Chapter 14
Elizabeth woke early the next morning, pleased at how the night before had turned out. She stared at the lavender wallpaper in her room, and stretched before getting out of bed.
Then she remembered that Jonathan had informed her that he was bringing Earl Stanley Derby to call on her, and that she had lied and told him she was looking forward to the meeting. What Jonathan didn’t know was that Beau Brummell would also be calling on her at midday to take her for a ride.
This whole charade with Brummell was keeping Elizabeth off balance.
She wanted to see Jonathan react, but he never seemed affected by her while she, on the other hand, was very affected by him.
She could recall the tenderness of his touch, and she longed to feel it again.
She could remember the expression on his face when he had admitted he loved her.
More than anything, she wanted to see that expression again.
Every time he was near her, she could feel her knees weaken. And worse, when he wasn’t with her, she was miserable and angry with herself for not controlling her emotions better. Men ... she hated them!
She went to the armoire and picked out a simple day dress in jonquil. Then she instructed her maid to pull her hair back and tie yellow and white ribbons in it. Finally, she went down for breakfast.
Tiffany had just finished filling her plate with fruit and ham and was taking a seat at the long table. “Good morning,” Elizabeth said. She picked up a plate from the sideboard and began to fill it with sweet breads and orange slices. “How do you think it went last night?”
“Splendid!” Tiffany smiled, then took a sip of tea. “If you had seen the way Jonathan kept looking at you, you would realize he’s besotted.” She sighed and nodded. “It won’t be much longer before he explodes.”
Elizabeth experienced a whirl of perplexing emotions. “Are you sure? I don’t see that at all.” She spread her linen napkin across her lap. “He barely acknowledges that I’m around, and when he does talk to me, he’s complaining about something I’ve done or telling me what to do.”
“That’s because he hides his feelings from you,” Tiffany explained as she picked up a sweet roll. “Remember, you wounded him. He’s merely protecting his heart, or so he thinks.”
“I know,” Elizabeth replied in a low, tormented voice. “I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for causing him that hurt.”
Tiffany’s blue eyes met Elizabeth’s gaze. “You had a good reason. I think Dawson was well worth the trouble you went through.”
Elizabeth brightened a little. “Yes, he was. I hope Jonathan will understand one day.”
“I think he will. But the rough times are not over yet.”
Elizabeth frowned. “I know. Tell me a little bit about Beau. I found him very charming last night.”
“You and everyone else,” Tiffany said, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“He is a favorite of the Royals, you know. Everyone loves Beau’s attire.
You saw how he dresses. He doesn’t dress in those floppy pastel clothes and wigs like so many others.
” She paused to take a sip of tea. “He usually wears dark clothes. I’ve heard tell that it takes him three hours, on the average, to get dressed, and many more hours spent in counsel with the cutter of his coats or with the custodian of his wardrobe. It’s pure perfection.”
Tiffany leaned toward Elizabeth as if she were getting ready to tell a dark secret. “There was some talk about his elopement with a young countess from a ball at Lady Jersey’s. But I don’t believe it,” she admitted and sat back in her chair. “It’s probably just gossip.”
Elizabeth took her last bite of sweet roll. “Beau might be a dandy, but he’s a very likable one. I’m glad you introduced him to me, even if it’s to use him against Jonathan.”
The butler appeared at the door.
“Yes, Linton?” Elizabeth asked.
He nodded then announced, “The Earl of Longdale and the Earl of York are calling.”
“Please show them into the main salon,” Elizabeth said to Linton. When he’d left, she turned to Tiffany, placing her napkin on the table. “Are you ready to give it another go?”
“Absolutely.” Tiffany’s laugh was marvelous, contagious. “I haven’t had this much fun in ages.”
Together they made their way to the main salon. The gentleman rose from his straight-backed chairs. Elizabeth had to admit that, at least, this one was younger.
After the introductions, Elizabeth and Tiffany sat on a Grecian chaise lounge covered in red velvet.
Elizabeth did her best to flirt with Lord Stanley.
She asked him all kinds of questions and tried to hang on his every word.
She noticed that Jonathan remained very quiet; however, his expression was tight with strain.
She couldn’t tell whether he was jealous or simply bored.
Once again, Linton appeared in the doorway. “Excuse me, Lady Elizabeth, but Mr. Beau Brummell is here to see you. I tried to tell him that you already had guests, but he insisted.”
“I’m expecting him, Linton,” Elizabeth said quickly. “Please show him in.”
“What is he doing here?” Jonathan asked as his gaze locked with hers.
“I promised to go riding in the park with him,” Elizabeth replied sweetly.
“Elizabeth,” Jonathan said, his tone threatening as he stood and moved to the far side of the large room.
“Excuse us a moment,” Elizabeth said to Tiffany and Stanley. Then she moved to Jonathan. “Yes?”
“Beau Brummell is not the marrying kind,” Jonathan stated emphatically.
Her gaze froze on his lips, and he remembered how good their kisses used to be.
He shook himself mentally. His thoughts didn’t need to wander down that path. “Besides, he has no title, and Adam would never approve.”
“I happen to like Beau.” Elizabeth tried to keep her voice as normal as possible. “He is kind, and the most charming man I’ve ever met. I can’t say the same of you, at the moment.”
He looked at her with a sardonic expression that sent her temper soaring. “I must approve your match,” he informed her bluntly.
“In that case, you had better start considering Beau because I just might choose him,” Elizabeth said in a broken whisper. “Now, if you’ll excuse me ...” She turned away from Jonathan and started to leave.
Jonathan grabbed her arm and hissed, “Don’t push me too far, Elizabeth.”
Instead of jerking her arm free as she wanted to, Elizabeth simply pulled it away so they wouldn’t draw the attention of the others. “You don’t own me, Jonathan Hird.” She left him then, but she could still feel his gaze boring into her back.
“Are you ready, Beau?” Elizabeth said as he entered the room.
“Most certainly, beautiful lady.” He bowed graciously.
“If you’ll excuse us, Lord Stanley.” Elizabeth moved over and took Beau’s hand. “But I already have a previous engagement.”
“Quite understandable,” Stanley said as he rose. “Perhaps I can see you next week.”
“That would be lovely. Come along, Tiffany,” Elizabeth said, then glanced at Jonathan. “I’ll see you tonight for the play.”
“You can count on it, madam,” Jonathan clipped.
Outside, a bright red-and-white landau waited for them. The footman held open the door, and Elizabeth stepped into the horse-drawn carriage.
“It’s such a lovely day for an open carriage ride,” Tiffany said as she stepped up and took her seat.
“It’s nice to be outside,” Elizabeth commented and then added, “It was getting rather warm inside.”
“I’ll say,” Beau said after instructing the driver as to their destination. “Longdale barely acknowledged my presence.”
“He might not have acknowledged your presence, but he definitely knew you were there,” Elizabeth told him. “He was rather testy today.”
Two splendid white horses pulled their carriage onto one of the tree-lined paths of Hyde Park.
The well-manicured lawns were a beautiful shade of green, and poppies and foxglove dotted the landscape.
White narcissus bloomed along the path. Every little sprig and bloom shouted that spring had arrived.
They nodded to acquaintances they passed, but didn’t stop until they reached Serpentine Lake. It was a long, curving lake where swans and geese floated along the gleaming surface, peacefully absorbing the sun.
After climbing out of the carriage, they strolled along the lakefront, stopping when they came upon someone they knew.
Later, when they were out of reach of prying eyes, Beau asked, “All right, ladies. What is our next plan of attack?”
Tiffany thought for a moment “We’re going to Covent Garden and using my box,” she finally said. “Why don’t you go with us?”
“Jonathan will be livid,” Elizabeth said.
“Precisely.” Tiffany laughed.
Beau’s mouth twisted wryly. “We don’t want the old man calling me out, ladies.” His voice was soft but slightly alarmed.
“No, we don’t.” Tiffany smiled and patted Beau on the arm for reassurance. “But since it’s my box, I’ll just say I invited you, and he won’t be able to object.”
“In that case ...” Beau breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll call around—no, better yet I’ll meet you at the theater.”
“That’s a splendid idea. Jonathan wouldn’t dare make a scene in public,” Elizabeth said, but she thought to herself, at least I hope not. After taking a long, leisurely walk along the lake, they headed back to the carriage.
Elizabeth leaned over and whispered to Tiffany, “I feel that someone is watching me.” Elizabeth twisted her head. She saw many people milling about but no one she could single out.
“I’m sure they are,” Tiffany admitted. “You’re beautiful, and I’m sure word has gotten out that you’re very available.”
“I doubt that very seriously, but perhaps you’re right. But I actually felt gooseflesh a few moments ago,” Elizabeth said as she turned around again to see if she could spot anyone. When she didn’t, she shrugged and climbed into the landau.
It wasn’t long before they were once again at the front of Trent House. “I shall see you tonight,” Beau said when he dropped them off.