Chapter Twelve #3
“I would not wish to have those who rent from me think I questioned their trustworthiness, but, if we could come up with something inconspicuous… Permit me to play around with the idea,” he instructed.
“Perhaps a stamped metal plate attached under the tables or beds. I will speak to several experts first. The monogram on the drapes could be at the top corners where no one would see them and so forth.”
“I would be happy to address the marks on the drapes or whatever else you would like,” she offered.
“I could not ask it of you,” he protested.
“You did not ask, my lord,” she insisted. “I must have a means to repay you for your kindness.”
Benjamin did not want her as his “seamstress,” yet, he was equally stubborn in such matters. “We will come to terms when we know whether your suggestion is possible or not,” he said diplomatically.
“I shan’t forget, Lord Thompson,” she warned with a charming smile, and Benjamin stifled the sigh of delight that had bubbled upward. Odd to say, for he never had responded to another woman thusly, but he felt as if he had thrown a harness over a dream.
Benjamin waited until he heard that Theodora was on the mend before he called upon Duncan Place.
He had not asked what had happened, but his brothers had said enough for him to know Theodora’s situation had nothing to do with her monthlies, but rather with Lord Almano.
Evidently, Marksman and Duncan had saved her from the fake count.
Eventually, he would learn enough to place all the pieces together, but, for now, the crisis was over.
He had heard that Marksman planned to propose to Theodora, but Benjamin was not assured how that would work as it was hoped that Marksman’s sister, who had been found at last, and right under her brother’s nose, would soon be restored to him.
Being the last of those to come to live with Duncan, Benjamin had quickly learned to keep his mouth shut and to listen.
He learned more in that manner than he did when asking questions.
“Is his lordship in, Mr. Fields?” Benjamin asked when he arrived at Duncan Place.
“Yes, my lord,” Fields said with a hint of knowing in his tone. “In fact, I believe Lord Duncan has been expecting you. He said you sent a note around earlier.”
“I wanted to be confident his priorities did not call upon him to assist Lady Theodora,” Benjamin said quietly.
“It was a bit of a dust up,” Fields said, “but the worst seems to be over. Lady Emma has called, and you know her ladyship always has a way of making Lady Theodora feel better.”
Benjamin handed Fields his hat and gloves. “Should I simply go in?”
“I believe Lord Duncan is awaiting you in his study. He knew you would be eager to search out some sort of tavern. Not that he explained it to me.”
“How does he always know what we are thinking before we think it?” Benjamin asked with a smile.
“Lord Graham says it is because the master has led each of you along a particular path and knows the end results before you do,” Fields confided.
Benjamin made his way to Duncan’s study. He knocked on the open door. “Might I interrupt?”
Duncan looked up with a smile on his lips. “I expected you a quarter hour ago.”
Benjamin shook his head in recognition of the irony in Duncan’s words. “I kept thinking you had too much on your mind to assist with what I expect will be a futile effort,” he admitted. “You have had much chaos surrounding Theodora.”
“My daughter has made several colossal mistakes,” Duncan admitted, “the worst of which was keeping some of what occurred from me. Marksman complicated Theodora’s lack of confidence, mainly because I had ordered him to keep a secret I had shared with him from Theodora.
I made mistakes. Alexander made mistakes.
Theodora made mistakes. We are our own worst enemies, but tempers have cooled, and Alexander proposed last evening.
He and I will call upon Mrs. Dove-Lyon a bit later today and settle whatever debts Theodora accumulated there.
Did you know your sister asked Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find her a match when Theodora thought Alexander was set on Miss Moreau? ”
“I did not,” Benjamin admitted.
“Well, she did. Naturally, Lady Emma was involved in that caper, but Marksman and I mean to recover Theodora’s funds and pay Mrs. Dove-Lyon for her efforts on my daughter’s behalf.
Hopefully, scandal and the world turning on its head will know a fast death this evening.
So, what say you and I set Miss Whitchurch’s qualms at ease?
Are you prepared for a journey down to the Thames? ”
“The lady has been busy. I will explain all I have executed in her name as we travel.”
“Is your coach still before the house?” Duncan asked as he stood.
“I told Mr. Stanton to wait a quarter hour before moving around to the mews,” Benjamin confided.
“Then let us be about it.” Duncan stood so he might lead the way, catching up his hat and gloves from the table near the front door. Benjamin found his there also. After presenting Stanton orders, he followed Duncan into the carriage.
“How has Miss Whitchurch managed after our meeting?” Duncan inquired.
“It took her all of the night and well into the next day to be on her feet again. She could have easily died if I had not insisted I would see her home. I would not have known. I have no idea of all she has endured, but I suspect she was not eating properly. However, she has brought her few belongings to Macalhey House and has begun to set up a future for her and the boy. Not having to take the child with her at night is a great relief, but I am not best pleased with Sustar working her overnight with only him and his wife sleeping above,” Benjamin confessed.
“What if someone learns of her in the shop alone and means to do her harm?”
“As you said previously, God has a plan for the lady and the child, Benjamin. And I suspect also for you. Do not force her to comply with your suggestions. They must be her decisions and hers alone. Permit what happens between you to develop naturally. Miss Whitchurch must be frightened also.”
“How could her sister simply walk away from her own child? I do not approve. I would have stayed even if I had to spend the rest of my days alone,” he stated in stern tones.
Duncan stared at the passing streets. “Sometimes people believe the eldest is the most responsible and the youngest the least. We can never know a person’s destiny at the time of his birth.
My elder brother and I were opposites. Of course, as you know, Lord Angus Duncan was twelve years my senior, so we had little in common.
The only thing upon which we agreed was neither of us would marry a woman named Maude Belle, though Angus, at one time, thought to do so.
She was from minor land holders, but Angus was confident she would provide him an heir, for she was my age.
Unfortunately, we learned she was already with child.
Angus refused her and her parents’ pleas.
Later, after Angus’s death, I also refused, because I had met Elsbeth, and no one could live up to her in my opinion.
So birth order is not always a sign of strength or weakness. ”
“My mother and father always claimed something similar to what you shared with Lady Elsbeth,” Benjamin admitted.
“Do you wish to court the girl, Benjamin?” Duncan asked.
“I do not know, sir. I honestly do not know.” Benjamin stumbled over his thoughts.
“That is a large step,” Duncan said sagely.
“I do not object to the lady, at least as far as it stands at this moment. I admire her dedication, as well as her loyalty to family, along with her desire to do what is best for the child. Many families would have abandoned the boy in an orphanage and gone on with their lives.”
“I could adopt the child as you did with me,” Benjamin suggested.
“You will require a male heir of your own for the earldom,” Duncan repeated the obvious, “but, if you accepted Miss Whitchurch, the boy could be provided an education and trained as a land agent or solicitor or some other respectable occupation. He could be raised in your home.”
“What of the stigma of being illegitimate? I cannot erase it?” Benjamin asked.
“No, but you might lessen the gossip. It is not unusual for a family to take in a relative who no longer has a family. As long as Jonas Betts does not open his mouth about the child, then the boy can be your wife’s extended family.
Knowing young Mr. Betts, you may have to enter into a legal contract with the fellow.
He says nothing and you pay him for his silence, but only once.
Do not permit the baron’s son to bleed you as he does his father.
You could be a good influence on the boy.
You most assuredly could teach the child how to push the blame off his shoulders and to stamp it into the earth where it belongs. ”
“All of your sons learned that lesson, sir.”
They sat in silence for several minutes, each lost in his own thoughts. Benjamin wondered why he had admitted his attraction to Miss Whitchurch, though it assuredly would be obvious to everyone but the lady. At least, he prayed it was not evident to Miss Whitchurch.
“Where is the lady today?” Duncan asked.
“Brunswick escorted her to her boarding house on the day after you spoke to her. She has moved herself into the furnished rooms of the other side of my house. Brunswick escorts her to Mr. Sustar’s door and retrieves her in the morning.
I attempt to go home for a midday meal with her and another meal before I am off to Parliament and her to Sustar’s once again,” Benjamin explained.
“Hard to permit her from your sight,” Duncan teased with a smile. “I was that way with Elsbeth. She fell off that dang horse and into my waiting arms. I could do nothing else but to hold onto her from that day forward.”
“I always loved that tale,” Benjamin admitted.
“We men are not supposed to be sentimental,” Duncan observed, and Benjamin knew they both were.
At last, they reached the inn called The Red Rooster, and Benjamin followed Duncan inside. The innkeeper exited the kitchen and paused in obvious dismay. “I swear, me lord, there be nothing odd going on at The Red Rooster,” he declared before Duncan could ask a question.
“Good day, Hartis,” Duncan said. “I simply required a moment of your time.”
The innkeeper frowned, but he said, “How might I serve you, me lord?”
“I understand you recently hired a new cook. Might I speak to her, Hartis?” Duncan inquired.
“She do something to bring her to your notice, me lord?” The man glanced in the direction of the kitchen. “Do not want trouble.”
“Did the man known as ‘Titan’ at the Lyon’s Den send her to you?” Benjamin asked, anticipating Duncan’s next question.
“Not that I be aware,” Hartis said. Rather than debate the point, Hartis called, “Ruby, come out here.”
“What ye need of me, sir?” the woman asked as she exited the kitchen.
Benjamin’s heart sank. The woman had to be at least forty years of age. She definitely could not be Miss Whitchurch’s sister. He heard Duncan sigh.
“Ma’am,” Duncan began his apology. “Thank you for appearing before us. You may return to your duties.” When the woman shrugged her confusion and walked back into the kitchen, Duncan asked, “Have you another younger woman employed in your establishment, Mr. Hartis? We are looking for a girl of eighteen or so. We understood Titan told her you had an opening for a cook.”
“Only two women applied,” Hartis confided.
“The other be a bit younger than Ruby, but not as young as the one you look for. I have her as the wash woman and Ruby’s helper.
No others responded to the position. If the young one for whom you search be pretty, I’d not hire her anyway.
Crazy enough around here. We both know that men on the docks not be respectful of the pretty ones, and that would make me own life more hazardous, for I’d be expected to protect her. ”