Four
“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” Christopher’s throat hurt from the effort to keep his voice down.
Locked in the library with Benedict, he paced or tried to. The pain in his leg was intensifying, and he hated having to rely on the walking stick.
“You should calm down.” The tone of hurt innocence of Benedict didn’t help Christopher’s pain. “The idea of inviting the ladies is perfect. You’ll have the time to know Amelia better.”
“I donotwant to know her better.” It was a lie of sort.
Amelia had spirit. He’d like to take a taste of her fierce character and see what would happen if he stirred her fire, but between being curious and searching for a wife, there was a huge leap.
That annoying smirk that made Christopher want to punch something appeared on Benedict’s lips. “You like her.”
“You aren’t listening. I’m not interested.”
“Isn’t that wonderful?” The bastard clapped his hands. “Finally, we found someone you like. I was beginning to worry.”
“I’m worried about you and your apparent lack of hearing.” He limped closer to Benedict, wincing as another stab of pain shot along his leg. “I have no intention of inviting Amelia or any other woman to my estate while discussing business with Cowasj.” Another ache started, this time in his chest, and had nothing to do with his scars. “Besides, Amelia showed interest in coming only after having heard Cowasj’s name. She probably wants to hunt him like every young and pretty woman in the Empire.”
The tang of disappointment singing his tongue didn’t make any sense. He didn’t care what Miss Amelia Ollerton did with her life. She could chase Cowasj as much as she liked. None of his business.
“Don’t worry. I’ll entertain the ladies while you carry on with your boring business meeting.” Benedict waggled his brows. “Also, you know Cowasj. He won’t show any interest towards Amelia. He has his own princesses to chase. She’ll be bored and turn her attention to you.”
“You make things too easy.” Christopher leaned against the wall and released a breath as the pain eased.
He only wanted to be alone. Was it that too much to ask?
“You spend too much time alone,” Benedict said, seemingly reading Christopher’s mind. All the jest was gone from his attitude. His blue eyes darkened, and his brow furrowed. He put a hand on Christopher’s shoulder. “I’m worried about you, my friend. Since you came back from Afghanistan, you aren’t the same.”
“Are you surprised?” Christopher hated the vulnerable vibe in his words.
Benedict’s fingers squeezed his shoulder. “I won’t pretend to understand what you’ve been through, but you’re here now. You have to move on. Spending all day alone with nothing to do but think about your nightmares won’t help you feel better. Please, trust me. Just this once. If things with Amelia become really unmanageable, I promise I’ll leave you alone as you wish. I’m not saying you have to marry her. I’m only saying that a bit of company will do you good.”
A few days with Amelia. Christopher could survive a few days with her. Besides, his estate was so big and his schedule so tight, he wouldn’t see her much.
“I can try,” he said, rubbing the sore spot in his thigh.
“That’s all I’m asking, my friend.”
Christopher smiled. It was heart-warming to know at least one person cared for him despite his temperament.
The warmth evaporated when Benedict swatted his shoulder. “Let’s go to the ladies and plan this celebration in my honour.”
“We’ll have a chat about this. I have no intention to turn this . . . holiday into your personal glorification party.”
“Funny, you said the same thing about having Amelia in your estate. I have no intention . . .” Benedict did a poor imitation of Christopher’s voice. “And see how it ended.”
Talking with Benedict was as like taking a pee in a storm, useless and potentially embarrassing.
Christopher knocked on the sitting room’s door and waited. The ladies’ excited voices came muffled through the door.
“Come in.” That was Julia.
His hand trembled when he took the knob and pushed the door open, which was ridiculous. He’d fought against fierce Afghan warriors, endured the privation of a military life, and survived countless wounds. Why would he be worried now? Besides, after the chat with Julia, Amelia might’ve changed her mind, and the thought should calm him. Instead, a damned nervous flutter roiled his stomach.
“Ladies.” He offered a stiff bow, thanks to his aching leg.
An anxious smile stretched Julia’s lips while a dangerous light glinted in Amelia’s gaze.
