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He wanted to kiss that natural arch merely to see how she’d react, but that would require courage he didn’t know if he could summon. “Terror ensues.” He wasn’t trying to be sarcastic or funny; it was merely the truth. “Which is why it’s best to avoid the risk altogether.”
“Argh!” She tossed him a look that branded him little more than the village idiot. “Then one will never grow. Never learn. Never feel the rush of satisfaction for a job well done.” The lady chopped the air with a hand. “Never see how wonderful life can be if you take a chance and go forward on faith.”
“For heaven’s sake, Benedict, leave the poor girl alone.”
They both glanced toward the door as his mother came into the room.
“Mother.” He sprang to his feet, his face burning with embarrassment, both from being caught and from having an attitude at such cross purposes as his guest’s. “This is Lady Anne Lewis. Lady Anne, this is my mother, Lady Worthington.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Lady Anne said, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and her high color didn’t fade.
“I’m glad to see you socializing, Benedict.”
He ignored that comment. “How long had you been standing in the corridor?” Both of them knew her penchant for listening at keyholes.
“Long enough.” His mother glanced between them with speculation in her hazel eyes. “Know your father, dear. Is he still as stubborn and bullish as he was in his salad days?”
Anne snickered. “At times.”
“I don’t doubt it.” For long moments she stared at the lady and then finally nodded. “Lady Anne can stay in the dower house. Lord knows it’s not being used at the moment, for I refuse to move there until you marry, Benedict.”
Oh, God. The heat of embarrassment blazed all the hotter in his neck and slid upward toward his ears. He shoved his sliding spectacles up the bridge of his nose and resisted the impulse to tug at his cravat when Lady Anne’s gaze fell upon him. “I suppose that would be the best answer to this situation, but there is still the risk for scandal.”
“As there is in most things,” his mother promptly answered. She grinned at him. “There might be talk, but that can easily be quelled. I’ll maintain that I issued a last-minute invitation to Lady Anne. After all, we are throwing a fete to coincide with the travelling fair. Perhaps she can assist me in that.”
“I rather think Lady Anne doesn’t wish to concern herself with that.”
Of course, the lady antagonized him, even in this. “I should be pleased to help.”
“Good.” His mother’s grin widened. “I’ll write to your mother now, Lady Anne, and smooth things over the best I can. I’ll tell her I’ve invited you to stay through the end of the travelling fair that begins in a few days. Benedict always lets the Romani use his land every summer.”
“Ah, then he does have a heart for compassion after all,” Lady Anne murmured as her brilliant blue eyes landed on him once more.
Well, damn and blast. He’d been neatly routed lock, stock, and artillery without him even being aware of it. “Why would you do this, Mother? There’s too much inherent risk in offering to house the lady,” he said in a low voice even though she watched him with amusement dancing in her eyes and a grin of early victory curving those all-too-tempting lips.
And the bulk of that risk lies on me. How the devil am I to go about my life knowing she’s so close?
His mother laughed. “I’m bored, and the summer heat makes me wish for a distraction. This is just the thing.” She shrugged. “Plus, that young woman needs someone to believe in her. It’s not right how women are repressed in this day and age.”
“Thank you for the support, Lady Worthington,” Anne murmured with downcast eyes he had no doubt she only did for effect.
“And everyone can do with a bit of hope.” His mother glanced at him. “Even you, Worthington.” Then she gestured at their guest. “Come, Lady Anne. I’ll see you settled. You can take your meals here at the manor with us. I’ll lend you a maid and send over the housekeeper to make certain you’re comfortable.”
The lady’s grin could rival the sun’s brilliance, and for one tiny second, his heart gave a hard thud as if it were suddenly coming to life. “Thank you both so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate this chance to prove myself.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Benedict found himself saying even though his mind, his heart, and his brain all screamed dire warnings.
“Oh, and we need to see to Matthew,” Lady Anne rushed onward as she crossed the room with his mother. “He’s a footman who has thrown in his lot with me. He’s got the balloon and all the equipment…”
Bloody, bloody hell. Benedict heaved a sigh. For the second time in as many days, he trailed after the woman who’d upset his ordered, quiet days.
What the devil was he thinking? This was a bad idea. A very bad idea indeed.
