Page 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

A ngelica made it home before Evangeline and Lord St. George returned from wherever it was they had gone in the morning. She sat in the rear drawing room, looking out onto the terrace and watched what remained of the beautiful day pass by.

And what a wonderful day it had been, especially after her interaction with Benedict.

She could no longer question her feelings for the gentleman, she knew what she felt for him was true and sound. She adored him, and had fallen utterly in love with the man.

Now she needed him to marry her.

After today, and their delicious meeting in his office, there was little chance he would not ask for her hand. He could not keep away from her any more than she could keep away from him, and he would do the right thing and ask her to be his wife.

She would soon be part of the Deverell family. How wonderful that sounded.

"Ah, here you are, my dear," Evangeline said, coming into the room and walking over to the bellpull, ringing for a servant. "What a morning. I went shopping. I saw that you were sound asleep and so did not wake you to join us. I hope you do not mind."

"Not at all," Angelica stated. "But now that you're home, I do have something I wish to discuss with you. Have your thoughts, if possible."

"Oh, of course, dear." Evangeline sat just as a servant entered the room. "Tea and a light repast for two, thank you," she ordered before giving Angelica her attention.

"Is Lord St. George not joining us?" Angelica asked.

"No, he's headed off to his club for the afternoon.

" A small, knowing smile crossed her sister's lips, and Angelica now understood the look a little more than she did a few weeks ago.

The look of devotion and love and secrets a couple kept for themselves…

It made her heart flutter—perhaps one day very soon she would wear that same look.

"What is it that you wanted to discuss?" Evangeline asked, settling back on the settee and giving Angelica her full attention.

"Well, as to that, I need you to know that for some time I have had a friendship with Lord Benedict. I like him very much and enjoyed his company and learned much about him when he was recuperating in Hampshire."

"Lord Benedict," Evangeline repeated, watching her closely. "Whitmore's younger brother who's set to enter the church. The Catholic church?"

Angelica cleared her throat, knowing what her sister was getting at. "Yes, the very one," she continued. "Well, I do not think that he will join the church now. I do believe we've formed an attachment, and he is but days from asking Lord St. George for approval to ask for my hand in marriage."

"Truly?" Evangeline said, her eyes wide with surprise. "Are you certain, dearest?"

The image of them on his desk in the church floated through her mind. The feel of him thrusting into her, his hand on the sweet spot between her legs, telling her not to make a sound when all she wanted to do was scream.

She swallowed. "I’m most certain. I do not think he will continue with his studies to join the church and will, in fact, ask me to be his wife, and I would like you to talk to St. George so that it is not a shock to him as it clearly is to you."

"A shock, yes." Evangeline smiled, just as the tea and some sandwiches were brought in.

"Thank you," Evangeline said to the maid before once again they were alone.

"Men who join the Catholic church do not normally sway from their chosen path.

Has something happened between you that makes you believe that he shall? "

Angelica paused, reaching for a macaroon.

While she wished she could tell her sister everything, she knew if she did, Evangeline would tell Lord St. George and marriage would be forced between her and Benedict, which she did not want.

She wanted him to marry her because he wanted to. Because he loved her above all else.

"No, nothing has occurred and I'm unsure what you mean," she ventured, hoping her sister would stop such rationale. "I think I love him, and I believe he loves me, that is all, and I want to marry him."

Evangeline sat forward and poured them both a cup of tea before handing her a cup.

"I like Lord Benedict, I truly do, and you're going to think me terribly rude for saying what I'm about to, but it is so early in the Season and you've barely given yourself time to meet other gentlemen, nevertheless form a friendship with them.

What if there is another you're yet to meet that makes you feel more than you do with Lord Benedict. What then?"

Angelica shook her head and took a sip of tea, the warmth grounding her resolve. "That will not occur. And we have been in London a couple of weeks already, and I have danced with many, many men, none of whom have raised one goosebump on my arms, nothing."

"You get goosebumps when you're near Lord Benedict?" Evangeline asked.

A delicious shiver stole down Angelica's spine at the mere thought of him. "I do, yes. I experience all sorts of things when I'm around him. He makes me want to be married to him, to be alone with him, without people forever keeping us apart—that is how I feel when I'm near Lord Benedict."

Her sister watched her for a moment before she nodded. "Very well, I can see that you're in earnest, and if Lord Benedict feels the same as you, well then, how wonderful for you both. I shall be very happy for you and will welcome Lord Benedict into the family with open arms."

"Thank you, Evangeline." Angelica wanted to jump up and twirl for joy, instead she sipped her tea and fought not to grin absurdly wide. "So you will speak to Lord St. George, ensure he understands the situation and will not argue with Lord Benedict when he comes to call?"

"Of course I shall. I will speak to him this evening before we attend the Austen dinner, which I think you'll be pleased to hear has Lord Whitmore and Lord Benedict on the invitation list."

"It does?" she asked. "How did you find that out, considering I've only just now raised the possibility of my affections for Lord Benedict?"

Evangeline waved her question aside. "Oh, I asked Lady Austen the other evening who would be in attendance, just making conversation, and she ended up telling me everyone on the list and her reasoning as to why she'd invited them.

So be pre-warned that Lady Austen is a conversationalist and will keep you from Lord Benedict should she think you're interested in what she's saying, for no doubt, she’ll have more interesting things to say that you ought to be listening to. "

Angelica chuckled. "I shall keep that in mind for tonight." For she would hate to have an evening entirely devoted to a subject that did not interest her and kept her from Benedict. But perhaps this too was part of her preparation—learning the art of hosting, of patience while in society.

The idea wasn't abhorrent, and she looked forward to the day she and Benedict welcomed her family and friends to visit or to host special entertainments during the Season.

Angelica tried to curb her enthusiasm and not get too far ahead of herself imagining such a future with Benedict, but she could not help herself.

They had been intimate twice and had kissed several times—there was no doubt in her mind he wanted her for his wife.

He merely needed time to notify his faith and then they could publicly announce their betrothal.

"I believe there will be music and games after dinner this evening as well.

I'm certain that if you're not seated beside Lord Benedict at dinner, you'll certainly have time to speak to him alone after the fact.

And," her sister continued, "it shall give St. George and myself a chance to speak to Lord Benedict more, hopefully let him know without saying anything discernible regarding our discussion today, that we like him very much and think he's a most suitable gentleman. "

"Oh, yes, please, Evangeline. That would be so kind of you both. But please, do not be blatant with your efforts—I do not want him to feel forced."

"Of course, dearest, I would never do so, no. We shall merely have a lovely conversation with him and let him know without words that we enjoy his company and like him very much."

"Thank you." Angelica finished her tea and reached for a sandwich. Would she get any time to be alone with Benedict this evening? Probably not, but then a stroll onto the terrace would not be amiss or bring too much attention—not if others were doing the same.

"I have much hope for my future, Evangeline," Angelica admitted, almost giddy with the idea of being Benedict's wife. Of marrying him, promising him a wonderful future that they could share.

"And that is how it should be, Angelica. We expect a call from his lordship any day.”