He ground his teeth.She was behaving ridiculously.When they were both in town, they had never gone more than two days without seeing each other, and since they had become lovers, it was even less than that.She had been distressed by the Earl’s invasion of Caraney House, the closest they had come to being discovered, but he had stupidly thought perhaps after she’d had a day or two to deal with that upset, they would discuss it as the rational adults they allegedly were.Instead, she had avoided and ignored him, and he was just about ready to explode.So he’d brought himself to this garden party, even though he fucking despised the Hartletts and their garden parties, because El hadn’t spoken to him for eight fucking days and she was going to be at this bloody party and she wasnotgoing to avoid him this fucking time.
“Lord Benedict, do not say you are here on your own?”
He whipped his head around.A woman a little older than Lady C blanched at his fierce scowl.“We shall remedy that for you,” she said, recovering with a pretty smile.“You remember my daughter, Miss Cynthia Sutherland?”
Christ, now he had to be polite.Forcing the scowl from his face as best he was able, he said, “Of course.Delighted to see you again, Miss Sutherland.”
The girl gave him a pained smile.Clearly, she had no more wish to speak with him than he did her.
“We saw you here by yourself and Cynthia remarked we should not leave you lonely.She is quite solicitous, and always thinking of others.Very desirable qualities, are they not?”her mother said.
Miss Sutherland’s smile turned even more pained.
Ah.So this was an attempt by the mother to present her daughter as a candidate for his bride.His bloody brother and his bloody decree had filtered through to the matchmaking mamas.Such a delight.The only true surprise was it had taken so long.“I am quite well by myself.I await my party, who are of a certain to be moments away.”
“Mama, we should leave Lord Benedict be,” Miss Sutherland said.“He has said he is soon to have companions.”
“Nonsense!He should not be left alone.Who knows what mischief he will embroil himself in?We will leave him to his companions once they arrive.”
“Yes, Mama.”Miss Sutherland shot him an apologetic look.
Her mother launched into a one-sided conversation while Benedict allowed his gaze to again slide to the garden gate.His gaze sharpened.
Finally, El was here.
She entered alone, her expression subdued.She looked separate and alone, small and lost in a sea of revellers.
She looked unhappy.
Bloody hell, she could have come with him.They could have come together.At the very least, they could have met each other mere moments after arriving and neither of them would have had to endure being alone.
“My apologies, I must go,” he said, interrupting Lady Sutherland mid-sentence.The lady looked to protest but he paid her no mind, executing the fastest of bows before striding for EL.
As he made his way to her, she caught sight of him.Her eyes widened and then her gaze darted about before settling on a group of ladies he knew she was acquainted with.She beelined for them, clearly seeking the safety of numbers.
Bloody hell.He bloody knew it.She was deliberately avoiding him.
He changed direction and headed for the group.She tensed, and he smiled grimly.She could not avoid him without making a scene.
Reaching them, he bowed a greeting.Mid-discussion, the ladies acknowledged him but El watched him with wide eyes.“Lady Eleanor, I must speak with you,” he said in a low voice.
“I have only just arrived, Lord Benedict, and should offer my greetings to—"
“It is of great importance.”
He could see her try to conjure a reason to refuse.Her shoulders slumped.“Very well,” she said lamely.
Smiling without humour, he offered his arm.“Shall we,” he stated flatly.
With no other option, she placed her hand on his arm.
They spoke not a word as he led her from the crowd.Others had taken to stroll around the grounds and he set them the same until he found a relatively secluded spot under a weeping willow, hidden from others by the graceful fall of the boughs and leaves.
Turning, he confronted her.“You have been avoiding me.”
She would not meet his eyes.“I have not.”
Frustration coursed through him at her denial.“I tried to see you at home four times in the last eight days.”
