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“Yes.” She nodded. “One was a way to toast bread and melt cheese at the same time between two flat irons clamped together. Do you know how wonderful a snack that makes?”
“I do not, but I look forward to trying it.” Then he frowned. “Why would you invent such things?”
“Why not?” Anne shrugged. “It’s fun, and something that drew me closer to my brother.”
“Did he assist in your inventions?”
“At times. I learned from him, and then oftentimes enhanced what he sketched out.”
Benedict let his horse meander where he would as long as he stayed near Anne’s mount. “What was your brother like?”
“Oh, just as fearless as I am.” Her smile held a sad edge. “He pushed me into tinkering, into ballooning.”
“Because you pestered the life from him, I suspect.” He could almost see her as a flaxen-haired young girl tagging after her older brother.
“Yes.” Her laughter sent gooseflesh sailing over his skin. “I followed him everywhere. So when he put forth the idea of ballooning, I readily agreed and volunteered.”
“And still you tinkered.”
“I did. Aaron and I had a brilliant partnership. I certainly learned to be daring from him.”
Could she teach him the same? “That must feel amazing.”
“Yes, it does.” A soft shuddering sigh escaped her. “I miss him.” Then she shot him an odd look. “You were brave too, for you went to war.”
His stomach churned with the brief mention of that time. “I don’t wish to talk about that.”
She slowed her horse to a halt, and he was obliged to do the same. “What do you want to do just now?”
God, what was this hold she had over him? A slight sliver of daring wormed its way to the surface. “Kiss you again?” What sort of nodcock had he turned into?
Amusement danced in Anne’s cornflower blue eyes. “Are you asking me or telling me?”
He couldn’t help his grin. Her quick mind fascinated him, and he wanted to show his appreciation. “I’m telling you.”
“What about the risk? After all, we are on a public road.”
“It’s early yet and there’s no one about. The risk is low… unless it makes you wish to fall madly in love with me,” he joked and laughed when she did.
“I’m not certain I believe in love that comes about so quickly.”
“Then don’t talk to my mother.” Manipulating the reins, he urged Jupiter as close to her horse as he could. “Meet me halfway.” As he leaned over, she did the same. Quickly, he cupped her cheek and then brushed his lips against hers before Jupiter danced away and broke their brief connection. “My apologies. It would appear Jupiter isn’t inclined to assist in romantic endeavors.” He nudged his spectacles higher onto the bridge of his nose.
“More’s the pity.” Her horse pulled her further away. “I could have had great fun with a second kiss, Worthington.”
The way she said his title lit tiny fires in his blood. What the devil is wrong with me? I’ve only just met her! But he took his reins in hand. “Perhaps we’ll have that chance another time.”
When the butler interrupted Benedict’s reading that afternoon, he sighed. “What is it now, Hemsley?”
“There is a Lord Randolph here for you, my lord.”
“What? Augustus is here?” He shot up from his spot on a sofa in his library and tossed his book aside. “Please show him in.” The man had been his best friend since their military days, and he was currently the heir apparent to the Marquess of Eaton.
Seconds later, Lord Randolph appeared, and it was as if they’d never parted. “You haven’t changed at all,” Benedict said as he offered a hand to his friend. Several inches taller than his average height, amusement reflected in his brown eyes. With his high collar points and his blond hair arranged in a popular style, he was every bit the friend he’d always been.
“I should hope not. We’ve not seen each other in six months.” The other man shook Benedict’s hand and then pulled him in for a hug.
“What are you doing here?” Benedict gestured for the other man to sit.
