“’Tis my understanding that downstairs is for the tame—ahem, I mean, Ton…” Evan joked.
Robert had attended parties hosted here before. He focused on Beth’s reactions rather than Evan’s words as his friend explained the arrangement.
Guests could use any unoccupied rooms if they liked to be watched while other guests were welcome to view the occupants’ activities through the peep holes. If a door was open, people were encouraged to enter to enjoy the show from a closer vantage point.
Which side of the door would Beth prefer? She seemed to favor being part of the action when given a choice. Nothing could make him perform like a circus act for people to watch. Yet he dreaded the thought of her choosing someone else with whom to play. He could not watch that.
“As you can see,” Beth said to Penelope as she gestured at Evan, “your entrée to Cheltie’s house party was appreciated and put to good use. How are bakery plans coming?”
At that question, Robert turned to find Evan whispering with Althea and leading her away.
“Michael, are you and Penelope planning to enjoy the viewing options?” Robert waved a hand over their heads toward the upper level.
“Absolutely. Pen has not attended before and is exceedingly curious. What of you, Ford? I rather thought we’d have a spread of your work laid out in a room above stairs.”
“Too many orders from Bags’s Cheltenham fête. I ran out of leather this year.” He shook his head.
Michael snorted a laugh. “Trust that crowd to continue to find excesses they must try, to outdo each other.”
Robert slanted a sidelong look at Beth to gauge her interest in that statement, but she was asking Penelope about staffing at the bakery.
Michael continued, “Bags and Lady Egerton, eh? I think they’ve disappeared upstairs already. D’you think it will last?”
“She is not his usual type. ’Twill be interesting to see who is swayed to whose view. She is much more private than Bags’s reputation allows for.”
“Did you spend much time with her and Beth, then? I’ve only met them a time or two. More often, the girls gather for tea and baked treats.”
Robert shook his head but slid another glance to Beth.
“Hmm. I am guessing Bags asked you to entertain our little bundle of energy while he wooed Lady Egerton?”
A shrug. He told himself to remain noncommittal.Although, mayhap Michael has knowledge that could help.
Before he could ask, Michael gave him a perfect opening. “And Lady E is the opposite of her young cousin when it comes to…er, relationships.”
Robert grunted. “What do you mean by that?”
“You’ve seen Beth. She has never met a stranger. ’Tis for people such as her that I hate Society’s unequal rules. Bags and I, and even you, can do as we like with impunity. But she looks twice at a man or—God forbid—fans herself too many times while looking at him, and she’s a harlot. Her parents taught her she should be able to do anything a man can do. And she should. Yet she cannot without receiving criticism. So she flaunts her differences, and it spirals. With the right opportunity, she’d be upstairs playing in a room in a heartbeat, reveling in an audience. With a man or a woman. For no other reason than ’tis fun.”
Robert’s eyes bulged. Michael had just voiced his worst fear. He could just hear the criticisms of his form, his face, his lack of a title if he joined her.
I knew she was too flamboyant for me, but I wanted her anyway. No more.Sarah vetted her clients and required confidentiality, but those who hosted their own soirées did not necessarily employ the same diligence. It did not matter. Even if he was willing to risk the Ton’s viciousness, a quiet sedate man would not hold the interest of someone as vivacious as Peaches for long.
Michael did not notice. He shook his head. “She is misunderstood…or mayhap no one bothered to try to understand in the first place. From what Pen’s said, she has the kindest heart of anyone I know.”
The biggest, softest heart in the world could not compensate for someone’s willingness to flaunt their strangeness to the Ton. He had spent years avoiding the limelight and would not risk it now, even for the tempting conundrum that was Beth.
He turned to watch Beth as she finished her conversation with Penelope and settled her gaze on his.
****
Beth had negotiated an agreement with Althea. She would not engage any of the house servants while Althea attempted to hire a few servants from the School of Enlightenment that would be more open to advances. In return, Althea would accompany her to a few soirées on the edge of polite society if the host and attendees were vetted enough for Althea’s concerns.
She’d had high hopes of Robert attending this party and had dressed accordingly in a low-cut peach gown with a layer of chiffon over it that created varying shades and depth. When she spotted him, she’d bounced in anticipation, although she covered it with a greeting for her school chum.
After Cheltie had explained the nature of the party, Beth was impatient. She pictured Robert leading her upstairs, where they could check each peephole to each room, mayhap picturing themselves in the various scenes they found. Together, they might ponder which of his creations would work best for that position or design a new configuration.
Then she became engrossed in hearing about Penelope’s plans for staffing the bakery.
