“Very well, if you wish to lie to your friend, we shall leave it there. But,” she added when Beth opened her mouth. “Should you wish to discuss anything, I am here for you. Anything at all, including Nathan.”
“Thank you, but there is nothing I wish to discuss.”
Mary harrumphed, sounding like the Duchess of Yardly.
“What do you wish to see?” Beth asked. She must get her hands on that book today. It had to be her sole focus.
“I wish to enjoy the theatrical entertainments. One apparently is far more expensive to enter than the others but is said to be spectacular. Apparently, the walls are lined with green baize and hundreds of lamps light the room.”
“Then we will be sure to attend.”
Their carriage stopped behind the others in a line, then rolled forward slowly until it was their turn to step down.
“Come, Aunt!” Mary yelled.
“What? Damn sure I didn’t ask you to!” Aunt Agatha said, looking about her.
“We are here, Aunt!”
The Stratton estate was large and impressive, and they walked slowly up the front steps with Aunt Agatha, Beth on one arm, and Mary the other.
They greeted their hosts, the duke tall and elegant, and his duchess beautiful in a cinnamon dress. At her side was a young girl, her hand clutched in her mother’s.
“Hello.” Beth bent to greet the child. “My name is Beth.”
“I’m Lucy” came the shy response.
“Are you looking forward to the fair?”
Lucy nodded.
“She wants to go and join her siblings but is too shy to do so,” the duchess said. “I shall take her shortly. A group of those not wanting to partake in the more frivolous festivities have gathered in a parlor. If you wish, I shall have someone direct you there,” the duchess said to Mary and Aunt Agatha.
“Thank you, that would be wonderful.”
Taking their leave from the hosts, they followed a footman and soon reached the parlor the duchess mentioned.
“I will stay here!” Aunt Agatha roared, stomping into the room. “Come and collect me later. I have no wish to gad about at a fair!”
“Very well, goodbye,” Mary said to her aunt, very happy with the situation if the wide smile on her face was any indication.
“Will she be all right?” Beth said as they left.
“Very much so. They’ll spend the day alternatively dozing and arguing. There will also be snifters of brandy, lots of food, and she will love every minute,” Mary assured Beth. “Now come, there is much to see.”
Soon they were outside, walking down a path with other guests in the direction of the fair.
“Where is your large footman?” Mary asked.
“He, ah, he had a stomach ailment,” Beth lied. She had not told Lucas where she was going today because he would not have left her side, and that would never do. If Nathan attended, he may recognize him, and Lucas would stop her from getting Mr. Valentine alone.
They walked through the manicured gardens, then along another winding path and came out in a meadow. The fair stood before them. A large tent had two flags waving in the gentle breeze. Around that were smaller tents, stalls, and people. Plenty of people milling about the place, looking pleased to be doing so.
“I love fairs,” Mary sighed.
“Me too,” Beth said. She and her parents had lived a controlled life since leaving London, never sure where her father was forced to go or when he would return. She’d missed so many things from her old life.
“Oh look, jugglers!” Mary dragged her forward, and soon they were watching the man.
