“My Lord, I’m sorry to disturb your meal,” Lloyd said in a rather pointed voice, “but the Earl of Weavington and his son, the Viscount of Dewham, have just arrived and insist upon an urgent audience.”
“I’ll excuse myself now,” Beatrix said. Lord Bellton opened his mouth to protest but she shook her head. “I’m feeling very tired as of now, if it’s all right I’ll simply ask Birdie to bring me a tray. Thank you for the offer of dining together.”
Without waiting for anyone to reply, Beatrix strode from the room with her head high. She nodded slightly at the two men as she passed, but said nothing by way of greeting due to the way the elder man moved back in contempt lest she walk too close.
“Gentlemen? I trust something is currently aflame for you to have interrupted our dinner?” Callum said, frowning slightly at the perceived insult.
“Was that her?” the Earl asked, looking back over his shoulder in the direction Beatrix had already left.
“Was that who?” Callum asked, looking from the Earl to Peter and back again. “My dear friend who’d been invited to dine, you mean? Why yes, it was. Now I’m afraid my invitation has been thwarted and my guest treated rather discourteously.”
“You know who I mean, Bellton!” the Earl said, glowering darkly. “It has come to my attention that a thief has taken up residence in your house. How can that be?”
“Oh dear, I’m afraid you are terribly misinformed,” Callum said, standing up and crossing the room to ensure the door was fully closed. “My guest has been in my home for several days, and I can assure you, nothing has gone missing.”
“But… but my son told me…” The Earl stopped and cast an irritated glance at Peter.
“Ah, Peter. My very good friend who flits around his conversations without a care in the world.” Callum looked over at his friend, who sheepishly hung his head and mumbled a reply.
“I wasn’t meaning to tell him, Callum,” Peter answered, his humiliation at the moment clear on his face. “I was only sharing a mindless bit of news from the ton with my parents. I don’t know what he’s going on about, but he’s acted as though this is a crime against the Crown itself!”
“I hold no grudge against you, Peter. Except for the fact that my guest has seen fit to excuse herself to her chambers and my dinner will now be cold. That, I assure you, is unforgiveable, and you will make it up to me by having me over soon!” Callum smiled at his friend, well aware of how the Earl could behave.
“But who is this woman?” Weavington insisted, growing impatient.
“This woman?” Callum said, still not inviting the men to be seated, though he returned to his chair and gestured for the servant to bring his food. “Why, she’s none other than… someone you shouldn’t trouble yourself over.”
“Of course I should trouble myself! My son’s best friend and confidant takes up with some strange commoner and goes so far as to entertain her in his house, and you don’t think that will reflect badly upon Peter? The ink is barely dry on his marriage contract, one that stands to increase his wealth and position exponentially! I cannot risk it by having his closest companions throwing good sense and propriety to the wind!”
Weavington managed to catch his breath after a few seconds’ respite, while Callum sat calmly appraising the man’s outburst. Was he seriously expected to choose his social activities based upon how it would help Peter?
“I see,” Callum replied. “My behavior is reflecting poorly on your son’s chances at snagging a loaded bride. Peter, have you learned her name yet, or is your father keeping that from you still?”
“I… I don’t… That is, I mean…” Peter stammered, looking between the two men he respected most and not knowing how to respond.
“Never mind, Peter. It was an unfair question only intended to upset you. I apologize,” Callum said. “But know that from here on, my friendships, my business dealings, why, even my favorite pastime or favorite drink at a favorite pub are no one’s concern but my own.”
“You should know well by now that it is not so,” Weavington said, still glaring. “Everything you do and say impacts others, whether directly or through the ton’s vicious gossip. If this comes back on my son in any way, I’ll see that you pay dearly for it!”
Weavington turned on his heel to storm from the room, but stopped at the doorway. “Peter! Come on!”
“I think I shall stay here, Father,” Peter replied. He pointed to Callum and said, “I have some mending to do now.”
With a roar of contempt and a frustrated wave of his hand, Weavington left and slammed the door behind him. Peter looked to his friend and began to apologize, but Callum stopped him.
“Say nothing,” he interrupted wearily. “I know your father means to only see to your future. It is a fate that I avoided by inheriting a title other than my father’s and not having to remain in his household.”
“You’ve not only done that, you’re to be a duke when the unfortunate day of your father’s passing occurs,” Peter said, scoffing at his situation. “It is something my father has desired for so long he can taste its richness… or rather, the lack of it tastes like sand in his mouth at all times.”
“I am sorry for you,” Callum said.
“You? Apologizing to me after the situation I’ve put you in? Again, I have no notion as to why my father is determined you’ll not remain acquainted with this… friend of yours.” Peter shook his head. “He’s been frothing at the mouth ever since I first mentioned it.”
“I will admit that it is a strange friendship borne out of a most unusual circumstance,” Callum said, “but likewise, it is my strange friendship, no one else’s. I will not be told with whom I should associate, I don’t care who is implicated for it.”
* * *
All the way back to her room, Beatrix chastised herself for being so gullible, for being such a romantic fool. What had she expected? That a marquess would cast aside his fortune and title in order to win her heart? Yet, Lord Bellton had done almost that very thing. It was the untimely appearance of some of his peers that prevented their conversation from advancing in a dangerous direction.
