And then, of course, she would be called a shrew.
The duchess sent for Beth to share a late breakfast in her suite, andshe felt obliged to go. Some toast and coffee made her feel better, butthe duchess’s cheerful chatter was hard to respond to.
“I was pleased to see you and Lucien so at ease,” the duchess said.“His few days in Town did him good, as I knew they would. He’s morehimself and that should make it easier for you, my dear. And there isn’tmuch more of this falderol to endure. We have a week of festivities here,culminating in the reception for all the local people, and then we willremove to London. Then it will be only two weeks to your wedding.”
Two weeks. Buttered toast turned to sawdust in Beth’s mouth. She hadknown the date set for the event, but now it loomed frighteningly close.“It is all rather rushed,” she protested. “It will cause talk.”
“Yes, but the duke wants it done,” said the duchess apologetically.“And your first child will be born after the nine months, so thespeculation will end then.”
Beth swallowed, and the duchess looked at her with shrewd eyes. “Mydear, do you know about marriage? I feel I stand in the place of a motherto you.”
“I know all about marriage,” said Beth hastily and then saw the shockin the duchess’s eyes. “I mean, I have read widely.”
“What extraordinary books you must come across,” the duchess remarked.“But even so it is easy to be ... confused on such a subject. My olderdaughter, Maria, thought that the act of sleeping in a bed with a mancaused babies. By the time I talked to her, she had already convincedGraviston that they should have separate bedrooms because she snored. Shethought her troubles were over.”
Beth was aghast. “How could you force her into such a distastefulmarriage?”
“Distasteful?” said the duchess. “Oh no, it was a love match. But Mariafelt, being but eighteen, that she did not want children just yet. Havingheard that ‘sleeping together’ caused babies,” the duchess explained witha twinkle, “she thought she could have Graviston’s kisses and all theypromised without consequences.”
Beth desperately wanted to ask whether she could have the babieswithout the kisses and all they promised, but she lowered her eyes.
The duchess looked at the young woman thoughtfully. “Do you know,Elizabeth, I think I will you give you my little talk anyway. Books can beso unreliable.”
And she did so.
Beth listened, wide-eyed. So that was what “making a meal of it”meant.
In the end, rosy-cheeked and with the picture of Venus and Mars in hermind, Beth protested, “But surely all this . . . this playing around isnot necessary?”
“Not necessary, no,” said the duchess calmly. “But if I thought Lucienwould neglect such courtesies I would be very cross with him. Leavingaside any question of your pleasure, they are necessary for yourcomfort.”
Beth remembered a thumb cold-bloodedly rubbing against her nipple andthe effect it had achieved, and raised her hands to her heated cheeks.“Oh, I would much rather not!”
The duchess came over and gathered her into her arms. “Oh my dear, I amsorry to have distressed you. As I said, my daughters’ matches were lovematches, and though they were a little nervous, they did not go to theirmarriage beds afraid. I can see how it is different for you and Lucien,thrown together as you are.”
She patted Beth’s shoulder and her tone lightened. “But count yourblessings, Elizabeth. He is a very handsome man, well-trained in courtesy.You must find him a little bit appealing, yes?”
Beth shook her head. It was not so much a denial as a gesture ofdespair at his undoubted physical appeal which she did not welcome atall.
The duchess sighed. “Then I would ask you to think that it is much thesame for him.” When Beth looked at her in surprise she explained,“Certainly he is not a virgin, but he must come to you without love. If heis sharp at times, remember his nerves are stretched, too.”
Beth wished she could bring herself to tell the duchess what she haddone and seek her counsel, but it would shock her so. It wasimpossible.
After that explicit description of the intimacies of marriage, it wasalso impossible to face the man with whom she would be doing these things.Beth took to her bed, claiming a sick headache.
Over the next days Beth dutifully appeared at public functions andstood by Lord Arden’s side as they listened to deputations from this placeand that, all expressing the warmest best wishes for the future. All thesespeeches also mentioned their wish for the speedy production of an heir toBelcraven. As the horrible Lord Deveril had said, the purpose of marriagewas quite clear to all.
Beth could only think of the means of getting that heir.
After one of these events, her husband-to-be waylaid her before shecould escape back to her apartments. “You are doing wonders for myreputation,” he said with a smile, tucking her hand in the crook of hisarm. “All these worthy souls know an admirable woman when they see one.They are not used to thinking me to have such sense.”
He was trying to be kind, but Beth’s nerves were sensitized beyondbearing and she tried to pull away.
He would not release her. “Walk with me,” he said, still kindly, butimplacably.
Beth had little choice but to stroll with him toward the yew walk.
“You must not be afraid of me, Elizabeth,” he said bluntly.
