“All right, we really should be going if we want to get there before midnight,” Albie says, gently ushering Beth and Gwen away from their parents. “I’ll send word once we’ve arrived.”
“Thank you,” Aunt Cordelia says, standing to hug Beth and Gwen before letting them go.
Bobby wraps his arm around Beth’s shoulders while Albie takes Gwen. Together they guide the anxious young ladies out of the parlor, Demeroven bringing up the rear.
Bobby’s so focused on keeping Beth from crying that he doesn’t really think about the five of them being squashed together in the carriage until Demeroven slides in beside him on the boys’ bench. It’s a tight fit, Demeroven’s thigh pressed hard to his, their shoulders knocking together, as the carriage sets off at a gentle sway.
Bobby, Albie, and Demeroven sit watching awkwardly as Beth and Gwen stare out the windows, their jaws tight, hands still clenched together, both of them breathing very determinedly. Bobby glances at Albie, who shrugs, looking about as helpless as he feels.
“How is working at the Foundling Hospital going?”
Beth and Gwen both turn to look at Demeroven, their eyes lighting up, and Bobby could bloody kiss him, just for that.
“Very well,” Beth says, her voice a little wobbly. “It’s so interesting, all the medicine, and it’s lovely to see so many babies born.”
“Professor Martin speaks very highly of Dr.Holting, and he seemed impressive when we met,” Demeroven says. “Are you getting to work with him at all?”
“Some,” Gwen says, exchanging a look with Beth. “We’re not allowed to see any of the surgeries, but he does come to the maternity ward now and again.”
“Lady Ashmond has tea with him regularly to discuss improvements to the hospital, though, so we do hear stories,” Beth adds.
“And how are things with Lady Ashmond?” Albie asks.
Gwen shifts a little in her seat, pulling Beth’s hand into her lap. Beth looks to Gwen and Gwen sighs. “She throws the most amazing salon parties,” she says grumpily.
“Really?” Bobby wonders. Beth and Gwen go to salon parties?
“Really,” Gwen says, her surliness dissolving as she goes on. “She brings in all of these artisans and artists with wares to sell. Some of them stay for cards, and the stories they tell—”
“She has a whole network made up of all classes; it’s really quite extraordinary,” Beth interjects.
“She wants to pair up entrepreneurial business owners with peer investors, particularly women and second sons—start creating some independent wealth that has nothing to do with the peerage to spread around,” Gwen says.
Bobby glances at Albie, flabbergasted. “That’s... wonderful,” he says. Demeroven’s leaning forward in his seat with interest.
“When Mama’s out of confinement, we’re planning to bring her. I actually think they’d get along now,” Beth adds eagerly.
“She’s really taken the freedom of divorce and made somethingof her life,” Gwen continues. “Cordelia would definitely approve. And we should think about bringing along Miss Wilson—I think she’d enjoy meeting some new people as well.”
“That’s a great idea,” Beth says eagerly.
They go on to tell Albie and Demeroven about a recent gathering where they all discussed the Medical Act, but Bobby can’t quite pay attention. He’s still stuck on Gwen’s acceptance of Lady Ashmond. He never thought she could accept Beth’s former fiancé’s mother, especially since he knows Gwen would gladly let Lord Montson fall into a ditch given the chance.
He doesn’t think he could smile and be friendly with anyone, regardless of divorce, if their relatives were trying to steal Demeroven away.
Not... not that it’s at all the same. Beth was engaged to Lord Montson, and Beth and Gwen are actually in love, and in a committed relationship, and he and Demeroven are—
“Perhaps I’ll have to drag Mason along, then. I don’t think I could weather that kind of scrutiny,” Demeroven says.
Bobby looks up, finding the whole carriage watching him. He has no idea what he’s missed, only that apparently it involved Demerovenwantingto go somewhere with him?
“Right, yes, I am, ah, a great buffer against... Who’s doing the scrutinizing?”
“Lady Ashmond. As I said, she’s quite intent on matchmaking,” Gwen says, giving him a look.
“And you want me to save you?” Bobby hears himself ask, gaping at Demeroven.
“Or at least let me use you as a shield,” Demeroven says, blue eyes twinkling, a real smile on his face.
