“I should think it would be very surprising for a young lady to declare her brother to be a thief,” Lord Wiltsham replied. “Indeed, it would be so very odd that I am certain that most of thetonwould believe her words.”
Again, his voice remained mild, but the triumph building in Julia’s heart could not be removed. Her brother knew that he was facing difficulty now, for she could tell from his growing frown and the narrowing of his eyes.
“The only way to salvage your reputation is to return Lord Wiltsham’s fortune. Show that you have even an ounce of credibility within you.” Lifting her chin, she squeezed Lord Wiltsham’s hand gently. “It is over, brother. You have failed.”
“Perhaps.” Clearing his throat, Lord Kingston spread his hands. “What say you, Lord Wiltsham. Iwillreturn your fortune to you - every single penny - but on one condition.”
“You are hardly in the position to bargain with me,” came the reply, but Lord Kingston held up for one hand, silencing Lord Wiltsham.
“What say you?” he asked again, ignoring the question. “I shall return your fortune on one condition.”
“And what would that condition be?”
Julia scowled as her brother smiled, noting the cruel glint in his eyes and the confidence in his smile, as though he believed that he would have every success.
“You shall have every penny returned to you the moment you break the betrothal to my sister.”
Chapter Seventeen
The thud of Benjamin’s heart was so loud that the room seemed to echo with sound. Lord Kingston stared at him, perhaps believing that what he had offered was going to be fully accepted by Benjamin at any moment, but Benjamin shook his head, letting out a disbelieving laugh.
Lord Kingston’s smile faded.
“This may come as an astonishment to you, but there is nothing you could say to me that would induce me to give up your sister. It is not even a consideration.”
“Then you are a fool,” Lord Kingston retorted. “I have offered you a chance to regain your fortune and you push it aside in favor of my sister. Your entire future hinges on this decision! Will you truly give up security and safety forher?” Flinging out one hand, he dismissed Julia in a moment. “You shall come to regret this.”
Benjamin shook his head.
“I shallneverregret choosing your sister over any amount of money. We have what you shall never possess, and it is something that you shall never be able to take away.”
Lord Kingston merely laughed.
“And what help can that be when you are cold and shivering, struggling to find enough coal to heat the fire? Will you be glad of your choice then?”
“I shall continue to be glad,” Benjamin stated firmly, releasing Miss Carshaw’s hand, but instead pulling her close to him with one hand around her waist. “That is the problem, Kingston. You cannot understand. You have no capacity for understanding because of what it is that we possess. I do not think that you will ever be able to fully grasp it and for that, I am rather sorry.”
Lord Kingston’s jaw was working hard, and the laugh he attempted to force out was only a rough broken cackle, although Benjamin did his best not to outwardly react as Lord Kingston tried to laugh again, seeing that from him as nothing more than sheer cruelty indeed. To be so dismissive of his sister must be causing her great pain, and he wanted very much to wrap his arms around Julia and protect her from such an obvious and calculated wickedness.
“I have given you the opportunity and you have not taken it.” Lord Kingston threw his arms asunder. “There is nothing else that can be done. Might I suggest that you leave this house, Lord Wiltsham, and take my sister with you for the moment.”
Beside him, Benjamin heard Miss Carshaw splutter as he fought to find something to say in response. Lord Kingston had confessed to so much, but there appeared to be no consequences for him.
“You know that Lord Wiltsham and I will speak of the signet ring and what you have done. The gossip will spread.”
Lord Kingston shrugged.
“You state that you shall do so, certainly, but I will do all I can to defend myself. Mayhap I shall state that you were simply unwilling to wed, and that this is your response to my insistence. Have no doubt, I shall find a way, sister, to preserve my reputation.”
There did not seem to be anything else that could be said. Benjamin looked at Miss Carshaw, seeing the frustration in her eyes, and wishing desperately that he could find a way to bring them both a sense of justice. Certainly, he found this a difficult and trying situation, but Lord Kingston was not his brother. He could not imagine the stress and strain that burdened her now.
“Come, my dear. Let us make our way back to the ball.”
Holding one hand out to Miss Carshaw, he waited for a few moments until she finally nodded. Her eyes were fixed on her brother, her jaw had tightened, and her face was devoid of color. When she grasped his hand, it was as with a grip as tight as any he had ever felt.
Walking from the room with their heads held high and no words spoken was no easy task, but Benjamin achieved it, nonetheless. Miss Carshaw’s hand was still tight to his, clear anger still burning in her face as they made their way into the hallway
“I feel as much as you do, but there is nothing to be done. We must simply enjoy the ball this evening and think about what we are to do thereafter. As I have said, I am sure that we can find a way forward, even in the difficulties of poverty.”
