Chapter Twenty-Two #3
He reminded her with a grin, “As you will also be once we are married.”
“A countess!” She appeared stunned. “Me?”
“Lady Thompson.” His smile widened. “At least, I can be confident you did not choose me for my title.”
Later still, once they retired to the sitting room and tea, they continued their planning.
Between them, they decided that she would continue to work for Sustar, at least for the immediate future, but she suggested that, in the meantime, they could explore the idea of establishing such workplaces as the one inside his house to be owned by him and scattered across Cheapside, each encouraging a variety of skills—sewing and embroidery, dress shops, metalwork, repairs for musical instruments, and a whole list of other possibilities.
“Could we travel to Kent for Cassandra’s burial?” she asked softly as their evening together was coming to an end. She had yawned several times.
“Assuredly. When all is set in Kent, I will arrange it.”
“And what of my parents?” she inquired while leaning forward, presenting him her whole attention.
“Would they wish to travel to Kent?” Benjamin asked with a lift of his brows in doubt.
“Not for Cassandra’s interment,” she corrected. “Those in the village would criticize them for condoning Cassandra’s choices.”
“They were also Mr. Betts’s choices,” he argued.
“The village depends on Lord Betts’s goodwill.” She spoke the obvious. “Instead, I assumed you might wish to speak to my father about my agreeing to marry you.”
“Ask his permission? I thought you were of age,” Benjamin responded.
“I am one and twenty, but I would still wish my father’s blessing,” she told him.
“If such is your wish, I will see to it, but it must be after your sister is laid to rest. You realize I will be away for multiple days if I must travel to Hampshire and back,” he warned. “Will you be well?”
“I have no obligations beyond Mr. Sustar’s work, the child, and whatever you deem necessary in becoming a part of your life,” she said.
“Should I make arrangements for different living quarters for you? Your reputation may suffer if you remain in your part of Macalhey House,” he warned.
“Shall the rumors have you changing your mind, my lord?” she challenged him.
“I never paid much attention to such criticisms,” he told her. “I am my own man.”
“Then we will remain close. I am not of the persuasion to be far from you ever again.”
Before Benjamin could take her in his arms once more, the bell rang. He frowned, “Who could that be?” He rose when he heard Patterson saying, “Welcome, my lord,” and Duncan’s response of, “I hope my son is still awake. I apologize for the lateness of the hour.”
Benjamin stepped into the hallway. “Has something ill happened to Marksman?”
“Nothing so ominous,” Duncan assured. “Yet, I have been considering what you shared today regarding my being shot and all the other coincidences you have noticed, but the rest of us have not, and I thought I was lacking in my gratitude for all you did for me during those critical hours following what occurred outside the Lyon’s Den. ”
“There is no need…” Benjamin began, but Duncan overrode him. “Let us speak inside.”
“Naturally,” Benjamin said with a slight frown. “Come in. Miss Whitchurch and I were discussing our future plans.” He waited for Duncan to step through the room’s portal, and for the lady to stand, before Benjamin leaned close to tell Duncan, “Miss Whitchurch has asked for my hand in marriage.”
Duncan burst into laughter before he reached for Miss Whitchurch’s hands.
“Good for you, my girl. Yours is most excellent news. Most excellent, indeed.” Duncan leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her cheek.
“Our Lord Thompson is sometimes too cautious.” His lordship kept hold of her hand.
“Your news makes me doubly glad I called upon Macalhey House. I had hoped to speak to Thompson this evening on that very subject.”
“Please sit down, my lords,” Miss Whitchurch directed them with all the graciousness of a proper countess, but Benjamin made no such observation aloud.
“Should I pour you a drink, my lord?” he asked Duncan.
“I am well,” Duncan assured, “and I have been from Duncan Place longer than I should be. Sit. Both of you,” he ordered.
When they were all comfortable, Duncan continued directing his statements to Miss Whitchurch.
“First, I wish to apologize to you for not keeping my promise to learn more of your sister’s whereabouts. ”
“Lord Thompson explained how you were called to address both personal, as well as governmental, duties,” she told Duncan. “I cannot complain, for all within your family have shown me great consideration. Lord Graham proved himself exemplary.”
Without a response, Duncan reached into an inside pocket of his coat and brought out several folded over pieces of paper.
“I originally planned to speak to Thompson privately, but your news of a marriage proves I was not mistaken in the necessity to assist you promptly. Pray, permit me to speak to what I have executed: I hope you will approve.” He handed Benjamin the first of the papers.
“Earlier this evening, I spoke to Mr. Braun, and the clergyman made ‘suggestions’ on how you two could present the child a future marking his legitimacy.”
Benjamin quickly scanned the paper and read it aloud. “Miss Cassandra Whitchurch married Lieutenant Anthony Chase in January of this year of our Lord,” he said in disbelief before handing the paper to Victoria to read.
“I created the name from the lists of the many killed in both America and Europe,” Duncan explained.
“There is no such soldier on the war lists, but in all the chaos there will never be a true accounting of all those United Kingdom lost. There are, however, records of a Lieutenant Chase’s enlistment, thanks to Hartley who has developed his own sources in such matters.
” Duncan sighed heavily when he turned over a second paper to Benjamin.
“As there are too many who know something of Miss Cassandra anticipating her vows, neither Braun nor I thought it wise to claim that she married before the child was conceived. We agreed, however, that when Lieutenant Chase was called to return to his duties before the child’s birth, it was imminent for your sister and him to marry. ”
Benjamin shot a quick glance to Miss Whitchurch. As she read the document, her eyes misted with tears. “What of Mr. Betts?” she asked softly. “Many in Hampshire know the rumors,” she explained softly. “My father lost his position in the local parish.”
“That cannot be completely changed,” Duncan admitted.
“Few in London care for young Mr. Betts’s company nor do they respect Lord Betts.
That being said, if Jonas Betts continues to tell others he was Miss Cassandra’s ‘lover,’ the presence of church records will make him appear a fool, which is a name he is often called both to his face and behind his back.
” Duncan motioned to the other papers. “I know you two would wish to have the boy christened, but it is no longer necessary. You simply must have someone other than one of you fill in the boy’s given name and then you must sign your own names, or better yet, take the document to Braun to fill in his part of the official record. ”
Benjamin read the baptismal certificate. “Miss Whitchurch and I are listed as the child’s godparents.”
“As I just said, you two must make another journey to Braun’s church and sign the necessary paperwork there, perhaps, tomorrow afternoon once Braun is finished with his duties to his congregation. The child is now the legitimate son of Lieutenant and Mrs. Anthony Chase. What will you name him?”
“Ethan David,” Benjamin and Victoria said together.
Benjamin explained, “Miss Whitchurch decided on the name earlier this evening.” He looked to Victoria for her reaction to all Duncan had executed in his name before saying, “How might we thank you, my lord? I would never have thought Braun to be so useful!”
“There is no reason for an expression of gratitude,” Duncan said in exacting tones.
“Even without blood ties, we are family. As to Braun, did you not realize Braun’s many connections?
They vary greatly, for the man serves a ‘diverse’ population,” Duncan said with a chuckle.
“Braun signed Lieutenant Chase’s name on the other document himself.
As to the issue of the knowledge of Miss Cassandra’s anticipating her vows with Mr. Betts, you and your family have proof otherwise.
Not necessarily of Miss Cassandra’s innocence, but of the boy’s legitimacy, and the child will not be punished for his parents’ indiscretions. ”