Ben watched Sir Jonathan Hackberry through narrowed eyes as the man expounded on his most recent excavation along the Tigris prior to his return to England. His tales didn’t interest Ben as much as the feverish gleam in Hackberry’s eyes as he spoke. In Hackberry’s excitement, he clipped the rim of his wineglass, but he snatched it before it toppled and soaked Lisette’s table linens.
Ben was growing convinced the man’s passion was not vested in becoming Eve’s husband. He couldn’t accept that Eve would choose Hackberry.
“The man is a windbag,” Jake muttered.
Amelia, who sat between Ben and Jake, shushed him. “He will hear you,” she whispered.
“Over the sound of his own blathering? Doubtful.” Jake took his wife’s hand beneath the tablecloth, and she very nearly glowed when she smiled back at him.
Women in love were lit from within, and that was the essence of what was missing between Eve and Sir Windbag. The man didn’t make her glow.
Ben glanced around the table. Lisette’s hand rested lovingly on her stomach and a coy smile teased her lips when she met Daniel’s unwavering gaze at the opposite end of the table. Lana’s husband whispered in her ear and her eyes brightened. These unguarded moments between his siblings and their spouses strengthened Ben’s resolve to get rid of Hackberry. He wanted what his siblings had found, and he wanted it with Eve, even if he must do something unforgivable to achieve his desire.
Bugger. Grabbing his glass, he drained it. The wine burned in his gut as Hackberry droned on, happily thinking he was an honored guest this evening. Ben tried to believe he was doing the man a favor by offering him a way out of his betrothal, or that Eve would be grateful for Ben’s interference someday, but he had never been good at lying to himself.
When the last course was cleared, Lisette rose and everyone around the table followed suit. “Ladies, shall we retire to the drawing room?”
The women—Ben’s sisters-in-law, his mother, his sister, and Lisette’s cousin, Mrs. Serafine Tucker—exited the drawing room. Daniel set to the task of pouring brandy for the men and invited them to take a cheroot from the carved ebony box sitting on the sideboard.
Ben sized up the room. Other than Mr. Isaac Tucker and Hackberry, allies surrounded Ben. Now would likely be the best time to approach Eve’s betrothed without gossip making the rounds tomorrow. He retrieved two cheroots, even though he’d never enjoyed them, and invited Hackberry to join him outside.
Margrave lifted his glass in a toast as Hackberry followed Ben to the glass doors leading to the terrace. Hackberry locked gazes with Ben’s friend for a split second, then cleared his throat nervously. Margrave’s brooding intensity could be intimidating to many, although Ben had known him too long to allow it to bother him.
Neither Ben nor Eve’s betrothed bothered to light their cheroots, which made the moment suddenly awkward as they stood outside staring at each other. Sounds from the town house carried on the air, but didn’t detract from the silence lurking on the terrace.
“Hmm…” Ben muttered, unsure how to begin.
Hackberry sat on the stone railing with his slender legs stretched out. “Yes, hmm…” He tucked the cheroot into his coat and crossed his arms. “Allow me to hazard a guess: this is about Eve.”
Ben’s nostrils flared at Hackberry’s casual use of her name. It was irrational to feel such animosity toward the gent, but Hackberry enjoyed an intimacy with Eve that once belonged to Ben alone. Did Hackberry also kiss her? Ben’s fingers coiled into a fist.
“She doesn’t belong with you,” he said with a dangerous growl to his voice.
Hackberry smiled gamely. “Yet she will be mine in a matter of weeks. How lucky am I to win the attentions of such a lovely young lady?”
Ben took a step forward, but Hackberry held up a hand, laughing. “No need to shed blood over the matter, Mr. Hillary. She might be promised to me, but her heart clearly belongs to someone else.”
Ben dropped his fist, his brow wrinkling. “What is this about her heart belonging to someone else? How do you know?”
“I saw the evidence myself today. She has not been the same since your return. If anyone should be inclined to violence, it should be me.” Hackberry’s mouth twisted into a smile that gave Ben the impression he wasn’t completely happy despite his jovial tone.
Ben, on the other hand, experienced a lightening of his heart. Perhaps he wouldn’t need to take measures to get rid of Hackberry. Eve might toss over the man and remedy the situation for him. “Has she hinted she might cry off?”
“Good Lord, no. What reason would she give? I cannot imagine her jilting me because she does not love me. This is a matter of duty, and Eve is determined to fulfill her responsibilities to make a marriage match.”
How did Hackberry know what was important to Eve? He hadn’t known her a month yet.
“We have talked, Hillary.” Hackberry spoke with a droll quality to his tone, apparently reading his mind. “She has been refreshingly free with her thoughts up until now. She will become my wife even though I’m aware she prefers you, but I won’t hold a grudge or punish her for what her heart wants.” He dropped his arms to the railing beside him and shrugged his shoulders. “So tell me, what is it you wished to discuss with me?”
Ben’s jaw tightened. It seemed pointless to make his offer now when it was clear Hackberry wouldn’t be swayed. Ben had misjudged Eve’s betrothed. Yet that flicker of determination inside Ben couldn’t be snuffed. He squared his shoulders. “Five hundred pounds and the use of one of my ships bound for the destination of your choice. Take it or leave it.”
Hackberry’s mouth dropped open and a wheezy breath escaped.
The burn in Ben’s gut returned as if the wine had festered. His words replayed in his head. He sullied Eve by treating her as if she were a commodity to buy. Hell, he degraded himself, but he couldn’t retract his offer as long as there was a chance. “It is money to support your work, your studies. Intended as a philanthropic…” He trailed off when Hackberry’s lip curled in disgust.
“You expect money will entice me to step aside. How very arrogant, Mr. Hillary. Honor cannot be bought.”
“There is nothing honorable about holding a lady to a promise when you’ve said she prefers someone else. And what of your travels? Do you expect me to believe you are willing to give up your life’s pursuit to settle for a domesticated existence? Eve would hate being left alone while you traipse off to God knows where, and if you even considered dragging her with you—”
“I wouldn’t risk her welfare by taking her with me.” Hackberry grimaced. “But I hadn’t considered the dangers in leaving her alone either, not until this afternoon.”
Ben couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Why would you ask for her hand if you plan to leave her?”
Hackberry cocked an eyebrow. “Why did you?”
“I didn’t want to leave her. It—it was unavoidable.” Ben turned his back, refusing to discuss his problem with his opponent. “I never wanted to leave her.” Sadness lingered in his words, despite his determination to give nothing away.
Hackberry didn’t respond. The incessant trilling of a field cricket rang in Ben’s ears as the moment stretched out, becoming unbearably long.
“Neither do I,” Hackberry said quietly. “Want to leave her, that is. But I believe all parties would be best served by me accepting your offer.”
So much for the man’s honor not being for sale. Ben’s gut clenched and he feared losing his meal on the terrace. He pivoted on his heel, a part of him hoping the man was mocking him.
Hackberry came forward with his arms out at his sides. “This is sudden, I know, but I was recently approached about an archaeological dig in Egypt, and now that you are making it possible—”
“You are choosing a bloody dig over Eve? What the hell is wrong with you?” Even though Ben was getting what he wanted, he couldn’t fathom choosing anything over a lifetime with Eve.
Hackberry blew out an exasperated breath, lifting hair that had fallen forward on his forehead. “I know this sounds daft when I say it aloud, but I feel as if I have no choice in the matter. I am needed elsewhere. It is in Eve’s best interests to be freed from her promise.”
For a moment, Ben could focus on nothing else as Hackberry’s words circled in his mind. Eve’s best interests. Wasn’t this how Ben had justified leaving her too? Only it hadn’t been the right thing for Eve.
“You love her,” Hackberry stated.
Ben glared in response. Of course he loved her.
Hackberry’s off-kilter grin reappeared. Something sad about it gave Ben pause. “I know you love her, Hillary. You will see that she is well cared for and protected, which is more than I can do.”
“Yes, always.”
The man scratched his ear and slowly nodded. “Very well, then the matter is settled. I will deliver the news I cannot marry her tomorrow.”
“No!” Ben’s outburst caused Hackberry to jump.
The man sputtered until he found his tongue. “No? But how am I to relinquish my claim unless I speak with her?”
“You can’t cry off. She must.” Ben’s blood began to simmer as he pictured the man jilting her—Eve’s humiliation at being told Hackberry didn’t want her. No, Ben would have no part in hurting her again. He jabbed a finger in Hackberry’s direction. “She must make the decision to end your betrothal. That is the only way.”
“I’ve already told you I have given her no reason.”
“Then give her a reason.” Ben spun away and stalked to the other side of the terrace lest he grab Hackberry and shake him senseless. He stood with his hands on his hips, dragging in deep breaths to calm his temper.
After a time, Hackberry cleared his throat. Ben still didn’t look at him. “I don’t know what you have in mind, Hillary, but I will not be unfaithful.”
Ben snarled over his shoulder. “If you dared, I would run a blade through your heart.”
“Remember, there is no call for violence. I am at your service. Simply tell me what I must do and I will do it. For Eve’s sake.”
Ben shook his head. “I don’t know. Everything I think might work makes me want to punch someone.”
Hackberry laughed, and Ben couldn’t help smiling when he considered his ungentlemanly threats. Eve had a way of making him uncivilized.
Ben faced his rival turned temporary ally, his temper cooling marginally. “Perhaps if you annoy her enough, she will come to our way of thinking. Most unhappy couples seem to annoy the hell out of one another.”
“That usually takes years. We haven’t much time before we are to wed.” Hackberry absently scratched his nose. “I cannot fathom Eve breaking her promise just because I annoy her. Besides, she has the patience of a saint.”
Ben nearly snorted. Rarely had he seen evidence of this rumored saintly patience. Patience implied restraint, and even when she was younger, she had been unable to stifle her enthusiasm in most things. Her sincerity made her stand out from her fellow debutantes. Instead of practiced shy smiles and mundane compliments, Eve’s responses had been genuine.
Hackberry was correct. Eve wouldn’t break her promise over something insignificant, but they might be able to create doubts about Hackberry’s suitability. Then Ben might have a chance.
“I’ve become a master at irritating the lady,” Ben said. “And I am happy to tutor you in the finer points. As you pointed out, however, we haven’t much time to spare. When will you see her next?”
“Tomorrow. I am to arrive for dance instruction in the afternoon.” Hackberry ducked his head, and Ben was certain the man blushed. “I am hopelessly clumsy on the ballroom floor.”
And off, Ben would say, given the report of his antics at the museum. “Splendid. I will collect you tomorrow afternoon, so we can arrive together. You will need to bring daisies.” Ben headed for the town house.
“Wait,” Hackberry called to him. “Wouldn’t presenting flowers to a lady be the opposite of annoying?”
Ben kept walking, a smile on his face. “You have much to learn, my naive apprentice.”