“Lady Eleanor, I am pleased to have come across you just now.Lady Colgrove wishes your company and she has sent me to fetch you to her,” Benedict said loudly.
Her lips twitched.As an excuse, it was plausible.“Well, we must not keep her waiting.”
“Come then, Lady Eleanor.”He offered his arm with a flourish.
Still fighting her smile, she took his arm and they strolled from the room.Those who had entered did not even spare them a glance.
“Did Lady C really ask for my company?”she asked as they traversed the halls.
“Lady C always wishes your company, El, there is no need for asking.”Urging her one way and then another, Benedict navigated them through the crowded hallway.
“But did she ask for it?”
“Of course not, but I had to say something.”
“Do you not think they would think it odd they had not seen you in the hall and enter the room?”
“I highly doubt they were paying attention and in any case, we are arrived.Lady C,” he said to his sister-in-law.
Lady C turned from the portrait she was admiring, a broad smile painting her face when she spied them.“Eleanor!I did not know you were to attend today.Come my dear, tell me what has been happening with you lately.It seems an age since we’ve seen you.When was the last time, Benedict?”
“I saw her yesterday.”
She made a face.“That is not what I meant and you know it.When were you last at Colgrove House, Eleanor?You must come for dinner.”
“I should love to attend a dinner, Lady C,” Eleanor said.
“Excellent, excellent, for you and I have something of great importance to discuss.Tell me, can you persuade Benedict to turn his attention to courting this season?”
Everything in her froze.“Pardon?”
Lady C sighed.“He simply refuses to entertain any of this season’s debutantes.Colgrove is quite determined his brother be wed and I’ve never known him to not get his way.”
Benedict’s smile became strained.“I am right here,” he said.
Lady C waved her hand.“You do not listen to me, Benedict, but you always heed Eleanor.I am certain she will be able to persuade you to at least consider a young lady or two.Your brother is quite determined.”
Wretchedness soured Eleanor’s belly.She could not think of what to say, but she had need to saysomething.Lady C regarded her with a smile of camaraderie, and in the past, she had teased Benedict along with Lady C about things he did not wish to do, but she could not tease about this.Not when that morning they had lain entwined together in sunlight, his lips brushing her temple and her hand on his chest.Not when the thought of him doing the same with the woman he married sent a bolt through her heart.
Thankfully, Amanda chose that moment to rush to their side.“Mama!You will not believe what I just heard!”
“Amanda, some decorum, please.Lady Eleanor will think I have raised a heathen.”
“Oh, Lady El already knows that.”Amanda offered Eleanor a quick smile.“Mama, the Earl of Malvern is to wed!”she finished with a flourish.
Catching her eye, Benedict raised a brow, a smirk pulling at his mouth.Giving him an arch look in return, she fought the heat rising to her cheeks.She refused to blush, she absolutely refused.
Lady C sucked in her breath.“How do you know of him?”
“Everyoneknows of him, Mama.,” Amanda said.“How can we not, when he is so deliciously wicked?”
“You, my dear girl, are too young to know of him.”
“Mama, please.I am old enough for a season and marriage but not knowledge of the Earl of Malvern?”
“Iam not old enough,” Lady C said darkly.
Amanda rolled her eyes.“Mama, did you not hear me?He is causing a scandal because he is towed!”
