Page 85

“Did he?” It was the first he’d heard of it. “Who told you that?”

“Frank.”

“Frank did?” The idea of them having a heart-to-heart about the state of Frank’s marriage was so jarring to him that for a moment he couldn’t think how to respond.

“Yes,” she sighed, then her faraway gaze seemed to focus on him anew. “Benedict,” she said impulsively.

“Hmmm?”

“You agree, then? That I should write to Maggie and apprise her of the true facts?”

“Why not just give Frank the address in Southend and let him sort out his business?” he asked abruptly. Lizzie shook her head, avoiding his eye. He reached up and caught her chin until their gazes met. “Why?” he demanded.

“I think the least we can do is allow Maggie to make her own mind up about returning or not,” Lizzie replied slowly. “I do not think Frank was as good a husband as you are,” she said, completely flabbergasting him. “I’m not entirely sure he deserves her.”

And just like that, the gathering thundercloud at his brow evaporated into nothing. “You think I’m a good husband, Lizzie?” he asked in gravelly tones, all thought of defending his brother going abruptly out of the window.

She nodded, her gaze so clear after uttering so startling a statement that he wasn’t sure his ears hadn’t been deceiving him. “Of course,” she said, seemingly oblivious to the fact he was profoundly shaken. Sebastian chose that moment to poke his head out from underneath the table. “I think you had better feed us,” she said wryly. “All I’ve had since breakfast is an apple and some cheese.”

Twenty minutes later, they were walking through the fair, sipping hot soup and eating buttered rolls. There was a lot less choice tonight with the reduced amount of stalls, but Sebastian seemed happy enough with his meat pudding, which he swallowed in three great mouthfuls, and then glued himself to Lizzie until she followed that up with half of her sponge cake. She cast a guilty look at Benedict. “I’m afraid Ema and Zaya have taught him some very bad habits about begging for tidbits.”

“If it upsets his stomach, you’ll know about it,” he answered dryly and left it at that.

At one point, she tugged him toward a stall that sold writing implements and sundries, and he watched without comment as she bought a sheaf of paper and pen. They were soon meandering their way back to the wagon, and Lizzie uttered an exclamation on spotting the new steps. “When did you get these?” she asked, running to inspect them. “Oh, they’re perfect! Just the right height. You must have measured before you left.”

“I just guessed.” It was ridiculous to preen over such a thing, but Benedict found he was markedly inclined to bask in her approval.

“Did you fetch in the clean washing or did someone steal it?” she asked suddenly, turning toward the bushes.

“I fetched it in.”

The look she bestowed on him was glowing. “I’ll get the tea things,” she said, mounting the steps with her light tread. “What are all these parcels?” she called from inside as he set about lighting the fire.

“Just things for the wagon, you can open them,” he answered as he set about lighting the fire.

“Really?” He wished now he had bought her something more exciting, but they had only stopped at a general and hardware store. You wouldn’t guess it from her reaction, though. “This fabric, I love it!” she called out to him. The woman in the store had recommended it, but Benedict did not feel inclined to point this out. “It will be just perfect for the curtains!”

He heard the ripping of paper and guessed she had found the chamber pot next. He heard her clear her throat. “Very functional,” she commented, and he heard her slide it under the bed. He wasn’t so worried about her going over the fields now she had the dog to accompany her, but even so. He did not like to think of it late at night if he was not around.

“A new blanket! This is a nice one. Not for Sebastian this time.” More ripping of paper. “You bought more tea and lemons!” Her head poked out of the door. “You will have to tell me what I can buy for the wagon now I’ve money to spend.”

“I don’t think there is anything else at present. Come out and keep me company.”

“Are you going to tell me about your fight?” she asked, coming back down the steps with the tea tray.

“There’s not much to tell.”

“Because your win was inevitable?” she asked with a slightly teasing tone to her voice he wasn’t sure he’d heard before.

He smirked but answered seriously. “My opponent was inexperienced. He’s had good trainers, though, and in a couple of years he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

Lizzie added the tea leaves to the pot. “His introduction to the business has been very different to yours, then.”

“I grew up around boxing, for the most part.” She looked up quickly, then fiddled with the cups and saucers. “What?”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just remembered something you said the other day to your grandmother.” The mention of his grandmother seemed to sink her deep in thought, and a frown appeared on her brow as she finished preparing the tea.

Benedict was already half-resigned to further elaboration on the subject by the time he heard her take a deep breath for resolve.