Page 29 of Under a Dancing Star

“Of course it is,” Ben puts in, and although he’s agreeing with me, something rankles.

“Well, if you’re saying no, Ben,” Klaus cuts in smoothly, “then I would be delighted to assist Bea in her experiment.”

Ben frowns. “I’m not saying no.”

“Wait. You’re not?” I ask, thrown.

His eyes meet mine. “No,” he says. “I’m not saying no.”

“Oh.” For once I don’t know what to say.

“Unless you are?” Ben’s words are a challenge.

“Bea would not be such a coward,” Ursula insists. “She is not stuffy, like her parents.” She grins. “Or is she?”

I look at her for a moment.

“Fine,” I say. “I’ll do it. If Ben wants to.”

There is a short pause. “I do,” he says, his face giving nothing away. I feel my heart thump.

Ursula claps her hands.

“There would have to be rules, of course,” Klaus muses.

“Good idea,” Ursula agrees, getting down to business. “Number one – time frame.”

“That’s fairly easy,” Klaus says. “Bea is here till the end of August.”

I feel my heart thump but I try to keep my expression just as impassive. “That’s correct.”

“So, six weeks, then,” Ursula says. “The perfect amount of time for a romance.” I wonder if that’s scientifically accurate, but then I suppose we’ll find out.

“Number two. We must be the only four who know about it,” she continues, and Klaus nods seriously.

“Yes, a secret between us. The others may not approve. After all…” Here Ursula grins mischievously. “Bea is supposed to be under the strict supervision of her uncle. We wouldn’t want to give Leo anything to write home about.”

I glance over at Ben and he rolls his eyes. It’s as though the two of us might as well not be here.

“And number three. Ben must treat Bea to the full romantic experience,” Klaus says. “He has to woo her properly, win her favour. Everything must be on her terms.” He glances slyly at Ben. “If you think you can handle that.”

“I think I’m up to the challenge,” Ben says with a put-upon sigh. “I was right all along then – it’s going to be love in a gardenia-scented garden.”

“The gardenias are not a possibility,” I remind him. “The soil around here…”

Ben waves a hand. “Details, details,” he says airily. “I think I can woo Beatrice to her satisfaction.” He stretches lazily. “It means that I can unleash my inner romantic.”

“Unleash him?” I raise my eyebrows. That sounds rather … alarming.

Ben smiles wolfishly. “Typically, I have to show some restraint. Don’t want to leave a string of broken hearts around the place, you know.”

I hesitate, thinking of our past interactions. “I’m just not sure how this is going to work. We argue a lot, for people who hardly know each other.”

“That’s what will make it interesting,” he says, and his eyes meet mine again. This time I find myself flushing.

“Then it’s settled,” Ursula says swiftly. “Klaus and I will act as witnesses to the pact.”

“There is one rule we haven’t mentioned.” Ben lifts a finger in the air, and I wonder what he’s going to say. There is an expectant pause. “You must not, under any circumstances whatsoever, fall in love with me.”