A Season in London

Beatrix Belden woke earlier than usual. Her father had arranged for a meeting with her this morning. He had insisted it was of the utmost importance. As she rang for her lady's maid to assist her, she wondered with excitement just what it could be about. It had to be about her season she thought. All eligible young maidens were presented to court once they turned of age. And she was of age. At almost eighteen she was actually the last of her friends to do so. Madeline and Diana had yet to find a husband of their choice during their first season and she was grateful they would be able to share her debut. Beatrix frowned just a bit. Her friends were great beauties and each had a substantial dowry. Finding a suitable husband might prove more difficult than she thought. Although Beatrix was considered quite pretty in a friendly sort of way, her dowry was quite small, almost non-existent when compared to her friends. Still, she was looking forward to the trip to London and the excitement it entailed. And while she may be a bit too inquisitive for some, her cheerful personality would surely turn a few heads.

"There you are, Jane," Trixie called. "Please hurry. Papa has something very important to tell me. It has to be about my season."

"Of course, miss," Jane nodded and began to assist her. While she was arranged Beatrix's hair, she listened quietly while Beatrix talked happily about the upcoming season. A flash of wistfulness appeared in her eyes but she said nothing.

"Oh, Jane," Beatrix cried compassionately, "it's not fair that you do not get a season as well."

When Jane's father had gambled away the family fortune, she had been destitute. Both girls knew that Jane had not been properly trained as a lady's maid. In fact, she used to have one of her own. However, her father had gambled away his fortune leaving the family destitute. With the death of her oldest brother and then her mother, she became desperate. None of her relatives would take her in because of her father. His drinking and gambling was sure to bring ruin to them. It was either marry Lord Lytell or go into service. As the daughter of a baron, even a ruined one, this was almost unheard of, but when Lord Belden saw her plight he offered her the only position available in his household. Jane was quite grateful even if the pay was paltry compared to what she could make in London.

"It's none of your worries, miss," Jane assured her. "I have a little excitement of my own. I plan on becoming an actress."

"You do?" Beatrix's eyes grew big with shock. "Jane, you will never be allowed back in society. It's not proper."

"I don't want to spend my life as a lady's maid," Jane replied stiffly. "As it is, the best I can hope for is a life as a companion or governess."

"Papa will not be pleased," Beatrix warned her.

"Please, miss," Jane begged, "please do not tell Lord Belden. I need this job to pay my way to London."

"Ow!" Beatrix exclaimed as Jane tugged a little too tight on her hair in her distress. "I promise, but you must tell me before you leave. My brothers will see you safely to London."

Jane flushed with pleasure. "It would be an honor to have either Mr. Belden to escort me."

Beatrix looked worriedly at Jane. Her, father, Lord Belden, The Viscount Westchester, would be displeased with Jane if he were to learn of her plans. She would probably be removed from service if he discovered them.

Beatrix still sighed with envy. Jane would have an exciting life while she could only hope for an exciting season. Her mother had warned her that she must find a husband in the first season. They simply could not afford a second season for her. She would then be reduced to finding a match among the locals, probably a landowner of some means. And of great age, Beatrix thought with a shudder. She resolutely pushed that thought out of her mind as she stood to go to her father. She would find a husband of her own choosing. If he had to be older, then at least he would be kind and generous.

"Papa," Beatrix called as he knocked on the door to his study. She presented herself before her father. "You wished to speak to me."

"Yes, my dear," Lord Belden smiled warmly at her. "I have exciting news for you."

"Yes," she looked at him expectantly, "I have been wondering all morning."

"It is much better than anything I could ever imagine," he told her happily. "There has been an offer for your hand in marriage."

"An offer?" Beatrix grabbed the back of a nearby chair. She had never swooned in her life but she felt dangerously close to it now. "But, Papa, what about my season?"

"A season is unnecessary now," he insisted. "That money can be added to your dowry. It will make him eager to marry you sooner."

"And Mama agrees?" Her mother was the one who had demanded that Beatrix have her season, regardless of the expense.

"She will," he assured her. "One of our neighbors is quite taken with you. He is of good means."

"Stop, Papa," Beatrix said with a shaky voice, fists clinched at her sides. Lord Lytell had visited the previous day. He and her father had spent quite a long time in her father's study. He was looking for a wife. Jane had confirmed this. Now, as tears coursed down her face, she looked at her father with disbelief. "Please say no more," she cried. "I can't bear it."

"He will make a good husband and you will be well provided for." Lord Belden looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Beatrix, you are not a child." He softened his words as he continued. "You know of our financial situation. There will be no offers, I'm afraid. I trying to do what is best for you. I hope you will thank me later."

"Have you no faith in me?" she sobbed and covered her face with her hands. Marriage to Lord Lytell. The earl was as old as her grandfather, who unfortunately was not living. If only he were, she mourned, he would never let this happen.

"It seems you have no faith in me," her father answered sadly. "It will be fine, Beatrix, once you get used to the idea. The contract is already signed. Even if I were to agree to your pleading, which I do not, there is little that can be done now."

"Yes, Papa," Beatrix nodded, her heart pounding so furiously that it would have to shatter soon of its own accord.

"Go have breakfast," he urged her. "You'll feel better soon."

"Yes, Papa," she said dutifully.

Her older brother, Brian, sat beside her as she dined. His worried countenance was proof of the fact that he knew about her arrangement with Lord Lytell. "You talked to Father?" he whispered and placed his hand upon hers.

"I'm fine," she said bravely with only the barest of a quiver on her bottom lip. Sighing, she added, "It would have been lovely to have had a season in London."

"I'll see what I can do," Brian promised her. "I know Lady Madeline and Lady Diana were excited about seeing you there."

"It would have been so much fun," she continued, her wistful tone causing an ache in her brother's heart.

"I'm rather glad you'll be close by," Brian patted her hand. As the eldest son, he would inherit the small estate along with the responsibility of keeping it viable.

Beatrix looked down at her food, tears threatening to fall in her plate. Did he not realize that she would gladly run away to keep from marrying Lord Lytell? The shame that would be attached to her family was the only thing that was stopping her. Her actions could ruin the chances of Brian, Martin, and Robert of finding suitable wives. She would not bring disgrace to her family, at least, if her courage did not fail her.

Brian cleared his throat as his mother and Martin entered. "Good morning, Mother," he said as he stood. "Is young Robert not with you?"

"He's having his meal with his tutor," Lady Belden explained. "It seems Master Robert was responsible for a frog in Mr. Webster's bed."

"After I marry," Brian told her, "I will see that Robert goes to Eton."

"And how will you see to that, pray tell?" Martin teased him.

"It will be up to me to marry a young lady of means," Brian said firmly, a flush creeping up his face. "In fact, I will choose a bride this season." Although his financial status was not attractive, many fathers would give a sizeable dowry for his title even if he wasn't a duke or an earl. Hopefully, he could find a young lady that he was compatible with in the process, but the entire situation left a bad taste in his mouth.

"This season," Lady Belden said as she clasped her hands in excitement. "Your father will be relieved to know you take your responsibilities seriously."

"Yes, about Father," Brian said, "is it true that Beatrix is not going to have her season?"

"It is hardly necessary now," his mother explained. She had tried to reason with Lord Belden, but even she could not justify the expense.

"Does she not have to have a trousseau?" Brian asked calmly.

"Of course," Lady Belden frowned. No proper miss could enter marriage without a formal trousseau from her family. What was Lord Belden thinking of by having this marriage happen so soon?

"May I offer a suggestion?" Brian inquired with a look toward Beatrix.

"Yes, of course," Lady Belden said absentmindedly, her thoughts on the expense of the trousseau.

"Why not let Beatrix buy her trousseau in London?" Brian asked. "The gowns she acquires can be used for her season. There would not be an added expense. Lady Wheeler has already offered to allow Beatrix to stay with Lady Madeline for the season." Brian would be living in bachelor quarters, and while relatively inexpensive, they were not proper for Beatrix. "Even if Martin and I stay in our small rooms, I would still be there to escort her to the balls and parties. Since I have been to London, I can introduce her to society."

"The duke and duchess have graciously agreed to sponsor Beatrix," she nodded. "She would have to be presented to court," Lady Belden reminded him. "And your father would have to agree. Perhaps a half season, if not the full season. He doesn't want to delay her marriage."

Beatrix had remained silent as Brian talked to their mother. She knew if she were to speak she might burst into tears. She would not be subject to their pity, no matter how miserable she might be. Now she gazed at her mother and brother with a small flicker of hope in her eyes. If she were to be allowed a season, even a partial one, she would make sure she enjoyed it to the fullest. It may very well be the last time she would ever be happy.

"Will you talk to Papa?" Beatrix asked her mother. "It might make this situation a little more tolerable."

Lady Belden looked sympathetically at her daughter. In an ideal world, her daughter should have had at least one, if not two seasons, to be courted and wooed by various suitors. It was unfortunate that this was not an ideal world, but Lady Belden herself had married by such an arrangement and it had been truly a blessing. Perhaps Beatrix would also be as lucky, and if not, she would always have her children to love.

"I will talk to him," she promised. Giving her daughter a pat on the head, she added, "Now smile. We do not wish to add wrinkles to those freckles of yours."

"Yes, Mama," Beatrix said as she forced a smile upon her face. She sat with her brothers long after her mother had departed in search of her father.

Martin, who had remained unusually silent the entire morning, gave his sister an encouraging smile. "You'll have your season," he insisted, "and I'll help fund it."

"You will?" Beatrix asked.

"I have a bit saved," he told her. "You can have it all. It's not much but it's enough to purchase a few trinkets and ribbons in the shopping district. I think all young ladies like to do that sort of thing. You'll be able to enjoy being with your friends."

"Oh, Martin," Beatrix gave her a brother a big hug. "You and Brian are the best brothers in the entire world." She turned and gave Brian a hug, as well. Unable to stop the flow of tears, she ran from the room to keep from making a ninny of herself.

Beatrix dismissed Jane for the rest of the morning. If Jane knew of her upcoming marriage to Lord Lytell, she wisely said nothing and left quietly. Alone at last, Beatrix lay across her bed and wept. She had wanted to marry for love or something close to it, even respect would be nice. Lord Lytell possessed nothing that anyone could like, let alone love. He was mean-spirited. She had witnessed it personally in the way he treated his servants. She grew terrified of the prospect of a wedding night with him. Although innocent in what went on between a man and a woman, she had a basic idea of what went on in the bedroom. She thought it could not be much different from the way animals mated. The thoughts of doing that with anyone was scary enough, let alone sharing such an intimacy with Lord Lytell. Hopefully once she was with child, he would have no such need of her.

Beatrix must have cried herself to sleep because the next thing she knew her mother was patting her on the back. "Wake up, dear. I have spoken to your father."

"You have?" Beatrix sat up immediately. She looked anxiously at her mother. "What did he say?"

"He is agreeable," Lady Belden informed her. "You will be allowed to go in March to buy your trousseau. That should give you ample time to prepare for the season as well. You'll get to stay until July, and then you'll return to be married upon your arrival home."

"July?" Beatrix stammered the word in a trembling whisper.

"Lady Madeline and Lady Diana have been expecting you to join them," she smiled and stroke Beatrix's hair from her eyes. "Have fun, my dear. Even Martin will be joining you."

"I think he has an eye for Lady Diana," Beatrix said, a wash of envy enveloping her as she thought of her friends marrying someone of their own choice. Even Brian, who might not marry for love, got to choose his wife.

"I think if you were not going, Martin would stay home," Lady Belden said quietly. "He is heartbroken that you are to marry so soon."

"Oh, Mama," Beatrix broke into sobs and fell into her mother's arms. "I do not want to do this thing. Please change Papa's mind."

"Your father did what he thought was best," Lady Belden said with tears in her own eyes. "Would that he had only talked with me, I would have not allowed it." She hugged her closer before continuing. "It would bring dishonor to our family to void the contract. It is something he will not do."

Beatrix swallowed the lump that was stuck in her throat. She straightened herself and pulled away from her mother. Pride in her family's values was a bitter thing to swallow, but she managed to do so with a great effort. "I will not speak of this anymore. It is done. I wish no one to speak of it with me until the day it is to be."