he had about the part he’d played in Crenshaw’s divorce. It might not be solely his story but perhaps he could tell it in a way that would leave the innocent protected. And keep this innocent from being misled by Crenshaw’s supposed charm, but this was hardly the place for such a conversation.
“Beatrice, what is between Crenshaw and me has nothing to do with Destry’s behavior tonight.”
“I know, I know, and I understand that there is nothing that can be done about my sister and him until both parties are more themselves.” He smiled at the delicate phrasing and she smiled back. “This seems to be a good time for an answer to a question that has plagued me since we first met.”
“The only thing good about this moment is that we are alone together, but I am sorry, Beatrice, the corridor is not an appropriate place for me to talk about Crenshaw.”
As if proving his point, they heard footsteps coming their way and, much to Jess’s relief, Michael Garrett turned the corner and came toward them.
Jess was not sure what Garrett had heard, but he showed not one ounce of censure. “If you two would like to continue your conversation, you can use our sitting room and Olivia and I will be your chaperones.”
He did not wait for an answer but opened the door just next to the Brent sisters’ suite.
“Just a moment while I tell Olivia.”
It did not take Garrett long, but it gave Beatrice enough time to enter her bedchamber and tell Darwell and Cecilia where she would be. Jess overheard Cecilia’s “There is nothing the marquis’s ambassador can say that will make me speak with that boor again!”
Jess did not hear how Beatrice replied but apparently she thought what he had to say was more important than calming her sister.
Michael opened the sitting room door and invited them in. Once he had the door closed he explained, “Olivia is already abed as she wishes to bake bread with Cook in the morning, the very early morning, but I have some work left to do on Sunday’s sermon.”
He ushered them to the fireplace, poured wine for them, plated some biscuits and moved a discreet distance away. He did seem truly busy with his Bible and papers.
The two of them sat and the silence grew and stretched and lengthened. Jess had told this story before, but he still did not know where to begin.
Then he realized that it all began and ended with dear Annie Blackwood.
BEATRICE WAITED IN silence for him to start until she wondered if he had forgotten her. Or changed his mind.
She had been sitting in a chair at a right angle to him and moved to sit beside him on the sofa. “Mr. Garrett has gone to all this trouble, my lord. You have to explain your anger with the baron. Please.” Best to add the “please” lest she sound too much like a duchess herself.
He began with a voice full of resignation and pain. “Crenshaw’s first wife was a close friend of our family.”
Beatrice wondered if he was referring to Annie, the woman whom Olivia had mentioned. Jess took a sip of wine before he continued. “My father, the duke, was her guardian and she grew up as Olivia’s dearest friend and remains so to this day.”
Beatrice began to sort the players in her head: Lord Crenshaw, Annie, the Duke of Meryon, and Lord Jess.
“How did she come to be part of your household?” And how well did you know her?
“Her mother was Olivia’s governess until she became too—unwell—to continue.”
It sounded as though the word “unwell” was chosen out of kindness or the better part of discretion. Beatrice decided it was best not to give any thought to what compelled this governess to leave the duke’s employ.
“When Annie’s mother left our household she asked that Annie be allowed to stay. Of course my mother would not have it any other way. And for the rest of her growing years she was as part of the family.”
Did Jess realize he had used her given name?
“I have no idea how Crenshaw met her, but he asked for her hand at a point in his life when he had no expectations of inheriting the title. He had a brother who would inherit and this brother had a son. Still, Crenshaw could have married higher than the guardian child of a duke.”
The kindness in his voice elevated the woman who held that tentative place in his family