Page 43 of Inventing Vivian

“Thank you, sir.”

The older man grunted, shifting in his seat. “Heard about the tuffle with the boy and your fountain. He’s a handful, that one. Keeps his poor mother on her toes.” The man shook his head, but there was fondness in his eyes as he looked across the room at Chester.

“It was simply an accident,” Benedict said. “No harm done. And I enjoyed meeting Chester and Miss Kirby.”

He studied Benedict again. “You and your friend have been good to the lad. Prattles on all day about kung fu.” He stroked a finger over his mustache. “Boys need a strong role model, and with his father dead and me...” He motioned to his legs. “I’m not much help with an active boy. I’m grateful to you and to Mr. Li for showing kindness to him.”

The two men looked across the room as he spoke, watching as Chester held open Zhang Wei’s wide sleeve to study the embroidery on the hem.

Zhang Wei spoke in his usual calm voice, answering the boy’s questions and explaining the different images to Chester and his mother.

“It is not only children who need friends, sir,” Benedict said. He felt a swell of gratitude for Chester and his family for so readily welcoming Zhang Wei.

Footsteps sounded, and Benedict glanced toward the drawing room’s doorway.

Miss Kirby entered wearing a blue gown in the exact shade of her eyes, and a flowered brooch at her throat. Her dark hair was pulled back from her face, and thick curls hung down her back. She hesitated in the doorway for an instant, glancing back over her shoulder, perhaps at something in the passageway beyond, and when she turned back, her gaze met Benedict’s, sending a jolt through him.

He started in his chair, covering his reaction by rising.

Zhang Wei and Chester stood as well.

“At last, you are here, Vivian,” the boy said. “Now we can eat.”

“Remember your manners,” Mrs. Larsen said.

Benedict realized he was staring and glanced at Mr. Kirby, hoping the man didn’t notice him gawking at his daughter. What had come over him? The reaction must have something to do with the letters. He’d felt an intimacy with Miss Kirby through reading her words and writing to her, but he’d not realized how strongly he’d been affected until now. Was he developing an affection for the woman? The room suddenly felt hot, and he ran a finger around the inside of his collar.

“You’re here already,” Miss Kirby said, looking around the room. “I’m glad to see you, Lord Benedict, Mr. Li.” She nodded at each of the men.

“Good evening, Miss Kirby,” Benedict said. His voice sounded scratchy to his ears. He cleared his throat.

“How do you do, Miss Kirby?” Zhang Wei said.

“Mr. Li is wearinghànfú,” Chester informed her.

“You look very nice, sir,” she said, smiling. She glanced at the others. “I apologize for my tardiness.”

“Creating something brilliant and lost track of time, I assume,” Mr. Kirby said, smiling affectionately at his daughter.

She came toward him and bent down, kissing his cheek. “How are you feeling this evening, Father?”

“Well enough, well enough.” He squeezed her hand where it rested on his shoulder.

The moment was surprisingly tender, stirring Benedict’s heart. He had never known any sort of warmth from his own father.

“I’m very glad you accepted my aunt’s invitation,” Miss Kirby said, turning to Benedict. “I know you are a busy man.”

Her smile made his collar feel tight again. “Not as busy as you might think.”

“I can hardly believe that.”

Before Benedict could answer, dinner was announced.

“Shall we, then?” Mr. Kirby said. “Vivian, if you don’t mind...” He leaned forward and motioned behind him.

Miss Kirby turned a crank on the back of her father’s chair, and the seat rose, tipping forward.

The older man held on to the armrests as he was pushed into a standing position, and then he took hold of the canes on either side of him, balancing between them. Mr. Kirby had the look of a man who had once been much larger. His skin was loose, and his clothes appeared too large. But he stood straight, his head high, looking strong in spite of his shaking arms and bent legs. “Let us adjourn to the dining room.”

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