Free Unconventional Suitors 01 - Her Unconventional Suitor by Ginny Hartman Page A

have you know that we spent almost an entire quarter of an hour writing that poem.”
    “A quarter of an hour? It’s no wonder it was so impressive,” Benedict said sarcastically.
    “Do you think you could do better?” Marcus asked.
    “A child still in the schoolroom could do better.”
    “Well then,” Griffin said with glee, “I think I will issue a challenge. If you are so sure that you can do better, I insist that you write Lady Gillian a poem and present it to her. See if she will receive it any more favorably than she did the one we wrote.”
    “Consider it done,” Benedict grumbled.
    “I can hardly wait to hear your report.”

Chapter 8
    Benedict could barely tolerate his friends company in his current mood. He had always gone to great lengths to show his mother respect and maintain her favor, so the way he had hurt her tonight was bothering him immensely. And it was their fault, he rationalized.
    His eyes scanned the ballroom once more, hoping to find Lady Gillian so he could ask her to dance. When a careful perusal of the room resulted in nothing, he turned to Warren, who was the tallest of the bunch and asked, “Can you spot Lady Gillian?”
    Warren silently scanned the crowds. “Indeed I cannot. I wonder where the chit has gotten off to.”
    That was exactly what Benedict was wondering. A panic began to fill him, for he had last seen her on the arm of the handsome stranger, and he knew, having once been a rake himself, exactly what the man was capable of doing to an innocent and beautiful lady. He had to find her and make sure she was safe.
    He raced across the room, walking at a brisk pace, to the French doors that were leading to the balcony. He knew that many a women were ruined under the light of the silver moon. His heart was beating frantically, fearful of what he anticipated seeing as he stepped out into the cool of the night. Several couples stopped conversing long enough to give him a curious stare, but it appeared that no untoward activity was occurring, and Lady Gillian most definitely was not among them.
    He exhaled slowly, relieved that she was not out there with that rogue. But, his relief was short lived, for he knew there were many other possibilities. His mind instantly conjured up the library. How many women had he, himself, stolen a kiss from in the quite solitude of one library or another? Too many to count.
    His anxiousness increased as he approached the library and found the door closed. He forced his ragged breathing to still as he leaned his ear against the door and attempted to hear what was going on inside. When he couldn’t hear anything, he laid his hand on the knob and slowly twisted it in an attempt to silently crack the door. He did not wish to barge in and make a cake of himself if Lady Gillian was not inside.
    He thanked the heavens that the Barringtide’s hinges were well oiled as the door opened a crack without making a peep. He leaned in closely and heard a tinkling laughter fill the room. Lady Gillian’s laughter, to be exact. His mind instantly conjured up images of the devilish rogue flirting outlandishly with the girl to illicit such a response. He was just about to force his way in when he heard a second voice, a woman’s voice.
    “I think he is rather handsome, despite his awful clothing.” Benedict tried to place the voice without success as more giggling ensued. Was the girl referring to him?
    “It’s a wonder that somebody hasn’t attempted to aid the man. He is making himself a laughingstock amongst the ton ,” said another unfamiliar voice.
    “Apparently they have.” Lady Gillian was speaking now. “His friends told me themselves that they are the reason to thank for his current appearance. Apparently he was worse before they stepped in to help.”
    “Marcus said that?” asked a vaguely familiar voice. “My brother has an eye for fashion, I can hardly believe he couldn’t do better. Perhaps he wasn’t involved.” Ah ha! The voice