“I don’t want to take advantage of that,” Ella said. “I don’t want to take advantage of him at all.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Beatrice said. “I think you should take advantage of the fact that there’s a man who loves you and would do anything to take care of you.”
“I don’t know about that,” Ella said weakly. “And I don’t think he loves me.”
Beatrice nodded wisely. “If you don’t think so,” she said, “just wait and see.”
“He can’t love me,” Ella said, the words sour in her throat. “I am engaged to someone else.”
Beatrice’s eyes widened. “What?” she asked sharply. “You’re betrothed? When did that happen?”
“Apparently, when I was three,” Ella said, the words feeling bitter in her mouth.
“Oh, that doesn’t count.” Beatrice waved her hand. “You didn’t do that. I’m sure it can be reversed. If you’re in love with Dietrich…”
“I don’t know,” Ella said miserably. “Even if they can, should I?”
“You should do everything for love,” Beatrice said. “Do you know how many people find love?”
Ella shook her head. “Not many.”
Beatrice nodded decisively. “So if you’ve found it, you shouldn’t let it be taken away from you. Do you understand me?” Her voice took on a bossy tone as she pointed her finger at Ella. “I know Dietrich better than anyone, and I know he’s falling for you. If you don’t return his feelings, that would be one thing. But I think you do, and I think you’re willing to let yourself forget that because you think you need to make your father happy. But that’s not what he wants.”
“How do you know that?” Ella asked.
Beatrice smiled. “Because if he did, he would not have been watching you dance with Dietrich with a smile as big as the one on his face.”
Ella frowned as she contemplated the matter. Was it true that her father wanted her to be with Dietrich? It hardly seemed plausible. Why would he go to all the trouble of throwing the ball so she could meet her betrothed if he didn’t want her to follow through with it? But then again, he hadn’t introduced her to him. She still didn’t know which of the men she had danced with that night was the man she was supposed to marry. For all she knew, he hadn’t even been there.
“Does Dietrich know you’re engaged?” Beatrice asked.
“I don’t think anyone knows,” Ella said.
“Good,” Beatrice said. “Just as long as Dietrich doesn’t find out.”
“Why not?” Ella asked.
“Because if he thinks you’re taken,” Beatrice pointed out, “he will take that as his sign to withdraw from the competition for your heart, and he should not do that.”
Ella simply grinned. “Who said it’s a competition for my heart?”
“Didn’t you?” Beatrice asked pointedly. “Or are you just hoping for someone to tell you who to marry?”
“I don’t want to be told who to marry,” Ella said quickly.
“Well then, I think there is a competition for your heart happening. We may not know who all the players are, but we do know one of them, and I think he deserves to be champion.”
She smiled softly. “And not just because I love him like a brother, but because I genuinely think he is good for you. And you are good for him, and that’s what matters.”
Ella thought for a moment. It was rather important for her to enjoy spending time with the man she would spend the rest of her life with. But calling the ball a competition for her heart felt odd when she didn’t want it to be a competition.
“I don’t know,” she said quietly.
“I know you don’t,” Beatrice said. “Which is why I’m doing the knowing for you. You don’t have to know anything right now. You just have to know that Dietrich is a good man, and he genuinely cares for you, and if you choose him, he will spend the rest of his life working as hard as he can to make you happy and keep you safe.”
“What if I don’t get to choose?” Ella whispered.
Beatrice shook her head. “I don’t believe that your father would not give you the choice,” she said. “He loves you too much and wants what’s best for you. And if that is you marrying a man who has worked loyally for your father for many years and has done everything possible to find you, why do you think your father would say no?”
