Page 18 of Chasing Benedict
“What can I do?” Warin asked.
“I need you to visit every man in our employ in person and tell them to lay low for the time being.”
“Consider it done. What about those who don’t have keepers at present?”
“Those between arrangements will need to wait until it’s safe for us to resume business,” Benedict replied. “The ones with keepers must exercise caution. We don’t know who she has gained her information from, and cannot risk her learning new details she might use to oust us.”
“Understood,” Warin said. “What else?”
“Before you do any of that, I need you to visit the Dowager Countess of Langford and inform her to prepare to attend a ball with me this evening. I will need her at my side for the sake of appearances.”
“Right away,” Warin said, coming to his feet and replacing his hat upon his head. “Send for me if you have further need.”
Once he departed, Benedict turned to Aubrey. “I need you to make contact with our friends. Marriage hasn’t made Hugh, David, Dominick, or you any safer. Who’s presently in London?”
“Hugh and Evelyn intend to retire to the country in the coming weeks … it is nearly Evelyn’s time. The arrival of their babe should keep them out of the public eye for a good while.”
“Good,” Benedict said. “Perhaps you can convince him that it would be best to make their journey sooner than planned. I don’t suppose you and Lucy can be convinced to vacate London as well.”
“Not a chance,” Aubrey said. “I won’t leave you alone to deal with the consequences of this.”
“You should.”
“I won’t.”
“You have a wife to think of now,” Benedict pointed out. “There is also Elizabeth to consider.”
Aubrey’s young niece had recently reached an age to begin considering marriage, with the hope that she would snare someone of means and good social standing. Benedict had watched Elizabeth grow from a sweet girl to a lovely young woman; she was like family to him. The last thing he wanted was to ruin her chances.
“Both Lucy and Elizabeth would want me to support you. Besides, I have as much stake in stopping Cynthia’s machinations as you do. There’s my business to consider, and my reputation is tied to my livelihood. I’ve worked very hard to make a good name for myself, and while some will never consider me anything more than the son of a former slave, I like to think I’ve gained what respectability I can.”
Benedict looked upon his friend, whom he admired more than anyone. It wasn’t only Aubrey’s steadfastness or constant state of calm confidence that made Benedict feel safe and understood. Aubrey had always been the model of what Benedict thought all men should aspire to be. He hadn’t been born with great wealth or status, and had earned everything that was his by the sweat of his brow. Benedict’s status had been given to him at birth, and his current position as the viscount’s heir was a matter of privileged circumstance. Understanding that drove him to forge a life independent of his father and the strictures of a title he didn’t want.
“I intend to ensure you retain everything you have earned,” Benedict said. “Elizabeth will have her good marriage, and your success will never be marred by my folly.”
Aubrey sighed, and ran a hand over his face. He suddenly appeared weary and worn down. “We must all take responsibility for our parts. You didn’t force any of us into this, nor did you ever make a single courtesan do something he didn’t wish to. In truth, I have you to thank for my improved circumstances, as well as the blessing of Lucy. I would never have met her had she not hired me as her courtesan. I daresay Hugh, David, and Dominick share the same sentiment.”
Benedict supposed the happiness of his closest friends proved the silver lining of this entire business. While he couldn’t fight off the gnawing pangs of envy, seeing them settled in lives that didn’t include him, Benedict knew they were all better off. He was the only one who would be left alone when all was said and done, nursing his bitterness and regret.
“I should go,” he said, coming to his feet. “There is much to do before the ball.”
Aubrey wasn’t inclined to let him off so easily. “Ben,” he said, piercing Benedict with a sharp stare.”
Benedict paused halfway to the door, sensing the direction this conversation would take and dreading it.
“Aubrey, don’t—”
“What will you do when this is all over?” Aubrey interjected. “The courtesan enterprise is still a lucrative one, but we began this as a temporary solution to our financial problems. Between the agency and your pugilism winnings, I imagine you have quite the nest egg saved.”
Benedict did his best to remain composed. Aubrey was far too good at seeing through his pretenses, rightfully interpreting his apathy and rigidity as an armor he wore for the sake of self-preservation. He had seen Benedict at his lowest point and understood how he’d come to be this way.
“That is irrelevant. The other courtesans depend on me for their livelihood. They need me.”
Aubrey raised one dark eyebrow. “Do they? It seems Lyons has learned all he needs to from you. He would make a fine proprietor for the agency.”
A low growl of frustration tore from Benedict’s chest. “Do you intend to arrive at the point of this lecture sometime today?”
As always, Aubrey remained unruffled by his outburst. He had always been the one person Benedict couldn’t intimidate into silence. Well … there was also Alex, but Benedict refused to allow both men to occupy the same space in his mind. One was like a brother to him and had been there when Benedict needed him most. The other had abandoned him, tearing his heart out in the process.
