Matchmaking the Marquess (The League of Eligible Bachelors #3)

Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

Ben tugged on his waistcoat, uncertain if he wanted to join his friends in the billiard room or not. He’d heard Cort’s voice, and Ben didn’t know if he could be cordial to the man. But it was the last day of the party, and they would all be quitting Tweed the next day.

He sighed and stepped into the room just as Charlie took aim and pulled his cue back, smacking the ball with a force that cracked the air.

Cort held a stick in his hands while Reginald, Colin, Rags, and Ponsy sat in chairs around the perimeter of the room.

“Good afternoon, Ben.” Cort watched him as he moved around to stand between Rags and Ponsy.

Ben dipped his head. “Cort.” He clenched his jaw tight. He wanted to ask about Cort’s ‘tea’ with Mia, but he also didn’t want to hear all the particulars of it. He would have asked Mia, but she had been busy preparing for the ball. Or she was avoiding him. He was uncertain which.

Cort leaned forward and took his aim. “I imagine it won’t vex you to have your solitude back tomorrow.”

Ben sighed. It was true; he was tired of entertaining. But he had also enjoyed having all the gents at Tweed. He eyed Cort’s back. Or rather, most of the gents. “Yes and no. But I set off for London before too long. We shall all be back together in no time.”

Cort straightened and grinned. “We shall all be together at our own townhouses. It is the best of situations.”

Ben smiled. Cort was not wrong there. Ben had come to realize there was such a thing as too much time with his friends.

“Cort, you had tea with Lady Amelia yesterday afternoon, did you not?” Colin asked with an altogether too innocent look on his face.

Ben was certain they had already discussed it before he arrived and now they were simply bringing it up for his benefit. But what they were about by doing it, he could not say.

“Indeed, I did.” He puffed out his chest. “I believe I impressed her with my chocolate proficiency. She claimed she’d never enjoyed chocolate so much.” He shrugged. “Mine is far superior to what the Quakers have been producing of late.”

Rags rolled his eyes. “You’re absurd.”

Colin and Reginald grinned. “Perhaps, but if you had tasted his chocolate, you would realize he is not telling a bouncer. His truly is superior.”

“What’s absurd is that he is making it himself. As if he is a common tradesman.” He scowled at Cort. “You’re a viscount, for heaven’s sake.”

Ben’s lips twitched. While Rags may not be completely wrong, Cort was not the only member of the ton making his own chocolate.

“Lady Amelia enjoyed your chocolate then?” Charlie brought the conversation back to Mia.

Ben scowled at him.

“Indeed, she did.” Cort glanced at Ben. “And we had a rather diverting conversation.”

Reginald took a step forward. “What was it about, pray tell?”

“We discussed monkeys and the West Indies.”

“Monkeys?” Ben asked.

“Yes.” Cort glanced over at him. “Did you know she was interested in them? And she would like to see one for herself.”

“She wishes to journey to the West Indies?” Mia had talked to Ben about visiting the Continent. But she’d said nothing about the West Indies.

“But she did express a desire never to marry, which—”he frowned—“really is a pity. Such a journey is far too dangerous for a single woman to undertake on her own.”

Ben’s attention perked up. “She told you she plans never to marry?”

“She did.” Cort stared at him. “That should hardly surprise you. You told me of it yourself. But does it surprise you that she told me?”

Ben’s shoulders relaxed. He need not worry that Cort would propose. “No. I mean, yes. Perhaps I’m surprised. I had wondered if she had recently changed her mind. But are you disappointed? I had thought you may be inclined towards her.”

Cort grinned. “Did you now?” He looked at the other men with a look of success. “You see? I had him convinced. And you all thought I could not act.” He waved his hand in front of him in a flourish and bowed deeply. “Thank you, your applause is appreciated.”

“No one applauded,” Rags said dryly.

“I hardly think your performance with Lady Amelia counts, Cort. Ben’s the only one that believed it.” Charlie folded his arms over his chest, billiards completely forgotten.

Cort shook his head. “That is untrue. Lady Amelia told me she’d heard many rumors circulating as to my intentions toward her. The only reason you gents did not believe it is because you knew of the plan from the beginning.”

Ben’s head swirled. “What are you blathering about? What plan did you all know about? And what acting were you doing?”

Cort moved over and stood in front of Ben. The two men were of equal height, allowing them to look each other straight in the eyes. He put his hands on Ben’s shoulders. “I was acting the whole of the party, Ben. I have no interest in Lady Amelia, aside from friendship. I only feigned it to force you to realize what we all already knew.” He gave Ben a pitying look.

“What?” Ben was even more lost than he’d been before. “If you had no interest in her, why did you insist on spending so much time with her?” His insides warred between anger and relief as worry threw in a cannonball or two. Had Cort told Mia about his plan? How had she taken it? Ben did not believe Mia was interested in Cort, but that didn’t mean his actions weren’t embarrassing and hurtful.

Cort dropped his hands and leaned back against the billiard table, crossing one ankle over the other. “I would never allow my affections to develop towards the lady my best friend is in love with.”

Ben glared at the others in the room. “Which of you is in love with her?”

Cort chuckled. “That privilege belongs to you and you alone, Ben.”

Ben blinked. As Cort’s words sunk in, Ben shook his head. But as he looked from one friend to the other, he stopped. “How long have you known?”

“Since we arrived and first saw you with her,” Charlie said.

Cort shrugged. “I’ve suspected it for at least a year. Perhaps longer.”

Ben shook his head. “That’s fustian nonsense. I didn’t even know I loved her until the day at the beach.”

“That’s because you’re a simpleton,” Rags mumbled. “Even I can see it. Although, I still didn’t agree with their interference.”

Rags knew of Ben’s feelings for Mia before Ben? Lud, perhaps he was a simpleton.

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “But it’s for naught. It’s just as she told you, Cort. She does not return my affections and vows she will be a spinster.”

Cort smiled. “Ah, but I have not told you everything she said to me at tea yesterday.”

“Chocolate,” Ben corrected.

Ponsy took hold of Ben’s arms and led him to the chair in the corner. “I think it best if you sit down for this.”

He raked a hand through his hair. That did not bode well.

Cort tsked and gave Ponsy a light push away. “Stop. You will have him thinking defeat before we even start.”

Ben’s brows rose.

“It’s not as bad as all that, I give you my word,” Cort nodded to Reginald, who poured Ben a drink and brought it over to him.

“You are wrong on one point.” He picked up his cue and swung it in front of him, before looking back to Ben. “Lady Amelia does love you. She told me so herself.” Cort dropped his chin onto the tip of the cue.

Ben’s whole body lightened. “She did?”

Cort nodded slowly. “Indeed, she has loved you for years. But she cannot marry you. On that point you are correct.”

How was it possible to go from ecstasy to the doldrums in a matter of seconds? “Then it is all for naught.”

Cort shook his head. “I did not pretend to be a nodcock and nearly earn myself a dozen facers for nothing.”

“But what is there to do? Mia is determined.” Ben leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees. He dropped his face into his hands. “This situation is thoroughly unbearable. What am I to do?”

Cort grinned down at him. “Fear not, Ben. We have a plan.”