He chuckled. “It does.”
“Then…ero.I will marry you.”
And somehow, that seemed to require a great deal more kissing.
30: The Dower House
Bertram strode into his father’s study, and leaned over his chair, unable to suppress the grin on his face.
“There has been a further development with Bea Franklyn.”
His father laughed. “By the look on your face, this is definitely a champagne development. You proposed, I take it.”
“I did, and she said yes. Or rather, she saidero.”
That made his father laugh even more. “Did you propose in Latin, too?”
“Of course. It seemed… appropriate.”
“But Bertram, whatever happened to the idea to give her time to settle and so forth? I am not sure I like this mad rush to the altar.”
“It was not my intention,” Bertram said, hurling himself into the twin of his father’s chair. “I was quite happy to let things run on for a while, but Lady Esther had an idea, so…”
“That woman! She will be your mother-in-law, Bertram. She will be interfering with everything you do.”
“I plan to be very civil to her, and take no notice of her helpful suggestions.”
“Yes, but Bea will— But never mind. I am pleased it is settled, and if Bea Franklyn is the woman who has secured your heart, then I make no objection. Shall we go and tell the rest of the family?”
It was almost the dinner hour before everyone was gathered together. Bertram’s father told the servants to leave, and then said, “Bertram has an announcement to make.”
Bertram cleared his throat. “I am very happy to tell you that Bea Franklyn has agreed to become my wife.”
For a moment, there was silence, then they all began to talk at once. Lucas’s voice was the loudest. “She is a leech, brother. Why did you not run away when you had the chance?”
“Lucas, I will thank you not to speak of my future wife in such terms.”
“Butwhy, Bertram?” his mother wailed. “You cannot bring a girl like that into this family, to take my place, to raise your children! It is unthinkable!”
“Why is it unthinkable?” he said gently. “I will admit, I thought so myself, once, but as I have come to know her better and grown to love her, I cannot imagine my life without her. She is all that is admirable— no, hear me out, if you please. She is open-hearted and kind and generous, and will make me a wonderful wife.”
“She only wants you because she thinks you will be the Earl of Rennington one day,” his mother said.
“No, she knows that Uncle Charles is looking for a new wife, and she has recently turned down a much better offer, although you must not repeat that.”
His sisters nodded, but Penelope said robustly, “I cannot like her, Bertram. I am very sorry for it, and I will try very hard when she is my sister, but I cannot forget the horrid way she went afterWalter, then dropped him when he was no longer of use to her, and then set about ensnaring you. Which she has succeeded in doing, and just because you appear to be happy to be ensnared does not mean that I like it.”
“You are quite right,” he said. “She has not always behaved as she ought, but a great deal of the blame for that may be laid at the door of her stepmother, who stuffed her head full of pretentious nonsense. Now that Bea has seen the flaws in that philosophy, you will find her far more likeable, I am convinced of it. Once we are married, and she has Mother’s excellent example before her, she will go on in a more proper way, I am sure.”
***
Bea existed in a bubble of happiness. Nothing could puncture her joy, and not even Lady Esther’s obvious disapproval troubled her. Bertram came every day, and not just for Latin lessons. He took her to Westwick Heights, where his family was grudgingly polite to her. The betrothal was formally announced, the notice went off to all the newspapers and a succession of congratulatory visits kept Bea sitting in the Gold Saloon for hour after hour.
One of those who came was Eustace Atherton. “Bertram? You do realise he is never going to be an earl? Father is looking for a younger wife.”
“I know. The title is no longer of any interest to me.”
“Then why Bertram? He is too bookish a man for an energetic and lively girl like you, Bea. He will be shut away in his library, leaving you all alone.”
