Page 65 of A Scandalous Bargain
“I hope this has a happy ending,” Regan said. “Papa’s have happy endings.”
“How would you know?” he asked with mock incredulousness. “You never stay awake.”
Regan giggled. “Because you tell me in the morning. Papa, if I fall asleep, will you tell me the end in the morning?”
“Of course, darling.”
“Or she can, if she’s still here,” Regan said, glancing toward Beatrix.
Thomas looked at Beatrix and glimpsed a future he’d long ago deemed impossible. “You need to let her tell the story,” he said softly. He nodded toward Beatrix.
“I promise this story has a very happy ending, and if you fall asleep, I’ll make sure your father knows how it ends so he can tell you.”
“Thank you.”
Settling in, Thomas couldn’t wait to hear how it concluded. And for the first time in ages, he wondered if he might find a happy ending of his own.
* * *
Beatrix should have been tired after being out late the night before at Thomas’s house, but she was too excited for Selina’s wedding. She picked up the small box from her dressing table before leaving her chamber and going downstairs to Selina’s room.
After Regan had fallen asleep in Thomas’s bed last night, Beatrix had tried to persuade him to let her go home on her own—it was clear he should stay with his daughter. However, he’d insisted on hailing a hackney and accompanying her to Cavendish Square. It was, at least, faster than walking, which meant he was able to return to Regan as quickly as possible.
He’d asked about her time at Mrs. Goodwin’s. She hadn’t told him quite everything—not the bits about stealing—but sharing the torment of the other girls, her close friendship with Selina, and how she’d left with Selina before her education had been completed had made her feel surprisingly good. Perhaps because he was an exceptional, and sympathetic, listener.
He’d then regaled her with a few stories of Oxford, which involved a great deal of drunkenness and buffoonery. She had a bit of difficulty reconciling the troubled widowed father with the jovial young man and wished she could have known him then.
Although she was quite happy with knowing him now. As well as his daughter. She was charming, and Beatrix was so glad to know she had a loving father.
Situated at the rear of the first floor, Selina’s room was the largest bedchamber in the house. When Beatrix stepped inside, she stopped short at seeing Selina in her wedding gown. Made of ivory silk and trimmed in pale pink, the dress looked like a delicious confection.
Her new lady’s maid, whom Selina’s almost-mother-in-law had insisted she needed, was busy fastening the buttons along Selina’s back.
“You look so beautiful,” Beatrix said, sighing.
Selina turned her head and smiled. “So do you.”
Beatrix glanced down at her new dress. Light green with darker green embroidery, it reminded her of a bright spring day, which today was. “Thank you.”
“All finished, miss,” the maid said, stepping back.
Selina pivoted and held her arms slightly out from her sides. “Well?”
“Nearly perfect.”
Lines furrowed Selina’s brow. “Nearly?”
“I have just the thing.” Beatrix looked to the maid. “Would you excuse us for a moment?”
The maid dipped a curtsey before taking her leave.
“I shall never get used to that,” Selina said.
“I might, but then my mother had a lady’s maid.” Beatrix held out the small box tied with a blue ribbon. “I have something for you.” She placed it in Selina’s palm.
“How did you—?” Selina pressed her lips together, her brows drawing together as she untied the ribbon. She opened the lid and gasped. Her free hand shot to her mouth as her gaze lifted to Beatrix’s.
Beatrix moved closer and looked down at the coral necklace. “I know it’s not the one you remember, but I thought it must be very similar.”
