A sudden knock at the door interrupted her musings. ‘Come,’ she called, and two seconds later, the door opened to admit Felicity Beaumont.
‘How are you?’ the diminutive lady asked gently. Felicity had not been present earlier, being firmly of the opinion that any reprimands directed to her charge should be entirely a family affair.
‘Has Grace spoken with you?’ Patience responded, unaccountably ready to begin bawling again.
Felicity nodded. ‘May I sit?’ she asked.
‘Of course,’ Patience responded with a tremulous smile. ‘Miss Beaumont…’ she went on.
‘Felicity, please,’ the matron interrupted. ‘I am no longer your mentor.’
‘You never were,’ Patience declared simply. ‘You were so much more than that.’ She looked down at her hands before continuing. ‘My … education has not been easy for you, I know,’ she murmured, ‘but I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your attempts on my behalf.’
Her eyes flew up as Felicity snorted then raised her eyebrows. ‘Such words are flowery indeed coming from your mouth, my dear.’ She laughed at her former charge’s look of chagrin. ‘Please, Patience, don’t ever let anybody change you. You are a true rarity in our stilted society.’
‘Well, no one’s had any success in that direction so far,’ Patience responded ruefully. ‘But I am grateful Miss … Felicity, and I am so very sorry if my behaviour yesterday caused you undue embarrassment.’
‘Tare an’ hounds as your father is so fond of saying,’ Felicity replied with a wave of her hand. ‘I’m made of sterner stuff than that. Both of your sisters led me a merry dance, I can assure you.’
‘But at least they both ended up in advantageous marriages.’
‘They ended up with a lot more than that,’ was Felicity’s quiet response. ‘All of your sisters are wed to men they love and who love them in return, and that is rare in today’s society…’ She paused and smiled sadly at Patience. ‘I had so hoped it would be the same for you, my dear, but I understand that your path will be a different one.’
Felicity’s words immediately conjured an image of the Marquess of Guildford, and Patience shoved it down ruthlessly.
‘I wasn’t aware you were acquainted with the Earl of Bamford,’ she commented, suddenly remembering the strange exchange between Felicity and the Earl the day before.
‘Indeed, I wish I was not,’ was the lady’s tart response. At her former charge’s raised eyebrows, she sighed and explained. ‘He was married to my second cousin. It was some years ago now, when she was no older than you. Unlike your sisters, it was not a love match.’ She stopped and grimaced. ‘You’ve seen the Earl,’ she continued after a second. ‘He has very little to recommend him other than his title.’
‘He is truly loathsome,’ agreed Patience. ‘What happened to your cousin?’
‘He had her committed,’ Felicity declared bluntly. Patience stifled a gasp as the matron continued. ‘He declared she was hysterical, so much so that he feared for his life.’
‘I’d be deuced hysterical if I’d had to wed such a man,’ interrupted Patience with a shudder.
Felicity nodded. ‘You are fortunate that your family love you,’ she continued gently, ‘or such a fate could well have been yours.’
Patience stared at her horrified. It had never occurred to her that such an outcome could have awaited her.
‘As you have discovered to your cost Patience,’ Felicity continued at the young woman’s look of shock, ‘diversity in Polite Society is ruthlessly stamped out whenever it rears its ugly head.’
‘Is she still there?’ Patience whispered.
‘Indeed she is,’ the matron declared, making do attempt to disguise her anger. Her family tried everything to get the order rescinded, but she was, and is, the Earl’s chattel, and there was nothing they could do.’
‘That’s dreadful,’ Patience muttered, shaking her head.
‘What is the Marquess’s connection to Bamford, do you know perchance?’ Felicity asked abruptly. ‘I could not help but notice that there appeared much animosity between them.’
Patience felt her heart thud at the question, unsure how to respond.
‘There does not appear to be much love lost between them,’ Patience offered, stating the obvious. ‘However, I suspect much of the Marquess’s animosity was a reaction to Bamford’s appalling rudeness.’ Both observations were entirely true. Felicity nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer before standing with a sigh. ‘I must attend your sisters,’ she smiled. ‘Apparently a trip to the modiste cannot be cancelled, even in the direst of consequences. And besides, it will give us all an indication of what to expect this evening.’
‘It’s fortunate I’m not coming with you then.’ The dry comment belied the shine of tears in Patience’s eyes.
‘I suspect you would find it entirely tedious anyway,’ Felicity consoled lightly, taking her leave.
Patience watched the lady go with mixed emotions. She had no wish to visit a modiste or indeed attend another ball. But to be aware that she was not permitted to do so was a new experience. She thought back to Felicity’s warning, and for a second, she felt a frisson of fear at the thought of being locked away against her will. Truly, it was the most dreadful of fates.
