Deadly

Chapter 31

This is a bad idea..

I should be focussing on the plan, I should be getting those signatures, not this. Not hiding out behind one of the hedges, watching Bennett and Felicity eat lunch together at a small table. But I had to know. After she told me that she wanted to make amends, that she was going to speak to Bennett, I had to know if any of it was true. I might have let it go, forgotten about it, if I hadn't heard a few of the servants conversing about the meal they'd planned.

A date long over due, the servants were calling it.

They'd been talking for over an hour before I arrived. There weren't any broken dishes, flying objects, or voices raised in anger. In all reality, they seemed to be getting along just find.

" This curse.. What is it, exactly?" She asked him.

He looked at her for a long time, eyes guarded. " It's getting rather cold out, don't you think? Lunch was great and I've enjoyed this talk, but it might be time to go."

" No!" She said a tad bit too urgently. " I mean.. I'm just trying to understand, I want us to work together. Do you.. Do you want to marry me?"

He paused before standing completely, debated for a moment, then sank back into the metal chair. " Not particularly, Princess."

She sighed deeply in relief, twisting her hands around the glass of wine in front of her. " Then let's work together. There's no point fighting each other, when we can put our minds together and figure out another way that doesn't involve the two of us getting married."

" Better think fast, your mother is getting rather impatient." He said darkly. His eyes swept over their surroundings, pausing on the hedge I hid behind.

Holding my breath, I remained as still as physically possible.

" There must be some way to break the curse.. Katherine said that she was trying to help you, what have you learned?" She asked.

Absolutely nothing, is what we learned. Benjamin had been about as useful as a bucket without a bottom in giving me details. Of course, I hadn't filled out my end of the bargain by bringing Bennett and Felicity together, but still. He should have known I would have made good on my promise. The faster he would have told me everything, the faster everything could have been figured out. But no, everyone had to make things complicated.

Last I heard, Bennett had come to a realization, but he wasn't keen on sharing whatever it was. He'd told me it was because he was scared I would look at him differently if I knew.

" Just a whole lot of guessing." He said.

Shoulders deflated, she took a sip of her wine. " What was your best guess?"

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding eye contact. " On second thought, she did mention something that could possibly help. I think I'll start there, and tell you if I find anything."

" Would you like help?" She asked as he stood up from the chair.

He shook his head, a twitch of his lips lifted upward in an awkward, barely identifiable smile. " No, I do believe I'll manage."

" You'll let me know what you find, yes?" She asked eagerly. There was hope in her wide eyes when she stared up at him.

" Of course."

Before either of them could see me spying on them, I made my way out of there. I didn't care that they were working together, still, I was surprised. Felicity coming to me earlier hadn't been part of Bennett's plan. Which meant whatever he was going to do, it hadn't even begun yet.