A Question of Class by Julia Tagan

Author:Julia Tagan [Tagan, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2014-05-04T21:00:00+00:00

12

The ships docked at Bridgeport’s harbor brought back memories both pleasant and painful to Benjamin. He was energized by the sailors busy at work on the vessels and the flurry of activity dockside. Part of him loved the sea and being removed from civilization’s constraints. But the work onboard grew tedious, and the days became desolate and repetitive after several weeks or months. Still, the ocean had been his home for many years after he’d fled Haiti, and part of him ached to take to the water. The more time he spent with Catherine, the more he wondered what his master plan was all about. Delcour was a fool and a coward. But so many thoughts of Catherine filled Benjamin’s head they crowded out the ruminations that had kept him up deep into the night the past two decades, imagining his revenge.

Catherine was a complete enigma to Benjamin. Even now, when she was angry with him, her eyes were bright and lovely. He could sense her anticipation at seeing her sister once more and her skin glowed in the morning light. He wished she would look at him, but she refused. If only he’d handled things better beside the river.

Overwhelmed by the sight of her body, and her bare skin, he had desired her more than anyone. And then he’d ruined it. He had somehow said the wrong thing, but he was exhausted from the drive and right now all he wanted was to find an inn as soon as possible and sleep for several hours. Otherwise he wouldn’t be able to think clearly when he needed to.

“There’s an inn a little further down this road,” she said. “Go left at the fork.”

Benjamin followed her directions and pulled up in front of a three-story building with a long front porch lined with several mismatched chairs.

“I’ll go inside and tell them I’m your servant and we need two rooms,” he said. “Be sure to act the part. We don’t want to raise suspicions.”

The proprietor barely glanced at Benjamin as he registered under false names. He went back outside, extended his hand to help Catherine down from the carriage and escorted her inside.

“I do appreciate your help,” she said to the proprietor. He was an older man with spectacles on the end of his rather bulbous nose. “Is there any way I can get some breakfast sent to my room? I’m hungry after the long journey.”

“Of course, ma’am. I’ll have the cook send up coffee and rolls. Is there anything else you need?”

“No.” She turned to Benjamin. “I’m going upstairs to freshen up. Make sure the horses are attended to.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a curt nod.

“And be sure to freshen up yourself. You are rather ripe.”

The proprietor stifled a laugh.

“Of course, ma’am,” Benjamin muttered under his breath.

He went back outside, but not before hearing her complain in a loud voice to the proprietor about how difficult it was to find manservants of even average intelligence.

The horses were exhausted, and Benjamin arranged to have them settled in stalls with hay and water.

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