Page 30 of The Baroness of Sin
“No, by no means indefinitely. Though I think it might be good for her to spend some extended time with the family; Martha is far too strong-willed for anything like that.” Benjamin’s skepticism grew steadily. “Why are you asking all these questions?”
James jumped at the chance to explain why he had come, but perhaps a bit too hastily. “Lady Carrington left me correspondence to explain her absence. Another correspondence was discovered on my property that so appears to be the Lady’s handwriting but offers a contradictory explanation. I believe one of them may be a forgery,” James considered his next words carefully. “I was hoping your insight could help me deduce which one.”
Benjamin stared at James for a moment, and James stared back. They were each trying to read the expression of the other, and neither was making much headway.
“May I see the letters?” Benjamin asked.
“I am afraid I did not bring them,” James responded. This was true but a calculated truth. He had intentionally left them behind.
“I would be extremely concerned if someone were wishing to impersonate my sister. Forgive me, but why would someone go to such lengths to make you believe she had?” Benjamin seemed equally curious and concerned.
“That was one of the very questions I was hoping you would be able to answer for me,” James said flatly.
As Benjamin sat and continued to stare, a light dawned in his eyes. “Ah, you are accusing me.”
“I have voiced no such accusation,” James said.
“Technically no, I suppose not. Let me alleviate your non-existent fears then. I may hold suspicions about your intent with my sister, but I am not a liar,” Benjamin said coolly and definitively.
James kept staring at the son of a clergyman. He wouldn’t take him on the word of his family's piety; James was not inclined to such kinds of trust. He would have to wait and see what kind of man Benjamin was, but for the time being he was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt…
James nodded and stood. “I’ll take you at your word, then, and bother you no longer. Thank you for answering my questions.” Before James could exit the door to the sitting room, he heard Benjamin clear his throat behind him.
“My Lord, I think it's important that I profess something. I believe that some of my suspicions about your intent have been... waylaid. At least for now,” Benjamin informed the Lord brusquely.
James got the completely accurate impression that Benjamin was an extremely proud man. “I must admit, Mr. Bradford, I don’t know what has changed for me to have entered your good graces, considering I believe my turning up here could be seen as fairly suspicious in itself,” he admitted.
“Whatever my sister and you are to one another…” he cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable again, “well, I was still under the impression that you were taking advantage of a lonely widow for the sake of... your own carrying on. But it's clear that you came here with the intent to protect Martha. If you care about her so deeply, then your intent cannot be malevolent, this I must concede.”
“Of course, good sir, you needn’t worry. I care about…” James stopped mid-sentence when he realized what he was about to say. “I care about your sister quite a lot.”
Benjamin smiled, a thin weak thing that seemed far out of practice. “I am happy to hear that. She deserves to be cared for.” Then the smile disappeared, and Benjamin cleared his throat once again. “In a proper and respectful manner, of course.”
“Of course,” James nodded again, “I’m afraid I have important matters to think on. If you will excuse me, Mr. Bradford.”
* * *
Vickers and the cooks were almost immediately devastated when Lord Barristen sat at his dining table but didn’t touch the feast in front of him. He was already more than an hour late to dinner; Amanda had long since eaten, and now he simply sat without touching the food. The chefs asked Vickers if they should clear the table, but he advised them to wait. Vickers knew his Lord, and while Lord Barristen looked thoughtful, he wasn’t despondent.
After a few more excruciating moments, the Earl began to set about eating his dinner with a healthy appetite.
Vickers entered the dining room from the kitchen entrance. “I am glad to see you eating again, My Lord. Some of us had grown quite worried that you weren’t eating enough.”
James looked up, chewing and smiling at the same time. “Make sure to give my compliments to the head house chef. This food is wonderful, despite the fact that I was so lost in my own concerns, I allowed it to become cold.”
Vickers smiled and nodded. “I assure you, My Lord, that your sentiments will be conveyed. If that is all you will be needing, then I will excuse myself.”
“A moment, Vickers.” James took a long sip of wine and continued, “A question. Have you ever been in love?”
Vickers was surprised at this question, and it showed. His Lord was normally very reserved, not one to discuss his emotions, let alone to ask about others.
“Well,” the older valet started and fumbled, “I believe so, once or twice.” He stopped, not really sure how to continue.
“Interesting experience. Seems to make other aspects of life that much richer. Had been so long I almost forgot what it was like,” James said with a satisfied sigh. “You may take your leave, Vickers. Have a good night!”
“You too, My Lord,” Vickers said with a smile, glad to know his Lord was content. It wasn’t ’til long after the valet had left the room that he realized the connotations of what his Lord had said.
Chapter Twenty-Two
