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Lizzie braced her feet against the struts as Benedict had taught her and wrapped an arm about Sebastian’s neck.

“You ready for the off?” Frank asked, and at her nod, he flicked his rein and gave Florence encouragement. The large horse obligingly began to move forward.

“How far is it from here to Putney Heath?” Lizzie asked as they meandered their way across the field toward the cart track.

“Some twelve miles or thereabouts.”

“And how long do you suppose that will take us?”

Frank gave her a rueful glance. “A good part of the day, I’m afraid. It’s slow going with the wagons.”

“At least it’s not raining,” Lizzie said, glancing up at the sky which was gray and full of clouds.

“Not yet anyway,” Frank agreed.

Just then, they went over a bump in the ground which jolted Lizzie. She gripped the edge of the seat tighter and caught her breath.

“Sorry about that,” Frank winced. “It’ll be easier when we’re on even road.”

Lizzie assured him that she would not be dislodged from her perch, and once they were on the open road, they were able to converse more easily.

“How did you like Greenwich Fair?” Frank asked her, his eye still on the road.

Lizzie considered the question a moment before answering. “I think it’s an interesting life you lead,” she said slowly. “With never a dull moment.”

“It’s your life too now,” Frank pointed out.

“Yes,” she agreed.

He flashed her a curious look. “Did you never think to dissuade Ben from this life? From what he’s said, his savings are still intact, and it’s clear you hold great sway over him.” Lizzie hesitated, unable to explain that in fact she was never in a position to influence Benedict’s way of life.

“I don’t say that you counselled him against seeing us on his release,” he said quickly. “I’m not so foolish as to set that blame at your door.” From the way he said this, Lizzie could tell that someone did in fact blame her for the fact Benedict had stayed away from his family. She guessed Frank was thinking of Ma Toomes.

“I know full well that he’s always been … conflicted about his family, shall we say,” Frank continued unaware of her ruminations.

Questions burned on Lizzie’s tongue. Why should Benedict be conflicted? Indeed, why was it that he did not feel so bound by family obligations as his brothers clearly did?

“It’s not my place to challenge how my husband makes a living,” Lizzie said after a moment’s pause. “Or to try and break any existing familial bonds.”

“Or lack of them,” Frank said grimly.

Lizzie shot him a look. “I think he is close to you and Jack, though,” she said carefully.

“Aye, it’s our father and grandmother he cannot tolerate,” Frank answered tightly, before directing a troubled look her way. “Forgive me, I should not have said anything,” he sighed. “It wasn’t fair of me, and if Ben knew I’d said anything, he’d have my guts for garters. God knows, I have my own things I prefer not to discuss.”

“You mean your wife’s disappearance,” Lizzie guessed, then wondered if she ought not to have.

Frank grimaced. “There’s no mystery about it. She ran off and left me.” Lizzie sat in silence, respecting that the topic was off limits, when to her surprise, he carried on. “I never would have dreamed that old Ben would make a more considerate husband than I.” His voice shook slightly, but any anger he felt seemed to be directed toward himself. “He’s been careful with you. In a way that I … was not.”

“Careful?”

“Considerate,” Frank explained. “It didn’t even occur to me to shield Maggie from Ma and our father. Looking back, I threw her in at the deep end and left her there to flounder.” He swallowed. “I suppose I thought that was her role. To put up with them, I mean. As I do.”

Lizzie was silent a moment before asking, “Did you never try to discover her? It’s clear you miss her badly.”

Frank breathed out loudly. “It’s too late,” he said with a wealth of bitterness. “Far too late to turn back the clock.”

“Why do you say so?” When he would not answer, only shake his head, Lizzie said boldly, “I do not think Benedict would sit back so resigned, if I were to attempt such a thing.”