With a swallow, Felicity crossed the balcony to stand by Benjamin’s mother once more.
“I do not know how you tolerate her.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
Those were the last words Felicity had expected the Duchess to say. She could not school her features fast enough to hide her surprise.
“I know she is your mother, dear, but that woman has always been insufferable. It is amazing to me that you have turned out as lovely as you have with her as your example.”
Felicity blinked, completely unsure of what to say. She agreed with the Duchess’ words, but she did not know how to say that.
“Oh, I do not expect you to agree with me. I just wanted you to know that I did not call you out here because I am cross; I simply could not stand to be in your mother’s presence any longer.” She sighed and then pushed off the railing to face Felicity head on. “You are quite a lovely lady, aren’t you?”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Felicity murmured, a blush rising in her cheeks.
Out of everything she could have predicted happening tonight, Benjamin showing up to declare his affection for her and then Felicity meeting his mother was nowhere close to what she imagined.
“Please, no formalities. You may call me Hope. I feel it is much easier. Besides, we are going to be family, are we not?”
Felicity sputtered out a cough at the Dowager’s question.
“Pardon me,” she said once she had regained control of herself again. “I-I am not sure what Benjamin, I mean, His Grace intends with me.”
Hope flashed her a warm smile, one that spoke of motherly affection.
“You seem like an intelligent girl. I will tell you what I know of my son, and you can decide for yourself what you think he is doing.”
“I would like that,” Felicity told her honestly.
“Benjamin has always been my favorite. I am sure you must think of me as a horrible mother for admitting that, but it is true. As a boy, he was playful and easy until he decided he wanted something. Then he turned stubborn and headstrong. As a child, it made him a menace, but as a man, it is the trait I find I admire the most. No one could persuade him out of enlisting when he became of age. Regardless of what Elijah and I told him, he was determined to make something of himself, and he did. Now that,” her voice cracked, but she continued anyways, “now that things have changed, he has thrown himself into being the kind of man he considers worthy of his title. If I am honest, I have known the three Dukes of Ferndown who preceded him, and he puts them all to shame. So, when my son came home in knots over a girl, I was shocked. He was never one to be distracted by anything, let alone a lady. And then he told me about you.”
Felicity felt the heat rise in her cheeks again. She could not help but feel curious about what exactly Benjamin had shared.
“You need not worry, dear. He did nothing but gush about how wonderful you are. It was then I saw it, that glint in his eyes that told me he had his sights set on something, on you. I must admit, I have gotten more nosy in my old age and only came tonight, so I could see what he was so worked up over. I was nervous that he had fallen for a girl who only cared about his money, not that you knew he had any. But I am sure you are aware of how ruthless the ton can be.”
“Your Grace, I —”
“Hope, please, dear. Call me Hope.”
“Hope,” Felicity corrected, sheepishly, “I truly had no idea. I was more than happy with the idea of Benjamin being a Captain. That was enough for me;hewas enough for me.”
“I know, darling, I know. I saw the way you two looked at each other, the way you two danced together. That cannot be faked. I must ask, do you love him?”
“Yes,” Felicity answered without hesitation and without shame.
Hope nodded with a smile before her brows furrowed.
“If what you say is true, then help me to understand why you are engaged to the Earl of Edgware? His reputation is the most despicable thing. I have known him for many years. He has left a trail of several ruined ladies behind him, their futures in tatters.”
“I know,” Felicity told her, her shoulders sagging. “There was nothing I could do to stop it. My parents are convinced that he is the solution to all our problems.”
“And what do you think?”
Felicity thought for a moment before deciding to answer honestly.
“I think he is a slimy man. The last person I would choose for myself. Since my parents signed the marriage contract, I have not been myself, but I feared there was nothing I could do about it.”
“Then it is a good thing Benjamin showed up tonight when he did. Obviously, my son’s happiness is paramount to me, but I cannot stand the idea of mothers marrying off their children to the highest bidder. This will all work out, dear. Trust me.”