Page 81 of Sloth: The Fallen Earl
A meeting had—just not the one she’d wanted.
“No,” she said softly.
“I’ll ask you again. Who exactly is it you went off to meet at this—”
“She’s my old nursemaid,” she said, cutting him off. “Her employer is a miserable, abusive fellow, and I thought to rescue her and bring her back with me, figuring she’d be safe here.”
He fell back in his seat, stunned into silence.
“Your nursemaid?” he repeated slowly.
Cressida nodded. “My nursemaid.”
When he continued to say nothing…
“Her name is Trudy. Her hearing has begun to fail her. She is unable to perform her duties with the same efficiency she oncedid. Her fingers do not work like they used to. There’s little she can do in way of employment.”
“I will send for her.”
Wakefield responded so quick it took a moment to process what he’d said.
Cressida’s mouth moved, but no words came out. That’s it? That’s all he’d say? But apparently it wasn’t.
“I can find work for her here, Cressida. There’ll be something she can do to preserve her pride. Some work she can do in this residence.”
Her throat moved. He’d settle Trudy’s future without any questions asked, without meeting the other woman?
Cressida’s eyes closed of their own volition.
She’d always loved him, but she’d love him forever with this.
With one simple promise, he removed the chokehold Stanley had over her. He made it so Trudy could be free, and Cressida would be free to make decisions that would not impact the other woman.
On the heel of that, her hope flagged. Trudy would never leave her. The wheels of her mind churned. Perhaps if she told Trudy the separation was temporary and kept delaying their reunion—
Benedict’s grave baritone cut into her frantic thoughts. “Cressida?”
“Hmm?” She whipped her gaze to his.
“I cannot thank you enough,” she murmured. “I am eternally grateful.” Cressida balled her hands. She’d already asked for so much, taken so much, she despised asking him for more. But for Trudy, she’d humble herself. “There is but one problem, Benedict.”
When Cressida didn’t complete her thought, Benedict gently prodded her. “The problem is?”
“Her employer and his man keep her under close watch and very rarely let her go out. I believe she went looking for me. When she returns…ifshe returns to her employer’s house…” She detected the reedy quality of her voice.
Benedict touched her hand. “I will see to having someone stationed outside her residence.” He grimaced. “If it could be referred to so.”
The gentleman was right again.
Benedict bestowed a gentle gaze upon her face. “The moment shedoesreturn, Cressida, I’ll see she’s escorted to you. She will be safe.”
“S-Safe,” she whispered, her voice catching.
Tears filled her eyes. She hated showing him that weakness, not when he was so strong.
Before she broke down in front of him, to spare herself that indignity, she jumped quickly to her feet.
“My thanks, Benedict.”
