Lady Miriam reached out and took Beatrix’s hand, holding it tightly for a moment before brightening considerably.
“But enough of this melancholy talk! I propose an outing,” her mother announced firmly. “We shall ride down to the brook and watch the ducklings scramble for pieces of bread that we toss!”
“That sounds wonderful,” Beatrix answered, but her consternation only grew when her mother had another suggestion.
“Perhaps Peter and his friend would like to join us? I shall send someone to ask as soon as they’re available.”
Beatrix seethed, but knew it would be impolite to put a damper on Lady Miriam’s fun. Somehow, the woman sensed her reluctance.
“What is the matter? Do you not find your cousin agreeable?” she asked, but Beatrix shook her head.
“Oh no, Peter has been most helpful throughout this strange turn of events. I rather like him very much,” she replied, avoiding her mother’s question.
“I see. Then it is Lord Bellton who is not your favorite. Hmm, I now recall he said something about having met you before. Tell me, was he not a gentleman?”
Beatrix hesitated, uncertain as to what she should divulge. She knew that any discussion of her being kidnapped as a thief would be improper, as would any talk of her remaining at Bellton unchaperoned.
“Oh no, it’s nothing like that!” she insisted. “I just find him rather arrogant. I will divulge,” Beatrix looked around to ensure that no one could hear them, “that he made some lovely declarations that turned out to be nothing more than a whim.”
“I see,” said Lady Miriam, obviously displeased with the man. “But you were not put out?”
“His later rebuff stung, I will admit, but I was fortunate to discover very quickly that his intentions can change with the hour of day!” Beatrix smiled and hoped to change the subject, but it was not to be.
“My daughter, the worst thing about losing you was all the hopes that were dashed,” Lady Miriam said quietly, looking down at her hands and clenching them tightly. “While I carried you, I had such dreams! What would it matter that my husband was a terrible person when I would have a child to pass the days with? I would take my child on walks by the water and show them every flower, every tree. I was going to teach my child to ride and to love it as much as I do. I had so much wonder about the world that I wanted to share with you, and I was never given the chance.”
Beatrix’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she said adoringly, “Perhaps the universe then knew how much you’d longed for that. My entire education—the good kind, not the kind spent in classrooms and at lessons—was in herbs and flowers, horses and beekeeping.”
“Beekeeping? You cannot be serious,” her mother said, grinning excitedly. “That is a particular hobby of mine!”
“No! That cannot be true, the coincidence is too great!” Beatrix laughed happily. “You see? Whatever fates kept us apart still contrived to weave us together in some small way!”
Lady Miriam’s joyful expression slowly faded until she looked serious once again. “But one way that I had hoped—whether my child was a boy or girl—to change my own circumstances was to impart such wisdom for their happiness that it would do them in good stead. What I mean to say to you, daughter, is that you must not harden your heart against real love.”
The clock on the mantel chimed delicately while Beatrix waited for an explanation, but Lady Miriam took her time to speak again. When she did, all trace of sorrow was gone from her tone, replaced by a firm sense of hopefulness.
“I have it on good authority that Lord Bellton is miserable.” When Beatrix merely shrugged, her mother said, “Do not be so cavalier about that announcement! I also have it on good authority that you were very taken with him yourself.”
“It was only a passing fancy, nothing more,” she said softly, avoiding her mother’s gaze.
“My dear girl, a woman who lives alone for more than twenty years with only her few servants and the occasional visitor for company has nothing else in life except news from the ton, even if that news is gossip.” Lady Miriam gave her a conspiratorial smile, and Beatrix could not help but laugh.
“Then if you are so thusly informed, you should take my side,” Beatrix explained. “Yes, Lord Bellton did make a number of statements that I mistook for heartfelt sentiments. And yes… I’m ashamed to say I believed him and felt the same.”
“Then what is the matter?” her mother asked. “The man rose up from his deathbed to embark on a day’s ride to find you. Are those the actions of a man who is not steadfast in his love for you?”
Beatrix shook her head, the unshed tears she held for so long beginning to course. She took the handkerchief that Lady Miriam proffered, but wrung it grievously in her hands as she cried.
“It was terrible, Mother,” she finally confessed. “I was terrible! I could have easily borrowed one of the horses and ridden out to save my father, but I stayed at Bellton for him. I told myself all sorts of lies! It was because Lord Bellton was injured and there was no one to tend to him, or because I did not know where they’d taken Father, or because I had no horse to carry me! It was all lies that I told myself to excuse the fact that I chose Lord Bellton over all others.”
“Is that so wrong, my dear?” Lady Miriam asked sweetly. “A man who confesses his love for you and asks for your hand… and you had the audacity to return his affection? I should think that is quite acceptable!”
“Only it was for nothing,” Beatrix whispered. “It took one word from his father, a mere matter of five minutes’ time, to sway his affection and turn his heart against me. And now he arrives here at what is supposed to be a happy occasion of meeting you, a moment I’ve longed for my entire life, and I’m supposed to just say, ‘Oh, all is forgiven!’ I cannot do it!”
Lady Miriam held out her arms to Beatrix, who stood and came to sit beside her. The woman held her close before soothing her tears, finally whispering, “This is something else I’d planned on all those years, rocking my child as she cried over some hurt or another!”
Beatrix laughed at that, wiping at her tears and looking up in awe of this woman who’d so readily taken her into her home and her heart.
“But my dear girl, I have to tell you something of great importance. Remember the source… I have had nothing all this time but tidbits of news brought to my doorstep, and I’ve collected every word. I confess, it was like watching a drama unfold on the stage for my entertainment.”
