Was Beatrice planning to elope with the fellow who had captured her heart? Or was she merely playing games and making up lies to tease her? In truth, Harriet hoped it was just a game, for an elopement was a very serious thing. What if Beatrice’s father disowned her? She and her true love might be left penniless.
Well, she did not think Beatrice would fall in love with a man of no account. She seemed too sensible for that. But Beatrice had been raised in splendor, having servants to attend to her every need, governesses and tutors, finest clothes, never a lack of food, and the most magnificent shelters.
She might have no understanding of how difficult an impoverished existence could be.
Would she know how to cook or shop or wash her own clothes, assuming this man she adored could not afford servants?
Harriet took a deep breath, knowing what she would say next might give away her own plight and subject her to ridicule. “Lady Beatrice, before you make any move to irrevocably set the course of your life, please consider what I am about to tell you. I do not mean to dismiss your love for another as foolish. But have you considered what might happen if you eloped with him? Does he have the means to support you?”
Beatrice laughed but made no comment, so Harriet continued. “Can he afford to provide a servant for you? Because if he cannot, then you will be the one to do all the housework.”
“You assume my father would disown me.”
“Wouldn’t he?” Harriet asked. “Do you really think you would survive a year of hard work running a household? Assuming your gentleman had the means to provide you with a proper house. And what if he got you with child? You would then have the housework and an infant to care for.”
“Do you really believe I would run off with a wastrel?”
“No, you seem too intelligent for that. But I have had to face being suddenly alone in the world without anything to my name or anyone to turn to for support. It can happen quite quickly, the loss of an entire family and all your possessions, and you are suddenly alone in the world. It is terrifying. Were it not for the Duke of Pendrake and the dowager duchess, I do not know what would have become of me,” she said with heartfelt sincerity.
“Surely, you would have found some royal court to welcome you.”
“No, Lady Beatrice. I would not, for I am not a princess.”
Beatrice cast her an indulgent smile. “That your father was overthrown as king does not make you less of a princess. I am sure our royal family would recognize your status even if your own country has rejected its monarchy.”
Oh, gad.
“Truly, you are mistaken,” Harriet insisted. “And you must not repeat this to anyone.”
Beatrice smiled again. “If you say so.”
If Beatrice still believed that nonsense about her being a secret princess, then everyone at the duke’s party would believe the same, no matter how vehemently she denied it. Unfortunately, it was also possible that the more she denied it, the more the idea would embed in their heads because was it not more exciting to accept she was a fabled princess hiding out with the duke after the downfall of her family?
And all of this came about because of some misconstrued words.
She sighed and gave up her protest. “All I am saying is that life can be very harsh when you do not have the means to feed and clothe yourself.”
“MissComeford,” Beatrice said, stating her name as though it was wholly made up, “let us get serious now.”
Weren’t they being serious during this entire walk?
“You strike me as the perfect match for Pendrake,” Beatrice said, now taking it upon herself to dish out advice. “May I ask, why would you not be in contention?”
“As a prospect for marriage?”
“Yes, I saw the way he looked at you while helping you into the carriage. Even now, he keeps looking your way. Ah, he is now coming toward us. And he is smiling. Tell me, Miss Comeford, is he smiling for me…or you?”
CHAPTER SIX
MAX STIFLED HISconcern when he saw Harriet’s distress.
What had she and Beatrice said to each other? And why in heaven’s name had he been so arrogant as to put poor Harriet in this position?
The grass was soft beneath his feet as he strode toward them. There was a gentle breeze to cool the air, and he heard the gentle rush of water as he reached them where they stood beside the stream. “Miss Comeford, are you all right?”
“See, he is asking foryou,” Beatrice said and laughingly skittered off.
“What is she talking about?” Max muttered.
