“What? Peter?” Lady Miriam asked, turning to look at her nephew. “Why certainly, we can spare him for a little while. But only if you’ll stay for a visit. You cannot possibly return to your home at this time of day.”
Callum nodded gratefully, then stood to leave the room with Peter. Beatrix watched them go, staring daggers at the man’s retreating back.
“Now, where were we, dear…” Lady Miriam began, turning her complete attention back to Beatrix.
* * *
“No, really, what are you doing here?” Peter demanded as graciously as he could manage once they were out of the room. “You know you’re always a welcome guest, but you were supposed to stay away for some time! It is my aunt’s reunion with her only child!”
“I know that, and I am heartily sorry for it,” Callum said, sighing in frustration. “But I have attempted to find Beatrix for weeks and have had no success. I found that I could wait no longer, I had to come at once.”
“No, in fact, you did not have to.” Peter folded his arms crossly. “Now tell me if I am incorrect, but did you have trouble locating her, or trouble getting her to answer your undoubtedly dozens of letters?”
“Perhaps both. What does that matter?”
“You know very well that I knew where she was the entire time. If you have not received a reply from her, then may chance she had a reason.” Peter sounded cross, but as he looked at Callum’s defeated expression, his tone softened. “You are my dearest friend, and I’m just as grieved as you are if you’re unhappy. But you’re not thinking of Beatrix. You’re thinking only of yourself right now.”
“That may be. And what of it?”
“Callum,” Peter chided, “this is not the right time yet. You need to go.”
Callum was quiet for a moment then sniffled dramatically before he replied, “Your aunt said I didn’t have to.”
“Your friend is saying that you do!” Peter said sharply.
They both startled when the door behind them opened and Beatrix emerged. She seemed rather calm as she approached, and Callum thought of nothing more to do than to bow as he said his greetings.
“I’m rather pleased you are here,” she began quietly. Callum’s face brightened considerably, then she said, “Only in that you’ve saved me a considerable amount of effort and inconvenience. Please do not leave before I give you something that belongs to you. I’ll retrieve it now.”
The pair waited as an awkward silence wrapped around them. When Beatrix finally returned, she held out a leather satchel. Callum took it, too fretful to even look inside.
“As promised, there is your mother’s headpiece. I’m glad it is back with its proper owner. Next time take care not to let it fall from your horse, though. One of my friends found it on the side of the road after you raced off the day you lost it.”
She nodded at Callum and smiled at Peter before turning and rejoining Lady Miriam in the drawing room. For his part, Peter simply looked astounded.
“After all that’s gone on, you finally have it back,” he said, scoffing lightly. “It isn’t quite how you expected to feel, is it?”
“No,” Callum admitted miserably. “I find that I don’t care about it anymore. The thing I truly desire is so obviously out of my reach that all my other trinkets mean nothing.”
“Oh, cheer up before you turn the clouds black overhead!” Peter said, scowling more than a little. “Stay a while, have your visit, but make sure not to intrude any. If you upset my aunt, mark my words, you and I will duel and I’ll see to it that your pistol is filled with oats!”
He returned to the drawing room as well, leaving Callum to wonder if he shouldn’t just leave. This was not going how he’d planned, not even how he’d hoped. His best friend was upset with him, the woman he loved wouldn’t even look at him, and a dear, scattered old woman was his only supporter.
He wasn’t sure how it was possible, but later that evening, dinner was even more strained. Thankfully, Lady Miriam prattled on happily, regaling them with stories about sundry relations and friends in the ton. She spoke at length about plans to introduce her daughter to people slowly, giving the grateful young lady a chance to not become overwhelmed with her new position.
“But Peter, I’ve talked so long my food’s gone cold! Tell us about yourself for a while so that I might fend off starvation,” Lady Miriam teased. Her tone became sympathetic as she said, “We’re all close friends here so you can tell us. What news of your marriage?”
Callum might have been mistaken, but he thought his friend winced for a moment. His heart sank when he remembered that—despite his injured state for so long—he had not inquired after the events.
“Well, there’s not much to tell,” Peter said somberly, trying to sound pleasant for his aunt’s sake. “I visited with the Duke of Edmonton and even had the chance to speak to Lady Annemarie, who is sadly, a beautiful, charming, and highly intelligent person. Yet I informed them that in light of Father’s behavior and his criminal dealings, I would happily release them from the marriage contract if that is what they wished.”
“Oh, my dear nephew!” Lady Miriam looked as though she might resort to crying again. “That is so unfortunate, but it was wisely done. You generously spared their reputations while sacrificing your own improvement. How did they respond?”
“I have not heard from them,” he said, sighing a little. “So at this late date, I think we can all assume the answer.”
“That is such a shame,” Lady Miriam replied sadly, and even Beatrix smiled kindly at her cousin. Quickly changing the subject, the older woman asked, “And you, Lord Bellton? What of your plans to marry, if you have any?”
Peter immediately sputtered as he attempted to take a drink, causing everyone to look in his direction. He continued coughing as he dabbed vigorously at his shirt front.
