Page 32 of Cupid Comes to Little Valentine

“You ridiculous creature,” he said, shaking his head, hearing the words spoken in Miss Honeywell’s clipped tones. Chuckling to himself, he adopted a higher-pitched tone and announced, “‘The idea that I would ever lower my standards sufficiently to marry an idle creature whose only concern appears to be whether his waistcoat is the precise colour of vibrant blue to match his eyes is an insult to my intelligence!’”

“Well, my eyes are brown, and I don’t remember asking, but there’s no need to be rude,” remarked a dry voice from behind him.

Beau started and spun around to see Stonehaven watching him curiously. Giving his waistcoat—which sadly was blue and the precise colour of his eyes—a sharp tug, he glowered at his friend. “Why must you go around sneaking up on a fellow?”

“I was doing nothing of the sort, and if you will go around talking to yourself—or was it the fish?—I do not know what to say to you,” Stonehaven said, smirking and taking great enjoyment in his friend's discomfort.

“It’s what Miss Honeywell said to me,” Beau replied gruffly. “I accused her of setting her cap for me, when all she was trying to do was explain her plan to trap Edwin. I was appallingly rude, and she gave me the most magnificent set down. I am still recovering,” he said with a rueful smile.

“Ah, I see. I must admit, I am curious to meet your Miss Honeywell after hearing so much about her.”

Beau frowned. “She is not my Miss Honeywell, and if I’ve mentioned her twice in the past month, I would be astonished.”

“Indeed, but it is the admiring tone you have when you do mention her,” Stonehaven said.

Beau did not reply, well aware that his friend was trying to aggravate him.

“I think we should go for a visit. It’s not far after all. Only three hours, I should think,” Stonehaven remarked, a challenging note to his words.

Beau stared at him, astonished. “It’s more like four, actually, and what the devil do you want to go to Little Valentine for?”

“Like I said,” Stonehaven said with a shrug. “I’m curious. Both about Miss Honeywell, Reverend Honeywell, and this charming town that you insisted I really must see.”

“I’m certain I insisted nothing of the sort,” Beau said, yet the idea of returning to the place gave him an odd feeling. Not quite anticipation, but… surely not fear? Whatever was there to be afraid of? He shook off the sensation. Well, why not go? It might be fun to show Stonehaven around a bit.

“All right,” Beau said grudgingly. “But we’re not staying in the town. Austen Leigh has a place close to there. A hunting lodge. It’s not much to write home about, but he says it’s comfy enough. Else we’ll set tongues wagging. Better if it’s just a visit in passing.”

“As you like, old man,” Stonehaven said, a knowing look in his eyes that Beau refused to rise to. “As you like.”

Chapter 10

Those wretched little beasts!

Little Valentine, South-East Coast of England. 10thJuly 1815

“Charming indeed,” Stonehaven approved as the carriage navigated the narrow, cobbled streets.

Beau nodded, looking upon the cottages and winding streets that had lately become so familiar to him. He was glad to be back, he realised, and strangely eager to see Miss Honeywell again. Well, not just Miss Honeywell. Her father and her sister too, and of course he wished to meet the incomparable, naturally. He wondered if Miss Honeywell would be pleased to see him, wondered if she would blush and stammer. Perhaps she might read too much into the visit, he thought belatedly. What if she got some silly notion in her head and thought he had come to court her?

Miss Honeywell? a snide little voice said caustically in his head. She wouldn’t consider you if you were the last man on earth, so it matters little if she thinks you are courting her.

Yet somehow it did matter, for if she was so set against the idea of him as a husband—which was perfectly fine and reasonable—he did not want her thinking he was trying to win her over. Suddenly, Beau felt anxious and out of sorts and wished he had not allowed Stonehaven to talk him into this. Well, he would just have to make it clear this was just a friendly visit, and she was not to read anything into it. He didn’t wish for her to feel uncomfortable or… or obligated in any way. But there was no reason they could not be friends.

Reassured, he relaxed as the carriage bore them on towards the vicarage. Beau had instructed the driver to take them on a brief tour before they stopped, so Stonehaven could see the delights of the town.

“Shall we go to the pub?” Stonehaven said eagerly upon seeing The Ship Inn.

“Perhaps later. We can’t go calling on the vicar and his family smelling like a brewery.”

“You said the old fellow liked a tipple himself,” Stonehaven pointed out.

“Yes, exactly. He’ll be dreadfully miffed if we don’t invite him to join us,” Beau said reasonably.

Stonehaven laughed. “I like him already.”

Beau regarded his friend with sudden concern. Whilst he was not classically handsome like Beau, he was appealing, with a roguish twinkle in his eyes and strong, masculine features. Belatedly, he wondered what effect the arrival of the marquess would have on the three young ladies. Good Lord.

“You will behave, won’t you?” Beau said uneasily. “I mean, they’re very young, and definitely innocent, and—”