The Last Man in London

by Emma V. Leech

  “No,” she said, though there was laughter in her voice.

  “Oh, I see,” he replied, feeling a tad indignant even if he knew she was joking. If a fellow was to become a helpless sap at the mercy of his wife, it would be nice to know she was equally caught up.

  Dinah laughed and moved closer, pressing her lips to his. “Don’t pout,” she scolded, her eyes alight with affection. “The only reason I didn’t miss you was because I was dreaming about you.”

  “Oh.”

  She laughed at the smile he knew was now plastered to his face.

  “Good answer,” he added, feeling relieved and somewhat smug. He pulled her closer until their bodies were flush. “What were you dreaming about?” he asked as his body stirred once more.

  A little flush tinged her cheeks and she lowered her lashes, those little white teeth worrying at her lower lip in a manner designed to get his undivided attention.

  “Well, I think perhaps … I should show you,” she murmured, pushing him onto his back and kissing a path down over his chest.

  “Yes,” Ben agreed with alacrity, his heart leaping as he looked down at her, blonde curls falling over his skin in a decadent wave as her head moved down his body. “Yes, a splendid idea. I certainly think … think … oh, yes …”

  ***

  The early hours of the morning found them sitting up in bed with a tray of bread and cheese and cold meat spread before them. Dinah, ever practical, had not thought starving to death in each other’s arms the least bit romantic, so they had ordered a tray at around nine in the evening. It had only taken them a further four hours to get to it. Pretty good going, in Ben’s estimation.

  Ben looked over at Dinah. Her blonde curls were in complete disarray, her mouth swollen and her cheeks rather red from his stubble, which was always heavy and by this time of night quite apparent. He wondered if she would insist on him shaving before he took her again to save her delicate skin. She frowned a little, picking the piece of bread she was eating into small pieces and placing them on her plate with a distracted air.

  “What is it, love?” he asked, worried at the concern creasing her brow. She looked up then, her face clearing, though anxiety still lingered in her eyes.

  “Nothing,” she began until she saw the rather stern look in Ben’s eyes and huffed out a breath. “Very well, not nothing, but I wasn’t going to speak about it right now,” she said, her tone amused. “I’m not keeping secrets and I shan’t, so don’t look so anxious.”

  “It’s you that’s looking anxious,” Ben replied, his tone mild as he poured himself a glass of wine.

  “I’m worried about Joe,” she said, and now Ben understood the concern in her eyes. “I’ve always been a part of his life, you see, and now …” She hesitated, and Ben waited, suspecting he knew what the problem was before she spoke. “He thinks I’m this grand lady now and I’m worried that he’ll keep his distance. That he’ll feel he’s not welcome here and …” She looked up, but the words stopped, and Ben knew he’d been right. He held out his hand to her, squeezing the fingers as she placed her own within it.

  “Joe has been a father to you and …” Ben gave a wry smile before he continued. “And in his own way, he’s welcomed me and helped this happen. I can never repay him for that. So, if you think that I won’t make him welcome here, or hope to remove him from your life, you are very much mistaken.”

  “Oh, Ben!” Ben snatched his glass and the decanter off the tray before they toppled over as Dinah lunged for him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. “You are such a wonderful man. I just knew I could rely on you.”

  Ben chuckled and twisted in her grasp, placing decanter and glass on the bedside table with difficulty before returning her embrace. Her eyes grew serious once more, however, and he sighed.

  “Now what?” he demanded as her worries seemed ever more pressing.

  “Your family won’t like it.”

  “Stuff my family,” he replied, meaning it. “I’ve decided to make a deal of changes to my life, none of which the Earl of Dreighton is going to like one little bit. He can only disinherit me once, however, so there’s really nothing more to worry about. At least I won’t have to endure his bloody lectures every damn time he’s displeased with me.”

  Dinah looked at him, those clear blue eyes so intense that he felt like she could see through him and read his very soul. “Are you sure you don’t mind? Just a little, at least?”

  Ben shrugged, knowing there was no point in brushing it off and dismissing the question. She knew him too well by now. “No one wants to be thought a disappointment, love,” he said, the words heavy. “Everyone wants their family to be supportive and proud, but mine has never been that. If they can’t find it in them to be pleased that I’m finally happy and settled, then … I don’t want them in my life.” He grew silent, knowing it wasn’t quite that simple. He didn’t care so much about the money but being cut off from his only kin was hurtful, even though he’d not waste regrets over never seeing Dreighton again. Will, though, if he cut him off, too - and Dreighton would force the issue that was for certain – well, that would hurt.

  Dinah hugged him, kissing his cheek in a silent show of empathy and understanding that made him know he would never regret the decision he’d made. He removed the tray and swept any lingering crumbs from the bed before getting back in and pulling Dinah against him.

  “Get some rest,” he said, kissing her curls as she sighed and snuggled into him. “I intend to wake you very early indeed.”

  He heard a sleepy chuckle and listened with content as her breathing grew heavy and she fell asleep in his arms.

  ***

  “Oh, Ben! That was the worst yet.” Dinah laughed at him, shaking her head as Ben huffed with annoyance.

  “Well, dammit, Dinah,” he retorted, throwing the cards on the table in disgust. “I don’t see how you do it. I feel like I need another five fingers to even attempt it.” Ben folded his arms, a little aggrieved. He’d asked Dinah to teach him some of her tricks, just out of interest and so he could spot if someone else was fuzzing the cards. He hadn’t the slightest intention of using such methods for real. It was, however, far harder than he’d imagined.

  “You’ve got such big hands, darling,” Dinah said, her voice sympathetic as she soothed his ego, though there was laughter dancing in her eyes. “It’s hard for you to be as nimble as me.”

  Ben grunted, a little mollified if not entirely soothed. “Joe can do it,” he grumbled, folding his arms. “And he’s got hands like bloody meat cleavers.”

  Dinah smothered a snort of laughter and Ben glowered a little.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, not looking sorry in the least. “But Joe learned these tricks practically from the cradle. You can’t expect to pick it up in the course of a couple of afternoons.

  “I suppose not,” Ben allowed, still feeling frustrated. He hated it when he couldn’t pick something up with ease. Too much like hard work. “Where is the fellow anyway? Shouldn’t he be here by now?”

  Dinah looked up at the clock and frowned. “Yes, he ought to be. I do hope he hasn’t changed his mind again.”

  Ben found he hoped so, too. Joe had reacted just as Dinah had feared he would. He didn’t like to come to the house to visit her, worrying he would tarnish her reputation and cause trouble. The only time he had come, at their insistence, he’d arrived by the tradesmen’s entrance, which only made matters worse.

  They had only been married ten days, but Ben could tell it was weighing on Dinah’s mind. He hoped, however, that the idea which had kept him awake for the past few nights would make life easier. Anything that could keep him awake during the hours he wasn’t making love to his wife had to be quite staggeringly important. Married life was wonderful but when he couldn’t keep his hands from the lovely creature he was now sharing his life with, it was also rather exhausting. Not that he was complaining.

  In truth, he found he was excited, all of a buzz to tel
l both Joe and Dinah of his plans and get things happening. He’d not said anything to Dinah yet, wanting Joe to see her reaction to his idea, too. He had a fair idea of what she would say, he could not believe she would ever be anything but supportive, but if Joe saw her reaction was genuine … Well, he hoped that things would work out rather nicely. If only Joe would get it through his thick head he was welcome.

  Tommy and Owen had visited yesterday, which had pleased them both, but there had been few letters of congratulations on their nuptials. One that had made Ben very happy had been a long letter full of warmth and genuine happiness for him from August Bright, Baron Marchmain. August had invited them both to stay with them in Newmarket for Christmas. Both August and Patience, and their stud business, were going from strength to strength, and Ben could not have been happier for them. He found he was looking forward to seeing them both again and to introducing Dinah to them with real pleasure.

  He’d had a cold and brief missive from Dreighton, once the news of their marriage had become public, confirming he wanted nothing more to do with Ben. Dreighton would cut him from the family. Ben would no longer be able to draw on the family’s funds and he could expect to be cut in public if he dared to try to speak to his brother again. The letter had been burned before Dinah could see it.

  They looked up as a knock at the door sounded and Frost came in, announcing, “Lord Fitzwilliam Lancaster, my lord.”

  Ben got to his feet, startled by the visit from his brother. He’d begun to give up hope of hearing from him, assuming he’d taken Dreighton’s side in the matter, not that he’d be given a lot of choice. Ben wondered why he was here now, however, and felt himself tense and move to stand in front of Dinah in case they exchanged hard words. He exhaled as he saw the warmth in Will’s eyes, and the prettily wrapped parcel he was carrying.

  “Ben,” Will said, smiling at him as he crossed the room and shook his hand. “I hope you’ll forgive me for my tardiness. I was in Hertfordshire when I heard the news, I only came back to town this morning.”

  “Then you are indeed forgiven,” Ben replied, shaking his brother’s hand with warmth. “It means a great deal that you are here at all, I assure you.”

  Will nodded and patted Ben’s shoulder in a big brotherly manner that made Ben feel ridiculously emotional. If he didn’t get a grip on his new found sensitive side soon, he’d crying over kittens or something equally humiliating. “I know you think I’m crashing bore and far too willing to toe the line, but I’d never turn my back on you. No matter what, surely you know that?”

  Ben cleared his throat rather loudly and took a minute before he replied. “Honestly, Will? No, I didn’t know, but I’m glad I do now. I … I appreciate your visit more than I can say.”

  Will nodded, looking pleased if rather unsettled by all this talk of feelings, as any right-minded English gentleman would. Ben felt rather anxious that they could no longer apply the term to him, but it was a small price.

  “Now then, are you going to introduce me to your lovely wife properly at last?” he demanded, clearly believing the evening at the theatre best forgotten. “Or do I have to stand here looking ornamental all afternoon?”

  “Oh,” Ben said, feeling foolish as he grinned at Dinah, who’d been waiting patiently for the event. “Dinah, love, may I present my brother to you, Fitzwilliam Lancaster. Will, my wife …”

  Will stepped forward and raised her hand to his lips. “A pleasure to meet you, Dinah. I wish I could say welcome to the family, but in all honestly, you’re far better off without the rest of them. I, however, am a delight.” Dinah laughed, and Ben felt relieved that Will had unwound his usually starchy persona to make her feel at ease. “This is for you,” he added, handing her the parcel.

  “You are too kind, my lord,” she replied, before a slight shake of Ben’s head made her change this to a rather warmer, “Fitzwilliam.”

  “Oh, please don’t,” Will replied, shaking his head now and grimacing. “Can’t abide it. Call me Will. I think my sister ought to have the privilege.”

  Will stayed for half an hour and took tea with them before making his excuses, but not before inviting them both to dine with him the following week.

  “Happy?” Dinah asked, linking her arm with his once they had bid Will goodbye.

  Ben nodded, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Yes, love,” he admitted, realising one worry had slid from his shoulders. “I should have been sorry to have lost Will, truth be told. We’ve never really been close, but … well, he’s the closest thing to what a family ought to be that I have.”

  “I’m glad,” Dinah said, sighing a little and Ben looked up at the clock as they returned to the parlour to see that Joe was now an hour late. It looked as if he would not arrive.

  Deciding there and then, Ben decided that he would not let Dinah lose her only family either. Joe might not be a blood relation, but he was Dinah’s father in all but name. He wouldn’t let Joe leave her from some misguided hope of doing her a good turn.

  “Come along, love,” he said, turning and taking her back out into the hallway.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, as Ben called Frost and asked him to ready a carriage for them.

  Ben turned to her and took her hands, smiling. “If the mountain will not come to Muhammad,” he said, his tone rather dry. “Then Muhammad must go to the mountain.”

  Chapter 28

  “Wherein a stubborn man is hoisted by his own petard.”

  Dinah noted with relief that the lamps were lit in the neat little house that had been her home for her whole life until just days ago. Though she was a little hurt that Joe hadn’t arrived as she’d hoped he would, she understood. He was afraid of showing her up, and no matter how she told him she wasn’t worried about such things, he wouldn’t listen.

  At least the house was warm and comfortable for him now, and she’d ensured he’d never have to go back to work - of any kind or worry about money. That he would be lonely and bored, however, was a concern that would not leave her. She owed Joe so much, everything, really. If he’d been her real father, he’d have had a moral obligation to look out for her and keep her safe. Joe had no such tie to her. He’d taken her on out of the goodness of his heart and gone short himself rather than let Dinah feel the lack of anything. That she would now turn away from him because she’d found her own happily ever after … it was the only thing that really took the shine from that happiness.

  They knocked and waited and were rewarded a few moments later as Joe opened the door to them.

  “Dinah,” he said, looking surprised and a little wary, knowing full well he ought to have been having dinner with them by now. “What are you doing here?”

  “We’ve come for dinner,” she said, her voice tart as she walked in without waiting for an invitation.

  “Evening, Joe,” Ben said behind her as she removed her pelisse and bonnet and looked about her. The house was at least warm and well-kept, that she was pleased to see.

  “Ben,” Joe replied, shaking his head and closing the door. “What d’ya mean, you’ve come for dinner?” he demanded, sounding rather put-out as both men trailed after her and into the kitchen. She sat down at the kitchen table and smiled at Ben as he followed her lead and sat opposite her.

  “Exactly that, Joe,” she replied, giving him a direct look. “You obviously feel unwelcome at our home, so we are making things easy for you. We’ll eat here.”

  Joe opened and closed his mouth. “I’ve only got bacon and eggs in,” he retorted, clearly thinking this was enough to put off an English lord.

  “Oh, excellent,” Ben replied, rubbing his hand together and grinning at Dinah. “I’m famished.”

  Dinah returned a warm look, wanting very much to lean across the table and kiss her husband for being such a darling. She confined herself to a smile for the moment, deciding she’d thank him properly later. When they were alone.

  Joe made a noise of disgust but bustled about the kitchen.

&n
bsp; “Is there tea, Joe?” Ben asked, winking at Dinah as she smothered a laugh.

  “Of course there’s tea,” Joe retorted in disgust as he laid thick slices of bacon in the hot pan. “Though if you’re wantin’ that dirty muck what you drinks, you can make it yeself.”

  Dinah chuckled as the divine scent of frying bacon filled the room and got up, patting Ben’s hand as she went. He was a wonderful man, but he really was a lord. He didn’t know one end of a teapot from the other, let alone how to make a decent cup of tea.

  She moved about the kitchen, nostalgic and happy to have both of the most important people in her life with her and smiled as Joe hummed while he concentrated on breaking eggs into the pan.

  A little later, they sat around the little table in the cosy warmth of the kitchen as Ben used a thick slice of bread to mop up the last of his egg. He’d eaten two large helpings and would have demanded more if there’d been any. He gave a happy sigh and reached for his tea, patting his stomach with his free hand.

  “Joe, that was a feast fit for a king, and if you were hoping to be rid of me, I’m afraid you’ve just shot yourself in the foot.”

  Joe snorted, shaking his head. “Silly bugger,” he muttered, though he sounded amused and rather pleased all the same.

  Dinah sighed, knowing she had to broach the subject and hoping it wouldn’t spoil a lovely evening.

  “Why didn’t you come, Joe?” she asked, reaching out and covering his big hand where it rested on the well-scrubbed table top.

  Joe sighed and shrugged, his big shoulders moving though he kept his head bowed and wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I dunno, luv. Don’t seem right, is all.”

  “Doesn’t seem right?” Dinah retorted, knowing just what he meant but knowing, too, that she was damned if she’d let him get away with it. She took a deep breath, eyes flashing with hurt as she allowed her emotions to rise. “Joe Kray, you have been the only father I’ve ever known, and I have always believed you regarded me as your own daughter. Do you mean to tell me you can cast me off so easily and forget me?” she demanded, the words hot and angry as Joe stared back at her in horror.