“I am not saying that, and you know I am not.”The Earl straightened to his full height, annoyingly an inch and a half taller than Benedict.“My lady and I have allowed you to remain in Colgrove House, however it would behove you to choose a bride this season.I have been silent on this subject for too long.You are the last of our brothers and sisters to remain unattached and I would have this family sorted before my children make matches of their own.”
Damn his brother to Hades for raising this just as they were preparing to depart for tonight’s ball.“I do not wish to wed.”
His brother’s brow rose.“Ever?”
“No, I—” He stopped abruptly.He’d not thought on it thoroughly, to be honest.Vague notions of a wife and children had occurred to him in the past, but he had mountains of time and no firm desire to pursue such.
El’s face, flushed with laughter and lips swollen from his kiss, flashed before him.
Clearing his throat, he said, “No, not ever, however not now.”
The Earl raised a brow.“You have avoided your duty for too long,” he said.“Youwillbe married before the end of the year.You are past the age to set up your household.If you need a push, then I’ll damned well give you a shove.”
Resentment licked at him like flame.Who did his brother think he was, to order him so?He may be the head of their family and responsible for the earldom, but he could not force Benedict to wed where he did not wish.
His brother adjusted his cuffs.“I expect to hear of your engagement by the end of the season.Now, we must to the ball.I will not have my lady displeased with me because we kept her waiting.”
Still tugging at his cuffs—something Benedict knew he did when he felt uncomfortable—the Earl made haste from the room.
Benedict remained motionless.Through the open study door came the sounds of Lady C and Amanda congregating in the hall preparing to leave for the ball.
He didn’t know what to think, but he knew how to feel.Anger at his brother’s highhandedness consumed him.Christ, this was beyond ridiculous and he could not even yell at him.Oh no, he had to alight a carriage and travel to a ball and socialise and pretend all the while he was not angry as hell at his—
El.El would be at the ball.El would allow him to vent and rant.She would agree with him and tell him the Earl had overstepped and she would… She would calm him.
Grimly, he strode from the room, keeping his gaze ahead as Lady C watched him, the Earl eyed him warily, and Amanda chattered animatedly about the night ahead.
El would calm him.He only had need to hold himself until then.
Chapter Eight
TheHendersons’ballroomteemedwith guests, such that it was nigh on impossible to see more than three people deep.The entrance way was obscured, she’d lost Victoria ages ago, and she wasnotanxiously checking the throng for Benedict every few moments.
Sighing, Eleanor fidgeted with the edge of her glove.She missed him.They had not seen each other for almost a week now, when she was used to seeing him every other day.He’d sent her notes, which he always did when they did not see each other in person, but they only made her miss him more.She’d replied to each one, and even sent her own, small missives on something she’d seen or thought that she couldn’t trust she would remember to tell him the next time she saw him.They kept a fleet of footmen employed with their correspondence, but it was not the same.She wanted to see him.She wanted to see the crinkle of his eye as he laughed, the effusive sweep of his hands as he talked.She just wanted to seehim.
“The Earl and Countess of Colgrove.Lord George Stapleton.Lady Amanda Stapleton.”
Her gaze snapped toward the entrance.Through the throng, she could make out Benedict’s brother and Lady C, the Earl’s expression firm while Lady C’s was wreathed in a smile.George wore practiced boredom, while Amanda glanced eagerly around the ballroom.
“Lord Benedict Stapleton.”
As if by magic, the crowd parted and she could see him clearly.Benedict scowled, his irate gaze searching the crowd.She frowned.Clearly, something annoyed him.Well, perhaps it was only clear to her—Lady C and the Earl did not seem to pay it any mind.
His eyes found her and their gazes locked.
A thrum began in her blood.From her position, she couldn’t see the detail of his face, but she knew it as well as her own.High cheekbones she had always envied, wishing her own were as striking.A straight, bold nose.Thick, long lashes, which she did not envy as that was one feature she possessed that were almost as luxurious as his.
“I shall secure a dance with Lord Benedict.”
Eleanor jerked her gaze from Benedict.Two debutantes—she could not recall their names for the life of her, though both were decidedly young and decidedly pretty—stood together.They had not noticed her behind them, their attention avidly locked on Benedict.
“I have heard this is the season he will finally take a bride,” the debutante continued.“I mean for that bride to be me.”
Her mind froze.Benedict intended to marry?
“Is he truly seeking a bride, Esme?I have heard nothing of such,” her friend replied.
“It is not widely known, but I have my sources.He is quite delicious, and his relation to the Earl of Colgrove cannot be discounted.My mother would be delighted with me when I tell her he has offered for me.”
