“All right, Matthew. I will help you,” he agreed.
“Thank you, Benedict. You cannot understand the gravity of what you’re doing for me,” Matthew said enthusiastically.
Benedict chuckled. His friend, much like him, was caught up with a Curtis sister. “I assure you, Matthew, I understand just fine. Besides, my reasons are not altogether selfless,” he muttered the last part.
Benedict walked off, heading in the direction of the sisters like a man on a mission. He did not stop to speak to anyone, eager to get to Augusta and help out his friend.
He halted in front of the duo, a smile forming as Augusta looked at him with wide eyes. She’d been so engrossed in her chat with her sister, she hadn't noticed him until he stood before them.
“Y- Your Grace,” she stuttered, her eyes fixed on him.
“Lady Augusta, how have you been?” he asked. He did not realize how much he’d missed her until he was standing right there, hearing her voice.
Benedict had been unable to get her out of his mind since after she stormed off with Nancy during their promenade around Hyde Park.
“I have been quite all right, Your Grace,” Augusta replied. “I hope you’re the same?”
Benedict smiled. “Yes, Lady Augusta.”
He grinned as her face pinkened at the intensity of his gaze. He found it difficult to tear his eyes from her.
“Your Grace,” Nancy’s quieter voice greeted breaking the stare-down he was locked in with Augusta.
“Lady Nancy. It is always a pleasure to see you.”
Nancy smiled gently at him, although she constantly looked over his shoulder, paying him no mind.
Benedict was glad. It would make his work easier if she was as interested in Matthew as the man was in her, and from all indications, she was.
“I must apologize for intruding on your conversations and perhaps it is not my place to say so, Lady Nancy, however, Lord Baker is beside himself with worry and deeply apologetic for whatever it is that he has done to offend you,” he said.
Nancy, whose attention had been otherwise fixed elsewhere, looked at him, her brows folding. She looked between him and Matthew who was staring at them, the longing to be with them evident in his gaze and in the unnatural way he held himself as he faked aloofness.
Nancy looked back at him, her expression hopeful and Benedict refrained from smiling. He wanted his friend to be happy with someone who cared for him as much as he cared for her, and although he had not known Nancy as long as he had Matthew, he wanted the same for her.
“Why has he not come to apologize to me himself? Why has he sent you?” she asked him.
Benedict shrugged. “Perhaps if you gave him the opportunity to speak with you, he could tell you the reason. However, I do know he wishes to speak with you.”
He sighed when her face held doubt. He could see the war going on in her mind. She had an expressive face.
“Lady Nancy, there are not many I will eagerly vouch for but Lord Baker so happens to be one of the few. He is a good man and while he may not get his point across in the way that you wish, I can tell you that he has the absolute best intentions towards you and you will never have to doubt it,” he finished, hoping he managed to convince her.
She looked up at him. “Are you certain?”
Benedict nodded gravely. “Quite so, Lady Nancy.”
He tore his eyes from Nancy as she made her decision and focused on Augusta. He had felt her eyes on him as he spoke to Nancy and he’d barely managed to focus on his conversation.
He watched as her cheeks tainted with the softest pink like the shade of her dress, the sun casting a radiant glow on her. Her hair was styled in an intricate bun with flower pins placed in strategic positions and intricate curls framing her face.
She bit her lips as she watched him, her green eyes staring up at him in a way that tugged. All else fell away. She was more beautiful than any other woman he had seen today and that worried him more than it should have.
Benedict felt the tension in his jaw intensify. He knew he shouldn't allow himself to be so captivated by her presence, yet, despite his best efforts, he couldn't command his gaze to stray from her.
“Augusta, I need your help,” Nancy said, completely unaware of the trance she had pulled them out of.
Augusta blinked. Her expression transformed to one of confusion. Was she as affected as he was?
