Beatrice’s stomach dipped.
“What is that?”
“Lord Holcombe.Apparently, they were acquaintances at Cambridge years ago and he has told the man he can call on him here.”
“That is presumptuous.”
Her mother only gave her a mild smile.“Yes, it is, rather.But I saw no reason to bar Lord Holcombe from the premises.His own misfortunes, I would say, have punished him enough for his transgressions against us.Although perhaps it is not my place to say.”
Beatrice shook her head.Her mother was, as usual in matters such as these, correct.And if a visit from Lord Holcombe kept Mr.Gordstone happy, she saw no reason why they should object.
“Very well.I suppose I see no harm in it.”
“I thought you would agree.”
“But we must make Mr.Gordstone leave.The only solution is to offer him more money towards the debt.Luckily, I have been able to raise a little.About one thousand pounds.”
Beatrice knew she would have to get the money from Leith.But she was fairly certain he would give it, even though their two weeks together were not quite concluded.
“That is very good,” her mother said.“You were able to raise that sum very quickly.”
“Yes, father’s old friends have been very sympathetic,” Beatrice said, hating herself for lying.“And time has luckily put them in easy circumstances.”
“I am sure poor Sebastian will have to accept that.You are paying the debt down rather fast.Soon you will have it all back and with his interest.I just hope the work isn’t too hard for you, Beatrice.It is no small task, I know.We are all very grateful to you.”
Beatrice blinked back tears that, for some absurd reason, threatened.She wished more than anything that the reality her mother believed was true; that she had nothing more strenuous to do than knock on aristocrats’ doors and demand payments for old debts.Instead, the reality was so much more complicated.In reality, she worried she was losing her heart.
“I would do anything for you and Sally and the boys.”
“I know you would, dear.Now, you must go away, and I must dress.I am going over to Mrs.Westmore’s this morning.We have just about completed our canning.”
Mrs.Westmore was their neighbor, a widow who lived in comfort on her deceased husband’s pension, and who was, incidentally, the mother of her brother Severn.Beatrice had always thought it odd that her mother had befriended the woman, knowing that she had once had an affair with her husband.
But the women had been bosom friends for years now and had practically raised Severn and George as brothers, especially since the death of Beatrice’s father had cleared any obstacle.Severn was her only sibling who did not live at Parkhorne Hall, as he lived with his mother, but it never felt that way, given the proximity of their dwellings and how much time the two women and their sons spent together.When Beatrice had asked her mother about the friendship in the past, her mother had explained that Mrs.Westmore had been seduced, as many women had been, by her father’s pretty words and handsome visage, and that she shouldn’t be blamed forhisfaults.It was strange, but as the friendship made her mother happy, she did not question it.
“I encourage you to spend as much time as you can at Mrs.Westmore’s and out of this house.At least while Gordstone is present.”
Her mother smiled.“That should be no problem at all.I am at Mrs.Westmore’s most days.”
“Very well.I must find his lordship, then, and have a quick word about my plan.”
“He is very handsome, Bea,” her mother said, with a small smile.“I am not suggesting anything, I promise.I am only observing it is a very long way for a man to come to do a good deed alone.”
Beatrice tried to keep her countenance.It pained her that her mother thought that a nobleman and a marquess no less would consent to marry her.
“Mother, you forget that I am ruined in the eyes of society.He is a generous man and I may be worthy of a favor.But anything more is impossible.”
“I do not think a real man would care over that trifle with Gilchrist, all of those years ago.”
Beatrice couldn’t bear it any longer.Not when she had shown herself to all of London as a courtesan.Not when she had slept with men since Lord Gilchrist and was, at present, the mistress of another.
“Men of the world have other considerations than their own feelings.And, at present, I am not thinking of men at all.Only how to free the estate from debt.I will see you this evening, Mama.”
Her mother smiled at her, only a little sadly, and then bid her adieu.
Beatrice left her bedchamber and went back to her own but found it empty.So she went in search of Lord Leith.
She went down the stairs, surprised that he should have left without her, and headed towards the voices coming from the breakfast room.When she arrived, she pushed open its door.
