Thank God, there were no activities planned for the guests today. After his spectacular failure as host on the previous evening, he was at a loss as to how he might recover the goodwill of his friends. In fact, all of them save John could go to the devil. Since John had gone riding after beating him three times at the chessboard, Ben wanted nothing more than an afternoon of solitude.
Perhaps there was a book in the library that was not too melancholy and could fill the last few hours before dinner.
As he opened the door to the room there was a sudden rustling, as though it had taken a flurry of activity to change whatever had been going on into a scene acceptable to prying eyes. Which made him wonder just what he had interrupted, for Guy Templeton was seated on the leather sofa far too close to his fiancée, holding both of her hands in his. The tails of his cravat hung loose down the front of his waistcoat.
Belle’s gown and hair were dishevelled and her cheeks were flushed, but it was hard to tell if it was from passion, or simply because she was weeping, openly, loudly and in a most unattractive and unladylike way.
‘Templeton? Explain yourself.’ Ben squared his shoulders, hoping he would not have to challenge his friend because of an unsatisfactory answer. It was even more annoying that his own anger at this scene was little more than a gentlemanly reflex and had nothing to do with any possessive affection for Belle.
‘What have I done?’ Guy looked at him with a frown and raised eyebrow, as if it was possible to lay the tragedy, whatever it was, at Ben’s doorstep.
‘He wants to go away,’ Belle said, with another sob.
Templeton put a consoling hand on her shoulder and glared defiantly back at Ben as if daring him to demand its removal.
‘Back home?’ Ben said, surprised by her reaction. ‘It is hardly the end of the world. He lives less than a mile from here. When you come to live with me, we will visit him often.’ Not that it was likely she would be here, once Amy had finished with him.
‘Actually, I was thinking of something a bit further away,’ Templeton said calmly. ‘I have been trying to explain to Belle that Virginia is not something that one can come and go from like taking the mail coach to Bath.’
Now it was Ben who was shocked. ‘Are you mad? We are at war.’
‘And they are likely in need of soldiers for it,’ Templeton said with finality.
‘You mean to buy a commission?’
‘If that is what is necessary. The alternative is that she comes away with me to Gretna Green, immediately. But we have not got that far in the discussion because I made her cry with my other plan.’ Templeton seemed more frustrated with his own ineptitude than the girl’s lack of understanding.
But Belle brightened immediately at being presented with an alternative. ‘Then I will go to the Green place with you. Why are we going there?’
‘So he can marry you,’ Ben said, calmly.
She smiled in relief. ‘I would rather marry you than Mr Lovell. Let us go right now, before Amy comes back to stop me.’ It did not seem to occur to her that Ben might have reason to stop the elopement, as well.
‘I do not know if you can marry me, now that Ben has heard our plans,’ Templeton explained gently. ‘Our going to Gretna was to be a surprise for him.’
‘I’m sorry if I spoiled it,’ Belle said, looking truly contrite.
‘Do not worry,’ Ben assured her. ‘I am definitely surprised.’ He looked back at Templeton. ‘How well do you know Miss Arabella?’
‘Well enough that she should not marry anyone but me,’ Templeton said, not the least bit contrite. ‘We were alone at Vauxhall for quite some time.’
‘You did not...’
‘I was on my way to offer for her when you delivered your good news on Bond Street.’ His friend gave a disgusted shake of his head.
‘You should have said something,’ Ben replied.
‘And you could have noticed the obvious,’ Templeton retorted. ‘I’ve spent every spare minute with her since the beginning of the Season. I did not want to state my intentions until I was sure she understood the implications of them. I love her with my whole heart, but I did not wish to rush her into something she did not want.’
‘As I did,’ Ben said, ashamed.
‘But then, when we were alone...’
‘Things got out of hand,’ Ben finished for him. ‘I can understand how that might have happened.’
Templeton nodded. ‘I suspect, by your lack of anger with me, that Miss Amelia was in the vicinity when you learned the lesson.’
‘We are not talking of me and Amy. This conversation is about you and my fiancée.’
‘That is correct,’ Templeton replied. ‘With her sister gone from the house, I meant to act quickly and convince Miss Summoner to run away with me.’
‘I suppose I should be trying to stop you,’ Ben said. ‘And I will, if the lady is not willing.’ He sat down in the chair opposite them. ‘Now it is your turn to talk, Belle. Your father wants you to marry me. But he and I should not be the ones to decide. Who would you like to marry?’
Belle bit her lip, as if the mention of her father made her afraid to answer.