been terrified they’d take her shirt and pants, too.
“Good lord! Robbing a post boy,” he said, getting to the weak point in her story quickly.
“Yes, not too wise. They weren’t too happy with such a measly haul.” And that was the lie in the story. Her robbers had been elated by what they’d found in Benna’s valise.
“A dangerous job,” he said, shaking his head.
“To be honest, living closely with other post boys was far more dangerous than any highwayman.”
“You are quite an impressive young woman.”
Benna snorted. “Because I can ride a coach horse, once almost delivered the mail, and have been robbed twice?” She turned to meet his gaze. “What I’ve done—the dangers I’ve navigated—are nothing to the perils that serving wenches and female servants have to face daily.”
“Yes, there is some truth to what you say,” the earl agreed. “Life is not easy for women of any order, but most certainly not the servant class. But, no, I didn’t say you were impressive because of your equestrian skills—although you have a better seat than anyone I’ve ever met—male or female.”
His words warmed her, and she had to look away from his appreciative gaze.
“What I meant was that I admire your stoicism. You have not chosen an easy path in life and yet you do not appear bitter or unhappy.”
She was glad that was how he viewed her, but the truth was far less impressive. How often, especially during those early months, had the enormity of what lay before her threatened to crush her? How many times, in the depths of despair, had she considered taking an easier way out of her troubles?
Especially the weeks after Geoff had turned traitor on her?
No, those days were better forgotten.
And yet even with all the pain, fear, and hardship there was no denying that her life had been filled with fascinating experiences, most of which she never would have had if she’d remained sequestered at Wake House.
“I suppose if I’d wanted a more, er, traditional life, I might be less content with my lot,” Benna finally said.
“And here I have dragooned you into working with mountains of tedious paperwork—not exactly exciting.”
“I liked working outside but you were right, my lord—it was simply too physically grueling. Besides, there is so much that needs to be done in the house that even a single day’s work yields progress, which is satisfying in its own way.”
“I’m glad you can find some fulfillment. I’ve always been dreadful with accounts and business matters, myself.”
“Did you not have a great deal of such work as a doctor?”
“I kept detailed records on patients, of course, but that wasn’t unpleasant like the management of a vast estate.” He snorted. “Listen to me—whining about my lot in life. As bad as this situation is, there are thousands of people who would trade places with me in an instant.”
“That might be true, but the fact that others might envy you doesn’t make an unpleasant situation any more palatable.”
He grinned at her, the sight so rare and stunning it almost knocked her off her horse. “I appreciate your outlook—no doubt because it excuses my sniveling.”
“I believe it is your turn, my lord,” she reminded him.
He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Very well. But I warn you, the life of a country doctor is not particularly interesting, although it is very busy. I was the only doctor for miles around Trentham so in that way our jobs were similar because I spent a good deal of time on horseback.”
“And that is where you met Mrs. Worth—at Trentham?”
“Yes. She was Countess of Trentham.”
“Did you live there a long time?”
“A little over five years. I moved there from Manchester.” He smiled faintly, his profile to her. “It was … quite a change,” he said, almost to himself.
“I heard Mr. Fielding once call you Doctor Venable.”
“That was my courtesy title—Viscount Venable. My brother asked that I not disgrace the family name of Crewe, so I used Venable.”
They rode for a moment in silence, and Benna wondered if he regretted having spoken so candidly to a mere servant. Certainly those few words had told her a great deal about his relationship with his dead brother.
He turned and caught her staring. It didn’t seem to matter how much she saw him, she never tired of looking at him.
“Tell me, er, Ben, I know you said your father’s landlord wished to marry you, but did you leave behind no particular beau?”
“No, my lord, there was nobody. There has not been a great