Augusta smiled at him. “I’m sure you’re right. Do you still plan on making good on your threat to Lord Colin?”
Benedict nodded. “Yes, very much so. I plan to speak to his father the first chance I get. I cannot continue to allow him roam around, acting like he’s above certain moral conducts.”
Augusta nodded as he led her towards her family.
“I will pay your brother a visit tomorrow. I’m certain news of our engagement must have reached his ears and I do not want him to think I have slighted by not asking his blessing to marry you.”
Augusta laughed softly. “I’m certain my brother will be just fine. You need not worry yourself. He cares only for my happiness and wishes to see me married to a man who will care for me. He will not turn you away just because we were unlucky enough to have the members of the ton witness our betrothal before you had the chance to ask him.”
“I don’t presume to know how he would feel about it. I only know I wouldn’t want to be the last to find out about my sister’s engagement,” he said, his face showing how bothered he was by all of this.
“You need not worry. If they have heard about it, I’m sure they’ll understand by the time I explain what happened,” she consoled him. “You should go inform your family, if they haven’t found out already.”
Benedict bowed and went in search of his family as she walked the short distance towards hers.
“Augusta,” Nancy ran towards her with opened arms, her eyes wide with excitement and her lips parted in a smile as she wrapped Augusta in a warm embrace.
“Oh, congratulations, dear sister. I am ever so happy for you,’ she said with a giggle.
Nancy basked in her sister’s excitement, grinning even wider than she already was until her cheeks started to hurt. Still, she couldn’t stop smiling. She was to be married to a man she loved and who loved her in return.
I must admit, Augusta, I prayed that this would happen and that you and Benedict would get to experience the same happiness that Matthew and I have. Matthew and I were hoping you would both work out whatever differences set you off from each other in the first place and that we would all be happy together with none of the awkward meetups that happened whenever one of you was near,” she giggled even more.
“Oh dear, I’m rambling. I should stop and give you time to receive your other well-wishers so you can slink off with your betrothed later,” she whispered the last part before pulling Matthew away.
Augusta smiled. She’d still not gotten used to the fact that she suddenly had a betrothed. She turned to Benedict who was staring at her like he’d read her mind from across the room and knew what she was thinking about.
“What’s this I hear about a betrothal?” Evan asked, his steps hurried as he came to stand before them with his wife.
“Evan, please, calm down. I’ll tell you what happened later when we get back home, but for now, I hope you’ll be happy for me.
Evan’s brows furrowed as he watched her. He shook his head, chuckling slightly. “I certainly hope it’s a wonderful story, at least enough to make up for his rushed engagement without speaking with me first.”
“I don’t quite think that you would consider the story to be wonderful but it has been eventful, that’s for certain,” she said, lacing her hands with Benedict who stood behind her.
“I’ll wait to hear this story you have to tell. And I do wish you all the happiness in the world, sister,” he said finally allowing himself to welcome Benedict into the family. They were now more than mere friends.
“I don’t believe you’ll enjoy it but Benedict already has it taken care of.” Augusta shivered as she imagined her brother riding his carriage to Lord Colin’s home just so he could punch him one more time.
* * *
It had been two days since Benedict proposed to Augusta and so far, her family had been extremely happy with the news now that their fear had been alleviated.
Augusta sat patiently as she waited for Benedict’s carriage.
“Your betrothed is here,” Nancy giggled excitedly causing her to laugh.
It was times like this that she remembered how young and excitable her sister was. She stifled her own excitement as she slid on her gloves, careful to keep her footsteps at a steady pace otherwise she would be teased when she returned from her outing with Benedict.If I can call it that.
“You’re a sight for a sore eyes, Augusta,” he said, kissing her hand softly.
Her cheeks turned a bright shade of red. He had dropped the honorifics just like the night they kissed.
“Thank you… Benedict.”
She hurried into the carriage, avoiding his gaze and the cheeky smile he sported at her use of his own name.
“I’ve finished the book I was reading and perhaps this would get me banned from the gentlemen’s club but I sincerely cannot wait to begin another. It gives me new ideas on how best to tease you,” he grinned, laughing at his own joke.
