by Abby Ayles
Beatrice sat by the fountain in the garden. It was a special piece, designed for the late Lady Wismoth’s birthday many years ago. The pool was round in shape, the center spindle rose into the air two feet or more above her head. The front half of a horse marked the four cardinal points at the base, while the heads of lions adorned the middle and top tiers of the fountain. The water held there poured from the lions’ mouths into the pool below.
She sighed to herself. When Matthew wasn’t with her, she felt her loneliness acutely. She even found herself missing the Duke’s many questions. He was a very curious man. However, he had left for London a week ago after staying with them for several days.
Life truly was an unexpected thing. One could never know where one might end up or with whom. It was just a few short years ago that her father was looking at execution or transportation to the colonies for a crime he had not committed. Their family was on the verge of destitution, now she was sitting beside an expensive stone fountain looking up at a brilliant sun.
Indeed, life was unpredictable.
“Miss Leeson?” Mary Miller, one of the housemaids, greeted her as she approached.
“Yes, Mary?”
“His Lordship wishes to see you in his study,” she informed politely.
Beatrice sighed. “Let him know that I will me there in a moment,” she replied. She wanted a minute more outside before returning indoors. She knew once she went in, it was unlikely she would get to return to the sun.
There were always a great many things to be done in a manor such as Balwell, and Beatrice had come to be mistress over much of it for the time. That would soon change. Helena was almost completely returned to herself and would once again see to the running of the house.
Beatrice took her time returning. She picked a small bouquet of flowers as she walked and brought them in with her.
“Mary, could you put these in some water and bring them into the Earl's study?" she asked the housemaid as she passed her in the hall.
"Certainly Miss Leeson," the girl replied as she took the small collection of colorful flowers and disappeared with them.
Beatrice made her way to the study and knocked before entering. The Earl’s calm voice answered from the other side bidding her enter.
"You wished to see me, Your Lordship?" she asked as she walked into the room. He was seated at his lavish desk with many papers decorating each corner along with the new lamp she had purchased for him during their last visit to London.
“Yes, my dear,” the Earl replied as he held out his hand and bid her take a seat on the other side of his desk.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, as she folded her skirt gently in front before she lowered herself into the chair.
He looked up at her with a serious expression.
"Beatrice, you know that your mother and father left you to my care now that they have gone to Bath. They trusted me because they believed me to have your best interests at heart," he stated almost formally. His demeanor perplexed her. Why was he taking such an official stance?
“I do know this, my lord, and I am most grateful for the kindness you have shown me all this time,” Beatrice replied.
“It is my duty, therefore, to inform you of any matter which would be of importance and that might affect your future prospects,” the Earl continued.
"Yes, of course," she replied, still quite confused about where this line of conversation was going.
“Then I must read this letter to you. It is from the Duke of Everdale. I received it some days ago and wanted to consider most carefully its contents before I brought it to your attention.”
“The Duke of Everdale wrote you a letter that would be of some interest to me?” Beatrice questioned, perplexed. “I have scarcely met the man. What subject could he have with you that should affect me?”
The Earl looked at her seriously. “It is better that I read to you from the letter,” he replied. Beatrice sat quietly, though her mind continued to reel. What could a man like the Duke of Everdale want with her?
“Dear Lord Wismoth. I thank you for the invitation which you bestowed upon me recently. I apologize for the delay of this letter, I contemplated its contents for some time before deciding to put my thoughts into writing,” the Earl began and Beatrice listened.
“I greatly enjoyed my time with you and your family,” the Earl continued. “However, that is not the primary reason I am writing. I am aware that Beatrice Leeson is in your care and I wish to convey to you my interest in taking Miss Beatrice Leeson for my wife.”
The Earl stopped at that, and Beatrice’s heart stopped, too. Her brown eyes rose to the older man’s face in complete shock. She simply had no words.
“He goes on to say that he wishes for me to speak with you and to communicate with your father, if necessary."
The Earl paused and studied Beatrice.
“I can see by your expression that you were not aware of the Duke’s feelings for you,” the Earl commented calmly. Beatrice wondered at his coolness. The Duke of Everdale had just asked him for her hand in marriage. Calm was the least of her emotions.
"I had no idea," Beatrice confessed. "He did question me quite intently at our few meetings, but I assure you that I never gave him any cause to think I desired more from him."
The Earl sighed. “I did not think that the case. I knew the Duke was of a mind, but I had no idea that it was already set.”
Beatrice’s eyes widened. “Did the Duke say something to you?”
The Earl nodded. “During his last visit he did mention something in passing, but I did not take it seriously. As you said the two of you have scarcely been in each other’s company.”
“But he did say he was interested in me as a wife?” she repeated the question in disbelief. She had spoken to the Duke yet he had made no indication to her of such feelings. In fact, he was nothing but cool and formal in his questioning, though perhaps a little too curious.
“He intimated to me that he had made up his mind to take another wife,” the Earl stated.
“Another wife?”
“Yes. His Grace was married many years ago. His wife, Cecilia, passed away just a year after they were wed.”
This was the first Beatrice had heard of this. She knew so little of the Duke and he knew even less about her. How could he want her?
"Your Lordship, you know the man better than I do. I scarcely know what to think about this letter. Why would he desire me, a woman he barely knows, to be his new wife?"
"His Grace is not a man who makes light on subjects such as these. In the years since his first wife's death, he has never once given any indication that he would ever remarry. I am sure there must have been some inducements, but he never considered them."
“Then why me? Why now?”
“I think the biggest question is, what your feelings are on the matter?” the Earl asked. “Do you have a desire to be married?”
The words struck Beatrice in the heart. A desire to be married? It was all she’d ever wanted her entire life. It was only in recent times that she had put those desires aside for the only future she saw possible. Now, a man she had never imagined was asking for her hand.
“Beatrice?” the Earl called when she did not immediately answer. She met his eyes. “Do you wish to be married?”
“I…” she began but faltered. Treacherous hope was threatening her carefully orchestrated plan for her future.
You have put thoughts of marriage aside.
Then why did her heart still leap at the prospects of the Duke’s proposal?
“Beatrice,” the Earl said gently. “I know that you have been disappointed in the past. But you, my dear, are an ideal wife and should be married.”
“Your Lordship,” Beatrice said meekly as her emotions wrestled inside her.
“I say nothing more than what is true.” He sighed. “I know you are not well acquainted with His Grace, but I believe if given the chance, you could find him very agreeable. He is a good man.
His reputation is impeccable and having known him his entire life, I can vouch for his character.”
"I trust your judgment implicitly," Beatrice replied. "However, I still cannot fathom why a man such as the Duke of Everdale would ever consider someone like me for his wife. What do I have to offer? I am not wealthy. What money we had was lost, and I have no title to induce him. Then why?”
The question was burning inside her. She could not understand the Duke’s thinking, and Beatrice liked to understand, it gave her comfort.
“I cannot answer that for it is not written here,” the Earl replied as he laid the letter on his desk. “What I can tell you, is that it is my sincere belief that you would make him the best wife possible, and in his care, you would never lack. If you wish to know his heart, then I believe you will need to speak with him.”
Beatrice took a deep breath. She nodded slowly. “I would like that.”
“You would?” the Earl questioned as he leaned forward on his elbow and studied her face carefully.
“Yes, I would like to speak to His Grace and have the opportunity to understand what has prompted such a letter, before I even consider its response,” Beatrice explained. “A decision cannot be made if one is not well-informed.”
The Earl smiled, her response seemed to please him and she wondered at that as well. He clearly believed the Duke a good man and one suitable to be a husband. Still, she needed to be settled in her heart.
“I will write to him this afternoon and request that he visit us at his earliest convenience. I will inform him that you are considering his proposal but desire to speak with him before you make a decision.”
Beatrice’s heart fluttered. Was this really happening? It felt like a dream, or a fantasy, that was unfolding before her and she was a silent observer of it all. Only, it wasn’t. She was sitting across from the Earl of Wismoth discussing the prospect of marrying a duke.
“I would appreciate it,” she replied slowly. “I would not wish to offend the Duke by responding immediately,” she continued as she got to her feet. She felt slightly lightheaded.
“Are you well my dear?” the Earl asked as he got to his feet and moved to her side. “This has been a bit of a shock.”
“Yes,” she assured him, as her heart continued to beat rapidly. She smiled at him weakly. “Thank you.”
The Earl smiled. “Take care of yourself. I will write immediately.”
Beatrice nodded and turned away. She walked slowly from the room, her legs trembling slightly. Once outside the door she pressed her back against the closed door and held her hand to her heart. The Duke of Everdale wanted to marry her.
“What will Helena think?”
Chapter 4
Alexander appeared calm to all, but inside he was anxious. He had received the Earl of Wismoth’s letter days before and had immediately made arrangements to return to Balwell Manor. Beatrice Leeson was considering his proposal.
It was as he had hoped, still, he did not presume to think the lady's hand would come easily, given her disposition. He was sure she would have many questions, and the Earl’s letter was a confirmation that his assessment of the lady was accurate. Beatrice was not a common woman.
Alexander left London early in the morning and by lunch, he had arrived at Balwell. He approached the house with a purpose. He had not come to be entertained, but solely to set at ease the mind of the woman he intended to make his wife.
The Earl greeted him as usual and the household was very welcoming, but Alexander was unmoved. His only desire was to speak with Beatrice. Still, he was not rude despite his focus.
“You arrived so soon,” the Earl commented as they walked into the house. “We barely received your letter this morning to prepare for your arrival.”
“I thought the matter required urgency,” Alexander replied. “I wish to make everything clear to Miss Leeson.”
“Your Grace,” the Earl said calmly. “I know you well. I know your mind is determined in this matter and I will not try to dissuade you.”
“I wish you would not,” Alexander replied.
“That is not my intent. In fact, I wish to encourage you.”
Alexander stopped and turned to the older man. He looked at him squarely, his brown eyes searched the man’s face. “You have no objections?”
"None whatsoever," the Earl replied with a smile. "You have been alone a long time. I am glad that you have finally decided to seek happiness again. As for Beatrice, the lady is like my own daughter, and I would wish nothing but the best of circumstances for her. I believe you can give her what she deserves."
Alexander nodded. “I thank you for your confidence.”
The Earl patted his arm paternally and Alexander was reminded of his father at the moment. In the past, when he was alive, his father would have spoken to him as the Earl was now. Alexander had almost forgotten what it was like to be guided by someone in his actions.
“Your Grace?”
Alexander turned to find the Viscountess standing there. She looked at him coolly.
“Viscountess Chatleton,” he said as he bowed his head to her in greeting. “You look well.”
“Thank you, Your Grace, as do you.” Her eyes moved from him to the Earl and back again. “I have been informed that you are here to see my sister.”
“That is true, My Lady. Your sister and I have some matters to discuss,” Alexander replied matter-of-factly.
“Matters of marriage,” she elaborated. Alexander bristled slightly at the icy tone with which her words were spoken. He could see it in her eyes. She was suspicious of him.
“My intentions, My Lady, I assure you will be made completely known to you in due course, but first they must be expressed to your sister. The Earl was taking me to her,” he explained.
“I will take you,” the Viscountess offered. She smiled at the Earl. “With your permission.”
“Very well,” the Earl replied. “Your Grace, I will leave you for the moment. When your business is complete, come and see me in my study. I wish to speak with you further.”
Alexander nodded. He turned to the Viscountess. “My Lady, please, lead the way.”
Alexander could feel the tension between them, however, he had nothing to offer to ease it. This matter was between him and Beatrice and, until she expressed her feelings, he had little to say to anyone else. He was a private man, always had been, and that was not going to change, not even for the sister of the woman he was pursuing.
She led him to the door of the parlor and stopped outside. "Your Grace, I will be right here," she informed sternly as if warning him against attempting anything untoward with her sister.
Alexander gave a nod of understanding. The lady was protective of her sister and that was as it should be. “I did not expect anything less.” He knocked on the door and waited for a response.
Beatrice didn't answer, instead, she came to the door and opened it. Her light brown eyes looked up at him. "Your Grace, come in," she stated as she pulled the door back and stepped aside. He moved into the room.
The parlor seemed unusually quiet to his ears. It was almost as if the room itself had been waiting for his arrival and was now holding its breath. Perhaps it was reflecting the feelings of the lady who shared the room with him. He turned to Beatrice.
“Miss Leeson,” he said with a deep bow.
“Your Grace,” she said with a curtsey. “Please,” she said as she extended her hand and offered him a seat. Alexander politely accepted and took a seat on the chaise. He folded one leg over the other and reclined slightly, watching Beatrice as she moved toward him.
Her steps were unsure and her hands were tightly clasped in front of her. She was nervous. She sat at the other end of the chaise with her eyes cast to the ground.
Alexander considered speaking but thought it best to allow Beatrice to express herself first. He did not wish to rush her. This was a very serious decision that she had been presented with. He was not about to pressure her, though the mat
ter was of some urgency to him.
Several minutes passed before Beatrice’s eyes rose and her face turned to look at him. She was pleasant looking, even in her pensiveness.
“Your Grace, the Earl has shared your letter with me. I must admit, the content took me by surprise. That is why I wished to speak with you,” she explained.
“That is why I am here,” Alexander replied. “I want to make everything clear to you.”
She nodded. “Then I trust you will answer me honestly.”
“I am always sincere,” Alexander replied calmly.