Drew’s grave expression never changed. “Given the severity of your mother’s condition, I understand why you wished to champion her. But when you held up her ladyship’s carriage, were you aware that highway robbery is a hanging offense?”
A sob escaped Constance, while Benjamin’s face whitened again. “Y-yes, your grace.”
“Do you believe you should go unpunished for your crimes?” Drew asked.
The boy swallowed hard. “No, your grace.”
“Then what do you think your punishment should be?”
Drew waited, his sharp green gaze steady, while Benjamin remained silent.
Roslyn found herself biting her lip in consternation. The boy didn’t deserve to hang, and she couldn’t bear the thought of him being locked away in prison, especially when he was the sole provider for his mother and young sisters. But that was what would happen if Winifred brought charges of thievery against him. From the look of fear on his face, Benjamin was aware of the consequences, as well.
“I do not know, your grace,” he finally said. “Perhaps I should hang.”
With another anguished sob, Constance held out an imploring hand. “No…please, I beg you, your grace…you cannot hang my son,
Drew cast her a softer glance. “He will not hang, Mrs. Baines.”
Her sobs arrested. “Then…what will you do?”
“I have not yet decided.” When he met Roslyn’s gaze, she understood his dilemma. They couldn’t punish the boy as he deserved, but neither could they simply walk away. Nor could they determine his fate on their own. Winifred would certainly have to be part of the decision.
“I think,” Roslyn said quietly, “that we will have to discuss the matter with Lady Freemantle. Perhaps she can be persuaded not to prosecute.”
When Drew nodded slightly in agreement, Roslyn let out a relieved breath. It was indeed possible they could persuade the kindhearted Winifred to overlook Benjamin’s crimes. And in the meantime, he was unlikely to flee to avoid arrest as long as his mother and sisters needed him so desperately. And if he did flee…it would not serve justice, but Roslyn could accept that outcome.
“Thank you, Miss Loring,” Constance murmured gratefully as, with an exhausted sigh, she lay back and shut her eyes. The trauma had sapped what little strength she had.
Turning to bend over his mother, Benjamin clasped her hand tightly. “Please, your grace…Miss Loring,” he said over his shoulder, only this time making it a request. “You need to leave. You can arrest me if you want, but leave my mother alone. She had naught to do with my attempted thefts, and she is too ill to be subjected to further distress.”
Knowing he was right, Roslyn reached into her reticule and drew out all the money she had with her-three guineas and several shillings and pence-and held the coins out to Benjamin. “Here, this should allow you to send for a doctor.”
“No,” Drew intervened, “I will have a physician attend Mrs. Baines this afternoon.”
Roslyn nodded in relief, knowing Drew would be able to command the best possible care for the sick woman. But she continued to hold out the money. “Take this, Benjamin. You can use it to buy food for your mother and sisters.”
Benjamin’s mouth dropped open, but he refused to accept her offering, out of pride, she suspected. “Th-thank you, Miss Loring…but we do not want your charity.” He glanced down at his mother. “I brought you a mutton pie, Mama, and some bread and cheese for the girls.” Then he lifted his gaze again. “I can take care of my family.”
Drew stepped in again, taking Roslyn’s money and laying it on the bedside table. “You will accept it as a loan then, lad, until you get the funds that rightfully belong to you.”
“Funds?” Constance whispered.
“I intend to deal with Farnaby and ensure that Sir Rupert’s bequest to you is finally awarded, Mrs. Baines.”
Benjamin’s jaw dropped open, while Constance burst into tears, much to the alarm of her son. He looked at them frantically, clearly imploring them to leave the room, but his mother managed to find her voice.
“Thank you, your grace…I don’t care for myself…but my girls…my children…”
“Don’t concern yourself any longer, Mrs. Baines,” he answered. “You have my word that they will be cared for. For now you need to rest. We will show ourselves out.”
When Roslyn and Drew left the bedchamber, they found Constance’s young daughters huddled together in a chair, looking fearful. But both girls leapt to their feet and proffered polite curtsies. They had obviously been taught exquisite manners by their mother, despite their dire circumstances.
“Your mama is resting now,” Roslyn said softly. “But a doctor will be here shortly to try and help her get well.”
Their faces brightened a little before they scurried toward the bedchamber and tiptoed inside.
Sadness tugging at her heart, Roslyn remained silent until she and Drew were alone in the corridor. “We have to tell Winifred,” she said then. “As much as I regret having to cause her pain, she will want to know about Benjamin.”
“I’ll accompany you to Freemantle Park,” Drew responded, “and we will tell her together.”
When they reached the street, he sent his tiger home with his curricle, along with instructions for his secretary to have his personal physician be brought here at once to attend Mrs. Baines’s sickbed. After ordering to his coachman to take them to Chiswick, Drew handed Roslyn inside the carriage and climbed in to sit across from her.
“Did you mean it, Drew?” she asked once they were moving. “You will take on Farnaby and make him pay Mrs. Baines what he owes her?”
Drew’s jaw hardened. “It will be my great pleasure.”
“I hope it will be soon so she can move to better lodgings. She will die if she continues to suffer those appalling conditions.” Roslyn grimaced at the recollection. “I mean to have the Simpkins bring them some nourishing meals, and perhaps clean the lane of that stench.”
“Let my servants handle it,” Drew said tersely. “Mine are much closer, and it would be inconvenient for yours to come such a distance.”
“Thank you. That is very kind of you.”
“It isn’t kindness. Merely justice.”
Roslyn fell awkwardly silent, realizing that this was the first time she had been alone with Drew since their angry parting. But judging from his stony features, she was right to think that he was relieved to be freed from their betrothal.
There was nothing loverlike at all about his demeanor. Indeed his expression was grim, even angry. Perhaps because he was contemplating how he would compel the crooked solicitor to honor his obligations.
Roslyn was grateful to Drew for his involvement and glad he would be there with her to break the distressing news to Winifred, even if she regretted having to make the drive to the country in his company.
When she caught his gaze focused on her, however, Roslyn shifted hers away to stare out the window. She wouldn’t think about Drew now. Not when she should be determining what to say to Winifred.
Perhaps she should ask her friend to return the brooch to Constance. She hadn’t mentioned the idea earlier, so as not to raise any false hopes. But it would mean a great deal to Constance and provide a small measure of consolation if she was dying of her grave illness.
Roslyn felt her throat tighten as she thought of the woman’s terrible plight. Yet it hadn’t always been that way. Indeed, some of her past was enviable. Perhaps Constance had not had a legitimate marriage with Sir Rupert, but she had known the joy of true love. And she had three children whom she clearly cherished and who cherished her.
Something Roslyn herself might never have.
Realizing how selfish it was to wallow in self-pity at a time like this, Roslyn forcibly swallowed the ache in her throat. Yet she couldn’t help but be reminded of her long-held belief.
Constance’s sad story was just more proof that men generally loved their mistresses, not their wives- although she was not about to interrupt Drew’s grim silence to point out that distressing truth to him.
