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“Perhaps you should think about it longer. Talk it over with me and others before making a final decision,” Benedict said as he built to a full protest while pushing his spectacles back into place.
“No.” She blew out a breath of annoyance. “If you can’t support me in this, Worthington, then you’re off the team.”
“Excellent,” Lord Randolph said with a grin. He shot a look at Benedict. “This one’s full of fight and spirit. I rather like her, and wouldn’t mind taking her back to London with me.”
“Absolutely not,” Benedict said, and was that warning growl in his voice? It was too difficult and unbelievable to ascertain. “Lady Anne remains here. Alone.”
“Ah, with you then.”
“No.” He shook his head. “In my general vicinity, but we are not a couple, and she is not for you.” Authority rang in his voice.
Anne’s jaw dropped. “I don’t believe you have the authority or the permission to dictate such a thing in my life, Lord Worthington,” she snapped and remained undecided if she should be flattered or annoyed.
“I meant no offense.” Lord Randolph stood, but he glanced between her and Benedict with speculation in his eyes.
“Neither did I,” the viscount was quick to add. A faint flush rose up his neck.
His friend nodded. “I’m going to London straightaway and entering this into White’s betting book.” He tucked his notebook away. “While there, I’ll spread the word, have notices sent to all the newspapers, and put a bug in Mr. Davies’ ear.” He rested his gaze on Benedict. “You do the rest. The crowd that gathers in Cranleigh for the fair will take care of everything else.”
“No pressure, eh Augustus?” he muttered as he too rose to his feet. “I thought you intended to stay here for a few days, you know, to visit with your best friend.”
A flush rose up a portion of his neck. “I am and still will, but this wager takes precedence.” Then he crossed to her location and once more possessed himself of her hand. “Truly, it’s been a pleasure, Lady Anne, and I hope you’ll continue to vex my friend.” He kissed her middle knuckle. “Until we meet again.”
“I’ll return shortly,” Benedict said to her. Two seconds later, he left the room with his friend.
Suddenly Anne’s stomach churned with worry. It was now or never to prove herself and make the talent work for her. It was as if the whole of her ballooning life had led to these upcoming events. Perhaps on a stage as large as what she’d proposed for herself, she’d gain the notice of people high on the instep who could use her intelligence and penchant for inventing for the good of all. Imagine the assistance she could render or how she could help make life easier for everyone.
Or I could fail in spectacular fashion. Which would bring more shame and scandal upon her parents’ doorstep, to say nothing of seeing her wed to a man she didn’t want.
“What have I done?” The whisper sounded overly loud in the silence of the room. She leaned over, planted her elbows on her knees, and buried her face in her hands as unexpected doubts assailed her with enough force to cause a physical wave of pain.
“Anne, are you well?”
The soft urgency in Benedict’s voice as he returned to the room had Anne lifting her head and meeting his gaze. “Yes, of course I am.” She sighed and rubbed one of her eyes. “It’s just I’m realizing the wager I’ve thrown down is quite daunting.”
“But you harbor doubts.” He came to a stop before her chair.
“Yes, and that’s not normal for me.”
“Everyone experiences doubts.”
“Not me. It’s impossible to soar if doubts weigh me down.”
He blew out a breath and offered her a hand. “Doubts are a natural way for us to double check our capabilities.”
“My skills are not in question.” She slipped her hand into his, and when he tugged her into a standing position, she sighed, for her annoyance with him had dissolved in the face of this new worry. “I know exactly what I’m capable of.”
“That’s understandable, but having doubts isn’t a failure.” When he didn’t release her hand, she frowned. “I realize we haven’t known each other long, but I went up in that balloon with you, and there are no doubts in my mind that you can do this.”
“Yet I can almost see you calculating risks.” Gently, she pulled her hand from his, and then bizarrely immediately missed his warmth.
“How can I not?” He shrugged. “But that in no way diminishes my confidence in your skills or talent.”
She snorted. “You haven’t been ballooning with me, so therefore can’t base anything on a tethered flight.” Yet the fact he was extending what amounted to blind faith had the ability to steal her breath and her reasoning.
“I know enough.” The intensity in his hazel gaze had tingles falling down her spine. “If you want to enter a distance contest against Mr. Davies for the traveling fair, you have my full support.” That Alpine fresh scent of him wafted around her, beckoning, tempting. “And putting Mr. Davies in his place would make me extremely happy.”
“Oh?” Anne couldn’t help her surprise. “I… I don’t know that I’ve seen you happy since we met.”
