Page 59 of Love in the Time of Scandal
He smiled in turn. “Nor on mine.” He hesitated, then laid her down on the bed before lowering himself atop her. Gently he unwrapped the ribbon from her wrists. “I cannot change what I did to Sebastian.”
Penelope blinked. He thought she held that against him? “I know. He’s forgiven you, so I have as well.”
Benedict raised his head. “You have?”
“Of course.” She traced the line of his collarbone with one finger. “My sister ordered me to, but I would have done so anyway. As you said, it can’t be undone, and it’s foolish to let the past ruin the future.”
“Then what caused the distance between us?” he asked slowly. “Is it about my parents?”
“No.” She touched his lower lip. “I would like to know what made you the man you are, but if you don’t wish to see them or talk about them, I can accept that. I gather they are not like my parents at all, and I confess your father isn’t anyone I’d like to dine with.”
For a moment his eyes were shadowed. “My father... I don’t think we’ll ever dine with him, and that suits me. You wouldn’t like him.”
She had already sensed that, quite strongly. “Then he is banished from our marriage.”
A spark of surprise lit his face before he kissed her. “So he is. My duty—my life—is with you now.” He hesitated. “I would like you to know the man I am.”
“And can it be more like this all the time?” She wound her arms around his neck.
“Yes, darling, it certainly can.”
“Can I ask...” She hesitated. “What inspired you tonight? Was it the neckline of my gown? Or were you jealous of Mr. Greene?”
“Fishing for compliments?” He grinned. “I do like the neckline of that gown, very much. And Mr. Greene had better keep his distance.” Then he chuckled. “But if you must know, I was advised by someone to carry you home and ravish you as you wished to be ravished.”
“Advised!”
“By a woman I’ve never met.” He smiled again at her astonished expression. “But one whose name, I suspect, we both know. She was bold, with an eye on all the dancers, and her conversation was very daring and suggestive. She said you were tormenting me, trying to provoke me, and that my best course of action would be to make desperate, passionate love to you.”
Penelope frowned in thought, then her mouth fell open in disbelief. “Lady Constance?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps.”
She seized his shoulders. “What does she look like? Where did she go? What a coup it would be to recognize her! Did you know there’s a bounty on her name? Oh, did she mention any hint of when her next story will appear?”
“No, to every question. She was the most unremarkable-looking woman I’ve ever met, and she melted into the crowd before I could inquire into her publishing schedule.” He turned onto his side and pulled her against him. “I’d much rather think of you than of her.”
“And so you should.” Penelope wiggled a little closer. “But I wish I could thank her, all the same.”
Chapter 20
The evening of Samantha’s dinner party arrived, crisp and clear. Samantha greeted them warmly. “I hope you will be pleased,” she said, leading them through the drawing room. “I thought it would be lovely to receive the guests in the garden, since the weather’s been so fine. Gray teased me that I was inviting rain, but thank goodness he was wrong.” She threw open the French windows into the garden. “But if you disagree we can easily remain in the house.”
Benedict glanced at Penelope. Surely this would reassure her of Samantha’s regard. His sister had turned her garden into a fairyland. Lanterns winked in the trees, and small lamps glowed along the path that circled the small fountain. Streamers of silk fluttered in the light breeze, although thanks to the garden’s high brick walls, it was surprisingly warm. And sure enough, Penelope’s expression was one of amazed delight. She looked at Samantha. “It’s wonderful!”
Their hostess beamed in relief. “Oh, I’m so glad you agree! It was such fun decorating—Gray wanted to put fish inside the fountain but there wasn’t time. This is my first dinner party and I want to do it well.”
“I believe you’ll set a trend.”
Samantha laughed. “Wouldn’t that be a fine thing!” She excused herself to go answer a hovering servant’s question, and Benedict offered his arm to his wife.
“I told you Samantha would be pleased by our marriage.”
“It would be quite rude of her to act otherwise.”
“She’s not just being polite,” he said in a low voice. “I hope you know that.”
She was quiet for a minute. “I’m very glad to hear it. I always liked Samantha, and I did feel very sorry when... Well, last summer.”
