he was pretty sure, after her excited greeting, their friendship was still very much intact.
Beth was relieved when the meal was over. It had been difficult to force any food into her stomach. She did not want her dear friend to see her misery; there was nothing he could do about it, and she didn’t want him to worry over her. She had noticed his puzzled looks throughout the meal and tried to appear normal. Her cheeks were aching from forcing them to smile so much! Unfortunately, she was pretty sure she hadn’t fooled him.
As they were getting up from the table, the earl surprised her again by inviting Max to accompany them on the round of social events they were to attend later that evening. Beth felt her stomach start to churn at the thought and regretted the little food she had managed to swallow, since it was not sitting well for her. She was dreading the evening already and was unsure if it would be better or worse with Max there. She would love to spend time with him and it would no doubt be a comfort to have him by her side, but she didn’t want him to witness her disgrace.
To Beth’s relief, Max had to refuse the earl’s gracious invitation since he was not appropriately dressed. He had not intended to stay so long and he felt he should get back to see what his grandmother had planned for the evening. Perhaps he would catch up with them at one of the parties or balls they were attending that night, but he couldn’t make any promises. He excused himself with impeccable manners after making an arrangement to visit with Beth early the next afternoon.
That evening as they circulated amongst their various acquaintances at the two balls they had agreed to attend, Justin kept an even more watchful eye on his wife than usual. He was troubled by how wan she was becoming. It was such a disappointment to him that she wasn’t warming up to him as he had hoped. He used to think that only time was needed for them to draw closer, but seeing her earlier with Max just highlighted the contrast. He debated the wisdom of discussing the matter with Lady Geneva but decided it would be disloyal to discuss his wife with her friend, particularly behind her back. Realizing the illogic of his thoughts, he just shook his head and continued to watch his wife as she struggled through the social niceties and pitfalls of the Season, wishing there were something he could do to make things better for her and their marriage.
The next day when the appointed time for Max to arrive neared, a change came over the Westfield townhouse. Beth hovered anxiously in the front hall flitting from window to window driving the footmen to distraction as she waited impatiently for her friend to get there. Justin too was waiting for his arrival as his ears strained for any sounds at the front of his house.
Finally, at the agreed upon time, Max strode up the street and climbed the stairs to the earl’s front door. He was surprised by the flurry of activity in the foyer as he was admitted by an attentive footman.
Beth had just barely restrained herself from flinging the door open, catching herself at the last moment and allowing the footman to do it. She tried to cover her impulsive action by turning to another footman and requesting he send for refreshments. She then grabbed her friend by the hand and pulled him into the front receiving room. Once there she again threw herself into his arms for a warm hug.
Setting her away from himself after a short embrace Max scolded his dear friend. “Now Beth, you can’t always be throwing yourself at other men anymore, you’re a married lady.” His chuckle belied his serious tone.
Beth pulled a face at him but replied with her own cheerful laughter. “You are not other men, Max, you’re you. I wouldn’t misbehave with anyone else. Now come sit down and tell me all about home. I didn’t get to ask about everyone when you were here yesterday. How are your parents? Have you seen my mother? How is my dear Molly?”
Max laughed again at his friend’s exuberance. “Slow down, you crazy magpie! I cannot answer all your questions at once. My parents are doing well, they send their love by the way and told me to tell you to behave yourself and you’ll make a great countess. Turns out they knew your husband’s mother, not very well, well enough to think highly of her and to say they think the current earl is a fine catch.”
“That is so kind of them to send a message to me.” Beth was touched by their kindness but blushed at the last comment.
“I did not see your mother since I left home in a bit of a hurry, but I had seen Molly recently and she reported that all is well in the household. Your father seemed in high spirits before he left to spend your husband’s money, and he even left some of the money behind for some much needed repairs around the old manor. Molly said your mother is very happily busy organizing the work and deciding which of the most pressing projects to tackle first.”
Beth was pleasantly surprised by that turn of events, happy for her mother that she would have an improved situation. This caused a comforting sense of contentment to spread through her at the thought that her husband’s gifts to her family would be of benefit to many. She smiled broadly at Max until she remembered his comment about leaving home in a rush.
“Why ever were you in such a rush to leave that you did not stop to get a message from my mother?” Beth demanded.
Max hesitated. He wasn’t completely sure how to discuss this delicate subject but knew the length and depth of their friendship demanded he be completely open with her. “My grandmother wrote to tell me you were acting strangely, so I came to see what was wrong with you.”
Beth blanched at this statement and couldn’t think of anything to say in reply, so
Max continued. “When I arrived yesterday you seemed completely yourself — you squealed like a young piglet when you saw me,” he teased. “But then, at dinner, around your husband, you were so quiet. I would have thought you had finally learned to mind your tongue, but my grandmother described some odd behaviour that really made me worry about you, so I dashed to Town to check on you like the knight in shining armour you always said I could be.” He concluded with a flourish, trying to bring the smile back to his friend’s face after her reaction to what he was saying.
Chapter Fifteen
Beth had first gone completely white with shock from Max’s words but then embarrassment caused her to blush fiery red up to the roots of her hair. She tried to brazen it out. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Yes, you do or you wouldn’t look like your face is on fire,” answered Max baldly. “Come on Bethy, it’s me, now tell me what is wrong and we’ll come up with a solution.”
Beth let out the breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding, and then began to confide in her dearest friend. “I am just always so nervous!” she exclaimed. “I made a fool of myself at my first big ball, and I keep worrying the earl will turn out to be just like my father.” She then went on to describe what had happened at the Cumberland’s ball and how she was feeling whenever she was around Lord Fulton, her dear husband. “He just always seems so nice. I want him to stay that way, but I’m worried I am going to wreck it all somehow.”
Max laughed softly despite his friend’s tearfully woebegone face. “Did it ever occur to you that he might really be a nice man, you silly chit?”
Beth turned her wet eyes up to look him fully in the face and said bluntly, “No.”
Max heaved a sigh realizing why she felt that way. “Beth, first of all, think about this: have you ever seen any evidence that your husband is anything like your father?”
“No,” she answered.
Max continued, “I asked around as discreetly as possible. I won’t go into any details with you about the event, but from what I can understand, his lordship had never even met your father until the night he agreed to marry you.”
He was surprised to see Beth pale further at his words and paused.
“You know about that?” she demanded as hot colour rushed back into her face.
“Do you?” Max was incredulous. “How could you have heard about this? I had difficulty finding out anything about it.”
“A gossipy lady of the ton stopped by a couple days ago in order to inform me that my husband bought me from my father at an auction set up for the amusement of the gentlemen.”
“That woman ought to be banished to the colonies for being such a meddlesome monster, but knowing about it should actually endear you to your husband, not strain your relationship any further.”
“But Max, don’t you see? If the earl was at such an event, it means he is exactly the sort of fellow whose company my father would most enjoy. I am destined to live my mother’s life,” she declared with an uncharacteristic, dramatic flair.
“Beth, I do not know how he came to be at such an obnoxious event, but your husband has the best reputation of anyone I have ever heard of! If I did not already like him, I would find it to be rather annoying, come to think of it.” Max laughed lightly before continuing in a more serious tone. “He is nothing like Sir Dunseith. Just think about it. A dishonourable man would not have married you under circumstances such as that. Lord Fulton is a good man. You have to accept that and stop acting like a ninny.”
Beth searched her friend’s face and pondered his words. Recognizing the truth in them, she laughed shakily and wiped her face. “But now everyone is going to think I’m a Bedlamite.”
Max laughed, too. “Well they’d be right!” he declared with aplomb. “Now, go wash your face and let’s go for a ride. You can start acting like a normal person right now.”
They shared a good-natured chuckle before Beth ran up to her room to neaten her appearance.
Justin had managed to constrain himself from intruding on them for as long as he could, but he had finally determined to join Beth and Max. He was just in time to see his happily smiling wife wave a cheery goodbye as she went out the front door. One of the footmen told him the two old friends were off to ride in the Park. Tempted to chase after them, he curtly thanked the footman for the information before turning on his heel and returning to his library.
In good spirits, Beth and Max rode around the park, stopping now and again for Beth to introduce Max to various friends and acquaintances. All were delighted to meet the grandson of the Countess of Brine and there were many promises of forthcoming invitations. Beth was thrilled to see that Max was an instant hit amongst the ladies of the ton, although Max was made slightly nervous by the glint in the eye of certain matchmaking mamas despite the safety provided by his lack of wealth. They laughed often and had such a good time that Beth felt like a new person when she returned home late that afternoon after securing a promise that Max would meet her at the ball she was to attend that evening.
And so it went. Over the next week, the two friends were almost inseparable. No one seemed to remark on the amount of time Beth was spending with a man not the earl. They just noticed how different she seemed, lighter almost. Max did at one point remark upon it to Beth, but she replied readily enough, “Don’t worry, Max. His lordship actually told me it is best if I have friends of my own, that it is not seemly for a married couple to be overly much in each other’s company. And he’s ever so busy with important things helping the Regent run the country.” Only Justin seemed bothered by the attention Beth was showing to Max. And his sister, Melissa, did notice that.
Justin was standing on the side of the dance floor trying not to glower as he watched Beth sail by with Max in a swirl of colour and cloth. He tried once more to remind himself that he was glad she seemed so happy. She had flourished and bloomed this past week. She carried herself with a new confidence and really seemed to be content. And he was glad for her; it was just disappointing that he had not been able to provide her with that contentment, Max had. A knot of jealousy twisted in his gut as he again tried to wipe the frown off his face.
“Hello, Justin.”
Justin stifled a groan as he turned to watch his sister striding toward him, obviously full of purpose. “Melissa, how are you?” he enquired politely, trying to infuse some warmth into his voice despite the fact that she was one of the very last people he wished to see at that moment.
“I am well, thank you,” she replied with a false gaiety before turning to look out at the dancing couples with a calculated purpose she was unable to hide. “Your wife sure does look lovely dancing with that young man. They make a striking couple,” she goaded cruelly.
“Yes, my wife does look lovely, thank you for mentioning it, Melissa, that is very kind of you,” answered Justin, ignoring his sister’s taunts, perversely enjoying her frustration as he dodged her barbs.
“So, who is that young man your young countess is so enjoying the company of?” Melissa tried a more direct attack this time.
“That is Maxwell, the Countess of Brine’s grandson, and my wife’s childhood best friend.”
“Well, they are not children anymore, Justin,” she pointed out snidely. “Do you really think it seemly for your wife to be so obviously enjoying the company of another man under your very nose?” she demanded, trying to get a rise out of him.
Justin turned and looked directly at his sister, shocked at how wide the gulf between them had spread. “What happened to you, Melissa? We used to be so close and now look at us! Why do you want to hurt me so?” he asked her softly.
Surprise flashed across her face before it hardened into a mask of indifference. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Justin. I have no wish to hurt you. I just think you owe it to the House of Westfield to ensure you have your heir before you allow your wife to be so ‘friendly.’”
Justin couldn’t help himself; he threw back his
head and laughed loudly. He didn’t know what his sister’s motivation was, but it was obvious she was determined to cause problems within his marriage. It was a ludicrous accusation, though, to think his wife had any romantic interest in her friend. He was jealous, he would admit, of their friendship, but he was absolutely certain he did not have to be concerned that she was being unfaithful with him. They had the type of relationship that he used to have with this angry, difficult woman standing before him. It was a beautiful relationship that he was deeply jealous of, since it showed how very alone he was, but it was definitely not a romantic relationship.
Melissa was taken aback by her brother’s response. How am I to drive a wedge between the earl and his wife if this is the kind of reaction I’m getting? she asked herself in frustration, barely restraining herself from stomping her feet like a spoiled little girl. “Well it’s not seemly for a countess to carry on in this way!” she insisted snappishly.
Justin stopped laughing abruptly and he turned again to look intently at his sister with a sardonic lift to his eyebrows. “What do you want, Melissa?” he asked softly. “Why do you care how my countess acts? You are not even a member of the House of Westfield anymore. You have your husband’s House and family to worry about, and your lovely young son to watch over. Beth is my wife, my countess. It is for me to decide what is seemly for her, not you. Remember what our old nurse used to say? If you can’t play nice, then you can’t play at all. If you cannot be nice to me or my wife, then please take yourself off elsewhere.” He finished speaking in a slightly defeated tone, saddened by the disintegration of the relationship with his sister but more determined than ever to salvage one with his wife. He turned on his heel as the music ended and walked away from Melissa, in search of his wife.
Beth felt her stomach begin to flutter as she saw her handsome husband striding purposefully toward her. She had seen him in conversation with Melissa and noticed the bleak look in his eyes despite his efforts to appear unaffected by his sister’s callousness. Beth wished there were some way to comfort him, but then she was distracted by a kind young lord asking for her hand for the next dance. Unsure how to politely refuse, she was whisked onto the dance floor before she had a chance to speak with Justin.
The Debutante Bride: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair) Page 14
