Regency - Chapter 5

Beth was unsure how she managed to get through the rest of her conversation with Alex. She spoke and acted instinctively. Somehow, she made plans with him to take Arella for a stroll and 'accidentally' bump into Alex in the park the next morning. She headed to the ballroom shortly after Alex left and stationed herself along the wall, fixing her social smile to her face.

After the first person tried to start a conversation with her and she failed to keep up, she decided she needed to focus her attention on the ball. Pondering the situation with Alex could wait until she got home.

Beth had completely forgotten about her interlude with Lord Watford. Then she saw him approaching with Devon Moore. Moore was a kind, shy man. Beth had often enjoyed his company over the years.

Devon quickly performed the introductions and excused himself with a graceful bow. Left alone with Lord Watford, Beth felt her cheeks heating.

"I have no intention of embarrassing you," Lord Watford said softly. "I just wanted to meet you. I thought perhaps you could use a friend." His voice held no trace of pity. Instead, he looked at her with an earnest, sincere expression.

"Friends?" She was surprised by his simple offer.

"Yes. Would you accept my friendship?"

She thought about it for a moment. Why did he want to be friends? Remembering their kiss, she wondered if he was hoping to find more time alone with her.

"Why would you want to be friends with me?"

He sighed. "I just. . . feel like you could use a friend. And I want to be that friend. I want to be there for you."

"You don't even know me."

"I might know more than you think."

She stopped to digest that information. Taking in the glint of sympathy in his gaze, his offer of friendship, and the study, she realized what was happening. "You heard."

"Pardon?"

"You overheard my conversation with Alex. And now you feel bad for me."

He looked surprised, then abashed. That was enough to confirm her suspicions.

"Was this really a pity offer? Or were you trying to get close to me for other reasons? Did you think to use my heartache to ingratiate yourself? That once I had gotten over Alex, I would fall for you instead?" Beth kept her voice low, but it still vibrated with her fury.

"No, of course not!" Alec shook his head and his eyes flashed with matching anger.

"Then what was your end game here?"

"I like you!" He burst out, then stopped, as though it had slipped out by accident. Looking a little awkward, he continued. "I think you are beautiful and interesting and I want to see more of you. But I understand that you just suffered a heartbreak, and that you are not looking for suitors. I really just want a chance for us to get to know each other. I want to help you."

Beth answered his impassioned plea in a cold voice. "What makes you think you could help me?"

His eyes flashed again and his temper burst out in hurtful truths. "You have no friends. You have cut yourself off from everyone for the sake of your hopeful love and now you are alone to bear your disappointment. I know what it is to be alone during a trying time. I can listen, I can help, I can just be someone who does not require you to wear your dashed social mask all the time!"

His angry words, though painful, broke through Beth's thin veneer of composure. She felt tears welling up in her eyes and looked down to hide them from the earl. Heedless of the people around them who, thankfully, were not paying much attention, he tipped her chin up and forced her to meet his gaze. Noting her tears, he held out his arm.

"You look like you could use a turn about the gardens," he said in a soft, understanding voice. All of his anger was gone, replaced by pure kindness and sympathy.

Beth would never have thought that she could need a friend. She was, by nature, quite happy with solitude. But the earl's good will broke through all the barriers she had built to protect herself, to protect her heart.

He led her out onto a well-lit balcony and they stood by the wall, looking out over the lovely gardens. He didn't try to force conversation, allowing her instead to gather her emotions back up and shove them down for examination later, in the privacy of her bedchamber. When she reached into her reticule and failed to find a handkerchief, he offered her a manly square of white, lacking any embellishment besides his initials embroidered in the corner.

"Thank you," Beth said softly once she had recovered her equanimity.

"You are very welcome, Miss Hartford. I apologize for upsetting you. That was not my intention." His expression was so downfallen that she reached out a hand and placed it on his arm in comfort.

"You were right," she said when he looked up in surprise. "I do need a friend. I would be happy to accept your offer of friendship, Lord Watford."

He placed his hand over hers. "Alec. The name is Alec."

She smiled. "And you may call me Beth."

"Beth." He returned her smile. "Thank you, Beth. I could use more friends myself."

A teasing glint rose in her eyes. "What, Moore and Huntly aren't enough?"

"They're good men. But I feel that a female friend might help me navigate society in ways that men couldn't." He smirked. "Besides, you're a far sight easier on the eyes."

She laughed. Was this what it was like to have a friend? It had been so long since she had some to confide in, to laugh with, someone she could be her true self around. It felt wonderful!

He quickly brought her soaring spirits back down with a question she wished she didn't have to find an answer for. "So what are you going to do about Alex and your sister?"