“Benedict, there is no need for you to be nervous. I’m certain that Lord Curtis would be accepting of your desire to marry his sister. He knows you after all and he knows that you are a good man and you will see that she is well cared for and loved all the days of her life.”
His mother reached from across the carriage patting him gently on the thighs before she straightened herself, looking out the window with an air of contentment.
She couldn’t know however, that she had just broached the reason for his nervousness. Benedict was secure in Augusta’s love for him, it was Evan he wasn’t certain of. In the four days that it had taken to set up a meeting with Evan, he had begun to grow a sense of worry that Evan did not care for his proposal to Augusta.
There was nothing he could do if Evan refused him, save that he continued to plead his case until the man saw reasons why Augusta’s marriage to him was a good thing. However, considering the terrible luck he’d had with his first betrothal and the fact, there was only so much hope he could have in Evan’s belief of his word.
He let out a shuddery breath and looked out the window like his mother. He tried to distract himself with the different people on the busy street and the sound of horse hooves on cobbled stones, however, it was all that he could think about.
Benedict swallowed the sigh of frustration that threatened to escape him. the last thing he wanted to do was give his mother and sister any reason to worry about him.
I will do all that I can to see that we marry, Augusta.
The carriage wheels rolled to a stop putting an end to his mental torment.
Benedict leaped out and offered a hand to his sister and mother. They stood for a moment, staring up at the Bridhall Manor. Although he’d been there for Augusta on numerous occasions, this time, it was different.
The closer he drew to the entrance, the more his nervousness shed off him and left in his place was excitement.
What was I thinking? Of course, everything is going to be great and soon I will be wed.
“Oh, Benedict, I’m so proud of you. I cannot believe this day has finally come. You have made me very happy,” The Dowager Duchess said, beaming widely at him.
“As am I, mother. I cannot believe I am doing this and yet, I cannot wait for when I can finally take her as my wife.”
He rapped on the door loudly, moving backwards as the door opened up to reveal the butler.
“Your Grace,” the butler greeted, bowing to them. “Lady Letitia and Lady Wenstrall. The family has been expecting you. Please, do come in.”
Benedict walked the familiar path to the drawing room, his sister and mother right behind him.
“Your Grace, Lady Letitia, it’s an honor to have you all in our home,” Lady Jane greeted warmly.
Benedict looked around the room, slightly disappointed to find Augusta absent. “Thank you for having us. Is Lord Curtis home?”
Jane smiled wider as if she amused by his eagerness to speak with her husband.
“Yes. The butler has gone to fetch him. He should be here soon enough,” she replied, motioning for them to sit.
“Ah Harris, I was beginning to wonder if you would actually get here,” Evan said with a chuckle, walking into the room.
“Curtis, thanks for having us. I admit that I wanted everything to be perfect today that I did not realize how much time had gone until we set off to leave,” Benedict replied in the same friendly tone.
“My sister will be down in a moment. You know how it is with the womenfolk. They take their appearance very seriously, especially when in the presence of a love interest,” Evan joked, laughing until Jane jabbed him lightly with her elbow, silently chiding him.
Benedict smiled at the sight of them. He couldn’t wait until he could have such a relationship with Augusta as well. The idea suddenly didn’t seem as bad as his lack of trust had made it out to be all these years.
* * *
Augusta sat in front of the mirror as her lady’s maid fixed her hair. She moved her head in opposite directions to make sure that everything was as it should be. She smiled at her reflection and raised a hand to her face, moving a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her eyes land on her ring in the mirror and she held it out in front of her face, looking at it with a small smile. She’d been wearing it ever since he gave it to her and only ever took it off when she slept or when she bathed. It was her most valued piece of jewelry and had a special place in her heart that none of the others had.
She let out a shaky breath that caught in her throat. Her heart pounded fast in her chest and she bit her lip, worrying it between her teeth. She was nervous. She loved him, that much she knew, however, she’d always kept her relationship away from her family as much as she could but now it involved them. She was getting married. Their family was soon to become one and she could only hope that everything went smoothly.
“That will be all, Mary,” she told her lady’s maid, getting up from the stool. She adjusted her dress and with one more look at the mirror, she left the room.
“Calm yourself, Augusta. It is only your family and betrothed.” She closed her eyes for a moment.
