Benedict could think of only one reason why she would summon Baldwyn all this way.
"She's going to ruin the both of us." Benedict reached the whiskey and cursed. "Don't tell me she's turned her matchmaking sights to you cousin…" He waited, in vain, for Baldwyn to deny the accusations all together.
"I shall marry Lady Anastasia."
Benedict burst out laughing, sloshing his drink within the glass and nearly spilling it onto the Persian rug. "Truthfully? You are to marry her? Tell me, do you still have mud stains on your person? One would think they were permanent. Delightful creature that one. I have half a mind to cage her up with Katherine, at least they could torture one another instead of—" As the words came flowing out of his mouth Benedict realized in one horror-stricken moment, just what his aunt had done.
"She's betrothed us to…"
Baldwyn swallowed all of his brandy in one gulp. "Our enemies? Childhood nemeses? The only woman in London I could never imagine myself sharing a bed with? Yes, perhaps Agatha delights in having no heirs to speak of, for if I have to share a bed with that — that hoyden, then I'm quitting."
Benedict scowled. "One cannot simply quit marriage."
"Did I say marriage? I meant quitting the continent."
"And your tenants will simply do without you for the remainder of their lives?"
Baldwyn poured another brandy. At this rate he was going to be foxed before he even had a dance, which surely would not do. "Must you be so logical when I'm this upset? At least try to see my plight. The girl probably still has pigtails. Do you remember the way her bony little hands used to pull at my coattails? She wasn't a bonny lass, and you know it. I think I may be sick."
"Yes, well…" Benedict took the empty glass from his cousin's hand. "Whiskey on an empty stomach will do that to you. Now, why don't you run along and find something to soak up all that alcohol while I have a nice friendly little chat with Agatha about your situation. There isn't much to be done about mine considering we were found…"
"Compromised?"
Benedict growled low in his throat. "As I said before, to everyone who would listen that is, I was unconscious, on the cold hard ground, with nothing save a lump on the back of my head for my troubles. I did not seduce her!"
"Perhaps you've just gotten better at it."
Benedict lifted a brow.
"Just a thought. Perhaps your sexual prowess is that of such brilliance that you are able to seduce women in your sleep."
"What a cross to bear," Benedict said dryly not finding his cousin amusing in the least.
"Yes well, I was trying to look at the positive in a very dreary situation. After all, the woman you have to marry nearly killed you thrice! Not counting tonight of course."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for the reminder. I shall be sure to shout 'til death do us part quite proudly, knowing it will be quite soon in seeking me out."
"Speaking of the devil," Baldwyn mumbled and sauntered off in the other direction leaving Benedict alone in the room. He looked up and cursed fluently before downing the rest of his drink.
"Agatha."
"Benedict, I have just spoken with Katherine's parents and they have denied your suit."
Odd, how such information could make one feel elated yet offended all at once. "Whatever do you mean?"
Agatha lifted an eyebrow and took a seat on the nearest chair. "They find the idea of you marrying their only daughter quite offensive. In fact, they've instructed me to find her a suitable replacement considering you've already ruined her."
Appalled, Benedict could only stare slack-jawed. "But that's ridiculous! I ruined her, and I should be the one to pay for it! Granted, I wasn't necessarily awake for the entire act, but I'm pretty sure when a woman has her skirts up past her knees it's considered improper! What kind of parents are they? To subject their only daughter to such ridicule. And all because they find me offensive? Me? I'm a blasted duke!" He sliced the air with one hand as his temper broiled and spilled over into an outright tantrum "What in blazes is so awful about marrying me?"
Other than the obvious.
His reputation for ruining debutantes.
His favor for strong drink and gambling.
And the rumor that he often walked around his manor naked in order to offend his valet, which might or might not have been true.
"That, my dear boy, was my exact question." Agatha inspected her gloves and shrugged as if she didn't know all the reasons a family would be less than thrilled to align themselves with him.
Did that mean the witch was actually siding with her nephew? Impossible!
"And?" Benedict prompted.
"It isn't so much the parents whom object as it is the girl in question. She claims you are the most boring creature to walk the face of the earth. She also finds your inability to smile quite taxing."
Benedict's blood boiled. "For the last time, I know how to smile!"