Over Grayson’s shoulder, he caught sight of his sister’s censorious brow. Bella was right, though; he would need the uncle’s approval—or if it was not strictly necessary, it would certainly not worsen his prospects.
“Your niece?” he asked, striving to find a curious note to infuse in the question.
Another grunt.Charming.
Still, Benedict forged ahead. “Is Miss Eliza’s father present? I should like an introduction if you could oblige.”
“He is not,” Grayson replied, and Benedict’s brows raised in a perfect demonstration of surprise. “I am here in his stead.”
“Then I should like to pay my addresses in the morning. Where might I find him?”
“Your reputation precedes you, Sinclair. I very much doubt my brother will have any interest in meeting with you after I speak to him.” Grayson was clearly used to intimidating others with his physical presence; he’d straightened to deliver the speech. Benedict imagined it was often an effective strategy. The respectful step back Benedict took was deliberate.
“I see. Well, I would be a fool to deny I’ve a reputation. But I assure you, it’s far worse than I’ve actually earned. And if you know of it, then you should also know that I’venevershown interest in an innocent. A notion to ponder when you relay the events of this evening to your brother.” Benedict offered the other man a final, deferential nod before he turned to retrieve his sister.
He caught sight of a fluttery bronze-red gown dipping into an empty hall, and he trailed after her.
Fingers caught his elbow, clasping much tighter than necessary. “What on earth did you say to the man?” Bella demanded in a hissed tone.
“It hardly matters. He’s the uncle.”
“You’ll need all the support you can gather to overcome yourreputation,” she hissed.
“Please, compared to some men out there, I’m a tame kitten. Thetononly desires theatrics. With a bit of diligence, Wayland will see that it’s nothing.”
“It ought to be nothing.”
“If Grayson himself doesn’t have his own actress or singer in an apartment waiting for him as soon as he returns his wife to their respectable home, I’ll eat my shoe. It’s expected. Her uncle was merely posturing.”
“You had better hope you’re right.”
“I am, Bell. You know I am. I trusted you to choose the best sister. You need to trust me on manly posturing.”
She exhaled, shrinking slightly with the effort. “Yes, she’s certainly the better choice. Far too many eyes on the other.”
“I could have managed the prettier one, you know.”
“But Eliza will beeasierto manage. And she’s handsome enough.”
Benedict could not contain his eye roll.
“Stop,” she insisted. “You know how?—”
“Of course,” Benedict agreed. “How long do you suppose we need to stay?”
“Why? I presume you have an appointment at the theater?”
“Of course not,” Benedict retorted with a smirk. “I’ve just met the love of my life. I’ll never look at another woman again.”
It was Bella’s turn to roll her eyes. “Quite right. In that case, you’ll need to find the gentlemen and converse about whatever ignorant nonsense occupies men’s thoughts. You cannot leave so quickly after her; it would be noted.”
“Predominantly horseflesh and… other flesh.”
“You disgust me, the entire lot of you.”
Benedict offered a cheeky grin before spinning off deeper down the hall in search of the billiards room.
Two hoursand at least three conversations later, in which Benedict could not distinguish whether the gentleman was discussing his horse or his mistress, he slipped into a hack after his sister.
