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Perhaps Benedict felt so strongly about Lady Harriet because last Season he had spent so much time with her. His grandmother, well-meaning but deeply misguided, had plotted with Lady Everett to throw the two of them together, only succeeding in making Benedict dislike Lady Harriet more than he could have thought possible to dislike an innocent person.
What was worse, she had been the first lady on the Dowager’s list of eligible ladies for Benedict to meet. So, Lady Everett probably thought that she was very close to securing Benedict as a husband for her precious girl.
“Iwassurethat I saw you in Madame’s, you Grace. Oh, are you alone? Perhaps you’re waiting for someone?” Lady Everett asked, smiling. The implication was there, and Benedict didn’t wish to risk offending one of his grandmother’s friends. He could make his excuses once he’d drunk his tea.
“Not at all. Would you care to join me?”
Please say no, please say no.Benedict prayed.
Apparently, there was no deity listening. Either that, or they thought Benedict deserved to suffer.
“We should love to. Harriet, sit here, opposite His Grace. Now, Your Grace, how are you doing? What on earth were you doing in the modiste’s?”
Lady Harriet frowned. “He was escorting Miss Wyre, Mama. Didn’t you see her?”
Lady Everett’s rigid expression indicated that she had been trying very, very hard not to see Miss Wyre. Most of Society liked to pretend that the Wyres no longer existed.
Benedict would change all that very soon.
“Lady Harriet is correct. Miss Wyre is very much in need of new gowns.” Benedict said smoothly. He watched Lady Everett closely.
Asingle man could not be seen escorting a single lady to a modiste to buy new gowns without the world coming to a singular, obvious conclusion. Lady Everett was a clever woman, but she clearly did not wish to admit that her precious Harriet had missed her chance at snapping up a duke.
“Iam surprised that the Wyres can afford such frivolities.” Lady Everett remarked. “Madame is not cheap. Her plain fabrics alone…”
“But Mama, we heard, don’t you remember? His Grace is paying for Miss Wyre’s clothes.”
Poor, simple Harriet. For the first time, Benedict felt a rush of affection for Harriet. The girl clearly had no truck with her mother’s pretenses and poorly disguised lies. Either that or she simply had no energy to keep up.
Lady Everett levelled a glare at her daughter. Harriet returned it blandly.
“Oh yes, Harriet. Now you mention it, we did hear something like that. I don’t think I believed it, though. Why on earth would someone like His Grace buy clothes to Miss Wyre? It doesn’t make sense.”
Here was his chance. Benedict drew in a breath.
“The truth is, Lady Everett, Miss Wyre and I have come to an understanding. We are courting, you see. She has very few suitable gowns, and as I plan for her to accompany me to many sociable functions. So you see, Lady Everett, as a doting fiancé, I simply must make sure she is properly attired.”
Lady Everett had gone an odd, vivid shade of red. Her expression was one of horror, consternation, and anger, confirming Benedict’s beliefs that his grandmother, and Lady Everett’s own high opinion of herself, had led her to believe that a discuss of courtship between Benedict and Lady Harriet was coming any day now.
“Well.” Lady Everett said finally, her voice cold and unfriendly. “I must say, Your Grace, I am surprised. That a man of your caliber…”
“Ithink it’s marvelous.” Lady Harriet said stoutly. “Miss Wyre is very pleasant indeed.”
Lady Everett shot a glare at her daughter, which was roundly ignored. For his part, Benedict could have grabbed Lady Harriet and hugged her tightly.
Of course, he would not, as it would be a scandal fit to shock London.
“You met her?” Benedict asked.
Lady Harriet nodded, jerking her arm away when Lady Everett discreetly pinched her under the table.
“Only briefly, but she was so friendly. I saw Madame trying to steer her towards those terrible, overpriced chiffon shawls – ones that fray after a couple of wears – and Miss Wyre was so neat about saying no, without seeming to offend anyone. I was quite impressed, as Madame has brow-beaten us into buying several items that we didn’t want. Do you recall, Mama?”
“Harriet, I’m not sure that this is appropriate.” Lady Everett said tightly.
“But His Grace will want to talk about his lady, won’t you, Your Grace?”
“Icertainly do. Miss Wyre is bewitching and quite something new. I think she will take Society by storm.”
