“Lady Beatrix observes the world in a thoughtful manner,” returned Dev. He sounded…defensive. “Thus, she experiences life deeply.”
Lady Bridgewater narrowed her eyes. “I suppose that’s what made you fall in love with her.”
All the breath left Beatrix’s body, and she went entirely too hot.
Love.
What a word to be spoken aloud on a factory floor.
What a word to be spoken in relation to her and Dev.
She dared not glance his way.
“We…” she began, somehow, the croak in her voice rivaling that of a toad. “We were discussing the destination of these steam engines.”
The countess observed her with an air of impatience.
“Paris,” Beatrix supplied.
“Oh, Paris,” said the countess. “Bridgy took me there for our honeymoon. Well, he said it was our honeymoon, but there was a horse to purchase, of course.” Remnants of past annoyance yet lingered. “Anyway, Paris holds an appeal, I suppose, but, oh, the stench.” Her eyes went bright with a sudden idea. “Oh, I know. You could elope to Scotland right quick, then dash off to Paris with the steam engines for your honeymoon.”
It wasn’t meant as a sincere idea, but rather as a joke. Or even a dare, Beatrix supposed.
Lady Bridgewater was all but explicitly daring Dev to follow through with a marriage to the too-intense Lady Beatrix St. Vincent.
“But not in August,” continued the countess. “Paris is dreadful in August. Worse than London.” She gave a dramatic shiver. “Now, Dev, you are needed to tell us precisely what provided the inspiration forthisdevice.” She’d already begun ambling ahead.
“Later,” said Dev, urgent and only to Beatrix. “Later, we shall talk.”
And he was gone.
Except he wasn’t truly.
That word yet reverberated through her—shaking her…rattling her.
Later.
She had the promise of him—later.
She didn’t have to deny him—or herself—yet.
Which was, of course, a state of denial in itself.
That was all reprieve was…
A state of limbo.
A state of grace.
The fact was she’d like to stay here a bit longer.
To know Dev better.
To know herself better, too.
The woman she became when she was with him.
And she understood.
