If lightning struck the very ground he stood on, Benedict would only give thanks to God for the rescue. Of course, he would push Katherine out of the way and take the brunt of it. Then again, she would be left to face Agatha without him.
Sometimes it was better to be the selfish cur.
Struggling between his two lofty dreams, Benedict decided it was time to face the music, or in this case the dragon. So he stood his ground, pulling Katherine firmly by his side.
Agatha hobbled in, rather than walked. It seemed her health truly had taken a decline. Either that or she was a splendid actress and belonged on Drury Lane with the rest of them.
Most likely the latter.
"Ah, Aunt! How splendid to see you!" The lie fell easily off his lips as did his smile, stunning his aunt so completely that her jaw dropped and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"I knew it!" she shouted. Did she need to shout her victory in front of an audience?
"Knew what?" Katherine asked.
"That he would one day remember to smile. He just needed something to smile about. Isn't that right, my dear?"
Katherine blushed profusely.
"Am I interrupting the morning meal?" Agatha peered around Benedict to see everyone sitting stiffly at the table.
"Not at all, Aunt. Join us?" He held out his hand as a sort of peace offering.
Grinning, she took it and tucked his arm close to her frail body. Had she been losing weight? She smelt of his family, of memories, and he was suddenly feeling like an absolute cad for his treatment of her, his one remaining female relative.
"Do tell me you shall go ice skating on the pond." Her eyes glistened.
"Yes," he answered unable to pull his gaze away from her face. When had she begun to age? And why was her skin so pale?
Katherine joined them and kissed Agatha on the cheek. He never thought he'd see the day that his aunt would blush. "Actually, would you care to join us? We were just going to grab our skates."
Agatha smiled and patted Katherine's hand. "I would love to, dear."
Dear? Benedict fought to keep the shock from his face.
"It is such a beautiful house, and a perfect day for the outdoors!" Agatha announced. At that precise moment, the butler collapsed, and a footman exhaled, thanks to God, while servants slumped against the walls. As if the woman had just declared that Parliament was in session and everything was as it should be.
She gave a jolly laugh and walked out with Katherine. Benedict followed, his heart warming at the sight of Agatha and the woman he cared for chatting about ice skating.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Dukes on Thin Ice
Katherine held Agatha's hand and placed it on her arm until they reached the frozen pond. After setting the dowager on a bench and wrapping her frail body in blankets, Katherine was shooed away to join the festivities.
Benedict wasn't far behind. Paisley and Lady Anastasia soon followed. Several couples were already skating on the pond, and Katherine didn't want to wait to join in the fun.
Quickly, she attached her skates, and began to wobble along. Everything was going perfectly well until the ice seemed to jump up and catch her skate, causing her to stumble. Soon her arms were waving frantically, and she could already feel the pain slicing her bottom if she were to fall.
Strong arms surrounded her, and then warm breath grazed her ear. "May I be of assistance, my lady?"
Katherine regained her balance and looked at her rescuer.
The joke was obviously on her, for God hadn't sent her a guardian angel. No, something quite the opposite.
If anything, Benedict's devilishly handsome looks seemed to only intensify with the white snow in the background. Curse the man.
"My thanks." She smiled.
He held out his arm. With a laugh, she hooked her arm within his and skated alongside him. They pulled up right next to Paisley and Lady Anastasia.
"Paisley, you skate like a woman," Benedict called out in good humor then nudged Katherine. "Looks like one, too, with the way his skates are tied on. Poor soul would be better off sitting on the bench, I fear."
Katherine stifled a giggle while Paisley accepted Benedict's challenge to race.
Apparently, he felt he was defending not only his own honor but that of his fiancée's, for he asked to carry her colors. As if he were a knight about to joust in the tournament.