“Of course, my lady,” she said. “Lord Colin is quite known for his reputation as a rake. He wears his charm as a weapon against innocent debutantes and unsuspecting mamas who only wish for their daughters to find a good match.
“He exclusively pursues debutantes who are unaware of his notorious reputation and easily swayed. It has become my mission to intervene before he damages any more innocent lives," she concluded, her eyes brimming with renewed determination.
Benedict scowled as she spoke. His sister was his family and he was sworn to protect her from whoever sought to besmirch her honor. Although he did not much care for this ball, he had only attended because of her. He did not need the help of this strange woman to protect her from rakes.
His jaw ticked with irritation as she smiled happily at them as though she had not just intruded into their affair instead of going about her own business.
"It seems only fair that the lady introduces herself, as we're unfamiliar with her identity," Benedict remarked, his tone carrying a hint of reprimand.
“You are right. I am Lady Augusta Curtis of the Bridhall Manor,” she said, her eyes boring into his in a defiant stare that did not falter despite the look he leveled at her.
“I am Lady Letitia and this is my mother, the Dowager Duchess of Wenstrall, and my brother, the Duke of Wenstrall,” Letitia said excitedly.
The last thing he wanted was for her to be captivated by this woman with little regard for propriety as she already seemed to be.
“Lady Curtis, it is quite untoward to behave in the way you did, no matter what your motives are for doing so. Moreover, my sister has no need for your protection as we are perfectly capable of protecting her and making certain she never associates with rakes the likes of Lord Colin,” he said.
Her eyes cut to him, her lips pursing into a thin line that showed her irritation. Her lips parted to reply, her shoulders squaring as she prepared to deliver words no doubt scathing.
“Lady Curtis,” the Dowager Duchess said, interrupting their blooming feud. “I must thank you for having the new debutantes at heart and warning us of men like Lord Colin.”
“You are welcome, Your Grace. Although I do not do it to be thanked,” she said, the smile restored to her lips as she addressed his mother with a sweet expression.
Benedict refrained from scoffing. The change in her demeanor from when she spoke to him and when she spoke to his mother was glaring. Despite himself, he found it slightly amusing although she vexed him.
“Benedict, I believe we ought to thank the young lady for her help,” the Dowager Duchess addressed him. “Be a dear and join her for a dance, won’t you?”
Benedict scowled at his mother as she stared up at him innocently. The last thing he wanted to do was dance, and even less with Lady Augusta.
Her face was one of shock. Benedict stared at her curiously as she looked all around her as though ready to refuse and run in the other direction. She was an enigma he was not entirely certain he wanted to understand.
“Might I have your dance card?” he asked suddenly. The lady had been standing with them too long and he valued propriety.
Her eyes widened as she stared at him with shock. She looked down at his hand held out in front of her and surreptitiously glanced around at those who were nearby to witness the exchange.
With a look of resignation, she allowed him to write his name on her card. “It will be my pleasure.”
“I like her a lot already, Mama,” he heard Letitia say as he led Lady Curtis away.
“As do I. Perhaps she will be exactly what your brother needs.”
Benedict’s jaw ticked. The only thing he felt towards the lady was annoyance at her meddling.
CHAPTER3
“Augusta,” Evan whispered sharply, his tone set for a reprimand. “I do not know why you feel the need to meddle in the affairs of others but you need to put an end to it and focus on yourself instead.”
Augusta stood beside Nancy paying her brother no mind. It was so with them, for him to chide her whenever she tried to rescue debutantes from the clutches of wicked lords and for her to ignore him.
“You would not want Nancy to end up in the traps of men like Lord Colin, would you?” she asked him, looking out into the crowd.
“No, I would not. But she is my sister and it is my duty to look after her,” Evan retorted.
“As it is mine to look after the debutantes who know no better and are susceptible to manipulation,” she said stiffly.
“Perhaps we can all just calm down and talk about this when we get home? We would not want the ton in our business,” Nancy said quietly, her eyes pleading with them.
"You are correct, of course," Augusta conceded apologetically. Despite her strong inclination to be anywhere else, her sister was different. She would not jeopardize her sister's prospects, no matter how slim they might be due to Augusta's own reputation.
