He huffed and scratched at the back of his head in a manner that reminded Katherine so very much of the gentleman in question, and her heart panged at the sight.
“Whatever disappointments or fears you are fostering, Katherine, he cares for you—”
“As a friend, but nothing more.”
Benjamin shook his head. “It is more than that. David has been out of sorts. You know he can be blind at times, but I’ve never seen him so distraught and discomposed—”
“Give me your word you will say nothing—to him or anyone.” And heaven help her, Katherine’s voice trembled. Drawing air deep into her lungs, she forced her breath in and out and refused to allow her chin even a single tremble. “Please, Benjamin.”
“Would you at least accept a visit from him? He’s called several times—”
Coming to his side, she grabbed his hands in hers. “Please promise me! I have been patient with him, and short of declaring my feelings, which is unthinkable for a lady to do, I have done everything I can to convince that man. If he cannot see what we share, then I do not want him. I refuse to beg him to love me.”
Benjamin held her gaze for a long moment, and Katherine echoed her pleading words in her eyes, begging him to see and understand. With a heavy sigh, he nodded.
Then his arms were around her, holding her tight against him. Katherine stood, fixed in place, as she blinked at the sudden shift. It took several quickened heartbeats for her to realize just what was happening. And several more passed as she remained stiff in her brother’s arms before she relaxed enough to bring up her arms and hold him in return.
How long had it been since anyone in her family had held her in such a fashion? Grandmama Cora had died ten years ago, so she supposed that was the likely answer.
That wretched chin of hers betrayed her with another tremble, but Katherine refused to allow herself to fall to pieces. Even if it felt so very wonderful to have her brother holding her. Drawing in a quick sniff, she cleared her eyes of any hints of tears as he pulled away, and Benjamin’s own gaze was a touch brighter than before as he stood before her.
“I give you my word, I will not tell him anything of your feelings.” Then, with a grimace, he added, “It’s not as though my efforts to bring you two together have done any good.”
“You are dreadful at matchmaking,” she quipped with a tart sniff.
Benjamin gave a sharp chuff of laughter and shook his head. “Though I thought him insane at first, I do believe David is correct. You are quite humorous.”
Katherine’s heart panged at the mention of that man, but rather than allowing her mind to drift down those darkened roads, she narrowed her eyes at her brother and said with her driest of tones, “Yes, it is a shock to discover that your sister is witty.”
Letting out another snort, Benjamin placed his hands on his hips and turned his gaze to the trunk. “Now, are you going to tell me why you are up in the attic, banging about?”
Motioning at the trunk, she said, “Ourdearmother doesn’t care for me rooting about in the attic, so she ordered the servants not to assist me, hoping I would give up this foolish endeavor.”
Benjamin gave a wry smile and a hint of a chuckle. “Does she know you at all? Saying such a thing only guarantees you will stay up here all day until you manage it.”
“If she were a conspiring sort, I would think she did so on purpose to keep me out of her hair for the rest of the day.”
“And what is so very important about this trunk?” he asked, nudging it with his boot.
Katherine paused, considering that question and what answer she might give. For all that she felt the warmth of familial affection for the man asking it, the sentiment was far too new to simply embrace without question.
“I require something inside it.”
“Clearly,” he replied in a dry tone that matched the one she so often employed. But without further question, Benjamin reached down and lifted it up. Katherine gaped at the sight of it moving in any fashion after having spent so much time attempting to shift the wretched thing. Her pride was salved only by the fact that he strained beneath the load.
Nodding at the door, he said, “Lead the way.”
Hurrying forward, Katherine moved ahead of her brother, opening doors as they made their way down to her bedchamber—all while she attempted to think of some reason for what they were to find there. She stepped through the door and around the trunks spread across her floor, their lids open and the contents spilling out.
Benjamin placed the new one where she indicated and straightened, staring at the mess. “I didn’t think you kept your room in such a state.”
Clutching her hands in front of her, Katherine smiled (or what she hoped was one), but when he stood there, staring at her, she didn’t know what to say.
“I may not know you as well as I thought I did, but that doesn’t mean I’m an utter fool, Katherine,” he added in a dry tone. “What are you up to?”
Katherine’s hands twisted together, and she shifted in place while Benjamin watched her with a narrowed gaze. They stood there for several long moments before he spoke again.
“If you do not wish to tell me, that is your right, but is there anything I can do to assist you? More than shift trunks?” he asked.
