Chapter 26
Jack
Three days passed without seeing Guinevere. After being away from her for two weeks, I had thought I could handle the separation, but I found myself thinking about her constantly. The day before the Knowlton’s ball, I had received some interesting letters in the post, so I decided to visit Bess at my mother’s new residence. Bess and I took a stroll in the small garden behind the house. It was bare, since the flowers had all been killed by the numerous frosts, but neither of us was there for the splendor of the garden.
Bess was unusually quiet, but she had been that way since Andrew left. We sat upon a stone bench, and Bess angled herself to look at me. “Knowing what you now know about Guinevere,” I looked at her curiously, “do you still love her?”
“Yes.”
Bess nodded. “I thought as much. If it comes out that she is only acting for Levitas because Richard is forcing her, what will you do?”
“Marry her,” I said without hesitation. “From where do these questions stem?”
Bess stared straight ahead as she answered. “I wanted to know if what I feel is wrong. It is not like it was with Ben when I knew he could never return. Andrew could still see his mistake, and should he return I will welcome him. I thought you should know.”
“Did you care for him so deeply?” I asked in a soft voice. I had been so involved in my own pain that I had not taken the time to examine how Bess was feeling.
“I did not think so, but over the past week, I have come to realize the depth of my feelings. I truly cared for him; was on my way to loving him.” She leaned her head against my arm and closed her eyes.
Andrew was a fool for believing such ridiculous lies, but if Bess wanted him back, I would do all within my power to see that he returned to her. I decided to turn the topic away from Andrew. “I thought you would like to know that I have received five offers for your hand in the post.”
Her mouth dropped open as her eyes widened. “Who could possibly wish to marry me?”
Anger surged within me. I did not understand what had caused her to have such a low opinion of herself, but it filled me with rage to hear her speak of herself in such a way. “Any man who wants an intelligent, beautiful, strong, talented wife. Do not allow your disappointment in Andrew to blind you to your true worth.”
Bess snapped her mouth shut and turned her eyes back toward the sad garden. “I do not believe that I shall ever marry.” She cast me a look that dared me to retort then looked away.
“Philip and Thomas have both sent missives asking for your hand.”
Bess gaped at me, and I bit my cheek to keep from laughing.
“Thomas?”
I did laugh then. “He believes that he has much to offer. If you join your fortunes, you could be comfortably frivolous for the rest of your days. Philip was straightforward, but I will not bore you with the details. I have refused both offers as I knew you would wish.” I plucked a stem and started pulling it apart. “Ephraim Knowlton was the third.”
“Who were the fourth and fifth?”
I inhaled then exhaled slowly. “Dudley.”
Bess was gaping again. “Both?” She shook her head. “I would never have thought Dudley a fortune hunter but it appears that I have been mistaken.”
“You know better,” I told her earnestly. “You could walk around in a potato sack, and Dudley would still marry you, tomorrow were I to permit.”
Bess looked contrite. I knew it was only her disappointment making her speak such untruths. “He would write some verse to my beauty.”
Placing my hand over my heart, I mimicked Dudley’s nasal voice. “To the sack that she doth wear, see how it matches her hair. She moves, she glides, and heaven provides, my earnest heart’s despair.”
Bess clutched my arm, and we both laughed. It felt wonderful to hear her laugh. When our laughter faded, I leaned my elbows on my knees while Bess fiddled with a piece of grass.
“Do you think we will ever know why Andrew left?” I did not respond to her question, and she looked at me, suspicion darkening her brow. “Jack. Tell me. You know, don’t you?” She gripped my arm, hard. “Jack, I need to know.”
She deserved the truth, so I told her what Levi and Richard had told me. She was crestfallen, with good reason. General Harvey was a family friend, a man our father admired, and that he would serve Bess such an ill turn was upsetting to say the least. She told me that Edith had said Andrew was coming to town to meet her. It was no wonder, then, that Harvey was so angry when he showed no interest in Edith, but made himself and Bess the talk of society.
“Even though Andrew believed Harvey, I still miss him.” Her voice broke in the end, and I put my arm around her shoulders, leaning my head against hers. Her words caused a new pain to tear across my heart. I should have known how Bess felt, but I had not, and that made me feel like the worst brother alive.