Page 24 of The Baroness of Sin
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Martha managed to send word to James only just before the night of their dinner arrived. She had originally planned on the dinner being just the two of them, servants notwithstanding, and even had gotten Emma to agree to let them have some privacy. But now her brother and aunt insisted on staying. Martha’s message then went on to strongly suggest that it might cause more problems for James to reschedule.
He could only assume that she had brought it up to her family as an excuse for why they might want to leave. Canceling the dinner now could look bad on Martha’s part. He also deduced that if he had gotten this message hours before dinner, then Martha must have tried everything she could think of before conceding.
This is why James found himself sitting with the living matron of Martha’s family, one Miss Barbara Johnson, and next to her brother, Mr. Benjamin Bradford. While he had felt a slight discomfort when dining with Emma, the oldest Bradford sister was really delightful company in her own right, that feeling was many times more compounded this time around.
Miss Johnson was moderately pleasant, even paying him the occasional compliment within the rounds of traditional small talk, but he couldn’t help but feel he was being weighed and measured.
Benjamin, on the other hand, was much cooler, if not crossing the line into the outright cold. Given the circumstances, James could only presume it was because this gentleman didn’t know James’ intentions with Lady Carrington. It was only natural for a brother to feel defensive of his sister.
As if the thought summoned the words from Mr. Bradford’s mouth, the words manifested that very moment. Though it was much more likely Benjamin was taking advantage of a lull in the conversation, James couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding.
“I am afraid I must ask, Lord Barristen, and I pray you not find it too improper of me, but what are your intentions with my sister precisely?” His tone was smooth and polite, but the words themselves packed a wallop. James was already uneasy, and thus his defenses allowed him to avoid reacting. Martha, on the other hand, had just barely managed to suppress choking on the wine she had been sipping. Aunt Barbara didn’t even bat an eye, completely unphased by the question, though there was no way she could have seen such a breach of decorum coming.
James watched Martha try to collect herself to find the words to reprimand her brother, but James held up his hand gently. He wanted to address the gentleman directly, and Martha gave a slight nod in understanding.
“I take it Lady Carrington made it quite clear to you that we aren’t pursuing a romantic relationship?” James asked with a polite smile.
“She did, which is what I cannot understand. What does a gentleman such as yourself have to gain from seeking the company of a widowed lady?” Benjamin’s tone was still cold and became terser. “Surely there are clubs full of gentlemen that would suit your more platonic needs?”
James thought of several cutting retorts, particularly irked that this man thought so little of his sister's company that he felt only those with ill intent would seek it out. But James allowed himself to calm a moment before he answered.
“Speaking frankly, Mr. Bradford, I found that your sister and I have something in common that we don’t share with many others. You see, I was widowed too.” James didn’t want to give Benjamin an opportunity to respond. He didn’t want him to apologize; that might have embarrassed him, and that wasn’t what James was setting out to do. So, James spoke on, “My wife died long ago, long before your sister lost her husband, but I felt I could offer a bit of solace and experience on the matter as it is an unfortunate one.”
There was a long pause, and James swore that Martha turned every shade of white he had ever seen before anyone spoke again.
Benjamin spoke first, “I see. That was quite kind of you to offer to reopen your own tragedy for the sake of my sister’s healing. I am afraid that explanation makes the nature of my question especially unbecoming.” He flushed but clearly didn’t want to apologize.
That was fine with James; he could understand this man’s defensive reaction and where its roots were planted.
“We are both reasonable gentlemen. I understand why you felt the need to ask. I do not intend to bear you a grudge or ill-will,” he assured Benjamin with a smile and a casual wave which was met with a reluctant and painful smile in return.
The remainder of dinner was somewhat more awkward. James was almost relieved when the meal ended early, just a short time before dusk, and all three family members escorted him to the foyer to see him off. He collected his coat and wished everyone a good night. It was only when he finally made his way outside, prepared to make the short walk to his estate, that he found a crumpled note in his pocket.
It had only three words on it:“Maze after dusk.”
Chapter Eighteen
Martha felt her feet carry her faster and faster to the very back of the garden.
Dinner had been everything short of a disaster, and Martha was sure she would have to deal with the consequences of it all later, but she had been saved for the time being. Her brother had been so humiliated that he had retired for the evening immediately after dinner, and it was easy to slip away from her aunt as the older lady much preferred her own company.
She was thankful she had the forethought to have Letty slip the note into the pocket of the Earl while his coat was hanging.
At the very end of the garden was an older and unattended hedge maze. Mazes had fallen out of style in recent years, and Martha and the gardener had simply not gotten around to deciding what would go in its place. Martha had little motivation to replace it, however, as she was secretly fond of the maze. It twisted and overgrown now, the natural growth providing an air of mystery and beauty that more carefully crafted hedge mazes lacked.
This time her excitement of exploring the maze wasn’t because of its hidden wildness but because of what awaited her inside. The note had been small and non-specific, so she wasn’t sure where James might be. She simply started wandering. It did not occur to her until she was sufficiently entrenched in the winding pathways that he might not have found the note at all. She dismissed the thought, though, for that would be far too disappointing.
After less than a handful of moments, she could already feel herself growing impatient, and she started to call out to him. “James!” Her voice was both a whisper and a shout, and she wasn’t sure how helpful that it was to either hiding or finding James.
“Martha,” the hoarse whisper was sudden and made her jump slightly, covering her mouth to stifle a squeak. She didn’t see anyone in front or behind her, and she was confused for a moment before she heard her name whispered again and found him looking at her through a hole in the foliage.
“James, oh my, you gave me quite a fright,” Martha panted and placed her hand over her heart.
“My apologies.” With a stiff arm he pushed the unattended hedge aside and walked over the planter, so they stood side by side.
“That’s cheating,” Martha giggled.
