“I have been just the same,” Beatrice said.
She heard the soft whine of the hinges of the drawing room door and then Miss Mayton cried out, “Beatrice!”
“It is all right, Aunt,” she said, entangled in Van Doren’s arms. “I’m going to marry him so he doesn’t do a violence to himself.”
“Van Doren?” Miss Mayton said, as if she had not heard correctly.
“Indeed, Van Doren,” Beatrice said laughing.
The earl pushed the doors all the way open and strode out to the hall. “Well done, my boy! Though, perhaps unhand my daughter until you are actually married.”
Beatrice blushed over the idea. Van Doren only reluctantly let her go.
Darden slapped Van Doren on the back. “About time, old fellow. I knew you’d see it in the end. And you too, sister.”
“What do you mean by it, Darden? That you thought it all along?” Beatrice asked.
“Naturally,” Darden said. “Who better than Van Doren for Beatrice?”
“My lord,” Van Doren said to the earl, “I may have been precipitous in asking Beatrice before speaking with you, but it had to be done.”
“Yes, yes, never mind that. I’ve been hoping for this match for years.”
“Father!” Beatrice said.
“Did I not say you’d throw all your requirements out a window?” the earl said, laughing. “Who on earth did you think I was talking about?”
Van Doren cleared his throat. “As to Beatrice’s requirements, I have already threatened to do a violence to myself, done quite a bit of tearing of hair, and will shoot at any suitors who will not be driven away otherwise.”
“Yes, you see, Papa, Van Doren has met my requirements perfectly.”
“I am staggered,” Miss Mayton said. “Of everything I have ever thought possible, Lord Van Doren threatening to do a violence to himself never presented itself to me. Be careful, my lord, these things can get out of hand rather quickly, as I know from my own experience.”
“Do not fear anything, Aunt,” Beatrice said merrily, “if you will recall, I have only ever wished for threats. I am not unreasonable.”
Van Doren looked at her from narrowed eyes. Of course he would look at her so, as she had been entirely unreasonable. But what matter? He loved her anyway, and he always had.
Poor Tattleton had been standing by the door ever since he’d opened it. The earl said, “Tattleton, perhaps call Lynette to touch up Beatrice’s hair, as it’s been mussed. We have only minutes to spare, I think.”
Tattleton nodded. Fortunately, Benny and Johnny came to take up their duties and the earl sent Benny instead. Benny could accomplish it at a run and Tattleton looked as if he might fall over just now.
Lynette arrived in a hurry, carrying a comb and pins. At least, Beatrice supposed she’d come quickly. She and Van Doren had spent the time staring at each other.
It was not many more minutes before carriages began to arrive to the house.
*
Matthew had steppedback and allowed the family to line up to greet their guests.
He would marry Beatrice Bennington. There was a wonder to it. There was a further wonder that he’d come into the house as he had—like a veritable lunatic.
Shehaddriven him mad though. All her life she’d done it. He’d almost convinced himself to forget all about her. He’d thought he’d done just that.
But then seeing her in Town, with all those irritating men circling round, well, something had to be done.
She was all grace just now, looking marvelous in her cream silk gown and acting the hostess.
What had he ever been thinking of with his list of facts to be discovered in a lady before moving forward to a proposal? Why had he ever been obsessed with how the lady would be at managing household accounts?
