Kes simply shrugged. “I am the intelligent Gent, you’ll remember.”
The rest of the group nodded their agreement. And they were all watching Aldric very closely. He shifted his gaze to Henri; they were discussinghissister, after all. Henri just grinned.
There would be no wriggling his way out of this.
“It started before we left Paris,” he said. “Little things about her that—” He didn’t know how to explain what he’d been feeling. He’d not yet taken the time to analyze it himself, something he was now very suddenly and swiftly doing. “She was intriguing during the house party, though my father’s and brother’s mischief undermined that. I wasn’t—she left, and I had so many other things that—I don’t know exactly when it started, but I know that nothing can come of it.”
Five identical looks of dry doubt were tossed at him.
“You all knew my father and the source of misery he was. My mother was a wonderful, loving, happy, caring person, and he destroyed her. Crofton’s wife was at least not entirely selfish or unfeeling when they married, and she’s tiptoeing ever further in that direction. I am doing my best, so help me, to prevent Roderick from being poisoned in the same way, but I don’t know if it’s possible.” He rubbed at the stiffness in his neck. “Jean-François has made Céleste’s life miserable. Tying her to yet another family with such a daunting history of misery would be unfair.”
Henri set an arm across his back. “Your mother was a wonderful, kind, loving person. You have said how hard you are working to help Roderick escape the pattern he was born into. You have seenthisfamily”—he motioned to the Gents—“through a tremendous number of difficulties. That is not the behavior of someone who ruins families, but someone who is fighting to save a family.”
Lucas jumped in. “You worry so much about the legacy of your father that you’re discounting the power of your mother’s legacy. You are so like her. Everything you’ve ever told me about her, I see in you. You want to break this generations-old curse of ruined families and miserable lives? Keep helping Roderick, but don’t think he’s the only chance the Benicks have. You can break that pattern right now, the first person in, likely, generations who could manage it.”
Fighting to save a family.He’d been attempting that since before he could remember. Mother leaving him an escape and enough freedom not to haveto kowtow to his brother for his survival made her part of that effort. And Céleste—amazing, remarkable Céleste—had saved that means of escape.
“The clouds are lifting, I see,” Digby said.
Apparently, Aldric’s moment of realization had shone on his face.
I have loved you for seven years.He thought she still did. She’d asked for him at the inn, had remained in his arms for hours.
Kes rose. “Rehearse your no-doubt awkward declaration of love—you’re a Gent; awkward is unavoidable—and I will go see if the intended recipient of that awkwardness has ended her conversation with her requested visitor.”
“She requested a visitor?” Aldric asked.
Kes glanced back from the door with a significant look. “All the ladies threatened me on pain of torture if I told you, but I think I’ll risk it anyway. She has been having a conversation with your brother.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The events of the nightbefore had shaken Céleste, and she’d struggled to think and speak and, in the end, even to sleep. But the long waking hours had brought some clarity and, eventually, a return of her determination.
She’d sent a footman to Norwood Manor requesting Crofton call on her but had done so with instructions that the footman remain and accompany him to Eu Plate. Word had only just reached her that the new Duke of Hartley had arrived.
Céleste sat in the formal drawing room. Julia remained in the room, as she was the one amongst the ladies with enough standing in Society to render Crofton unwilling to dismiss her entirely. Céleste smoothed the skirts of the dress she’d borrowed from Violet, she being the closest in size to her. Mrs. Sommers had come to stay at Eu Plate and had shown herself a remarkably good coiffeuse. Céleste looked like a proper lady of Paris Society, the daughter of a fine family, and, she hoped, a lady not to be underestimated.
Crofton stepped into the room, looking entirely sure of himself, even a little smug. “Miss Fortier.” He offered an abbreviated bow. Turning to Julia, he added a little more deference to his next bow and acknowledgment. “Lady Lampton.”
They returned his greeting with curtsies before resuming their seats.
“Please, sit.” Céleste motioned to a chair facing hers.
Crofton lowered himself. He was clearly curious as to the reason for his summons but didn’t ask any questions.
It was just as well. Céleste had already decided that an ambush was likely her best approach. “Are you aware of the fact, Your Grace, that your late father gave Lord Aldric the use of Norwood Manor after a conversation with my brother Henri?”
Crofton nodded. “I am.”
“And do you know what it was in that conversation that led to your father’s decision?”
“I have always suspected it was some form of extortion.” Crofton’s nose scrunched in distaste.
Céleste maintained a casual air. She needed him to know that she was not intimidated by him. “I prefer to think of it as encouragement. My family is exceptionally good at ...encouragement.”
The miserable man eyed her through quickly narrowing eyes. “And are you hoping toencourageme?”
“Far more than hoping, Your Grace. Now listen closely.” She held his gaze, unflinching, unwavering. Crofton Benick was a weasel. And he was about to discover that she had little patience with vermin. “You have inherited a significant title and all that accompanies it, but you are not well liked. Indeed, there are many people who find you rather despicable.”
