Tibbets entered with a tray, and when she had left again, Beatrice poured tea for the both of them. “I certainly hope she has not put in another appearance since the funeral, Charles.”
“No, she has not.”
“Thank goodness. I hate to think of her becoming a nuisance to you and Edmund, especially during your mourning period.”
“Charlotte is not a nuisance, Beatrice.” He hesitated, then turned to her, his face set. “What has your sister done to you to earn such bitter contempt?”
“I should think that obvious. She ... she ruined my chances when she ruined herself.”
“Come, come, Bea, you despised her long before that.”
Beatrice shrugged her thin shoulders.
“One might almost assume you jealous of Charlotte.”
“Jealous? Hardly.”
“But of what?” Charles wondered aloud, as if he had not heard.
“You are, classically speaking, more beautiful. You held your father’s approval whereas Charlotte did not. William favored you, though that lad’s opinion is worth less than I’d imagined. What is it you begrudge her?”
Bea’s chin quivered.
“What did she have that you did not?”
Bea stared down at her hands, then lifted her gaze. “Your admiration.”
He took a deep breath. “Beatrice.” He sighed. “You have long held me in too high of a regard. And your sister in one too low.”
“I do not think my opinion unjust. She has never named a villain in her fall. Can we not surmise his low status? We know he could not be a gentleman.”
“Do we indeed? Did it never cross your mind that she might have another reason for withholding his name?”
“No.”
“Beatrice. I know you foster some idea of a future alliance between the two of us.”
She gasped. “I have never said—”
“Come, come. I tire of this game playing. You would have no objections to an alliance with me—is that not so?”
“I suppose, in theory, I would have no objections.”
“Well, I do. And you should as well.”
“What do you mean?”
“You despise Charlotte. But I admire her. You condemn the man responsible. But I am he.”
“What?”
“Yes, Beatrice. I am that man. And Charlotte did not reveal my part in her fall because I had already chosen to marry Katherine. Needed to marry Katherine to keep Fawnwell afloat.”
“You ... and Charlotte ...?” Bea sputtered.
“Yes. And I could never join myself with a woman who despises someone I hold so dear. Someonesheshould hold dear as well.” He sighed again and sat back. “Nor do I expect you will ever want to see me again now that you know.”
Tears filled Beatrice’s eyes. She squeezed them shut and the tears streamed down her pale cheeks. “Go,” she said miserably.
