Page 60 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
Mrs. Redford led her down the hall and then carefully down the stairs. Leah took each step an inch at a time, not wanting to overextend herself. By the time she reached the bottom she found that, in fact, she had far more mobility than originally suspected.How eager they are to keep a woman on bed rest.
She saw Kenneth standing at the end of the hall, illuminated by the radiance of the outside through great paneled windows. Leah had never seen the first floor of the house while she was in her right mind, and now in the early evening light, the beauty that surrounded her was stunning.
Kenneth stood like a statue fallen into shadow, his arms crossed behind his back, his head tilted in a ponderous sort of way; and his knee just slightly bent as to not appear rigid. She watched his face take in her image as she came down the hall towards him; he was clearly having trouble rationalizing what he was seeing, as she had in the mirror.
“Miss Benson.” He approached her, bowing his head politely. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“And you look the same.” she smiled.
“How are you feeling?”
“Well enough now, I suppose.”
“That is all we can really ask for, is it not?” He offered her his arm. She looked at it skeptically; not only was it the first time a gentleman had offered her his arm, but it was the first time she had worn a fine dress. All told, she began to feel increasingly out of place.
“You don't have to make small talk now that I'm not in a sick bed,” Leah said curtly, taking his arm.I hope I am holding it correctly. How else can one hold another's arm?
“You see, I fear it is not so much for my benefit, but my mother's and uncle's.”
“Your mother and uncle?” Leah began to look around. Her eyes danced over the oil paintings and silver chandeliers.
“We will all be dining together this evening.” Kenneth went on as he began to lead her outside.
“You cannot mean it.” Leah shot him a searing look.
“Why ever not?”
“I do not believe they will take kindly to me at their table.” Leah sighed.
“Well if that is the case, they should find themselves out of luck, for it is my table, not theirs, at the end of it all. Never mind that, they will not treat you poorly. My Uncle, you must call him Lord Wilson, he is excited to meet you.”
“Lord Wilson.” Leah chewed it over. “Has a familiar sound to it. I've heard it before.”
“Wilson is also my name.” Kenneth said, clicking open the garden door. “So, there you have it. Here we are, the gardens.”
The sunlight danced over the top of the neatly-trimmed hedges, giving the whole of the space a reflective, energetic feeling.
“It's beautiful.” Leah whispered, taking in the smell and the sight of the open world. For weeks now, she had lain in place, confined for her own well-being, and she had come to hate the restriction of her freedom. Now, standing in the freshly-arranged garden, Leah felt free again.
“Shall we walk?” Kenneth asked, half in a jesting tone.
“We shall.” Leah grinned, and the two of them descended the low steps into the hedge rows and flowers.
“So, what came of your trip to the city?” she asked as they strolled the green grass at a very leisurely pace.
“Well, I spoke with my Uncle.” Kenneth cleared his throat. “Concerning the claim that you advised me on.”
“And? Did he find it a fair conclusion?”
“He did, indeed he did.” Kenneth seemed to trip over his words a bit.
What on earth is he about to say?
“In fact, he was so impressed by your deductive powers, and of course, was I, as you know, that we felt inclined to offer you a position at the firm.”
Kenneth finished his sentence abruptly, smiled weakly, and attempted to continue walking as if he had just let slip a very casual thing.
“Beg pardon?” Leah nearly stumbled. “The firm?”
