Page 90 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

“Oh, stop gushing, Mother,” a familiar voice said from behind Beatrice.

Beatrice wanted to spin around and slap Agnes, but she kept her composure for now.

“Mother, would you keep Lady Hannah company for a moment? I must ask my dear friend a question.”

“Yes, dear,” Lady Willmington murmured.

Beatrice knew Agnes had some power within the ton, but she had never imagined she also held such power over her parents.

Agnes did not ask Beatrice and merely took her by the arm and pulled her away. “It really is so nice to see you here today, Your Grace. We are very lucky to have you.”

“What do you want?” Beatrice spat.

“I would watch your tongue,” Agnes warned. “Who do you think you are talking to? You do remember that I have the power to ruin you and your precious Duke. Where have you been as of late, Your Grace? Anywhere nice?”

Beatrice really wanted to slap Agnes, but she could not do it in front of so many people. But she did not give her the pleasure of a response. Agnes had tricks up her sleeve, but she could keep them. The more Beatrice spoke to her, the more the awful, spoiled woman would draw her into petty games.

“Don’t worry, I know exactly where you were,” Agnes continued. “When I came up withthe Runaway Bridemoniker, I thought it was very clever, but I never expected that it would besofitting. You really don’t like marriage, do you?”

“This is a fine event,” Beatrice replied instead.

“What were you doing out there?” Agnes asked. “I created the rumor about you having a secret child, but now I wonder if I was not far from the truth. Why did you have to run so far? Is the Duke as ruthless as they say, or were you visiting your little baby? How old is the little critter now?”

“Yes, my sister will have some fine gentlemen to dance with,” Beatrice said, not rising to any bait.

Agnes smiled knowingly. She was excited to be playing her game with Beatrice. “Running away, having a child, and all the other rumors I started will not matter when we hear what the Duke has to say.”

It should not have affected her, but Beatrice became interested in what Agnes would say next.

“He informed Mother and Father that he had an announcement to make. Hmm, I wonder what that could be?” Agnes tapped her chin.

Beatrice felt her heart thunder in her chest and could barely breathe. She worried she would faint in the middle of the hall.

“An announcement in my home. Ah, yes, I remember now. Perhaps he did not tell you, Your Grace. He has grown sick of you, and I can see you have grown tired of him, since you do not even live with him anymore. I shall cause no such problems for His Grace. He will soon announce that he has decided to divorce you and then marry me so that he can finally live a full life.And, if you don’t mind my saying, a happy and simple life devoid of the problems only you can create.”

If Beatrice had not been stunned by the words, she would have slapped Agnes, but she was frozen to the spot. Agnes took her hand and squeezed it. She smiled and looked like the cat who had not only got the cream but the cheese, the mouse, and whatever else it was that cats desired and craved.

Beatrice faintly heard someone call out to her.

“… Your Grace.”

She turned around to see a maid standing before her. “I am fine, I don’t need anything,” she replied. “Please, leave me alone.”

“No, it is me, Sally. You spoke to my brother in the tavern.”

“What?” Beatrice sputtered, still not understanding.

“My brother,” the maid repeated. “You wanted information about Miss Jennings. I have information to pass on, and I shall give it to him.”

Beatrice was not sure it mattered anymore. The Duke was to announce the end of their marriage, and Agnes had won. There was no reason for Agnes to attack her anymore when she had gotten what she wanted. And there was no reason to clear her name. The divorce would be damaging enough, and everyone would believe Agnes over her.

The maid pressed a slip of paper into Beatrice’s hand. “He said you must come alone, and he will tell you everything.”

“All right,” Beatrice responded.

There was nothing else she could say. She slipped the note into her reticule.

The maid left her side, and when she looked back at her sister, she found Agnes watching her intently. Just seeing the spite in Agnes’s eyes made her want to find out the truth. She didn’t care what happened now—she wanted Agnes to suffer just as she had.

---