“Yes, I did hear your horse going very early,” Beatrice said.
“There were some matters to arrange regarding the painting of rooms and those fellows like to get started at dawn,” Darden said. “In any case, while I was there, I was told something I think you ought to know.”
Beatrice could almost feel her five sisters and Miss Mayton leaning forward. She faintly heard Juliet whisper, “What is it?”
“It seems there was a gentleman at Almack’s who was entirely struck down by you. A case of instant love, I believe is the term Miss Mayton employs.”
Beatrice felt her face flame. Who? Who could it possibly be? “Darden, I noted no such feelings on display.”
“No, you would not have,” Darden said. “He was so struck he made his excuses and left. I very much doubt you ever laid eyes on him.”
Her sisters gasped behind her. “Left!” Cordelia whispered.
“But…why?” Beatrice asked. “If he were struck, one would imagine he would…”
“That he would stay and petition Lady Jersey for a spot on your card,” Darden said. “Apparently, that could not be. My friend tells me that this gentleman has a rather tragic past—both his mother and his sister died in childbirth. So you see, the one thing he cannot do ismarryhis true love. He could not bear to lose her in that manner.”
“But that means, if I am his true love, he may be mine,” Beatrice said, “and I am doomed to never have him because of his care of me?”
“That would seem to be the situation,” Darden said, nodding. “Though, I did have an idea.”
“He’s got an idea!” Rosalind said, behind Beatrice.
“What idea?” Beatrice asked.
“It seems to me that this gentleman might be pushed to get over his fears for his true love if he is forced to witness other gentlemen pursuing you. It would make him see that you will marrysomebody, and who better to care for you than him?”
“That is true, I suppose,” Beatrice said.
Darden leaned back in his chair and clasped his arms behind his head. “We must only speed things along. So, I talked to my YBC members and several of them will set out to woo Beatrice Bennington, very publicly and dramatically, so he cannot miss it. I really think he will not be able to bear it and will step forward.”
“But who is he?” Beatrice said. “If we are to play at such a ruse, I would like to be able to judge the effect it has. I must also see if he makes my hair feel as if lightning has struck it. After all, it may be a case of unrequited love if I do not feel the same.”
“I do not know who the man is,” Darden admitted. “My friend who told me of it has been sworn to secrecy and, as a gentleman, he cannot break his word. All he would say is that he has long known him, he is handsome, titled, of a passionate nature, and the poor fellow was up all the night long cursing the fates. By dawn, he declared that he would be able to master himself should he encounter you, but would carry a heavy weight on his heart and soul forevermore.”
“I imagine he even tore at his hair in the middle of it,” Juliet said, rather loudly.
“I cannot confirm any tearing of hair,” Darden said over Beatrice’s shoulder, “but then, I cannot rule it out either. Now, what do you say? Are you willing to play along in an effort to draw him out from his misery?”
“I feel I have no choice in the matter,” Beatrice said. “After all, it would be the tragedy of my life if he is my one true love and we never meet.”
“Just as I thought,” Darden said. “So, Mr. Cahill, who you already know, along with the lords Dunston and Jericho, and Sir William will be your pretend suitors. I suspect we will not have to play long at this game before our mystery gentleman steps forward and declares himself.”
Beatrice’s younger sisters, and Miss Mayton for that matter, could hold back no longer. They were upon their sister in a trice.
“A mystery gentleman tortured by tragedy,” Miss Mayton said, sounding entirely satisfied with the circumstance.
“And you go to the theater this evening, Beatrice,” Rosalind said. “He might very well be there!”
“I have been informed that hewillbe there,” Darden said.
“It is so romantic—I feel almost faint over the idea!” Viola cried.
“Now,” Darden said, interrupting them before Viola did actually hit the floor in a faint, “all of this is in the strictest confidence. Nobody but us must know of the ruse. Secrets have a way of becoming known. Not even Van Doren, family friend though he may be, can be let in on it.”
“Certainly not Van Doren,” Cordelia said. “He would try to stop it, to be sure. Whenever we have had an interesting plan in mind, what has he said?”
“You cannot do it because blab-blab-blah-blah-blab,” Viola said.
