She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth, and he wanted to kiss her again. “Nothing.”
“No feelings either?”
She shook her head. “Maybe we didn’t come here.”
“Possible.”
He wasn’t going to lie. Knowing that she’d been alone with Benedict while in that wild state didn’t please him in the least, but above all, he was worried. Benedict wasn’t a rake, but if he’d been in a state similar to Esther’s, then anything could have happened.
“There’s nothing I can do about that,” she said, taking his hand.
“You don’t have to apologise.”
“Alexander, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Are you anxious about the competition?” Benedict skidded to a stop upon seeing Esther. His expression changed to an angry one. “You!”
“Oh, bother.” She touched her forehead. “I didn’t mean to steal anything. If you tell me what I stole, I’ll do my best to return it.”
“Stealing? You tried to kill me!” Benedict said.
“Nonsense.” Alexander scoffed.
She shook her head. “No. I refused to believe that. I’m not a violent woman.”
“What is this, in your opinion?” Benedict lowered the collar of his shirt to reveal an angry red cut on his neck, not deep but long, surely left by something sharp.
She wrung her hand. “Your valet wasn’t very careful when he shaved you?”
“It wasn’t a razor, but Alexander’s blade.” Benedict pulled up his collar again.
“What?” Alexander and Esther said together.
“It’s not possible,” Alexander said. “Fencing foils aren’t sharp. You should know.”
Benedict was flustered. “Yes, but she thrust your foil at me, and I lost my balance and cut myself on the sharp edge of a table. It’s still her fault.”
“I want to know everything from the beginning,” she said.
“You should know.” Benedict raised his voice.
“There’s no need to be rude.” He stepped closer to her. “Esther doesn’t remember anything about last night. So tell us what happened.”
“No memories. How convenient.” Benedict arched his brow. “I met Esther at The New Club. She was searching for a gentleman to kiss.”
Esther covered her face with the veil of her hat.
He held her hand. “Forget about that,” he whispered and winced. “Poor choice of words.”
“She became particularly insistent with me,” Benedict said, “and boldly asked me to go to my house.”
“Honestly.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead.
Benedict was flustered. “That’s the honest truth. She was so excited we practically fled the club. So we climbed into my carriage, but she asked me to stop in front of your house. She jumped out and told me to wait, so I did. When she returned, she had your foil.”
“And you didn’t think to return it?” he said.
Benedict shrugged. “I thought it was a practical joke, not that she meant to use the foil against me.”
“Please continue.” She grimaced. “We came here and then?”
