Suitors and Sabotage(13)

What was she to do?

“Oh, Imogene, we have so much to discuss,” Emily said. A mere step or two behind Imogene, Emily grinned with excitement.

“Let us hurry,” Imogene said, though to hurry more would necessitate running. Even without her mother’s watchful eye, Imogene could not do something so undignified.

It seemed an age before Imogene could close the door to their shared bedchamber, though in fact it was but a moment or two.

“I can hardly believe it.” Emily was the first to speak, unaware of Imogene’s troubled thoughts.

“Indeed,” Imogene squeaked. She walked over to the bed and then, changing her mind, strode over to her window seat. Even that did not appeal. How could she sit still when every fiber of her being was tense with concern? She wanted to fling back the shutters and fly away, soar high into the sky until all the worries and complexities of the evening disappeared.

She paced instead.

“It has happened,” Emily said as Imogene passed by for a second time. Grabbing her hands, Emily leaned back, and they spun together in the center of the room. “I am in love!” she shouted … quietly.

Imogene gasped. Had she not been caught in the momentum of their spin, she would have tripped. “Oh, Emily! That is wonderful.” Could she mean Percy? No, probably not. They had known each other forever, and he had paid Emily no heed this evening. Surely, she didn’t mean Ben.

Imogene stopped twirling. “Who…?” She suddenly found it difficult to form words.

Fortunately, Emily did not notice. She threw her hands up and began to twirl on her own. “Can you believe it? Never would I expect to attract the attention of such a splendid young man. But we have so much in common: our interests, our pursuits. Yes, we will be laughing and chatting into our dotage. Oh, Imogene, I feel as if I could slay dragons—I know the knight is supposed to slay the dragon, but … well, I feel as if I could, too. Life is a marvel, don’t you agree? Can you imagine, Imogene, we are going to be sisters as well as fast friends? You shall be Mrs. Ernest Steeple, and I will be Mrs. Benjamin Steeple. Can you think of anything more glorious?”

Imogene swallowed. “What makes you think that Ben might be entertaining romantic thoughts about you?”

“Oh, Imogene, did you not see? It was glorious.… I love that word, don’t you? Yes, glorious. He stared at me with growing affection all through dinner. He spoke to me, and me alone. Did you not notice how he answered my questions about Florence? And then Benjamin reached out to touch my arm as we sat at the table. Yes, that was when I began to hope that he was mine, but I knew for certain when he offered me his seed cake after I declared it to be my favorite. He claimed to be sated, too full to eat even a morsel. But I knew the truth; it was a sacrifice—for me. How could I not return such glorious affection? Imogene, I am so very happy.”

Imogene stared wide-eyed. Emily’s words were an echo of Imogene’s thoughts. Was Ben attracted to them both? How was that possible? This was terrible—a disaster in the making.





chapter 4


In which hands and fluff are subjects of a deep discussion

“I know what you are going to say—that Benjamin still has to complete his apprenticeship and that I will have to be patient.”

That was not what Imogene was going to say.

“Though we might be able to marry earlier; I am not aware of his financial situation. We could rent a cute little cottage.… I could suffer a snug little place for a year or two. Though I would probably not do well without a carriage. Yes, we would have to rent a place with enough room for horses.”

Imogene breathed deeply through her nose. “Oh,” she said with great intelligence, sitting heavily on the mattress of her four-poster. She exhaled a deep sigh of relief, though an unsettling whisper of disappointment wafted into the air with it. “I don’t think you can be certain of Ben’s feelings, Emily.”

Imogene felt wretched, watching the change in her friend’s face. It progressed from happiness to puzzlement, followed by disbelief, a hint of anger, and then resignation. Silence filled the room. Imogene rubbed at her forehead, reluctant to explain. The hush stretched into several minutes.

“Did I misread Benjamin?” Emily finally asked. “Have I presumed too far?”

“I believe so.”

“But … no, I’m certain. He looked at me with such kindness and interest, Imogene. He seemed taken with everything I uttered. He even laughed when I described my muddy boots. It was a banal story.… But he laughed. Why do you think…?” Emily swallowed, unable to continue.

“He laughed and chatted as easily with Pauline and Harriet as he did with you. Even offered Miss Watson a kind smile and comment.” Conjuring up his face, Imogene watched him grin in her mind and felt an unwelcome quickening of her pulse. She turned her face to the dark window. A somber reflection gazed back. “It would seem that Ben is quite adept at making everyone feel special.”

“Oh.” There was a pause and then a deflating sigh. “How utterly and completely … disappointing.” The rustle of Emily’s skirts warned Imogene of Emily’s approach. She dropped onto the bed beside Imogene, bouncing her slightly. “Being charming is not a bad trait,” Emily said softly. “But I am sorry.… I thought his smiles were for me.”