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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.

When she passed her mother, Charlotte mimicked taking a deep breath. Beatrice nodded and did just that. Amos looked down to her and gave her a gentle smile.

She led him through the back door and down the veranda steps, her mother following a few steps behind them.

They walked a few moments in compatible silence when Amos turned his head towards her. “I can’t help but feel I came at an inopportune time.”

Beatrice gave a tight lipped smile. “The timing is not your fault.”

Amos chuckled to himself. “Your mother is quite persistent.”

She laughed. “Amongst other things.”

Amos laughed, again. She found his laugh light and breezy. She had to admit it lightened her step.

“Yes. I can tell. She held my cravat hostage when we bumped into each other this morning.”

Beatrice looked up to him with widened eyes. “She did what?”

“I was coming out of the tailors, and she was coming out of the modiste. We exchanged pleasantries. I told her I was looking for more cravats, she asked to see the one I purchased and before I knew it she was holding saying I must come over for afternoon tea.”

Beatrice looked on horrified. “I am so sorry. I should say something to her…”

She slowed her steps to turn to her mother but Amos pulled her forward. “No, it’s fine. I admired her negotiation skills. She would have made a great solicitor. Or actress.”

Beatrice let out a laugh that startled even herself. When was the last time she laughed?

She covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I always say my mother missed her stage calling. Her dramatics rival the most prestigious of players.”

Amos widened his smile as they continued to walk amongst the daisies and roses.

Even though she didn’t feel any instant romantic feelings with the man, she did feel comfortable with him. It was easy to laugh with him, and she found herself talking about things as easily with him as Sarah or Eleanor.

Or Graham.

The walls that were being rebuilt during her walk came tumbling down with that single thought.

Her shoulders dropped and her world lost all color.

Surprisingly, Amos noticed the change. “Everything well, Lady Beatrice? Should we stop? Perhaps return to the house.” He looked behind them to Charlotte who was pretending to be smelling a flower.

Beatrice shook her head. Why did that blasted man have to pop up in her head at the most random of times? “I’m fine, Lord Duncary, just…” She lifted a shoulder. She didn’t know how to finish that sentence without breaking into tears.

Amos considered her for a moment, shook his head once, and pulled her along to continue their walk. He covered her hand that rested on his arm with his hand.

“I’m going to be honest with you, Lady Beatrice.

I am a very good judge of character, it’s become the character trait I am most proud of.

And I can tell you are a worthy woman, respectable, honest, kind, understanding.

So, I’m going to lay it all out for you.

But first I’m going to ask you a question, and I hope you’ll prove me right and answer honestly. ”

His words were spoken softly but with intent. Beatrice swallowed over the lump that formed in her throat.

“Are you attached to someone else?” He asked simply.

The lump in her throat dropped to her stomach. She immediately opened her mouth to deny him, but that would be lying. What could it hurt to admit to him that her heart belonged to someone else.

But did it?

Was this heartache and pain she was feeling a result of love?

“The fact that you’re hesitating is telling me you do.”

Shocked, Beatrice rose her eyes to his.

She expected to find defeat, or perhaps frustration but instead she found triumph and acceptance.

“It’s fine. In fact, it doesn’t bother me in the least.”

Beatrice looked at him for a moment. “Oh. Is this because of Lady Catharine? Are you here only because of my mother?”

Amos quirked his head to the side. “Lady Catharine?”

Beatrice shook her head. “Yes. Mama said you have been seen with Lady Catharine a lot and that perhaps you would match with her.”

Amos shook his head slowly. “Gossip affects us all, I’m afraid.”

Beatrice offered a weak smile. While she enjoyed his company she had enough of this day and longed for her room and the quiet.

“You didn’t answer my question.” He continued.

“I did not.”

“Why not?” He asked with a tilt to his head.

“Because I don’t want to lie to you. I feel that we could be great friends and I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.” Beatrice bit her lip and dropped her eyes to the ground as they continued to walk.

“I appreciate your honesty.” He said with an easy smile. “So let me reciprocate. Both of us know your mother’s intentions of asking me here. And while I would be honored otherwise to throw my hat into the ring, so to speak, I must be honest with you.”

Beatrice tilted her head to meet Amos’s eyes.

“If we were to wed it wouldn’t be a conventional marriage.”

She furrowed her eyebrows. “How do you mean?”

Amos’s head wavered back and forth. “I won’t be able to offer you romantic love both in feelings and in, uh, the physical sense.”

Beatrice considered his words. “My parents relationship started without romantic feelings. According to Mama, those feelings didn’t fully develop until after their wedding.”

Amos offered her his easy smile again as he rubbed her hand. “I fear that would be impossible. You’re not quite my type.”

Beatrice’s footsteps stuttered. “I’m not a hideous monster.” She wasn’t too proud to admit she felt slighted at his comment

Amos reacted with a laugh. “No, no, no, you misunderstand me. Trust me, you are a very beautiful woman, one of which I get along with, which is a positive. I think we’d get along smashingly as married partners.

However, when I say you are not my type, I mean you are not my type.

My eyes lie elsewhere.” He drew out his last word hoping Beatrice would catch his meaning.

She stared at him in confusion before his meaning dawned on her. She wasn’t his type because his type was not female.

Beatrice recalled several same sex couple engaging in sensual situations at the party Graham took her to.

“I see.” It was all Beatrice could think to offer.

“However, in its place I could offer you protection and friendship. You would have the freedom and funds to live how you wished. We would need to be careful for the sake of society, but all in all, you could technically be a married spinster.”

Beatrice’s mind whirled with the possibilities. Having the protection of the Earl’s name was not something to turn down without thought. This changed how she viewed this entire interaction.

“May I take some time to think on it?” She questioned.

Amos’s smile widened. “Absolutely, Lady Beatrice. Your mother knows where to find me.”

Beatrice giggled. “I’ll try to keep her away from your tailor.”

Amos dipped his head. “I would appreciate that greatly.”