Page 76 of The Duke's Vice

Start something new.

Perhaps her mother was right. It was time to start something new. Beatrice felt a modicum of weight fall from her shoulders. Having a purpose gave her some relief from the pain she had been carrying.

Her new plan was to meet Amos Duncary and decide if he could help her with her final item, or if he would just be something to hold her mother off her back until the season was officially over.

Only one way to find out.

“He’s here! He’s here!” Charlotte came bursting through the parlor door and quickly sat in the chair opposite of Beatrice. She positioned herself in a way that made it look as if she were there all along and not standing by the front window watching for his carriage.

Beatrice took a deep breath as closed her book and set it on the table next to her.

The door opened and their butler entered with a tall man behind him.

“Lord Amos Duncary, Your Grace.”

At the sound of his name the man stepped forward and into the room.

Beatrice smiled gently at the nervous, wide-eyed Earl standing before her.

“My Lord,” he walked to Charlotte who raised her hand. “He is so good to see you, again.”

Beatrice rolled her lips when her mother dipped her head coyly. If going into the theatre was a reputable career for a woman her mother would have been famous.

The Earl turned his body and faced Beatrice.

She sat straighter under his gaze. Beatrice licked her lips in concentration. She was desperately trying to fend off the inevitable.

She refused to compare Amos to… him. But she was failing. Her very first thought upon seeing the Earl was he had blue eyes, not green. His hair dark blonde, not brown. And his built was tall and lanky, instead of tall with lean muscles.

Beatrice shook the comparison off and raised her hand. “Lord Duncary, how nice it is to finally meet you.”

Amos dipped at the waist. “Yes, my apologies for that. I’ve been meaning to introduce myself for awhile now but I have heard rumblings that you may have…”

Beatrice threw her hand up. “I know the rumors. And they couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Charlotte jolted at Beatrice’s outburst and exchanged a look with Amos. She released a nervous giggle. “Yes, yes, that is all just society gossip for the sake of gossip. She is the new diamond, after all. Disgruntled mamas are going to want to cut her chances.”

Beatrice furrowed her brow. She never really understood the meddling marriage mamas that inserted themselves into every match for the sake of seeming important.

She looked to her mother who was now looking at her with raised eyebrows as her head motioned to Amos.

Beatrice slowly blinked and looked back to Amos. “Sorry for my sudden outburst. As you can tell I am quite tired of hearing that particular rumor.”

Amos frowned, holding his hands to his heart. “I can imagine. My apologies. I did not mean to upset you.”

Beatrice bit her bottom lip. She felt her defensive wall shaking loose. The emotional ups and downs from just this morning to now were exhausting her. Suddenly it felt as if someone placed a boulder on her shoulders.

This was a bad idea.

Charlotte clapped her hands together. “I know. Why don’t we move this outside. It’s a bit stuffy in here, don’t you think?”

Beatrice looked to her mother who gave her a small smile. Beatrice reciprocated. Her mother knew she needed a moment to collect herself.

“That is a lovely idea, Your Grace. That is, if you’re up for it, Lady Beatrice?” He looked down to Beatrice with concern in his eyes.

Beatrice waved him off. “Yes, I’m fine, Lord Duncary, thank you. I think a walk outside would be lovely,”

Amos lowered his hand to help her up. She slipped her hand into his and… felt nothing. No electricity, no tingling sensation, no trills of emotion, just hand on hand. Nothing else.