The Debutante Bride: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair) Read online

  “You know, Beth, I have heard of Fulton, and he is reputed to be a decent fellow. Perhaps he won’t be so bad.” Max was relieved to have some good news for his dear friend.

  “Max, you know if he is a friend of my father’s he cannot be a decent fellow,” Beth insisted, refusing to allow even a kernel of hope to flutter to life in her chest.

  “I never heard of their connection before today. I wish there were something I could do to help, Bethy, but I don’t think it’s possible. There is nothing either of us can do legally. You know these kinds of things happen all the time. Your father has the right to do what he’s doing. Marriages are arranged every day — that’s the way of our society. At least you will finally get to go to London, as you have always wanted. I will come up for the Season and stay with Grandmama and keep an eye out for you.” Max had no idea how to comfort his friend. He was pragmatic enough to accept the inevitable.

  “I know, Max, but I’m scared. And it just won’t be the same as these last few years when Papa has been away so much and we could do as we wish. Of course, maybe Lord Fulton will travel as much as Papa does,” she concluded with the first signs of hopefulness, her youthful optimism not able to be kept suppressed for long.

  “Not until he gets his heir and probably a spare,” Max exclaimed before he thought of another concern. “By the by, Beth, has your Mama spoken to you of these matters?” Max’s question was hesitant, and Beth finally smiled as she saw his fiery blush reach the roots of his hair. “I do not wish to pry into such personal things, but I am afraid your Mama may not give you the correct information.”

  “She said she would tell me tomorrow, before the wedding.” Beth also blushed at the thought of the unmentionable subject.

  “Beth, just try to remember the information your Mama gives you is based on her experience with your Papa. I can assure you that not everyone is like him. I cannot go into any more detail than that, but try not to be too nervous about it, all right?” explained Max, his face still burning crimson.

  “What do you mean, Max? Could you tell me about these things? I would ever so much rather hear it from you. You probably know all about it.”

  “No, Beth, I absolutely cannot. It would not be proper. You had best ask your husband tomorrow.” Max was adamant in his refusal.

  “Will you come to see me wed?”

  “I doubt your father would allow it. I will come as soon as I hear you’re established in London. Take care and look at the bright side, it can’t possibly be as bad as living with your father. You had best go before your absence is noted and he comes looking for you.”

  “Farewell, my friend. I shall miss you, Max,” Beth sadly said her goodbyes and turned for home, calmer now after the comforting presence of her dearest friend.

  Beth slowly made her way home, making an effort to accept the changes she was about to face in the coming days. Trying to fortify herself and shore up her courage, she reminded herself that she was strong and intelligent, and she could somehow come up with a plan if her husband turned out to be like her father. Reflecting on her young life, she did feel some relief to be leaving the oppressive dominance of her cruel father. He expected mindless obedience from his wife and daughter. He had always been disappointed not to have a son but had struck upon the idea years ago that his daughter would be able to marry to monetary advantage and shore up the family’s crumbling finances.

  Elizabeth knew it was not such a strange thing to marry for such reasons among those of noble blood; it had been the very reason her father had married her mother. Sir Frederick Dunseith, Fred to his few friends, had married to advantage. As a younger son with no skills or expectations except his charming presence, that had been his only option as a young man. Unfortunately, he had managed to drink and game away all her mother’s dowry years ago, and Lady Claire’s extended family had cut them off completely, refusing to have any association with the Dunseiths since Beth was a baby. Fred’s family likewise had very little contact with them. Beth had hoped there would be some other way in this enlightened era of 1803, that maybe a miracle would happen to save her from facing this future of marriage to a stranger to save her family from complete ruin. Clearly that was not to be. Her father couldn’t even wait until she turned eighteen on her upcoming birthday, she thought dismally.

  Max and his father aren’t ogres. Maybe this Lord Fulton won’t be either. Of course, what sort of man would make this kind of an arrangement with my father, essentially buying me without ever having seen me? I will just have to make the most of it and be on my best behaviour and hope for a positive outcome. As Max said, now at least, I will finally get to see London. And the man obviously has money or Papa wouldn’t have chosen him, so maybe I’ll get some new gowns and a horse of my own.

  With these thoughts bolstering her confidence, Beth went up to her mother’s room to prepare for the next day.

  Chapter Two

  Molly whisked the gown they had chosen for the morrow below stairs to be pressed. Now that they were momentarily alone, Beth hesitantly queried, “Mama?” Her mother ceased her nervous fluttering and turned to face her. “When did things start to go so wrong with you and Papa? I know you met him before you married him. Surely, he wasn’t always as he is or you would not have chosen to marry him.”

  With a deep sigh, Lady Claire raised her watery blue eyes to meet her daughter’s questions. “You are right, my dear, he wasn’t always as he is. I met him when I went up to London with my sisters for the Season. I wasn’t really supposed to be “out” yet since I was barely seventeen, just a little younger than you are now, actually, but I had been allowed to attend a few functions, to get a bit of polish, before my own Season. I met your father at a picnic, and he was so handsome and charming. You know how he can be sometimes still, when he has not been drinking. He turned the full force of his charm on me, and I was dazzled. I decided then and there I wanted to be his wife. He seemed so mature and popular. I thought I was the luckiest girl when he asked my father if he could pay his addresses to me.” Claire lapsed into silence for a brief moment as she reflected on that happier time. Beth could hardly fathom such a thing, but from the faraway look in her mother’s eyes, she was clearly reliving the experiences.

  Then she continued, “My parents were not completely pleased at the thought of my marrying so young, but with three other girls to deal with, I think they were a bit relieved at having me off their hands. And they were so busy with my two older sisters’ goings-on, they didn’t really dig into Fred’s connections too much. He was from a good family, and while being a younger son did not recommend him too highly, my family was wealthy enough that it didn’t seem to matter at the time. So, they agreed to the marriage.”

  Beth found herself wondering about all these relatives she had no recollection of ever meeting. But she didn’t want to interrupt her mother’s story since she so rarely spoke of her past.

  After another sad sigh, Claire’s story went on. “I know it is hard to believe, but we were actually happy for a time. I was so young and inexperienced, and it was so exciting to set up our own establishment and make decisions for ourselves. Unfortunately, your father had very expensive tastes and just could not stay away from the gaming tables. It did not take him very long to realize my dowry was not going to provide him as much support as he had hoped. He gamed away most of it quickly. After applying to both our families for more money a few times, both fathers cut him off. That is when he moved me out here and started going off to London by himself. I guess it is cheaper as a bachelor, without a wife and child. But things didn’t get really bad until the doctors said there would not be any more children. He felt it affected his manliness to not have a son, and that it was something to be ashamed of. Of course, eventually, he decided he could use you to his advantage, but he still never got over not having his son.”

  Beth had always known she was a disappointment to her father but had never realized to what extent it had affected her parents’ marriage. Her tears tumbled d
own as she laid her head in her mother’s lap. “I’m so sorry, Mama.”

  “No, Beth, it isn’t your fault.” Her mother made an effort to comfort Beth. “It truly is not. Your father drinks and gambles — it is quite a simple and yet complicated problem. There really was a lot of money in his hands at first. There was no need for this situation to develop. And you are a lovely daughter that anyone should be proud of.”

  “Why didn’t you go to your family for help when he first started hitting you?” Beth asked in a trembling voice.

  “I was in such shock the first time it happened. He apologized and promised it would never happen again. Then when it did, I was ashamed of what a disaster I had let myself in for. I had begged my parents to let me marry Fred. I did not want to admit what a mistake I had made. And really, what could they do? I think they suspected. One of my brothers once asked me about a bruise he saw, but I lied. Then after my family cut us off financially, your father would not allow me to see any of them, so I had nowhere to go anyway. And I took comfort in my sweet little girl.” Lady Claire gave Beth a misty smile as she stared off into the reminiscent past. “Eventually I learned most situations to avoid, as you too have learned, how to smooth the way. And in a way, I have always loved your father. He really can be very charming at times.”

  Beth was doubtful of this but accepted her mother’s statement without comment. A new worry came to mind. “What will you do once I am gone?”

  “I don’t really imagine much will change. I shall miss you dreadfully, of course. I probably won’t be seeing much of your father once he gets his hands on some of your new husband’s coins. I will have the house to keep me busy. Maybe your father will leave some of the money to furbish up the estate, which will keep me busy for quite a while. I hope to one day visit you and any grandchildren you might have for us.”

  Beth felt a shiver go down her spine at the melancholy future both women faced. She realized hers was much more unknown than her mother’s. At least she wasn’t entering her marriage expecting joy and happiness as her mother had. What a terrible surprise that must have been!

  “Speaking of grandchildren, Elizabeth, there are some things I suppose I should tell you.” With those ominous words, Beth’s mother went into a rambling explanation of birds, bees, and duty that left Beth no more enlightened than when they began, but she knew she couldn’t ask her mother any more questions as they were both flustered with embarrassment.

  I will just face what comes when it does, she thought pragmatically as she left her mother’s room to prepare for the evening meal.

  It was an unmitigated disaster. If it wasn’t her own life, Beth would have been tempted to giggle over the farcical quality of the evening. Everyone had started out being most polite and correct. Of course, Beth and her mother were very quiet, just like Fred wanted them to be. He had strong opinions on what constituted a real lady. Most of them involved silence. He made up for their lack of conversation by bombarding the earl with questions in an undisguised effort to ascertain down to the last farthing his exact wealth. Lord Fulton managed to politely deflect most of the questions, but it eventually became obvious all he wanted to do was give the older man a set down.

  ∞∞∞

  If there hadn’t been so many witnesses to his commitment to this mess, he would just walk away from the entire debacle. As it was, he was seriously contemplating just such an action. He knew his position and reputation could survive the experience, and Sir Dunseith wouldn’t be able to mount a breach of contract suit under the circumstances, but Justin had been raised with the belief that his word was his bond. Besides, he couldn’t leave this ethereally beautiful creature in Fred’s despicable clutches. Justin shuddered to think what would become of the young woman if he walked away at this juncture.

  With a resigned sigh, Justin took another sip of his obviously watered down wine and turned his attention to drawing out the young woman. He knew next to nothing about her and thought they would do well to learn a few things about each other. Unfortunately, every time he asked her a question, she would look at her father fearfully then turn to him with wide eyes and a stilted answer before lowering her eyes back down to her plate. But when he asked his last question, Justin thought he had detected a spark in her eyes before she quickly extinguished it, so he thought he would give it one more try.

  “Do you enjoy good riding in these parts, Miss Dunseith?” he enquired in a final effort to make conversation with the seemingly uninterested young woman, not realizing what a potential quagmire that question was.

  Elizabeth felt a blush beginning to stain her cheeks as she glanced through her lashes at the earl while wondering how best to answer this question. She appreciated his efforts to converse with her, but it was so awkward with her father there. He was glaring at her fiercely every time the earl turned his attention to her. And really, she had no experience speaking with men, so how was she to answer such questions as what things were of interest to her or what she liked to do with her day? She found it oddly endearing that he would ask, but really had no idea how to answer him, especially with Papa listening. Imagine the trouble there would be if she told the earl she spent her days wandering the countryside with her best friend, the neighbour’s son. Papa would have an apoplexy! And now he was asking about riding! She didn’t want to lie to him since he seemed to be trying to be kind, but could she admit she didn’t ride? Papa didn’t consider it proper, but strangely did not want anyone to know.

  Beth tried for diplomacy. “The riding around here is considered quite exceptional, my lord,” she replied in a quiet voice. She could not bring herself to meet his eyes as she remembered their first encounter while he was out enjoying that exceptional riding experience. But she also couldn’t suppress the twinkle in her eyes as she saw the irony of the situation.

  Justin saw the twinkle, was slightly reassured by it, and decided to let the matter drop. He was committed to this course of action and since they were to be married, he realized they would have a long time available to them to get to know one another away from the oppressive environment of the crumbling manor and his cad of a father-in-law.

  As the last course of the meal drew to a close, Lady Claire and Beth stood to leave. Fulton stood but detained them briefly. “Sir Dunseith has arranged for the cleric to arrive quite early in the morning tomorrow, to finalize the marriage. Would it be possible for us to get an early start in the morning, Miss Dunseith? We have quite a distance to travel, so it would be best to get away as soon as possible.” He was sorry to see her start of surprise but knew he could not bear to stay in the area any longer than was necessary.

  He could see that it took some effort for her to maintain her composure but when it came, Beth’s reply was smooth. “That should be easy enough to arrange, my lord. But with that in mind, we shall bid you gentlemen good night.”

  “Good night, my dear, rest well,” Justin said as he watched his future wife and mother-in-law slip from the room before turning resignedly to face Sir Dunseith. He could not help plowing his hand roughly through his hair as he braced himself for the remainder of the evening.

  “Good, now that the women are gone we can get down to business. Let’s go to my desk and talk settlements.” Fred was nearly giddy in greedy anticipation of getting his hands in the earl’s deep pockets. He had been disappointed not to be able to get many details from the close-mouthed young lord, but that made him all the more convinced that the money ran deep in these quarters.

  Justin found there was reason to be grateful the wine had been watered down as he would need to keep his wits about him as he entered into dealings with the greedy old man. He was thankful that no one but his solicitors were aware of the full extent of his wealth. He was now determined to have the girl as his wife, despite how the agreement had been arranged, but he didn’t want her father to realize that or the bargaining would be even more difficult. Not fully understanding how deep Fulton’s pockets were would help keep Fred’s hands out of them, at lea
st for now. The earl had a pretty good idea that he would be regularly applied to by his wife’s father to drag him out of the River Tick. He would need to find a way to curb the older man’s spending, since no man’s coffers were completely bottomless.

  “What exactly did you have in mind, sir?” Justin’s upbringing made politeness second nature. He felt resigned to his future and anticipated the rugged debate about to begin. He took another sip of the unappealing beverage before him and awaited the older man’s response.

  ∞∞∞

  It was a bright sunny day with the birds singing and the crisp fall colours casting a warm glow to the atmosphere despite the cooling temperatures of the shortening days. Beth wondered how Mother Nature could be so perky when she was feeling so miserable, alone, and scared. Lord Fulton wanted to get an early start, so Beth had been up since before the roosters crowed seeing to her trunk being packed and getting dressed for her wedding. It was beginning to feel quite surreal as time whirled by with all the work required to pack and dress. In the back of her mind she was glad the sun was shining and a great deal happy to be getting away from her father, but her main thoughts were torn between fear for her mother and nerves concerning her own future. Despite all that, she was endeavouring to be optimistic.

  “Molly, I wish you were coming with me. I won’t know anyone in London.”

  “But you wouldn’t be able to sit around and chat with me all day anyway. Besides, you’ll be so busy amusing yourself in the big city, you won’t even notice I’m not with you. And it wouldn’t be seemly for the new countess to be spending so much time with her old nurse,” Molly insisted, knowing Beth was trying to put on a bright face for her mother’s sake.

  “I know, but I will miss you. And how will I know how to go on as a countess?”