“Lord Montague, I am sure, will have a good many connections, but you are right that is the beginning of something, at least.” A quiet tap at the door told him that the servant had come to inform him that his carriage was ready, and he immediately put out one hand to Lord Foster’s. “I am greatly in your debt, my friend. I may still be penniless, but, for all intents and purposes, I appear to be a gentleman of some wealth once more. Thetondo not look at me with such disdain any longer, and for that I am incredibly grateful.”
“I only hope that it will be an aid in your search for the truth,” Lord Foster replied, gripping his hand firmly. “And that you have success. If there is anything that I can do to help you, as you have been of such great assistance to me, then I beg of you to inform me of it immediately.”
“I shall,” Benjamin promised. “Thank you again, Foster.”
Letting go of his friend’s hand. Benjamin turned and made his way down to the waiting carriage, his steps light. Finally, he was able to return to his own house. Yes, his friend’s hospitality had been most welcome and something he could not have done without, but now the thought of being back in his own townhouse brought nothing but joy. Climbing into his carriage, he sat back against the squabs, and let out a long breath of relief. A smile spread itself across his face as the carriage began to pull away. This was all thanks to Lord Foster’s generosity, of course, for he still had no coin of his own, and his fortune was still very much lost. That was something thetondid not know of, however, and to their mind, he was just as he had always been. It meant that he would not have to suffer or struggle in the way that Lord Foster had done, but he still bore that same responsibility to himself, and to the generations to come, to find out the truth about where his fortune had gone. Perhaps that, in turn, would embolden the others to do much the same.
The carriage ride did not take long, given that his house was not particularly far. Benjamin had thought to walk, but Lord Foster had been absolutely determined that he would not. As the carriage drew up, Benjamin drew in a heavy breath, contentment mixed with uncertainty tying themselves together in chest. What would it be like to once more be master of his own home, albeit knowing full well that he was without any coin or security of his own?
When the carriage door was opened, he stepped out immediately, standing on the steps and looking up at his townhouse. When he had last left here, he had been a man filled with nothing but despair. He had been forced to remove his servants to send them to other employers and had begun to wonder what it was he could sell that would make enough money to keep his estate from crumbling. Mr. Crawley had been a great support to him, although he had quietly suggested that Benjamin consider selling his house in London – which would have left him with no residence in the city whatsoever - but as yet, it had not come to that, thanks to Lord Foster. For a time, at least, Benjamin could live in comfort here in London, even though he had no intention of continuing to do so in the longer term.
That would mean that I would return to poverty and disgrace if I am unable to regain my fortune.
Refusing to allow such morose thoughts to overtake him, Benjamin walked swiftly towards his front door, which was opened for him.
“Good afternoon, my Lord.” The butler took his hat and gloves as Benjamin walked inside, looking up at the familiar rooms and finding himself swamped with relief. There was an inexpressible joy at being back in his townhouse. It built in his chest, threatening to overwhelm him at any moment until he feared he would lose his composure. “Would you care for some refreshment, my Lord?”
Clearing his throat, Benjamin glanced towards his butler, considering for a moment as he battled to regain himself.
“Yes, I think I should.”
“Certainly, my Lord. And where should you like me to bring it to you? Your study, perhaps?”
Benjamin hesitated.
“To the drawing room, I think, although I shall make my way to my bedchamber first.”
“If there is something you wish me to fetch from your rooms, I can have a footman attend to it for you, my Lord.”
Benjamin shook his head.
“I thank you, but there is a personal effect I wish to collect, but I shall make my way to the drawing room shortly.”
“Very good, my Lord.”
Inclining his head a little, the butler quickly took his leave, as Benjamin hurried up the staircase towards his bedchamber. Turning the door handle, he pushed the door open wide and stepped inside.
Everything was just as he remembered. Sighing contentedly, Benjamin took a moment to take it in, a little surprised to feel such relief still, before making his way to the small chest of drawers on the left-hand side of his bed. Opening the top drawer, he picked up the small book which was within and opened it. Within that, there was a small piece of folded paper, and he took it out carefully, glad that he had thought to store it in such a safe location. This written recollection of what had occurred on the night he had lost his fortune was of great importance to him. He had written it in the hours after he had awoken, being certain to write down every single detail so that he would not forget it. It was sparse, but it was better than his own poor memory, now, which seemed to be fading even further with every day that passed. Lord Foster had been able to recover his fortune and encouraged Benjamin now to do the same, so he knew that he would have to give that sparse record all of his attention. Unfolding it carefully, he read the details, rubbing over his chin as he took in his own distressed words. Perhaps there was something in that piece of paper that could lead him towards finding the culprit. Folding it up again, he nodded to himself, thinking that he would take some time later that evening to sit and think, to try to recollect, in case there was anything more he had forgotten.
Holding it carefully in his hand. Benjamin turned around to look at his bedchamber. How grateful he was that he was now back in his own home! It was as if he had never lost his fortune, as though he had never struggled these last few weeks. Had he been at his country estate, he would not have been able to continue such an illusion but here in London that was easy enough to do.
Walking to the door, he stepped out into the hallway, meaning to make his way towards the staircase, only to turn around again. The feeling of nostalgia continued to run through his veins, filling him with a desire to step into each and every room of his townhouse, almost as if he wanted to make certain that they were all still there.
One by one, he stepped into every room of the upper floors. Many of the rooms were under dust covers, with some empty save for one or two pieces of furniture. Benjamin was grateful nonetheless, glad that he could be here.
These rooms will not stay under dust covers for long,he promised himself.When I have my fortune back, then I shall have many guests, so that we might enjoy company and good entertainment.
For the moment, however, he had to be very cautious indeed, for he could not spend any money on fripperies. Yes, he could enjoy invitations to soirees and the like, but he certainly could not afford the theatre, for example.
“If Lord Foster can find success, then I shall be able to do so also,” he reminded himself aloud. “Soon, I shall be able to have guests residing with me once more.”
Opening the door to the final guest bedchamber, he stepped inside, expecting to only glance around the room and then remove himself from it. Instead, his eyes caught on something - or, he realized, someone- who appeared to be lying in the bed itself. Was there someone present in his house whom the staff had not told him of? Did he have a guest already? Some cousin or relative?
Clearing his throat loudly, he waited for the figure to move, but they did not. A sudden fear caught him, rolling around in the pit of his stomach. Whoever this was, had they come into his house to find a sickbed for themselves when they had none? Or was this someone he knew, seeking to take advantage of him?
Steeling himself, Benjamin made his way towards the bed. He had no intention of simply allowing this person to remain as they were, relative or otherwise. Dark hair streamed out across the pillow and, after a moment, he saw her chest rise and fall in sleep.She is not dead, then.
Clearing his throat again, he looked down and waited, but she did not open her eyes – just as a sudden flare of recognition shot through his chest.
