She stood up abruptly, setting her cup down on the table with a clatter, and began to pace agitatedly about the room. If only I could think of some way out of it! I have been cudgeling my brain for days. All the way down from London, I could think of nothing else. But I came up with nothingnothing!
There was a long moment of silence, then Sedgewick said quietly, What if I thought of a solution?
Both Camilla and Benedict swung toward him in astonishment.
What the devil Benedict began.
What? Camilla asked, hope rising in her face. She started toward him eagerly. Do you mean it? Have you really thought of a way out of my predicament?
He nodded. Perhaps. If you are willing to risk it.
I would do anything! she exclaimed rashly. Just tell me what it is!
What you need to do is arrive at Chevington Park tonight with a fiancé.
What? Camilla frowned, confused. Had the fellow not understood what she had been telling him? How could I Who
Sedgewick smiled and nodded toward the other man in the room. Benedict will be your fiancé.
CHAPTER THREE
CAMILLA GAPED AT Sedgewick.
Across the room, Benedict expressed her fears more forcibly. For Gods sake, Jermyn, have you run mad?
Not at all. If you will think about it, you will see that it is the perfect solution.
I see that it is perfect insanity, Benedict retorted. If you think that I am going to become engaged to thatthat
Camilla turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling dangerously. To that what, Mr. Benedict?
Come, come, Benedict, you are usually not so slow, Sedgewick told him lightly. Of course, I dont mean actually engaged. I am talking about a pretense of it. You will ride to Chevington Park tonight with Miss Ferrand. In the morning, you shall meet her relatives, talk to her grandfather and so forth. You stay a few days, then you say that you have to get back to the city, and you leave. The Earl will be reassured and happy, the dragon of an aunt will be routed, and youwell, you will spend a few days at Chevington Park, which I understand is an elegant country house.
Benedict narrowed his eyes and started to speak, then pressed his lips tightly together. He turned away, growling, You are as silly as she is. It is impossible.
Why? You are well able to act the part of a gentleman, arent you?
Sedgewicks gray eyes twinkled. A trifle rude, perhaps, but then, some lords are.
Oh, I dont need a lord, Camilla stuck in. Simply a gentleman will do.
Benedict turned on her. Dont tell me that you are actually considering such a harebrained scheme!
Camilla had had no intention of agreeing to Mr. Sedgewicks plan. However, Benedicts sneering tone made her decide that it was worth thinking about after all. Her chin came up, and she glared back at Benedict defiantly. Why not? It would suit my purposes. And however rough your manners are, you do speak like a gentleman. We might be able to pull the wool over everyones eyes for a few daysas long as you avoided talking to everyone as much as possible. I will pay you for it, of course. Wouldnt that be a better way of making money than thievery? And it will answer my problem. It will make Grandpapa happy, and then, later, I can just pretend that I realized that we should not suit. Or better yet her face brightened I shall say that you died! That would be perfect.
Perhaps for you.
Well, only insofar as my family is concerned, of course.
It would be a trifle awkward, dont you think, if they happened to meet me again a few months from now?
Dont be absurd. Why should they meet you?
I could run into one of them on the street in London. I am free to walk in London, despite my lack of gentility.
Oh. Well, in that case, I suppose I shall have to stick to the story that we broke it off. She sighed. Pity. The dying story would have been much more dramatic.
Youre right, Sedgewick agreed, his expression disappointed, though his eyes twinkled merrily. However, I suppose we shall have to be content with the plainer tale.
Would everyone kindly stop talking this nonsense? Benedict burst out. I am not going to pretend to be your fiancé. I cant believe that you would even consider it. It is obvious that you are drunk.
I am not! It was true, Camilla acknowledged to herself, that she felt very warm and cheerful, and that her mind was a trifle, well, fuzzy, but she had merely been relaxed by the rum punch. It had not influenced her thinking. I am open-minded enough to see the value of Mr. Sedgewicks idea. It would work admirably for both of us. You are simply too stubborn to go along with anything that anyone else says.
I am glad that someone appreciates my endeavor, Sedgewick said lightly, taking out his snuffbox and expertly flipping it open with one hand. Pinch, my dear Benedict?
The other man let out an inarticulate growl. Obviously I am the only person in this room with any sense. He stalked toward the door and opened it, then turned back. It doesnt matter what you two bedlamites cook up, because I am not going along with it! With that parting shot, he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Sedgewick and Camilla stood for a moment, looking at the door, then turned toward each other. Sedgewick gave her a long, considering look, then asked quietly, Are you willing to do it?
Camilla gazed back at him, wide-eyed. Was she? This plan would no doubt shock a conventional female like her aunt down to her toes. However, Camilla had always prided herself on not being conventional. She was independent and generally unafraid to tackle any situation. Of course, it was odd that a stranger like Mr. Sedgewick was so willing to help her out of her troubles, but just because a man went out of his way to be kind, that did not mean that she should reject his help. The worst aspect of the plan was having to be around such a rude, insufferable man as Benedict for several days. However, she was quite competent and reasonable, and she was sure that she would be able to manage both the situation and him. Fate had dropped this opportunity into her lap, and she would be foolish not to take advantage of it.
Yes, she responded firmly. I am willing.
Sedgewick gave her a small smile. Then I will go talk to Benedict. In the meantime, you may use this parlor to, um, freshen up.
Camilla almost giggled at the inadequacy of his polite words to describe the daunting task that lay before her. She was caked all over with mud, and she could not imagine how she would ever get it all out of her hair and off her skin without taking a complete bath.
I shall tell the maid to bring in a pitcher and basin. Im sure you have a change of clothes in your post chaise. When Camilla nodded, he went on, Ill have my man fetch your bags, then, so you will be able to get into some clean clothes.
Camilla nodded. Thank you.
No trouble at all. He started toward the door, then hesitated. You might want to fortify yourself with another cup of punch, as well.
* * *
BENEDICT WALKED NO farther than the bench in front of the inn and sat down on it to light a cigar. He had no doubt that Sedgewick would be following him in a moment. For all Jermyns exquisite manners, he was like a dog with a bone when he got his mind set on something, and Benedict was sure that he was not about to give up easily on his latest idea.