“Thank you,” he whispered.
“’Course, lad. Letter’s arrived for you too. It’s Miss Bella’s hand, Alice says.” The older man set the folded parchment between Benedict and the edge of the bed.
Benedict pushed aside his instinctive annoyance at the sight of his sister’s graceful looping scroll. He shifted with a wince before unfolding the pages.
Benedict,
Father has written. He intends to send men to see out his plan. He indicated they would use “any means necessary.”
I hope you will forgive me for informing him of your failure. I was a fool. I do not know why I thought to hope he would not stoop to such measures again. No matter what their father has done to ours, the girls do not deserve such a fate.
Please, brother, I cannot have this on my soul. I could bear anything but this.
Bella
Benedict’s heart stopped.He re-read the words once, twice, a third time before comprehension penetrated the denial of his mind.
Any means necessary.
And Eliza. His father was going to—No!
Benedict would not, could not allow it. He stumbled from the bed.
“Weston!”
He yanked a nearby shirt over his head, not caring who it belonged to or that it clung to the sticky film on his back..
Weston lurched into the room, tripping over the threshold.
“What the devil?—”
“I need the fastest horse we have. Saddled. Have Effie pack a bag. I’m for London.”
“What? Lad. You can’t?—”
“He’s planning to have her assaulted.”
“Who? Miss Bell?—”
“Eliza—my violet,” he clarified as he shucked his breeches, not caring that the other man was in the room. He yanked up a clean pair before reaching for nearby boots.
“Lad, I?—”
“Please, Weston. I need to— I cannot live with myself if she’s hurt.”
“Alright, lad. I’ll saddle the mount. Eat something substantial. Effie will ready the bag. You’ll be off in an hour. I’ll ride ahead and hire the chaise.”
“But—”
“No, you’ll not ride the entire way. You’ll get yourself killed, and for what? A chaise is fastest—even when you’re fit.”
Benedict froze as he laced his boot, feeling the shame well inside him. “I-I’ve not the funds.”
“We do, lad.”
“You do?”
“Aye, Miles treats us proper.”
