“I am very glad to hear it. I will be as much of an aid to you as I can be.”
“I appreciate that, but I am also aware that you have your own situation with Miss Lawrence to continue with, now that you are betrothed.”
At this remark, Lord Foster’s eyes lit up, with a smile on his face that Benjamin had never seen before. Was this how one appeared when one was in love? He had no awareness of the emotion, nor any understanding, for he had never experienced it himself on any occasion. A small touch of envy pressed against his heart, but he ignored it. This was his friend’s happiness, and he could not be jealous of him for that
“I may be betrothed, but I do not forget my friends. I do not think that Miss Lawrence would ever permit me to behave so, even if I should wish to!”
Benjamin chuckled.
“You are correct in that! Miss Lawrence is an extraordinary creature, and you are a most fortunate gentleman to be able to call her your own.”
“Of that I am very well aware.” Lord Foster’s smile softened a little. “I find myself very blessed.”
Benjamin discovered himself to be smiling.
“You may be surprised to learn that I found myself in a situation recently where I may have been forced to wed, had the circumstances been even a little different.”
Lord Foster’s eyes widened.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Indeed, it is true. Upon returning to my townhouse. I came upon a young lady, asleep in one of my guest bedchambers. I am certain that I recognized her, but as yet I cannot place her, and she did not give me her name. I was foolish enough not to demand it from her before she left the house, at my direction.” Lord Foster’s eyes widened still further. “I speak the truth, I assure you!” Benjamin continued, seeing the flash in his friend’s eyes. “I could not quite believe my eyes!”
“Good gracious, whatever was her reason for being present in your bedchamber?”
“Myguestbedchamber,” Benjamin corrected. “I cannot recall entirely, such was my shock, but it was something to do with escaping from her brother.”
“And was she a lady of quality?
“Yes, I believe so. Her manner and her speech spoke of it. Her hair was unpinned however, which gave her something of a…”
Benjamin trailed off, struggling to find the correct words to describe the young lady. She had not appeared unhandsome with unpinned hair. Rather, he had found it somewhat alluring.
“A little unkempt perhaps?” His friend suggested, and Benjamin nodded fervently. “And did she say what exactly was her situation with her brother?”
Benjamin shrugged.
“Whilst she said something about her brother, I thought it rather a poor excuse, and I was quite certain that it could be nothing too serious.” He laughed roughly. “Mayhap it was nothing more than the fact that her brother had refused her acceptance to a most desired ball.”
In response to this, his friend did not smile nor laugh his agreement. Instead, he drew his brows together and shook his head.
“I am afraid I must disagree with you there. If the young lady is risking her reputation - and thereby her future - by coming to reside in another gentleman’s bedchamber, then her situation must be of grave seriousness indeed. I do not think that any young lady would risk herself in that way, not unless it was a dire situation.”
The thump of an arrow of guilt shooting through his heart had Benjamin recoiling a little.
“I… I had not thought of it that way.”
“You say you do not recall her name?”
“No, but I am certain that I have been introduced to her before. I could not tell you what her title was or even the name of her father - or her brother, for that matter. I am quite certain that I have met her before, however.”
Lord Foster let out a small sigh.
“I suppose that she ought not to concern you greatly, given that she is not your responsibility - although I do hope that she has not been forced to face any grave difficulties.”
The guilt in Benjamin’s heart swelled even more and became painful.
“Perhaps I should have asked more of her, but yes, you are quite right. She is not my concern.”
