Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White

feared injuring him. If not physically, then his pride—if by chance Ben did win a tussle.
    â€œOh, boys, do stop this childish display.” Mother stayed beside the door. “And now that we are all here, we had better dress for dinner. We are going to Hampton Hall to dine, Archibald. Your boots had better be polished by the time we leave.”
    Archie released Ben’s neck, though he caught him on his way up for an actual squeeze of greeting. “The Hamptons’, eh? Excellent. It has been entirely too long since I have enjoyed the particular scenery to be had in their hallowed halls.”
    Ben didn’t much care for the gleam that entered his brother’s eyes.
    Mother must not have either. She arched her brows and leveled a finger at Archie’s nose. “None of your nonsense, young man. Miss Reeves hasn’t the brains to recognize the wolf beneath your sheep’s clothing, and we cannot afford a break with her grandparents over something as shifting as your affections. Besides.” Her gaze swung to Ben, probing and not without challenge. “Her family has apparently decided your brother can offer the alliance they seek.”
    â€œBenny? With Miss Reeves? You jest.” As if to prove it, Archie loosed a loud guffaw.
    And why was that absolutely everyone’s reaction? Ben planted his hands on Archie’s back so he could send him helpfully toward the door. “I fail to see the humor. Now, if you please, I must dress.”
    Archie skidded into the hall behind their mother, though he turned back once out there, grin in place. “I had not thought you capable of this, Benny. I am impressed. To think that you, the most intellectual man I know, being led by far baser inclinations…well, this is wonderful. I cannot wait to see it for myself.”
    Ben took great pleasure in shutting the door in his brother’s face.
    But it festered, the accusation Archie hadn’t the sense to make sound accusing. Ben couldn’t ever recall an instance where George and Archie had been in agreement before, and the fact that they were now…a wise man did not dismiss such things. A wise man would entertain the possibility that the rest of the world was right and he was mistaken.
    Maybe it was only her looks that drew him. Maybe Fairchild sawthe true her, a gentle spirit clothed in simplicity of mind, and Ben had fabricated any idea of depth. Maybe what he had taken to be her admittance that she hid a brain beneath the beauty was really only a momentary serious side to a girl otherwise happy with her frivolity.
    Maybe he ought to heed his mother’s advice and make this engagement his last at Hampton Hall. Leave Miss Reeves to the honest, upright affections of Colonel Fairchild and find himself another excuse for frequenting balls and soirees.
    Uncertainty brewed within him as he dressed and slid on the itchy powdered wig, and it only increased as he climbed into the carriage alongside his mother and brother. He ignored their prattle during the short drive, focusing instead upon his inner questions.
    He must examine himself tonight and gauge every reaction to her to determine whether it was only a physical attraction he felt. He must watch her with the thought in mind that he could be mistaken about her and see which theory her actions upheld.
    The winter skies were cold and clear as they exited the carriage and went through the open doors of Hampton Hall, but Ben could have sworn a storm brewed, so electric and thunderous were his thoughts. Lightning pierced him when the Hamptons greeted them in the drawing room and he had his first glimpse of Miss Reeves.
    She curtsied to his family. “So good to see you again, Mrs. Lane. Oh, and I did not know you were back in the city, Lieutenant.”
    â€œâ€™Tis ‘major,’ now,” Mother corrected.
    â€œOh!” Miss Reeves’ eyes went wide, her gaze upon his brother’s right shoulder, where the second