“I never considered you anything but kind,” she corrected. Shesighed again as Mr. Patterson placed sliced ham and peas before them. The lady waited for Patterson to finish the remove before she continued. “Mrs. Gabriel spoke of the changes you made at each of the residences, but you were not satisfied with the outcomes. Moreover, she mentioned in a few of the homes, people stole some of the furniture and other objects, which had me thinking you could mark the furniture, drapes, frames, and the like with a mark that represents you and your goals, as well as your family.”
“Such might not prevent the theft, but something along those lines would be easier to recover the items,” he said with real interest. “Tell me more.”
“The idea came from the work Mr. Sustar has me doing for him. Lady Cunningham had requested that after the drapes were cut and hemmed that I place a row of embroidered flowers to the hems and valances. What if we added a small embroidered mark to the drapes, blankets, bedding, and so forth? The drapes could still be specific to the house and the colors chosen for it, but you could mark them as your property. It is one thing for someone to live in Mrs. Holland’s house—under her roof—where she can watch all the time to prevent theft, but it is quite another to let a whole house from someone—a house that is fully furnished. A small mark could be carved into the tables, settles, and whatever you think necessary.”
“I would not wish to have those who rent from me think I questioned their trustworthiness, but, if we could come up with something inconspicuous… Permit me to play around with the idea,” he instructed. “Perhaps a stamped metal plate attached under the tables or beds. I will speak to several experts first. The monogram on the drapes could be at the top corners where no one would see them and so forth.”
“I would be happy to address the marks on the drapes or whatever else you would like,” she offered.
“I could not ask it of you,” he protested.
“You did not ask, my lord,” she insisted. “I must have a means to repay you for your kindness.”
Benjamin did not want her as his “seamstress,” yet, he was equally stubborn in such matters. “We will come to terms when we know whether your suggestion is possible or not,” he said diplomatically.
“I shan’t forget, Lord Thompson,” she warned with a charming smile, and Benjamin stifled the sigh of delight that had bubbled upward. Odd to say, for he never had responded to another woman thusly, but he felt as if he had thrown a harness over a dream.
Benjamin waited untilhe heard that Theodora was on the mend before he called upon Duncan Place. He had not asked what had happened, but his brothers had said enough for him to know Theodora’s situation had nothing to do with her monthlies, but rather with Lord Almano. Evidently, Marksman and Duncan had saved her from the fake count. Eventually, he would learn enough to place all the pieces together, but, for now, the crisis was over. He had heard that Marksman planned to propose to Theodora, but Benjamin was not assured how that would work as it was hoped that Marksman’s sister, who had been found at last, and right under her brother’s nose, would soon be restored to him. Being the last of those to come to live with Duncan, Benjamin had quickly learned to keep his mouth shut and to listen. He learned more in that manner than he did when asking questions.
“Is his lordship in, Mr. Fields?” Benjamin asked when he arrived at Duncan Place.
“Yes, my lord,” Fields said with a hint of knowing in his tone. “In fact, I believe Lord Duncan has been expecting you. He said you sent anote around earlier.”
“I wanted to be confident his priorities did not call upon him to assist Lady Theodora,” Benjamin said quietly.
“It was a bit of a dust up,” Fields said, “but the worst seems to be over. Lady Emma has called, and you know her ladyship always has a way of making Lady Theodora feel better.”
Benjamin handed Fields his hat and gloves. “Should I simply go in?”
“I believe Lord Duncan is awaiting you in his study. He knew you would be eager to search out some sort of tavern. Not that he explained it to me.”
“How does he always know what we are thinking before we think it?” Benjamin asked with a smile.
“Lord Graham says it is because the master has led each of you along a particular path and knows the end results before you do,” Fields confided.
Benjamin made his way to Duncan’s study. He knocked on the open door. “Might I interrupt?”
Duncan looked up with a smile on his lips. “I expected you a quarter hour ago.”
Benjamin shook his head in recognition of the irony in Duncan’s words. “I kept thinking you had too much on your mind to assist with what I expect will be a futile effort,” he admitted. “You have had much chaos surrounding Theodora.”
“My daughter has made several colossal mistakes,” Duncan admitted, “the worst of which was keeping some of what occurred from me. Marksman complicated Theodora’s lack of confidence, mainly because I had ordered him to keep a secret I had shared with him from Theodora. I made mistakes. Alexander made mistakes. Theodora made mistakes. We are our own worst enemies, but tempers have cooled, and Alexander proposed last evening. He and I will call upon Mrs. Dove-Lyon a bit later today and settle whatever debts Theodoraaccumulated there. Did you know your sister asked Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find her a match when Theodora thought Alexander was set on Miss Moreau?”
“I did not,” Benjamin admitted.
“Well, she did. Naturally, Lady Emma was involved in that caper, but Marksman and I mean to recover Theodora’s funds and pay Mrs. Dove-Lyon for her efforts on my daughter’s behalf. Hopefully, scandal and the world turning on its head will know a fast death this evening. So, what say you and I set Miss Whitchurch’s qualms at ease? Are you prepared for a journey down to the Thames?”
“The lady has been busy. I will explain all I have executed in her name as we travel.”
“Is your coach still before the house?” Duncan asked as he stood.
“I told Mr. Stanton to wait a quarter hour before moving around to the mews,” Benjamin confided.
“Then let us be about it.” Duncan stood so he might lead the way, catching up his hat and gloves from the table near the front door. Benjamin found his there also. After presenting Stanton orders, he followed Duncan into the carriage.
“How has Miss Whitchurch managed after our meeting?” Duncan inquired.
“It took her all of the night and well into the next day to be on her feet again. She could have easily died if I had not insisted I would see her home. I would not have known. I have no idea of all she has endured, but I suspect she was not eating properly. However, she has brought her few belongings to Macalhey House and has begun to set up a future for her and the boy. Not having to take the child with her at night is a great relief, but I am not best pleased with Sustar working her overnight with only him and his wife sleeping above,” Benjamin confessed. “What if someone learns of her in the shop alone and means to do her harm?”
