Dying For A Duke (The Regency Romance Mysteries Book 1) by Emma V. Leech

Author:Emma V. Leech [Leech, Emma V.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2017-07-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Love conquers all things, so we too shall yield to love. - Virgil

After Benedict had persuaded Phoebe to return to the house before someone found them alone together, he had walked the grounds a little longer before returning to the house for dinner.

The meal passed without incident for once, though Phoebe was remarkably quiet. Perhaps that was why, he thought with a rueful grin. He did notice, however, that Theodora seemed to be making some effort to be pleasant which was something. Her efforts were falling on stony ground for the moment, which was hardly surprising, but she seemed undaunted. To the point when after dinner she invited the children to play cards with her. Benedict sent Jessamy a stern look, forcing him to accept the offer.

“Yes, of course, Miss Pinchbeck, thank you,” he said with great politeness if not sincerity.

While they waited for her to return with the cards, Jessamy sidled up to Phoebe with a scowl.

“What’s she playing at?” he grumbled, with as much discretion as he was capable of, which meant the whole room heard him.

“Perhaps she is trying to make amends,” Benedict said, wondering if perhaps now she’d had time to consider his words, they had actually taken hold.

Jessamy, the twins, Phoebe, Lizzie, Cecily and even his mother looked back at him as though he’d grown a second head.

“Well ... no, perhaps not,” he added, with a sigh. But if that wasn’t the case what was she up to?

“Perhaps she’s realised if she pushes too hard, Benedict would rather run away with someone else,” Honesty said with a devilish grin, as though she had heard his thoughts and replied with all the candour her name would imply.

“Honesty!” Benedict scolded her, truly shocked that his little sister could be aware of such possible goings on, let alone comment on them. Any further conjecture was happily put to an end as Theodora returned.

It was truly painful to watch her try to interact with the children. She simply didn’t know how to speak to them without condescension and her attempts at humour were just ... well, not funny. The longer he spent with her, the harder he found it to rationalise his proposing to her. He must have been out of his mind.

***

Phoebe left everyone playing cards and went to get some air on the terrace. She knew she was foolish to hope that Benedict would join her; he would never be so obvious in front of everyone. But she still turned her head with a hopeful smile as she heard footsteps behind her.

“Oh, hello, Oliver,” she said, trying hard to keep the smile in place.

“Well that’s an overjoyed reaction if ever I heard one,” he said with a grimace.

She laughed and shook her head, turning back to look at the twilight as it crept over the lovely gardens of Grizedale. “Forgive me, I am pleased truly. Just a little pre-occupied.” There was a pleasant breeze tonight that freshened the warm air and she fancied she could smell the sea upon it as it fluttered around her skirts.

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