Bewitching The Beast

cular Garde

nedict asked, breaking the silence a

ook he

thly pale." His voice was etched with irritation w

him and uttered, "It is naugh

me for a fool

he hastily ad

s darkened. "Te

an? Well, mayhap he was merely lovable when he was but a mere sight and kept his mouth clos

loyer, I dem

employee, I do also wish that you

ously surprised. "Why, Miss Blair.

my Lord," she murmured, turning away from hi

iss Blair? Why did your

well be refilled once more and turn scarlet with anger, which I believe is happening

that you are nearly

ere blazing in dark green fire. "I would appreciate it if you would, of course, so I could also tell you the same thing: you are hovering over the

something that could eventually place my family in

ut it was hard to imagine how she'd feel if he'd ever resort to such act. "It's already be

did yo

d, that you oug

ally, he conceded, much to her surprise, but with a fair warning. "Remember, Miss Blair, whatever it was that scar

ery moment. "I do give you my word that nothi

e aligned with his, refusing to yield at least this one battle. The Vicar had final

*

t daughters would be there, clad in their new gowns of lilac and lavender. Their mother's only wish was that they b

rst," Ysabella whispered to Emma befo

efore adding under her breath, "I am sure gentlemen would be swarm

schief, eyeing their sister and th

d after Agatha and Margaret. "It is very much exciting indeed

f you. If you," Margaret fixed her narrowed eyes at each of them, "ever bring Agatha and I trouble, this night will be over even before you could say yes to your first dance. One wrong move

atha who looked magnificent in her yellow gown. But she had tied her hair tightly in a bun which h

d around to walk ahead of them, he

ying if we find one for her,"

he is lacking suitors. She is unmarried and a spinster because she chose to. It would be very

certain she wi

if we find the r

Lo

d. "You believe a Lord

I heard it had b

r l

o the

who she really is," Ysabella expressed with a sigh. "She

?" a man's voice said behind them

beside their brother accompanied by her lady companion, their voices apparently dying with di

ue-grey eyes twinkling with merrime

aring the whitest gown they had ever seen. Her blon

Also seeing the couple, she waved at them and then

ith warning, his eyes looking over

smile. "Sometimes in a good way," she added b

ly walk away, giggling. "She looks so white I thought she was

ark," Ysabella added before th

ur sight," Marg

answered, both assuming an

heir governess who was loo

t would come upon he

*

l. She had thought that her yellow gown was extravagant but now s

ard, the Lord of Devonshire who looked powerful beside her. Lady Frances' beauty may not be matched by Benedict's, but Agatha had to now concede that they were a perfect match. Lady Frances exud

fact, quite a few guests stopped to watch them. After all, their engagement had been pub

n town has arrived," Agatha h

doc

d he is quit

ere

cross the ballroom. Agatha followed their gaze but could not see who they were looking at. The twins start

a answered and Agatha s

nd the twins imme

Agatha told her. "Would

I shall be alright. I see Tori and I might talk with her.

ent table where they said they'd be but did not find them. She

y? Not an hour into the ball a

*

re. Mayhap he was merely worried that his two younger sisters would be up to no good tonight, but

her hair down. And he found that he was disappointed she did not. Having erased that thought, he yet a

re ladies and their mamas, of wines and merry talks. Did she feel lost like the other chaperones in every co

er their dance. Benedict listened while his eyes hovered over to where his family was and he frowned. Margaret was making her way to Tori

seems that my sisters are giving their governes

I chance upon them." One of the main reasons why he chose to offer for Frances was the simple fact that sh

o bow to be excused. And then he started to stride toward

o be near the governess just yet. And so he turned away from Agatha's direction and went to the garde

*

entire space, fought her way through the crowd of Lords, Ladies and

They had always preferred gardens despite the plants being "shams" as they had called it before. But this was not the perfect time to go out in the gardens. Not when they were

mplications, but then society never judged a

y of the situation if the twins were not in the garden. In haste, she tur

not look so pleased by her sudden presence, Agatha made another turn. The fake tall bushes did not aide with her search, which was entirely frustrating. At the last minute she regretted not

called out in whispe

he household. Or mayhap they had returned and were looking for her. Her

" Benedict's voice

acing against her chest, probably because of the shock or the fact that he was looking quite ha

t them and decided to search for the twins myself.

und the empty space, a small clearing that was nearly hidden by the tall sham

should n

ault after all. The twins would not have been abl

s eyes keeping hers prisoner into their depths. Was he angry? She could not really tell. B

lieve you are mistaken, my Lord. They do not

ng about yo

furrowed

o study the two largest white scars on his right cheek, before he

ng was correctly interpreted by her brain and she lau

"I am surprised that yo

t. But it is entirely absurd,

e idea of you findin

o wouldn't! Me

not wish

find a husband, but to find it in a

ou, Miss Blair, if you merely mellow down your tendency to be too

s pursed. "I believe not all men think so badl

e. "I am not saying your op

luded, stepping away from him. She did not know why she felt hurt. All the while she thought he would

g to do with it," his bit out,

my Lord, women do have the right to s

n matters regarding rights for I bel

igher than the other. "I believe we have

boring? No, he was not boring at all. He could

er eyes as he stepped nearer, holding her gaze. Why was he steppin

waiting. Waiting to see how

, his eyes curiously looking down at her, as though he was only seeing her for the first time. Agatha c

as happening, Benedict Everard bent d