“But more than gratitude, I owe you an apology.” Mina clasped her hands, her fingers twisting together in a tight grip. “I have behaved abominably towards you.”
Oliver’s eyes widened, the moonlight glinting off them. He turned his gaze to Miss Banfield and his smile grew, and Mina’s heart twisted anew at how she’d hurt her son during this whole debacle as well.
“Mrs. Kingsley, you have nothing—” began Miss Banfield, but Mina waved it away.
“Don’t be foolish. You may wish to assure me otherwise, but I have been cold and critical towards you. Though I have ample reason to distrust your mother, you’ve never given me reason to think ill of you. Yet still, I have held you responsible for your parents’ sins. That is unjust of me. I hadn’t thought myself so hard and unyielding.”
Mina shook her head, touching a hand to her temple. “But I am done with allowing the past to influence me. I will not allow it to color my opinions. I only hope you can forgive me for my behavior.”
Miss Banfield stepped forward, taking Mina’s free hand in hers. “Of course.”
“My husband once said I was too quick to forgive, and I think I now understand precisely what he meant,” Mina muttered. “I do not feel as though I’ve earned your forgiveness, and my guilt demands I offer up more sackcloth and ash.”
Oliver came closer, taking his place at Miss Banfield’s side once more, weaving her arm through his. “As you have taught me time and time again, Mother, there is nothing simple about admitting fault. Otherwise, more people would do it.”
Miss Banfield nodded, but there was something in her expression that hinted at an unspoken concern, and Mina waited as the young lady gathered her courage to voice it.
“Then…” she said, her tone low as she glanced between Oliver and Mina. “You do not oppose our courtship?”
Pressing a hand to her chest as though that might ease the wrenching guilt Miss Banfield’s earnest and all too fearful question elicited, Mina replied with a vehement shake of her head. “Not in the slightest. If anything, I count myself fortunate that my son has a young lady of such character. I would be honored to have you as my daughter, should you…”
But Mina’s voice drifted off as she realized she was stepping into topics that may not be welcomed at the moment. Miss Banfield bit her lips, and though the moonlight did not distinguish color, Mina thought the young lady’s cheeks must be flaring pink while Oliver’s gaze shone with joy at that prospect.
“The carriage is waiting for me,” she said in a rush of words.
Mina turned away but paused before she managed more than a few steps. Realizing just precisely where she was leaving the pair had her rounding and sending a stern look at her son. If Mrs. Banfield refused to expend any effort to protect her daughter’s reputation, Mina would have to do it for her.
“Oliver, you know better than to keep Miss Banfield in such a compromising situation.”
Her son gave Miss Banfield a smile before leading her out of the darkened garden with Mina at their heels. Giving a farewell, Mina parted from them as they entered the ballroom and she continued down the hall towards the front door.
Chapter 38
Not having a pocket watch on hand, Mina did not know how much time she’d spent with Oliver and Miss Banfield, but she did not relish the thought of having made Lily and Simon wait so very long. Even if it was time well spent, her daughter needed to be home. Her poor child.
With her thoughts so full of Lily, Mina didn’t notice the couple ensconced in a darkened doorway until she was standing beside them. With the door fully open, it was clear they did not care about witnesses even if Mina had no desire to be party to such displays. However, the sight of Mrs. Banfield in an embrace far too intimate for such a public place had Mina’s feet jerking to a halt.
Seeing a woman her age throwing herself at a gentleman barely into manhood had Mina gaping and rooted in place. Even if one ignored the shock of the image itself, it was incongruous with the woman Mina had known all those decades ago: Susannah Banfield of the past had been far more diligent in maintaining a pristine facade.
Mina felt as though she was staring through a window to the past, but it wasn’t Susannah Banfield who stood before her. It was Amelia Kingsley. Though she’d spent no more than a few weeks in her mother-in-law’s company, it was more than enough for Mina to get a sense of the woman. Brazen was the kindest descriptor for her behavior as she flouted her paramour, who was little more than a boy and was generously compensated for his amorous attentions. Though Mina’s gaze was pointed towards the couple, it grew unfocused as she sifted through the revelations that drew comparisons between Mrs. Susannah Banfield and Mrs. Amelia Kingsley.
“Do you like spying on others?” asked Mrs. Banfield.
The young man in her embrace jerked out of her hold, spinning on his heel to stare, red-faced, at Mina. Mrs. Banfield wrapped her arms over his shoulders, nuzzling his neck as she held Mina’s gaze, though Mina’s attention was on the poor lad who looked ready to flee. She’d have to warn Mrs. Brown what her youngest son was up to.
“Terrance, your mother is likely missing you,” said Mina with a nod for him to leave.
The young man required no other prompting and scurried to free himself from Mrs. Banfield’s hold. She watched her retreating companion with pinched brows and dimming eyes, looking almost fragile. But it fled with equal speed when she finally met Mina’s gaze.
“Jealous, are we?” asked Mrs. Banfield, running a hand over her much thinner hips.
Mina blinked at that question, and in a bout of utter honesty, she replied, “Not in the slightest.”
“Deny it all you like, but you have always been envious of me.” There was so much satisfaction in Mrs. Banfield’s smile, a spark of triumph glowing in her eyes, but Mina was struck by a realization so clear and obvious that she wondered why she hadn’t recognized it before.
“No, though I do believe you are quite jealous of me,” said Mina with a hint of awe in her voice.
Mrs. Banfield’s expression fell, her eyes widening for a silent moment before she broke out in brittle laughter. “Your wits are clearly lacking. What need have I to be jealous of you?”
