The Wedding Game(48)

They were headed towards the usual awkward pause, as Amy realised that she could think of no conversational topic worthy of a peer. It was a shame. Though John longed for ordinary human interaction, he had already learned that a few moments of Cottsmoor was all the average person could stand.

For a moment, he shifted from foot to foot, displaying a child’s eagerness to hold the attention of adults. Then he steadied himself and the Duke reappeared. ‘We must talk further, this evening,’ he said, with a surprisingly adult smile. ‘I look forward to dancing with you both, since, clearly, you will be the loveliest ladies present. And now, if you will excuse me?’

‘Of course, Your Grace,’ Ben said. And, after a brief exchange of bows and curtsies, he was gone.

*

If and when she ever got Benjamin Lovell alone, Amy would give him her opinion on surprise visits from the peerage. It had not been the most mortifying conversation of her life, but it had been one of the most difficult.

When the boy was properly out of earshot, she turned and pulled her sister aside for a whispered scolding. ‘Belle, in the future, you must not speak so candidly about the circumstances of your engagement, especially not in the presence of Mr Lovell’s friends.’ By the innocent expression on her sister’s face, there had been no malice intended. But that did not make it right.

‘It was the truth,’ Belle said, quite reasonably. ‘Miss Watson says we should tell the truth and shame the devil.’

‘In this case, telling the truth shames Mr Lovell.’ Of course, when they were alone together, he was the devil. It made Belle’s logic irrefutable.

‘You did not shame me,’ he said softly from behind them, making Amy cringe in embarrassment.

‘You were not supposed to hear that,’ she said. She’d assumed there was enough distance between them for her comments to pass unnoticed.

He gave her an innocent smile. ‘As I said before, the acoustics in the ballroom are excellent.’ Then he looked to Belle. ‘Do not concern yourself. Cottsmoor found you both quite charming.’

‘He was a nice boy,’ Belle agreed.

‘But in the future, you must remember that he is a very important man,’ Amy reminded her.

‘And, since he is male, he is just as susceptible to your charms as the rest of us,’ Ben said, with a tone of finality. ‘Do not trouble yourself, Amy. If you smile at him, he will forgive you anything.’

If Belle knew nothing else, it was how to smile on command. To end the conversation she did exactly that. Ben smiled back at her and held out his arm. ‘Let us continue our tour.’

Now that she had seen most of it, it was apparent that her initial assessment had been accurate. The house was perfect. Annoyingly so. Just like its owner. It was also impossible for Belle to manage without help, just as its owner would be.

It was a shame that looks were not enough, for they made the most handsome couple imaginable, walking arm in arm, in front of her. And Ben was doing his best to be the man who was required. He was solicitous of her sister, trying to interest her in the many advantages to the place and tempting her with jam tarts and dancing. He even pointed out a window seat in the library that would be a perfect spot for Mellie to nap.

But if he meant to have a seat in Parliament, he could not also be at home helping his wife to navigate the complexities of married life. Mere good intentions would not be enough. But it was unfair to suggest that he stay away from his own house and allow her to resume her place as Belle’s right hand.

And though she was pleasant for the Duke, no matter what Ben did to please her Belle moped from room to room to room, not saying a word. It was not until they passed through the front hall again that her mood improved.

‘Guy!’ At the sound of his voice in the entryway, Belle pulled free of her fiancé’s hand and galloped down the hall toward the open door.

‘Miss Summoner.’ Guy Templeton turned at the sight of her, bowing deeply.

She ignored the formal greeting and took both of his hands in hers. ‘It has been forever since I’ve seen you.’

‘Only a few days,’ he replied, laughing.

Amy came into the room at a slower pace, not wanting to show the alarm she felt at the sight of Belle’s enthusiastic greeting. ‘Mr Templeton,’ she said, catching his eye to give him a warning glare. ‘What are you doing here?’

The smile he returned was as innocuous as ever. ‘I was invited. I have a house not a mile from here and I am a good friend of our host. It is hardly a surprise.’ He gestured toward Ben, who was still standing in the doorway.

‘You are a good friend of my sister, as well,’ she said, watching carefully for his reaction.

‘That I am,’ he agreed.

‘And this is still my house,’ Ben said quietly beside her. ‘I will invite who I choose to visit me. And Templeton is not just a good friend. He is my best friend.’ He stepped forward then and offered Mr Templeton his hand, which forced him to release Belle to accept it. ‘So good to see you. We will have far too many unpartnered ladies tonight. I cannot be expected to dance with all of them.’

‘Guy is a good dancer,’ Belle announced. Apparently, the recent lecture on discretion had gone unheeded.

‘You flatter me, my dear.’ Templeton smiled at her and held her gaze for longer than was necessary.