Page 57 of A Single Obsession

The next morning, Eliza rode before breakfast as usual. Alone. It was no surprise Beau didn’t join her, but she wasn’t certain if he stayed away for fear of another close encounter with Harriet, or if he was continuing to avoid her.

She still couldn’t believe how fast the previous day had gone downhill. After that blissful moment in the conservatory, when Beau had been about to kiss her, she had been full of hope. But then he had ignored her for the rest of the day, leading her to the disappointing conclusion that almost kissing her was a mistake.

How would she ever grow closer to him if he backed away at the slightest sign of intimacy?

At breakfast, Eliza said little, wondering what the day would hold. Would Beau absent himself again? Would he seem as remote as he had the previous evening?

At the end of the meal, Lady Harting rose. “I will leave you young people to occupy yourselves. There are duties I must attend to as the lady of the house. Beaumont will take care of you.” She flashed a piercing look at her son. It was clear his behaviour the day before had displeased her, and she was giving him no chance to repeat it.

Beau ducked his eyes, but Eliza knew he had seen his mother’s displeasure and dared not disobey her.

“I understand you are an expert at archery, Beaumont,” Harriet said. “I doubt I can compete with your mastery, but I would love to match my aim with yours.”

Eliza shuffled in her seat, willing her cheeks not to burn with embarrassment at the innuendo in Harriet’s words. She glanced up at Beau, but he seemed oblivious. Hadn’t he noticed, or was he too used to such talk to care? It made her feel very young and naïve.

“What an excellent suggestion,” said Frances. “I would love to watch you compete.”

Beau sniggered. “We wouldn’t want you taking part—baby or no baby. Your aim is way off. You’d be endangering us all.”

She glowered at him, but he just pulled a face and glared back.

“I say it is a jolly fine idea,” Mr Whitlow said, though no one had solicited his opinion.

His wife smiled at him as if placating a small child. “I knew you would, my dear.”

Eliza cringed at the condescension in her voice. It was lowering to see Frances treat her husband like that after less than a year of marriage.

“Then we’re all agreed,” said her cousin.

“Not all,” said Beau. “Eliza has not given us her view.”

Harriet’s eyes glinted with malice. “Perhaps Miss Merry does not know how to use a bow. Is archery permissible at the rectory?”

The mocking insult ruffled Eliza’s temper. She remained silent, balling her hands into fists underneath the table rather than unleash her tongue until she’d calmed herself. It didn’t help that she couldn’t give a satisfactory retort to the attack. Though not forbidden, no one at home had ever shown the slightest interest in the sport, and so she’d never had the chance to try.

“Well, Elizabeth. What do you say?” Frances said. “Do you know how to use a bow?”

Forcing her hands to relax, Eliza regained control of her temper. “No, but I’d like to learn.”

Harriet smiled with satisfaction, anticipating another opportunity to expose her in front of Beau.

Eliza hoped she could prove her wrong. She was not bookish, but her balance and dexterity were excellent, and she usually shone at such activities. Provided she could pick it up as easily as she expected, she had every hope of performing well.

They moved outside to the lawn, on the opposite side of the house to the lake. Servants bustled around, settling Frances into a chair and setting up the targets on a clear, flat stretch of grass.

Eliza was encouraged to see Beau embrace the challenge of teaching her to shoot. If he had been keeping his distance from her on purpose, he had changed his mind, showing no reluctance to get close to her again today.

He handed her a brace and a shooting glove to protect her hand and, taking a bow, he deftly strung it and showed Eliza how to hold it. She took the bow and tried to copy what he had done.

He shook his head.

Eliza frowned. What had she done wrong?

With raised eyebrows and a lopsided grin, he reached for the bow and turned it up the other way. “Always make sure you hold it the right way up or you’ll break it.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Eliza caught Harriet and Frances stifling a giggle as they exchanged a disparaging glance, but she refused to be cowed by their amusement and laughed at herself.

“How silly of me,” she said, casting Beau a roguish look that drew an answering smile. “I’ll be sure not to repeat that mistake.”