Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Lord Sinclair—Benedict—had left Rose very well pleased. She was even more delighted to dance again when Leo asked. The joy Eliza felt at seeing her cousin dancing was only eclipsed by her own joy.
Eliza was due for her customary set with Henry next, but for the first time, she had not remained beside the wall for a single set when he arrived to claim her.
As pleased as she was by this fact, she could not help but remember it was also Sophie’s set with Benedict. He’d never been so very close to her; perhaps he would be swept away by her easy demeanor and striking eyes.
“Eliza?” Henry asked, offering her an elbow. The slight consternation on his brow told her it was, perhaps, not the first time he’d addressed her.
“Yes, of course,” she agreed as they followed Benedict and Sophie to the floor. They were quite lovely beside each other. Sophie’s glossy, inky waves shone against Benedict’s devil-may-care chocolate waves, and her elegant, softly curved frame fit beside his broad shoulders—a study in contrasts.
“It’s the quadrille,” Henry said, drawing her gaze. There was a bemused tilt to his smile. “In case you missed the announcement while you were woolgathering.”
“Charming,” she retorted before offering a quiet, “Thank you.”
His chuckle was quiet. “Do you wish to separate from them? Or remain close?” he asked, referring to the four separate groupings forming.
“I… close, I think?” Eliza’s gaze found the back of her sister, giggling at whatever Benedict had said. “Close.”
“Very well,” he agreed, and took the space opposite Benedict and Sophie and beside Leo and Rose. The fourth pairing was Georgiana and a gentleman whose name Eliza could not recall.
She took her place beside Henry, her gaze finding Benedict’s across the circle from her. His gaze dragged along her figure before catching her eyes with a crooked grin.
“I can return you to the wall, you know. If you only intend to use this dance to stare at Sinclair,” Henry bent to whisper in her ear, mirth in his voice.
Eliza fought to keep the answering smile off her face as the music began. She took the requisite steps to meet Benedict in the center.
“Eliza,” he breathed as they rounded each other. His sensual tenor lingered even after they had backed away from each other.
Eliza found herself grateful that, although it was not her favorite dance, it was one their dancing master had drilled so often that she knew the motions without thought. She was incapable of it as the ladies met in the center.
Over and over the dance repeated, and as often as she glanced Benedict’s way, she found his eyes on her, admiration clear in the tilt of his brow and the heat of his gaze.
That gaze was heavy, tangible, as it slid from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes whenever they darted out from her skirts.
“You really ought to at least pretend to be interested in my evening, Lizzie,” Henry admonished playfully. “I, too, am a handsome, eligible viscount. But if you keep ignoring me, the other ladies might find me wanting.”
“Future viscount. And there are other ladies who speak to you?”
Henry’s laugh was easy. “Yes, I’m very eligible. Didn’t you know?”
“You’re also two and ten.”
“I’m one and twenty.”
“Precisely, a child as far as gentlemen are concerned.”
He feigned a sigh. “It is good you are one of my favorite cousins. Otherwise, I should not abide your mockery.”
“One of?” she asked, all false indignation. “I must know who ranks above me.”
“Ewan,” he supplied easily. “He’s the only one of you who respects me at all.” Their cousin had yet to abandon his ease in Edinburgh for the lights of London.
She considered for a moment. “I’ll allow it.”
“Thanks ever so.”
Her smile slipped when she glanced toward Benedict once more and found him studying her with something fond in the soft corners of his eyes.
“Yes,” Henry whispered. “His eyes haven’t left you all evening. Worry is unnecessary.”
“I wasn’t…”
“You were, but you needn’t be. He smiles every time you do. I wanted to tease you a little; give him cause to do so.”
“What?” Her attention shifted to Henry as the dance separated them for another spin. The ladies met in the center.
“Yes,” he added as soon as they joined again. “You should know I’m most disappointed. I was prepared to play the elder brother and defend your honor against a scoundrel who sought to seduce you. Imagine my disappointment when I found that besotted fool.”
“He’s not…” she protested, even as her lips curled into a smile.
Henry rolled his eyes. “Of course not.” They were separated again for a measure. “I am pleased for you, Lizzie. I will, of course, steal him from your side to the billiards room for a drink and an inquest. I expect to return him to you no worse for wear.”
“Thank you, truly,” she said, curtsying as the dance wrapped. “And thank you for distracting me.”
“Anything for my favorite dance partner,” he said before his gaze flicked behind her. “Soph, may I borrow your partner? I’m in need of a drink.”
“I expect you’ll find him a very distracted companion, but Lizzie and I shall manage without you,” her sister agreed in her usual bell-like notes as she slipped her arm through Eliza’s and left the dance floor.
“Ladies,” Benedict said, his eyes on Eliza. “Are you in need of refreshment before your cousin absconds with me?”
“We’re fine. Off you go.” Sophie said with a dismissive shooing motion as they reached the hall.
He hesitated, gaze searching Eliza. “You should go before they finish the good scotch.”
The pair separated, the men turning into the room where gentlemen had been disappearing to all evening while Sophie dragged her to a room a few doors down.
Eliza found herself in the blessedly empty ladies’ retiring room. Sophie shut the door. Her curls shook as she surveyed the empty room.
“Lizzie…” she whispered, excitement etched in the syllables. “He’s in love with you.”
Eliza had no notion of her sister’s intent when she’d tugged her away, but she wouldn’t have guessed that. “I beg your pardon?” Try as she might to suppress it, a bubble of hope was growing in her chest.
“Right this moment is the longest his gaze has been off you all evening.”
“Well, that’s hardly—”
“He didn’t respond to me. All the ways I usually fluster men… nothing. I fluttered my eyelashes, bit my lip, teased him—I even brushed imaginary dust off my décolleté. He didn’t even notice.”
“You… you were flirting with Benedict? On purpose?”
“Benedict?” Sophie demanded, her eyebrows hitting her hairline.
“That is not the point.”
“I rather think it is. He has given you leave to use his name?” She gave a little bounce of excitement.
“Do not try to distract me. I am cross with you.”
“You’re cross with me, but why ever for?”
“You were flirting with my… with Sinclair.”
“I wasn’t. I tried, but he would not flirt back. Because he has feelings for you. I was merely ensuring that his eye wasn’t inclined to wander.”
Eliza’s frustration mounted. “I did not give you leave to test his affections.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Well, you wouldn’t have. You would’ve been too worried his gaze would turn.”
“Precisely!”
“You’ve been anxious that he would grow tired or dissatisfied with you. I’ve confirmed that those fears are entirely unfounded. You may be cross with me now, but you’ll be thankful once the relief claims you.”
“Why must everyone in this family test him?”
“It wasn’t a test for him. I meant to reassure you, to show you that you can breathe again.
Allow him into your heart. He cares about you.
I couldn’t bear to see you hurting, Lizzie.
I needed you to know he truly sees you.” Sophie’s expression and tone were so genuine, so distressed at the turn of the conversation, that Eliza’s frustration dimmed.
“Please, Lizzie, all I wish is for you to be happy. I know we could not be more different, but I love you. I would never hurt you on purpose. If I thought, even for a second, that his interest in you would waiver, I wouldn’t have tested him.
I would have spoken to you about my concerns.
I know I’m flighty and reckless, and I vex you constantly, but you cannot accuse me of cruelty. ”
“Sophie—”
“No,” she insisted as she wrapped her hands around Eliza’s upper arms. “Say you understand.”
“I understand you solve problems by diving in, but you must know I—”
“That you don’t wish for me to test him again. I promise. Never again.”
Eliza sighed, ignoring Sophie’s propensity to finish other’s sentences incorrectly.
“It has been… difficult this season. Watching you from the wall. I knew you would be a diamond, but I never expected it to hurt so much to be ignored. And I should not have let my resentment come between us. But to deliberately entice Benedict—”
“I wasn’t, though. I have no interest in him, or in any of them. And I didn’t mean to abandon you at the wall. It’s only that if I decline one gentleman, then I can accept no other—which is an absurd rule, of course, but Mama insists.”
“Would you let me finish?”
Sophie winced, her lips pressing together sheepishly. “Sorry.”
Eliza spoke quickly, Sophie was only capable of silence for so long before the words broke free. “I understand why you did it. I appreciate the sentiment. Do not do it again. And I will try to keep my jealousy from separating us. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” she said, thrusting her hand out for a shake. Eliza indulged her in the masculine ritual. “Now, tell me everything about Benedict.”
“You must stop emphasizing his name in that manner.”
“Never!” she declared with a teasing lilt.
Eliza shook her head before indulging her sister. “Well, he told me he sent his sister to meet with me that first night in order to facilitate an introduction.”
“No!”
“He did,” Eliza declared with a pleased grin overtaking her face at her sister’s giggle.