He did not care if Beatrice was incapable of adding up two farthings together.
He supposed all that nonsense of claiming he was logical and practical had been conjured up to protect himself, as he had not ever thought he would have her.
Matthew smiled at her and she smiled at him. As gracious as she looked while the guests filed in one after another, she was not paying particular attention to them.
Finally, enough of them were through the door and the rest could be managed by Tattleton. He stepped forward and led Beatrice into the ballroom.
Darden had done a very credible job. The ballroom glittered under the crystal chandeliers.
“Shall I really keep this card you’ve filled up?” Beatrice said of her dance card. “People will find it exceedingly shocking.”
“Do you care?” he asked.
“Not a bit,” she said laughing.
Lord Jericho approached. “Lady Beatrice, may I?” he asked, glancing at her card.
“Lady Beatrice’s engagements are full,” Matthew said gruffly.
“So soon?”
“So soon,” Matthew said darkly.
Lord Jericho stepped back at his tone, appearing thoroughly confused. He hurriedly bowed and moved off.
“I believe you’ve frightened Lord Jericho with that growly tone. You are growing very intemperate, Van Doren,” Beatrice said.
“Do you mind it?”
“I adore it,” Beatrice said.
Benny and Johnny walked round with trays of champagne, a thing Darden had adopted from Lady Bloomington’s habit of it. Though, Matthew understood it would not be arriving between every single set as Lady Bloomington’s footmen had done. That was probably for the best, considering how so much champagne had affected him last time.
Matthew handed Beatrice a glass. At that moment, the earl dinged a spoon he’d got from somewhere against his own crystal glass to call his guests to attention.
As the room quieted, the earl said, “Welcome my esteemed guests, I am afraid I have brought you here under false pretenses.”
There were various murmurs in the crowd, as everybody was always intrigued by something mysterious.
“This was meant to be my daughter Beatrice’s ball to celebrate her entry into society,” the earl continued. “It has turned out to be a celebration of her engagement to Viscount Van Doren.”
There was a small yelp near the doors, and Beatrice turned to see Lady Mary being hushed by her mother.
From overhead, Juliet’s rather clearer voice rang out. “Van Doren?”
Beatrice bit her lip. Matthew looked up to the darkened balustrade and called, “That’s right, Juliet. I’m to be your brother-in-law. You may commence rejoicing at any time.”
Beatrice leaned close to his ear and said, “It will be a shock to them, of course.”
“Don’t I know it,” Matthew said.
“My entire family,” the earl went on loudly, “does rejoice in this match.” He glanced over his head and said, “Theentirefamily.”
There were soft groans heard from above as Beatrice’s sisters got the message that there were to be no complaints. None made this night, at any rate. Matthew could only imagine what they’d have to say for themselves on the morrow.
“Well now, let us celebrate and open this engagement ball,” the earl said.
Matthew thought the earl was rather beaming.
