“I have stood witness to several confrontations,” Lady Annalise Dutton assured.
Benjamin nodded his compliance. “Miss Cassandra was stabbed several times in the lower part of her back and left to die. Graham used a sketch drawn by Miss Whitchurch to ask around. The parish cleric identified a woman of a similar look in a pauper’s grave. Graham paid to have the gravesite opened so we could know the truth with some assurance. Therefore, Miss Whitchurch identified the woman’s clothing and hand-made stocking, as well as a small silver ring, as all belonging to her sister.”
“You did not permit the lady to look upon her sister?” Beaufort asked.
“As the woman was attacked on the same street as The Red Rooster, we assume Miss Cassandra has been dead for some months, and the body has known its natural decay. I did not wish for Miss Whitchurch to carry that memory with her,” Benjamin explained.
“So, you identified the body?” Beaufort asked with a bit of confusion in his tone.
“Graham and I decided it would be too tempting for MissWhitchurch to look upon her sister. I lifted things from the box, but we kept the top part in place. Such a horrid image would plague the lady for the remainder of her days. From where Miss Cassandra was found and the clothes, we are assured the person was Miss Cassandra. The coroner also said the woman had recently given birth, which is consistent with the lady.”
“Where is Graham now?” Orson asked.
“Looking for Mr. Jonas Betts,” Benjamin explained, “to learn how Betts knew of Miss Cassandra’s death if he did not have something to do with it.”
Beaufort inquired, “And Miss Whitchurch?”
“As you know, she is living in the other half of Macalhey House. Miss Whitchurch wished to spend time with the child. She and the boy were curled up together when I departed my home.”
“Will you be extending your hand in marriage to the lady?” Beaufort asked.
“I will. As quickly as Miss Whitchurch is prepared to hear my request.”
Benjamin was surprisedwhen he looked up to discover Miss Whitchurch standing in the open doorway of his study. “Are you not prepared for supper, my lord?” she asked with a small smile that he was not expecting.
Benjamin cautiously rose to his feet. “I have again lost track of time. I pray you will extend your forgiveness.” He had thought perhaps he would not see her until Monday when it was time for her to return to work.
“Forgiven,” she announced. “Shall you also forgive him, Ethan?”she asked the child, while the boy gurgled his pleasure.
“Ethan?” Benjamin asked as he circled the desk and reached for the boy. “When did our young man become an ‘Ethan’?”
Miss Whitchurch caressed the child’s head. “I have long liked the name, and I think it will fit him famously.” She shrugged self-consciously. “‘Ethan’ means ‘firm and strong and long-lived’. ‘Ethan’ was also a musician at King David’s court. Therefore, I was thinking ‘Ethan David.’ Do you dislike the name?”
“No complaints from me. I agree: The name fits him well.”
“I think ‘Ethan David’ is perfect,” she said. “I look forward to explaining to him how we chose his name.”
“Ethan supposedly wrote Psalm 89,” he suggested. “I will sing…” he began, and she joined him. They recited the lines together. “…of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” They stood in silence and stared in each other’s eyes until the child chirped his displeasure. “A future together?” he asked softly.
“If you will have us,” she said barely above a rasp. “I am weary from living a life not of my choosing, but, know, I shall not give up the boy,” she warned. “The child and I are a pair. I love him as dearly as if he is my own. Are you made of the type of sternness that will be required to ignore society’s gossip? Can you learn to love not just me, but also the child?”
“You must present me with a different challenge if you mean to be rid of me, Miss Whitchurch. My heart is large enough to love you, this child, and, I pray, all the children we are to know together. Ethan cannot inherit my title, but he will want for nothing.”
“I love you, my lord,” she whispered.
He kissed her then. Long and tenderly, until the boy began to bat at both their cheeks with his hands. When they reluctantly separated a few precious inches, Benjamin said with a chuckle, “Here, I have been planning for the right time to propose. You anticipated my wishes.”He caressed her cheek. “I am hopelessly in love with you, Miss Whitchurch.”
“Victoria,” she corrected. “I would like it very much to hear my Christian name on your lips.”
“I am completely and perfectly in love with you, Victoria,” he said with a large grin. “I like the taste of your name on my tongue.” Benjamin kissed her again. Sweetly. Then ardently once more, leaving her with no doubts whatsoever of the truth of his words.
When they edged back a second time to seek their breaths, she said, “We…” her breath rose and fell against his chest. “We have much to decide.”
“Yes. Much indeed.”
Behind her and a few steps removed from the door’s portal, Mr. Patterson cleared his voice. “Your supper is waiting, my lord.”
Benjamin smiled. “Perfect timing, Patterson.” He adjusted his hold on the boy. “Shall we, my dear?” He gestured for her to lead.
