“Do not be ridiculous. She had none of those things. And there is not much to tell other than that I am an utter fool when it comes to conversing with women.”
“Yes, yes. We knew that already. You are absolutely hopeless. Now, tell me what happened!”
Benjamin sighed. Nicholas was like a bloodhound on a trail. Benjamin knew Nicholas wouldn’t give this up or let it go until he was satisfied with Benjamin’s answers, so he resigned himself to telling his friend the story.
“I don’t really know what happened. I attended the Leisure Ball hosted by Lord Hayman two days ago. The ballroom had begun to feel stuffy, and I grew tired of people’s stares, so I made my way out to the veranda. I was enjoying the cover of darkness and solitude when she rushed out of the house. She was so preoccupied that she hadn’t noticed me until she collided with my shoulders. She looked like she was ready to cry or faint or something. I didn’t know what to do; I just panicked.”
“You rescued her. How very charming of you, Ben,” Nicholas said with a toothy grin.
“I don’t know about ‘rescued,’ but I would have done anything to calm her down. She was so distressed, and it was almost as if no one else could see it but me, so I invited her to talk. We had a lovely conversation.”
“But?” Nicholas knew him too well to know there was more to the story.
“But she is the Diamond of the Season. She was so beautiful and confident and dignified that I didn’t know what to do. I made a comment about how she was sure to get her pick of a husband. It was not the right thing to say as she promptly went back inside, leaving me on the veranda looking and feeling like every bit of the fool I am.”
Nicholas tried to hide his laughter at Benjamin’s woes but failed miserably. Benjamin sipped on his drink while he waited for his friend to contain himself once more.
“Oh, Ben,” Nicholas finally said, wiping a tear from his eye, “I would have paid handsomely to watch you ruin things with Felicity Kent.”
“You know her?” Benjamin asked, ignoring the jeer.
“I knowofher. I think everyone does. I have heard only of how kind and sweet a girl she is, if a little docile.”
“I wouldn’t describe her as docile, at least not from what I have seen. Anyways, I sent her a letter yesterday to apologize for my offensive comment.”
“The great Captain Benjamin apologizing? This girl must have really done a number on you. How long did you say you two were talking?”
“I didn’t say. And I apologize,” he said defensively, “just not over pointless societal pressures and rules.”
Getting away from high society’s rules had been Benjamin’s biggest motivator in joining the military. That and he hadn’t wanted to be dependent on anyone else to survive. Elijah had offered him a job once, but it felt more like charity than anything else. Benjamin just always felt like the brutal attacks that happened within the ton were just as ruthless as the wars he fought overseas.
“Of course, of course,” Nicholas soothed.
Benjamin had come back from the military a changed man, but he was unable to talk about any of the things he had seen. The nightmares that plagued him made him relive those horrors enough, and he couldn’t imagine having to put words to it all, nor did he want to push his burdens on anyone else. Nicholas knew his time as a captain had changed him, and he knew better than to push Benjamin too hard.
“Did she write you back, absolving you of your sins?”
“Surprisingly, she did.” He took another swig.
“Well, that’s wonderful for you! Snatching up a Diamond in your first season as the Duke. All the plotting mothers will be devastated.”
“Yes, well,” Benjamin hedged.
“Please don’t tell me she doesn’t know about your ascent in station,” Nicholas said with a warning in his voice.
“Of course, she doesn’t know. I wasn’t going to announce it in the middle of a ball without giving Mother any warning. And throwing mytitle,” he whispered the word, “around while I am trying to make amends doesn’t seem very apologetic. When was I supposed to tell her?”
“Well, I assume we wouldn’t be having this conversation unless you wrote to her again. Why didn’t you tell her in the letter you sent today?”
Sometimes, Benjamin wished Nicholas didn’t know him as well.
“I don’t know,” he sighed, “I guess I am worried that if I tell her, word will get out before I am ready. I am still trying to get a feel for the terrain here. If the ton finds out about Elijah, I’ll have a flock of girls determined to make me their husband simply because I now have a title before I know what to do with any of them. There is something about knowing she is interested in me simply for who I am rather than how much I make in a year that I want to hold on to for a little longer.”
Nicholas nodded knowingly. As a Baron, he had his fair share of power and money hungry mothers trying to pawn their daughters off on him.
“You will need to tell her eventually. You can’t let her find out from somewhere else. Rumors are already starting to swirl.”
“What rumors?” Benjamin was immediately put on edge.