“Thank you.”He was still annoyed at his sister, but he couldn’t deny that this information was helpful to have.
They both stared down the hill.
“I am glad Mrs.Westmore is here today,” Malcolm said, desperate to switch the conversation away from himself.“It must be a struggle for your mother to not have her as near as she is used to.”
“Yes, I believe it is.”
It had been Malcolm who had informed Beatrice, ten years ago, of her mother’s relationship with Mrs.Westmore.He had seen them kissing one afternoon.Beatrice had had no idea before he told her.
The relationship between the two older women had always moved him—their love was a quiet, steadfast one that existed despite the strictures of society.It was the exact opposite of the relationships his father had with any of the women in his life, especially the mothers of his bastards.Whereas he had been untrue and fickle, his ardor evaporating under the reality of how society viewed these connections, Mrs.Salisbury and Mrs.Westmore remained true year after year, risking much to be what they were to each other.
He understood that Mrs.Salisbury hoped to move to Mrs.Westmore’s estate after George’s marriage.A new mistress of Parkhorne provided a valuable pretext, even if the move would still be seen as somewhat unusual by society.
“Come, brother,” Beatrice said.“We must join the festivities.”
He sighed.“I suppose we must.”
“Don’t pout,” she said as they walked down the hill.“Miss Scarlett will be pleased to receive your attentions, I’m sure.”
“Bea,” he snapped.
But secretly, he hoped she was right.
Unfortunately, by the time they had made their way down the hill, Scarlett had removed herself from the blanket and was superintending her sister’s transfer to a boat manned by George.Malcolm took it as a good sign that George was about to paddle about with Tilly.Perhaps his interest in Miss Wallington’s handkerchief had merely been a fluke, some form of horn-locking between brothers, rather than a genuine expression of interest in his favorite’s rival.
The other boat was already out on the pond and held Severn and Miss Wallington herself.It was true, Malcolm reflected, thatthosetwo made the natural pair.And even he, raw countryman that he was, knew that Severn would do well to win Miss Wallington, especially given the size of her dowry.He would never have to worry about money or establishment again.And whereas Malcolm doubted Philip’s ability to win any of George’s heiresses, Severn did not seem to have any problem earning the admiration of ladies.
“Would you like tea, Mr.Brown?”
He turned and realized that Miss Marburry sat beside him.She looked up at him with an uncertain smile.He would not have noticed a faint twinkle ofsomethingin her eye if it weren’t for what Beatrice had said.But now he saw it clearly.He wondered if Mrs.Salisbury had puffed him up to her.He hoped she hadn’t.
He didn’t pity Miss Marburry exactly.She was undoubtedly pretty.She would make some man a very nice wife.He just knew, without a doubt, that man would never be him.
“Very well.Yes,” he managed, and she beamed.
Christ.He needed Beatrice to disabuse Mrs.Salisbury of this fantasy immediately.
“Malcolm,” Beatrice said next to him, grabbing his arm.“What is happening with Miss Larchman and Philip?”
He turned and looked in the direction she indicated.There, on the edge of the water, near where the boats launched, stood Philip and Maven.That side of the pond was the deepest, quickly descending to almost ten feet, and so Malcolm had advised Beatrice to have the boats set off there so they would not bottom out.
That was not all.The two were clearly arguing.Philip had his face contorted in what appeared to be sardonic anger and, although her back was to them, Maven was gesticulating wildly.
“Ah, I am not sure,” he whispered, hoping no one else in the party noticed.“They have seemed to be—at odds recently.”
“You have seen this before?”
“I saw that they were having a… disagreement.Outside of the church.”
Beatrice frowned.“That is very unlike them.”
He looked back toward the pond.
“She isn’t going to… she wouldn’t—” Beatrice began.
Malcolm realized what was going to happen before it actually transpired.
Not that Philip was about to fall into the water.
