With the confirmation he had heard her correctly, Benjamin was spurred into action. He nodded at her, unable to stop the smile that spread across his face. This time as he spun to walk away, she did not stop him.
CHAPTER15
Lord Roberts,
I must admit, this is not an easy letter to write. As you know, I have been in meetings with your investors and the like for many weeks to discern their standings with you. It is as I have feared. Of the gentlemen I have spoken with, the majority, if not all, have grown increasingly more concerned with your reputation.
You must remember, these are family men we are dealing with. They do not understand the kind of lifestyle you partake in. Despite your fortune, your investors are worried with your reputation and no wife to temper it that you are no longer a sound investment.
I will encourage you to heed my advice — find a wife. Spend your season courting someone who will add to your reputation and refrain from questioning any of your late-night activities. It would do you well to create a family. Your investors would benefit from feeling a kinship with you in that regard. Might I suggest the Diamond of the Season? It is expected that the Queen shall make her selection this evening. Attend the night’s ball, set your sights, and do nothing to let her slip out of your grasp. Once your reputation is secured, you can be free to send your wife off to one of your distant homes and continue on with life the way you want to live it.
Think about what I have said as the future of your investments may depend on it. Do your best to stay away from any scandals this season.
I will write again with any further updates.
H.G.
* * *
Felicity did not move from her spot on the dance floor. She could not. Her eyes were glued to the back of Benjamin’s head as he cut through the crowd and made his way to her father. She watched in rapt attention as Benjamin leaned down to say something in her father’s ear. She almost missed the flustered and frustrated look her mother wore, but as her gaze was now trained on Felicity, it was hard to ignore.
A second later and Benjamin and her father were lost to the crowd. With a steadying breath, Felicity braved a glance around the room. The innumerable pairs of eyes on her sent waves of shock and discomfort through her. She never wanted to be the center of attention, and yet here she stood, alone on the dance floor, a circle of people surrounding her and no answers for what had happened.
I doubt any of the other Diamonds of the Season had this eventful of an engagement ball.
Felicity almost chuckled to herself at that thought. Unsure of what to do next, Felicity left the ballroom floor and started to make her way back to where her mother and sister stood. Movement caught her eye, and she watched as Benjamin followed her father up the stairs and out of the ballroom. At the last moment, he turned, finding her eyes immediately and sent her a wide smile. She returned the expression and then watched him disappear behind the doors.
“What is going on, my dear?”
Felicity was not fooled by the term of endearment her mother used. From the way her mother stood with her arms crossed and that line of worry creasing her forehead, Felicity knew her mother was less than pleased by the evening’s events.
“I do not know,” Felicity answered truthfully.
“What do you mean, you do not know? There is more going on here than you are telling me, and I expect answers. Now.”
“Lady Kent,” a soft, warm voice interrupted her mother’s berating.
Felicity, Delilah, and her mother all turned their heads to find the source of that interruption, only to immediately drop into low bows.
“Your Grace, how gracious of you to join us,” her mother said demurely. “I was not expecting you.”
“I was invited,” the Duchess of Ferndown, Benjamin’s mother, informed them with a slightly raised eyebrow.
Felicity got the distinct impression that the Dowager was not unfamiliar with the ruthless games played amongst the ton, and she would not be out matched.
“Yes, yes of course,” her mother stumbled over herself in an attempt to ease any sign of a slight. “You just have not attended any of the season’s events, so I did not expect that my daughter’s engagement ball would be the event you chose to show up at.”
The Duchess’ eyes narrowed at the emphasis her mother put on the fact that tonight was Felicity’s engagement ball. Dismissing her mother entirely, Duchess Chapman turned her attention to Felicity, taking her in from head to toe. Felicity struggled not to squirm under the scrutiny.
“Might I have a word with you, Miss Kent?”
Without waiting for a reply, Duchess Chapman made her way to the balcony outside. It was apparent that she wanted privacy for whatever conversation Felicity was about to have.
“Go,” her mother urged, “do not keep Her Grace waiting.”
Felicity was almost surprised at her mother’s willingness to push Felicity towards the Dowager, but her mother valued title over almost everything else. The music started once more, and this time, couples made their way to the dance floor, leaving Felicity room to trail after Duchess Chapman. By the time she had exited the doors, the rain had stopped, and the damp cold seeped into her skin, wiping away the heat from the room.
“Over here, Felicity,” the Dowager called.