Page 65 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“And I you.” she said rigidly. Cornelius could see her trying not to betray her total fear. “Kenneth has told me all about you in turn.”
“Has he?” Cornelius smiled a toothy grin. “He's one to talk, my nephew.” He turned and shot a sly look at Kenneth. “Come, let us all go inside before your mother has a fit over supper's delay.”
“Well said.” Kenneth agreed. “Shall we?” he looked to Leah, who nodded silently. The pair of them began up the stairs, and Cornelius took up behind them.
This will break his heart.
“Finally!” he could hear Juliet's high voice echoing through the house. “Come, hurry! We must find our places.”
Dinner had been ready it appeared for some twenty minutes, and this had clearly thrown Juliet into a state. She whisked the three of them into the dining room where overly-elegant place settings had been prepared, and quickly ordered them into their appropriate seats.
A meal for four does not need to contain an excessive amount of food, however Juliet had spared no expense on the flash-prepared feast.
Cornelius ate freely and happily, warding his dominating success silently over Leah as she barely touched her rotating plates. Course after course came, and her answers to his pointless questions were short and stunted.
Cornelius could see the irritation building in Juliet as Leah continued to reach for the wrong utensil and provide abrupt conversation. Kenneth tried to keep the peace with his jovial tune, and Cornelius laughed heartily along with his nephew. He was feeling complete victory again, and it emboldened him.
After the meal, Kenneth and Cornelius retired to a study for brandy. Cornelius watched his nephew's comforting look to Leah as they left her alone with Juliet. He had to go about this carefully.
“Another brandy, Uncle?”
“Of course, dear boy, there we are.” Cornelius took the refill. “Say, your protege seemed a bit quiet. From what you have told me, she is not usually so.”
“Forgive her, Uncle, I fear the formal dinner was overwhelming for her. You know how my mother can be.”
“That I do.” Cornelius chuckled. “If she is to offer her story to peers, then she will have to become more accustomed.”
“I am aware.” Kenneth replied. “I am sure it will be a slow process.”
“Perhaps I could speak with her, apart from the influence of you or your mother.” Cornelius suggested.
“Alone? Are you sure?” Kenneth seemed startled by the suggestion.
“Trust me.” Cornelius sat up further in his chair. “I have a way with people.”
“I cannot argue that.” Kenneth laughed. “I shall see what form of needlework my mother is forcing upon her.”
“Good, good, very good.” Cornelius laughed out as his nephew left the room.
As soon as he was alone, he stood up from his seat. He set the brandy down and inspected his cuff links and adopted a more serious tone in his jaw. It was a sort of ritual he practiced before interacting with the criminal element of society, that he liked to callbuttoning up.
“Miss Benson, for you.” Kenneth said, swinging open the door.
“Come in, dear girl.” Cornelius gestured, then waved a friendly goodbye to his nephew. The door clicked behind her as she inched into the room, standing as far from him as she could without being in the hallway.
“It's you.” she whispered.
“No, it isyou, Miss Benson.” Cornelius retrieved his brandy and stood with his shoulders back, dominating the space in the room. “What the devil are you doing here?”
“I think you know that already.” she held her ground. He respected that.
“When I heard Riphook had lost you, I caught a bit of a fright.” Cornelius admitted, swigging down his glass. “But then I heard you were dead, a regrettable thing, but nonetheless it brought me security.” He began to slowly pace towards her, his hands falling to his sides. “Imagine my surprise to see you strolling through the gardens with my nephew.”
“Imagine my surprise,” Leah echoed. “to see a no good murderer walk in the door.”
“Oh, you are full of wit, aren't you?” He drew closer. “Listen to me, Miss Benson, and listen well.”
He came within a few feet of her and she backed up against the door; she had nowhere left to retreat to.
