Page 30 of The Heart’s Choice (Cotton Cops Mysteries #1)

Chapter 29

Scandalous Proposal

W hat with the bridal fittings and the classes for the workers, Beatrice spent quite a lot of time during the day at Sandiford Manor. Roger invited both her and her father to stay for dinner one evening to discuss improvements to the mill. The ventilation systems he had in mind would be costly, and he didn’t feel he had the right to make the decision himself.

During the dinner, Lucinda proved to be a surprisingly jovial hostess, laughing at all Arthur’s attempts to inject witty remarks into the conversation. She was still a beautiful woman—when she smiled.

After they’d enjoyed the sweet course, Roger embarked on his plan. “I’d prefer we not adjourn for cigars,” he said to Arthur. “I’d like to discuss installing a ventilation system for the mill.”

“I’d rather hoped Beatrice and I could have a little tête-à-tête in your absence,” Lucinda replied.

“We can chat afterwards, if you like,” Beatrice suggested.

Roger was relieved by how easily his mother acquiesced.

“What are you proposing?” Arthur asked.

“The best quote I have is from Dobson and Barlow on Kay Street. They can start the work almost immediately.”

“I should think they’d be glad of the contract, given the situation with the cotton famine,” Lucinda said.

“But they do have a good reputation, from what I’ve heard,” Arthur said. “How much is the quote?”

“￡100, which includes the carding and spinning rooms, but not the weaving room.”

It was a princely sum, so Arthur’s hesitation didn’t surprise him.

“I can’t think of anything more important on which to spend ￡100,” Beatrice said. “It’s a lifesaving measure and we can well afford it.”

“I agree,” Lucinda and Arthur chimed in together, which led to an exchange of curious smiles between the two. Roger couldn’t recall ever seeing his mother blush before.

“Now that’s settled,” Lucinda said. “Why don’t you gentlemen run along and leave us ladies to our little chat?”

The apprehension on Beatrice’s face caused Roger to hesitate, but he could hardly argue when Arthur rose from the table. “We’ll adjourn to my study,” he told his future father-in-law. “I’ve a French brandy I’m confident you’ll enjoy.”

* * *

“Let’s adjourn to the drawing room, shall we?” Lucinda suggested, in an unfriendly tone that only increased Bea’s nervousness.

“Certainly,” she replied.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” her future mother-in-law said as soon as they were seated.

Bea might have made some remark about that not being out of character, but she thought better of it.

“You should rethink your decision to have Roger move into Belmont Grange.”

This too shouldn’t have been a surprise, but the suggestion raised Bea’s hackles. “It wasn’t my decision,” she retorted. “We talked it over and both agreed.”

Lucinda stuck out her chin. “Roger would agree to anything he thought pleased you.”

Bea seethed. Roger had apparently had second thoughts and spoken to his mother about the matter. “Are you saying he doesn’t want to move to Belmont Grange?”

“No, it’s my opinion that Belmont Grange is your father’s baronial seat. He should remain master there. A house cannot have two masters, and my son is used to ruling his own household.”

Bea hated to admit it, but Lucinda was right, except for the fact it was common knowledge she ruled Sandiford House, not Roger. Her father hadn’t objected to giving up his bedroom, but it wasn’t in his nature to be confrontational. However, the alternative was for Bea to move into Sandiford House, an option that held no appeal. “A house cannot have two mistresses, either,” she said, well aware she risked Lucinda’s anger.

“I agree, and I have no wish to live under your rule here,” Lucinda replied, with more than a hint of condescension. “I have therefore suggested to your father that I move to Belmont Grange as his housekeeper.”

Bea couldn’t breathe. Lucinda and her father? Living together in the same house? “And what did he say to that proposal?” she asked, dreading the answer.

“He suggested it.”

* * *

When he and Arthur joined the ladies in the drawing room after a pleasant, brandy-fueled discussion about American politics, Roger sensed the tension. However, his future father-in-law spoke while Roger was dithering about how best to broach whatever it was the women had argued over.

“I see you’ve told my daughter about our proposition,” Arthur said to Lucinda.

“She has,” Beatrice replied testily. “It’s inappropriate and out of the question.”

“My presence at Belmont Grange would be no more inappropriate than Glenda’s,” Lucinda retorted.

Roger shook his head. “Will somebody tell me what’s going on?”

“Your mother thinks you and I should live here after we are married, and she will move into the Grange with my father.”

“As my housekeeper,” Arthur insisted.

Roger understood Beatrice’s anger. She saw Lucinda’s plan as an underhanded plot to replace her late mother. “Well,” he said, selfishly worried about missing out on making love to Beatrice cocooned by red velvet hangings. “It’s an interesting proposal.”

“Interesting?” Beatrice exclaimed. “It’s scandalous!”

Roger suddenly knew how the Allied infantry at Waterloo felt when the French cavalry attacked. “Would you like to be mistress of Sandiford Manor?” he asked, hoping to break down her resistance bit by bit.

“Well … er … yes,” Beatrice admitted. “It’s a fine house. But …”

“But you wouldn’t be mistress if my mother continued to live here.”

“No,” she agreed weakly, blushing profusely.

“Lucinda is thinking of you,” Arthur said. “Don’t you see that?”

“But she can’t take Mama’s place,” Beatrice wailed.

“No one could ever do that,” her father agreed. “Nor would Lucinda wish to do so.”

“We’re not suggesting anything improper,” Lucinda insisted, her nose in the air. “We’re simply trying to make everyone happy.”

A long silence ensued. Roger was tempted to suggest he and Beatrice purchase a new fourposter to replace the bed in his chamber at Sandiford Manor, but decided this perhaps wasn’t the right moment.

“I suppose we could consider the plan,” Beatrice allowed.

Relieved, and not caring if he offended either parent, he took her into his embrace. “I think it’s the best option,” he whispered close to her ear.