They even encountered Conbatten one day in the park, they in a barouche and he atop his horse.
“I have heard congratulations are in order,” the duke said to Van Doren.
“Thank you, Your Grace. And as to anything that…was said, or hinted at…well…”
“Let us not revisit any odd conversations that may have occurred between us. Or between you and Lord Harveston.”
“You are very kind, Duke,” Beatrice said.
The duke laughed and said, “Oh, I am not sure it is kindness. The Benningtons have been endlessly entertaining this season. As I understand there is a whole line of sisters behind you, Lady Beatrice, I anticipate more amusements to come.”
“I am afraid you may be disappointed. My sisters will be far more sensible than I have been.”
“I will pray you are mistaken,” the duke said, tipping his hat and riding off.
Now, the wedding breakfast had been laid and Beatrice watched as Juliet rose with a framed paper in hand.
“I composed this ode specially for Beatrice’s wedding breakfast,” Juliet said, “considering what I knew at the time. It’s called Ode to the Mysterious Gentleman.”
Tortured man, you have arrived!
I knew it from my gentle sighs!
Take heart my love, I will not die
Our life together is terribly nigh!
Juliet handed the frame to Beatrice. “It’s less good now that I know who it’s about.”
“I thought it was pretty good,” Van Doren said.
“You thought no such thing,” Viola said.
“I’ll never believe you thought it was good,” Juliet said.
“I can think it was good if I want to,” Van Doren said. “I have a mind to hang it in the drawing room in Faversham Hall.”
“You never will,” Rosalind said.
“I am determined to do so,” Van Doren said.
Beatrice suppressed her laughter. Van Doren had taken to positively confounding her sisters by constantly taking unpredictable tacks.
In truth, he was far more unpredictable than she’d ever imagined. After all his lecturing over the years, it turned out he did not give a toss for how bad she was at managing household accounts. She had further apprised him of her less than stellar menu planning and that she could never be counted on to keep the servants going in the right direction. He didn’t care about any of it.
“I have begun to believe that we can no longer predict what Lord Van Doren will do or say next,” Miss Mayton said.
Tattleton had filled everyone’s champagne coupe, though Juliet’s and Cordelia’s with only a half glass.
“Van Doren has surprised us all,” Darden said. “Except, possibly, me.”
“Now brother,” Rosalind asked, “you must tell me outright if the YBC is to set about attempting to manage my season as you have done for Beatrice.”
“I have not the least intention of it,” Darden said. “There is no Van Doren in your life that needs a prodding forward.”
“I should hope not,” Juliet said.
“That would be rather a lot,” Cordelia said.
