Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Imust insist you knock, Your Grace!” Beatrice snapped.
Algernon quickly turned around, but as he caught a glimpse of Beatrice in her nightgown, he could not find it within himself to feel guilty for simply coming into her room as he had been since she had arrived.
“It is past eleven,” he stated matter-of-factly as he heard the rustle of fabric. “I would have never guessed that you were in such a state of undress. In the future, I suggest you rise at seven. You will accomplish so much more in the day.”
Behind him, he heard Beatrice’s grumbling and he smirked. Apparently, she was not too keen on the idea.
“Are you decent yet?” he snapped.
His question was rewarded with an annoyed huff.
“Yes,” she seethed. “You may turn around now.”
Algernon forced his smirk back into a look of disinterest as he turned around and found Beatrice now cloaked in her dressing gown, a most annoyed look on her beautiful face.
“You really must knock when you decided to visit,” she said testily, balling her hands on her hips. “If I am your guest and not your prisoner, as you say, I deserve at least that.”
“Fair point,” he admitted, holding up the books he brought her in one hand, “However this is not a visit. I simply came to give you the books I spoke of last evening.”
Satisfaction roiled through him as Beatrice’s gaze narrowed in on the books, and a blush filled her cheeks.
“Now, these are for study,” he explained, walking over to the small, round table by the fireplace to set them down, “not for leisure. I expect you to have at least one of them finished within the next two to three days.”
He turned back to Beatrice, but she was still staring at the stack of books as if were a creature that was going to leap out and attack her.
“We discussed this yesterday,” he stated, folding his arms. “There are questions you have that should be answered. These books should provide those answers.”
“And what if they do not?” she asked, slowly drawing her gaze to his. “I gave it some more thought, and what if those books only raise more questions? What am I supposed to do then?”
Despite himself, Algernon smirked and perked a brow.
“Then I suppose I will have to find a way to teach you myself after all,” he replied.
Beatrice’s blush grew from pink to crimson as she absolutely glowered at him.
“I see your gratitude from last night has faded,” he muttered. “Do you have something to say about that?”
“Yes,” she hissed.
“Out with it then,” he sighed.
“I am thankful for how you took command last night,” she said with haste, some of the venom leaving her gaze, “however this seems…
overly meddlesome. I understand you want your brother to be married.
I even understand, to a certain point, why you chose to find him a bride the way you did.
But what if this is all for naught? He is not some child that will simply follow your commands, and if he chooses to go against you, what happens then?
What if I sacrifice my innocence and the natural order of romance for a man that after all of this still refuses me? What does that make me, Algernon?
“I may not have been a mistress when you purchased me, but what if this situation turns me into one? What happens to me then?”
Algernon’s humor faded as he heard both the fear and practicality of Beatrice’s questions in her tone.
“May I sit?” he asked, gesturing toward a chair.
Beatrice looked him warily for a moment then nodded.
He took a seat and gave her an expectant look.
For a moment, Beatrice stayed perfectly still as she watched him distrustingly.
Then when he pulled out the other chair for her, she rolled her eyes and joined him at the table.
Even so, she wrapped her dressing gown even tighter around her body and closed the neck of it with her hand in a guarded gesture.
“You are right,” he admitted. “My brother is not a child. However, there are many aspects of him that refuse to mature.”
Beatrice gave him a questioning look.
“When we were boys, Henry was quite coddled. I was in good health and the heir to the title, so my parents’ kindness was given mostly to him while I was forced at a very young age to learn how to take over the family legacy,” he explained.
As he spoke, memories of such a past erupted in Algernon’s mind. Discomforted by such vivid reminders, he did what he usually did with such reminders. He used the mental walls he so painstakingly built through the years to shut them out.
“Our father died when we were young, leaving us in quite a state,” he went on, his tone gruffer than before.
“My mother was still with us at the time, but even then, she became a shell of person after my father’s death.
I had to learn how to balance the rest of my education, the overseeing of my legacy, and raise my little brother.
I was only ten and six, but Henry had barely turned twelve when it happened.
Such a confusing age for a boy. Stuck between childhood and manhood.
“Our father did little to teach him how to move toward the latter, as even before his death he was ignoring his duties and spending his time drinking and gambling our fortune and future away. It left an impression on Henry. One I have since tried to correct but thus far have been unsuccessful.”
Beatrice relaxed a little in her chair.
“You do not want him to stumble,” she said softly, her tone leaning toward a question.
Algernon nodded.
“Precisely. And as of late, my brother has been stumbling quite a bit. He’s losing sight of his future very much like our father did and is only acknowledging this now. A very dangerous game to play for someone in his position. He does not want to admit what is best from him.”
“And you believe that you know what is best for him?” Beatrice asked.
“I do,” he stated without thought.
“And would you tell me what sort of trouble he is stumbling toward?” Beatrice asked.
This time, Algernon paused. On one hand, if Beatrice was to marry Henry, she deserved to know the truth. On the other… he was not the one who should tell her.
“I am hoping that you and Henry grow closer, he will tell you such things,” Algernon replied, his tone soft.
Beatrice did not look too happy with his response, but she did not push either.
“As for you,” Algernon went on, “despite what it may look like, you are not just some game piece I am playing with. If our efforts do fail—and I pray that they will not—but if they do fail, I will take care of you, Beatrice. You will be no one’s mistress.
Your efforts will be rewarded however you see fit.
If you want a cottage in the country away from the confusing lot that is our society, then you will have it as well as an allowance.
If you want a flat here in the city so that you may attend a soiree every now and then as other single ladies of the ton do, you may have that as well.
Whatever it is that you wish, I will provide.
But I cannot give up on this—my brother—yet.
I have to try to get him settled. It is my duty. ”
Beatrice was silent for a long time, her gaze penetrative as if she was trying to physically see the truth or lie of his words. Algernon merely waited, knowing that she had to decide for herself.
“I suppose I wish that my father would have taken even just an ounce of the great responsibility for me that you have put upon yourself,” she said at last.
Though he was careful not to show it, Algernon relaxed considerably.
“You deserve to be taken care of, Beatrice,” he said, his deep tone soft. “I am most regretful of how you ended up here, and I apologize if I have not said this yet, but I am grateful that you are here.”
The light returned to Beatrice’s eyes, and her hand slipped away from the collar of her dressing robe.
“I am also grateful,” she replied, “for the treatment you have given me thus far. Despite the strangeness of this circumstance. It was odd, at first, having leisure time, but I must confess, I am quickly growing fond of it. Furthermore, there is something satisfying about picking up the dance and etiquette lessons I had started when I was younger. I feel as if I am completing something.”
Algernon smiled, genuinely smiled.
“I am very happy to hear it,” he said, rising from the chair. “However, your only lesson for today is in these books. So, pick one, and read.”
Raising a curious brow, Beatrice leaned forward and picked up the top book on the stack of three.
“Have you read these before?” she asked, flipping to the first page.
Algernon smirked.
“Do not dare tell anyone else, but yes. I have. They are written for a lady’s pleasure, but I must confess, I do enjoy such a volume when I am weary from the boredom that comes with studying accounting books.”
Smirking, Beatrice placed her pointer finger to her lips and winked.
“Your secret is safe with me, Your Grace.”
He could not help it. He chuckled.