She would be rational from now on. Miss Upton would be a credit to Lady Easton and her friends, and she would start seriously thinking about her future. She was not here for frivolity, after all! She was supposed to be getting herself married.
So far, the only likely candidate was Mr. Landon. Hewaslikely though, with his keen interest in horses. He did not set her heart ablaze, but they might get on well together.
Bemmy had been down to the kitchens to fetch yet another tray of sandwiches and cakes. Now, she pushed the door open with her foot, crossed the room, and set it down on the table beside the bed. Hurrying back to close the door, she turned and said, “You’ll be happy to know he is moping.”
“Bramley is moping?” Caroline asked.
“Not Mr. Bramley. Him. Lord Bertridge. Moping like a schoolboy on account of his wretched behavior toward you.”
“I see,” Caroline said, delighted with Bemmy’s unwavering loyalty, though it be exceedingly farfetched. “I suppose he stopped you in the corridor and said Bemmy, I am just now moping over what I said to Miss Upton.”
“He did not, though I heard it loud and clear anyway. I can spot moping a mile away. My youngest brother is king of the mopers, crowned on the day he was born. Not a thing happens to that fellow without a full week of staring out windows and long and heavy sighs. The lord shows all the signs.”
Seeing that Caroline did not look particularly convinced, Bemmy said, “The great lord is in the drawing room pretending to read. They left the door open for some reason. There he is, book in hand, staring at the wall and not the book. Classic moping.”
“Well, if he is moping, it’s likely about his black eye.”
“That’s not what comes tomymind. I reckon he’s moping for being a cruel creature and sending a lady to her bed.” Bemmy paused and said, “Are you sure you won’t have him? P’raps he’s learned his lesson on the cruelty front and he’s devilish handsome even when he’s moping.”
“Bemmy, I am not the queen. I cannot point at people and tell them how to feel. Lord Bertridge may be handsome but he highly disapproves of me. And so that’s that.”
“Shame,” Bemmy said. “Oh, and this came for you.” Bemmy pulled a letter from the pocket of her apron.
Caroline took the letter. It was locally sent, and in a flourishing hand. She tore it open.
My dear Miss Upton,
On account of Clara swearing that you needed to rest today, our sea bathing adventure has been put off. I, myself, think it would have done you good, but Lady Easton currently relies on the opinion of some person named Bemmy.
Do not be downhearted! I have sent word to Mrs. Gunn and I will collect you on the morrow at nine and we will go forward with our plan.
In the meantime, I am delighted to tell you that word of your dramatic fall to the floor due to the stress of untrue gossip has reached the Prince’s ears. He is outraged on your behalf and has issued a warning to all of society—let Miss Upton’s name be on their lips for anything less than high praise and they can pack their bags and go. Lord Alvanley was heard to say he would skewer anybody who dares impugn Miss Upton, and we all know how terrified of his wit society is so that might be even more of a warning than the Regent’s.
My butler, who is a great predictor of the weather, tells me tomorrow will be particularly fine and warm.
Theodosia Whitby
“It seems I am to go sea bathing on the morrow,” Caroline said. “The duchess’ butler claims the day will be lovely.”
Bemmy glanced out the window at the overcast sky and snorted. “Her Grace’s butler is as mad as March hare. Anybody can see that weather is set to come in.
Chapter Fifteen
“Absolutely everything hasrighted itself,” Lady Easton said.
Richard had been in the drawing room most of the day, pretending to read a book. He’d left the door open so he might spot Miss Upton if she ventured down the stairs. He wished to get an apology done as soon as possible.
He never did see her, but now his aunt had come in for tea.
“Caroline is on the mend from her faint,” Lady Easton went on, “and it seems the circumstance was fortuitous. Everybody is talking about how cruel and unfair society can be as if they were talking of somebody other than themselves. Lady Myrtle just stopped me in the street and claimed that anybody in her circle daring to spread false accusations would be shown the door. And, of course, she’s heard about the triumph of our pineapple.”
Richard felt there was some irony in the idea that society should be blamed for Miss Upton’s faint, when it had been himself, the gentleman so well known for being a stickler for propriety. He was the gentleman never involving himself in duels or foolish bets, and certainly never losing his temper. Nowhewas the person everybody wished to show to the door on account of Miss Upton’s faint, though they did not know it.
“You do seem out of sorts, Nephew. I suppose it’s the black eye.”
“My eye will heal,” he said.
“And thank goodness for that. You look like a highwayman or a pirate or some other person prone to brawling. It really doesn’t suit you.”
