Bessie (24 page)

“Recently?”

“No. My suit was turned down two years, eighty-one days ago. Not that I am counting.”

Bessie regarded him for several steps. “Where is this paragon of virtue now?”

“She is the Baroness of Danford.”

Bessie knew her. The misery every time she’d seen the poor girl was explained now. “I think I’ve heard of her. The baron...is an unhealthy man. He might not live much longer.”

“So? What makes you think I’d take her? She’s used goods now. And things have changed. I am the brother of a lord.”

“Love doesn’t pay attention to such things, James.”

“She turned down my suit. Would you have me forget that?”

“She was probably forced up the altar. It’s been done before. It happened to me.”

“Village wenches aren’t forced to wed.”

Damn her foolish tongue!

“I think if...a marriage will beget an allegiance, it’s performed, regardless of anyone’s feelings. Look at your brother. Does he love his wife?”

“I would have sworn he loves you. I’d bet my bottom shilling on it. That’s what makes this so odd. You. Face-down in the meadow. Sobbing your eyes out. I think he’s gone mad.” 

He shook his head. It was hard to spot. She knew what had caused the change. No doubt James would find out soon enough, as well.

“We’re near the fields. You can let me off here.”

“Will you be all right?”

“Yes. Thank you. I appreciate what you’ve said and what you’ve done. I would also say the Baroness of Danford has a wondrous future ahead of her. I doubt she knows it, though.”

James lifted her back down. He was frowning and looked very much like his older brother. Bessie averted her eyes.

“Her husband might linger for years. I’ll not wait that long.”

“Love knows no such thing as time, James. Haven’t you learned that in the last, how long has it been again?”   

“Two years, eighty-one days. Going on eighty-two.”

“Name your steed, James. Train him, too. He’s yours. Don’t ask me how I know these things, I just do. I also know that a widow has more say than a maid. I wouldn’t wait too long to offer for the baroness, once she’s widowed. She may have other offers.”

“I’ll not allow her to be stolen from me again.”

“I knew you’d see it that way. Now, go, before you’re missed.”

He stopped at the edge of the field. He looked magnificent on his bay horse already. Just as Devon looked on Black-Heart.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“I met the redhead today, Devon. We...spoke. She’s very attractive. Bright, too.”

Bessie dropped her spoon into her soup bowl. It made a loud clatter and a bit of mess on the table linen.

“What did you just say?”

Alicia’s question carried surprise. Shock. Her eyes were wide as she looked from Bessie to James to Devon and back to Bessie. The latter hadn’t any idea what she was supposed to say.

“Just where did you happen to come across the mysterious lady?”

Devon’s voice was bland. It matched every word he’d spoken since Bessie finally made an appearance at sup. She’d put up with Roberta’s words of dismay while the maid detangled and braided her hair. Sat through the application of the calming lemon juice mixture on her face and throat. Picked out and donned a costly ensemble. Worn with thick, concealing widow’s weeds she’d had to lift to sip at the soup. All of it was in preparation to meet her husband. To play his game. Pretend that his actions had meant little.

It was all for naught. He hadn’t even looked her way.

“In the woods,” James answered.

“The woods? She doesn’t sound a very reliable employee, Bess. Perhaps you should sack her.”

Henry’s choked reaction was loud. Alicia must not have recovered from her shock, for she was open-mouthed. Apparently speechless. Bessie looked down the table in the general direction of Devon. He wasn’t looking toward her at all. He was looking down at his sup.

“Perhaps, I should. I believe her husband is an excellent employee, though. It would be a shame if he were punished for her peccadillo. Why do you think I put up with her overly-familiar ways?”

Regina scooted her chair out and stood. “Pardon me. I’m not...quite hungry. I think...my newest mix needs stirring. In fact, I’m certain of it. Good eve, all.”

The girl plastered a hand to her mouth as she finished. She was probably stifling laughter. If Bess had a sense of humor anymore, she’d find it amusing, too.

“Regina has certainly changed. She appears to have found an interest beside tormenting her sisters, flirting with ineligible men, and running recklessly about the countryside.”

“She has a natural ability with herbs and spices, Devon. I’m surprised no one suspected it before. I expect great things of her.”

“Why would you care?”

Bessie sucked in her breath at Devon’s retort. Henry was trying to drown his reaction in his ale. Alicia was still looking from James to Devon and back. And then at Bessie. She didn’t look as shocked anymore. She looked censorious. Her lips were thinned. Her eyes narrowed.

“Your siblings are likable, Devon. The entire family is, except perhaps your Uncle Francis. I understand he has decided to relocate to the North wing. That was sudden. And fortuitous. I, for one, shan’t miss him.”

“Yes. That is odd timing, though. That wing isn’t completed, yet he moved without quarrel. Just today. I wonder why. He even ordered his meals to be served there. That was unexpected...no?”

His tone was still bland. Bess decided she was grateful he wasn’t looking at her.

“Who cares where Uncle Francis is? I want to know about the redheaded woman. I want to know how you met with her, James. And then what happened. That is what I want to hear. So. Explain.”

“Perhaps you could save that sort of question for later, Alicia? I’m certain Bess wouldn’t like to hear it. The wench was but a passing fancy for me, I’m afraid. I wish James better of her.”

Bessie lost her color at Devon’s reply. She swayed atop the seat and tightened her legs to keep from toppling out. She was afraid to move. Breathe. Blink.

“You have no interest in her, anymore? Truly?”

“This isn’t the type of conversation for a family sup, James. What else did you expect me to say?”

“Oh.”

“So, what happened? I am getting tired of all the avoidance. Tell me what transpired. I insist.”

“You’re very persistent, Alicia. I hadn’t known that about you. It’s arousing my curiosity. Why should you care? Have you even met with the wench?”

“Uh. Perhaps...I’d best speak...with James at another time,” Alicia answered.

“Perhaps that would be best.”

“All this talk of servants is boring. Why can’t we discuss the masquerade? I’ve quite decided I’ll go as the black swan, although Regina still wants it. I do hope I can persuade her otherwise.”

“Adorning yourself is all you think of, Olivia,” Alicia answered.

“No, I don’t. I think of other things.”

“Like what?”  Alicia continued.

“Like...the future. A household of my own. A husband. It doesn’t even matter what he looks like, or how old he is. He’ll have to be important, though. I want lots of servants, and lots of gowns, and lots of jewels. You know...things like that.”

“That’s absolutely disgusting.”

“Why so? It doesn’t seem to have harmed Devon much. Just look about. He got exactly what he went to London for.”

Bessie was beginning to think she was going to be ill. The broth was curdling in her belly, and Alicia was still glaring at her.

“And, just what is it that I went to London for, Olivia?”

His tone should have warned the girl. It wasn’t remotely bland. It raised the hairs on the back of Bessie’s neck. Bessie shut her eyes to the girl’s oblivion.

“I would say it’s obvious. You got a title from the queen and wealth besides.”

“I didn’t receive any wealth, Olivia. You have been misinformed.”

“Where is all the gold coming from, then? I am not imaging all the books Byron has unpacked and is cataloging. I don’t imagine all the improvements about the castle. The tapestries. Furniture. And I certainly haven’t envisioned my new wardrobe.”

“Some wealth comes with strings attached.”

Bessie gasped and looked to her lap. Devon may have been answering his sister, but his words were meant for his wife. Olivia acted completely immune to any of the undercurrents about the table. Unaware. And innocent. She wouldn’t last a sennight at court.

“Well. I hope my future husband comes with the same strings. I’d call them purse strings if I were you. Why are you looking at me that way? You have everything I’m hoping for.”

“He doesn’t have the most important thing. He doesn’t. I found that out today in the woods.”

If Bessie could have launched her spoon at James without consequence, she’d have done it. Her fingers tightened on the stem.   

“And just what is it you found out about me?” 

There was a hard note behind Devon’s words. James ignored it.

“I’m not to say,” James answered.

“Really?”

“I wouldn’t betray her trust that way.” 

There was absolute silence at the end of James’ words. Bessie started counting. She’d reached fourteen before Olivia broke the silence.

“I cannot say I’m eaten up with curiosity, but it is obvious James won’t hush until he has his say. And why? What is so special about a servant woman? I’m tired of the entire subject.”

“That’s only because we are not talking about you.”

Bess thought for a moment, that Olivia was actually going to stick her tongue out at Alicia. Then, James spoke again.

“She’s everything you described, Devon. And more. I can’t stop thinking of her.”

“That much is obvious,” Olivia answered.

“So, what happened?” Alicia asked.

“This is not a proper conversation for the supper table. Rest assured, I’ll take James to task over it, later. Either find another topic, finish your meal in silence, or excuse yourself.”

Henry appeared to have breathed in some of his ale as Devon spoke. James jumped up from the table to assist, but was waved off. And then, while he had everyone’s attention, he added to her distress with an announcement.

“I want you to know she is everything you said. Meeting her was a very rewarding experience. You are a fool. And now, I shall take the third option and leave.” 

James turned and rushed out. Alicia cried aloud. Henry was still gasping. Bessie couldn’t hear Devon’s reaction, or even if he had one. She pushed her chair out and stood on such shaky legs, she had to hold to the table.

“I believe I’ll...go to my chamber. I’ve quite lost my appetite.”

“I am joining you.”

“There is no need, Alicia.”

“Oh. I’ve quite lost my appetite, too. Good eve, Devon, Henry. Olivia.”

“I believe I’ll come, too.”

Bess moved away from the table, holding her skirts with both hands. She concentrated on her steps. Kept them even. Controlled. Oh! How she longed to run! Alicia appeared at one side of her, Olivia was right behind. The steps to her tower chamber loomed. No one spoke as they climbed.

Roberta looked up in surprise as the door opened. She was settled comfortably on a settee, her back propped on cushions. If Devon thought the redhead an employee Bessie should sack, there was no telling what he’d think of Roberta’s familiar ways.

“How dare you?”  Alicia didn’t even wait for the door to close before screeching the question. “I’ve kept my peace, and this is how you repay it? By playing one brother against the other? It’s absolutely disgusting. What did you hope to gain? Bloodshed?”

“She’s doing what...with whom? Over what?”  Olivia looked from Alicia to Bessie and back.

“I didn’t do anything,” Bess finally answered.

“He said it was a rewarding experience. I am not naive! I know exactly what James meant. How dare you?”

Alicia was trembling and had her hands in fists. She could compete with Devon for intensity. Bessie should have known those were family traits, as well.

“Why are you saying such things? She’s just had to listen and act like it was nothing, and then you accost her in her own rooms? What’s gotten into you, Alicia?”

“It’s obvious Olivia doesn’t know. Is that supposed to make me feel special? Well, I don’t. I feel like an accomplice in a filthy scheme. I don’t like it. I don’t like it, at all!” Alicia announced.

“I don’t know what?”

Bessie sighed. Roberta shuffled to her feet, smoothing the fabric where she’d lain. “Is something amiss, my lady?” she asked.

“James spoke of the redheaded woman at sup,” Bess informed her.

“Oh. My. I told you this would be nothing but trouble.”

“There is no trouble. It’s a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding? I was there, remember?”

“There won’t be bloodshed, Alicia. Why would there be? Devon threw me over just as James said. For his wife.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Before he got back his inquiry, and then had me read it! Oh! How could he be inquiring of
my
wealth while pursuing another woman at the same time? I can’t believe his duplicity.”

“His duplicity? His? Haven’t we forgotten just who is playing at being two, here?”

“When I want you to crow, Roberta, I’ll let you know.”

“Does your servant always speak to you this way?”  Olivia asked. “I’d not keep her on if it was me.”

“She is usually worse. But I adore her, anyway. Isn’t that right, Roberta?”

“I may need that in writing, love. I’d like it to show Augusta.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. Alicia stepped closer, gaining Bessie’s attention again.

“Will you please explain what James meant, then?”  Alicia asked.

“Devon has found out how wealthy I am. That is why he doesn’t want anything to do with her anymore at the moment. He wants me.”

“So?”

“I don’t want him to want me for my money!”

“How do you know that’s the reason?”

“Because he had me read the scroll that says so!”

“Why do I not understand a word of this? What’s going on? And, why is everyone ignoring me?”

“I’m not, although I’d be well within my rights to, young lady,” Roberta informed her.

Olivia’s mouth fell open to the same width as her eyes. Bessie glanced at her, and then returned her attention to Alicia.

“I’ve seen him around you. He cares for you. I know he does.”

“It is an act. And I admit. He’s very good.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“James told me so.”

“See? You were with James!”

“I did not deny it.”

“She was with James? But, I thought...wait. I don’t understand a thing!”

“It’s all right, dear. You are not the lone one. Come, sit a spell.”  Roberta was sitting back on the settee. She patted the area beside her invitingly.

“I don’t deny it because I’ve nothing to hide. I did nothing with James.”

“Then, why did he speak as if you had?”

“As if she’d done what? What is going on? I’ll not ask it again, either.”

“I think James said it...to see if Devon cared.”

“Well, it worked.”

“It did not. Devon wasn’t the least bit disturbed by anything James said.”