I was endeavouring to prevent a scandal.
Beth is not in love with Mr Kendall, James, there was nothing improper in their relationship. She finds him interesting because of his love and knowledge of botany, a passion she shares. You should talk to her about it, you might be surprised at how much she knows on the subject.
You are telling me I have made a mull of it.
She laughed lightly. I would not dare to criticise the great Duke of Belfont, known for his wisdom and good sense. Why, even the King listens to your advice.
He smiled at her flummery and turned as the door opened and Beth made her way into the room and curtsied before him, bending her head very low so that he could only see the shining top of her coiffure.
Sit down, Beth, he commanded. I am glad to see you safely here.
She sat and waited.
You must be hungry, Sophie said, ringing the hand bell at her side.
A little. She was more than a little hungryshe had not eaten since the evening before and she was ravenous. It was why she had taken her courage in her hands and come down. Even then she had paused outside the door before entering and it was how she came to hear all their conversation. She was disappointed in her aunt. Not only had she seen fit to tell the Duke everything, she seemed to be determined to marry her off to Mr Melhurst and that was something she would never consider, even though he appeared to have offered. Surely one short ride in an enclosed coach had not compromised her reputation to such an extent?
She did not even like him, he was pompous with her while he toadied to her uncle when he had promised to try and keep the Duke out of it. And what was that about a scandal and having to live abroad? Did that mean he had done something terrible? Had he wrecked some other ladys reputation? Had he cheated at cards? Had he killed someone in a duel? She would not put any of those past him. Did he suppose she had a vast dowry? If Mr Andrew Melhurst thought he would be marrying a wealthy heiress, he was very mistaken; her uncle was generous, but not so as to make her wealthy. Besides, even if Mr Melhurst was the soul of virtue, she would never agree; he was the symbol of her mortification. She refused to listen to the tiny voice of reason that was telling her she was being unjust.
A servant arrived in answer to the Duchesss summons. Tell Didoner we are ready for supper now, she instructed him.
Beth would rather have had something in her room, and had opened her mouth to say so, but then she saw her aunt slowly shaking her head and realised she was going to have to endure a meal with the Duke, who would either ignore her as if she were not there or subject her to a roasting all the way through the meal. She was not sure which would be worse.
In the event, he did neither. Didoner, their French chef, was a perfectionist and the meals he produced were always first class, whether they were for the Duke and Duchess alone, or a vast company, and Beth did hers justice. There was turbot and shrimps, game and ham, not to mention dishes of vegetables, each cooked in a different way. There was fruit and puddings and tartlets and a light bubbly wine.
Now, said the Duke when they had all be served and the servants had withdrawn to wait outside the door until summoned. I am led to believe that it is your love of growing things that has led to this contretemps.
No, my lord, the contretemps was caused by Mr Kendall being summarily sent away.
Beth! Sophie exclaimed, anxious that her nieces forthright tongue would not shatter her husbands good mood. No one, except perhaps the King, spoke to James in that fashion.
I am sorry, she said. But if only you had told me
I am not in the habit of consulting those over whom I hold sway when I have a decision to make. Your mama was concerned about your continuing friendship with Mr Kendall and asked my advice.
Surely Toby told you there was nothing to be concerned about. We both knew he would leave one day, but not until he was ready. He had plants in the glass house he was tending, and others he was experimenting with out of doors to see if they would survive in our climate. And there were plans to make, proper plans with equipment to buy, an itinerary and goals to decide. I was going to be part of that.
Not go with him?
She smiled suddenly. I knew that would never be allowed, but if the time ever comes when I am independent I should like to go on an expedition, properly escorted, of course. I should like to study exotic plants in their own habitat, collect specimens and seeds to bring back. That is how you obtained those wonderful shrubs you have in your own garden and conservatory, is it not? Someone had to bring them to this country.
Yes, but not a woman. His severe look softened. It appears that I have misjudged you, my dear, but are plants all you think of? Surely you sometimes dream of a husband and children? You are very good with Jamie and he adores you. He laughed suddenly. Though he is to blame for telling me you had arrived. He heard your voice and left his bed to greet you.
It was Jamie?
Yes. Did you hope I would not discover your presence in my house?
No, Sophie put in quickly, before Beth could confirm that. But we hoped to defer it until the morning. I was not expecting you back until late.
The King decided he would visit Lady Conyngham and no longer needed me. I think he realises I disapprove of his affairs especially since he came to the throne. In any event, it enabled me to look forward to an evening at home with you, my dear. I was never so put out as when I saw a strange man in my drawing room, chatting gaily to my son as if he belonged here.
He is the sort to make himself at home anywhere, Beth put in. A more self-opinionated man, I have yet to meet.
Not self-opinionated, her aunt said. Self-assured would be more accurate and perhaps he has had to be, travelling the world as he has.
You travelled all over the place and it did not make you arrogant, Beth said, referring to the fact that Sophie had been dragged all over the continent with her parents before they both died in exile and she came back to England to throw herself on the mercy of her mothers cousin, who just happened to fall in love with her and marry her.
Let us leave the subject of Mr Melhursts character, James said, spearing a piece of succulent ham on his fork. It is getting us nowhere. The important thing is what is to be done.
Beth was about to tell him that if he thought he could marry her off willy-nilly, he was way off the mark, but thought better of it and remained silent.
We have sent for your mama, the Duchess told her. If she is able to come at once, she should be here the day after tomorrow, or perhaps Friday. Until she arrives, you must stay indoors. It must look as though you all arrived together.
Very well, Beth agreed, though the prospect of spending three days confined to the house was not one she relished. She had always been one for the outdoors, walking, riding and gardening, none of which would be easy in South Audley Street. But the servants know I am here
They know better than to gossip, certainly not outside these four walls, her uncle told her.
But they bargained without the strange way the ton had of finding things out and passing them on, adding their own embellishments for good measure.