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“Splendid.” Benedict clapped his hands together. “I hadn’t realized at the time I was predicting the future.”
“Save your self-congratulations, Ben,” James said. “We must still make it through dinner.”
“Ah, but in that I have every faith the women will make us proud.”
Lady Edith laughed and shook her head as the guests were announced. Lord Claverley stepped into the room, a bit shorter than his wife, with a round face and fair hair. His wife followed, regal and tall, with jewels dangling from her ears and dripping down her chest.
My spine straightened upon the impact of seeing a man in the flesh that I had so long avoided, and I fought the instinct to flee the room. I glanced up and caught Benedict’s eye, and the serious blue gaze he had glued to me felt as though it was saying far more than he could speak at present. He turned away to greet his cousin, but angled his body just before mine in a way that caused me to wonder if he realized he’d stood in a protective stance.
“Miss Northcott,” Lord Claverley said, resting his greedy gaze on me.
I dipped in a curtsy and greeted both the earl and his wife.
“You are the picture of health,” Lord Claverley said.
I turned to Lady Claverley. “How are your children? The littlest one is not yet a year old, yes?”
Her smile blossomed, her eyes lighting with interest. “Oh, yes, they are all such lovely little dears. The babe, Gwendolyn, was blessed with the same fiery hair her oldest brother possesses. It is such a shock, I vow you will be impressed when you lay eyes on her. She is a veritable cherub, and I sometimes wonder if she has been sent to us directly from heaven. Though, are not all babies such sweet spirits? I suppose I had that same consideration when each of my children were born. You know, it is that time between six months and one year when they truly shine with such distinct personalities. It has been an absolutedreamto discover sweet Gwenny’s affection for her siblings, and I do believe she will be blessed with the sweetest disposition, for she already has proven to be of such a sweet nature and only criesveryoccasionally during the night. Her nurse is—”
“Darling,” Lord Claverley said, “I believe the present company does not wish to hear about our children’snurse.”
“On the contrary,” I argued. “I am very interested to hear about the woman who cares for such a sweet-tempered babe.”
Lady Claverley was interrupted and precluded from expounding on the subject when Forester opened the door and announced dinner was ready. The earl looked at me but was prevented from asking to escort me to the table when Benedict pivoted and held out his arm.
“May I have the honor of your company?” he asked quietly.
Relief flooded me. It did not matter that I had been actively avoiding him over the last few weeks. He was currently my savior, and I could have hugged the man in my gratitude. I placed my hand upon his arm, and we followed the processional. Henry must have slipped into the antechamber at some point during the countess’s monologue, for he was now leading Lady Edith into the room just behind Lord Claverley and Felicity, James and Lady Claverely at the lead.
Once we were seated at the table, Benedict leaned over and said quietly, “Now you owe me a favor.”
A quiet scoff begged free, and I kept my attention on smoothing my gloves in my lap while I responded. “Is it such a chore to escort me that you require payment?”
“It was certainly a risk. Everything with you is a risk.”
His low, velvety voice skittered over my skin, and I did my best to hide how deeply it affected me. “It is a wonder you ever dare speak to me at all.”
“I did not say it wasn’t worth the risk.”
I looked up sharply to find his blue eyes darkening, staring down at me with something lurking deeply behind the plain expression. “What—”
“Miss Northcott, you have been quiet this evening,” Lord Claverley said. “That is most unusual. Tell us, do you plan to have a ball?”
“In London,” I said, my fingers trembling from the effect of Benedict’s expression. “Felicity insists on it.”
Felicity looked at me, then seemed to sense what I was up to. “Oh, of course. We must bring her out properly.” She turned innocent eyes on Lady Claverley. “I am so looking forward to taking Thea to all the balls and parties in London.”
That was a lie, and anyone who knew Felicity well would know it. It was a good thing Lord and Lady Claverley did not seem to know her well.
“But you will not have a ball here at Chelton?” Lord Claverley asked. “That is surprising.”
“She will have a greater chance of meeting suitors if her ball takes place in Town than if it is here,” Lady Edith said reasonably.
“I suppose we will have to come to London then.” His lecherous gaze flicked over me. “I do hope you will promise me a dance.”
“But darling, you told me we no longer are needed in Town—”
The earl shot his wife a quelling look. “We cannot very well miss our dear Miss Northcott’s come out ball.”
