“You were?”
A nod.
“And now…are not?”
Another nod, and Beth folded her arms below her rather bountiful bosom.
“Ah…” Althea found herself commiserating, something she could not have envisioned before Evan. “And you are frustrated?”
“Yes, darn him! Always, before now, I’d have simply replaced him with my next bedmate. But not a single footman, maid, or stable boy appeals.”
“That is a relief, in any event.” Althea sighed, only to earn a glare from her cousin. “My apologies, do go on.”
“I can’t stand it.” Beth dropped her hands and gazed up woefully at Althea. “Cuz, I tried to help him with sales. My ability to pair people and opportunities is the most valuable aspect of my admittedly shallow life. But he didn’t appreciate it. He rejected it.”
A tear slid down her cheek, and Althea leaned forward to hold one of Beth’s hands, her thumb running soothing circles on the back of it.
“He dismissed me then ran. He and Cheltie disappeared to Cheltenham with only a one-sentence note to inform me. Mayhap I should not have interfered, but I really thought I was helping.” She snorted a bitter laugh. “’Tis the story of my life, is it not?”
Althea allowed herself a moment of relief that Evan had not been gallivanting around London with other women, then shook her head. “Absolutely not. You help so many people. Look at your conversation with Penelope before our trip south. You were assisting Ford through your incredible network. You found Evan a new nurse for his mother when he needed one. You connect so many people, and they trust you.”
Beth stared at her, lips parted and wet eyes wide. “Thank you, cuz. I needed that.”
“So…’tis not only sexual frustration by the sound of it?”
“Ahh. Don’t get me started on that part again. ’Tis not like he forbade me from relations with anyone else. We did not speak of it. And he knows my past. I do not think that is why he ran away. Although I shan’t learn the reason if he will not talk to me.” She shook her head, as though to rid herself of a thought. “I just do not want to risk disappointing him, so I cannot bring myself to…play. Besides which, he may have ruined me for anyone else.” She sighed.
Althea was at a loss. Part of her wanted to giggle at Beth’s sudden struggles with the idea of faithfulness, previously anathema to her. But mostly, she wanted to cheer the girl up. “I am not sure why you thought making”—she peered at the pile of fabric and thread next to her—“use of a needle and thread would help. I think a girl’s day out is much more the thing, don’t you? Come on, we shall wander some shops and then get pastries.”
“’Tis raining. Again.”
“Then we’ll take the carriage. ’Twill be fun, you’ll see. Go on, fetch a wrap.”
Beth grumbled but went.
****
After a rare day of frivolous spending on books, ribbons, and other fripperies, they searched for a tea shop. Driving by Penelope’s bakery-in-process and spying movement inside, they alighted and knocked.
Lady Peterborough trailed Penelope to the door across unfinished dusty flooring.
“Lady P—er, Charlotte,” Althea said, smiling.
Pre-empting any curtsies, Charlotte grasped her hands and leaned in to kiss her cheek, then did the same for Beth.
“We are on the hunt for pastries and tea but saw activity in here and thought to view the progress,” Althea said.
Penelope swept a hand to half-built display cases. “Allow me to give you the grand tour.”
After they stepped carefully through the construction, eyeing the large-scale oven and long countertop in the back room that were already in, the four ladies adjourned to a tea shop across the back alley from Penelope’s location for sustenance.
“How was the trip to Bath?” Charlotte asked.
Althea beamed. “Excellent. I have begun rearranging the shop for the goods I brought back, and more are due to arrive within a sennight.”
“I sent the final contracts back to my solicitor yesterday. Copies for you and Miss Anders should go by messenger within a few days as well,” Charlotte replied with a nod. “’Tis all coming together nicely. Evan will be quite jealous.”
Althea’s brows shot up, but she pressed her lips together to avoid commenting.
