What about yourself? Didn’t you once dream of marrying for love? What about your happiness?
“Someone like me, eh?” Benedict asked. “I can think of a few.”
Swallowing over the unwelcome thoughts, Alice knew she would get her happiness when everyone else was settled. Another twist of guilt turned her stomach upside down; it was beyond reprehensible to let the Marquess believe she felt something she did not, but were ton marriages ever based on love and affection?
No. She did feel a camaraderie with him though. Inhaling deeply, she told herself that she owed Benedict the courtesy of honesty—one day.
“I know my cousin would really appreciate your effort,” Alice said.
He nodded. “What about your sister?”
Instantly, Alice felt protective. “She is not ready to court yet.”
“Are you sure?” Benedict asked. “Forgive me, but I am sure I have seen her look at some lords the way many lords have looked at you.”
She laughed, while her stomach twisted, “You jest, my lord. How unkind of you.”
Tilting his head, Benedict asked, “Am I?”
CHAPTER 6
At the outskirts of the garden, Edward kept his eyes fixed on Benedict and the blond woman walking with him—if he judged by her cheekbones and her pouty lips alone, he knew she was the same Alice.
I’ve wanted to kiss her from the moment we met. Will her kiss be that of a shy maiden or the passion I sense inside her?
He watched as the two meandered their way to a group of three women, an older one and two younger—one of them had Alice’s coloring and the other two were dark-haired.
The other girl must be her cousin.
Sidestepping, he followed the two as they came near, and the cousin, clad in white silk, stood and made to walk over to them when she suddenly tripped and lurched forward.
He knew Benedict would catch her—and when his brother did, the girl clung to him like a limpet to a ship. Edward was acutely aware that the trip was manufactured, and he hoped—dearly hoped—that Benedict would not fall for her lackluster performance.
Circling the massive rosebush and the swan statue, he stood perpendicular to the three and watched as the girl’s face was flooded with tears; crocodile tears, he was assured.
Sir John Mandeville was right: these serpents slay men, and they eat them weeping.
Alice went to her sister's side, while the mother fluttered and fussed over her child. From the contemptuous, exasperated look Alice gave her cousin behind her aunt’s back, Edward broke a smile.
“Smart girl,” he murmured.
As if his words had traveled between them and summoned her gaze, Alice looked up and her eyes drifted towards him. Her back snapped straight, face paling.
Her aunt said something to Alice, drawing her attention from him, and he waited until Benedict lifted the damsel and began carrying her to the house beyond. The younger sister touched Alice’s arm, angling her body to the two heading off, but Alice shook her head and said something.
When the sister hurried off, following her aunt, Edward made sure to stay in place until she found his gaze again, and slowly, he backed away, heading to the hedge maze behind him.
He barely noticed the gravel crunching beneath his boots as he hoped she was following him; it was time they made some clarification between them.
Arriving at the center of the thick maze, he sat on the smooth stone bench and gazed at the flowing fountain, the water pitter-pattering into the flower-shaped bowl. He propped his elbows on his thighs and clasped his hands between his knees.
He felt her presence before he saw her and when he rose to his feet, he said, “I see you have met my brother.”
Her brows knit in two. “Pardon?”
“Benedict,” Edward continued. “He is my brother—well, half-brother if you want to be pedantic. Our father married his mother after mine passed.”
She blinked, “I am sorry to hear that. But—but what in heaven’s name are you doing here?”
