Page 183

Not at all.

He crumpled the letter and threw it into the fire. It was very early in the morning, far earlier than he normally woke. Daniel Stanley, the butler, had given him the letter as soon as it arrived.

Is it too early for brandy?

Although the repugnant toad who had impregnated her had run off with another woman, the toad had come crawling back. Florentina had upped and left Benjamin, he who had tried to help her save face. It seemed the toad’s other woman had stolen money from him.Serves him right. I never did like William Walters. As for Florentina… if toads are her choice, well, I cannot stop her. If she starts to grow warts on her lovely face, I will not feel sorry for her.

Had she ever been sick at all with her pregnancy, or had her symptoms been a ruse all along? Perhaps she had lied about being pregnant in the first place!

Lies and gossip. Benjamin knew he was the source of many a story, and that he did not mind. He enjoyed flirtations, but the idea of marriage held so little appeal to him. Yet when he had offered to save Florentina, he had gradually become accustomed to the idea. So much so that he was the one who kept asking her when she would be ready to walk down the aisle.

Now she had ruined their engagement, Benjamin felt as if she had robbed him of something dear, something he had not even known he wanted.

Perhaps it was for the best she had left him. If it had been a boy, his estate would’ve gone to another man’s child, something he had not considered until this very moment. Dimly, he recalled his mother saying something to that effect, but he was often impulsive and did as he wished.

The study was empty at this early hour, the sun not even awake yet. Only a single candle gave the room any light. When he spied the quill, he was seized by an idea, and he found a clean piece of paper. Quickly, he wrote down the names of the eligible ladies who had caught his eyes over the years. Again and again, his gaze returned to the first name he had written—Lady Anna Wycliff.

* * *

Benjamin glanced around, noting where small boughs of mistletoe were hung. He also spied the few ladies bold enough to be standing near them, hoping to ensnare a kiss. Raising his glass, he caught the gaze of one such lady, and she giggled, folded her fan, and placed it against her chin. Lady Pamela, he believed her name to be. He had danced with her on occasions. She enjoyed her sweets and was sweet enough when she ceased with her flirtations and truly spoke about matters dear to her.

He bided his time. Only after Lady Anna returned from helping Cedrica with her costume did Benjamin found her. She was hovering near a hanging mistletoe.Perfect.

He swooped toward her. In a lovely green gown, she had never looked more beautiful. Her cheeks were a rose color, and she reminded him of a precious flower.

“Lady Anna,” he said as he approached her.

She turned and granted him a smile. “How are you? Are you coming with us to the local orphanage?”

“If you wish me to. I would do just about anything for you.” Benjamin moved to stand beneath the mistletoe.

Was it his imagination, or was she trying to take a step back?

He grinned broadly. “You look a little chilled, my dear. Why do not you give me your arm? We can take a stroll, and…”

She glanced above and shook her head. “Are you trying to catch me beneath the mistletoe?”

“Would you blame me if I am?”

“But what of your—”

He shook his head. “There is no reason for me to not kiss you.”

“What of Florentina?”

“I would rather not speak about her.” He scowled, took a deep breath, and forced himself to relax. “If you will not grant me a kiss, will you at least bestow on me the honor of the first dance at the costume party?”

“Ah, well…” She seemed unsettled.

A sinking pit formed in Benjamin’s stomach. “You and I always have a wonderful time together. You are a splendid dancer and—”

“I know you only became engaged to Florentina because of her… but are you not—”

“I would rather not speak about her,” he said stiffly, adjusting his coat. “She is nothing to me, although I must confess that I am grateful to her, in a way, for accepting me. I am even more grateful to her for leaving me. She made me realize I have a hole in my life. I’ve never thought much about settling down, but I do think I am ready to now, and I will be honest…” He took a step toward Anna, who did not back away. “You are the first lady I thought of. Lady Anna, we have known each other for some time now, and I know you care for me. A part of me has always cared for you in return. I know these feelings can grow and turn into love if you would only consider me.”

And he narrowed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers.

* * *