Page 33 of Memories Made At Midnight

“Would you?” Such appreciation shone in Beatrice’s eyes that it momentarily took his breath away. “I would appreciate it ever so much.”

“I’m surprised your uncle permitted you to come today without a chaperone.” In point of fact, that wasn’t entirely true. Nothing Highbury did would surprise Cassius after what he’d recently learned about the unscrupulous earl.

Expression shuttered, Beatrice firmed her lips into a tight ribbon.

“He’s quite angry with me. I don’t think he gives two farthings about my reputation anymore.” She lifted a shoulder, a tiny triumphant smile touching the corners of her mouth. “I rejected the man he chose for me to marry.”

Cassius shouldn’t care a jot, so why did he want to whoop for joy?

“Oh?” Resting his hips on his desk, he folded his arms, resisting the temptation to draw her into his embrace and tell her how proud he was of her for standing up to her bully of an uncle. “Why do I think there is more to the story?”

Her lips twitched. “Nala might have bitten Mr. Dungworth on the bottom.”

“Dung—?” Cassius choked on a guffaw. “Dungworth?”

“Indeed, of Dungworth and Babinet Leatherworks.” She wrinkled her nose. “And his breath smelled of horse manure.” A giggle escaped her; an unfettered expression of joy. “I also slapped him for trying to force a kiss on me, and Teddy bit his calf.”

Ire, unlike anything Cassius had ever experienced, burned through his veins. Was that blackguard the reason for the bruises on her arms? Mustering calm he was far from feeling, he gave an approving nod.

“Bravo Teddy and Nala, and well done you!”

At once dismay transformed Beatrice’s features.

She met Cassius’s eyes, despair in hers. “He was a horrid man with an equally horrid mother. They smelled as if they’d never touched a bar of soap in their lives. What is more, they expected me to rub her bunions and gouty feet and legs every night.”

Shock rendered him speechless for an instant as he tried to digest that bit of offensiveness. “Surely not.”

“Moreover, they detest dogs. I’m positive Mr. Dungworth would not have permitted me my pets had I accepted his oafish offer. Not that I considered it at all.” She shook her head, that curtain of burnished gold and copper, swaying about her shoulders. “Uncle has barely spoken to me since. Except to say we are back to the original plan.”

She slid a glance at the covered canvas.

“Which is that once I finish the miniature, he’ll journey to London to find a husband for you.” His stomach having gone sour, Cassius set Teddy down.

“Yes.” Beatrice no longer sounded defeated, but simply resigned to the facts.

She cocked her head.

“Cassius, may I ask you something personal?”

“Why is it I think you will whether I agree or not?” Enjoying their banter, he permitted a teasing smile. “You may, but I don’t have to answer.”

“Ah, you are being sly.” She shook a finger at him, laughter dancing in her eyes. “Let me rephrase, then. Will you answer a personal question?”

He should say no, but even as the thought shot through his mind, Cassius nodded.

“If you could change anything about your life and experiences, what would it be?”

Zounds, Beatrice went straight to the core of things, didn’t she?

Neck bent, he cupped his nape and considered her question.

“My first instinct is to wish I had never met Constanza.”

How many times had he said those very words?

“It would’ve saved me untold heartache, but when I reflect on my journey as an artist, I don’t believe I would be where I am today had I not had that experience.” He shrugged. “Time might not heal all wounds, but it does smooth out the edges and creates a buffer so one can go on and be happy.”

“Are you happy?” Beatrice searched his face with those enormous hazel eyes.