Author: Wendy Soliman
Category: Historical
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‘Thank you.’ He sent her a dubious look. ‘I think.’
They both laughed.
‘I have crossed swords with Salford on more than one occasion,’ Ezra said, turning serious. ‘I hesitate to speak ill of your intended but—’
‘He is not my intended. I cannot think where that rumour came from, and I aim to put a stop to it. Well, actually I can. He implied to Lady Fletcher that we had reached an understanding. My aunt has a romantic nature and so naturally Captain Salford received his invitation to this party, which I fear has spoiled it for me.’
‘I am so glad,’ he replied softly.
‘That my pleasure has been curtailed?’ She sent him an assessing look. ‘That is not very gallant of you, your grace. But feel free to speak as ill as you like of the captain. I have always thought that there was something of the night about him, for want of a better description, although perhaps I didn’t realise it until now.’
‘Yet your father depended upon him.’
‘He is a sound strategist in the field of battle and was an excellent adjutant, so Papa always insisted. He was a frequent visitor to Benton House whenever Papa was at home, which was not that often. I got quite used to seeing him there and didn’t think much of it. Of course, he called after…’ She swallowed. ‘He called close on the heels of Papa’s death but I was not receiving. He tried to insist, I gather, but my governess sent him packing.’
‘I am glad someone did the right thing by you.’ They reached a row of steps at the end of the terrace. Ezra took her arm and helped her down them, releasing it again when they reached the lower level, which was out of sight of the main terrace. ‘There, he won’t find you for a while now.’
‘I am not going to spend the entire week hiding from him,’ she replied, bridling. ‘I am no coward and I will make it very plain to him that his attentions are unwelcome.’
‘I don’t doubt it, but will he take defeat gracefully, that is the question?’
‘He will have little choice in the matter, if he is half the gentleman he thinks himself to be, which is questionable.’
Ezra chuckled. ‘Remind me never to get on your wrong side.’
‘You already have, by making murderous plans that will quite spoil the atmosphere my aunt has striven so hard to create.’
Ezra laughed, and they walked for a moment or two in companionable silence. He would never permit himself to walk with any single female unchaperoned as a general rule, but he found himself revelling in Miss Benton’s exclusive company. He sensed there was more to Salford’s pursuit of her than her obvious charms and reputed fortune. He didn’t trust the rogue’s intentions, and since he had satisfied himself that Miss Benton really didn’t crave his company, he would take it upon himself to protect this beguiling creature from the captain’s manipulative tentacles. She might think she was versed in the ways of the world, but she was an innocent and needed his help. She was far too proud to make such an admission, even if she privately acknowledged the truth of it, but Ezra had now come upon a reason he could live with, a justification for remaining close to her.
‘When the captain does find me here alone with you,’ she said, her melodic voice rousing Ezra from a charming reverie that featured the beguiling Miss Benton, a barn full of soft hay and…Enough!
‘Yes, Miss Benton?’ he said smoothly. ‘When the captain finds us here together…’
‘You intend to warn him off, I suppose.’ She huffed indignantly. ‘I cannot think why else you are keeping me out here, away from everyone else on the main part of the terrace. You think I am incapable of looking out for myself.’ She pouted this time, looking highly affronted. ‘Why must gentlemen insist upon being so protective? It’s insulting, infuriating, inconsiderate, in…in everything.’
‘We can return to the terrace if you would prefer it. My intentions are, I can assure you, quite honourable. In the most part,’ he added with a mischievous smile.
She burst out laughing and lightly punched his arm. ‘You are impossible!’
‘Where is your governess now?’ Ezra asked, as they continued to stroll, the path lit by the occasional wall sconce and the light spilling from the downstairs rooms, along with the sound of the piano being played badly and snippets of muted conversations.
‘Back in Yorkshire, caring for her ailing mother. It was unfortunate timing, but of course she had to do her duty. I no longer had need of a governess, but Mrs McAnally had become more of a companion. One who made it possible for me to continue living at Benton House alone.’
‘And when she was called away, you closed it up and came here?’
‘Not at first. I went to stay with my mother’s brother’s family in Wales, but that was not satisfactory. I didn’t like it there and felt I was an inconvenience.’
‘You?’ Ezra raised a brow, disguising how sorry he felt for the chit behind a façade of mock amusement. ‘I am sure you gave no trouble whatsoever.’
‘Well, of course I did not!’ she cried indignantly. ‘There is no need to look so surprised. However, my uncle is a harsh man, not at all as compassionate as my aunt Fletcher. He has no daughters of his own and didn’t have the first idea how to cope with someone of my age disrupting his household simply by being there.’ She flashed an impudent smile. ‘Not because I misbehaved in any way.’
‘And so you came here?’
‘No, I went to stay with an old lady, a friend of Mama’s in Chelsea, but that didn’t work out either. She was too set in her ways, and I think I was too lively for her.’
‘That I can readily understand.’
‘Odious man!’ Miss Benton sent him a scathing look. ‘It is clear that you intend to insult me by every means at your disposal but I shall rise above your petty-mindedness.’
‘Petty-minded?’ Ezra shook his head, enjoying himself enormously. ‘No one has ever thrown that accusation at me before.’
‘I expect all the people you encounter want to make a good impression, so they avoid being brutally honest. All the ladies in the house are keen to engage your amatory interest, and all the gentlemen hope for your patronage in some respect or other.’ She canted her head and sent him a considering look. ‘The flummery must grow tiresome, which is why I am determined not to flatter or offer false praise. I can afford to be myself, and should it become necessary I shall point out your shortcomings for your own benefit. I don’t want anything from you, so I can risk giving offence. There, I hope that pacifies you.’
‘I have yet to recover from the astonishment of learning that I have shortcomings.’
They both laughed. ‘I dare say you will get over that humbling truth, given time. Brandy is good for shock, so I am told, but I don’t suppose you need an excuse to resort to its medicinal properties.’
‘You do me a disservice, Miss Benton. I am a sober, god-fearing chap.’
She sent him an amused sideways look. ‘Of course you are!’
‘What must I do to impress you?’
Her laughter abruptly faded. ‘You don’t need to worry. I have not told anyone what I overheard, and nor shall I. I give you my word in that respect but I cannot promise not to warn the person you intend to murder, should I learn his identity. Unless of course,’ she added capriciously, ‘Captain Salford is the man you have in your sights, in which case you would be doing me a service.’
‘I have nothing to fear from your meddling because you misinterpreted what you overheard.’
‘Well, they do say that eavesdroppers hear no good of themselves. I hope I did get it wrong, because without wishing to sound like one of the ladies in the drawing room, you are one of the few people here who is worth talking to. Mind you,’ she added hastily, ‘I have not spoken to that many guests as yet so don’t read too much into the compliment.’
Ezra quirked a brow. ‘Was there a compliment in there somewhere?’
‘Tell me why you do not care for Captain Salford. I have not forgotten that you adroitly changed the subject when I raised it before.’
‘I cannot share the particulars, but—’
‘Why can you not?’ she asked impatiently. ‘And don’t you dare say that you would prefer not to offend my sensibilities,’ she added, wagging a warning finger beneath his nose. ‘My sensibilities are very robust, I thank you. Why do gentlemen get to decide what is and is not seemly?’
Ezra cleared his throat, tempted, very tempted, to enlighten her. ‘I do not make the rules, my sweet.’
‘I am not your sweet,’ she replied impatiently. ‘You are fast becoming as tiresome as Captain Salford.’
‘Now you are being deliberately offensive.’
‘Sorry,’ she replied, stifling a giggle that reminded Ezra just how young she still was. ‘Even you do not deserve such a comparison.’
‘How old are you?’
She stopped walking and planted her fisted hands on her slender hips. ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Humour me? Since I am told you are not yet officially out, one assumes you cannot be more than seventeen or eighteen, but you appear older, which is why I ask. You have a lively, enquiring mind which, without wishing to sound patronising, is as unusual as it is refreshing. Most chits of your age are incapable of stringing two intelligible sentences together. Your cousin Lady Beth is a case in point.’
‘Ah, but Beth is lovely inside and out, which is far more important.’
‘Of course it is.’
‘And she would never accuse you of having shortcomings.’
They both laughed.
‘Since your ducal personage entitles you to ask personal questions,’ she replied after a short pause, ‘I have no objection to your knowing that I am seventeen.’
‘So young and yet so worldly,’ he muttered.
‘Now it is my turn to wonder if that was intended as a compliment,’ she replied with asperity.
‘You may depend upon it.’ He paused. ‘Salford brought discredit to the regiment,’ he said, grinding his jaw. ‘In times of war the lines get blurred and the forces on both sides do not always behave well.’
‘I see,’ she said, looking up at him through sparkling eyes full of curiosity. ‘Do tell me more.’
‘Let us just say that he pressed his attentions where they were unwelcome on more than one occasion and got away with it. As I say, the spoils of war are not always honourable. When men are confronted with the very real possibility of giving their lives in the cause of king and country, they…well, they become reckless in their pursuit of pleasure.’
‘Eat, drink and be merry,’ she murmured.
‘You know your bible. However, Salford went too far, and forced himself upon the daughter of an important village elder in Spain whom he must have known was off limits. It almost caused a diplomatic incident. I was obliged to report his behaviour to your father, but Salford denied it outright. It was his word against mine.’
Miss Benton stopped walking. ‘And my father doubted yours?’ she asked, looking shocked.
‘He wanted independent proof.’
‘I suppose he would. The military love their procedures. Besides, even if he accepted that you spoke the truth, he wouldn’t want his favourite cashiered. It would reflect badly upon him too, and Papa was a career soldier first and foremost, and set a great deal of stock by his standing and reputation.’
Ezra nodded, impressed by her astute grasp of the situation. ‘Anyway, there was no independent proof to be had. The girl had been taken into seclusion and no one was permitted to question her. Only Godfrey, my man whom you met earlier, could verify my account. He acted as my batman during the conflict and observed the incident, but Salford demanded that he not be questioned since he was loyal to me and would therefore say whatever I told him to.’
Miss Benton pulled her lower lip between her teeth in a considering fashion. ‘And to a man of honour, whose word is his bond, that must have rankled.’
‘More than rankled, but thank you for believing me.’
Actually,’ she replied, walking on once more, ‘you have just vindicated my distrust of Captain Salford. I have never really liked him but if pressed could not have said why. He somehow made my aunt believe that an understanding exists between us, thereby securing an invitation to this party, presumably with the intention of persuading me into an engagement. I knew nothing about his impending arrival. I suspect he asked my aunt to keep it a secret because he wanted to surprise me. He is a master manipulator and that is just the sort of ruse that my soft-hearted aunt would fall for. But here’s the thing; I cannot for the life of me think why he has fixed his interest on me.’
‘Your modesty does you credit. Despite being outspoken, opinionated and downright disrespectful, you are not unattractive.’
‘Bah!’
‘And you are, if you’ll excuse me, well situated.’
‘You think he is after my fortune?’ She nodded emphatically. ‘Very likely. The hypocrite just now warned me that the fortune hunters would gather and that I would need him to protect me from them.’ She rippled her shoulders indignantly. ‘This is such a bother!’
‘It need not be. I shall not permit him to make a nuisance of himself.’
‘Thank you, your grace, but this is not your battle.’
‘I intend to make it so.’
She stopped walking again and turned to face him. ‘Why? I have already assured you that your secret is safe with me. You owe me nothing.’
Unable to prevent himself, he placed his index finger beneath her chin and tilted her head backwards until their gazes clashed. And held. ‘I am becoming accustomed to being in your debt,’ he said softly, running the pad of his thumb across her plump lips. ‘And I confess to enjoying the experience.’
She swallowed, suddenly looking as young and inexperienced as she actually was. Ezra adjured himself to behave, but his heart and head appeared not to be on speaking terms. ‘You cannot…’
‘Clio! Clio, are you there?’
‘Damn!’ Ezra stepped back and placed her hand on his sleeve, unsure whether to be glad of the timely interruption or to resent it. ‘Time to give the rogue his first lesson,’ he said, winking at her.
‘Clio, I say…’ Salford stumbled upon them and stopped dead in his tracks. ‘Oh, Wickham, it’s you.’
Ezra fixed the captain with a quelling look. ‘Something I can do for you, Salford?’ he asked in a haughty tone.
‘I came in search of Miss Benton. Thank you for biding her company, Wickham, but I have her now.’
‘I am not a parcel, Captain Salford,’ Miss Benton said, matching Ezra’s haughty tone. ‘And I am perfectly at ease in the duke’s company.’ She smiled up at Ezra. ‘Thank you for enlightening me, your grace.’
‘Enlightening you about what?’ Salford asked, an edge to his voice.
Ezra and Miss Benton both ignored him.
‘Would you like to return to the drawing room?’ Ezra asked politely.
‘Thank you, your grace. That would be delightful. I can no longer hear the pianoforte so it is probably safe.’
They both laughed as Ezra conducted her past Salford as though he wasn’t there. ‘I’ll chance it if you will,’ he said.
Mark Salford gaped helplessly at Clio as she and the duke turned and walked away, laughing at something one of them had just said. They were more than likely laughing at him, he thought, his anger bubbling to the surface. This was supposed to be easy, damn it! Clio Benton had always been biddable, willing to do whatever her father asked of her. Just hinting that he had approved of their union should have brought her to heel, but the kitten appeared to have developed claws since he had last seen her.
She had grown more attractive too, in an understated manner. Marriage to her wouldn’t be so very bad. But that bastard Wickham appeared to be intent upon queering his pitch out of some misguided sense of revenge. The major general had taken Mark’s side in that ridiculous fiasco over the Spanish senorita, even if their close friendship had waned in its aftermath, as though Benton had taken Wickham’s word over
his but didn’t act upon it for reasons of self-interest.
Ah well, Mark was nothing if not ready for a little healthy competition. It wasn’t as though Wickham would seriously contemplate marriage to someone as lowly as Clio. He was simply using her as a means to an end. It just went to show that his morals were as loose as he accused Mark of his being.
Well, if that was Wickham’s intention, Mark would bide his time and return the favour. He would save Clio from Wickham’s amorous clutches and earn her undying gratitude. Thus resolved, he sauntered back into the drawing room, ignored Clio and flirted with one of the chits who gravitated to his side.
Chapter Five
‘Where have you been?’ Adele drifted up to Clio’s side. ‘And what is all this I hear about your being engaged to the rather suave captain? You certainly kept that to yourself. I thought we confided in one another unreservedly, and yet you chose to keep the most important decision of your life from me.’
‘Not at all,’ Clio replied succinctly. ‘I was as surprised as you are. I think I would remember if I had agreed to enter into an engagement with anyone.’
‘Oh, but he implied to Mama…’
‘Or my aunt misunderstood, simply because she wanted it to be so?’
Adele smiled. ‘I did wonder about that. It seemed odd since I have seldom heard you mention the captain’s name, which I am sure I would have done if you liked him in that way.’
‘Well, there you have it.’
‘But still, if he likes you, would it be so very bad?’
Clio smiled at her friend. ‘Given the amount of attention bestowed upon you by Lord Fryer, I am surprised you even noticed the captain’s arrival,’ she remarked, keen to divert their conversation away from her own marital ambitions, or lack thereof.
Adele blushed. ‘I will confess that I find Lord Fryer’s company congenial. He doesn’t take life too seriously and makes me smile.’
‘In which case I give you my permission to like him as much as you please.’
‘I don’t think he feels any particular partiality for me,’ Adele said, biting her lip in a modest display of self-doubt. ‘I have seen him speaking with several other ladies since he returned to the drawing room and making them laugh as well.’