Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

" C ome and join me, Lady Thalia." The cool, authoritative voice summoned Thalia to the card table.

Swallowing hard, Thalia had little choice but to obey. Before her, sat Marina, the Dowager Duchess of Ravenswood. Benedict's mother.

She looked every bit the regal, aloof duchess. Back straight, hands laid precisely in her lap, every inch of her hair and attire in perfect condition. Marina's eyes were narrowed slightly, her invitation hanging in the air between them as if she had already begun to assess Thalia before the young woman had even a moment to reply.

But why would she spare even a passing glance for Thalia? Surely it was Selina that the duchess would wish to assess. Selina was the one whom her son was attempting to court.

Still, as Thalia cast her glance around the room, she saw that her sister was deep in conversation with Lady Harwood and several other ladies. There would be no way of using her sister as a shield against the officious duchess.

For reasons unknown, Thalia had been summoned to the card table with Marina. And there would be no refusing such an invitation, no matter how Thalia felt about the woman's son.

"Thank you," Thalia finally managed, taking a seat across from the duchess. It was a small table, and the cards were laid out for a two-person game. Though Thalia was again curious as to why she had been singled out by Marina, she kept her questions to herself.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" asked Marina, beginning to deal the cards. She did not inform Thalia what they were playing but, thankfully, Thalia recognized the game by the number of cards she was dealt.

"I am, thank you. We are honored to be invited to such a gathering."

"It was my son who made the guest list," Marina informed her coolly. She gave no hint as to what her intentions with Thalia were. Perhaps she simply wished to play cards.

Thalia tried not to grimace. She knew exactly why Benedict had invited them. "We are honored," she repeated, trying to keep from sounding skeptical.

"I have not seen much of your sister in the ton ," mused Marina.

"My sister has only recently entered society," Thalia informed her. "And she only attends the Season's events with a chaperone," she added, hoping to communicate to the duchess just how close of an eye Thalia kept on her sister. If Marina was somehow privy to her son's scandalous ways, it would be good for the duchess to know that Thalia refused to let him pull Selina into such salacious situations.

When Marina was silent, Thalia wondered if she had finished speaking. But, after another moment more, she added, "I have not been in attendance at the Season's events of late. So, it is no wonder that I have not been introduced to your sister until now."

"Have you been well?" Thalia asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Indeed, it was strange that the duchess was not more openly seen in the ton . In fact, she had been missing from polite society for some time. Something not far from typical for a woman of her status.

Marina eyed Thalia coldly. Knowing she might have overstepped, Thalia held her gaze. The duchess had broached the subject; why shouldn't Thalia continue in the same vein?

As Thalia waited, Marina played her first move. Thoughtfully, Thalia regarded the cards in her own hand.

"I have been in mourning," the duchess said simply. "I did not feel ready to rejoin society until very recently."

Slightly taken aback, Thalia nodded. "Some people do not take the proper time to mourn their loss," she murmured, thinking of her own losses. "It comes back to haunt them, I believe, in time."

At this, Marina studied Thalia carefully. "True. Though their presence may be missed," she added quietly.

"Was your presence missed?"

Instantly, Thalia knew she had overstepped. Anger flashed in the duchess' eyes. When she next spoke, her tone was ice. "On the other hand, some people do not know when their presence is no longer needed in society," she remarked as Thalia made a move.

Nearly dropping her cards, Thalia glanced up at the woman. Before she could think of a more delicate reply, Thalia's thoughts were on her tongue and spilling forth. "You speak of me? Spinsters, you believe, are not worthy to engage in the Season?"

Marina was giving nothing away. As if the mask of calm she wore was not only for the game of cards that lay before them but also for the game of wits she had now wrangled Thalia into.

"Perhaps you are young enough yet," Marina replied calmly, "to continue to join the Season's events. But surely you would agree that older spinsters must know when their time has passed and make a graceful exit? It is only polite."

"Have you been speaking with Lord Luton?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Thalia fought a wry, astounded smile from her lips. "It matters not. It would seem that many people share your opinion."

"But you do not care for their opinions?" Marina pressed, watching Thalia. "They are not enough to tempt you into a more secluded way of life?"

"I will give no thought to opinions or gossip whilst I still have a job to do," Thalia replied confidently. She was beginning to see where Benedict got his open, unabashed audacity from. Though, perhaps, such a mindset was afforded by all people in such positions of wealth and status.

"A job?"

"My sister is yet unwed. I seek to see her safely married and happily taken care of before I consider ‘taking my leave of Society' as you suggest."

As Thalia continued to hold Marina's gaze, she made a particularly daring move, watching with satisfaction as the duchess took in the cards laid before her.

"If your mother were as worried about your sister's nuptials as you, she might have provided her daughters with better dresses to suit the occasion," she mused.

"My mother is dead."

The words had their intended effect. Again, the duchess seemed caught off guard. As she fumbled for a reply, Thalia continued. "She passed when I was young. So, I had no option but to do my best to care for – and dress – my younger sister. I am sorry that my efforts have not pleased you. But I had no guidance on such matters. Perhaps, if a woman like you had taken me under her wing, I should have fared much better."

Again, Thalia watched with smugness as the duchess tried to sort through Thalia's mixture of statements which could either be insulting or somewhat complimentary. She was obviously deciding whether or not to be offended by the earl's daughter.

Making another play, Marina finally spoke. "Sometimes a mother cannot do all she hopes to for her children." It was a quiet statement, so sad and genuine that Thalia wondered if she had even been meant to hear it.

Startled, Thalia wondered how such a mother had brought up a son like Benedict. While she had remarked on their similarities to herself just moments ago, she now saw, too, how different they were.

Marina was stoic and majestic, with expectation and propriety in every movement she made, while Benedict was more of a rogue than any other man Thalia had ever met. His disregard for societal norms was in direct opposition to his mother. Perhaps, because of his mother.

"One can only do one's best," Thalia replied carefully. "With good intent. How one's advice and aid are taken – whether or not they are accepted – is out of our hands."

She was speaking of them both now. Thinking of Selina, Thalia wished her sister could calm her anger enough to see the sense in Thalia's advice. She wondered, too, if Marina had experienced such moments with Benedict. Though, clearly, he had neither valued nor implemented whatever pleas for propriety that his mother had made.

The briefest of expressions crossed the duchess's face, but Thalia knew the feeling too well to let it go misinterpreted. Regret. Just what Marina regretted, Thalia did not know. But it was clear that Thalia's words had hit their mark.

Another round of the game passed in silence. "You remind me of a young woman I once knew," Marina finally mused.

"Oh?"

"Strong-willed and obstinate. More concerned by duty than anything else." Marina hesitated a moment. Then, taking a breath, Marina played her hand, laying out the rest of her cards before Thalia.

It was a very good hand.

"Whom might that be?" Thalia asked, holding off on following suit.

One of the duchess's thin eyebrows arched. "Me."

Thalia did not know whether this was praise or condemnation. But she laid her cards out on the table with confidence, watching as Marina registered her loss. Then, victorious, Thalia stood. She gave the duchess a nod. "I shall take that as a compliment."

As she turned away, Thalia did not miss the cold approval in Marina's eyes.

As Benedict crossed through the hall, intent on making sure that the preparations for tomorrow night's entertainment were well underway, he was caught off guard by a hushed conversation to his left.

It was in a small alcove just off the room where the women were still finishing up their post-dinner games and conversation. It would soon be time to invite them and the men to join once more for a larger, more exciting game.

But these two women, it would seem, were eager to hold conference before such an event.

Benedict pulled up short, hiding himself behind a nearby pillar as he allowed himself a small grin. He knew the two women. He knew them very well.

The Ladies Thalia and Selina were in deep, hushed conversation. And, though he could not hear their words, he could make out the heat of them. Someone was upset. Benedict could only guess that it was Selina.

He risked another glance at them. Indeed, Selina's face was flushed with anger, her mouth hurriedly spilling forth either condemnation or frustration.

In stark contrast, Thalia's face was pale and unreadable. Benedict was disappointed. He missed the embarrassed tinge of pink that had colored her cheeks just an hour or so before.

As he watched her, he mused over what it might be like, to see her exhibit her feelings beyond such a shy demonstration. He was confident that he had stirred up the heat in her blood and brought forth blushes of desire, not just embarrassment. But what would it be like to see her true cravings take hold?

He envisioned her, head thrown back, mouth a perfect ‘o' as passion consumed her. As he satisfied her.

The image that flashed before his eyes made his blood burn, his trousers growing tight as his body responded with a desire of its own. How different she might look, he mused. If she were allowed to shake the confines of her station and surrender herself to her desires.

What would she sound like, in the height of pleasure? Benedict's member reacted at that thought, pressing even tighter against his trousers.

Benedict's hands itched with the desire to strip away the woman's stoic demeanor. Among other things.

Taken a little aback by the strength of such lustful thoughts, Benedict excused himself, withdrawing back up the hall just as quietly as he'd come.

Thalia Fletcher fascinated him. And before he could make her younger sister his duchess, he needed to puzzle out the riddle that was the eldest Fletcher daughter.

Something he was looking forward to, greatly.

"Selina!"

Thalia could hardly believe her ears. She watched as both Lady Harwood and another older guest, Lady Winthrop, reacted to Selina's statement.

Her sister's name was out of her mouth before Thalia knew what was happening.

Selina turned to face her older sister as Thalia hurried over to her, eager to suppress the damage. "Yes, Thalia?" Selina asked, her smile fading as she registered the disapproval in her sister's eyes.

Thalia turned to the two older women. "My sister speaks in hope, only, not with any assurance –"

"And my sister must take a short reprieve," Selina interrupted, her tone hard. "I shall accompany her."

As Selina roughly took Thalia's arm and led her to the door, Thalia knew what was to come next. She had overreacted, perhaps, but Selina was not without fault. To make such a bold claim to others would cast her in a very poor light, should such claims fail to be proven true.

Outside the room, Selina rounded on Thalia. Briefly, Thalia remembered the evening at the ball, and how upset Selina had been then. Again, she felt shame and justification war within her. She hated to make her sister so angry. This was not the usual Selina she knew and loved. But without a mother there to keep the young woman in check, Thalia had to be the one to hold Selina accountable.

"Am I not allowed to speak, now?" whispered Selina, her breath practically tinged with flame.

"Of course. But you are not allowed to spread gossip," came Thalia's reply.

"Gossip? Hardly! I merely informed the ladies of my current situation."

It was Thalia's turn to fight off a hint of anger. Was her sister refusing to see the delicacy of her situation? "You told Lady Harwood and Lady Winthrop that you were being courted by His Grace!"

Thalia threw a glance over her shoulder at the door which separated them from the other women at the house party. She knew she should be grateful that Selina had only said such a thing to those two women. They were known to gossip, and most people wrote off what they said as dramatized versions of the truth.

Still, Selina should know better. "You said such things practically in front of his mother," Thalia hissed. "Even if you were allowed to entertain his attentions – which you are not – it would be improper to make such assertions. Nothing has been promised between you."

She could see that Selina was already beginning to tune her out, but Thalia pressed on. If she could simply get her sister to understand the logic of the situation, perhaps she would guard her words a little more closely. "To claim that it has will be seen as exceedingly proud. Not to mention that the duchess will believe you have designs upon her son. Nothing can brand a woman as undesirable as being seen to be grabbing for money and status."

"No one but you think like that," Selina retorted. "You judge me so harshly! I cannot do anything to please you."

"Please, Selina, that is not the case. I worry for you. He is a rogue. He owes you nothing. He may speak all manner of fancy, loving words whilst making a ruin of your reputation. He will treat you as he has treated so many others –"

"You think me a child." Selina's eyes were suddenly flooded with tears. "I shall never be a woman to you because you refuse to give up treating me like a child." She wiped away her tears angrily. Then, as she turned to reenter the room, she left Thalia with a final, parting blow. "I miss my sister," she murmured.

Then, straightening her shoulders and plastering a pleasant smile across her features, Selina rejoined their company.

Thalia was left alone, staggered by Selina's cruel revelation. Helpless. That was the only way she could describe how she felt. She was trying to help her sister, but she was going about it all wrong. She was hurting Selina in the process.

Fighting back tears, Thalia made a great effort to compose herself.

Then she made a decision.

It was time to change tactics. She would stop trying to chastise her sister regarding the duke. She would let Selina recover and lick her wounds, while Thalia took a step back from parenting.

In the meantime, she would redouble her efforts to keep the duke away from her sister. She would be more than a thorn in his side. If she could, she would run him out of her life for good.