A Christmas Match (Landon House #4) - Rose Pearson Page 0,25

and that she might very soon give up.

“No objections at all, Lady Charity,” he answered, with a heavy sigh following his words. “Although I shall repeat again that I am quite contented, just as I am.”

Ramsbury snorted at this and, within a few minutes, the conversation then turned to Lord Amundsen. Benedict said nothing of importance, choosing instead simply to listen and to consider, quietly, what he might say to Lord and Lady Ramsbury when the time came. He would make it quite clear to them both that he did not appreciate their input, or their encouragement of Lady Charity, and he would demand that they do all they could to set her away from that path. He could only hope that they would agree.

Given that it was a very cold day indeed – although certainly dry – Benedict did not expect anyone else to be walking through Hyde Park on a freezing winter’s afternoon. He had chosen to do so, however, for the idea of being alone at home with his thoughts had not been an encouraging one. Ever since Lady Charity had spoken to him of her desire to encourage him from whatever it was that troubled him so, he had been unable to think of anything else. That had been some three days ago and still, he felt himself quite tormented.

Of course, Lady Charity had only been encouraged by Lord and Lady Ramsbury and, had it not been for them, he might have been able to dissuade her. His explanation, his frustration and his repeated desire that they step back and suggest that Lady Charity no longer attempt such a thing had been met with outright refusal, much to his own annoyance. Lady Charity had not, as yet, done anything other than converse with him when she could, but he could see the questions in her eyes whenever she looked at him. It was as though she wanted desperately to discover the truth about his melancholy, about his dislike of the Christmas season, and yet her interest made him all the more determined to remain silent.

“Good afternoon, Lord Hosmer. It is a very cold day, is it not?”

Benedict looked up, his gaze having rested on the path before him rather than straight ahead. Given that he had not thought that there would be anyone else present, he had been wandering slowly through the park, taking his time and ignoring the cold which had begun to nip at his toes.

“It is,” he replied, looking into the faces of Lady Hayward, Lady Charity and another he did not recognize. “I do beg your pardon if I was walking into your path.”

Lady Charity smiled at him and Benedict could not help but notice the pink in her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes. The cold seemed to only add to her beauty – although he, of course, grew irritated with himself that he had even noticed such a thing.

“You were not,” she assured him, warmly. “Are you fond of taking walks in the park during very cold days, Lord Hosmer?”

One corner of his mouth lifted.

“It depends very much on the day, Lady Charity,” he answered. “If it is raining or hailing or snowing – as it is inclined to do this time of year – then you will find me sitting comfortably at home and being more than contented with a roaring fire.”

Lady Hayward cleared her throat gently.

“Forgive me for interrupting, but I should like to introduce you to Lady Riverland. She is a dear friend of mine and I have been very glad to see her again.” She continued on with the introductions and Benedict bowed, expressing his gladness with meeting such a lady. Thereafter, he lifted his head and looked directly at the path ahead of him, wondering how he was going to be able to remove himself from their company and continue on his way. “We are to return to our carriage, I think,” Lady Hayward said, just as Benedict had been about to excuse himself. “It is very cold, and both myself and Lady Riverland find the air very chilled.” A small shiver captured her frame even as she smiled at him. “Might you be willing to accompany Lady Charity to the carriage, Lord Hosmer? As you can see, Lady Riverland and I are walking together and I do fear that Lady Charity might slip if she has no-one beside her, for the frost still coats some of these paths.”

Benedict took a moment to look