Page 75 of The Duke's Vice

“Mother. It’s not worth it. If I learned anything from these past few weeks is that not only will do just fine on my own but I really do prefer it.”

Charlotte grimaced. “Oh. Come now. I don’t believe that. You and I get along.”

Beatrice quirked an eyebrow causing Charlotte to chuckle.

“Most of the time. And you have friends, Jane, and…” she waved her hand. “Oh, I don’t know all your friends but you have them and enjoy them. And they enjoy you, too.” She leaned closer. “And why wouldn’t they, you’re lovely. Intelligent. Interesting. And I hear you have the most wonderful of mothers.” She added with a wink.

Beatrice rolled her lips. She actually did feel slightly better with her mother there. And she was grateful she had shared what was going on, even if it was full of half-truths and omissions. It still made these past few days a bit easier to navigate.

“She is pretty wonderful.” She said with the slightest hints of a smile.

Charlotte beamed a radiant smile back.

“Good. So you’re not upset with me asking this particular suitor over for tea this afternoon?”

Beatrice groaned as she pulled her hands away from her mother so she could cover her face. “Oh, Mama. Why now?” She was not in the mood to talk to any man, let alone meet a new one.

“I’m sorry, Beatrice. I was introduced to him at the start of the season. If I’m being honest, he didn’t strike me as anything other than a polite young man, nothing out of the ordinary. But I’ve seen him at a few of the balls and he’s always around people, dancing, laughing and having fun. I’ve had several conversation with him since then and he’s into many of the same things you are, including books and travel. When I ran into him today something clicked and I thought you must meet him.”

Beatrice shook her head. “Fine, but not today.” She pleaded.

Charlotte licked her lips and took a moment. “Beatrice. When I said he was always surrounded by people I meant it, he was thecenter of attention. But these last few balls I’ve noticed he has been dancing with Lady Catharine, who is nice, however, I don’t see a good match there.”

Beatrice looked at her mother pointedly. “Do you honestly not see a match between him and Lady Catharine? Or are you inserting your nose where it doesn’t belong?”

Charlotte bristled. “I know matches, my dear, and there is not one there.”

Beatrice continued to stare at her mother, doubting her.

“All right fine, they’re a pretty good match, but I think you will be better.” She added, quickly.

“Mama. If he’s interested in Lady Catharine, let him be interested in Lady Catharine.”

Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “You truly are naive when it comes to matters of the heart.”

Beatrice’s body seized up. Unknowingly her mother’s words penetrated her thickest wall of defense and hit her directly in the soul. Her biggest fear going into spinsterhood was becoming one and still being innocent and naive.

If she only knew the heartache her wishes would cause her she might not have set herself on this journey.

She reached up and rubbed the ache in her chest.

“If he was interested in only Lady Catharine, he wouldn’t have accepted our invitation.” Charlotte said triumphantly. “Come now, what do you say? Spend an afternoon with him. Drink some tea.” She looked up to the sky. “It’s a nice day, not too warm to be outside for a nice walk around the gardens.”

Charlotte’s bottom lip protruded like a child’s. “Please, Beatrice. For me?”

Beatrice sighed and rolled her eyes, refusing to smile. Her mother and her dramatics. “Fine. I will meet with… what is his name.”

“An Earl named Amos Duncary.” Charlotte responded.

“Oh. I remember him. You tried to get me to dance with him at one of the balls.” Beatrice’s mind had been fuzzy these last few days, but she faintly remembered hearing his name before.

Charlotte’s eyes rounded. “So you remember him! That is an excellent sign!”

Beatrice shook her head. “Mama, I said I remember his name, not the man. I know nothing of him.”

Charlotte stood up, extending her hand to Beatrice. “Well, now you have the perfect opportunity to meet him. Come, let’s getyou ready. You’ve been lounging around the house for days. It’s time to start something new.”

Beatrice took her mother’s hand to stand and together, they walked back to the house.

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