Chapter 23

On Friendlier Terms

“Iwonder if now is the right time after all, my dear.” Letitia laughed nervously. “We are having such a wonderful time, even with the magic tricks, and spilled food, and confusing conversations. This is the first time Beatrice is back under our roof, and should we really spoil it with talk of gossip?”

“It is a scandal,” Phineas emphasized.

“Still, do we really need to speak about it now?”

Edwin watched everything unfold by Beatrice’s side, and he did not know if he found the evening frustrating or amusing. He had thought his family was crazy, but seeing his wife’s family brought him some levity.

“It is the reason we invited them here tonight,” Phineas reminded his wife.

“Yes, but we could say we invited everyone here to get to know them and welcome them to our larger family, couldn’t we?” Letitia almost hissed.

“Not now that you have announced that to everyone at the supper table,” Phineas pointed out.

One thing Edwin did admire about Beatrice’s parents was that they could argue with frustration and not anger. From what little he knew of them, he knew they had an arranged marriage, but it was obvious they loved each other. There was no venom in their argument. It was an argument cloaked with love, bringing it down to a debate with slightly raised voices.

“Yes, well, if we give everyone enough alcohol, they might not remember,” Letitia suggested.

“Cheers!” the twins shouted, downing their wine.

“I would like to forget this evening altogether,” Stephen boomed.

“Hear, hear,” Nathanial said, mimicking his father’s voice.

“There will be no more wine for you two,” Letitia warned.

“My dear, you cannot continue to announce plans at the table that are not meant to be overheard. I love you dearly, and part of why I love you so much is that I know you would not hurt anyone with dastardly plans.”

“Oh, you are romantic, really,” Letitia cooed.

“Now, please sit down, my dear. We invited His Grace for a reason, and we must talk about it.”

Edwin had thought the Earl might talk to him about the scandal sheet when they were alone in the drawing room, and there had come a point when he had opened his mouth and closed it again. It did not trouble Edwin. He would deal with it whether Phineas spoke about it or not. He had been happy to talk business with the Earl over cognac and cigars.

“Lord Ramsbury is right,” Edwin declared. “The matter must be dealt with sooner rather than later, and your family has a right to know what is happening.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Phineas said. “Stephen! Nathanial! Please leave us for a moment. I shall call for you to return soon.”

“Aw,” Stephen moaned.

“We never get to stay for the important conversations,” Nathanial protested.

“Go on, boys,” Phineas pressed.

He cut his fish in half with his fork and scooped up a half, before shoveling it into his mouth.

When the boys left the room, there was only the sound of cutlery gently scraping across the plates.

“Father,” Beatrice asked, “do you have anything else to say?”

“No, I don’t believe so,” Phineas replied. “His Grace is about to inform us what is to be done.”

“I will,” Edwin said. “I am sure you all know by now what has been written about Beatrice in the scandal sheets.”

“Yes, of course we know. We are no fools,” Phineas huffed.

“I know you are not, and I want to make it clear that what has been said is categorically false. Beatrice has slept with no one before marriage, and she certainly was not with child.”

“Yes, we know that,” Phineas said. “We are her family. You don’t need to tell me what my daughter has or has not done when we were the ones who were there at the time. I know exactly what happened, so stop trying to lecture me on truth and lies.”

“Father, His Grace is only trying to explain the situation. He does not think you’re a fool, and if you listen to him, you will see that he can help,” Beatrice argued.

Edwin looked at his wife and smiled. He continued to look at her for a second more before he turned back to her father.

“Beatrice is correct. If I thought you’re a fool, I would not want to engage in business with you, but I do warn you, Lord Ramsbury, not to try my patience by making accusations.”

“Y-yes, of course,” Phineas sputtered.

“We all know Beatrice went to the countryside, and everyone was told she was sick. The fact that she lay with someone else and carried their child is a complete fabrication. Of course, her new moniker is unfortunate but also falls under truth. She was promised to someone, and she ran away before the wedding.”

“Yes, and if she had not, we would not be in this mess,” Phineas said, trying to regain control after being scolded. “If she did as she was told, we would have all been better off.”

“If she did as she was told, she would not be the person she is now, and we are all better off for that,” Edwin countered.

He felt Beatrice’s hand on his leg.

“Who are we talking about?” Modesty asked.

“Mother,” Elizabeth interjected, “I showed you the scandal sheets. We are talking about Beatrice.”

“Oh, yes. So, is she pregnant?” Modesty asked.

“Mother, just let the men talk and sort this out.”

“We would make fine uncles,” Stephen chimed in from the doorway.

Beatrice shot her brother a disapproving glance.

“Out!” Phineas commanded.

“I know people who run the newspapers, and while I don’t know the people who publish the rags, the people I know must know them,” Edwin explained. “I already had a word with them, and any more gossip that comes in will not be published. That is the first step in sorting out this mess. I also have two people looking into the matter. An ex-constable and a private investigator. Someone obviously has it in for Beatrice, and the sooner we find the person, the better. I have a feeling I know who it might be, but until I have evidence, I shall not make any accusations. Once I have the name of the culprit, I will force them to make a public apology, and Beatrice’s name will be cleared.”

Silence fell over the table. Everyone except for Phineas looked down at their fish and took a forkful. It felt like the right thing to do, as the silence became awkward.

“If we had evidence against the claims, we could do more,” Phineas stated. “But how do you prove someone did not have a child? Do you turn up with no child?”

“It is frustrating, but there is little we can do except wait,” Edwin admitted.

“Do I have your word you will fix this?” Phineas asked.

“You do,” Edwin replied.

It did not take long for the fish course to be over, and the plates were quickly cleared away as everyone at the table contemplated the situation.

Raspberry cordial was brought out for the ladies and the twins, who were allowed back into the room, and the gentlemen enjoyed a glass of brandy each before the main course was served.

“Well, I think it is just wonderful!” Modesty announced.

Several pairs of eyes landed on her.

“My son and his beautiful wife are out there fighting against the world, and it stirs my heart.” Her hand trembled as she brought it to her chest. “This night is magical! Yes, magical! Our two families have come together to solve this problem, and we will work it out. And there is so much love in the room.” She started to cry. “I remember when I fell in love with my husband. He was such a good man, and I see so much of him in Edwin.” She quickly wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “And now, Edwin is in love, and that love will conquer everything. I just think it is the most wonderful thing in the world.”

The mood shifted from pensive to stunned as everyone looked first at Modesty and then around the table. The only person Edwin could not look at just yet was Beatrice. He might have some feelings for her after what they had been through together, but he was not in love. Love was a weakness he could not afford.

“I remember when I fell in love with my husband,” Letitia said to Modesty. “We had an arranged marriage, don’t you know. I was terrified when I first met him, and the second time, and the third.” She laughed. “Then I got to know the wonderful man that he is, and now I love him to pieces. Even if he can’t eat without making a mess.”

Phineas took his wife’s hand. “I love you too, my dear.”

“Elizabeth and I have decided we will find love this Season,” Hannah announced. “We will both find good men, fall in love, and marry them.”

Hannah and Elizabeth folded their arms as if to prove their point.

“I love my bother, and my brother loves me,” Stephen sang.

“My brother loves me, and I love my brother,” Nathanial sang back.

“That deserves a toast, does it not?” Stephen asked. “More wine!”

Phineas glared at his boys and then smiled.

Beatrice let out a breath. “Thank you,” she said to Modesty. “That was a fine speech, and I am so glad to have you here tonight.”

“Oh, please stop, or you will make me cry again,” Modesty pleaded. “The ramblings of an old fool.”

“The wisdom of an astute woman,” Edwin corrected.

“I can drink to that,” Phineas said, holding up his glass. “To the wisdom of astute women.”

“To the wisdom of astute women,” everyone chorused.

Edwin said the words while looking down at his wife. Something about how the night had gone stirred something inside him. He was used to taking control of situations, and most of his dealings were rooted in business, which meant there was not a lot of room for emotions. The dinner with her family was charged with emotions.

He’d never attended a dinner party like that before, but he didn’t dislike it.

Perhaps the thing he liked most about it was the way Beatrice put her hand on his leg when he had defended her. As he looked at his wife, he wished for that hand to touch more than his clothed leg. It was her dimples, again. When she smiled back at him and her delicate dimples popped, he wished to kiss her.

The refreshments washed away the tension of the evening, and the main course brought a more relaxed atmosphere. Braised duck was served to everyone with potatoes, parsnips, and roasted celery. One maid circled the table with a gravy boat, adding thick red wine sauce to each plate.

“Perhaps not the most elegant way to broach the topic,” Letitia stated, “but with all the talk of illegitimate children, when will we hear an announcement about more grandchildren?”

“Mother,” Beatrice warned.

“Well, do I not have a right to know? Your younger sister is already with child, and that was supposed to be you, my dear. You are wed, and children should follow.”

“I wish to take care of our issue first before we start a family,” Edwin interjected. “I can assure you that you will have more grandchildren soon.”

“That is a reasonable answer,” Letitia relented, looking at her daughter.

“Now that we have broken bread, so to speak, we must talk about the debuts of the two young women at the table,” Beatrice said, in a desperate attempt to change the subject. “As we are all such good friends now and understand each other better, would it not be wonderful if they were to debut together?”

“Are you suggesting hosting a ball at your estate?” Letitia asked.

“Well, no,” Beatrice said quickly, glancing at the Duke. “There are many important balls throughout the Season, and we might choose any one of them as the first official event that Elizabeth and Hannah would attend. Any host would be pleased to have them.”

“I suppose it would be possible,” Phineas agreed. “We had hoped Hannah might attend events with her cousin, as you and Charlotte are now both married. But if they are getting on well, it could work.”

“Oh, we are getting on splendidly, Father,” Hannah claimed. “Can I please attend events with Lady Elizabeth?”

“Your Grace,” Elizabeth said politely, putting some of her training to good use. “May I attend events with Lady Hannah? If I had a good friend with me, I would not be so nervous, and the balls would be a lot more fun.”

“Oh, yes, a lot more fun,” Hannah echoed.

The two women reminded Edwin of the twins. They formed one unit, and they attacked together. He was sure there could be some mischief there, too. Yet, most of all, it looked like they had become best friends in only a few hours.

“It is fine with me,” Edwin replied.

“I don’t see why not,” Phineas added.

“Oh, thank you,” Elizabeth and Hannah said in unison.

“Oh, thank you,” the twins mimicked, before bursting into laughter.

“Our families are becoming intertwined,” Phineas said to Edwin. “You have married my oldest daughter, my youngest and your sister look inseparable, and I hope our business deals lead to much more business.”

“Yes,” Edwin agreed, not sure which part he was agreeing to or if he was agreeing to it all.

There was something strange about it all. Not strange in the conventional sense, but strange to him. When he had married Beatrice, her family were only her relations and he didn’t care about them at all, except for doing some business with her father to be polite (which also benefitted him).

The night had not convinced him there could be merit in getting to know her family better, though it had helped. It was Beatrice who had convinced him of that. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know everything about her. Her family was part of who she was, and if he wanted to get to know her better, then he wanted to get to know her family better.

The conversation flowed, as did the wine, as the main course was devoured. Dessert came in the form of a decadent chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream. The twins ran off to play elsewhere in the house, and the group was split once again. The Duke found himself back in the drawing room with the Earl, sipping one last small glass of cognac to finish the evening.

“I wish to thank you for protecting my daughter,” Phineas said, with some chocolate torte around his mouth.

“You are welcome, Lord Ramsbury.”

“I have a feeling that you did not know exactly what you would do about the malicious rumors until I asked you, and I don’t care what your plans are. I only wanted to look you in the eye as you spoke of them. My daughter has caused all manner of trouble for this family, but she is my daughter, and I love her deeply. I do not wish her any harm. I might not have liked her means, but the end was splendid. She married a good man, and I can see in your eyes that you will take care of her.”

“I will,” Edwin vowed.

Phineas was happy as he walked a couple of steps toward the window and looked out. “I was much like you once,” he admitted.

“Oh?” Edwin raised an eyebrow.

“Not as handsome, of course.” Phineas chuckled. “My marriage was arranged, and while yours was not an arranged marriage in the typical sense, the same principle applies. You and Beatrice were thrust together, and that can be hard. Believe me, I lived through it. I can see the same look in your eyes that I had not long after I married Letitia. You are not there yet, but when you fall in love with her, it will become the most wonderful thing in the world.”

Edwin wanted to argue back, but he found that he couldn’t. He was not in love with his wife, as foolish as that sounded, but there was something there. Not only from him—he had seen it in Beatrice’s eyes, too. She felt something for him.

It was not a feeling he wanted to explore, but he did not know if he could resist it.

He took a sip of his cognac and looked out the window, too.