“Felicity?” he asked, confused by her hasty attempt to put space between them. “Did I do something wrong?”
He took a gentle step towards her, and she mirrored his movement, backing into the wall. Her breath came out, heaving, and her heart pounded faster than she thought possible.
“P-pl-please,” she whispered, her voice cracking as she held back tears. “Leave me.”
“Tell me what is wrong. I will do anything to fix it,” he pleaded with her, desperate in his own right.
A tear broke free, sliding down her cheek, leaving a hot trail.
“Go. Please. Just go.”
She knew he deserved more of an explanation, but she had no other words to give. It was taking all of her effort to force air in and out of her lungs. All she could think about was the disastrous effects it would have if the two of them were found together. Even with the other guests on the veranda acting as chaperones, Felicity knew her mother would proclaim her a slew of hurtful things. She just needed him to leave, and then she would gain control of herself again.
He must have seen something in her eyes as he did not argue with her anymore. With the purposeful walk of a soldier heading to battle, Benjamin turned and made his way to the door in a handful of steps. He stopped at the threshold of the ballroom, casting a worried look over his shoulder at her, then squared himself up and marched into the crowd.
Tucked into the corner of the balcony, Felicity watched him cross the expanse of the room through a window. His every step eased the panic that had gripped her throat, yet watching him leave caused her heart to ache with loneliness. She shut her eyes against the feeling, trying to convince herself it wasn’t real.
“Felicity?”
Her sister’s gentle voice sounded like she was trying to approach a spooked horse. It was probably because Felicity was behaving like one.
“Are you okay?”
And with that simple question, the floodgates opened.
CHAPTER10
Dear Felicity,
I hope you do not find my letter intrusive, but after last night, I could not help myself from wanting to check in and see how you are doing. So, how are you?—
* * *
“Are we going to talk about what happened last night?”
Felicity slammed the letter shut and slipped it into her pocket. Her cheeks flamed red at being caught unaware as she attempted to read his words.
“Hello? Are you listening to me?”
“I hear you, Delilah,” Felicity said sarcastically, “but I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“I would like for you to explain how you went from sharing the most romantic moment of the whole night to bursting into tears on the veranda. I know he was outside with you; he came and got me himself, worried about you.” Delilah paused and then said softer, “Did he do something?”
“No! No. He didn’t do anything wrong. It is all my fault.” Her shoulders sagged at the admission. “Oh, Delilah, I don’t know what to do.”
“You care for him.”
It was not a question, but Felicity answered all the same, “Yes.”
A huge grin spread across her sister’s face at Felicity’s acknowledgment. As despondent as she felt, Felicity could not keep herself from sharing in the smile.
“Felicity! How wonderful! Does he care for you the same? I thought you had only met him once. How have you gotten to know him? Oh! You’ve been sneaking more letters to him. How romantic!”
Delilah’s line of questioning followed one after another, not giving Felicity the chance to answer. By the time her sister had worn herself out, Felicity wondered if her sister was as infatuated with Benjamin as she was.
“Delilah! Keep your voice down. Someone might hear you.” Felicity grew anxious at the thought of her mother finding out.
Her sister turned somber at her sister’s warning.