Mother sighs as Dashiell turns a bark of laughter into a cough. James regards them a bit shyly and Beth tries to offer him a genuine smile while she digs her nails into Gwen’s palm in remonstration. This is hard enough for the poor boy without her treating him like Albie.
“You look very handsome,” Beth says as Dashiell guides her mother toward James’ opulent carriage. She’ll try very hard not to think about the fact that it’s their former money that’s supplied it. “Are you excited for the opening ball?”
“I guess,” James says, his voice a little timid.
“It’ll be a grand time,” Gwen assures him, gesturing for him to precede them to the carriage. “We’ll help you fall in with the right crowd.”
Dashiell snorts while helping Mother into the carriage, giving Beth enough cover to lean into Gwen. “Do you have them?” she whispers, ignoring James’ curious look.
“Of course,” Gwen says, patting her pocket.
Beth tries to hide her grin as Dashiell hands Gwen up into the carriage.
“Don’t listen to them,” he says to James, before reaching out for Beth. “Neither’s had a successful season.”
“Mostly by choice!” Gwen calls out.
Beth clambers up into the coach, arranging her skirts around Gwen’s as they perch onto one bench. James shuffles inside, squeezing in next to her. Dashiell settles beside Mother and closes the door. He taps the ceiling and they jolt off.
Mother already looks a little green. Really, they should have stayed home. She knows Mother will be fine, but it does seem more trouble than it’s worth for her to be on her feet all night.
“Don’t let my husband worry you. Beth and Gwen know many lovely young ladies and they’ll be happy to introduce you,” Mother says tightly, holding onto Dashiell with one hand and bracing herself against the ceiling with the other.
“And I trust you can see them home if we need to leave a bit early,” Dashiell adds.
“I’ll be fine,” Mother says.
“Yes, of course, you look it.”
Mother whacks his stomach and he laughs, scooting closer to wrap his arm around her shoulders. She quickly grabs his free hand and squeezes, knuckles white. But she’s smiling.
“Have a good time, don’t drink too much, and do try not to be too smug,” he continues, looking at Gwen.
Gwen holds up her hands while Beth hides a snicker. “When am I ever smug? I’m the politest.”
Even Mother opens her eyes to give Gwen a look.
“I’ll try,” Gwen promises. “Albie will keep me in line.”
Dashiell rolls his eyes. “Beth, you’ll try, won’t you?”
“What, to keep them from drinking or keep Gwen away from Lord Montson?”
“He’s not coming. Something about his new wife being ill,” James says. They all turn to look at him and he shrinks back against the seat.
“Ah,” Dashiell says. “Well, then, we won’t have problems.”
“Does that mean his mother is here alone?” Gwen wonders.
Mother nods. “Be nice to her if you can. It’s been such a year for them.”
“Of course,” Beth says, before Gwen can get a word in.
Of the two of them, Gwen remains the most heated about the Ashmond affair. Not that Beth really wanted to run into Lord Montson. She didn’t quite jilt him at the altar, but it was close. There will be enough talk without a full confrontation.
“I heard the Yokelys have wonderful gardens,” James offers after a few minutes filled only with Mother’s quiet whimpering as they rattle over the cobblestones.
“They do,” Dashiell agrees.
