Lord Hanbrooke blushed, and his sister did not appear amused, but rather looked closely at Charlotte, who was oblivious to the searching gaze.
It was another moment when Mary realised that this was not a woman to lie to. Her initial observation had likely been correct, and Mary was somewhat glad that Charlotte had been the first to make a fool of herself. It gave Mary a heavy dose of relief to know that she had not been the one to leave a bad impression.
But after only a moment, Lady Beatrice turned to Mary and gave her a similar expression of curiosity and interest. Mary felt as if she was being studied and it made her uncomfortable.
But Lord Hanbrooke cleared his throat and Lady Beatrice looked at him. There was an understanding between them that Mary could not quite see. Lady Beatrice cocked her head slightly, as if accepting what he had asked of her. In that moment, Lady Beatrice turned back to Mary.
“Lady Mary, would you do me the honour of joining me for refreshments?” Lady Beatrice asked.
Mary’s heart began to race. She glanced at her stepmother and Charlotte for permission, but Charlotte smirked again, clearly happy that Mary wouldn’t be able to remain with Lord Hanbrooke. Lady Rachel gave her a single nod and Mary joined Lady Beatrice as they began to walk through the crowd a short distance away from the others.
In some ways, it was a relief to get away from her stepmother, but Mary felt that this was going to be quite a challenge as well. Lady Beatrice was so unique and strange that Mary wondered if she had been a fool to agree to step away with her.
After all, what was Lady Beatrice going to ask her? What did she want to know? And why was she separating Mary from the others?
“Lady Mary, I am truly delighted to meet you. I have heard some about you, but I should like to know whether or not it is all true,” she said.
Mary grew even more nervous at that. How had she heard anything at all about Mary? And what sort of things? Were they good or bad?
“I beg your pardon? I fear that I cannot possibly live up to what you have heard if it be good, and I worry that I may be devastated if it be bad,” Mary said, trying to be amusing.
Lady Beatrice laughed and shook her head. “Oh, dear. You really are like my brother, are you not? No need to self-deprecate with me, Lady Mary. From what I am told, you are a charming woman.
And my brother, he is a charming gentleman. Many people do not understand him as he is not exactly much for conversation, but he is the most wonderful man I have known in all my life.”
“I have no doubt,” Mary replied.
“Is that so? Do you really trust me when I say that?” Lady Beatrice asked, turning to her with that searching gaze. She clearly wanted to know the complete truth. If she feared that Mary was lying, she needed to know that Mary meant what she had said.
But how could she express herself without giving away the extent to which she cared for Lord Hanbrooke?
“Lady Beatrice, I have met many men through society, but your brother has been the kindest, most intelligent of them all. I have not known him long and I am sure there are things that I do not know about him, but what I have seen is the very essence of solid character,” Mary said, hoping that her words would be what Lady Beatrice wanted to hear. After all, Mary meant them with all her heart.
“You see, Lady Mary, I do believe you. What concerns me is that I find you a bittooideal. I must ensure that any woman who is becoming acquainted with my brother knows just how important he is to me. And if you wish to continue being acquainted, I should like to know that you really are as exceedingly wonderful as he seems to think,” Lady Beatrice said.
Mary hesitated, worrying that she might say the wrong thing. She was a bit confused. Was Lady Beatrice saying that she approved of Mary? Or that she did not trust Mary? And which of those things did Mary deserve?
“Lady Beatrice, I am as you see me. Whether that is wonderful or not, I wish for you to decide. But I do know, with absolute certainty, that I cannot change who I am. I can only hope that I would be adequate enough for those who observe me,” Mary said.
For a moment, Lady Beatrice continued to look at her closely before a smile finally broke out on her face.
Mary sighed in relief as Lady Beatrice looped an arm through hers. They walked a little further and Mary believed that she had answered as best she could, and it was also the response that Lady Beatrice had been wanting from her. The weight lifted off Mary’s shoulders when she realised that she had managed to do something right in this very intimidating conversation.
“I think that what I have heard is, indeed, the truth. You are quite remarkable, you know? I have never seen a woman so capable of intriguing my brother and he has spoken quite highly of you. I beg you forgive my inquisition, but I needed to be sure that you are truly the sort of woman I may trust to be close to him,” Lady Beatrice said.
Mary blushed, amazed that Lord Hanbrooke had spoken of her. She glanced in his direction and realised that he was smiling at her with a look that she had not anticipated. Happier than she had ever been in all her life, Mary beamed back at him with sheer joy.
Lord Hanbrooke was still with Sarah, Charlotte, and Lady Rachel. But now, Mary did not feel so bad about not standing with them. She realised that this was a sign that he had likely allowed his sister to learn more about Mary because he was, potentially, interested in her. Was he going to court her? Was this a sign that they really would have a future together?
Mary knew that if she had a good sibling, she would send that sibling to get information about the object of her interest. Unfortunately, she only had Charlotte and Charlotte was clearly more interested in getting Lord Hanbrooke’s attention for herself.
But Lady Beatrice was a very fine lady. Mary was hopeful that the two of them would get along well and that they would continue getting to know one another. Even if it meant nothing to Lord Hanbrooke, Mary was just glad to meet someone new and she was hopeful that it would be good for her reputation and the reputation of her family.
After all, that was the thing she was always being told was so important. Her stepmother constantly scolded her for not making more of an effort. Now was her chance. Now was the time when Mary could make every effort to make her family proud.
And, it seemed, Lady Beatrice quite approved.
“Now, Lady Mary, I should like for us to be friends. You must tell me all about yourself so that I am able to enjoy getting to know you better,” Lady Beatrice said.