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“Absolutely not. She’s not for you.” He’d be damned if he’d let Augustus—a known rogue—turned her head.
“Easy, Benedict.” Augustus held up a hand, palm outward. “I didn’t mean to step on your toes, especially when you’re halfway besotted already.”
“I’m not.” He shook his head and hoped his expression reflected something other than that. “Tea is soon, so she’ll make an appearance. Tell her then about making a flight at the fair. “
“Good.” Benedict didn’t quite trust his friend’s grin. “Perhaps we can have them both in Surrey, as a way to warm up the crowd and prime them for the London flight.”
Why the devil was he so eager? “What’s in it for you?”
“A healthy wager, my friend. If I lay money on the underdog while everyone bets on the favorite for that London flight, the odds are long, and I stand to make a fortune should she win.”
Hot anger curled through Benedict’s chest. “I’m not certain I should let her be open for further ridicule.”
“You said yourself she’s got the talent. She either does or doesn’t.”
“Absolutely, she does. Why do you want the coin so badly?”
“Gambling debts, plus there’s a new phaeton I want, and my father thinks I’m not responsible with my coin. He’s fairly cut me off.” Augustus shrugged. “Plus, I’d love to see that bastard Mr. Davies knocked down a peg or two. He’s a twit who thinks he can make the ton dance attendance because he has the power of the press behind him.” His expression hardened. “And after what he did to you during the war, I’d like to see him suffer for a change.”
That gave Benedict pause. Though he and Augustus hadn’t been in the same regiment and often their orders had carried them far afield of each other, they’d written with regularity, and their friendship had endured. “I appreciate that. Those scars linger.” He tapped his chin as he thought about what Augustus had proposed. “What is my motivation in this deal?”
“The lady’s undying admiration?” A slow grin curved his friend’s mouth. “The knowledge that you can have your revenge on him for the mess he made of your reputation during the war? The satisfaction of a job well done, for if Lady Anne is here, I’ll wager you’re supporting her financially.”
Benedict sighed. “All of that does sound good.” Then he gave into a grin as well. How could he not? “I’ll even front the coin to pay for advertising for Anne only. Perhaps we should put together a team. Do everything we can to have folks talking about her and her balloon.” He’d do everything he could to give her the best possible start.
“Save that enthusiasm for the London flight. Right now, we want to keep her genius and skill a secret, so as not to spook Mr. Davies.” His eyes fairly gleamed with a plan like they did years ago. “It would be even better if she were to fail at the fair flight, for then everyone would wager against her.”
“Hold.” Benedict frowned. “That sounds much like cheating. As if you’re setting her up to fail.”
“Not at all. Besides, if her talent is as good as you say, she’ll prove herself on that field… or sky as it were. That’ll bring all the word of mouth we need.” He winked. “And if you go up with her, just imagine how grateful she’ll be to you.”
“Let it alone, Randolph.” In his head, Benedict began calculating the odds. “What are the parameters of the flight?”
Augustus snorted. “Let’s ask her.” He nodded at the doorway.
Benedict turned about. Anne stood just inside the library wearing a gown of robin’s egg blue with her hair secured at the back of her head in a loose knot. She was as fresh faced and beautiful as he’d ever seen her. Dear God, would he never cease to feel surprised whenever he saw her? Confliction raged within his chest as he warred between the wish to protect her and the need to see her prove herself. “Lady Anne, may I introduce Lord Randolph, son and heir of the Marquess of Eaton. He’s my best friend in the world, and quite possibly the worst influence.”
