Page 36

As soon as their interview was over, he noticed Mrs. Hughes scanning the room to check on Georgiana. Benj hadn’t lost sight of Georgiana or Lord Edling, and they were both still in their own parties.

Mrs. Hughes walked almost in his direction, and he took the opportunity to intercept her, stopping just in front of a small table that boasted three urns, all various sizes, colors, and designs.

When she met his gaze and then tried to look around him into the crowd, he chuckled. “Don’t worry, Mother Hawk. After your censure in the carriage, Edling has kept his distance in a commendable way.”

“Hawk?” Despite her smile, she glanced at him, her eyes narrowed. “That’s rather harsh.”

“You can’t see your own expression, I’m afraid, but it’s an apt description.”

“Colonel!”

He didn’t temper his look. “One might normally call a companion a ‘mother hen’—but that would imply caring. If that man were to turn into a mouse, there’s no doubt in my mind you would swoop down and dispatch him.”

Her mouth twitched somewhere between gaping open and almost smiling. “Sir, I do care about Georgiana! Do you really think me so mercenary?”

Benj drew a step closer so that no one would overhear them.

“Mrs. Hughes, I’ve seldom seen a woman so kind and helpful to her maid as you were the first time we met.

” His eyes were searching hers; they felt unable not to.

He wanted to whisk an errant bit of hair out of her face, but he didn’t dare with all the people around.

He drew in a breath. “However, yesterday and today in the carriage, as I’ve watched you with Georgiana, there was a sort of opposition to her making progress with her suitor.

You also seemed quite stoic around any men at the ball the other night.

Apparently, you are not so kind to my sex. ”

She glanced away, and he noticed the way her slender jaw tightened to resemble the smooth surface of the urn next to them.

He told himself he was just trying to figure out her motive.

But maybe he did really want to know more about her .

. . because he cared about her . . . and he also had Georgiana to look after.

“If anything”—he paused and grasped the edge of her elbow for emphasis—“a chaperone exists so that a person supervised can make an appropriate, reasonable—and dare I say even sometimes affectionate—match.”

“Colonel”—she drew away from him and stared at him square on—“many matches have absolutely nothing to do with affection. And sometimes they are not very reasonable, either.”

Benj noticed that she clenched and unclenched her hands, and suddenly, he thought he understood some of her motive.

He didn’t know a thing about the late Mr. Hughes, but maybe he should endeavor to find out.

If he had to guess, their marriage was arranged and not altogether very lovely for the time it lasted.

He tilted his head. “To your first objection—you are quite against affection, then. Marrying for love?”

“Some of us are not afforded that opportunity. Neither do I think some of us really desire it in the first place.”

“Not desire it?” He laughed. “What young lady has ever not desired a love match from the time she wore braids and arranged suitors for her dolls?”

Clara bit her lip, and again her eyes strayed to the floor. Though she wouldn’t look at him, her whole countenance changed. Swimming behind her enchanting sky-colored eyes, he thought he saw some wounds there. Wounds far deeper and less obvious than his leg injury, but nevertheless painful.

Compassion wrapped around him like the cloth on the mummy in that same room. “I see.” She was the first woman he’d ever met who didn’t at least hope for a little romance.

“I speak from my own experience.” Her voice was flat, distant.

“My father has disciplined me since I was in braids that the purpose of marriage is to procure advantage. To gain property. To create wealth and an abundant future. It’s that simple, really.

None of my wealth came as a result of affection, but I now have all the freedom in the world.

” She smiled at him, but the corners of her mouth pulled tight.

“As for Georgiana, I hope the man she chooses is really honest and good and doesn’t wish to just use her dowry for his gain.

Perhaps a love match is in her future, but I would hate for her to be too hasty and let infatuation cloud her judgment in this regard.

I want her husband to be as perfect as she is. ”

If he had thought their time in the carriage was mercenary, this blunt perspective proved even worse.

He couldn’t agree with all she said. He knew he’d always have to attend to money matters in his future, but surely there was still some space for love.

Did she really not value the ideas of a lifelong commitment, a total devotion to another person, a joining of oneself?

She may be beautiful and attractive, but apparently, their views were tragically different.

“I . . . I am so very sorry I brought this up.” His hand scooped up her fisted one, and he let his thumb run over the top of her glove.

It was a stupid gesture, really, yet he acted on impulse.

Despite the warmth it aroused in him, against the glove he could feel the coldness of her hand.

This woman would never feel anything for him.

Most likely she’d never feel anything for anyone.

He dropped her palm. “Thank you for explaining your perspective. I am glad we both want what’s best for Georgiana.

I misunderstood your intentions. I know it is wise to be careful and look at a marriage prospect from all sides.

” He worked to make his tone even, distant.

Similar to hers.

Her face was more apathetic than any of the ancient hieroglyphics in the room.

Benj dismissed himself with a bow and found another artifact to study on his own. At least he now had more information to add to his list. When it came to gentlemen, she was cold and bitter and removed. She did not trust many of them, even benign ones like Lord Edling, apparently.

And she very much valued her independence—an interesting piece to her puzzle, and a barrier he knew he could never penetrate.