Page 25 of Indecent
“I considered it,” Logan said. “But then Mrs. Logan threatened me if I did. She said you needed to rest. If I can give you one piece of advice about marriage, it’s that you should listen to your wife. Especially if she threatens you.”
Bennet laughed softly. “What did she say?”
“That she wouldn’t make my favorite kidney pie.” He grimaced as if she’d actually threatened bodily harm. “Come, to the back of the stable, where your coach was parked.”
Was.
“Well, I suppose it’s still parked there,” Logan said with another grimace.
Bennet followed him. “I confess I came in to see it yesterday. It’s as you said.”Irreparable.
“I feel as if it’s my fault.” Logan shook his head. “It was in my stable.”
“That’s nonsense.” Bennet stared at the wreckage where the roof had caved onto the coach, squashing it. “I’m sorry your stable was so badly damaged—none of us escaped the wrath of the storm, it seems.”
“What will you do without a coach?” Logan asked.
“Not elope.” Bennet smiled then noted the distress in Logan’s features. “It’s all right. Lady Prudence and I have discussed it. She’ll return to London as soon as possible. Ah, her family knows we planned to wed. I will try to get a special license instead.” He’d need to tell Prudence about these lies.
“I’m so sorry your plans were ruined. Aren’t you going to return to London with her?”
Hell, he should. A youngladyoughtn’t be traveling about on her own. “It depends on the transport we arrange.”
Furthermore, Bennet had begun to wonder if he should go to Aberforth Place instead of London. He might do better trying to find an heiress in Bath. London would likely be rife with the gossip of his destitution. But he’d be more likely to find a bride in London. It was a bloody conundrum.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Logan said with determination. “I promise we’ll get her ladyship back to London as soon as possible. I don’t know if the road will be better by tomorrow, but certainly Wednesday, provided the rain stays away.”
“I appreciate your support,” Bennet said. “Now, I’ve distracted you long enough from your work. How can I help?”
After a few hours of grueling work, Bennet went inside with the others. As with yesterday, Mrs. Logan insisted he take his meal in the common room with Prudence. He sank into the chair as yesterday’s exhaustion coupled with today’s efforts weighed him down.
“You look rather spent,” Prudence commented as she poured him some tea.
“I’m all right.” He picked up the cup, eager for the warmth of the brew. “Thank you.”
“Did you make this bread?” he asked as he picked up a slice from the plate in the middle of the table.
“I did. It’s good to know I can probably find work as a housekeeper if I’m unable to be a companion anymore.”
He flinched. “Don’t say that. Of course you’ll be able to be a companion.”
“I hope so. I plan to go directly to Lord Lucien’s when I get to London. I assume I will no longer be needed as Lady Cassandra’s companion. Hopefully he can find something else for me.”
“What do you plan to tell him?”
“That I eloped and then changed my mind. It’s simple and the only thing that makes sense given the note you wrote.”
Bennet exhaled, setting his cup down. “Why you are so friendly to me after that idiocy will forever remain a mystery.”
“You made a mistake. Haven’t we all done that?”
“A mistake is forgetting to thank your hostess or dropping a glass of champagne in the middle of a ballroom. This was a catastrophe.” He cocked his head. “Are you thinking of a particular mistake of your own?” Was that why she’d forgiven him? Had she done something for which she’d wanted to be forgiven?
“No.” Had she answered too quickly? “I just think our time in this life is too short to worry over things we can’t change. Better to make the best of it and get on.”
He couldn’t argue with that even if he struggled to do it himself. It was hard to make the best of something that hung over your head like an executioner’s axe.
They ate their stew, and Bennet was grateful for her quiet company.
