Benedict rolled his eyes and released his hold on Katherine. Her arm suddenly felt cold. Why hadn't Benedict made a similar offer? Sighing, she took a seat on the bench next to Lady Anastasia and tried not to slump or do anything to outwardly show her displeasure, though she was slightly disappointed. And then Paisley turned his beautiful eyes toward her. "Lady Katherine, might I wear yours as well?"
His mouth widened into a breathtaking smile. By Jove, she had forgotten how handsome he was! Yet, her reaction wasn't the familiar fluttering that she was so used to with Benedict. If anything it was amusement, not attraction. Odd? With a relaxed giggle, she offered a handkerchief as well, smugly satisfied as Benedict's face seemed to contort with jealousy. Served him right for ignoring her. Well, what could she expect when a man such as he was faced with competition?
The race was fast.
Paisley was faster.
But unfortunately, Benedict was slow, though it could have been in part to the fact that Baldwyn tried to trip him around the first circle nearly sending the Devil face first onto the icy surface.
Never had she heard so many curses and oaths during a children's game.
By the time both men returned, they were breathing heavily and slapping one another on the back.
"A pleasure as always, your graceless." Paisley smirked.
Benedict's eyes glowered, his usual mask of anger, until a small smile began to tug at his lips. Katherine knew that smile. It held secrets and manipulations. Oddly enough, it looked exactly like the smile the old dowager had when she was planning on doing something malicious. Not that she would ever tell Benedict that, for fear that he would stop smiling altogether.
"Speaking of graceless, did any of you happen to hear that commotion out in the corridor last evening?"
To say the conversation took a definite change into uncomfortable territory would be an understatement. Paisley laughed off the noise as if a vase had fallen, and Lady Anastasia looking so mortified she might have been ready to go up in flames despite the low temperatures.
A change in subject was needed.
But before Katherine could open her mouth, Lady Anastasia requested some mulled cider, successfully pulling Baldwyn away from the group, but not without giving Katherine a chilly stare.
"Care to skate, Kate?" Benedict held out his hand.
Katherine rolled her eyes. "Promise to behave?"
"I'm not sure I understand the definition of the word."
"Promise?"
"No, behave." He smirked and tugged her body so close to his she began to perspire.
"I imagine there are many words you lack the experience of hearing. Take for example—"
"Tsk, tsk, Katherine, don't go spoiling our little outing, not after I've been watching the wind pick up your skirts enough to glance at your ankles. Think of the terrible mood you'll put me in when you begin to repeat all the words I so despise hearing."
"As in?"
"No. I despise the word no. It is so final, so cruel."
Katherine laughed. Oh, the man was ridiculous. "And when was the last time someone told you no, Benedict? If ever?"
"Well, I recall a certain someone saying no to my proposal, and a certain someone also saying no to courting me, which I'm still terribly distraught over. To think I missed any chances I would have had at being skillfully wooed by a woman."
"My heart aches for your loss, your grace."
"Does it?" He stopped skating, and pulled her flush against his body. "And what, do you think would cause it to beat, just a bit faster? Perhaps a kiss? Or mayhap, a tiny taste, right here I think." His hand reached out and touched her chin. "I find myself fascinated with your skin here, maybe your heart shall begin to heal if I kiss right here."
"Or…" Katherine pulled away from him, feeling flirtatious. "I'll merely say the word you despise the most in all of the world, sending you into fits of hysteria."
"Wouldn't be the first time you've caused mental and physical harm."
"And dare I say it won't be the last." She winked.
Benedict threw his head back and laughed. It seemed to silence the skating around him, causing stares to come from every direction. Suddenly uncomfortable, Katherine blushed and darted next to his side. But he wasn't totally balanced, he took a topple so hard that her own bum hurt.
Letting out a string of curses, he looked up at her from the ice and grimaced.
Katherine tried to keep from laughing. Really she did, but the look on his face was so pouty, she couldn't help but outright laugh at the picture he gave. Benedict's brows drew together, his lips formed a grimace, and his face reddened just slightly.
"Very funny," he hissed through his teeth as he tried to set himself to rights. With Katherine's help they were able to slowly make their way back to the bench where Lady Anastasia and Paisley stood, mulled cider in hand.
Once Benedict was safely on the bench, he smiled and refused to release Katherine's hand. "How about a kiss for the wounded hero?"
"Wounded? Hero? Where, your grace? All I see is the devil being brought back down to earth."