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Benjamin grinned. “Two dark birds… an ill omen, some might say.”
“Perhaps. Although I am blackbird, sir—not to be mistaken for your ilk,” Charlotte teased. It eased gentle laughter from their group.
By the time the hall had filled to bursting, she found herself, surprisingly, alone. Benjamin had run off with Lady Singberry as she planned to introduce him as hertreasureto all the ladies of her acquaintance—or so was her intent. It seemed to Charlotte, from what she could glean of nearby conversation, that she was more invested in showingHuxleyoff to prospective mothers-in-law. In a way, it seemed almost a gift to be so rapidly approaching their end. She would not survive a life in whichHuxleywas independent, married off to another. She dared not consider why.
When at last Benjamin returned to her father, Charlotte perched on a nearby seat against the wall. She was almost too nervous to speak with him. And for what? This was a man she had drawn a bladeon, with whom she had foolishly shared her most sinful desires. The gate ofnerveshad been breached long ago—why then, did it feel like it all had all been a prelude to a pain like no other?
He was upon her before she could ruminate further.
“Walk with me,” he suggested, his hands crossed behind him.
Charlotte looked to her father’s back. “But—“
“I’ve promised we aren’t to go far.”
She nodded and came to a stand.
They walked to the entrance of the hall and into the atrium, far enough away from the dancing that the music was a mere echo. Benjamin exhaled deeply and turned in a circle, looking up at the frescoed ceiling. Dressed as he was, she feared he might take flight.
“You’ve been here before, I imagine.”
Charlotte stepped toward him, her slippers clicking against the marble in the stillness of the room. “I have, quite a few times. You know my father and the Duke are the most intimate of friends.”
“It’s strange, being here—stranger than I thought it would be.”
Charlotte gasped. “Oh, of course. Your mother…”
“I’m not sure she worked this house, but yes, my mother.” His wings hung at his side, ever gazing up. “You know, I once dreamed of setting fire to one of the Duke’s homes—this one, any other.”
“Have you drawn me out here to aid you in committing arson? If so, I must respectfully decline. One crime is quite enough to satiate me.”
“And which crime is that?”
“The crime of lying to one’s family.”
Benjamin breathed a laugh. He tore his gaze from the ceiling to look around.
“Is it everything you imagined?” she asked.
“It’s worse. Empty.” He shook his head. “I thought the walls would be lined with family portraits, the railing decorated with the heads of servants.”
“I cannot speak for heads on spikes, but as for the portraits…” She edged closer toward him, holding her hands so as not to try something misguided. “The Duke has no children, no heirs, and from what I understand, his wife was not the object of his affection. No doubt, he did not wish for his home to remind him of his loneliness.”
Benjamin turned to her at last, the moonlight from the entrance hall windows rippling off the beads on his mask. “An easy space to make your own.”
A shiver ran down her spine. There was something strange in his voice, the most singular mix of regret and delight. Then, she understood. “Stop it.”
“I mean it, Lady Charlotte.” He motioned to the hall. “Would it be so terrible for this home to be yours?”
Her eyes widened behind her mask, her lashes curling painfully against the fabric. She whipped it off so he could look at her as she hissed, “If you mean to tell me you’re having second thoughts, at least do so with less reserve.”
“They’re not second thoughts, but third and fourth. What you said at the gardens, about your sin, about your fate—“
“What I said is none of your concern! You asked for my truth, and I shared it with you. I did not ask for you to try and save me by thrusting me into the arms of Gamston.” Her brow knitted painfully. “Lest you forget, that is precisely why we have done all we have. You cannot wish for me to marry him. Notyou, of all people.”
“I don’twishfor you to marry anyone!” His voice was so low, so commanding, she felt it rumble through her chest. “I suggest it for your own good.”
“My own good?” she echoed incredulously in a whisper.
