Page 89 of The Beast of Beswick
“I said we had to do needlework,” she answered, taking the hoop, her expression all wide-eyed innocence. “I didn’t say we weren’t allowed to havefun.”
Astrid couldn’t help laughing, her eyes watering. “How many more of these have you done?”
“Oh, scores of them. I’ve made quite a study of it. They’re all different, you know. Long, short, thick, thin, light, dark.”
Astrid choked. “Idon’tknow.”
Mabel stood and put her stitching away into a closed basket, which she handed to one of the young footmen with a wink. Astrid’s eyes widened with a sneaking suspicion, and then she felt her cheeks burn as she shook her head. Mabel did have good taste, though—he was very handsome. And if her embroidery was anything to go by, well endowed, too.
She smothered a giggle.
“It’s a good thing it’s hard to shock me,” Astrid said as they walked into the hallway. “Otherwise, I would be properly scandalized.”
“That’s one of the reasons why I like you, dear.” Mabel gave her a fond shove. “Now, hurry along; we must make haste if we want to arrive in time for the scandal of the season. Or this month, at least.”
It was early, but Lady Hammerton’s country estate was a couple of hours away by coach. For the evening, Astrid dressed in a deep-midnight-blue gown with silver lace accents and embroidered stars that almost made it look like the night sky. She usually favored lighter colors, but the rich color had been chosen by her husband during the fitting with Madame Pinot. A rope of diamonds had been wound into her hair, and light-gray gloves finished the ensemble.
“You look like a duchess,” Alice breathed.
“Thank you, Alice. You’ve outdone yourself, truly.”
“I only wish the duke could see how beautiful you look.”
Astrid did as well. Perhaps he would be here back from his business at Beswick when she returned. She smiled fondly. Even though he’d been gone only a short while, she missed him. She’d rather be in bed with him than attending a ball, but she had to be there for Isobel. It hurt that he would not be in attendance, but she understood how uncomfortable being in public made him.
A few short hours later, they were off in the Duke of Beswick’s crested coach. The interior of the carriage was plush and sumptuous, but Astrid wasn’t looking forward to the length of the journey. She focused her attention on the duchess opposite, who had chosen to wear a wine-colored velvet gown that made her look twenty years younger. Her amber eyes sparkled with vivacity.
“Planning to break some hearts tonight, Aunt Mabel?” Astrid teased.
“At least one or two.” She reached for a basket at her feet that Astrid had not noticed and pulled out a flask. After taking a sip, she handed it to Astrid. “It’s just a spot of whiskey.”
Taking the flask, Astrid swallowed some of the liquor.
With Mabel’s animated company, the ride passed more quickly than she’d expected. More pleasantly, too, thanks to the whiskey. Astrid blinked as they came to a stop. Perhaps she’d had one too many sips. When they arrived in the gargantuan courtyard, Astrid goggled. Flickering lights were strung everywhere as they walked up the path to the doors, making it all look quite magical.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
Mabel grinned. “This isn’t the half of it. There’ll be entertainments and fireworks—just you wait. Apparently, the Regent himself might put in an appearance.”
Inside, the decor in the massive ballroom rivaled the outside, adorned in billowing panels of white and gold. And it was packed to bursting with every conceivable color. Mabel ushered her down another set of stairs, away from where the majordomo was making announcements of arriving guests, and they entered the ballroom from another entrance.
“We do not need to be announced,” she told Astrid and shepherded her over to where a turbaned woman was surrounded by men vying for her attention. Lady Hammerton, Astrid presumed.
“Eloise, darling,” Mabel said, kissing her old friend, who proceeded to shoo away her admirers and shriek with delight.
“You naughty old bat, missing my house party,” the marchioness scolded. “You’re lucky I even sent you an invitation to the ball.”
Mabel laughed. “I’m here now. Allow me to introduce my nephew’s wife, the Duchess of Beswick.”
Astrid found herself the subject of meticulous attention. “Beswick is a lucky man,” she pronounced and then narrowed her piercing green eyes. “You have a sister.”
“Yes, Lady Isobel.”
“Ah, lovely chit.” Her eyes sparked with recognition as she turned back to Mabel. “She’s the one you wrote me about?”
Astrid frowned. Mabel wrote Lady Hammerton about Isobel?
“Don’t worry—I’ve kept an eye on her as you requested. She has developed a partiality for Lord Roth. Beaumont, however, proved to be another, more complicated matter. Persistent and arrogant, he refused to take no for an answer. I’ve had the servants bar him from entry tonight. A pity, since rumor has it his stamina is—”
