Page 87 of A Well-Trained Lady

Ruth released a small huff. “I hope I don’t prove an embarrassment to you.”

I stopped to face her. “You could never be an embarrassment to me.”

She gave a contented smile.

“There is something I must ask you.” I drew in a breath, and glanced around to ensure no one was near enough to overhear. “Does Augustus despise me now?”

Ruth’s shoulders dropped, and she leaned her head to one side. “No. He is hurt and perplexed, but I’m certain he could never despise you.”

My heart nearly broke at her declaration. It somehow seemed worse that he wouldn’t hate me for what I had done. And though a part of me longed to explain myself to both of them, I knew it wouldn’t help. I was set on my decision. Augustus deserved someone worthy of his love.

“And don’t worry, Augustus already told me I must not speak of what happened between the two of you.”

I breathed a sigh of relief at Augustus’s foresight. “He is right. It must not be spoken—”

“Miss Seton, is it?” Lady Beatrice sent Miss Browning a knowing glance, stepping to join us.

“It is.” Ruth wrinkled her nose before a touch of recognition lit her eyes. “We met at the ball given by Lord and Lady Brimhall, did we not?”

Lady Beatrice lifted her chin, as though insulted by the very idea that Ruth wasn’t certain of their introduction. “Yes, though we did not have the opportunity to speak for long.”

“And remind me of your names?”

I squeezed Ruth’s arm. “This is Lady Beatrice Hancock,” I said, in a tone that urged her to remember. “And Miss Browning.”

“Oh, of course.” There was uncertainty in Ruth’s expression. “Lady Beatrice Hancock and Miss Browning.” She spoke the names slowly, as though committing them to memory. “It is such a pleasure to see you again.”

“Yes.” Lady Beatrice looked to Miss Browning. “Were we not just saying how we long to know Miss Seton better?”

Miss Browning nodded in eager agreement.

I tightened the fist at my side, too aware of Lady Beatrice’s reason for befriending Ruth.

“That would be wonderful.” The sincerity in Ruth’s voice irked me as much as the genuine smile on her lips. Why could she not be wiser to the ways of the world? “And to think I was nervous about meeting Bella’s friends. How silly of me.”

Lady Beatrice pressed her lips together, clearly suppressing her amusement. “We already had the privilege of meeting your cousin, Mr. Brundage. He seems a most agreeable gentleman.”

Ruth bobbed her head. “Oh, he is the best of men. I don’t know what I would do without him.”

“How endearing.” Lady Beatrice sent Miss Browning another knowing glance. “And, if I might be so bold, is your cousin spoken for?”

Ruth’s gaze shot to me. “Well … I …”

“He is.” I squeezed Ruth’s arm tightly, hoping she would not contradict me with the perceptive eyes of Lady Beatrice upon us. “An engagement is expected to take place between Mr. Brundage and a Miss Whitmore.” I could feel Ruth’s gaze searching my profile, but to my great relief she said nothing.

Lady Beatrice gave a pout. “How unfortunate.”

I lifted a hand toward Lady Beatrice. “You never finished telling me of your visit to the Meads and how you came to shorten your stay.”

Lady Beatrice flicked her nose at Miss Browning, as though she could not be bothered to relay such a tale yet again.

Miss Browning gave a small nod, realizing her role. “The vixen, Miss Gilbert, conveniently had relatives not three miles from the Meads and arranged to stay with them for the summer. Though Mr. Mead swore to his parents that he did not know of it, he was all too eager to accommodate Miss Gilbert’s outwardly innocent excuses to meet while she was nearby. Within a fortnight, he had offered for her.”

I tilted my head, returning my regard to Lady Beatrice. “I am so sorry to hear of how it all came to be.”

Lady Beatrice flung her wrist upward. “You well know that men like Mr. Mead are amusing distractions and nothing more. As with you, I could never settle on a man without a title, despite his fortune.”

Ruth’s mouth gaped open, obviously taking it as a personal insult. “Amusing distractions?”