Page 84 of Potions and Proposals
“I’m sure there was no misunderstanding, but we were young. It wouldn’t have been the first prank,” she said. They’d both driven each other crazy. Not that they didn’t now – it was just a different type of crazy.
Gwendoline shook her head, sinking back into the rocking chair.“I’m so disappointed to hear that. I was sure he’d been looking forward to it; he even turned down going on a camping trip with Peter and his friends because the opening was the night before. When he didn’t go, I thought neither of you wanted to,” she admitted, looking truly dismayed.
Lucy didn’t want to dwell on the past; whether Benedict had intended to humiliate her or not, it didn’t matter now. Still, after she’d said her goodbyes and closed the gate behind her, she fought the urge to text him. She wasn’t sure he’d even give an honest answer.
The lanterns lighting the town highlighted the orange and red leaves that littered the streets, getting Lucy into the festival spirit. Walking through an alley narrowed by food stalls that smelled mouth-wateringly delicious, Lucy vowed that next year, whether she was High Priestess or not, she would leave the festival to Benedict. Every detail of the planning had stressed her out, and listening to Mrs Crawford and Mr Lark argue over theplacement of every stall had nearly sent her over the edge. How she hadn’t set the whole town on fire was a mystery.
The only positive outcome was how well she and Benedict had worked together. Wherever she’d expected to clash with him, they’d seemed to fall into step. He’d listened to her opinion, and where they differed, they’d compromised. It was almost too easy, and others were starting to notice the change. Before, most of the townspeople had been hesitant to congratulate them; now, they acted like it was an event to be celebrated.
Lucy’s phone buzzed.
Benedict: Crawford put us together for the night. I’m waiting by the gargoyles at the town hall.
Lucy: How’d you know I was coming tonight?
Rosie told me you were filling in for her. She didn’t tell you I volunteered?
Nope. I’m almost there.
Rosie had probably wanted it to be a fun surprise. So much for avoiding him.
Hurry up, if I stand here alone any longer people are going to think I’ve been stood up.
You’ve waited a decade, you can wait five more minutes.
???
Lucy reached the town square, already crowded with people enjoying the music from the gazebo converted into a stage. The smell of popcorn and burgers filled the air. When she sawBenedict resting his arm against the gargoyle, she brought her clutch to her lips to stop herself from laughing. The past no longer mattered; Frankenstein’s monster was waiting for her.
Benedict’s eyes widened, taking in every inch of Lucinda’s costume. She was dressed from head to toe in his favourite colour. Even her hair flowed in sleek raven lengths. She looked every bit the Matherson, and it took every ounce of his will to be a gentleman to stop himself from throwing her over his shoulder and dragging her to the manor like a damn caveman.
“If you keep staring at me like that, you’re going to make me think I’ve got something on my face,” Lucinda said, smiling nervously.
“Your hair, the dress – I almost didn’t—” Benedict stammered, running his hands through his hair. “You look…” Without her glasses, her emerald eyes shone out against the dark hair and pale skin, highlighted by smoky makeup and a black lip.
“Who knew Frankenstein’s monster had such a way with words?” she teased as his gaze settled on her waist. The corset highlighted her luscious curves. “Can you guess who I am?”
He arched a brow. “Mine.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how I feel about others seeing you look this good,” he added, stepping closer. Her breath caught as his words brushed her ear.
“Very funny.” She pushed him away gently.
“Mrs Addams.” He gave her a mock bow. “I must say, evil looks good on you.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said, nodding to his patched-up suit. His hair was slicked back with gel, and he’d added some bolts to the sides of his neck and some false stitches on the joins of his suit. “My very own monster.” She took his arm and kissed his cheek.
He cleared his throat, trying to remember they were here to work. “Shall we go in?”
True to its theme of Phantom of the Opera, the room was decorated with long, gold-rimmed mirrors and lit chandeliers on loan from the hotel.
“It might look good, but this corset doesn’t like my ribs,” Lucinda confessed. “I shouldn’t have asked Grams to tie the strings.”
“Do you want me to loosen them?” Benedict asked as they came to stand by the banquet table, surveying the room to make sure no one was up to no good.
She blushed. “Hardly appropriate, given our current environment.”
“I meant it as a non-sexual, purely kind gesture.” He kept scanning their surroundings, trying not to let her distract him, which was awfully hard when her perfume coiled around him like a serpent trying to seduce him.
“Are you going to share what’s in that flask, or will we have to suffer through this night sober?” Lucinda asked, slipping herhand into his jacket pocket –she must have seen its outline. He loved how comfortable she was touching him now. She put the flask to her lips and took a swig, only to cough at the strong liquorice taste of the liquor.
