Beth abruptly found herself abandoned to the company of Mr. Beaumont,feeling very much as if she had been scolded, and possibly with justice.More than that she felt she might have hurt him again. It was time shestarted thinking of sensibilities other than her own. The marquess wasarrogantly sure of his high place in the order of things, but he also tookhis responsibilities very seriously.
She wished he hadn’t gone, so she could try to make amends, but for nowall she could do was to continue to act her part. She chattered to Mr.Beaumont, trying to look like an ecstatic bride to be.
“Do you know, Miss Armitage,” he said as they strolled back toward thehouse, “I wish you would not feel such a need to perform.”
“What?”
“There’s no need,” he said gently. “Lucien has told me all aboutit.”
Beth’s eyes opened wide.“Allabout it?”
Mr. Beaumont studied her shrewdly. “Well no. He did not say quite whyyou had been chosen to be his bride, merely that it was his parents’wish.”
“And it surprises you to find the chosen one so plain and ordinary?”Beth asked waspishly.
“Begging for compliments, Miss Armitage?” he teased. “You know you areneither.”
Beth looked at him in surprise. “On the contrary. My mirror tells medaily that I am no beauty. And I set no store in compliments, Mr.Beaumont.”
“Perhaps you do not see yourself in animation,” he said with a smile.“It is true your features are quite ordinary, but they become lively whenyou talk and you have what are called ‘speaking eyes.’ They shine with thelight of your quick mind.”
Beth could feel herself turning pink. “Please, Mr. Beaumont, you mustnot say such things to me. And they are quite untrue.”
“Do you mean Lucien has not told you this?” he said with surprise. “I’dthought him more adroit. In fact,” he added with a light of humor glintingin his eyes, “he’s a devil of a flirt. But if he is going to leave thefield to others ...”
They had arrived at the rose garden close by the house. It was now fullof the better quality of guest who were strolling about and admiring theflowers, but Beth and Mr. Beaumont were some distance from the nearestpeople. He stole an early rosebud from a bed and brushed it softly againsther cheek. He leaned closer, and she felt his warm breath against her earas he murmured, “Tell you what, Miss Armitage. I think you’re wasted onhim. Let’s elope.”
Beth choked with laughter. “You are quite outrageous, sir!” She wasfree of the tangled nervousness she felt with the marquess and was quiteenjoying herself.
He smiled appreciatively. “Yes, I know. I’m the devil of a flirt, too.Shall we?”
Despite his declaration as a flirt there was a touch of honesty in thequestion which startled her. “Why are you saying such things when you knowI cannot?”
He smiled still, but there was a wistfulness there. “I know a treasurewhen I see one. Miss Armitage. I would like a wife, you know, but what doI see around me? The Phoebe Swinnamers and the Lucy Frogmortons. You are adifferent type entirely.”
There was no doubting his honesty, no matter how absurd it all seemed,and Beth was at a loss. “I know that, Mr. Beaumont, but...”
“But I have startled you.” All humor was gone, and he met her eyeshonestly. “When I first mentioned an elopement. Miss Armitage, it was amere pleasantry. It is becoming more solid and desirable second by second.It will not do and I apologize.”
He looked down at the creamy rosebud in his hand. “I am going to leaveand you will not see me again before your wedding day. After that it willbe as if this conversation never took place, as it never should. Butbefore that. Miss Armitage,” he said as he looked up again and held outthe rose, “if it should seem wise to you, you may remind me of it.”
Numbly, Beth took the flower and watched as he walked away. In truth,if there had been any way out of her predicament, she might have beentempted by Mr. Beaumont’s offer, for he was a much more comfortable manthan her betrothed. She could rub along with him without quicksands andviolence.
Then she looked across the garden and saw Lucien de Vaux laughing withone of the tenants. The sun gilded his bright hair and he was relaxed andgraceful. The air seemed suddenly thinner, and Beth knew that any place onearth other than this beautiful setting for a beautiful man would be bleakfor her.
Beth moved quickly to join another adoring group.
In a little while the marquess was again by her side introducing her toyet more people to whom the Duchy of Belcraven was everything. She coulddo her part now almost by rote and had time to study the marquess’performance with these people.
He did take his job seriously.
He was surprisingly amenable. He knew most of the people by name andcould often make flattering reference to some past encounter. He clearlyunderstood the farmers’ land and the major concerns of the professionalmen’s occupations. He knew, too, that the women’s lives were not ofidleness and made mention of egg money, dairy work, and concerns overchildren.
He could flirt gently with the wives of all ages without giving offense? Beth remembered Mr. Beaumont saying he was a devil of a flirt and knewit to be true. It made her bitter that he never used his skill on her.Then she had to admit that he had tried once or twice and now doubtlessexpected to have a poker wrapped around his head did he do anything sofoolish again.
Beth was interested to note that he could depress pretension firmly butsubtly so that the offender realized his or her mistake without publicshaming. Much though she hated the necessity Beth thought she should studyhis technique.
She was surprised, though, by it all. Lucien de Vaux was good at histrade. He would, in time, make an excellent duke.
