“I know the Victor played chess. Do you?”
Beatrice most certainly could play. Victor and her father had shown her all the moves. But she hadn’t had the heart to get out her own chessboard while Victor was unwell.
“I haven’t played in a while,” she admitted. “Victor got too ill to play.”
“Want to play a game?” Cornwall held up a piece. “I promise I’ll go easy on you.”
He said those words. They said he didn’t see her as an equal. Beatrice knew as a woman it wasn’t going to be easy, but hearing words like that made her rise to the challenge. She crossed the room to the table, taking a seat on the white side. “Saying that to me is never a good idea, Your Grace.”
“Why?”
Beatrice smirked. “Makes me more determined to win.”
Cornwall blinked, his eyes widening. Then he grinned and Beatrice felt like she had been slapped in the face. That man was far too dangerous with his looks for his own good. “Then I’m in for a good game,” he declared. He sat opposite and indicated for her to start.
Beatrice did, moving the pawn forward and raising an eyebrow at the duke. “Your move.”
They settled into a gentle pace, Cornwall showing himself to be an apt player. But Beatrice knew all the moves and saw them coming. Victor had learnt a few tricks from playing the duke and had taught them to her. So Beatrice had some pleasure bubbling inside her as she started taking his pieces off the board at a fast pace.
It was amusing to see Cornwall look confident, thinking he had done the right thing, and then his eyes widened in surprise when he realized he wasn’t winning. Beatrice grinned as she slid her queen into position.
“Checkmate.”
He had nowhere else to go. Cornwall knew it. He sighed and tipped his king over. “You’re much better than I anticipated.”
Beatrice laughed and sat back, folding her arms smugly. “Didn’t think a woman would be good at strategy, did you?”
“Not the way you are.” Cornwall smiled. “I’m very impressed. You did better than any of the men I’ve played against. Even Victor, and he was the best.”
Beatrice took that compliment with a blush to her cheeks. “Father was a colonel in the military. Between him and Victor, they taught me a lot about chess.”
It had moved the hours along on a rainy day. Beatrice’s father had been a gruff man who wasn’t good at showing emotion, so this was Beatrice’s way of bonding with him, gaining approval. And it had worked.
Maybe this was why Cornwall was asking her to play chess. To get her approval? To start to know her better? Beatrice wasn’t sure. But she wasn’t going to argue with it. Not when she got to play against an opponent like the duke.
“It’s been a while since I had a worthy opponent.”
Beatrice giggled and leant towards him. “Best of three? See if you can get your own back?”
They played several more games, Beatrice pulling back a little to let the duke win and build his ego up again. They also began talking. It was a little stilted at first, but Beatrice found herself slowly opening up. It was small talk, things they would have done had they been courting. Cornwall seemed to be genuinely interested, and Beatrice found him a good conversationalist.
If only they hadn’t met the way they had. Beatrice could find herself becoming friendly with him.
Beatrice had no idea what time it was and didn’t even look at the clock until the door opened and Cornwall’s valet, Rollins, came in. Cornwall looked up in surprise.
“Yes, Rollins? What’s wrong?”
“It’s after midnight, Your Grace.”
Beatrice stared at the clock. She hadn’t realized that they had been playing for three hours. Cornwall looked just as surprised as her.
“So it is.” He rubbed at his eyes and yawned. “That was my fault, Rollins. I didn’t pay attention to the time.” He stood and turned to Beatrice, holding out his hand. “I hope you had a pleasant evening.”
Beatrice paused. Then she took his hand as she stood, tingles spreading across her hand and up her arm. “It was… interesting.” She gave him a small curtsy. “Goodnight, Your Grace.”
“Beatrice.” Cornwall’s voice caught Beatrice as she reached the door.
She turned back.
Cornwall was watching her. He looked tired, no scowling. It was as if he was tired of being in a sulk. Cornwall sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I know we’re in a situation that neither of us want. But that shouldn’t stop us getting along. Can we, at least, be friendly towards each other?”
Beatrice had thought that would never be able to happen. Not with a man like the Duke of Cornwall. But after this evening, she was beginning to realize that she hadn’t seen his nicer side. And she liked that side.
Being friends with her husband…? She could handle that.
Beatrice smiled and nodded. “I think I can manage that. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Beatrice left the library, nodding at Rollins as she went past. She was still smiling as she went towards the stairs.
***
The next two months passed by nicely. Cornwall found himself actually enjoying being married to Beatrice. They led separate lives and had breakfast in their suites, but they decided to have dinner together in the evening, either in Beatrice’s sitting room or his. It was a lot better than the very long table when they sat at opposite ends.
It worked out very well for Cornwall. And he found that Beatrice was more than he originally thought. She was vibrant, intelligent, and had a quick wit, much like her brother. She didn’t like gossiping about fashion and other things women talked about. His wife wanted to talk about better things, such as books, politics, and the war. Cornwall was surprised at her thought process and her well laid-out arguments.
Beatrice was an intriguing woman. It wasn’t difficult to become friends with her.
Their comfortable relationship made it easier to go out to dinner parties, to special occasions, and have her on his arm. They didn’t have any awkwardness between them, which Cornwall was grateful about. Beatrice was accepted almost immediately, and she was warm and inviting to everyone. Even the men stared after her as she walked past.
There were times when Cornwall didn’t like men staring at his wife like that. But then he told himself it was ridiculous. Beatrice was married to him for convenience, nothing more. She may have walked into Society like she owned it, but she wasn’t his wife for love.
He had to remember that. But that started getting difficult as the days went on.
It was one morning two months after their wedding that Cornwall sat at his desk, contemplating the card in his hand, when there was a knock at his door.
“Come in.”
Beatrice entered. She was wearing one of the newer day dresses Cornwall had bought her, and it complemented her. She had grown her hair a little longer, and when it was just them at home, she left it flowing about her shoulders. His wife was looking healthier and more alive since she arrived at Stanford Park.
She looked even more beautiful.
“You wanted to see me?” Beatrice asked, shutting the door and walking towards him.
“Beatrice.” Why did he have to say her name like that? Cornwall coughed and stood, holding out the card. “I received a last-minute invitation to a ball. I wanted to let you know that we would be attending.”
Chapter 6
The Ball That
Changed It All
“L ast-minute?” Beatrice took the card, her eyes widening when she saw the date. “You mean it’s tonight?”
“I’m afraid so.” Cornwall came around the desk and leant against it, folding his arms. “Normally, I would turn it down due to the lack of notice, but the Earl and Countess of Exeter are good friends of mine.”
“If they’re good friends, why didn’t they send the invitation before?”
Cornwall winced. “When it comes to this couple, you’ll find out that they don’t do things in an organized fa
shion. Even when the dowager countess is in charge.”
Beatrice grinned. “She takes charge, does she?”
“Big time.” Cornwall shook his head, and he was reminded of the short, dumpy woman who was his friend’s mother. “I thought my mother was domineering enough, but the dowager countess is something else.”
Beatrice laughed. “I’m glad I don’t have a mother-in-law to worry about, then.”
“They’re all right, really. The earl is actually a decent man and his wife is a saint to have put up with that woman for so long.” Cornwall reached out and took Beatrice’s hand. “I think you’ll enjoy yourself, Beatrice.”
“Maybe.” Beatrice was looking at their joined hands. “Do I have a good enough gown for the occasion, though?”
Cornwall laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re actually beginning to care about things like that.”
Beatrice started, staring at him. Then she laughed. “No. I just want to make a good first impression.”
Cornwall squeezed her hand. “I’m sure you’ll find something suitable.” He released her hand and pushed himself upright. “I’d better get back to work. These accounts aren’t going to write themselves.”
“Right.” Blushing to the roots of her hair, Beatrice stepped back, flexing her hand against her chest. “I’ll go and look through my things.”
Then she was practically tripping over herself to leave. Cornwall frowned at that. What had just happened there? Beatrice wasn’t one to get flustered. She was emotional, yes, but she never got flustered.
Something had spooked her somehow, but Cornwall had no idea what.
***
Beatrice was looking forward to this. She liked going out to balls, meeting new people, and socializing. It had been something that she had been nervous about before. But that was before she was married. Having the Duke of Cornwall nearby, knowing that she was married to him, gave her some confidence that she didn’t need to try. She wasn’t looking for a husband so the pressure was gone.
And it worked. Everyone seemed to love her. Beatrice hadn’t encountered anyone who openly snubbed her. Although she probably wouldn’t notice it if it was behind her back. But Beatrice was happy as she was.
Maybe this convenient marriage worked out better than she expected. She had gained some confidence and a new friend in the mix. Cornwall was like a close friend to her, and Beatrice treasured their friendship. After two months in his company, she didn’t think it would be like this.
But it was. And Beatrice was thrilled. If she could carry on being married to a friend for the rest of her life, she could handle it.
They arrived outside the Earl of Exeter’s home to see that the place was practically heaving already. Cornwall alighted from the carriage first, some way away from the steps, and helped his wife down. Then with her hand tucked into the crook of his arm, they walked up the steps and inside. Beatrice had to focus on walking and not on how warm Cornwall’s body was, how much his arm muscles were twitching under her hand.
If they were friends why was she having such a reaction towards him? It didn’t make any sense.
Lady Exeter was in the foyer greeting the guests. Her mother-in-law was on the far side of the room trying to ingratiate herself with the Duke of York, although from the look on his face, he would rather be elsewhere. Lady Exeter beamed at Cornwall and curtsied low, holding her hand out to him.
“Your Grace. It’s so good to see you.”
“Lady Exeter.” Cornwall bowed over her hand and smiled at her warmly. Then he turned to Beatrice. “This is my wife, Lady Beatrice.”
“Duchess.” Lady Exeter curtsied to Beatrice, her smile still warm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Then she tapped Cornwall on the shoulder with her fan. “You are a dark horse, Your Grace, for keeping this lovely lady away from us.”
“Not by choice,” Cornwall quipped.
Beatrice rolled her eyes and slapped his arm, catching his smirk. She turned to Lady Exeter.
“Ignore him. He’s been grouchy all day.”
“That’s him all over.” Lady Exeter laughed. She linked arms with Beatrice. “Shall we? I’ll introduce you.”
Beatrice looked at Cornwall, who nodded. They were used to separately doing their own thing, eventually gravitating back to each other towards the end. People were surprised Cornwall would let his wife go around on her own, but neither of them minded.
The two women entered the ballroom. Beatrice had thought the ballroom at Stanford Park was big, but this was huge. People were bustling about and there was barely any room to dance. But they still tried, and the musicians were doing their best not to prod people in the rumps with their bows.
“How long have you been married?” Lady Exeter asked as they walked the edge of the ballroom.
“Only a couple of months.”
“And not a match made in heaven, then?”
“What makes you say that?”
Lady Exeter grinned. “I’ve seen it all before. You two don’t act like two people in love, merely like good friends. You’re very comfortable around each other, that much I do admire.”
Beatrice blushed. “It works well for us.”
“Then why did you marry him, if you didn’t love him?”
“It wasn’t really our choice.”
Beatrice told the countess about her brother’s promise and how both of them were roped into it. She hadn’t told this to anyone other than Mrs Hodgkinson, but there was something about the countess that she liked and trusted. Beatrice liked to think she was a good judge of character.
“That’s better than ours.” Lady Exeter giggled. “I was practically kidnapped to be married to Exeter.”
“What?” Beatrice stopped and stared. “You were kidnapped to be his wife?”
“Yes. He was just lucky I’d been in love with him from afar, or it wouldn’t have gone on as long as it has.”
Beatrice laughed. They carried on walking the edge of the room, Lady Exeter occasionally stopping to talk to someone and introduce Beatrice. It was very pleasant. Beatrice could see everyone in the room and not feel like she was penned in. The ball was the busiest occasion she had ever seen, and she was finding it pressing down on her chest.
They had almost made their way around the room when Lady Exeter stopped and pointed. “Oh, there’s your husband. I almost forgot he was here.”
Beatrice laughed. “Yes, he does tend to be forgettable when he’s in his own world.”
Then she saw Cornwall across the room. Her smile faded. He looked different. Very different to what she had seen before. He was almost fawning over the woman he was talking to. A very lovely woman with golden blonde hair, tall and slim with pale skin and a twinkling smile. She looked like she was lapping up the attention.
Beatrice felt something punch her in the gut. Cornwall had never looked at her like that. She wasn’t a love match, so no surprise. So why did this hurt? “Who’s that he’s talking to?”
Lady Exeter paused. Then she looked awkward. “Ah.”
“What?”
“That’s Lady Josephine Farley.”
“Josephine?” Beatrice’s stomach dropped. “That name is familiar.”
“The duke has mentioned her?”
“Just the name briefly on several occasions, and then he corrects himself. He won’t discuss her with me.” Beatrice turned to the countess. “Who is she?” Then she saw Lady Exeter’s face had paled. “What? What is it?”
“Oh dear.”
“Countess, what is it?”
Lady Exeter didn’t look happy about imparting the news. “He and Lady Farley were courting years before. Before he went to France.”
“What?” Beatrice now felt like she had been slapped in the face.
“He had promised her that he would return and marry her. But Lady Farley couldn’t wait that long and married Edgar Farley, a dull but a good man who clearly loves her. From what people say, the duke’s still in love with her.”
It looked like it as wel
l. Cornwall was looking at Lady Farley in a way she wished someone would look at her. With genuine love and affection. And despite being a married woman, Lady Farley was lapping it up.
Beatrice could feel her head spinning. This couldn’t be happening. Knowing that her husband didn’t love her as a husband would love a wife… that she could handle. That’s not what she wanted. But seeing him showing those emotions for another woman in front of her…
“I feel nauseous.”
The countess took one look at her and took her arm, walking her towards the door. “Come with me,” she said briskly, casting a glare in Cornwall’s direction. “I’ll get my husband to have a few words with the duke.”
Beatrice gasped and clutched her arm, shaking her head. “Please, don’t do that. I don’t want any fuss. Just… let it be.”
Lady Exeter looked like she wanted to argue but she didn’t. Tucking Beatrice into her side as Beatrice swayed towards her, she took her out of the room.
Chapter 7
A Frosty Homecoming
C ornwall couldn’t understand what had happened. Beatrice had been happy about going to the ball and meeting more people. She was very sociable and could charm everyone. But within less than half an hour, she had left. Lady Exeter wouldn’t tell him what had happened beyond his wife not feeling well.
The countess’s demeanour had shocked him as well. Lady Exeter was a warm, inviting woman with a smile for practically everyone. But she was very cold towards him and very stiff towards Josephine, who had been at Cornwall’s side when he asked about his wife.
Was she annoyed that Cornwall was conversing with an old friend? Cornwall didn’t think so. Lady Exeter wasn’t one to get upset about that.
The evening passed pleasantly enough. Cornwall got to catch up with Josephine, who was very pleased to see him. They danced together several times, and her eyes lit up whenever she looked at him. Cornwall hadn’t felt happier seeing his former love.
But as he went home, long after midnight, Cornwall began to wonder if he had done something wrong. He was supposed to keep an eye out for his wife, and he hadn’t even noticed she had been gone for some time. Was Beatrice unwell? Why hadn’t he been told?
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