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“We have been over this before.” Sebastian turned his back and continued his walk. He was not in the mood to have that particular conversation today, so he had to bring it to an end quickly. “I have no cause to marry. You should though. I think it will add to your happiness greatly.”
“If that is the way you feel, then why do you scare away every young lady that comes near me? Good lord, Sebastian, you’re better than a bulldog for a guard.”
“Am I?” Sebastian stood taller and adjusted the tailcoat on his shoulders.
“That was not a compliment!”
“I choose to take it as such,” Sebastian said with a smile, prompting his brother to shake his head again. “Now, listen, you know I want what is best for you.”
“You’ve said it a thousand times, though I do not always understand your ways.”
“Then hear me out a little more.” Sebastian took his brother’s shoulder once again and urged him to stop. The two came to a halt in the long reeds that surrounded the lake. As they swayed in the breeze, their leaves practically hissing beside them, Sebastian pointed through the reeds and across the lake, toward where the ladies were walking. “You are young, and not yet experienced with ladies.”
“How can I be if you frighten them all away?”
“By learning from my knowledge.” Sebastian gestured to the ladies another time. “Lady Bella was so keen to get your attention that the neckline of her gown was never fixed, and Lady Hayes was most reluctant to release your arm at all, was she not?”
“And?”
“And? You do not see a problem with these things? Ha! Benedict, you are naïve. Any lady who is truly interested in you will not resort to tricks.” Sebastian held his brother’s gaze as his voice became solemn. “They will get to knowyoufirst, not your title, before they decide they like you. As much as I want you to marry, I want it to be the right woman. Marry the wrong one and it could be a life of misery. What kind of brother would I be if I allowed you to do that?”
Sebastian urged his brother on again. They walked around the lake, coming dangerously close to Lady Hayes and her sister.
“I suppose you are right.” Benedict sighed with the words. “Though I still do not know how you can judge a lady as being artful and cunning with just one glance.”
“One glance is sometimes all that is needed –” Before Sebastian could say anymore, a cry went up from the lake’s riverside.
“What was that?” Benedict was already hurrying forward, before Sebastian could stop him.
Sebastian followed behind, though at a much slower pace. He could see Lady Hayes up ahead had tripped on the reeds and was now prostrate on the ground, but at a rather unnatural angle. Her gown seemed to be adjusted just so to flatter her, and the hem of her skirt was lifted a little.
“Subtle, indeed,” Sebastian murmured wryly, watching as Benedict caught up with the lady.
“Lady Hayes, goodness, are you injured?” Forever the gentlemen, Benedict took off his top hat and bent down to his knees, offering his hand to Lady Hayes. Beside them, Lady Bella stood, waving a hand in front of her face as if she might swoon from the shock of it all.
This is as good as being at the theater!
Sebastian worked hard to hide his smile as he reached their side.
“I fear my sister is greatly injured, Lord Westmond,” Lady Bella said with drama in her tone.
“As do I,” Lady Hayes spoke quickly. “It is my ankle, my lord. It is in need of attention.” When she lifted her leg a little too easily, urging Benedict to check for an injury, Sebastian hid his laugh behind a cough. He earned merely a glare from Benedict, who knew that it really was a laugh, though the ladies didn’t seem to notice.
“Then we must get you to a physician, my lady.”
What!?
Benedict’s declaration left Sebastian shaking his head, fearing that his brother’s rather young and naïve ways would always make him a target of a pretty lady. One smile and he was enamored. Sometimes, Sebastian had to save his brother from himself.
“Good lord, what is that?” Sebastian said and stepped forward, pointing down at Lady Hayes.
“What?” she asked.
“Ah, I see what it is. A spider. It has just crawled under the hem of your dress, my lady.”
“Ahh!” She jumped to her feet, so remarkably quickly that Sebastian had to turn away to hide his laughter. Benedict caught up with him and pulled on his tailcoat.
“Seb! That was not funny.”
