Page 49 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
Chapter 21
Christian crouched in the bushes, with the Admiral beside him. He didn’t know what the hour was, but it had to be late. He had arrived in a separate carriage, which he had urged to deposit him a short distance from the townhouse. From there, he had walked, and let himself in through the back gate, where he had found Benedict already waiting.
From his hiding place, he had heard the approach of another carriage, on the opposite side of the house. After which, he had heard the muffled chatter of Victoria and Miss Longacre, letting him know that they had returned. Everyone was in place. All they had to do was bide their time and hope that the kidnappers would take the bait.
“You knew Victoria’s father, did you not?” Christian needed to do something, or say something, before he lost his wits.
Benedict shifted into a more comfortable position. “Aye, I did.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“I’ve a feeling you’re going to, whether I say you can or not.” Benedict patted Christian on the shoulder.
“Did he mean for her to end up entangled in his world?” Christian peered up at the window, where he knew Victoria would be, no doubt putting Miss Longacre at ease.
“She were a stubborn soul, even as a child.” Benedict sighed. “But—and I loved her father like a brother, so don’t mistake my meaning—I wonder where she’d have ended up if he’d had a son. He always wanted one, but that sweet, long-suffering wife of his couldn’t bear any more children. She had a hard birth with Victoria. I were there, with Solomon, when she came into the world. Well, we were stood outside the bedchamber, like a pair of shivering cowards,” he chuckled gruffly. “But she couldn’t have any more children after that. I guess the Lord only chose to bless her with the one. And what a wonderful creature He gave her. Better than any son, if you ask me.”
“So, her father treated her as though shewerea son?” Christian longed to know more of her history. All of it, if he could, by the time his days on this earth were done.
“Aye, I suppose you could say that. She showed an interest, one day, and that were the end of it. After that, Solomon took her everywhere with him, taught her the trade, taught her everything he knew, and even learned a thing or two from her.” Benedict’s eyes glistened proudly.
“Do you not worry that it might prove too much for her, one of these days? She takes each case so personally, especially when it comes to children—or so I have heard. How can any person endure that much weight, and not have it crush them?” Christian’s heart felt heavy.
Benedict furrowed his brow. “I’ve worried about that often enough, myself. She may be stronger than she looks, but there’s only so much strength can do. In truth, I can’t answer that. I honestly don’t know. I hope not, for it will mean a star has gone out in this dark city, and it can little afford that.”
“Do you think anything can protect her?” Christian pressed.
Benedict cast him a sideways glance. “Perhaps.”
“What? You must tell me!”
Benedict smiled sadly. “You, My Lord.”
Christian spluttered, not knowing how to respond.
“I’ve seen the way you two are when you’re together. Reminds me of my own wife and I, when she lived,” Benedict continued. “I’ve done what I can to love her as if she were my own, and shelter her whenever she’d let me, but that’s not the kind of love she needs now. She doesn’t need a father; she needs a husband. One who’ll take her as she is, and let her be, but be there to hold her and support her when that weight you mentioned gets too much. If you’re the one to do that, then don’t you let her down. Don’t you get her hopes up and dash them. And don’t you do her wrong. Or you’ll have me to answer to—Earl or no.”
Does everyone know, before I have even told Victoria how I feel?
“I could never do any of those things to her,” Christian said, after a pause.
“But there’s a fiancée, ain’t there?”
Christian nodded slowly. “There is, but… it is not what you think. Our families decided we ought to be betrothed, but she and I never loved one another in that way. And, if recent suggestions are to be believed, my fiancée loves another, as do I.”
“So, youdolove my Victoria, then?” Benedict’s eyes widened in wonder.
“I do, Admiral. I just have yet to tellherthat.” He gave a wry laugh. “I wanted to wait until Helena had been returned safely, and I had spoken with her about my change of heart, before I told everything to Victoria. As you have said, I didn’t want to make promises until I could be certain they would not be false.”
“That’s wise, My Lord.” Benedict clapped him on the back again, almost dislodging a lung. “And take it from an old man, who’s seen the worst and the best of this world—choose happiness, always. Even if it’s the tougher path, you choose happiness.”
Christian smiled. “I will try, Admiral. Goodness, I will try.”
* * *
Several hours passed by, with the house sitting in silence, peppered only by the occasional creak, or the sound of an owl hooting from the darkness of the garden. Most of the staff had traveled ahead with the Viscount and Viscountess, whilst those who remained had already retired for the night.
Meanwhile, Victoria stayed alert, flitting between her crouched position and peering furtively out of the window, so she could look upon the shadowed landscape beyond.
