Page 34 of Memories Made At Midnight
What did she seek?
“That’s two questions, snoopy miss.” He held up two fingers. “My turn.”
Shaking her head, unease replacing her earlier comradery, Beatrice retreated a couple of paces. “I didn’t agree—”
“Do not tell me you don’t play fair, Beatrice Fairfax.” Grinning, Cassius leaned forward. “Tit for tat. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Turnabout is fair play.”
“Hmph.” Arms folded, she pressed her pretty lips together. “Very well, but I shall not promise to answer if you are too prying.”
“I’ll ask you the same question you asked me.” Cassius was genuinely curious about her response. “If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?”
A faraway look entered her eyes as she stared out the window. “That my mother had lived.”
Cassius had expected her to answer that she’d been born legitimate.
His heart twinged with compassion.
He’d grown up with supportive, doting, loving parents.
Beatrice knew nothing of that kind of unconditional love.
She also wouldn’t be in the precarious position she found herself in today had she not been orphaned at a young age and left in the Earl of Highbury’s questionable care.
Sadness shadowed the smile she summoned. “I suppose we ought to start. Hampton is returning an hour early today, although I don’t know why.”
Hopefully not another attempt by her blackguard uncle to introduce Beatrice to a potential suitor.
“Yes, well. Before we get to that, Beatrice, I have news for you.”
Her hazel eyes widened. “Oh?”
“I received letters from my father and brothers yesterday.” Cassius picked up a short stack of missives from his desk.
He lifted the first.
“Adolphus recommends investing in shipping, trade, and textiles. No surprise there. He owns a ship, and he’s open to discussing a venture with you.”
“He is?” Excitement lit Beatrice’s face. “That would be wonderful.”
“Indeed.” Cassius tossed the first letter on the desk and waved another folded rectangle. “Fletcher suggests investing in real estate and, though in their infancy, railways.”
“Railways?” Beatrice touched a slender finger to her dimpled chin. “I’ve never seen a train. Do you suppose they will grow in popularity? I imagine they would be quite useful for transporting goods.”
Cassius shrugged. “I’m not certain I’m altogether keen on tracks cutting through landscapes, affecting agriculture and wildlife, or the noise and polluted air they would cause. But I am pragmatic and suspect railways are the way of the future for products and passengers.”
“Yes, I think you may be right.” Setting aside her cloak, she nodded. “That is, if I can invest my inheritance. I’m positive that my uncle shall not wait until I’m five and twenty. He is desperate to be rid of me. I fear he may try to force me to wed, by fair means or foul.”
Face flushed, she laced her fingers together, but Cassius saw her trembling hands.
“Bollocks to that!”
He slapped his thigh with his free hand with such vehemence that she jumped.
Nala’s ears perked up, and she gazed at him, her brown eyes worried.
“I don’t know precisely why your uncle is rushing you down the aisle.” Tension thrummed through his veins as Cassius lifted the last letter. “However, Father uncovered some very interesting information regarding your trust and inheritance.”
Beatrice raised her red-blonde eyebrows, a glimmer of hope lighting her eyes. “Such as?”
