“Yes, that is quite so. It is my singular determination, in fact.”
Lord Kingston lifted an eyebrow.
“And how exactly do you plan on doing such a thing? Poverty is your friend at present, is it not?”
Benjamin blinked, looking back at Lord Kingston for a long moment without saying a single word, and it was not until some seconds had passed that Lord Kingston cleared his throat and looked away. Had he realized what a mistake he had just made?
“I must beg to understand what you mean by such a thing, Lord Kingston.” Keeping his voice as steady as possible, Benjamin tilted his head to one side. “If there are any rumors about my present circumstances, I would be grateful to you if you would inform me of them.”
Lord Kingston cleared his throat and shook his head.
“I only mean to state that I must be certain that you are able to care for my sister.”
“But that is not what you have asked me.”
Benjamin was not about to let the fellow weasel his way out of what had been said. To his mind, this now declared quite certainly that there was motivation behind Lord Kingston’s attempts to remove his sister from Benjamin’s arm. Yes, there had been some rumors about his lack of fortune, but thetonnow believed that he had been restored, given that he was able to return to his townhouse and drive his carriage about town just as he had done before. Would Lord Kingston truly have made such a remark if he had not been quite certain that things were not as they appeared?
Lord Kingston coughed harshly, his eyes sliding back towards Benjamin.
“Surely you must understand a gentleman’s concern for his sister?” he declared, looking back at Benjamin with a sharp eye, as though daring him to disagree. “I only meant to suggest that you may find yourself without coin in the future and wondered what it was you intended to do, if such a situation came about.”
“I see.” Benjamin did not believe this in the least, but he could not say so, given the current situation. He did not want to put Lord Kingston on his guard. “Then let us hope that we might become better acquainted in the months and years to come so that I can prove to you that your sister will have a long and contented life by my side. I shall treat her with as much consideration and as much kindness as I can. Despite the strange nature of our betrothal, I find myself a very happy man indeed.”
Lord Kingston muttered something and looked away. After a few seconds of silence, he returned his gaze to Benjamin.
“Very good.” He did not say that he was happy for his sister, nor that he accepted anything that Benjamin had said, but it was a clear enough dismissal that Benjamin took without upset. Turning away he made his way back to where his betrothed was waiting, seeing the anxiety in her bright eyes. “My dear, you need not worry.” He pressed her hand, and she smiled at him, but it did not send any relief into her gaze. “Your brother has said nothing to perturb me. In fact, there was something of a confirmation of my suspicions in what he said, but I shall not explain at present. Come now. The cotillion is about to begin. Should you like to dance it with me?”
This time, a gentle chuckle escaped from Miss Carshaw’s lips.
“Yes, I believe I should like it very much. Given that Miss Pennington believed that you were an excellent dancer, it would be a pity not to discover such a thing for myself.”
Benjamin laughed quietly.
“It would be, certainly - and as we dance, perhaps I can speak with you about the plan I have at present.”
She took his arm, and together they walked out towards the middle of the ballroom, where couples were forming up for the dance.
“A plan?”
“Yes, my dear. A plan to discover the truth about your brother. It may require something of you, but if you do not feel able, then I shall not press you to take part.”
Miss Carshaw shook her head.
“No. Whatever it is that you intend to do, know that I will stand by you and assist however I can. If my brother has been involved in this, then I should like to assist in you recovering your fortune from him. And if he has not done so, then at least I shall have relief, knowing that he has not behaved in such a wicked manner.”
“Only if you are certain, my dear Julia. I do not wish to cause you any extra difficulty when the situation is as strained as it is at present.”
She stepped away so that there was a space between them as she curtsied and he bowed, ready for the dance to begin.
“Your care and consideration of me is greatly valued, Lord Wiltsham, but I assure you that my loyalty is now to you, rather than to my brother. Whatever is required of me, I will do it without hesitation. Just say the word and it shall be done.”
Benjamin took her hand and found himself awed by the strength of the woman before him.
“You are the most incredible creature, Julia,” he told her, seeing the blush rise in her cheeks. “For all that our betrothal has been a strange one, I find myself becoming more grateful for it every day. Your courage is extraordinary. I speak the truth when I state that I am overawed by you. I think I shall spend every waking moment of the rest of my days reminding myself just how much I have gained in taking you as my bride.”
Miss Carshaw’s blush grew still, but she continued smiling.
“I feel much the same, Lord Wiltsham. We are together now, are we not? We are one together, and in that, I stand with you in whatever troubles and difficulties may come our way.” Her hand released his. “Now tell me of your plan.”
