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“It is the reason we invited them here tonight,” Phineas reminded his wife.

“Yes, but we could say we invited everyone here to get to know them and welcome them to our larger family, couldn’t we?” Letitia almost hissed.

“Not now that you have announced that to everyone at the supper table,” Phineas pointed out.

One thing Edwin did admire about Beatrice’s parents was that they could argue with frustration and not anger. From what little he knew of them, he knew they had an arranged marriage, but it was obvious they loved each other. There was no venom in their argument. It was an argument cloaked with love, bringing it down to a debate with slightly raised voices.

“Yes, well, if we give everyone enough alcohol, they might not remember,” Letitia suggested.

“Cheers!” the twins shouted, downing their wine.

“I would like to forget this evening altogether,” Stephen boomed.

“Hear, hear,” Nathanial said, mimicking his father’s voice.

“There will be no more wine for you two,” Letitia warned.

“My dear, you cannot continue to announce plans at the table that are not meant to be overheard. I love you dearly, and part of why I love you so much is that I know you would not hurt anyone with dastardly plans.”

“Oh, you are romantic, really,” Letitia cooed.

“Now, please sit down, my dear. We invited His Grace for a reason, and we must talk about it.”

Edwin had thought the Earl might talk to him about the scandal sheet when they were alone in the drawing room, and there had come a point when he had opened his mouth and closed it again. It did not trouble Edwin. He would deal with it whether Phineas spoke about it or not. He had been happy to talk business with the Earl over cognac and cigars.

“Lord Ramsbury is right,” Edwin declared. “The matter must be dealt with sooner rather than later, and your family has a right to know what is happening.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Phineas said. “Stephen! Nathanial! Please leave us for a moment. I shall call for you to return soon.”

“Aw,” Stephen moaned.

“We never get to stay for the important conversations,” Nathanial protested.

“Go on, boys,” Phineas pressed.

He cut his fish in half with his fork and scooped up a half, before shoveling it into his mouth.

When the boys left the room, there was only the sound of cutlery gently scraping across the plates.

“Father,” Beatrice asked, “do you have anything else to say?”

“No, I don’t believe so,” Phineas replied. “His Grace is about to inform us what is to be done.”

“I will,” Edwin said. “I am sure you all know by now what has been written about Beatrice in the scandal sheets.”

“Yes, of course we know. We are no fools,” Phineas huffed.

“I know you are not, and I want to make it clear that what has been said is categorically false. Beatrice has slept with no one before marriage, and she certainly was not with child.”

“Yes, we know that,” Phineas said. “We are her family. You don’t need to tell me what my daughter has or has not done when we were the ones who were there at the time. I know exactly what happened, so stop trying to lecture me on truth and lies.”

“Father, His Grace is only trying to explain the situation. He does not think you’re a fool, and if you listen to him, you will see that he can help,” Beatrice argued.

Edwin looked at his wife and smiled. He continued to look at her for a second more before he turned back to her father.

“Beatrice is correct. If I thought you’re a fool, I would not want to engage in business with you, but I do warn you, Lord Ramsbury, not to try my patience by making accusations.”

“Y-yes, of course,” Phineas sputtered.