Belle's Beau

by Gayle Buck

  Belle eyed her demure reflection dubiously. She did not think that it looked half as good now, but she felt that something positive was expected of her, so she replied, "I am certain that you know best, Aunt."

  Mrs. Weatherstone smiled and picked up her silver-knotted reticule. "Now, let us be off. The park will be quite nice this afternoon, I am persuaded."

  "Oh, yes! The weather is just perfect for an outing," said Belle, turning eagerly. "I shall be so glad to get out-of-doors for a bit."

  "The air has seemed rather close in the house since the rain that we have had," agreed Mrs. Weatherstone. She ushered her niece out of the drawing room and toward the front door, their kid boots making dainty sounds on the marble tiles. The porter opened the door for them, bowing as they passed.

  The ladies emerged from the open door of the town house, and Belle at once exclaimed, tilting her face upward to catch the warmth, "Isn't the sunshine lovely?"

  "Yes, dear, but so debilitating to a lady's delicate complexion," said Mrs. Weatherstone in mild reproof.

  "Yes, Aunt." Chastened, Belle docilely descended the stone steps to the sidewalk alongside her aunt.

  A footman handed them up into Mrs. Weatherstone's carriage and shut the door, then stepped back up on the curb and signaled the driver.

  Belle settled back against the comfortable leather seat squabs. Though she would have preferred a good gallop on her gelding, Rolly, rather than this sedate outing, she was not entirely unhappy about going for a drive in the park. First and foremost, it was as she had told her aunt. She was very glad to be able to step outside and breathe the clean spring air.

  She had always adored being out-of-doors, and she longed for days past when she would get up at dawn, her breath showing white on the cold air, to set off on her hunter for a full morning's ride. Since coming to London she had had very little exercise of the sort that she was used to. She reminded herself, though, that she should not allow regret to cloud her mood, because she was in London for the Season, which had always been her heart's desire.

  The other reason Belle was willing to oblige her aunt and accompany her for a drive was that Mrs. Weatherstone had explained that the fashionable always made an appearance in the park around five o'clock, and quite frankly, Belle was curious to see whom they might meet.

  Mrs. Weatherstone had gone on to say that it would be wise for them to do likewise, making an appearance at the accepted hour, since Belle had only just begun to be introduced around. Belle accepted her aunt's explanation, for she was relying on Mrs. Weatherstone's social expertise to launch her into polite society.

  Belle and her aunt conversed lightly on a number of topics as the carriage carried them safely through the bustling thoroughfares. Whenever Mrs. Weatherstone let drop some hint of what was expected of a young miss who was making her entrance into society. Belle listened attentively, for she was well aware that her aunt had only her best interests at heart. If that were not so, Mr. and Mrs. Weatherstone would never have taken on the obligation of bringing her out.

  "I do so hope that you will attract an eligible parti this Season. It will be quite a feather in my cap if I am able to see both you and your sister Cassandra wed this summer," said Mrs. Weatherstone.

  "Quite," agreed Belle mildly, covering up a degree of indifference with civility.

  Catching what she no doubt interpreted as the polite doubt in her niece's voice, Mrs. Weatherstone laughed. She reached out to pat her niece's arm reassuringly. "You mustn't be too anxious about it, Belle. If you do not receive an acceptable offer this Season, we shall simply return next year."

  Belle shot a laughing glance at her companion. "I assure you, Aunt, I am not in the least anxious on that count! Why, my sole ambition is to attend as many functions as I possibly can. I intend to leave the fretting over finding a suitable parti to you and Uncle Phineas!"

  Mrs. Weatherstone chuckled, but shook her head at her niece's frivolous words. "I can well understand your thirst for gaiety, Belle. You have lived a very secluded life, after all. However, I believe that we must keep an eye to the future as well."

  "Yes, Aunt Margaret," murmured Belle agreeably, though she mentally shrugged. Marriage was a remote concern to her, one that she did not dwell on very often or for very long. She was living for the moment and eagerly looking forward to the evening when she would actually be formally presented to London society.

  Belle was unreservedly anticipating her first Season. She had never been farther afield from the country home that she shared with her grandfather than an afternoon's horse ride, so everything was novel and of interest to her. Before coming to London, she had attended only one house party in all her life, and that only because for a few months she had traded places with her twin sister, Cassandra, who had lived with their aunt and uncle. This Season was particularly piquant lo Belle because until a few months previous, her grandfather and legal guardian had adamantly refused to consider a come-out for her.

  "I am so glad to be here, in London, with you and Uncle Phineas," remarked Belle suddenly, following her train of thought.

  "Do you not miss Sir Marcus and the Hall just a little?" asked Mrs. Weatherstone curiously.

  "Of course I do. I love Grandpapa dearly and I even miss him on occasion. After all, he raised me and I have lived all my life at the Hall. However, I doubt that a more obstinate, hardheaded old tyrant ever existed," said Belle.

  "Yes ... well."

  Belle slid a glance toward her aunt. Mrs. Weatherstone obviously wanted to agree with her assessment of the old gentleman, but was torn about the wisdom of doing so. Her niece understood the older woman's dilemma perfectly. Giving a merry laugh, Belle said, "You would not set a very good example if you agreed with me, would you, Aunt Margaret?"

  "No, I would not," agreed Mrs. Weatherstone with a smile.

  "I am so glad that Cassandra prevailed upon Grandpapa to let me have this Season," said Belle.

  "Yes, so am I. We—your uncle and I—had always wanted to have a better relationship with Sir Marcus, especially since our coolness kept you and Cassandra apart. We had always felt that you needed to be with one another occasionally," said Mrs. Weatherstone. She smiled warmly at her niece. "Now it has worked out very well for everyone."

  "But you miss Cassandra and wish she was here, too," suggested Belle shrewdly.

  Mrs. Weatherstone laughed and nodded. "Oh, I shan't deny it. I had planned every nuance of Cassandra's come-out. It quite took me aback for a moment or two when she and Philip announced that they had become engaged." She sighed at her reflections, a smile still trembling on her lips, before turning once more to her niece. "But I don't repine, Belle, for I know that Cassandra is happy with her choice, and now I have you to lavish all my attention on."

  Her aunt's smiling expression warmed Belle. "Do you know, I would not have missed this opportunity for anything," said Belle earnestly. "And not only because it was my dearest wish to see something of the world." She reached out to squeeze her aunt's gloved fingers. "I gained more than I can possibly say when I came to know you and Uncle Phineas."

  "Thank you, Belle. You have no notion how glad it makes me that I can mother you a trifle, even after all these years," said Mrs. Weatherstone, returning the pressure of her niece's hand. "Cassandra was like our own daughter, and you have become just as dear to us in the short time that we have known you."

  "Thank you, Aunt," said Belle, even as she smiled a trifle wistfully. "I do miss her, though." Dear Cassandra had bearded their grandfather in his own den and had unflinchingly braved his wrath to secure this wonderful opportunity for her to see something of the world. She owed much to her sister, more than she could possibly ever repay.

  "Never mind. We shall see Cassandra before the wedding."

  "What do you mean?" asked Belle quickly.

  At her niece's look of surprise, Mrs. Weatherstone asked with a smile, "You don't think that I have allowed her to order all of her own trousseau, do you? She will have to come up for a few
fittings."

  "Oh, how lovely! Cassandra is coming up to London, after all," said Belle, instantly excited by the prospect. "When will she arrive?"

  "Not for a few months."

  "I do wish that she was here now. It would be such fun to be brought out together. I am certain that we would take polite society by storm," said Belle confidently.

  Mrs. Weatherstone laughed. "Indeed! Certainly it would cause a mild sensation for two identical and beautiful misses to grace the same functions. But Cassandra has chosen to set aside her own formal introduction to polite society for the much more interesting activity of getting up the trousseau."

  "I am happy for my sister. But I must confess, Aunt Margaret, that I still do not understand how Cassandra could have fallen in love with Philip," said Belle with a slight shrug.

  "Of course you don't, Belle. You and Philip were childhood friends. Despite every hope that Sir Marcus had harbored otherwise, there was not even the spark of attraction between you," said Mrs. Weatherstone, nodding.

  "Not the least," agreed Belle cheerfully. "Philip is a dear, but a bit dull, I am afraid. He was always one for books and quiet pursuits, and he hasn't changed. I can scarcely conceive that he was ever a soldier. One always thinks of a soldier as being dashing and devastatingly handsome and ruthless, if need be."

  Mrs. Weatherstone eyed her niece somewhat askance. With amusement, she asked, "Is that your ideal, then, Belle? A gentleman who is handsome and dashing and ruthless?"

  "Well, Aunt, can you conceive of me settling happily with someone like Philip?" asked Belle, her eyes dancing as she smiled at the older woman.

  Mrs. Weatherstone regarded her for a moment, then shook her head. "You have a point, Belle. No, now that you have made me reflect on it, I do not believe that you would be happy unless you were wed to someone as energetic as yourself."

  "Good! Then I may rest easy that you shan't urge me to accept any dodderers or slowtops," said Belle, sliding another laughing look at her aunt.

  "Belle!" Mrs. Weatherstone was mildly shocked, but she started chuckling nevertheless. "You are outrageous, my dear. However, I do assure you that you may rest easy on that head!"

  Belle noticed the occupants of an oncoming carriage. "Aunt Margaret, someone in that carriage is waving at us," she said, nodding at the vehicle as it rolled toward them. "Is it someone with whom you are acquainted?"

  Mrs. Weatherstone looked around. As she recognized the occupants of the approaching carriage, a smile lit her face.

  "Why, that is Miriam Carruthers and her daughter, Millicent. They are close acquaintances of mine from Bath. Driver, pull up, please."

  The carriages drew abreast, and Mrs. Weatherstone exchanged greetings with her friend. The ladies spoke for a few moments, catching up on what had been happening since they had last seen one another, several months past.

  Belle listened with interest to their conversation and studied her aunt's acquaintances. Mrs. Carruthers was obviously a good-humored lady. It showed in her relaxed expression and her friendly manner. She wore a mauve pelisse, cut in a style that complemented her matronly figure. Miss Carruthers had inherited her mother's dark brown hair and expressive brown eyes, but her figure was still girlish. The younger lady's manners were good, not forward in any way, as she greeted Mrs. Weatherstone and Belle with quiet friendliness.

  Mrs. Carruthers nodded in a civil fashion to Belle. "It is good to see you again, Cassandra, and in such fine form. I have brought Millicent with me to town, as you see. It will be good for you girls to know at least one person among the tangle."

  "Oh, but I'm not—" began Belle, at once realizing the mistake that the lady had made.

  Appearing somewhat embarrassed, Mrs. Weatherstone laughed. "Forgive me, Millicent. I had forgotten that I must make things clear to you. This is Anabelle Weatherstone, Cassandra's twin sister. Belle was raised by my father-in-law, Sir Marcus, and we have just lately gotten to know her better. She is staying with us at the town house we have leased for the Season."

  Mrs. Carruthers stared hard at Belle, as did her daughter. Belle waited for their verdict, an amused smile touching her lips.

  "But, Mama, it must be Cassandra," blurted Miss Carruthers.

  Belle laughed merrily. "Cassandra and I look just alike. I don't think that anyone could really tell us apart, unless they saw us on horseback," she offered with a swift smile. "I am much the better rider, as my sister would readily admit."

  "My word! No, you are not Cassandra, for she doesn't care overmuch for riding. We don't do much riding in Bath, you see. The resemblance is remarkable, however. I am very glad to meet you, Anabelle," said Mrs. Carruthers, extending her gloved hand.

  Belle leaned far over and shook the lady's hand. "Pray call me Belle," she begged. "Everyone does."

  "Very well! I shall do so, of course. I trust that you and Millicent will become good friends," said Mrs. Carruthers.

  "I hope so, too," said Belle, smiling. She glanced at Miss Carruthers and caught the girl's shy smile and still-wondering expression. She nodded to the girl, which caused Miss Carruthers's smile to deepen, bestowing deep dimples in the girl's rounded cheeks.

  "But where is Cassandra? I quite thought that you meant to bring her out this Season," said Mrs. Carruthers, turning once more to Mrs. Weatherstone.

  "Cassandra did not come up to London with me, after all. She is engaged to be married and is spending a few months with her grandfather while she is preparing for the wedding." said Mrs. Weatherstone. She gave a small chuckle. "So much has happened over the last several weeks that I wonder at times if I am on my head or my heels."

  "I know that my own head is spinning," said Mrs. Carruthers, shaking her head. "I can scarce take everything in. Cassandra's twin sister here in London and Cassandra already engaged! May I ask to whom?"

  "Mr. Philip Raven, my father-in-law's godson. He is lately out of the army and a very respectable gentleman," said Mrs. Weatherstone proudly. "I like him very well, as does Phineas. Sir Marcus also thinks very highly of him. In fact, my father-in-law is exerting himself on Mr. Raven's behalf to secure him a diplomatic post. We are very hopeful of the outcome."

  "Well! This is good news, indeed! I am very happy for you, Margaret. And so you are bringing Belle out instead, is that it?" asked Mrs. Carruthers, her frank gaze returning to Belle's animated face.

  "Oh, yes. I have the best of both worlds now! A dear daughter who is to be wed and a new daughter upon whom I may lavish all of my attention for the duration of the Season," said Mrs. Weatherstone, glancing at her niece with a fond smile.

  Belle felt her eyes misting. Her heart was full of joy. She said quietly, "Thank you, Aunt. That was very prettily said."

  "You are fortunate, indeed, Margaret," said Mrs. Carruthers, nodding and smiling at Belle in approval. "She is every inch the lady, just like Cassandra."

  "You must come to our opening ball, Miriam. I will send an invitation," said Mrs. Weatherstone warmly.

  'Thank you! We shall be glad to receive it, won't we, Millicent? And you must be sure to come to our little gatherings this Season, too," said Mrs. Carruthers. The ladies exchanged addresses, then Mrs. Carruthers remarked, "Mr. Carruthers and I hope to send Millicent off in style, of course."

  "Mama!" exclaimed Miss Carruthers, coloring prettily.

  The two older women laughed, exchanging mutual glances of amusement.

  "Millicent, you know very well that I shall speak so openly only to Mrs. Weatherstone," said Mrs. Carruthers indulgently. "I shan't embarrass you, I promise."

  "You—and Belle, too!—must allow us some forthright speaking. We do have hopes and dreams for you, and we feel compelled to share them with at least one sympathetic ear," said Mrs. Weatherstone.

  "Exactly so," nodded Mrs. Carruthers.

  "At least you do not dream of a dodderer or a slowtop for me," murmured Belle mischievously.

  Miss Carruthers overheard her and started to laugh. Guiltily, she put a gloved hand to her lips, murmu
ring an apology. "Oh, hut that was too funny!"

  "I see that you and Belle have had some plain speaking between you, too," observed Mrs. Carruthers with a raised eyebrow.

  Mrs. Weatherstone smiled, glancing tolerantly at her niece. "Yes, Belle and I are very comfortable with each other."

  "It is not to be wondered at, is it? I am certain that she is as like Cassandra as a pea in a pod," said Mrs. Carruthers.

  Belle scarcely dared to glance at her aunt, memories running through her mind of how often she had puzzled both her aunt and her uncle when she was masquerading as her twin. She did not always do or say precisely what her sister might in the same circumstances. With the faintest hint of mischief in her voice, she said, "Oh, indeed. We are very much alike."

  "I cannot explain to you how very like, and yet unalike, they are," said Mrs. Weatherstone, with the slightest shake of her head, as though in puzzlement.

  Mrs. Carruthers nodded thoughtfully. "Now that you have mentioned it, I imagine that is so. Being a twin must be an odd thing. Well, we must be off. It was very good talking to you, Margaret, and of course meeting you, Belle. We shall look for you again."

  Belle exchanged good-byes with Mrs. Carruthers and her daughter. The other carriage pulled away and their own continued on. She turned her head and burst out laughing at her aunt's still-puzzled expression. "I know! Cassandra is by far the quieter and more ladylike of us. I do feel for you, Aunt! You shall have your work cut out for you, for I am not in the least accomplished."

  Mrs. Weatherstone's knitted brows smoothed. She met her niece's gaze, saying, "Pray do not speak so disparagingly of yourself, Belle. I like you very well as you are. As for accomplishments, you play the harp beautifully. And you are very graceful on the dance floor, too."

  "Those are my sole assets, however," said Belle. On a regretful sigh, she added, "I wish now that I had been more interested in ladylike pursuits. My governess Miss Bidwell quietly despaired of me, of course. I had little inclination toward my studies, so that I am not in the least a bluestocking."