The Wedding Game(19)

‘What the devil are you talking about?’ he said, daring the man to answer.

‘You were absent from the room for several minutes after we arrived. I assumed it was because of a clandestine meeting with a member of the fair sex.’

‘Do not talk rot.’ Under his bluster, he felt the beginnings of panic. Who else had noticed his absence? What conclusions had been drawn?

Templeton took a deep breath. ‘So the lingering scent of cologne I detect means nothing?’

Ben gave him what he hoped was a quelling glare. ‘If you smell something, it is probably that bay concoction I picked up from Floris.’

Templeton gave another sniff. ‘Definitely not. And it is not the lavender scent that Miss Arabella wears. I think what I smell is called Florida Water. Imported. Light, but exotic.’

Ben deepened his glare. ‘Since when have you become an authority on ladies’ colognes?’

Templeton raised his hands in denial. ‘Not an authority, dear fellow. The scent is distinctive. Few wear it. In fact, only one woman I can think of.’

It was a warning then. If he walked about London reeking of Amy Summoner’s cologne, no one would believe his sincerity in courting her sister. ‘If you are speaking of Miss Amelia, she most likely spilled it on me during one of her many assaults upon my person.’

‘I am sure that is it,’ Templeton agreed with a smirk. ‘But would it be such a bad thing if it were else? She is Lord Summoner’s daughter and you are intent on marrying into the family. Your affections are not still fixed upon Miss Arabella, are they?’

‘Have I given you reason to think otherwise?’

Templeton shook his head in amazement. ‘I should think the fact that you have spent no time with the girl, in public or private, is an indication.’

‘It is not for want of trying. Her perfume-spilling sister is doing her best to prevent it,’ he said. ‘Once I have got her out of the way, it is only a matter of time before I win Belle’s favour.’

‘I see.’ If Templeton saw anything, his tone implied that what he saw was something quite different from Ben’s vision of the future. ‘As long as you are not wasting time with flirtation. It would reflect poorly on you if you were romancing one girl while seeking to marry another.’ It would be even worse if the girls were sisters. Templeton did not have to say it for his meaning was plain.

‘I know better than to do that,’ he said, wishing it was true. Perhaps a peer could risk playing such dangerous games. But a man with no real rank and a dubious past might destroy his future trading kisses in closets.

Templeton nodded. ‘Men have known better since Eve tempted Adam and the results are always the same.’

‘Miss Amelia is not tempting me,’ he insisted. At least, she was not trying to. As far as he could tell, his response to her presence was his own fault. ‘And she is not fascinated by me as you suggested at first. She loathes me.’ If she hadn’t before, she most certainly did after he called her a frustrated spinster.

‘That is a shame,’ Templeton said, with a sympathetic nod. ‘The pair of you seem to be very well suited.’

Ben laughed. ‘She is proud, obstinate, domineering and far too clever for her own good.’

The silence in response implied that he had proved his friend’s point.

‘It does not matter what you think,’ Ben said, ignoring the insult. ‘My plans have not changed, nor has my opinion of Amy Summoner. She is a curse upon humanity.’ Though she’d shown every sign of wanting to dally with him in private, she did not think him good enough for anything more than that. He’d had a lifetime’s bitter experience with women who adored in the dark what they would not acknowledge in daylight. He did not need more of it from her.

More importantly, he did not need to tell her any more secrets. He could not even blame the hypnotic effect of her eyes. She had goaded him to revelation with a few choice words. ‘No,’ he said firmly. ‘I want no part of Amy. But Belle Summoner is a different matter entirely.’

‘She is, indeed, very different,’ Templeton agreed. ‘And yet, the pair of them are inseparable. Have you decided where Miss Amelia will sleep when she moves into your home after the marriage? As I recall, there is a blue bedroom at the end of the hall with a lovely view of the garden.’

And there was a cupboard for linens just around the corner from it. At the thought, Ben could feel the tips of his ears flushing pink with embarrassment. ‘She will be in her own home, with her own husband by then.’ Even if he did not succumb to another mad impulse and kiss her, the brief interlude they’d already shared would make his life hell.

‘You have plans for her future?’ Templeton leaned forward, surprised.

Unbidden, his mind returned to the brief encounter in the cupboard and the feel of her hand against his mouth. How would her lips have tasted? Would she have even wanted him had they been discovered and scandal forced their hand? And what would happen between them if another opportunity for privacy presented itself?

And none of that had been what Templeton had meant by plans. ‘She will be married before her sister,’ Ben said, vowing that it would be true. ‘I do not know to whom. But I will find the man and make the match if I have to drive them to Gretna myself.’

Then, perhaps, he could have some peace. Amy Summoner was, by turns, irritating, intriguing and enchanting. It was unnatural that such a woman should be alone. For her sake, and the preservation of his sanity, a match must be made.