Henry’s smile was one of relief.
“I am so happy you like it, Beatrice. It suits you so very well. The colors you wear usually are lovely, but they are muted. You deserve a gown that makes you stand out.”
“But I wonder if it might make her stand out too much, brother,” Algernon interjected, stepping up beside them. “I understand that you enjoy attention, but perhaps this…,ensemblemight draw a little more than you might think? Do remember that this is Beatrice’s very first…”
She shot Algernon a panicked look, and he paused, as if catching himself.
“… very first English ball,” he finished slowly.
“Worry not, brother. I may not be as overly protective as you, but I will guard our Beatrice with my life,” Henry answered. “Nothing ill will befall her, I assure you.”
“Excellent idea. I accept,” Algernon replied, his tone matter of fact as he straightened his gold embroidered black cravat and adjusted the cuffs of his jacket.
Both Beatrice and Henry gave him an odd look.
“Accept what?” Henry asked.
“Your invitation to come along,” Algernon said with a shrug.
Beatrice’s brows flew up as Henry gaped.
“I… I do not believe I extended you an invitation,” Henry said slowly as Algernon once more looped his arm around Beatrice’s. She was in such shock at how strangely the night was unfolding already that she was silent as Algernon began to escort her to the door.
“Of course, you did,” Algernon countered, nodding at Henry as if encouraging him to catch up with them. “You just said that you cannot be as protective as I am, so my presence is obviously required.”
“I said overprotective,” Henry pointed out, taking Beatrice’s other arm. “And I thought you despised such socializing?”
He gave her a slight tug, and to her relief, Algernon let go from his side. Even though it was Algernon’s touch that made her tingle, she did not like the idea of being pulled at by both men.In addition to that, she was to be escorted by Henry to the ball… was she not?
“Overprotective is still protective,” Algernon retorted. “And yes, while I usually detest such gatherings, your costumes have made me most curious to see what this particular social engagement is going to be like.”
“It is an ensemble, not a costume,” Henry muttered as the three of them plus Mrs. Sheer, who had agreed to act as Beatrice’s chaperone, made it to the carriage.
“As you say, brother,” Algernon sighed then offered his hand to Beatrice.
A second later, Henry offered his hand as well, both of them extended out to her to help her into the carriage. She cast a pleading look toward Mrs. Sheer, who looked just as confused as Beatrice felt. She suddenly wished that the housekeeper was going to ride inside with them, but she knew she’d be seated with the driver.
“I… I believe I can manage getting into the carriage on my own,” Beatrice tensely stated, ignoring both men’s offers of help. She brushed past both of their hands and sat next to the window.
Worry and anxiety rose up in her stomach once again as both brothers then tried to enter the carriage at the same time, their wide shoulders colliding together and causing them both to stumble back. Beatrice winced as she saw them glare at one another before Henry all but shot himself into the carriage,almost tumbling into her in his hurry to take the vacant seat beside her.
This was going to be a terribly long evening, she realized, as Algernon slid into the seat opposite of them, and what was worse was that she had not even gotten to the hard part of it yet.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“What in the devil has gotten into you, brother?” Henry whispered angrily.
Algernon kept his eyes on the drink in his hands. He wished he had an answer. In truth, things in Morcaster had been running quite smoothly. His steward had been doing an excellent job, and there had been no real need for Algernon to travel there. Except, of course, to put some space between him and Beatrice.
Thathad been torture. He had kept himself as busy as possible, visiting with the farmers and the merchants to receive in-person updates. He went hunting and took long horseback rides through the breeze-filled fields that had waved their long stalks of wheat at him. No matter what he did though, his mind always went back toher.He longed for her. Her presence. Her touch. Her beautifully open mind that was so full of compassion despite all that she had gone through.
He was growing too fond of Beatrice.
He had not wanted to admit at first, but now as the party unfolded, he knew it was true. He saw it in the way he hovered just behind her as Henry escorted her through the party, introducing her to people and showing her the majestic beauty of the gardens. His heart had fluttered with such joy as he watched Beatrice marvel at blooms, statues, and elegant decorations of the high-society property, but he’d also felt his heart stutter and grow wary any time someone asked for her name. She had tried to hide it—shedidhide it well from Henry and anyone she talked to—but Algernon knew the tiny shifts in her expressions now and what they meant.
He knew that despite her smile and resigned nature, Beatrice grew more anxious with every encounter. Even though everyone thus far had simply swooned over her dress and praised her for its beauty, there were still too many people at once for her handle. He also knew that he had to work harder at restraining himself, so instead of pulling her away and taking her home like he wanted to, he fisted his hands tightly behind his back and let his brother be her escort as he was supposed to.
However, it was obvious that Henry had noticed his use of self-restraint, and now, as Beatrice spoke with a group of ladies not far from them, Henry was questioning him about it.