Benedict’s jaw ticked at her words. He wouldn’t say sheswooped in.He was right there and he had the situation under control.
“Indeed, it was that lady. After our dance, I realized I found her rather interesting, and I have gotten proper permission from her brother to court her,” he said.
“Oh, son! I’m so happy for you. When I said you should ask her to dance I did not dare hold too much hope, but I did think you two would hit it off swell. I’m so happy to hear this!” Barbara’s eyes were watering, and Benedict was taken aback.
Surely it’s not that serious. I know mother worried about my marriage, but to the point of tears?
He felt a slight pang of guilt. The courtship was merely a bet, and he didn’t really have any intentions of getting married soon… or did he?
He shook his head. He didn’t know enough about Augusta yet to tell if he would want to marry her. Besides, marriage was a sore topic for him. After what happened, he was surprised it even came to mind.
Stop thinking of silly things. You have a bet to win.
“I’ll see you later, mother, Letitia,” he said, kissing both women on the cheek before going out to his carriage.
By the time he reached the Birdhall Manor where Augusta and her family lived, he had put out the silly thoughts in his mind.
After a few minutes of waiting in the drawing room, he was met with Augusta’s biting gaze. He felt the corners of his lips turn up involuntarily and wondered since when he became a man who enjoyed irritating others.
No… it was just her he enjoyed irritating.
“Duke Harris… it’s a surprise to see you here again… especially since you did not bother to call ahead,” Augusta said.
“I did tell you that I would see you soon,” Benedict shot back.
“Indeed. I suppose I am at fault for not realizing that ‘soon’ referred to the very next day.” Augusta’s smile was like shards of ice aimed at his head.
He almost shivered. “Is my presence a bother?”
Her reaction was much like he expected. She had a shocked rage on her face and he saw her fingers tighten around her teacup ever so slightly.
“Ah, you dare to ask?” Her hand trembled even more than her face from the strain of trying to remain smiling.
Benedict bit back a chortle, worrying his lower lip to play it off. If he laughed, he might get tea thrown in his face at this rate.
“My apologies, my lady. I simply assumed that since we had only one season for this courtship, you would understand that we would need to spend a lot of time together…” He took a sip of his tea. “I need it to be fair.”
Augusta hid her frown behind her cup. “Of course, Your Grace. Unfortunately I did not think that your charms were so lackluster that we would need to meet every day for things to be fair.”
Ah, that sharp tongue…
“I am not one to overstate myself, my lady… I know when a gargantuan task is placed before me. Warming that… frozen rock will take near everything from me,” Benedict quipped.
“Frozen rock?” Augusta’s brows went up.
“Why, the one in your chest of course…” Benedict feigned innocence. “Oh right, you might refer to it as a heart.”
Her green eyes flashed and narrowed. Benedict purposely kept his gaze on his cup of tea.
A chortle from the other side of the room turned both their eyes to her brother who was making a show of looking over the papers in front of him. Benedict had completely forgotten the Viscount was even there.
He cleared his throat. Perhaps he should tread a bit more lightly. Although he enjoyed annoying Augusta, he did not want her brother to think him rude. Besides, their bet was only known by them two.
“I jest, my lady. In truth, I just enjoy your company so. It has become one of life’s greatest pleasures to behold your lovely face,” he backpedaled.
Augusta smiled. “Mmm, is that so. You see, this frozen rock is not affected by fluttery words.”
“I believe you to be gracious, miss. Surely, you will not hold a joke to heart.” The look in Augusta’s eyes was a bit frightening now.
