“Smile, Robbie,” a voice whispered in his ear. “You look like you want to gut the man like a fish.”
Rob frowned at the man Lucy Whitaker believed he ought to accept as his father. The old man gestured over Rob’s shoulder with a nod. “Best greet the earl civilly. Use those Paris manners of yours, or I’ll begin to think they’re a fairy story.”
Old Robert’s words were a cold-water bath, waking up his common sense. Still, Rob had to call on every diplomatic skill he had learned when he turned and faced David Caulfield, Earl of Clarion, for the first time in fifteen years.
“Benson! I heard the prodigal son had returned to Ashmead, at last,” the earl said, his expression wary.
Lucy, Rob noticed, did not take the earl’s arm. He gave a proper bow. “Lord Clarion. Welcome home. I understand you’ve been gone, as well.”
“My invitation to your father’s event reached me late. I’m glad I didn’t miss it.”
Your father.Coming from Clarion, the words cut, but what else could he say? “He is much loved here,” Rob said.
The smile Clarion turned on the old man appeared to be genuine. It almost shamed Rob. Almost.The people of this village love him. I always loved him. Until I knew he had lied about me.
“Tonight isn’t the time, Clarion, but we need to talk,” he said.
“Yes. I got your brother’s message. Ride up to Caulfield Hall, and we’ll… talk.”No promises, Rob noted. “I also have a message for you from Viscount Rockford.”
Damn. Rob started to demand Rockford’s message now.
“Tomorrow,” Clarion said, cutting him off. With nothing to say—and everything that needed saying postponed—an awkward silence fell between the two men who were, in many ways, mirror images of one another, but in other ways, continents apart. Rob dug deep into his reservoir of poise, but all he came up with was, “You must want to get home after a day of travel.”
Clarion looked as if he had been slapped. He recovered quickly. “And leave the party so soon? I think not.”
“Come, David, greet Lady Madelyn before you go,” Lucy Whitaker interjected, glaring at Rob and taking Clarion’s arm to draw him away.
Rob watched them walk away, oblivious to anyone else until Old Robert shook his head and said, “Not well done, son. Yer mother taught you better than that, even if all those fine folks in the foreign service didn’t.”
“I’m sorry. This is—” he waved a hand at the assemblage in general. “—is all a bit overwhelming after so many years. I don’t belong here.”I’m neither fish nor fowl.
“Leave now, and I’ll make your excuses to Emma, but if you fail to meet us back at the Willow for cake and gifties, she’ll have your guts for garters.”
Rob bobbed a jerky nod and left feeling like a fool, unable to decide whether to lay his anger at the feet of Robert Benson, David Caulfield, Lucy Whitaker, or his sister Emma. “The sooner I leave Ashmead, the better,” he shouted to the full moon as his long strides carried him down the coaching road toward the inn.
*
The Bensons, includingall four of the Corbin children bouncing with the brittle energy characteristic of overly tired youngsters, tumbled into the Willow after midnight. The few inn guests retreated to their rooms with jovial wishes.
Rob, who sat morosely in the dark sipping Da’s best whisky, half expected the entire village to follow. They did not. Lucy didn’t come either, which shouldn’t have disappointed him as much as it did.
Over the buzz of family chatter, Emma rhapsodized about the success of the party while she lit candles. “It’s a shame Lucy didn’t want to join us,” she said but declared herself thrilled that her older brother “looking fine as any lord in his regimentals” came and lamented that he didn’t stay. “Still, he came. ’Tis hard to predict what Robbie will do, I can tell you, and I wasn’t sure. Good he came. Having all of us together was pure joy.”
Rob almost spoke up then, but Ellis Corbin answered his wife. “I think the earl scared him off.”
“Don’t see why. Robbie’s a baronet and a war hero, to boot. The earl’s well enough, but Robbie’s the village hero,” Emma said, pride radiating from her.
Did the earl scare me away? Or too much family crowding in?Rob brooded over the matter in silence.
“The earl stayed, Emma,” Eli pointed out. “He danced with Lucy. Twice.” Rob jerked upright at that. His ears perked up while Eli continued. “Then he dragged Lady Mad out on the floor, too, and Morgan took advantage.”
“I did no such thing. Her Grace honored me with a dance.” Brynn Morgan had trailed in behind them. Though not family, his presence at the inn and as Rob’s friend made him part of the celebration.
“Honor for certain,” Emma said, continuing her way around the taproom, lighting candles. “Lady Madelyn never dances at assemblies. I think she’s shy.”
Too good for the folk, most likely, Rob thought.
“Robert Allen Benson, what are you doing in the dark?” Emma cried, spying him at last. She didn’t require a reply. “Come over and get ready for the best cake you ever tasted.”
