Sudbury was the only one who knew the true reason Ben refused to take a wife. He never breathed a word to Prudence. If she knew her brother planned on returning to the battlefield she’d never get over it and she’d make his life a living hell trying to stop him.
“What about it?” Ben raised his brow at him. “I don’t plan on taking Miss Ramsey as my wife.”
“Your bed then.”
Ben glared at him. They had known each other since they were boys of eight, when their fathers were friends. He’d been visiting Sudbury when he learned of his parents’ murder by the Jacobites. They’d remained friends and even fought side by side on the battlefield. Sudbury was his closest friend, but Ben didn’t want to discuss Miss Ramsey with him anymore. “That’s not your concern, brother.”
Sudbury smiled and held up his palms. He walked off without another word, and for a moment, Ben spared him another thought–one of appreciation for always knowing when to quit. Then he turned and went the other way.
“Your Grace, there you are!” his steward called out and hurried down the stairs to reach him. “Lady Prudence is turning my hair white, and not just me but the cooks, and all the servants on the estate with her extravagant plans for a ball here. Sir, have you allowed it?”
Ben nodded.
“Well then, thanks to you, I’m about to pack up and leave for Scotland to escape her.”
“Where is she now?”
“In the kitchen, ordering the cooks to prepare an array of dishes and delicacies that will surely use up half of Your Grace’s wealth.”
Changing course, Ben led the way to the kitchen. He found his sister where Stephen said she’d be, ordering the cooks to gather her list of needed ingredients.
“Prudence?” he interrupted her, straightening his spine and squaring his shoulders. “I’ll look over and approve everything you’re planning from now on.”
“Your Grace,” she said with a pleasant smile in the presence of servants, “I wouldn’t dream of burdening you with such trivial matters. I know how busy you are in your charity work for the less fortunate.”
He knew she was trying to engage him in one of her little battles. Perhaps they were battles that, like his own, she needed. Today though, he wasn’t willing to engage.
He set his hard gaze on the head cook. “Not a thing will be purchased, hunted, or traded on her list unless it bears my seal. Understood?”
“What do you mean?” she practically screeched. “You have no idea what it costs to host a ball, Benjamin!”
“Prudence,” he said in a low voice. “If you insist on spending every pence I have, you’ll add Sudbury to the list of eligible bachelors. Since he is one.
She went pale. He knew she had her own eyes on his unfortunate best friend. After shooting him a murderous glare, she stormed off.
“Thank you, Sir,” Stephen said reverently.
Ben held his wrists behind his back and stared at his steward. “Next time, do as she says and don’t involve me.”
Stephen nodded obediently but looked as if he wanted to say more.
“You take each of her demands and decide which are feasible and which are not.” At the last, he motioned casting things away over his shoulder.
This time when Stephen nodded, he smiled.
Ben was led away next by Lieutenant Frenton of his private army. Frenton fought alongside Ben at the Battle of Blenheim in Germany. “I’ve returned from scouting the surrounding towns and burghs. No one recalls a woman running or hiding from any man, but…” He quirked his mouth and shook his head.
“But? Tell me.”
“I went as far as Ipswich,” the lieutenant continued. “A few folks in Belstead claimed to have witnessed a woman appearing before their eyes.”
He wasn’t there…and then he was.Ben remembered Miss Ramsey’s story.
“She asked them where she was, and…” Frenton paused to laugh. “...what year they were in.”
“What year?” Ben asked, trying not to sound as if he was more familiar with this matter.
“They didn’t have a chance to question her further because she became hysterical and ran off. An instant later they claim a man appeared out of nowhere and demanded to know which way she went. They gave him the wrong direction, and then they too ran off.” The lieutenant gave him a sheepish smile. “I didn’t think it credible, and didn’t know if I should waste your time telling you.”
