A Rogue's Reputation (The Rogue Chronicles Book 2) Page 8

  “Granger,” Delham said as he approached. “I hope you’re enjoying the ball.”

  “I am.” He forced his thoughts away from Louisa. He’d seen Delham that afternoon when the men had met to discuss the details of the charity but hadn’t had a chance to speak with him privately. “Thank you for hosting such a wonderful party. The skating this morning was especially enjoyable. I haven’t attempted that in a long time. I thought you might join us.”

  Delham scoffed, just as Benjamin knew he would. “Such pastimes are for your generation. Not mine. You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck on the ice.”

  “Danger often adds an element of enjoyment.”

  “Spoken like a young man.” Delham chuckled. “I see you’re still enjoying a bit of danger this evening.” He tipped his head in Louisa’s direction.

  “I enjoy the lady’s company.” He fought the urge to come to her defense by listing all her fine qualities. The older man already knew of his interest in her, but Benjamin had no intention of sharing more.

  Delham sighed. “Who am I to offer such advice when my own wife has proven to be far more brazen than I could’ve guessed?”

  Benjamin was surprised the older lord admitted as much. “Perhaps it might be helpful to spend more time with her.” The marchioness stood a short distance away. Her frequent glances toward her husband suggested her thoughts were on him. “I would be willing to wager that she’d be delighted if you danced with her.”

  Delham stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.

  Benjamin shrugged. “There has to be a reason she had mistletoe placed everywhere.”

  The marquess glanced around the ballroom as if only now realizing the fact. “Humph. I suppose a dance isn’t so much to ask.”

  Smiling, Benjamin watched as Delham moved toward his wife.

  “What has you so amused?” Louisa asked as she arrived at his side.

  “I believe our host is realizing the potential benefits of mistletoe.”

  “That is a lovely notion just before Christmas.”

  “Do you know what I would like?” He kept his voice quiet, mindful of those standing nearby.

  “What?” The warmth in her eyes only caused his own desire to grow.

  “A moment alone with you. Mistletoe is not a requirement.”

  “It’s not?” That couldn’t possibly be disappointment in her expression, could it?

  “Because I would kiss you regardless of its presence.”

  “Oh?” Her voice was breathless, her eyes dark.

  Suddenly, he couldn’t wait a moment longer. “Would you care to escape the heated ballroom for a moment on the terrace?”

  She swallowed hard as if uncertain whether to take such a risk.

  He wanted her to agree more than anything, to take the sort of risk she’d so boldly done before. But this time, for him. How ironic, when that same boldness had nearly convinced him she was wrong for him.

  “I’ll meet you outside when the clock strikes midnight.” Then she stepped away, leaving him wondering if he’d asked too much.

  He retrieved his watch from his waistcoat pocket and realized he’d know soon. Midnight was only a quarter of an hour away.

  ~*~

  Louisa made her way to the retiring room, wondering if the risk was too high. If they were caught...

  She shook her head. They weren’t going to be caught. Everyone was enjoying the ball. They only wanted a moment together. Was that so much to ask? One kiss. Well, perhaps two. Then she would return to the ballroom, as would he, with no one aware of their absence.

  A few minutes alone with a rogue...

  Yet she hesitated, all too aware those minutes could easily end in the same situation that had caused Caroline and Aberland to become betrothed. It was a gamble, which was why she wanted time to consider rather than giving into impulse. What if he wanted more than a kiss? Her feelings for him caused her to worry that she’d give in to her desire for him.

  She smiled at some of the other ladies in the room then paused before the dressing table mirror to check her appearance. Her heightened color and the sparkle in her eyes spoke of the hopeless tangle of her emotions. How could she decide whether she wanted Benjamin in her life if they didn’t have time together? She wasn’t considering his suggestion simply for the thrill but because she wanted a private moment with him. That was worth the chance of discovery.

  She glanced at the clock on the table to see that midnight drew near. After a deep breath to calm her nerves, she returned to the ballroom to make her way around the dance floor toward the terrace doors, unable to see Benjamin anywhere. Had he already stepped out?

  To her surprise, the terrace door opened beneath her hand.

  “Join us, Lady Louisa, for a few moments away from the heated ballroom.” Delham opened the door wide. The marchioness stood next to him, a rare smile on her face. “The night is clear, and the stars are amazing.”

  Voices sounded behind her, and she turned to see many of the guests following her.

  Confused, she stepped outside, and a strong, warm hand grasped her arm. “Benjamin?”

  With a smile, he drew her toward the rear of the terrace, away from the faint light and the guests emerging from the ballroom doors. “We’re taking a moment to admire the stars.”

  He drew her into the shadows at the dark edge of the terrace where the night was deep. He stood with his back to the house and shifted her to stand before him, facing out as well. The warmth of his body compared to the chill of the evening caused her to shiver. He pulled her against him, his hands warm on her arms. “Are you cold?”

  “Not anymore.”

  The guests looked up, murmuring in admiration at the swath of stars painted across the night sky. No one was directly beside them, nor did the others pay them any mind. It was as if they were alone in the crowd, hidden by the moonless night.

  To her surprise, Benjamin eased them farther back, a few steps around the corner of the house and truly by themselves, at last.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I invited others to come outside.” Benjamin’s quiet voice near her ear caused tingles along her body. “I wanted a moment alone with you without jeopardizing your reputation.”

  “How clever of you to think of this. Thank you.” She turned to face him, enjoying the view nearly as much as his presence. “I forget how magical a winter’s night in the country can be.”

  “Yes.” He pressed a kiss on the side of her neck, then another just below her ear. “Being with you truly is magical.”

  Best of all, he held her as if he never wanted to let her go as they looked up at the stars together. His soft sigh of contentment squeezed her full heart. How silly of her to worry he might want more than she was willing to give. He’d once again reassured her that she could trust him despite his reputation.

  “Can we pretend we have mistletoe?” she whispered as she looked at him, his face only a shadow as she placed her gloved hands on his chest.

  He chuckled quietly. “I happen to have brought some with me.” He shifted his arm then reached for her hand and placed a sprig of what she assumed was mistletoe in her palm, though it was too dark to tell. “There. For you. To remember this night.”

  Then he kissed her, long and deep, melting her heart. Not only did this man make her toes curl, but he also held her affection. Could this be love?

  He eased back. “We should return to the others,” he whispered. “You must be growing cold.”

  She bit her lip, unprepared to share her feelings. Not until she was sure. But she didn’t want this moment to end. Did he possibly feel the same way? His heartbeat thudded beneath her palm, suggesting he wasn’t immune to the moment either. “If you insist.”

  “Only if you promise to allow me to collect another kiss at Christmas. There’s more than one berry on the mistletoe.”

  Heat filled her, making her forget the cold. How sweet of him to think of the tradition of removing a berry for each kiss shared beneath the mistletoe.
“I look forward to it.”

  He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to the delicate bare skin of her wrist, just above her glove, then escorted her to the terrace where most of the guests were returning to the ballroom. “I’ll follow shortly.”

  Resisting the urge to remain with him, she stepped inside, holding the mistletoe tightly. Was Benjamin a rogue or a gentleman? Did he care for her as much as she did for him? She dearly wanted to know before she fell even harder for him.

  ~*~

  Sunday morning arrived with a softly falling snow that came down in large, plump flakes. The party was nearly at end, and the guests would depart on the morrow. Benjamin found the snow delightful, but some of the other guests didn’t. They grumbled as they bundled up for the ride to the local church, piling into any coach with room. The coaches made more than one trip to accommodate all the guests who wished to attend the service.

  Louisa had caught an earlier ride, much to his dismay. But the smile she’d given him as she’d walked out the door with her mother had eased his disappointment.

  Benjamin sat on the far end of the bench seat in the next coach, hoping the ride to church wouldn’t take long.

  “Do you have room for one more?” The feminine voice belonged to Lady Adele, Viscount Gibbon’s sister. Gibbon was nowhere in sight.

  “Only if you don’t mind sitting on my lap,” called out Stafford. His jest was followed by laughter.

  Those in the carriage squeezed closer, and she joined them, ending up pressed against Benjamin. She smiled shyly at him as she settled into position. Luckily, the ride to the church was brief, and Louisa had saved a place on the pew next to her and her mother.

  “I feared you were going to be late,” she whispered.

  “As did I.”

  He heard little of the sermon with Louisa so close.

  Snow continued to fall as they made the journey back to Delham’s for dinner. The feast consisted of roasted venison, plum pudding, trifle, and almond cake, along with other delights. Louisa was seated at the opposite end of the table, and he found himself once again near Lady Adele. She didn’t offer much in the form of conversation but continually looked at him from under her lashes. She answered any question he posed with simple answers, making talking to her difficult.

  Her brother, Viscount Gibbon, watched closely as if he expected Benjamin to make an unwanted advance. By the end of the meal, Benjamin decided the pair were annoying.

  Many of the guests enjoyed cards after dinner. This time, Benjamin made certain he shared a table with Louisa. Cribbage was not one of his favorite games as he rarely played it, but Louisa was a master at it.

  “Are you certain you know how to play?” she asked with a grin after he’d lost yet another hand.

  “Perhaps it’s been longer since I last played than I thought.” He counted his cards with one eye on the number of pegs she was ahead of him on the board. There was no hope of him catching her, but he didn’t mind losing to her. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather play whist?”

  She laughed and patted his hand. “Let us finish the game.”

  Though he longed for another rendezvous on the terrace, he resisted. The time to collect his kiss would come soon as Christmas was only a week away.

  ~*~

  Louisa frowned as they prepared to depart along with the rest of the guests the next morning. She wasn’t ready to leave. She’d enjoyed spending time with Benjamin, even if it had been with the other guests.

  “Whatever is that sigh about?” her mother asked.

  Louisa shrugged as she helped her mother put on her cloak. “I’m sorry to see the party come to an end.”

  “Why don’t we have a Christmas Eve ball? We haven’t hosted one in a long while.”

  “That would be enjoyable.” Especially if Benjamin were among the guests.

  “We’ll keep it intimate with limited invitations. A light supper and some dancing. I assume you’d like to invite the Earl of Granger? It seems like the least we could do after all he’s done for us.”

  “I should like that very much. Thank you, Mother.”

  They entered the drawing room where the guests had gathered to say their goodbyes while they awaited their carriages. Her breath caught at the sight of him speaking with another lord near the window. She moved close but didn’t want to interrupt their conversation. From what Benjamin had mentioned, the plans for the charity were coming along well.

  “Good morning, Lady Louisa,” Lord Umberley said with a bow.

  Louisa returned the greeting as Benjamin turned to face her, the pleasure in his expression warming her. “Are you leaving now?”

  “Yes,” she said, hoping Umberley might read her mind and step away. To her delight, he excused himself and moved away to speak with someone else. “I wanted to let you know that we’ll be hosting a Christmas Eve celebration. I hope you’ll come.”

  “I’d be honored.” He smiled only to give her a mock frown. “Will there be mistletoe?”

  “Most definitely,” she said with a laugh. This was the first Christmas in a long time that she looked forward to.

  Chapter Ten

  Benjamin nodded at Aberland as he strode into Brooks’s two days later. They’d arranged to meet at the club as Aberland had expressed interest in joining the charity. Benjamin couldn’t have been more pleased. He knew Aberland was doing his best to extricate himself from the spying business now that he and Caroline were to marry. Involving himself in the charity would allow him to still take part in helping England.

  “Are you in need of additional contributors?” Aberland asked as a waiter brought their drinks.

  “Always. More funds mean a wider reach. However, I think we have enough involved with the planning.”

  Aberland chuckled. “Too many opinions make getting anything accomplished nearly impossible.”

  “Exactly.” Before Benjamin could say more, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.

  “Granger.” Viscount Gibbon stood beside them, his lips pressed in a thin line as his eyes glittered with a strange light. “A word, if you please.”

  Benjamin frowned, noting Gibbon’s younger brother standing behind the angry viscount. “Of course.”

  “Your insult to our sister cannot be overlooked. I demand satisfaction.”

  Benjamin shifted to face him, confused by his words even as unease swirled through him. The entire room silenced to listen, much to his dismay. His efforts to reform had been successful thus far. This was the last thing he needed or wanted, yet he refused to allow his honor to be questioned. “What insult?”

  Gibbon leaned forward, his gaze holding on Benjamin. “You placed your hands upon her person. I expect an offer of marriage before the day’s end.”

  “I did not touch Lady Adele or insult her in any way.” Anger flared at the accusation, bringing him to his feet. He refused to be forced into doing something he didn’t want to do when he’d done nothing wrong.

  “Then name your second.”

  “Don’t be a fool, Gibbon. You don’t want to do this. There must be some misunderstanding.”

  “Are you calling my sister a liar?”

  “No, but—”

  “Then name your second.” Gibbon’s hands fisted at his sides.

  “I’m asking you one last time not to do this. There was no insult.” While this wouldn’t be Benjamin’s first duel, he had a feeling it would be Gibbon’s. Nonetheless, Benjamin couldn’t disregard the challenge. All his work to reform might be lost, but he would not lose his honor.

  “What is this?” The Marquess of Delham approached, eyes narrowed as he looked between them.

  Gibbon hesitated as he looked briefly at the marquess then glared at Benjamin once again. “A matter of honor.”

  “Granger, surely you intend to do the right thing and offer for the lady.” Delham’s tone held a note of disapproval.

  “I’ve suggested that Gibbon review the facts before he proceeds with a challenge,” Benjamin said, his
thoughts racing.

  “And I’ve asked you to name your second.” Gibbon continued to glare at Benjamin.

  Heart thudding, Benjamin ignored both men and turned to Aberland with a raised brow, relief filling him at Aberland’s nod of assent. “The Earl of Aberland will serve as my second.”

  “Very well. My brother will act as mine. He’ll call on Aberland to determine the details on the morrow.” Gibbon gave a single nod and left, his brother following him out of the club.

  Stunned at the turn of events, Benjamin watched them leave in disbelief, a terrible unease flooding him. How had this come to pass?

  “This is inexcusable, Granger,” Delham said. “Make this right by offering the lady marriage. Save yourself from disgrace.”

  “I will not do so when I did nothing wrong.”

  “Then you can remove my name from the charity. I don’t want anything to do with a rogue such as you.” Delham strode out of the room, murmurs following from those who remained.

  Benjamin shook his head as he sank to his chair. All his efforts to redeem himself had been for naught. Not only was the charity in jeopardy, but he could also imagine what Louisa would think when she heard of the duel. Actually, no, he couldn’t. His mind refused to consider it, as did his heart.

  “What the hell was that about?” Aberland asked.

  “I truly have no idea.” He scoured his memory for any possible insult but found none. “Lady Adele was at the Delham house party, but I certainly never touched her.”

  “We shall hope the fool reconsiders. Now I better understand why the rules insist on a day’s grace before the duel. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail.” Aberland waved for a waiter and ordered them both another drink. “Otherwise, I suppose this means pistols at dawn the following day.”

  “I suppose it does.” But all he could think about was Louisa. How could he have done nothing wrong yet lost everything?