Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Oh, no thank you, Mira,” Beatrice said, waving off the tray her maid held up.
Mira frowned as she looked down at the tray.
“Beg your pardon, My Lady, but it has been three days now that you have passed up your meals,” Mira said, her tone respectful but firm. “It is not good for the body to be without sustenance for so long.”
Beatrice gave Mira a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I am aware,” she replied then shrugged her shoulders. “I am simply not hungry.”
Except it was not that simple. Her stomach had been in knots ever since the chaotic dinner with Algernon and Henry.
What was worse was that she had not seen either since.
It was not so much that she pined for either’s presence, but the lack of knowing what was going on—the lack of knowing what she was supposed to do—was wreaking havoc on her nerves.
“Might I just leave the tray here for you?” Mira suggested, placing it on the table. “Just in case you might feel like having a nibble later.”
“Yes, Mira, that is fine, thank you,” Beatrice said with a dismissive sigh. “I shall take it down later when I go to visit Alice and the other kitchen staff.”
Mira tsked her tongue and shook her head.
“My Lady, I must insist once again that you do not congregate with the staff,” Mira replied. “If you are in need of company, I would be happy to help you send out invitations to your friends and coordinate a tea or luncheon.”
Beatrice blushed at the offer and glanced at herself in her vanity mirror.
She looked like a lady who received guests.
Gone for good was her uniform, and in its place was one of the dresses Algernon had purchased for her.
Today, she had chosen a light blue chiffon piece with cupped sleeves, an empire waist, and a wide buttercup yellow ribbon that sat just under her bust. Just like the other, it was a bit too big.
Happy to be allowed to wear her hair in anything but a tight bun that sat atop her head, she had woven her locks into a braid that fell down to her lower back.
It was not the most in-fashion style, but it felt lovely to not have it all piled and pinned atop her head.
Aside from such a hair style, she looked like a lady.
Even had the birth to be a lady. Still… she did not feel like a lady, and she certainly had no lady-like friends.
“I am afraid there is no one to invite,” Beatrice said, forcing her gaze from the mirror. “My past did…. Well let us just say that I have no friends.”
Mira’s brows tensed as her brown eyes filled with pity.
“Oh dear,” she murmured.
“It is fine,” Beatrice quickly assured. “I enjoy spending time with His Grace’s staff and have no qualms counting them as friends. You included, Mira. I do appreciate the time you spend with me.”
Mira gave her a kind smile.
“It is an absolute pleasure to spend time with you, My Lady, and insightful as well! You’ve taught me many new stitches and tricks to polishing that have been most helpful.”
“I am glad,” Beatrice answered, giving her a satisfied nod. “So, as you see, there is no need to worry about me. I am quite content.”
It was true. She liked keeping her hands busy with dusting, sewing, or polishing as she spoke with the servants and got to know them. They found her presence odd at first, she was sure, but by now, everyone smiled the moment they saw her approach and always allowed her to join in on the chores.
Then when she wasn’t helping or chatting with Algernon’s staff, she found that reading was a wonderful way to occupy her time.
She’d spent hours in the library. It had been over a decade since she had been allowed to read, but with her new freedom, she was teaching herself to get back into the hobby.
Even in just three days, she’d already devoured two books and was halfway through a third.
“I am happy you are content, my lady,” Mira replied. “However you really must eat something. This is far too long to go without a meal.”
Beatrice gave Mira a kind but stern look as she placed a hand on her belly.
“I will eat when I am able, Mira. I promise you.”
Mira pressed her lips together, looking more anxious than ever.
“It is just… I do not think His Grace would approve—”
“His Grace has not spoken to me in several days, Mira. I am quite certain he has no care at all for my eating habits,” Beatrice cut her off.
She let out an irritated sigh and rubbed the bridge of her small nose.
She did not want to snap at Mira—it was not her way to be so cruel—but speaking of Algernon was further fraying her nerves.
There was so much she still did not know about her new and strange situation, and she was sure that her new—what was he to her?
Her captor? Her owner? Her future brother-in-law?
Whatever he was, she was sure that he would not tell her the specifics even if she had the opportunity to ask.
“Very well, my lady,” Mira said after a while, her tone quiet.
“I see I have vexed you, and I do apologize. I shall take the tray away and let you get back to your reading. But please, do ring for me if you change your mind. I am sure Alice would be willing to make you whatever it is you might like.”
Feeling weary from the conversation, Beatrice nodded her head and picked up her book. Suddenly sinking back down into the pillows of her bed and reading felt like a very good idea. She would go visit with the other servants later after a rest.
“Thank you, Mira. I do appreciate your concern,” Beatrice replied, sliding back atop her bed.
Mira curtseyed respectfully, picked up the tray, and without another word, left the room.
Two hours later the door flew open, startling Beatrice so much that she dropped her book and bolted from her bed. Her brows drew down as she watched Algernon stride in carrying a tray, a stony look on his handsome face.
“Your Grace?” she questioned.
“You may shut the door now, Mira, thank you,” Algernon said, ignoring Beatrice’s questioning tone as he sat the tray down on the table.
Beatrice’s eyes shot to Mira. The maid’s face was bright red, her eyes cast to the floor, as she grabbed the doorknob and quietly shut Algernon and Beatrice into the room. Her heart fluttered as Algernon turned his forest green eyes to hers and looked at her with a most annoyed expression.
“Why am I being told you are not eating?” he asked.
For a moment Beatrice floundered, but she quickly overcame her shock and glared at him.
“Why am I being told nothing?” she asked. Her hands moved to wrap around her waist, as they always did when she was nervous, but this time her fingers found purchase on her hips, and she cocked her head as she met Algernon’s domineering gaze.
“You are being told what you need to know,” Algernon quickly replied, “Now, I ask again, why are you not eating? I saw this at our dinner the other night. You barely picked at your food before I had to order you to eat.”
Beatrice blushed as she thought of that night. She was still confused as to how his demands had gotten her stomach to quiet down and accept the food. In her mind, she had not wanted to obey, but the way he commanded her certainly had her body feeling the exact opposite.
It was as if his voice caused a war to wage between her mind and her body, and it was as curious as it was annoying. She had taken orders from Simeon for the past fifteen years, and the last thing she wanted to do now was obey a new master.
And yet…
“I have no appetite,” Beatrice answered and hated that she felt her cheeks blush.
No longer able to take his intense stare, she let her gaze fall to the floor, and her hands slowly moved from her hips to around her waist, her bravado gone.
“This situation is incredibly stressful, and I understand I am indebted to you in a way, but I do not like feeling as if I am some toy to be given to whomever you wish to lend me to. I am a human being, Your Grace, not an object.”
Beatrice braced herself and waited for Algernon’s condescending retort or worse.
Save for the night they parted ways, she’d never spoken such a way to her father, but if she had, she had no doubt he would have stricken her with his hand or worse.
Yet no strike came. Nor did any berating words.
Instead, she heard a weary sigh, and she watched as his two large black leather shoes appeared in her line of sight.
Heat rushed into her shoulders as his hands fell softly upon them, and Beatrice blushed at how much she enjoyed the touch.
“Beatrice, please look at me.” Algernon’s deep voice was commanding as usual, but instead of its usual sharpness, there was something incredibly soft to his tone.
She couldn’t help but obey, and she raised her eyes to find his forest green eyes calm and steady.
The sight made butterflies flutter in her stomach, and she almost had to look away again.
“You are correct,” he stated in that same smooth tone.
“You are not a toy. I am not trying to treat you as such, and if it has seemed that way, then I must apologize. I do not wish to ‘lend’ you to anyone. As I told you, I wish for you to marry my brother, and from what I recall, you seemed amiable to that request. Is that still true?”
Beatrice nodded. The longer she looked into his eyes and felt his touch, the more she relaxed.
“It is,” she agreed. “But he made it quite clear that he does not wish to marry me.”
“He does,” Algernon insisted. “We just have to change his mind. And we cannot do that if you starve yourself to death. So please, sit down and eat. You are too small as it is.”
Beatrice took a step back, shocked that he would say such a thing. Did not all gentlemen prefer a small woman? That is what Elspeth had always preached.
“Come. Sit. We will talk while you eat.” Algernon commanded, walking to the table.