Arthur granted his uncle a cool glance. “It is true, Uncle, that I paid for the gems from my recent gains. I did not realize that would cause offense.”
It did not cause offense, but it made Lady Beckham wonder. “I did not realize you had been so fortunate of late,” she said, as the soup was served. A good hot clear leek soup for a damp night. There was nothing better. She inhaled in approval.
“I thought it vulgar to discuss such a detail,” Arthur said lightly.
“You have not in the past,” Reynaud noted.
“I have not been so lucky in the past.” He saluted his bride with his glass. “It is clear that good fortune comes to me in all matters.”
The lady smiled and tasted her soup, murmuring admiration of it that was wholly deserved.
“You might lend me some of those funds,” Reynaud said.
“I think not, Uncle.” There was steel in Arthur’s tone.
“You have no need of it,” Reynaud protested, his tone becoming peevish. “You have every comfort here while I am utterly without funds.”
“Perhaps you should have left the tables sooner,” Arthur said mildly.
“Perhaps you could show some kindness to your relations,” Reynaud snapped.
Arthur looked up. His gaze flicked to Lady Beckham, his resolve as clear as the direction of his thoughts. Something had changed. She had an intimation of a new defiance, though he had never given money to Reynaud that she knew of.
What was he going to do?
Why did he need that money? That he had not spoken of it, not so much as mentioned it, was curious to her. She would check with her bankers in the morning about his funds, for Lady Beckham smelled a plot.
“I have declined, Uncle,” he said quietly.
“And I am in dire straits,” Reynaud said, casting down his napkin. “That wretched tradesman, Grosvenor, has bought up all of my outstanding debts and would compel me to wed his daughter!”
“This is not my situation to repair,” Arthur said calmly.
“It is!” Reynaud shouted, as petulant as only he could be. “You should have married her. You were the one she wanted. Now the chit is determined to have me, the better to cheat you of any chance of inheriting the title.”
“Truly?” Arthur said calmly. “She does not surrender a battle readily, does she?”
He did not seem to care about the title, but that, Lady Beckham knew, was his lineage speaking. She gritted her teeth.
Reynaud, of course, was in the midst of a tantrum and disinclined to notice anything but himself. “Worse, her father is determined to grant her desire. Instead of acting for the best of the family, Arthur, you betrayed me, abandoned your duty, and marriedher.” He pointed to the new bride and all turned to consider her.
The new Mrs. Beckham put down her soup spoon. She looked pale but resolute. She did not cry, nor did she rise to Raynaud’s words and reply in kind. “Lady Beckham, I would ask to excuse myself. My presence appears to be causing offense at your table.”
Despite herself, Lady Beckham admired the girl for speaking thus. She quickly assessed the situation and decided that she would prefer Arthur’s loyalty to that of her younger brother. Reynaud would always come crawling to her for one favor or another, but Arthur showed signs of potential rebellion.
The situation might yet be saved, and turned to her satisfaction.
Lady Beckham smiled at the younger woman. “Nonsense. My brother is the one whose manners are bad and whose comments are unwelcome. I apologize for his vulgarity.” She lifted her gaze to the earl, who glared at her from the other end of the table. “And I suggest, Reynaud, that you are no longer welcome on this night. Perhaps you can find someone else to see your belly and your purse filled.” She lifted a finger. “I know. Perhaps you should call upon Mr. Grosvenor and spend some time with your intended.”
Reynaud swore with impressive vigor, then spun from the table, marching out of the dining room then out of the house.
“I thank you, Mother,” Arthur said quietly and she smiled at him.
“Perhaps you might find me a little trinket when next you visit the jeweller’s shop,” she said, intending to make a jest though it did not sound like one.
Her gaze locked with that of Arthur, who did not appear to be amused, then he smiled thinly and nodded once, returning his attention to his dinner.
Something was in the wind and Lady Beckham intended to discover what it was, with all haste.
