“I know you, Beth. Know what we shared and that we were friends. I don’t know why you left London and never contacted me again but know you must have had a good reason, because I am an excellent judge of character.”
“Mary, please—”
“So, I have decided I will be your friend, as clearly you need one.”
She longed for a friend, but that was no longer possible. She had to turn Mary away.
“You always did that when you were gripped by emotion.”
“What did I do?” Beth found herself asking, when she’d just decided to turn Mary away.
“Bite the inside of your cheek. Now come, we need not speak, and you need not tell me anything you have no wish to, but let us just walk, and I will tell you how annoying my sister has been.”
“I am afraid that is not possible, Miss Blake. I must—”
“Something is off with you, Beth.” Mary stepped closer and grabbed her hands. “I know you would never have left Nathan unless you were forced to do so, as you told me he would be the only man you ever loved.”
“Mary, please—”
“Very well, we shall leave that subject alone for now. Just let me be your friend, please, Beth. I missed you.”
The words were spoken in a soft, wistful voice and had Beth wanting to burst into noisy sobs. She’d missed her friend too. They had shared so much once. Secrets, yearnings, and so much more.
“Come, we must make our curtsey to the king.”
She didn’t know how to turn Mary away, so found herself being led into the line. The king was slowly making his way down the room, and his subjects were bowing and curtseying.
“His dress is elaborate,” Mary whispered.
“Because he is our king.”
“Mr. Valentine too is rather grand.”
Beth studied the man Mary spoke of. Not overly tall, perhaps a half a head above her own height, and slender. His silver hair was the same color as her father’s, and she guessed their ages too would be similar. He was the monarch’s adviser. It was said that the king did little without his counsel.
Gilbert Valentine carries a book on him at all times. I want that book, Miss Carlow, and you will be the one to get it.
As if he sensed her interest, Mr. Valentine looked her way. Beth forced herself to smile in a manner she hoped looked flirtatious. He responded with a nod before moving on. She then looked beyond him and into the cold black eyes of Nathan Deville.
“I will find my mother,” Beth said, dragging her eyes from his.
“Excellent. I have not seen her yet.”
She wasn’t entirely sure how to get rid of her old friend without being hurtful or rude, and even then, it seemed Mary would not be deterred.
“Don’t look, but he’s coming this way.”
“Who?” Beth looked around her.
“I said don’t look!”
“But everyone always does,” Beth pointed out.
“True, and it’s Mr. Valentine and Lady Haven. You smiled at him, and now clearly he wants an introduction.”
Beth stopped with Mary at her side and watched the man approaching. His coat was silver-gray and his necktie elaborate. He acknowledged other guests with small nods, but his eyes were definitely focused on her.
You can do this.
