Page 26 of Beth: A Regency Romance Novell

As they entered the hall, Andrew turned to him. “Is this merely a casual interest in Beth’s welfare? Or something more?”

“Something more,” Marcus confessed annoyed at how astute Andrew could be.

“Ah.” Andrew slapped him on the back. “I would like nothing better, my friend.” He frowned as Marcus took his hat and cane from the butler. “Beth is unlike your usual run of debutantes. Most of them sheltered little butterflies with their marriage minded mothers in tow. Jenny and Beth’s mother died many years ago. Jenny cared for her brothers and sisters until she came to Castlebridge as governess to William and Barbara. Beth came to live with us soon afterward. Their father, Lord Harrismith, is an avid scholar of history.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Need I say more?”

“I have an uncle with similar interests. Concerns himself with little more than his books. But whatever her upbringing, Beth is deuced courageous, and smart.”

“Indeed,” Andrew said slowly. “She’s all that and more. But she has a firm idea as to what she wants from life.”

“I’m hardly in a position to ask for her hand. Not with this trip to Greece only a few weeks away. And I can’t expect her to wait.”

“I can see the difficulties, Marcus. I must leave it to your commonsense, and Beth’s should you decide to ask her. Now I must go up to Jenny. We’ll dine at seven. Perhaps a game of billiards or whist afterward?”

Marcus nodded. “Go cautiously, Andrew.”

As he returned home, Marcus wondered what reservations Andrew had when he spoke of Beth. He would not want Marcus whisking Beth off to Greece, but was there some other reason he might oppose the marriage? And then there was Beth’s father who must be consulted. By the time he reached his townhouse, he was still unsure what the future would hold. As a suitor, he seemed acceptable. His father, Sir Henry, had been well respected. Andrew too had gained some approval from his work in the foreign office. He was well able to support a wife in comfort as he had inherited a fine estate. Dash it all! He loved Beth! Didn’t his mother say that from the age of two, if Marcus set his heart on something he would persist until he had it? But what of Beth? As he called for his valet to change his clothes, he feared there was too much against him.

Beth woke, her heart pounding. For a moment, she feared she’d been thrown back into the nightmare world at Whittemore House. Her heartbeat slowed as she gazed around her pretty floral bedchamber. Harrow Court. Safe. She stretched luxuriously beneath the linen sheets and thought about Marcus. When would she see him again? Surely he would come to see how she fared?

She frowned. What good was it to dream of him? His world was not hers; she would fail if she tried to enter it, and her unhappiness would make him unhappy.

Beyond the window, the sun was sinking in the west. She’d slept for hours. Eager for news, she left the bed and took out a primrose morning gown from the clothespress. Jenny always implored her to have a lady’s maid, but she’d grown up without the need for one. She was used to looking after herself. However, it would be nice to have Lilly as her maidservant.

Once dressed, she went in search of Lilly in the wing on the floor above, where the women servants’ bedchambers were situated. After a brief search she found Lilly in the small attic room allotted to her.

Lilly grinned as she tidied her hair before a small mirror. “Oh, miss, such a clean place. So comfortable. And I’ve been given such nice clothes to wear.” She pointed a red slipper and turned around in her blue dress holding out the long white apron. “Such fine material.”

“It might take a while to learn how things are done,” Beth said. “But I am so pleased you are here. You won’t miss your mother?”

“I cannot stay with ’er, she lives in a small room over a shop. I’ve been sending a little money each month.”

Beth sat on the bed. “You can continue to send her money, Lilly. You are to be my lady’s maid, here in London and when we return to Castlebridge.”

Lilly’s eyes widened. “A lady’s maid? Well, I never.” She frowned. “I can sew, miss. Me ma says I’m good at it. But won’t that put one of the upstairs maid’s nose out of joint?”

“I don’t think so. I’m not the lady of this house.” She smiled. “And please call me Beth. I do hope you’ll be happy here.”

“I’d be most ungrateful if I wasn’t, wouldn’t I… Miss Beth.” She returned to the mirror and put on her white mob cap. “I must go down to the servants’ hall. It would be a bad beginning to be late for supper.”

Beth left her and descended the main staircase to the blue salon. She found Jenny seated on a floral chintz sofa by the window, an open book on her lap. She stared into the deepening dusk. “Andrew hasn’t returned from Twickenham.” She bit her lip. “He’s been gone for hours.”

Dread tightened Beth’s stomach. “I’m sure he’ll come soon.”

“I expect so. Mr. Nyeland will be here for dinner.”

Beth caught her breath. Really, she must not allow the very mention of Marcus to disturb her, she told herself, she only wished to thank him again. “Mr. Nyeland is a good man, Jenny, and so terribly brave.”

“Mm?” Jenny looked at her without really seeing her. She shook her head as if to clear her mind. “Oh, yes. He is! Andrew and I are profoundly grateful to him for returning you safely to us.” She shut the book and rose to place it on the table. Standing at the window she pulled back the curtain to gaze at the curve of gravel driveway. “I wish Andrew hadn’t gone in the curricle with only a groom!”

“He must be confident he ca

n handle the situation, and he would wish to be inconspicuous. He will be here soon, dearest.” Beth swallowed the lump in her throat as she came to stand beside her sister, slipping an arm around her waist.

Jenny sighed. “I just want to put this frightening business behind us. We should go up and change for dinner before Mr. Nyeland arrives.”

When they came down again dressed in their evening gowns, it had grown dark and Andrew still had not returned.

They had not long to wait before the butler announced Mr. Nyeland. He strode into the salon, and Beth’s pulse quickened. When his calm brown eyes met hers, she felt a little reassured. He was so solid and dependable, and so very handsome in his evening clothes.

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