Across from him, where she was speaking with Eliza’s mother, Bella caught his gaze and tipped her glass toward him in a silent toast. The untethered, giddy delight that had been bubbling up inside him at Eliza’s bold gesture soured.
Benedict swallowed past the knot in his throat—the one that felt oddly like guilt—before turning back to Eliza with a smile. The expression seemed foreign, an odd facsimile of the genuine delight on her face.
And he hated himself all the more for it.
Chapter Twelve
Lord Sinclair—Benedict—hadleft Rose very well pleased. She was even more delighted to dance again when Leo asked. The joy Eliza felt at seeing her cousin dancing was only eclipsed by her own joy.
Eliza was due for her customary set with Henry next, but for the first time, she had not remained beside the wall for a single set when he arrived to claim her.
As pleased as she was by this fact, she could not help but remember it was also Sophie’s set with Benedict. He’d never been so very close to her; perhaps he would be swept away by her easy demeanor and striking eyes.
“Eliza?” Henry asked, offering her an elbow. The slight consternation on his brow told her it was, perhaps, not the first time he’d addressed her.
“Yes, of course,” she agreed as they followed Benedict and Sophie to the floor. They were quite lovely beside each other. Sophie’s glossy, inky waves shone against Benedict’s devil-may-care chocolate waves, and her elegant, softly curved frame fit beside his broad shoulders—a study in contrasts.
“It’s the quadrille,” Henry said, drawing her gaze. There was a bemused tilt to his smile. “In case you missed the announcement while you were woolgathering.”
“Charming,” she retorted before offering a quiet, “Thank you.”
His chuckle was quiet. “Do you wish to separate from them? Or remain close?” he asked, referring to the four separate groupings forming.
“I… close, I think?” Eliza’s gaze found the back of her sister, giggling at whatever Benedict had said. “Close.”
“Very well,” he agreed, and took the space opposite Benedict and Sophie and beside Leo and Rose. The fourth pairing was Georgiana and a gentleman whose name Eliza could not recall.
She took her place beside Henry, her gaze finding Benedict’s across the circle from her. His gaze dragged along her figure before catching her eyes with a crooked grin.
“I can return you to the wall, you know. If you only intend to use this dance to stare at Sinclair,” Henry bent to whisper in her ear, mirth in his voice.
Eliza fought to keep the answering smile off her face as the music began. She took the requisite steps to meet Benedict in the center.
“Eliza,” he breathed as they rounded each other. His sensual tenor lingered even after they had backed away from each other.
Eliza found herself grateful that, although it was not her favorite dance, it was one their dancing master had drilled so often that she knew the motions without thought. She was incapable of it as the ladies met in the center.
Over and over the dance repeated, and as often as she glanced Benedict’s way, she found his eyes on her, admiration clear in the tilt of his brow and the heat of his gaze. That gaze was heavy, tangible, as it slid from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes whenever they darted out from her skirts.
“You really ought to at least pretend to be interested in my evening, Lizzie,” Henry admonished playfully. “I, too, am a handsome, eligible viscount. But if you keep ignoring me, the other ladies might find me wanting.”
“Future viscount. And there are other ladies who speak to you?”
Henry’s laugh was easy. “Yes, I’m very eligible. Didn’t you know?”
“You’re also two and ten.”
“I’m one and twenty.”
“Precisely, a child as far as gentlemen are concerned.”
He feigned a sigh. “It is good you are one of my favorite cousins. Otherwise, I should not abide your mockery.”
“One of?” she asked, all false indignation. “I must know who ranks above me.”
“Ewan,” he supplied easily. “He’s the only one of you who respects me at all.” Their cousin had yet to abandon his ease in Edinburgh for the lights of London.
She considered for a moment. “I’ll allow it.”
