“Andromeda.” There was no gasp of shock from either of them at her scars. Curiosity, yes, but no stammering or looking everywhere but at her cheek or neck. Blythe would have told them everything in his bid to have them accept her.
An ache floated over her chest. Her heart missed Blythe desperately.
Beatrice wished he was here right now, but she had intentionally neglected to inform him of her arrival in London. This had to come first. Blythe would want to protect her, and she had to do this on her own.
“Wait for me in the coach,” Andromeda said to Granby, but she didn’t take her eyes from Beatrice. “Better yet, send the coach back for me in an hour.”
“Andromeda—” Granby protested.
“Beatrice and I need to become reacquainted.” She reached up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to the edge of Granby’s chin. “Don’t fuss.”
A sound came from the duke, that of a disgruntled bear, but he obeyed his wife with no further argument.
Once the door shut behind him, Andromeda turned back to Beatrice with a wary smile. “He’s overprotective.”
“He’s had reason to be,” Beatrice countered. “I wouldn’t leave you alone in a room with someone of my character either.” She wandered around the table, looking at the drawings strewn about. Andromeda was immensely talented. Her designs were one-of-a-kind. “The gown you created for me—those tiny suns to put in my hair—pure genius. I repaid you poorly and far more cruelly than you deserved.”
“I took your duke.”
Beatrice shrugged. “Granby was never my duke. He was yours from the moment he saw you, in this very shop. Do you recall? I mistook you for one of Madame Dupree’s assistants.”
“I do. But I met Granby before that day, at a garden party. Blythe accused me of sketching out his backside.”
Beatrice smiled. “That sounds like Blythe.” He’d never mentioned meeting Andromeda at a garden party. She took a deep breath. “I have come to make amends, or at least attempt to do so.”
“I suspected as much.” Andromeda took a step forward. “After speaking to Blythe. Go on then, Beatrice. Give me your apology so that I may forgive you.” There was a great deal of patience reflected in Andromeda’s lovely features. Empathy. But no pity for Beatrice’s scars or the tragedy she’d suffered.
“You are being terribly kind about this.”
“I’ve learned in recent years how difficult change can be for a person, more so when you are groomed with a particular set of ideals from birth. Loss, or the fear of it, provides powerful motivation to become a better person. There is little shame in owning up to one’s faults.”
Beatrice had the sense Andromeda wasn’t speaking of her, or at least, not completely.
She inhaled slowly. It was far harder to apologize when the person stood before you. Easier to merely find a dressmaker for Chiddon.
“I will confess that I have always envied you, Andromeda Barrington. Not only your talents, which are significant, but your ability to walk through life emboldened, unconcerned about what others may think. I envy you your family, who loves you unconditionally. Your beauty, for it is flawless and will never fade because it shines from within you.”
“Beatrice.”
“Let me finish.Please. I was cruel to you for many years long before I ever met the Duke of Granby. I assassinated your character at every turn. I used your cousin Rosalind to discover your secrets. Spread those secrets to Lady Carstairs, whom I knew to be a notorious gossip. When Granby tossed me over for you, I made sure to paint you as a harlot.” Beatrice had to look away. “I was—humiliated by his decision, but not heartbroken. Lord and Lady Foxwood encouraged my behavior, mortified that their daughter had been thrown over for a Barrington.”
“I surmised their opinion of me early on,” Andromeda replied.
“When Granby came to me and offered to put out the story that I had jilted him, I nearly didn’t agree. Not because I was enjoying my humiliation, or because Granby had made me such an offer out of any great liking for me. But—he did so foryou. He loved you so bloody much and couldn’t bear foryouto be hurt even thoughIwas the injured party.” Beatrice plucked at her skirts. “The hatred I felt for you in that moment, the knowledge that no one would ever love me enough—that is what I must apologize for.”
“But that isn’t true, Beatrice. Has Blythe never told you? It was he who convinced Granby to make you such an offer.” Andromeda took Beatrice’s hand. “Not for my sake, butyours.”
“I didn’t know,” Beatrice whispered, her heart aching once more for Blythe. “And I am not groveling nearly as much as I meant to.”
“I think you’re doing quite well.” Andromeda’s eyes blazed blue fire at her. “Finish it.”
Beatrice took a deep, cleansing breath, feeling all the ugliness, all the bitter taste of acrimony, finally leave her body.
“I am truly,deeplysorry from the depths of my soul, Andromeda. For all the wrongs which I have done you.” A tear slid down her cheek, and she wiped it away. “I beg you to forgive me and the horrible creature I once was.”
Andromeda took both her hands and squeezed. “I forgive you, Beatrice Howard. For all of it.”
Beatrice gave a choked sob. “Thank you.”
