Page 66 of Inventing Vivian

Chapter 17

Your Lordship,

By now you may already know that I did not attend the opening day of the International Exhibition of Industry and Science.

I am so sorry to have disappointed yourself and Professor Wallis, especially after the kindness and generosity you offered me.

Because the reasons for my absence involve not only myself, I cannot provide for you an explanation, but you must believe that I would not miss the exhibition if another option existed. While entering the exhibition has been my dream for many years, I could not live with myself if I abandoned my friends in their hour of crisis.

I fully understand if you choose to end our correspondence after today. But I should like you to know how much I have enjoyed your letters and how saddened I am to miss the chance to meet you.

Again, I am so very sorry, my lord.

Miss Vivian Kirby

Benedict stared at the letter. In his worry for Zhang Wei, he’d completely forgotten the exhibition. His stomach churned as he imagined Miss Kirby’s disappointment, and at the same time, he felt something else. A surety that this woman was every bit the person he’d believed her to be. Any doubts he’d harbored about whether he could truly be in love with Miss Vivian Kirby were extinguished.

The drawing room clock struck ten, and at the same moment, the bell sounded. Benedict tucked the letter away quickly, hiding it on a stool beneath the tea table, then stood as Mr. Thomas showed Inspector Graham, Lady Sophronia, and Miss Kirby into the room.

Benedict’s insides tumbled over one another when he saw Miss Kirby. Her eyes were red with dark smudges beneath them, and she carried a small crate. She shook her head when Mr. Thomas offered to take it from her, and instead, she set it carefully on the floor beside the wall.

“Thank you for coming,” Benedict said. He introduced his man of business to the others and invited the company to be seated. Lady Sophronia and Inspector Graham sat on the small settee, and Mr. Thomas took a chair across from them. Miss Kirby sat on the sofa facing the hearth, and Benedict sat beside her.

“It seems the entire company is here,” he said. “Shall we begin—?”

“Mr. Barnaby hasn’t arrived yet,” Miss Kirby interrupted.

“Mr. Barnaby?”

“A friend of mine,” she said. “He’s agreed to help us. I... I should let him explain the details.”

“And he’s coming this morning?” Benedict asked. He tamped down the bitter taste in his throat. This was hardly the time for petty jealousy. But he could not help but wonder at the nature of Miss Kirby’s friendship with the man.

“Yes,” Miss Kirby said, glancing toward the doorway. “I thought he’d be here by now.”

“I hope he didn’t change his mind,” Lady Sophronia said.

“He’ll come.” Miss Kirby leaned her elbow against the sofa arm and rubbed her eyes.

“Are you well, Miss Kirby?” Benedict asked.

“Yes.” She spoke without opening her eyes. “Just tired.”

“Shall I send for tea? What would help?”

“No, thank you.” She sat up and straightened her shoulders. “Truly, I am well, my lord.” She gave a smile, glancing at him, but instead of looking away, her eyes locked with his, and he saw something tender in her gaze. A question, or perhaps a hope. Benedict’s heart pounded so forcefully that he felt the drumming in his toes. The air between them felt warm. He slid his hand toward her.

The bell rang, its sound spoiling the moment and making him startle.

Vivian looked toward the doorway, and she rose when two men entered.

Benedict rose as well, surprised to see a man in carriage livery, and the other... the smaller man was nearly indescribable. He had a hunched back and shrewd eyes that darted about suspiciously. The man wore such an assemblage of colorful mismatched clothing that he looked as if he had walked down a road, indiscriminately taken articles of clothing from every person he saw, and added them to his ensemble. Benedict could only stare.

Vivian went up to him directly and smiled. “Mr. Barnaby, good morning. Please allow me to present you to Lord Covington.”

Mr. Barnaby swept a tall hat with a colorful feather from his head and bowed. “Pleasure, Yer Lordship.”

“The pleasure is mine, sir,” Benedict said, relieved to see only a friendliness in the exchange between Miss Kirby and the man. “I am indebted to you for your assistance in this matter.”

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