Chapter Eleven #2
“A Mr. Rheem performed the surgery, but I stayed with Duncan at the Lyon’s Den for over a week, for it was too dangerous to move him.
I always wanted to be a surgeon like Rheem, but I only spent two years in Edinburgh in my studies, though I am efficient when there is a need of me,” he said with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
“How very fascinating,” she remarked. “I am confident Lord Duncan was pleased to see you at his side when he awoke from his recovery. How very remarkable you are, my lord.” She withdrew her hand, and Benjamin felt bereft of her heat.
“And what of Parliament? It is awful to say I do not know exactly how our government works. I know something of the acts passed and so forth, and I know you, as a lord, are not elected, but I do not know much of the logistics. When do you attend, for example?”
Patterson returned with a plate of toast and eggs and set it proudly before her.
“Parliament customarily breaks in mid-July, for London can become as warm as medicinal hot springs by that time, and both the Lords and the Commons are filled with men who must attend to their estates. These next few weeks will be quite hectic. We generally sit later in the day for debates and some arguments over this and that. Afterwards, the haut ton will continue their debates at a variety of entertainments or at their gentleman’s club or musicales and the like. ”
“But not their arguments?” she asked with a smile.
“In truth, I cannot say with any authority regarding the entertainments,” he admitted.
“I am known to enjoy conversations with my brothers or Duncan, but I was never expected to inherit. In fact, all of Lord Duncan’s sons took an odd path to their inheritance.
My uncle, the previous Earl Thompson, was killed, as was my father.
If not for Duncan, my father’s family line would have known extinction.
His lordship’s patronage protected me until I could claim the earldom. ”
She again reached a hand to him and gently removed his fingers from the fist they had formed. He always took the idea of his father’s unnecessary death hard. “I am exceedingly glad there are men willing to stand against evil.”
It was Benjamin’s turn to know sentimentality. “Duncan also secured my mother’s safety and comfort until I was old enough to tend to her personally. I owe him my loyalty.”
They were quiet for several minutes as she ate, and he studied the delicate movements of her hands, while he pretended to read the paper.
Eventually, she finished, sat back in her chair, and sighed, which made him want to smile, but he resisted.
Benjamin truly wished to stay and show her the attached house, but he did not volunteer.
“I know you have a busy day also, so I will leave you to it. If there is anything you require that you do not find already in the furnished rooms, let Mrs. Gabriel know, and we will see if it can be procured. Such is one of the advantages of having four brothers and a father who have houses in Town. There are always extra pieces of furniture in the attic.”
“Do any of your brothers have children?” she asked.
“No. Orson and Lady Emma married less than a month prior. It was a grand affair,” he said with a smile.
Benjamin stood then. He wished to spend the day with her, but he knew doing so would frighten her and make her think he would control her life.
“I will see you at supper, if not before then. It will take several days to clean and stock the kitchen in your new house, but Mrs. Gabriel will show you the one door we share in common. You and Mrs. Sullivan may make use of the kitchen below until all this is settled. Naturally, I would be thrilled to have you share meals with me. It would be nice not to dine alone, but I suppose you are accustomed to eating in private. Whichever works best for you, Miss Whitchurch.”
“Thank you, my lord, for permitting me to make the decision. For now, I would be quite honored to share meals with you. I fear I am not much of a cook, and it is good to hear a voice not my own.”
“The second house on the right-hand side of the road,” Victoria instructed as the footman eased the gig to the curb. “I shan’t be long,” she told the man as they came to a stop.
The man put a light hand on her arm. “His lordship presented me with specific instructions, Miss Whitchurch, to escort you inside. Lord Thompson wanted assurances you were not harassed.” The man grinned. “It seems some people find an earl’s livery intimidating.”
“But what of the horse?” she questioned.
His grin widened. “Watch this.” He put his fingers to his mouth and let out a loud whistle. Two small boys came running.
“We watch yer horse, mister?” they chorused.
“Yes, but do not walk him unless the lady and I are inside for more than twenty minutes. Do either of you have a watch?” Mr. Brunswick asked as he set the reins and climbed down, though he obviously knew the answer before asking the question.
“No, sir, but there be one on the corner before the local magistrate’s office,” the taller of the boys responded with a lift of his shoulders in pride.
“Very good,” Mr. Brunswick said, as he stepped down and came around to lift Victoria to the ground. “If you must walk him, do so only in a circle to the corner yonder and back to this place. No more than four times. Two times for each of you. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Brunswick gestured for Victoria to lead the way.
Therefore, she straightened her shoulders and strode towards the house’s door.
Climbing the steps, she used her key to let herself into the main door.
Immediately, Mrs. Taylor appeared in the doorway.
“Ah, my dear, I was so worried for you. I was quite pleased to view you coming up the steps.” The lady eyed Mr. Brunswick with interest.
“I have only come for my belongings. A cousin has agreed to assist me and the child,” Victoria said, though she did not approve of lying. However, she understood the importance of keeping her good name. Cassandra had already destroyed most of the family.
“A cousin?” Mrs. Taylor asked in surprise. “I did not know you had a cousin who could afford a servant.”
“I collapsed on my journey yesterday and was quite exhausted. My cousin was summoned. You see, I had his card on my person. He was the one who presented me with the umbrella that day in the rain a month or so back. You recall the large umbrella, do you not?”
“Of course I do, dearie,” Mrs. Taylor said. “And your cousin is a…”
“An earl, but I shan’t be residing with him,” Victoria was quick to say.
“He has found me a place with three rooms. He owns many properties in London, but I shall stay in this one until he has a need of it or until I locate Cassandra. Like my father, his lordship’s father was also a vicar before the earldom was passed down to him.
In fact, one of his associate’s fathers studied at Oxford with mine when they were younger.
It is so wonderful to know there is still kindness in this world. ”
“We should hurry along, Miss Whitchurch,” Mr. Brunswick prompted.
“Of course, come along, Mr. Brunswick. We cannot ignore our responsibilities on ‘Gracechurch Street,’” she said with emphasis. Though she knew she should not, Victoria was beginning to enjoy this deception. What that said about her character was debatable, but a hint of joy remained.
“Gracechurch Street?” Mrs. Taylor asked. “I never heard of an earl living on Gracechurch Street, at least not for several centuries.”
“Did I say his lordship lived on Gracechurch Street?” Victoria asked with a lift of her brows. “I can guarantee all his family lives in Mayfair.”
As she climbed the stairs, a large smile claimed her lips and a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
It was a nice change to be in charge of her own destiny.
At least this decision was hers rather than having her choices be determined by another.
Although she knew she was being petty, a feeling of which she was confident her father would disapprove, when she finished her packing, Victoria was happy to present the half loaf of bread and a jar of honey to Mrs. Taylor. Not a crumb was left for Mrs. Holland.