The Lonely Duke Waited Months for His Bride — Then She Arrived With His Missing Son
Chapter 14
Theme:
Font Size:
24px
"Of course. Gratitude can resemble affection, Your Grace, especially when the benefactor has so much to gain." Dacre produced the lease, his signature line marked. "Your solicitors may argue for months over timber," he said. "The note will still mature in weeks. Meanwhile, your mill hands cannot be paid on promises, and the families below the watercourse will remember who refused the practical arrangement."Benedict looked at the page, but did not take it. The deadline was real."You have told me what happens if I refuse," Benedict said. "You have not explained why your price is fair.""Fairness is a word employed by men who can afford delay.""Then you have misjudged both my finances and my patience."After Dacre left, Benedict faced what the ledger meant: he might need to risk his private securities to keep the mill operating.He underestimated Dacre's gossip. That evening, Honoria told Marian her intentions were being questioned; the phrase used was that she had won her place by rescuing the heir. She remembered Benedict listing her usefulness when she asked whether he would want her without it, and a cold doubt entered the warmth she had come to trust.Benedict believed silence would starve the gossip. Marian wondered whether silence meant he could not contradict it. Neither spoke plainly; their fears filled the silence.At the mill, Finch showed Benedict the empty wage ledger for the week. No one had demanded charity; the men wanted their work returned. Benedict took the list to his desk and marked the date on which the replacement lender expected his answer. Each day without an answer would cost something that could not simply be entered as a number.The charitable gathering on the 13th of September was held in the parish assembly room, where Lady Honoria had persuaded half the neighborhood to contribute to families affected by the flooding. Marian helped distribute blankets and arrange a table of books for auction. She was relieved to have useful work, then caught herself and deliberately stepped back to enjoy a moment of conversation.Dacre approached when Benedict had been detained at the entrance by the rector."Miss Whitlock," he said pleasantly. "You have become indispensable to Harrowmere in a remarkably brief time.""I have been fortunate to meet kind people.""Fortunate indeed. Not every young lady with limited prospects finds herself the rescuer of a duke's son, and so soon afterward of the duke himself."The room had quieted around them. Marian met his eyes. "If you wish to praise the people who helped at the mills, Sir Percival, I shall gladly give you their names. There were several, and none acted for advantage.""I meant no offense.""Then I am happy to correct the misunderstanding."Benedict arrived in time to hear the last exchange. He told Dacre that insinuations against an honored guest were unwelcome. The baronet bowed and moved away, satisfied that half the room had heard enough.A well-meaning neighbor asked Benedict whether the parish might soon celebrate happier news at Harrowmere. Still angered by Dacre's attack, Benedict replied that an announcement concerning the household's future might indeed be forthcoming. He meant to protect Marian from uncertainty; instead, he offered an expectation he had never discussed with her.