“Not every lady looks for romance,” Darden said. “Not in the sense that you do, anyway. Admiring his looks and his means may prove sufficient.”
Beatrice stared at her brother. What an idea.
“Come,” Darden said, taking her arm, “you must be introduced to any number of ladies while I put myself down on their cards. Van Doren cannot have all the fun tonight.”
That was an even stranger idea. How on earth was it that Van Doren was the individual having fun? It was Lady Beatrice Bennington meant to be having all the fun while Van Doren watched scowling from the edges of the room.
She was very stung by the whole thing and felt herself very stupid for being so.
*
Matthew could nothelp but to have some sort of mixed feelings about the evening. Those feelings had begun before he’d even left Portland Place.
He’d arranged with the earl that their carriages would leave at the same time, and they had, but then his coachman had got them stuck behind a farmer’s cart with no opportunity to pass.
He’d had time to consider what he’d witnessed before they’d set off.
Beatrice had looked magnificent. Surprisingly so. He realized he was so used to seeing her in a simple muslin day dress. She always looked well in such attire, but to see her descend the steps to the earl’s carriage this evening!
Her hair had been swept up more formally, her dress was all elegance in a violet silk, a delicate diamond necklace sparkled at her throat, and a charming pelisse of dark blue velvet topped the whole thing off.
It was as if he viewed a different lady entirely. It really was a bit disconcerting.
Amidst the four younger sisters waving her off, Beatrice had got into her carriage with not even a glance across the avenue. He might have fallen dead where he stood and she would not have noticed.
Then, he’d finally got to Almack’s and gained his admittance. Lady Jersey had been pleasant enough, though he had mixed feelings about dancing with Beatrice at such a moment.
Oh, he’d escorted her round the floor no end of times in their own neighborhood, at this or that house when somebody decided to roll up the carpets. But that was only for lack of partners and he’d felt he did a duty by it.
The prospect of this dance seemed very different. It was the setting, he supposed. And her dress and general mien this night.
On the other hand, Lady Clara had very helpfully introduced him to a number of other ladies and so he would not find himself standing awkwardly about. That, he found, was a very great relief. He knew one of his weaknesses was an abhorrence of appearing foolish, and so at least that flaw would not be tested. He was to dine with Lady Mary.
Now, the orchestra was tuning and people began to take their places. It was to be a Scotch Jubilee, a longways country dance, and apparently all the dances would be similar. Whatever the particular steps of this one, it would not be overly complicated and, as the most important lords and ladies were taking their place at the top, there would be ample time to view it.
Matthew noted Conbatten up near the top, as he supposed a duke would be. Three hours to get oneself dressed, what a notion. He hoped Beatrice did not see anything romantic in the idea, as it sounded very stupid.
He searched out Beatrice and found her still with her brother. He made his way over.
“Lady Beatrice,” he said, holding out his arm.
She took it and he led her to the forming line.
“Why have you suddenly taken to calling meLadyBeatrice,” she asked. “You never do so.”
“Perhaps it is the environment,” Matthew said. “Or perhaps I have just realized that all my guidance must now come to an end. You are a full-grown lady, out in society, and so must be the mistress of your own judgments. You must move from Beatrice to Lady Beatrice.”
“Your guidance is come to an end?” she asked, seeming very surprised to hear it.
He supposed she would be, as he’d found himself a bit surprised to say it.
“Do you mean, then, theI only give you that hintlectures and scoldings are at an end?”
“However you prefer to characterize it,” he said.
The idea had come upon him suddenly. In her silk splendor, she simply seemed too old to continue scolding. She did not seem the young girl anymore.
It was not that she could not use more guidance, as she’d taken so little advantage of any he’d given so far, but it would seem verging on the ridiculous as she appeared now.
