Still, he couldn’t help thinking he owed Augusta an explanation. Maybe if she knew what had happened to him, she would understand why he’d reacted in such a way. For all he knew, she probably had no desire to speak with him.
No point losing my mind over nothing, Benedict thought, tugging down his jacket for the tenth time. What was he so nervous about? Why was he bristling with anxiety?
With a deep breath, he stepped out of the library and into the well-lit hallway. The soft sound of chatter and music immediately drifted into his ears. A couple he did not know stood closely together a few feet away, speaking in hushed tones.
Benedict walked past the speaking couple and spared the man only the briefest nod. He had no idea what their spat was about, and he had no interest in finding out. He had enough on his plate already.
The sounds got louder as Benedict descended the stairs. The dinner party was more packed than he had anticipated, and relief flooded through him. It would take some time to find Augusta in such a crowd, just what Benedict needed to clear his mind.
He weaved through the sea of bodies, slithering easily through them like a graceful eel and exchanging pleasantries as he went. A servant with a tray offered him a glass of wine and he accepted it. Drink in hand, he made his way to the more secluded far wall.
Benedict found a spot near one of the massive windows that overlooked the pleasure gardens. The moon was out, and the grass and plants shimmered with the blue light. It was a perfect evening for a walk through the garden, listening to Augusta ramble on about something…
He rubbed his forehead tiredly. He was thinking about her again. No matter what he did, she dominated his thoughts. It was a burning sensation inside him. Benedict’s gaze swept slowly through the crowd. Augusta was somewhere there, and he had no idea what to do when he saw her.
His head stopped moving and a frown crept up his face. Twenty yards from him was that vile man, Colin, and with him was a young, beautiful woman. From the way she laughed and giggled, it was obvious she had no idea who she was dealing with.
As Benedict watched, Colin gestured towards the double doors that led to the gardens. The young woman nodded and took his hand. They walked briskly out of the room and Benedict rushed swiftly after them.
The night air was cool on his face, almost chilly. He stood by the door and watched the couple walk past two short trees. He had a bad feeling about this. If Augusta was present, she’d have put an end to the madness. Colin was out of control.
He considered going after the pair. Augusta would have wanted to protect the lady. The young woman really did need saving even if she didn’t know it yet.
In hindsight, Benedict felt appreciation for Augusta. How many of these would she have stopped with her meddling? Too many. He tiptoed down the stairs that led to the garden and followed the path he had seen Colin lead the woman down.
He’d barely set a foot on the grass when he sensed movement to the left. He turned his head and saw a familiar shadow skulking through the gardens. Augusta had probably found out and was now here to save the young woman.
Benedict made to run after Augusta but a slender hand wrapped around his upper arm. The smell of strawberry filled his nose and he turned around sharply, visibly startled.
Standing behind him in a black dress was Juliet. Benedict felt something cold seep into him as he regarded her smiling face. He knew she was coming, but he’d been so occupied with Augusta, he hadn’t had time to think of what meeting Juliet would be like.
Her hair shimmered under the moonlight, and she looked as beautiful as ever. Benedict turned to watch Augusta disappear between the trees. He needed to be out there with her. What did Juliet want with him in any case?
“Hello, Benedict,” Juliet said, her voice silky and lovely, just the way he always remembered it to be. She gasped and then smiled. “Oh dear, I apologize. I meant to say ‘Your Grace’.”
Benedict frowned.” What do you want?” He didn’t have time for this delay, and the last thing he wanted to do was explore his present feelings for Juliet. “I have to attend to a situation immediately. It’s of utmost importance.”
Juliet reeled as if stung by a wasp. “All I want, Your Grace, is to talk to you. Afterwards, whatever you choose to do is entirely up to you.”
He glanced towards the gardens again, clearly agitated. “Juliet, I can’t say that I understand why you want to talk to me all of a sudden. I think we are way past talking. You made that very clear to me when you did what you did.
“But if you insist on speaking to me, then we can always do so at a later date. Right now, I ought to get going. Pleasure meeting you again, Juliet. Good night.”
He turned to walk away but Juliet scurried in front of him, her face red with indignation. “Seriously? You were really going to leave? Just like that?”
Benedict groaned. “Juliet, please…”
“Why won’t you just listen to me?” Juliet asked in a shaky voice. Her frame seemed to sag and in one blink she went from strong, confident noble lady, to a battered, broken one. “I have things I need to say to you. I made mistakes…”
“This is not the time, Juliet!” Benedict whisper yelled, frowning so hard, the lines on his forehead looked etched with black ink.
“Well I don’t care!” Juliet thundered, loud enough for heads to turn inside the house. “I didn’t come all this way for you to treat me so, Benedict. I will be heard!” In a softer voice, she added, “I need to get rid of this burden.”
“Fine,” he replied, crossing his arms on his chest. He had no idea what was going through her head. All he wanted was to go out to Augusta, it was the only thing that mattered to him. “Go on then. I’m listening.”
Juliet heaved a sigh of relief, some of the tension flooding out of her. “Thank you.” She tapped her foot impatiently and bit her lips. It took a full minute before she spoke again. “I really don’t know where to start from, Benedict. Do bear with me. If it seems as if I’ve started to ramble, I assure you I am not.”
Benedict nodded once, wishing she could get on with whatever it was she wanted to say already. It was almost as if she was trying to delay him. “Go on.”
