In a moment, it seemed, six grand, and surely expensive, outfits hadbeen selected to be ordered from London. “And a habit,” said the duchessfirmly. “And boots.”
Next, the beleaguered Beth had a small fortune of jewelry spreadcasually on the table before her ? silver, gold, diamonds, rubies,emeralds, sapphires, pearls. . . . She could not help her fingers goingout to touch a beautiful diamond bracelet that shot fire in the light ofthe sun, and a string of softly glowing pearls. She pulled her hand back.Truly she was being seduced, and not with kisses. She resolutely refusedto accept anything except the string of pearls, traditional ornament of agently bred young woman, a set of amber baubles which did not lookexpensive, and, under pressure, some diamonds. She chose a delicate parureas being the least overwhelming.
“It is very pretty,” said the duchess doubtfully, fingering thediamonds, “but the stones are small. Will you not take this one?” sheasked; opening a case to show a magnificent set in which huge diamondsflashed blades of rainbow colors.
Beth shrank away. What had Beth Armitage to do with a thing like that?“No, Your Grace. Truly. I much prefer the other.”
“Comme vous voudrez, ma chere”the duchess said with hertypical Gallic shrug.
Beth could not imagine the hours which must have been worked in theBelcraven sewing rooms, but one of her new gowns, the green sprig, wasready the next day when the first callers came. It was a very simple gown,gathered with drawstrings at the waist and only ornamented by a green silksash, and yet it was much superior to her own creations. The duchessinspected her and was pleased. She tried to prevent Beth from wearing oneof her caps but failed. In some way the caps had become a symbol for Bethand she would not give them up.
The guests proved to be close neighbors, a Lady Frogmorton and herdaughters, Lucy and Diane. They were accompanied by a friend, Miss PhoebeSwinnamer, a young lady of quite remarkable beauty. Of which, thoughtBeth, she was far too aware. Still, she had to admit that it would be hardfor the possessor to ignore a perfect oval face, translucent skin, bigblue eyes, and thick, glossy, mahogany, waving hair.
There was something disturbing about the young lady, however ? aboutthe way she looked at Beth and the marquess, and the way her friendslooked at her. It didn’t take genius to see that Miss Swinnamer wished tobe in Beth’s position. It was clear that Lucy Frogmorton also was envious.Beth then supposed that most of the young ladies in England shared thatfeeling.
For the first time she thought how ludicrous it was that fate haddelivered this supposed honor to one of the few sane women who did notwant it.
Beth was still puzzling over Phoebe Swinnamer when the young ladymanaged to snatch a seat beside her. Beth realized that the duchess hadbeen delicately attempting to prevent just such an occurrence.
“Do you live in Berkshire, Miss Swinnamer?” Beth asked politely. Afteryears of teaching, jealous young minxes did not frighten her.
“Oh no,” said Phoebe with a slight smile which did not reach her eyes.“My home is in Sussex, but we spend a great deal of time in London.”
“Then you must enjoy it. I have rarely visited the capital.”
“It is my duty,” said Phoebe. “I am my parents’ heiress. I must make agood match.”
Beth smiled. “I am sure with your beauty and fortune, the choice mustbe entirely yours, Miss Swinnamer.”
There was the slightest stiffening of Phoebe’s beautiful features,though it was clear she never let the stronger emotions disturb them. “Itis kind of you to say so, Miss Armitage.” She looked around. “Belcraven isvery beautiful, is it not? I spent the Christmas here.”
Beth now understood that Phoebe had been a serious contender for themarquess’s hand. Were they in fact disappointed lovers? Selfishly, it hadnever occurred to her that he might have had to give up a chosen partnerto make this match. Beth glanced over at him, but he was relaxed infriendly talk with the Frogmortons and there was nothing to learn.
She looked back and saw Phoebe had noted that look with satisfaction.Beth took hold of her wits. The little cat was out to make trouble. Shedoubtless had faint hopes of somehow spoiling the present arrangement andreviving her chances. Beth knew there was no possibility of that and hadno mind to have her life made more difficult by the girl.
“Personally,” she said, “I prefer a quiet family Christmas.”
“And where does your family live?” asked Phoebe, probing for aweakness.
“I lived with my aunt in Cheltenham,” countered Beth. “Are your parentshere with you, Miss Swinnamer?”
“No, my mother has been in Bath while my father was in Melton for thehunting. I’m surprised,” she drawled, with a somehow familiar look at themarquess, “Arden has been dragged away from there. He usually spends mostof the winter in the Shires.”
“The power of love,” said Beth sweetly. “I was not in such a mightyhurry to be wed, I assure you, Miss Swinnamer. But the marquess waspositively insistent.”
Phoebe’s charming, shapely nose became decidedly pinched. Before shecould rally, the duchess was there, drawing Beth away. “You must come andtalk to Lady Frogmorton, my dear,” As soon as they were out of earshot,she said, “I do hope the girl did not offend you, Elizabeth.”
“Of course not,” Beth said. “I am well used to young misses. But am Icorrect in thinking there was an attachment between her and themarquess?”
“Oh no, not an attachment,” the duchess said quickly. “She did seem tohave a great deal to offer, and Lucien considered her ? partly at myurging, I confess. I do not think he was ever particularly drawn to her.In fact,” she admitted with a rueful twinkle, “he was called away shortlyafter Christmas on some mysterious urgent business, much to poor Phoebe’sannoyance.”
Beth shared the amusement, relieved to think her future husband wasn’tnursing a broken heart. They had enough trouble without that.
She sat down to gossip with Lady Frogmorton, a kindly woman who saideverything that was proper. Beth had been right about the jealousy of thedaughters, however. Lucy, in particular, being the elder and sharplypretty, with vivid dark-haired, cherry-lipped looks, eyed Beth withdisbelief. Beth supposed she would just have to become accustomed to thisreaction.
When Lucien came to join them she was grateful for the way he behaved.There was no crude outward show of fondness, of course, but in the way hestood beside her and the tone of his voice he clearly convinced thevisitors that, strange though it was, this mousy and rather old woman hadstolen his heart.
Beth recognized, however, that this salve to her pride was bought atcost to her heart. When he acted so proficiently it was all too easy tofall under the spell, to forget this was a pact imposed ruthlessly andsupported by threats of violence.
