Benedict's Challenge - Carole Mortimer Page 0,37

the mistake of thinking there is so much more to you than young Jimmy from the slums of London.”

“Finkin’ so won’t cost ya nuffin’, guvna,” Jimmy taunted in the Cockney cant.

Benedict not only appreciated but understood the challenge in the younger man’s tone. For whatever reason, for many years Jimmy had needed to live on his wits alone, and he had done so by merging himself into the slums and street gangs of London, to such a degree he had become the head of one of them. But his was a gang of young men that protected and cared for those less fortunate than themselves, making Jimmy a modern-day Robin Hood, as Benedict had once heard Gabriel refer to the younger man.

Benedict bent over as he stood to cross the carriage and step down onto the road outside before turning to give the young man a respectful bow. “We will talk again once we reach London, my Lord James Charles Malcolm Metford, the rightful Earl of Ipswich.”

Chloe could see Jimmy was struck dumb at Benedict’s use of the name she had only just learned was Jimmy’s true one. No doubt Benedict had learned the same truth from Julius Soames.

She wondered what else the earl had been able to relate to Benedict as a result of his investigations.

Chapter Thirteen

“Feeling warmer?”

Chloe was feeling much better after sitting at the table in the small dining room at Winter House to eat the hot food Benedict had promised her and Jimmy once they arrived back in London. She had been surprised when Benedict and Julius Soames had sat down and joined them for the heartening meal of beef stew and lovely doughy dumplings.

As evidence the two gentlemen had not eaten their dinner before leaving the Winter estate earlier?

Considering the two men had caught up with the carriage within sight of London, Chloe realized they could not have had time to eat dinner before following them.

She smiled at Benedict. “Much, thank you.”

Jimmy’s expression was affable from having a full belly as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m going to miss the delicious meals prepared by your cooks, both here and in Surrey.”

“Is my cook’s ability in the kitchen the only thing you will miss about Surrey?” Benedict prompted gently.

Color stained Jimmy’s cheeks. “I obviously also regret not being able to make my farewells to Lady Beatrix before leaving,” he acknowledged gruffly.

Benedict nodded. “I am sure my sister will understand, once you have explained yourself.”

The younger man’s jaw tightened. “I will not be returning to Surrey, so there will be no opportunity for me to explain myself.”

“Oh, I think there will,” Benedict drawled. “I confess to not always being aware of the emotions of others.” He gave Julius and Jimmy a scowling glance after they had both snorted their tacit agreement with this statement. “But I believe,” he continued firmly, “that I am able to tell when my own sister’s emotions have become engaged. And when that regard is returned,” he added with a pointed glance toward Jimmy.

Jimmy pushed his chair back noisily as he rose to his feet. “Then you also know that such feelings are impossible in my present circumstances.”

“Do I?” Benedict regarded him. “If it transpires that the two of you do have serious feelings for each other, then I do not believe I would object to the match even if you were to choose to remain as Jimmy Brown. Fortuitously, my estate manager will be retiring in six months, enough time for him to train you into taking over that role, if you wished to do so.”

Jimmy stared at him as if he were insane. “You would give your sister’s hand in marriage to a mere estate manager?”

“If that estate manager was you, yes,” Benedict confirmed without hesitation. “Because you are not a mere anything. Whatever guise you choose, you have proven yourself to be loyal and true in both of them, not just to me, but to those in the slums who rely on you, and also to Gabriel and Victory. Men like you are rare, James Brown. I do not make friends easily, but I would be honored if you now allowed me to name you as one of them.”

Jimmy gave a stiff bow. “As long as the honor is reciprocated.”

Benedict nodded. “It is.”

Chloe could see that Jimmy was visibly moved by Benedict’s warm declaration of friendship. Moreover, Benedict had given his approval to a match between his sister and the younger man, whether he be James Brown or