Benedict hadn't spoken of the incident the entire night, but still noted the hurt he saw in Katherine's eyes. Saints alive! He wanted her trust, needed it. As well as guidance, but he had none. Nobody.
He sighed. Now was as good a time as any to read the note. It had been burning a hole in his pocket since it had been discovered. And now, as he watched Katherine weave through the crowds at the ball, the woman he had unintentionally hurt, he needed his aunt's comfort more than ever. So he walked to the corner and unfolded the letter.
Benedict, when I discovered my sickness would take me. I was bitter. I was angry. But mostly, you must understand my fear.
My two boys, the ones I helped raise, albeit with a strict hand, were going to be without me.
You, specifically Benedict, without any sort of living female relative or matriarch.
And I thought to myself, how can I leave him behind? How can I allow my body to deteriorate and wither away when my nephew needs so much guidance?
I have stood by and watched you make mistakes.
I have kept my mouth closed when you paraded with your mistresses.
We all have wild oats, by Jove. You'd have an apoplexy if you knew of mine.
It may have appeared that I did not approve, and perhaps, according to society, I did not, but I loved you. I loved you desperately, and I have only wanted what is best for you.
I would move heaven and earth for you, my boy. For Baldwyn, too.
You see…
When your mother died, I gave her a promise. I told her you would be better than the men before you in your family, but I knew even then that it would take a different strategy of sorts.
Rather than smother you, I allowed you your mistakes. Rather than coddle you, I pretended to be upset and turned my nose at your escapades. Your fear of me did not hinder my love, if anything it brought me joy, for I knew deep down that you cared, even when you claimed you didn't.
As I write this letter, I have only a few months to go on living in this world before I irritate God in His.
And I wondered, what could I possibly give Benedict? What could I leave him?
Her.
I wanted you to have her.
She reminds me of myself. She is strong, she is opinionated, she is clumsy. After all, she did try to kill you on several occasions, not a small feat, might I add.
If I leave you her, if you marry, then you will not be left alone in this world, but you will have a true family of your own. You see, my boy, we are more alike than you know. Our personalities push the limits and rejoice in the scandal and fear we bring to others. It is control, it is power, but it is not living. It is not happiness.
I want happiness for you.
I want you to have that love. I want you to marry her and protect her, to cherish her, to love her with a fierceness unmatched by anyone else.
This is my dying wish, my gift to you, the legacy I leave behind.
As well as half my estate… I only ask that you fill those many summer homes with the laughter of children, though I imagine you've already been working on that part behind my back, you rogue.
Remember, I love you.
Agatha
That little minx! Benedict wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. She'd known. The woman had known the entire time. She truly had picked Katherine out for him. She'd just tricked him as he suspected. But it was a glorious trick, one for the history books no doubt, for he would fall for it all over again.
He glanced up to see Katherine approaching.
After everything they'd been through, he knew he was going to have to create one more scandal.
One more show of devotion.
So he didn't walk.
He didn't even smile.
With fierce determination, he tucked the note into his jacket pocket and ran, as fast as his legs would take him, toward her.
His family.
Gasps were heard throughout the ballroom. The music came to a halt, but he couldn't care less.
All he saw was her.
All he wanted was her.
All he needed in this world was her.
Unshed tears blurred his vision. His hands reached out to grasp Katherine, but touching her was not enough. With little effort, he lifted her into the air and twirled her around before crushing his lips to hers, in such a kiss that he was sure even Agatha saw the scandal from heaven.
"I love you," he said and kissed her again.
"I love you," she replied as tears streamed down her cheeks. Katherine wrapped her arms around him, opened her mouth to him, and kissed him so passionately he wanted to weep. As well as boast, if he was being quite honest. He remembered the Duke of Tempest causing a similar scandal a few years back.
"So…" She drew back. "…the Devil Duke creates yet another scandal."
"Oh, be sure there will be many more to come." He set her to her feet.
"Really?" She lifted an eyebrow.
"Yes, for he also plans to marry. To stay true to his wife, if she'll have him. To have loads of children, naming the first Agatha of course, because naturally she wouldn't allow us to have a boy first."
"Naturally." Katherine giggled.
"My heart… it's yours." He kissed her forehead. "It's yours forever. If you'll have it."
"Well, you did finally learn how to smile…"
He nodded.
"And, you have ruined me on numerous occasions."