He strove to hide his impatience as Amelia embarked upon the hunt for the perfect hat. He knew she could spend a week in a milliner’s shop. Finally, having compelled Patience to try four different hats, Amelia pronounced one superior to all others—a matter that could not be disputed. The shape of it was perfect for his intended and Arthur would not have troubled her with the others. Another boy caught the copper Arthur tossed to him and they were shortly upon their way. He should stop at a bookseller to begin her father’s reading list.
“There are so many details to decide upon for the wedding,” Amelia said with enthusiasm. “I cannot wait to learn more of your plans, even to assist if I may. Which church and what date will it be, and what will be served for the wedding breakfast, and?—”
“Mother has claimed the wedding breakfast as her gift to us,” Arthur interjected firmly, seeing that the planning of this happy event could readily spin into months of deliberations. “The church will be that frequented by the Carruthers.” He granted Patience a glance and saw something that might have been relief in her eyes.
“St. Martin of the Fields,” she provided and he nodded.
“And the date will be at the discretion of Patience,” he concluded.
“The banns will have to be called…”
Arthur shook his head. “No. I will obtain a special license, so the date can be as soon as you like. My mother requests to meet you tomorrow afternoon at four, so I would suggest a week from Saturday.”
“Oh! So quick as that!”
“I see no cause to delay,” he said, granting her an intent look. “Do you?” He could not read her expression, which troubled him.
“I thought the details might take longer to arrange.”
Arthur was not entirely content with her hesitation. “Would you cancel our agreement before it is more widely known?” he offered, knowing that was the last possibility he desired. He would, however, be gracious to a lady.
Especially this one.
Miss Carruthers flushed crimson. “Of course not,” she said, a little hastily. “I was simply surprised. I was thinking, of course, that the banns would be called and it would be closer to a month before we pledged to each other.” She took a breath, seemingly to compose herself, and Arthur was not entirely convinced that she still wished to wed him.
He was surprised by the magnitude of his concern.
They rode in silence for a moment, Arthur’s thoughts spinning as he strove to identify his error.
“Were you aware that the Romans believed that only the month of June was auspicious for weddings?” Miss Carruthers said abruptly, her words falling quickly from her lips. “Its association with Juno, the goddess of marriage, women and childbirth, made it the most suitable time for the exchange of marital vows. Ceding to Juno’s authority over that month also offered a better prospect of earning her favor, thus ensuring both fertility and prosperity in the match.” She took a shaking breath.
“June is rather a long time away,” Amelia said after an interval of silence.
“Yes! Yes, it is, and that was not my suggestion. A week from Saturday it will be,” she said, as if girding her loins for an ordeal.
Arthur slanted a glance at her to find her watching him. She smiled pertly, but the expression was forced. He halted the carriage before her father’s house and moved quickly to help her down. Their gazes clung when her hand was in his, hers searching his, then she smiled again. “I apologize for my surprise, sir,” she said softly and he dared to be reassured.
“Less than a fortnight, and then you will be together for the rest of your lives!” Amelia said with delight.
Arthur bent to kiss the hand of his betrothed. “Tomorrow afternoon then? At three?”
He would not have blamed her for striving to avoid an interview with Lady Beckham but she straightened and nodded. “At three, sir,” she said with welcome resolve, then stepped past him. Arthur stood, watching her until she vanished into the house, wondering what truly was amiss.
And, of course, how he could find out.
CHAPTER7
He was lovely.
Truly, Patience had never met Mr. Beckham’s equal. His manners were impeccable. He was handsome, charming and comported himself well. His habit of giving coppers to impoverished children was more than endearing, and his taste was exquisite. He was kind and he was generous; he was an amusing companion and that kiss would keep her awake all the night long. He was courteous to her, yet assertive. She felt safe and confident in his presence. His younger sister clearly adored him, so Patience had not been misled as to the truth of his nature.
She had never been inclined to believe in the merit of love, but she had to cede that she could find herself in love with Mr. Beckham. Her sole doubt was whether she had seen the fullness of his nature, or whether he deliberately showed her only a part.
His reputation, after all, held that he was undeniably frivolous. She was inclined to trust him and to believe that the man who had both teased and defended her was the true man, but what if he had hidden part of his nature, the part he would expect her to find less appealing? It was not so ridiculous a possibility, given how little time they had actually spent together.
Could she trust him? Was his promise to aid in the publication of the book—the entire basis of their agreement to her view—a sincere one? Patience could not say. She could not imagine that such a man - a fashionable dandy, a gambler and a wastrel - would cast himself into the business of publishing with even her father’s fervor. Had he deceived her?
Was the prospect of Miss Grosvenor so fearsome as that? Patience admitted that she did not like the other woman, and marriage was a lifetime bond, but a man was less constrained by his marriage than a woman might be. He could wed Miss Grosvenor and never see her again. They could live in separate houses. Marrying her to evade that match seemed extreme.
