Regency - Chapter 14

Alec watched Beth return to the house. Tufton returned to the bushes as soon as she was gone and he and the other shadowy figure, likely his groom, headed back towards their carriage. Alec waited until the other men were gone before leaving. He found his coachman and groom waiting for him with worried looks.

"Everyfing awright, milord?" asked Peters, holding the door of the carriage open.

"Yes, everything is well, thank you Peters."

Alec instructed his driver to follow the carriage once more, hoping that Tufton was headed home. When Tufton stopped at his own townhouse, Alec breathed a sigh of relief and directed his driver to head home.

The ride home was short, giving Alec little time to consider the conversation he had overheard between Beth and Tufton.

Once Edwards, his valet, had finished helping him out of his boots and jacket, he dismissed the man and quickly changed for bed. Attired in his blue dressing gown, he sat in the comfortable, worn armchair near the fire and pondered.

He was disappointed that Beth had come to see Tufton. He would not have expected her to do so. Of course, he had to remind himself that she had years of friendship with Tufton that Alec often forgot about. Even if she was hurt by Tufton's words in the park, even if her love for him had been frustrated, she probably still had the memories of their good times together driving her to not give up on him.

When he had heard her voice and realized that it was Beth standing there in a midnight tryst with Tufton, Alec had nearly burst into the clearing and given Tufton another blow to the face, but he had managed to hold himself back.

By the end of the conversation, he had been very grateful for his restraint. Instead of the lover's reunion he had expected, their conversation had been one of distant friends. Beth had treated Tufton with civility, but little warmth. Her hesitation when Tufton asked about her future with Alec had worried him, but her answer had soothed his fears. She hadn't shut the topic down, but had left the idea of a future between them open.

That and Tufton's admission of his own past transgressions had been the highlights for Alec. He was glad that Beth had a better idea of Tufton's past. He worried, though, that Beth would now see Tufton as a reformed man.

While Alec fully believed in the power of change and second chances, he was not ready to accept that Tufton had changed. Tufton's stop tonight and his discussion with McGin and McGor at a less-than-savory club made Alec think that he was still involved in some of his vices. Alec would keep careful watch on the man. He was not going to let Beth fall prey to her old friend again.

The next day, on their now regular walk in the park with Arella and Tufton, Alec found himself wondering whether he should mention her late night visit. He didn't want to scare her, but he felt bad keeping it from her.

"Alec," Beth said softly, intruding on his internal debate. She pulled on his arm and slowed down, allowing Arella and Tufton to get even further ahead.

"Last night, Alex came to see me. He sent a note with a kitchen maid asking me to meet him in the garden."

"And you did?" Alec was relieved that she was bringing up the conversation herself.

"Yes. I took the maid with me, of course." The admission surprised Alec. He hadn't noticed any maids hanging around.

"He apologized for his comments the other day. We cleared the air a bit. You were right, though. He has been sowing wild oats. That's why he was sent abroad, but it didn't stop when he left England."

"I see. And how are you feeling about all of this?"

She shook her head. "I didn't want to admit it, but I'm glad it's out in the open now. He says he's changed, and I truly want to believe him. But after his words the other day, I know I should be wary."

"That would be wise," Alec agreed. He walked in silence for a moment. If she could be so open with him, he decided he could reciprocate.

"I already knew about your conversation with Tufton," Alec admitted.

Beth gaped at him. "How?"

"I was following him last night, trying to learn more about him."

"So you followed him to my house?"

"Yes. I hid in the bushes. I assumed he had invited Arella to join him for a midnight tryst."

"She would never! She may be a little free in her speech sometimes, but she is very careful with her reputation. She knows what is expected of a lady." Beth's vehemence shocked Alec into silence for another moment. He chose to bypass that discussion and return to the topic at hand.

"I hoped she would not come. I was naturally very surprised to hear your voice instead."

"Naturally."

"I will admit, I didn't see a maid with you."

"She was waiting closer to the house. I wanted her where she could both see me and run for help if it was necessary."

"A wise precaution," Alec said, impressed by Beth's foresight. Few women would consider a situation so clearly and take such appropriate measures given so little warning.

"I thought so."

Alec cleared his throat and continued. "I heard the whole of the conversation. I was tempted, you know, to barge in with fists swinging when I realized it was you, not Arella, he was speaking with."

Beth giggled. "Oh, what a mess that would have made. Did you really think me foolish enough to meet him for a romantic rendezvous after his accusations and his very clear preference for my sister?"

"I wasn't sure what to think."

"Well, I am glad you held back. And what do you think now?"

"Now I think you are incredibly merciful to give him a chance and wise to be cautious."

"I cannot throw away years of friendship so quickly. I only hope he does change for the better. I believe Arella will have him in the end, you know, and I would not want my sister stuck with a man so embroiled in vices as he has been."

Alec couldn't answer. She was so good, so selfless. He couldn't see how any man might deserve the regard of this incredible woman at his side, but he hoped he could find a way to earn it. Her words to Tufton had given him hope that she might someday be open to more than friendship with him. Unable to express himself, he placed his free hand over her small hand tucked in his arm and held it.