Chapter Twenty-Four
Benjamin had neverenjoyed London as much as he did in those days following Marksman’s and Theodora’s wedding. Miss Whitchurch delegated more and more of her duties for Mr. Sustar to Mrs. Geoffrey, though Victoria constantly declared she must pay her fair share for her use of the house. Not that Benjamin took her payments for himself. He had instructed Mr. Froschele to place her quarterly payments away for the boy.
Twice a week, she accompanied him as he looked at properties he could use to fulfill their plans to create a more viable community in Cheapside and the surrounding areas of London.
“I would never take all these steps,” he admitted to Aaran as they two shared a meal at their club, “if not for Miss Whitchurch’s vision.”
Graham smiled knowingly. “You have named your future. I am exceedingly happy for you.”
“We must wait to marry,” Benjamin argued.
“Those days will pass quickly,” Aaran assured.
“When do you leave for Scotland?” Benjamin asked. “Parliament is in recess. Assuredly, you have much to accomplish before we must return to the Lords.”
Graham shrugged, a customary gesture for the man. Often Graham did not think he belonged in his exalted position, though Benjamin highly disagreed, and he wondered what Ethan might one day feel about his parents’ actions. The child would be considered legitimate simply because Duncan had arranged the necessary paperwork.
In reality, Duncan had managed something similar for Aaran when the previous Lord Graham passed. Aaran, in Duncan’s opinion, would prove a better earl than his legitimate, but infinitely less responsible half-brother. Even so, Aaran suffered snubs from both his fellow Scottish lords and many English ones, though Aaran’s faction of the Graham legacy had thrived under Aaran’s care.
“Good day, my lords.” James Kepper bowed before them.
“Kepper,” Aaran acknowledged. “Join us, if you please. Since Honfleur’s capture, we have not seen much of you.”
“Lord Duncan has me filing papers some days and on others chasing after some of those we suspect were part of Mr. Yates’s group of forgers,” the man said as he sat. “I hear you proposed to the woman on your arm at Marksman’s wedding to Lady Theodora. Have you named the day?”
“Miss Whitchurch is still grieving her sister’s passing,” Benjamin repeated the agreed upon tale of Miss Cassandra’s death. “We would not have attended the wedding except for the fact it was family.”
“Then you shan’t be attending the Belewards’ ball at the end of August?” Kepper asked. “It is the official end of the Season.”
“I think not,” Benjamin assured. “It would not be proper.”
“You, Lord Graham?” Kepper inquired, continuing to chatter on as he was often accustomed to do.
“I will likely make an appearance. Then I will depart for Scotland a few days later. I must call upon my southern estate first—several issues to address there before I move inland.”
“I am hoping to dance with Miss McGinty,” Kepper said as hemotioned one of the club’s footmen over to place his order.
Both Benjamin and Aaran waited a quarter hour before they excused themselves, claiming prior commitments. “Were we ever that green?”
“I imagine we were,” Benjamin said, “but Duncan would have drummed it out of us as quickly as it became apparent to him.”
Benjamin left Aaran at his brother’s waiting carriage and turned his steps towards the nearby park. He had told Mr. Stanton to retrieve him at half past one near a small jewelry shop. When he was in Kent for Miss Cassandra’s burial, he had removed two rings from the Thompson family safe. He had asked the jeweler to reset the stones into a newly styled ring for what would be Victoria’s wedding ring.
With a sigh of satisfaction, he decidedly set off across the park, while still thoroughly engrossed in thoughts of his betrothed. He was nearing the cross street when a man stepped out before him, and Benjamin stumbled to a halt. Though the day was barely half over, the fellow reeked of alcohol and stale cigars. It was Jonas Betts.
“Where is my son?” Betts burped, rather than asked, and the man’s breath filled the air around Benjamin with sourness.
“I am not your father, Betts, which means I know nothing of your affairs.” Benjamin started around the man, but, surprisingly, Betts managed to block Benjamin’s path.
“I want to see my son,” Betts hissed.
“I did not know you had sired a child,” Benjamin said with well-practiced calm.
“Cassandra’s child is mine!” Betts declared as he attempted to pull himself upward in a show of strength.
Benjamin noted that a crowd of on-lookers began to form. Therefore, he said, “I do not know of your affairs elsewhere; however, I am aware that you believe you possess the right to speak to Mr. Whitchurch’s daughters as no true gentleman should. Miss Whitchurch has thoroughly explained your foul behavior. She hasasked me not to act as I would wish, for her parents, the Whitchurches live in the village outside your father’s estate and would suffer your pettiness. Yet, such does not mean I will tolerate your denigration of my betrothed’s name. I told you so when you forced your way into Macalhey House to harass Miss Whitchurch and her friends when they were enjoying an afternoon together. I thought I was plain spoken enough at the time, but, if you persist with your madness, I will be required to speak to Lord Betts regarding your mad ravings. I doubt the baron would wish for you to seek out…”
Betts pulled himself up straighter. “I want to see the son I begat with Cassandra Whitchurch,” he said loud enough for everyone within earshot to hear.
