Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

B eth stepped into the tap room of the Globe Tavern, and spotting her sister seated at one of the tables, ran across the room to her. "Gennie!" She hugged her and Genevra hugged her back.

"Bethy!" Genevra pulled back from her embrace and scanned Beth's face. "Are you well my love?"

"I am fine!" Beth said.

"I must admit you look well."

Beth frowned at her sister, who hadn't risen from her seat. She was wan and pale with dark shadows beneath her eyes. "Which is more than can be said for you!"

"Oh, I am on the mend. I shall be right as a trivet in no time." said Genevra with a smile. "What a pretty gown! Is it new?"

"Yes, S- Mr Rooke bought it for me." She glanced back over her shoulder at Sebastian who was standing woodenly in the doorway. She turned back and noticed for the first time a man standing beside Genevra's chair. He was above average height and well-made, but not as tall or broad as Sebastian. His hair was brown and his eyes hazel, his features conventional enough to pass for handsome, she supposed. But she preferred Seb's dark colouring and features. To her, he was the handsomest man she had ever known.

Genevra looked up at him and then at Beth. "Beth I would like to introduce you to Mr Garmon Lovell. We are to be married," Genevra's cheeks pinked as she said the words and Mr Lovell gripped her hand and kissed it, such a look of love passing between the two of them that Beth's heart turned over.

"Gennie! That's wonderful news! Does papa know?"

Genevra dragged her eyes away from Mr Lovell's gaze and said crisply, "Hiram does not know. He went to Bath to try and find you, and he has not returned as yet."

"No! I was sure he wouldn't bother. How is mama?"

"Garmon has seen mama. I expect she will come to see you soon."

"Oh, that is good, I was feeling so guilty for upsetting her, was she very distraught sir?"

Mr Lovell transferred his attention to her and said, "She was, but I was able to reassure her as to your safety and well-being."

"Thank you, sir I am much obliged." She bit her lip. "Papa is going to be so angry when he gets back!"

"Garmon will take care of us my dear, you are safe now and will stay here with us. And then we will see Hiram try to force you into marriage with anyone!" Her cheeks darkened and some of Genevra's accustomed fire showed in her eyes.

Beth smiled at Genevra's heat and turned to Mr Lovell. "I am in your debt sir; I must apologise for causing everyone so much trouble."

Mr Lovell shook his head and took her hand. "No trouble. What your sister says is correct Miss Whittaker, you will both be safe here, I and Mr Rooke will make sure of it."

Beth blushed. "Well thank you anyway, I am most obliged." Beth looked back at her sister, "When is the wedding?"

"As soon as can be arranged," said Mr Lovell.

With a bow he excused himself and crossed the room to speak with Sebastian, the two men spoke in lowered voices, so it was impossible to divine what the topic of their conversation was.

Genevra rose from the table and swept Beth towards the stairs. "Come up, and I will show you your room."

"Oh, of course." Beth threw a longing look backwards over her shoulder at Sebastian, but he was turned away from her and didn't see. S urely this wasn't goodbye? She would see him again. She must.

Seb watched her go with an ache in his heart. Would he see her again? And if so in what circumstances? Would he even be able to speak with her, let alone touch her…?

Being noble was a receipt for misery and blue balls. But what else could he do? She deserved so much more than he could give her…

It was better for her this way, but God it hurt …

He dragged his attention reluctantly back to what Garmon was saying and tried to put a lid on the havoc she was creating in his chest. He swallowed in an attempt to dislodge the lump that seemed to have taken up residence there and squared his shoulders. He could bear anything if it was to her benefit.

The next three days were consumed with wedding preparations, as the event was to be held on the Friday. It would take place at St Giles in the Fields Church and the wedding breakfast would be held at the Tavern afterwards.

Mama came to see her that afternoon and there were tears on both sides. "I'm so sorry Mama, but I could not marry that man!" said Beth tearfully.

"I'm just thankful you're safe my baby. I have been so worried."

She caught glimpses of Sebastian over the coming days but got no opportunity to speak with him, which was vexing. Of course, she said nothing of what had occurred between them to Genevra, but she wondered if her sister could detect the difference in her, she felt different, stronger and more sure of herself. But Genevra was consumed with preparations for the wedding and the running of the tavern, so perhaps not.

The days leading up to the wedding were agony for Seb, catching sight of Beth at odd moments and being unable to speak with her or touch her. He missed her with an ache that ran bone deep. His emotional state swung between a conviction that he was doing the right thing by staying away from her and the equally compelling conviction that he must speak to Mr Lovell concerning her and beg permission to court her formally. These thoughts gained currency as the days wore on, until he had convinced himself that perhaps he was not such a bad prospect after all and promised himself that he would approach Mr Lovell on the matter after the wedding.

He was surprised and touched to discover that Mr Lovell wished Seb to support him at the wedding as groomsman, along with young Ben. Ben was cock-a-hoop over the importance of his role and Seb was further delighted and terrified to discover that as Mrs Tate was to be supported by both her sisters, it seemed likely that he would be afforded the official opportunity for conversation with Bethany after all.

On the Wednesday morning Mr Lovell's spies reported that Robinson had returned from Bath and Seb was summoned to the Tavern to await his arrival with Mr Lovell. Beth had been confined to her room and locked in for her own safety, Seb had the key in his pocket. The Tavern was closed to customers and the two of them took up a position in the taproom to wait and sure enough, just after 8:00 am Robinson came storming into the Tavern, righteous indignation in every pore.

"Where is my daughter?"

"I'm here papa," said Mrs Tate sweetly emerging from behind the bar.

"Not you, Bethany! What have you done with her?" Mr Robinson's flushed face got even redder, his wispy hair was all on end, his suit was rumpled, and he looked exhausted. Not surprising since he had journeyed all the way to Bath and back in five days. "That girl is my responsibility, and she will return to our roof immediately! I don't know what you were thinking Genevra to aid and abet her in this madness -!"

"She stays here, Hiram," said Mrs Tate, her voice hardening. "You can threaten and browbeat Mama and Beth, but you can't do so to me!" She crossed her arms and glared at him. Seb quietly applauded her strength, the hand in his pocket clenching at the notion of anyone trying to browbeat Beth.

"Miss Whittaker will be making her home with us," said Mr Lovell quietly. It was the tone that caused shivers down spines in the those that knew his reputation. Mr Robinson was oblivious.

"And who in damnation are you?"

"I am the man who is going to marry your daughter, Mrs Tate." Mrs Tate moved to place her hand on Mr Lovell's shoulder.

"Lovell, is it?" Robinson sniffed. "Miriam mentioned your name. I see you lack the manners to apply to me as her father for permission to address her."

"She's of age and doesn't need your consent."

"But Beth is not. Whatever you choose to do Genevra, I'll not let you ruin your sister! Consorting with thieves and low-lifes. Don't think I haven't heard of you, Lovell for I have, and none of it good!"

"I'm glad you've heard of me Robinson; I won't have to explain to you what will happen to you if you don't accede to our wish es in this matter. I repeat, Miss Whittaker will make her home with us, and you will give up all attempts to marry her to unsuitable persons!"

Robinson went from red to white at this threat and swallowed. "I'll not be threatened! You won't get away with this. I'll go to the magistrate! I have the law on my side!"

"Try it," said Mr Lovell. Seb hid a smile. Mr Lovell was a master of the art of intimidation, much more powerful men than Robinson had been cowed by that tone.

Silence followed this for a moment as Robinson visibly struggled with himself. "You haven't heard the last of this matter! I will not be manipulated by the likes of you Garmon Lovell!" He turned to Mrs Tate. "Do you know what kind of man you're marrying?"

Mrs Tate smiled up at Mr Lovell and Seb knew a moment of envy, if only Beth would look at him like that. "Yes, papa I do. I love him and he loves me." She looked round at Robinson with a smile. "May I remind you that you were eager for me to remarry? You should be pleased."

"It's to be hoped he can keep you in line! A more froward girl I never met!" He huffed and mopped his brow with a handkerchief. "When is this accursed wedding?"

"Friday, and you're not invited!" snapped Mrs Tate.

"Forgive me my, love," said Mr Lovell, "But I did issue an invitation to your mother when I spoke with her. "

Mrs Tate glowered at Robinson. "Mama is welcome, he is not!"

Robinson blinked, his face blanching even further and for a moment Seb wondered if he would collapse . Robinson swayed where he stood and reached out to grab the back of a chair. No doubt the rigours of his journey catching up with him. He wasn't a young man, was he about to collapse?

Seb took a step towards him in alarm, but Robinson waved him off, seeming to recover, he straightened his back and made them a stiff bow.

"Very well. You may treat me as you choose, but I'll not have you upset your mother. I will not repeat your cruel words to her, for they would cut her to the quick. Good day." And he stalked from the room, his shoulders drawn back stiffly.

Mrs Tate sagged when he closed the door with a snap behind him, she was visibly shaking. Mr Lovell turned and enveloped her in hug.

Seb turned away to give them privacy, that stab of envy hitting him in the chest again. He longed for Beth with a bone deep ache. But he couldn't do anything to arouse Mr Lovell's suspicions that there was an attachment between them. If the man knew what he had done, he would eviscerate him. He shuddered.