“He would make an ideal husband, ’tis true.However, you will have to detach him from Lady Eleanor Penhurst first.”
She started, surprised to hear her name mentioned.
“She is so old, and unfashionable besides.It should be no hardship to do so.”Esme tossed her head.“Make no mistake, I will secure a proposal from him by season’s end.”
Stricken, Eleanor stared at debutants.A churn started in her belly, unpleasant and sick.Why would this girl say Benedict was searching for a bride?He had mentioned nothing to her.Perhaps it was the simple hope of each girl starting their first season.Benedict was an eligible gentleman, and any lady would be privileged to earn his regard.
She looked back at him.He still stared at her, his frown deepening.Ignoring the ill feeling in her belly, she raised her fan and held it in her left hand, signalling he should come to her.His brow quirked as he interpreted her meaning.Murmuring something to Amanda and George, he strode past Lady C and the Earl and headed for her.
The debutante, Esme, gasped and clutched her friend’s arm.“Look, he comes our way, Petra!This will be easier than I anticipated.”
Benedict, though, strode straight past them, only halting when he reached Eleanor’s side.He still wore his scowl, his expression thunderous as he took her hand.“Come with me,” he said in a roughened voice.
The deep rasp wound about her.She inhaled sharply.His voice had sounded exactly the same when he’d commanded her kiss him deeper.
Heart racing, she let him lead her away, past Esme and Petra with their mouths agape, past the crush and the crowd, past the Earl who watched them with a narrowed gaze.
Benedict led her from the ballroom to a small drawing room, the door closing with a small click behind them.Dropping her hand, he shoved a hand through his hair and started to pace.Silence stretched between them, tense and tight.He paced and paced, his face like a thundercloud.
Her head cleared.All was not well.Not with him.“Benedict, is something amiss?”
He did not respond, only kept pacing.
Pasting on a smile, she said, “Benedict, did you know you are the object of desire for debutantes?I heard the most interesting discussion about you.”
“What?”he snapped.Halting, he dug his fingers into his eyes.“Apologies, El, I—” He exhaled harshly.“The Earl has informed me I must marry,” he finished unhappily.
A rush began in her head.“I beg your pardon,” she said politely.
He pinched the bridge of his nose.“I do not know where he got the idea from, but he called me to his study just before we departed and told me I was to announce my betrothal by the end of the season.”
No.Benedict could not marry.He could not.It was not… It was not right.They— He— “What do you mean, Lord Colgrove wishes you to marry?”
Benedict exhaled.“I mean the Earl has told me I must marry.”
“But…why?”
“I do not know.Why does the earl do anything?”He exhaled again, heavier this time.“How do I dissuade him, El?”
A little spark lit inside her.Of course he did not wish to marry.“This has come out of nowhere, Benedict.”
“Not really.”
She blinked.What did he mean?He had not said anything previous to now.Why would he not tell her if the Earl was pressuring him to wed?
Unnoticing of her distress, he rubbed his forehead.“I do not understand why I am suddenly the focus of his attention.I was quite happy being mostly ignored.And to issue such a decree just before we departed.You know he did it so I had not the opportunity to protest.He is so frustrating.He yet treats me like a child, though I will have thirty years in not more than a few weeks.”
“He did practically raise us, Benedict.”
He threw her a sour look.
“Yes.Quite right.Not the point.”She studied him.“So what are we to do?”
“I do not know.Thwart him?Conjure a plan to make it so he never raises this subject again?”He snorted.“As if that will ever happen.”
The debutantes—Esme and Petra—popped to mind.“Perhaps you could go through the motions of courting.Dance with ladies, make calls, that sort of thing.”
“I fear he would see straight through it, and if he doesn’t, Lady C certainly will.I don’t want to lead anyone on, either.I have no intention of marrying, and it would not be fair to any lady I used as a distraction.Besides, I do not think anything less than a betrothal will dissuade him.”His lips twisted.“Perhaps I should say I am courting you.What do you say, El?Will you marry me?”
