Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

Author:Cindy Anstey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

chapter 11

In which Ben is inundated with sentiment and doubt

With a deep sigh, Imogene stared at Ben as if trying to read his expression, as if trying to find the barb in his words. They stared at each other for quite some time, until Imogene’s mouth curled up ever so slightly. Then her eyes widened, she blinked again, and she leaned back.

“Please ignore my ramblings. I don’t know why I spoke. Only Emily is aware of this idiocy.” A sudden flush colored her cheeks with crimson, and she looked vastly uncomfortable. “I spoke out of turn. A bad habit of mine.”

With a laugh, edged with resignation, Ben shook his head. “I would never accuse you of speaking out of turn.”

“Be that as it may, I would prefer it not to be bandied about.”

“No bandying, I swear.”

“Not even Ernest.”

Ben’s brow furrowed for a moment, and then he nodded. “As you wish.”

Looking relieved, Imogene smiled her appreciation. “And you? Do you have some terrible secret that should never be exposed?”

About to argue over her definition of a terrible secret, Ben swallowed his retort and followed, instead, down the frivolous path she had taken. “Besides my dislike of green beans? Ah yes, I must confess to a decided lack of appreciation for the latest statue my parents sent from Italy. Carved by a great artist, or so I am told—but the boy is naked, with odd little wings sprouting from his back and a quiver full of arrows. Now really, what is that about?”

A giggle drew their attention to the door leading into the manor. “Cupid. That sounds like Cupid, Mr. Ben.”

“Ah, I think you might be right, Hardly Harriet.” Ben smiled at the young girl and then turned to greet Emily.

“Are you ready?” Emily asked, staying at the door while Harriet skipped over to the table.

“I believe so.” Ben collected his sketches and dropped them into his string-tie folder, pushing them to the center of the table, out of the way. They were not ready for the scrutiny of a twelve-year-old. He glanced at Imogene; she watched him with a half smile and a rather enigmatic expression.

“Scout out our location for tomorrow’s lesson,” she said, lifting her cheeks. Ben could have been mistaken, but it seemed as if her tone had a forlorn quality to it, though he did not know why.

“Yes, indeed. I am sure there will be plenty of choices.”

Emily had promised Ben a lengthy tour of the manor, top to bottom. He was quite looking forward to it. Turning toward Emily, he paused to admire her generous smile and pretty curls. Indeed, there was much to appreciate at Shackleford Park; he would have to thank his brother for the introduction some time. He was beginning to realize that young ladies and an architectural apprentice were not as mutually exclusive as he had once believed.

As he was just about to step across the threshold, Ben looked over his shoulder, expecting to see the charming tableau of two heads together as Imogene started Harriet’s lesson.

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