Three quarters of an hour later, he handed off his hat and gloves to Mr. Patterson. “Did Miss Whitchurch recover her belongings?”
“Yes, my lord. Poor child, but the lady has returned, and her attitude speaks well of her character. I’ve not often seen such a sensible woman in many a year,” Patterson declared.
“I still have several errands to complete today. Might I claim a small meal? And if the lady is available, ask her to join me.”
“Right away, my lord.”
As the butler scampered away, Benjamin took the main steps twoat a time. He paused briefly outside Miss Whitchurch’s quarters, but did not knock.
When he returned to the morning room, where he took the majority of his meals when he was at Macalhey House, there was no Miss Whitchurch. “Has Miss Whitchurch again taken to her bed?” he asked Patterson. He was worried for the lady’s health.
Unfortunately, the idea of the lady again in her bed appeared behind his eyes. He was not, generally, the type of man who thought of women in the same manner as did several of his brothers, but, while watching her yesterday, Benjamin wished to climb upon the other side of the bed and pull her into his arm and… well, his mind had said that he could sleep beside her, but his heart had another idea.
He was about to express his disappointment, but the door to the morning room opened to admit Miss Whitchurch. She wore an unadorned cream-colored cambric. Odd as it would be to say so, her coiled black tresses still managed to capture the rays of sunlight illuminating the room. A single wisp had escaped and now caressed her cheek.
Though he did not like the idea, his fingers wished to brush across her cheek and know whether her blood ran as hot for him as his blood did for her. “I am pleased you decided to join me, Miss Whitchurch.”
She smiled at him. “I had actually lost track of the time. Thank you for sending word of your return to the house.”
Benjamin enjoyed the appearance of a small dimple at the corner of her mouth as her lips lifted to display a lovely smile. “Then please join me before the food is cold. I wish to hear of how your adventure with your landlady progressed.”
“Splendidly. Mr. Brunswick was most helpful. I have settled all my debts to Mrs. Holland.” She permitted him to hold her chair for her. “Meanwhile, I had an idea while I found places for my belongings in the other home, and I wished to discuss it with you,” she responded smartly, but he noticed how she wrung her fingers in worry. “I prayyou do not mind.”
“No objections whatsoever,” he told her as he took his seat. “You may serve, Mr. Patterson.” Benjamin placed his serviette back on his lap as she adjusted her seat. “First, tell me how the child has progressed today. Is everything acceptable with Mrs. Sullivan?”
“Without a doubt, I am so appreciative of the lady’s advice,” Miss Whitchurch declared. “I have learned several things from her about what to expect of my nephew’s growth.”
“Have you decided on a name for the child?” he asked as Patterson poured their tea.
“Although Cassandra said in her letter that I might choose the child’s name, it still feels as such should be my sister’s domain. What if the name does not suit Cassandra’s opinion?” she argued.
“I suppose it does not matter until he is christened. However, if you do not wish to present the child a name, I shan’t press you. From my observations, the boy simply responds to a familiar voice, not a name,” he assured.
In his opinion, the woman seated at his left hand was quite compelling. The lady was just what she ought to be: Prim. Proper. Intelligent. Caring. And obviously ten times more of a mother to the child than his true mother would ever be.
“Are the rooms in the other house adequate for you and the boy?” he asked to keep the conversation moving and his mind off his desire for her.
“Oh, yes, though I feel quite guilty. You are losing income,” she protested.
Benjamin shrugged with a bit of embarrassment. “As Duncan explained, I prefer my privacy. I may never let the house. Perhaps I will furnish it and make it available to my mother or other relatives when they travel to London.”
“That is excessively kind of you to think of others,” she said with a smile.
“You might invite your parents for a few days, if you like,” he suggested.
She waited until Mr. Patterson served the potato and leek soup before she responded. At length, she said softly, “My parents are too distraught to leave Hampshire. They fear Lord Betts will deny their return to the village. Moreover, I am not assured they would approve of my choices.”
He said with equal quietness. “I have no designs on you, Miss Whitchurch.”
“I am well aware I am not countess material, my lord,” she said without rancor, but with a definite lift of her chin. “I am grateful for your Christian charity.”
Benjamin said what was expected of him, but he was not assured all his motives could be termed “charitable,” but, instead of arguing, he said, “I am sorry you must make these decisions alone. I thought perhaps your family might provide you succor.”
She did not immediately respond, but tears misted her eyes. He wished to reach out and caress the back of her hand, but he did not act on his impulse. Instead, he instructed, “You said you had a suggestion upon which you wished my opinion.”
The lady nodded her gratitude. “Mrs. Gabriel was explaining how you have purchased multiple properties in this area, which you let out to younger sons of the peerage and the gentry, as well as those of the working class—those who wish to live within sight of their warehouses.”
“As I lead a simpler life than many members of theton, my tastes are not as ‘refined’ as others. Moreover, I see no reason a man who has made his fortune in trade must live above his shops and warehouses.” He shrugged as embarrassment returned: Benjamin rarely spoke so honestly of his beliefs, even to his brothers or Duncan. “I suppose such marks me as an oddity.”
