Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Look at him brooding at us,” Henry goaded, nodding toward Algernon.
Beatrice smiled, but in her heart, she felt nothing but appreciation for Algernon’s gesture.
She remembered some of her lessons from her youth, and Mrs. Sheer’s refresher courses had helped her remember proper dining etiquette, but she was still very uncomfortable with conversation.
It seemed that what drew socialites together the most was the ability to gossip about another’s poor state, and such an act was terribly foreign to her.
Right away in the parlor Lady Upton took it upon herself to fill Beatrice on all of the ton’s most outrageous gossip, and if it was not her doing the tattling, it was Lady Cummings.
Henry, as well, eagerly joined in with all he knew.
Beatrice laughed when they did and smiled as if she was as equally entertained, but in truth, she was already exhausted and more nervous than ever.
Which was why when Algernon pressed the glass into her hands demanded she drink, she did so without question. The bit of wine soothed her nerves just enough to continue her act.
“He does look most disgruntled,” Beatrice agreed then turned her gaze to Henry.
“I have no siblings, so I am curious. How is it that you and Algernon are so unalike?” she asked.
Henry chuckled as he cut his mutton into neat, tiny squares—very much unlike the large slices Beatrice noticed that Algernon was able to take in one mouthful.
“As you are an only sibling and are asking in earnest, I shall tell you, not all children raised in the same household are alike. We may have same parents, but we still have our own unique personalities,” Henry answered.
He then plucked up a tiny bite of mutton and popped into his mouth, chewing it with a smirk.
“What of you?” he asked after he swallowed. “What was it like growing up as an only child? I suppose you were showered with anything you could possibly want.”
Beatrice shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
She needed to lie. She knew that. However, she also knew that her ability to do so was not well formed.
Her gaze shifted back to Algernon, and to her surprise, his gaze was waiting for her.
Her brows tensed as her fingers flexed toward her wine glass.
As if he knew what she was thinking, he gave a furtive nod, then turned his eyes back to his plate as he stabbed another large slice of his mutton.
His permission helped soothe some of her anxiety even, and she lifted the glass to her lips and took another deep swallow. She waited a moment, letting its effects settle over her, and turned to Henry with a renewed smile.
“It was everything you could imagine,” she answered, the lie coming out of her lips smoothly. “But also very boring. I prefer to hear more about your life than speak of mine.”
She glanced toward Algernon again. This time as they met eyes, he tapped his fork subtly against his plate.
A sign, she gathered, to finally pick up her own utensils and eat something.
She did so without a thought and stabbed at a roasted potato.
She popped it into her mouth, and as soon as the spices exploded on her taste buds, her stomach tightened, begging her to swallow.
“I do love how you let me talk,” Henry told her, obviously not realizing how monumental the moment was for her. “It is so refreshing to not have to fight for my place in a conversation.”
Beatrice only nodded, already readying another bite of the delicious meal to take before she even swallowed.
“Everyone I know thinks they are so important, or feels they have the best gossip to share, but you, Beatrice, have a refreshing poise about you.”
Beatrice swallowed, surprised at the compliment.
“I do?” she asked then glanced around the table.
Indeed, everyone was in deep conversation, aside from her.
And Algernon. Like a gargoyle protecting a church, he sat at the head of the table, silent and watching.
Unlike herself, though, he was not quiet out of anxiety or feelings of inferiority.
She had yet to discover his true reason for being so apart.
“You do indeed, and it is quite lovely,” Henry said matter-of-factly.
Beatrice slowly turned her gaze back to Henry, and she gave him her best forced smile.
“Well, I must admit that I quite enjoy hearing your stories, Henry,” she replied, stabbing another bit of potato. “Please, tell them all to me. I find your life fascinating.”
Henry’s smile widened, and he turned his full body to her as he crossed one leg over the other and leaned in.
“Well then prepare yourself, dear Beatrice,” he encouraged, “for I have much to say.”
“Yes, it was quite a pleasure to meet you all,” Beatrice said chipperly as she waved at the front door.
The moment it was shut though, she dropped her hand as if it were dead weight.
Her shoulders drooped, and she hung her head.
Despite the endless hours of chores she used to have, or the late hours she’d spent attending to Elspeth’s or Verity’s whims, Beatrice was quite certain that she had never felt so exhausted in her life.
One of Algernon’s strong, large hands perched on her shoulder, his touch light.
Even so, it spread warmth immediately throughout her shoulder and into her neck.
His other hand came around her chin, and she exhaled softly as his gentle fingers caressed her jawline before urging her to look up at him.
She obeyed, wearily, and to her surprise, she found happiness glittering in his deep green eyes.
“You did well tonight,” he praised.
His words sent a lovely feeling through her chest, and she let out a soft laugh.
“I did? I swear in the moment it did not feel so,” she confessed. “I felt so clumsy and out of place. Like they were going to see the truth of me at any moment. All this talk of gossip is tiring to keep up with. Why do they all care so much? Is every member of the ton like this?”
To her surprise, she heard a rumble of laughter from Algernon’s chest.
“Not all,” he clarified, “but most.”
Then his grip on her chin slid down a little. Not much, just enough that his fingers could circle around her throat. She leaned into the grip, too weary to be afraid of it.
“Do not be disappointed in the evening, Beatrice,” he commanded. “And remember, despite how you were brought up, you are a lady. You were produced by two people of noble blood who were legally married. That title is yours. You are deceiving no one by acting as such.”
More of Beatrice’s discomfort slid away as she realized the truth of his words. She was a lady, even if she was only now being given the opportunity to learn how to be one.
“You are sure Henry enjoyed my company?” Beatrice asked.
Algernon lifted an amused brow as he slowly drew his hand from her throat. She swayed on her feet, almost as if she had needed his hand there to stay upright.
“I am quite positive of it,” Algernon replied. “Henry is a preening creature. If he does not receive enough attention from one person, he flits to another until he is satisfied. Did you notice how he only spoke to you throughout dinner and then again after? He likes your attention.”
“Hmm,” Beatrice hummed thoughtfully.
“If that is true, why did he not attempt to kiss me? Or should I have tried to kiss him? I am still not quite certain when I am supposed to exercise that particular lesson.”
To her amusement, she watched Algernon’s ears grow red at her question, and he even shifted a little on his feet.
“Well, that is my mistake I did not explain it to you properly,” Algernon said after a moment of seeming discomfort.
“I did not expect him to want to kiss you this evening. And it is good that you did not kiss him either. It would have been too soon. There is a… a process that occurs in order to get to kissing. I just want you to be prepared for it when the time arrives.”
“Process?” Beatrice echoed, tilting her head in curiosity. “What sort of process? Are there a certain number of days that must pass? Is there a particular place?”
“No,” Algernon stated quickly. “Though there is a particular place. Not one I can name, but—well…”
Before she could stop it, a giggle slipped between her lips. She could not help it! She had never seen the Duke so flustered before!
“I noticed the last couple of times I came into your room that you have been reading,” Algernon stated, taking a step back as he pressed his hands together before him.
Beatrice raised a brow, surprised by the sudden change of subject.
“Um, yes,” she agreed. “I was curious to see if I still remembered how to do so. I forgot how delightful it is to spend time with a book.”
“Good, good,” Algernon answered readily. “That is what I shall have you do then. There are books on this particular subject.”
“On kissing?” she asked, shocked.
Algernon’s nervous nature abated, and he smirked almost wickedly.
“Kissing,” he agreed, “and so much more. The storylines will help better explain the process to getting to the kiss much better than I can. I shall bring you some to read tomorrow.”
Beatrice drew her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded.
“Tomorrow sounds good. I am so exhausted by this evening, I am sure I could not read a thing tonight.”
Right away Algernon stepped aside and bowed as he waved an arm toward the staircase.
“Yes, by all means, take your rest. It is well-deserved.”
Beatrice took a few steps toward the stairs, but before she could reach them, something inside of her stopped her, and she turned around. In doing so she nearly collided with Algernon, who, unknown to her, had followed. He steadied her immediately by putting his hands on her upper arms.
“Did you forget something?” he asked, a small smile on his lips as he saved her from falling.
Pushing past her embarrassment of the moment, Beatrice drew in a steadying breath and nodded, ignoring how his touch made a blush rush to her cheeks.
“Yes, indeed I did,” she replied, looking at him.
Algernon gave her a curious look.
“What is it? Do we need to go back into the dining room?”
“No,” she answered quickly. “I forgot to say thank you.”
Algernon drew up a curious brow.
“Under usual circumstances, I find your commanding nature most annoying,” she stated matter of factly, squaring her shoulders.
Algernon chortled, but as he looked ready to retort, Beatrice continued, “Tonight though was different. What you did with the wine. How you reminded me to eat. It was needed. My nerves were riling too high and I was losing myself to them. Your commands pulled me away from that, and I am grateful.”
“Tonight though was different. What you did with the wine. How you reminded me to eat. It was needed. My nerves were riling too high and I was losing myself to them. Your commands pulled me away from that and I am grateful.”
The amused look on Algernon’s softened, and he squeezed her arms a little before letting his hands slide down and take her hands.
“I shall tell you as I tell my brother. I am aware of how demanding I am, yet I do it for the good of all. Sometimes, we are in need of someone else to make our decisions for us—decisions that are made for the best. I will never command you to do something that is not in your best interest, Beatrice. I promise you that.”
As he said so, that distrust she still harbored for him melted a little more, and Beatrice believed him.